Description

What if aging is not only about decline, but also about growth, wisdom, connection, adaptability and purpose?

In this episode of The Great Take, hosts Suzie and Roy talk with Dr. Kerry Burnight, a gerontologist and New York Times bestselling author of "Joyspan." Dr. Burnight unpacks the psychology of aging, the danger of internalized ageism and the research-backed practices that help people experience well-being across a longer life.

The conversation explores why society often teaches us to fear getting older, how caregivers can shift the way they see aging and why joy can exist alongside grief, physical change, loss and uncertainty. Dr. Burnight also shares her four-part framework for thriving in longevity: grow, connect, adapt and give.

If you are aging, caring for someone who is aging or trying to rewrite the story you tell yourself about getting older, this episode offers a practical and hopeful place to begin.

CHAPTERS

• 0:00 — Reframing Aging and Older Adulthood
• 1:19 — Meet Dr. Kerry Burnight
• 3:23 — Lifespan, Healthspan and Joyspan
• 4:43 — Joy, Grief, and Quality of Life
• 6:19 — Why We Fear Aging
• 8:41 — The Decline Mindset Around Aging
• 10:23 — Wisdom, Problem Solving and Aging
• 13:58 — Lifelong Learning in Later Life
• 15:31 — Internalized Ageism and Health
• 17:33 — How Ageism Affects Caregiving
• 20:54 — Hope, Coping and Aging Well
• 23:16 — Grow, Connect, Adapt and Give
• 27:34 — Loneliness and Social Connection
• 31:32 — Adapting to Change in Older Age
• 33:03 — Purpose, Giving and Longevity
• 36:20 — Responding to Ageism
• 41:01 — Changing the Narrative for Future Generations
• 43:43 — The "10 Things Right" Joy Practice
• 47:57 — Why Joy and Longevity Are Gaining Attention
• 49:33 — Dr. Burnight's Book, Website and Socials

The Grey Take Listener Line

833-473-9898 — Text or Voice: Leave questions or share a story about aging, caregiving, or family dynamics

RESOURCES

• Brookdale Senior Living
• Dr. Kerry Burnight on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
• DrKerryBurnight.com