Ep # 147 - Aging Isn’t the Problem: Dismantling Ageism with Ashton Applewhite
In this powerful episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry sits down with Ashton Applewhite—TED speaker, ageism activist, and author of This Chair Rocks—to challenge the outdated stereotypes surrounding aging and retirement. They explore how internalized ageism affects everything from self-worth to career decisions, and how reframing our beliefs can lead to a more empowered and purpose-filled second act. Whether you're retired, nearing retirement, or just thinking about what aging well really means, this conversation is a must-listen.
Key Takeaways
· Ageism Is Everywhere—And Often Internalized
Most people unknowingly absorb ageist beliefs from a young age, shaping how they view aging and retirement. Recognizing and challenging these biases is the first step to aging more confidently and compassionately.
· Aging Brings Growth, Not Just Decline
Research shows that people often become happier and more content as they age. Contrary to cultural myths, aging is not inherently sad or limiting—it often brings increased resilience, perspective, and self-acceptance.
· The Narrative Around Retirement Needs to Change
Retirement shouldn’t signal the end of purpose or productivity. It can be a time of reinvention, continued contribution, and personal fulfillment—if we let go of outdated ideas about what aging "should" look like.
· Language Matters: Challenge How You Talk About Age
Saying things like “I’m too old for this” reinforces harmful stereotypes. Reframing how we use words like "old" and "young" can shift mindsets and promote a healthier view of aging in ourselves and others.
· Education Is a Tool for Empowerment
Resources like This Chair Rocks and OldSchool.info help people better understand the realities of aging and fight ageism in their communities. Awareness leads to advocacy—and ultimately, to a more inclusive view of later life.
Ideas Worth Sharing
“We’re aging from the minute we’re born - It’s not something old people do. It’s how we move through life.”
“We can’t control everything about aging, but we can control how much we know about it - and our attitudes towards it.”
“Most people muddle through aging just fine—that’s the real story you don’t hear.”
“The longer we live, the more different from one another we become.”
“Wrinkles aren’t tragic - who says they are? Culture does - to profit from our fears.”
Resources
Ashton Applewhite
This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism - Ashton Applewhite’s acclaimed book that challenges cultural stereotypes around aging.
Available in print and audiobook (read by Ashton herself)
Old School Hub (oldschool.info) – A free, curated resource center co-founded by Ashton, dedicated to educating and mobilizing people to end ageism.
Features:Free downloadable tools, videos, articles, and guides
Searchable by topic or format (e.g., workplace, healthcare, media)
Weekly open Zoom chat every Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET to connect with others interested in dismantling ageism
Other Mentioned Websites and Platforms
· Oldster Magazine – A magazine substack for all people, who are experiencing getting older.
Why Aging Isn't the Problem—It's Our Mindset That Needs to Change
Challenging Ageism, Embracing Positive Aging, and Finding Retirement Happiness
Have you ever wondered if everything society taught you about getting older might be fundamentally wrong? That's the revolutionary question at the heart of anti-ageism advocate Ashton Applewhite's work, which offers a refreshing perspective on aging positively and retirement planning.
The Hidden Biases That Shape Our Aging Journey
As the author of "This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism" and founder of the anti-ageism resource hub Old School, Applewhite has dedicated nearly two decades to dismantling the pervasive myths about growing older. In a recent episode of the "Your Retirement Planning Simplified" podcast with host Joe Curry, she explored how ageism in the workplace and our internal beliefs create unnecessary barriers to living fulfilling lives as we age.
"Ageism is simply any judgment based on how old we think someone is," Applewhite explains. These judgments manifest in countless ways—from assuming someone is "too young" for leadership to believing someone is "too old" to learn new skills. These biases begin in childhood through media messages and family attitudes, becoming deeply internalized unless we actively challenge them.
The Surprising Truth About Happiness and Aging
Perhaps the most eye-opening revelation from Applewhite's conversation is that contrary to popular belief, happiness in retirement and beyond tends to increase, not decrease. Research consistently shows a U-shaped curve of life satisfaction, with contentment actually rising in later years.
"Despite the doom-and-gloom retirement fears we're fed, older adults demonstrate greater emotional resilience, reduced anxiety about death, and a stronger connection to their core values," Applewhite notes. This contradicts the narrative of decline that dominates discussions about aging and retirement life.
Distinguishing Between Real Challenges and Social Constructs
While acknowledging genuine concerns like health in aging, caregiving needs, and retirement financial planning, Applewhite makes a crucial distinction: many difficulties associated with growing older stem from social and economic systems, not the biological process of aging itself.
"We've created a society that makes later life harder than it needs to be," she argues. "But when we separate the physical realities from the cultural baggage, we can address both more effectively."
Practical Steps to Transform Your Aging Experience
So how can we begin to shift our perspective? Applewhite suggests starting with self-awareness about our language and assumptions:
Do you attribute normal forgetfulness to "senior moments"?
Are you hesitant to reveal your age?
Do you frame physical changes exclusively as decline?
These subtle habits reveal internalized age discrimination that limits our potential. By consciously changing our language around aging—especially when speaking with younger generations—we help create a culture that views aging as growth rather than deterioration.
Embracing the Potential of Later Life
The core message that emerges from Applewhite's work is transformative: aging itself isn't the enemy—it's a natural, lifelong process with distinct advantages. When we challenge restrictive narratives and embrace the possibilities of each life stage, we open ourselves to a retirement that's not just longer but richer in purpose, connection, and fulfillment.
Ready to rewrite your aging story?
Start by questioning one age-related assumption today. Your future self will thank you.