Tag: older adults

Every one of us is aging, yet most of us think of it as something that happens to other people later in life. Recently on Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sat down with writer, editor and Oldster founder Sari Botton to explore why growing older is a lifelong experience. 

Through her writing and community, Botton is helping reshape the conversation around aging by bringing together perspectives from every generation. In their conversation, Derek and Sari discuss why our youth-obsessed culture fuels fear of aging, how intergenerational conversations can replace anxiety with optimism, and why there is no universal timeline for life’s milestones.

Check out the full episode here.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT “EVERYONE IS AN OLDSTER”?

I’ve been thinking about what it means to get older since I was about 10 years old. Throughout life, we’re constantly leaving one version of ourselves behind to become the next. We leave grade school for middle school, high school for college, one job for another, one relationship for the next. 

Every stage brings its own expectations, questions and even grief. That’s why I say everyone is an oldster. Aging isn’t something that suddenly begins at 65. It’s something we experience throughout our entire lives, whether we’re thinking about careers, relationships, children or changes in our bodies.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO FEELS LIKE THEY’RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME?

I’d encourage them to ask, “What can I still do?” We don’t know how much time any of us has, but we can be intentional with whatever time remains. Rather than focusing on opportunities you may have missed, think about the goals that are still possible today. It’s never too late to pursue something meaningful. Maybe it won’t happen exactly the way you imagined years ago, but you can still make room for the things that matter most to you now.

DOES GETTING OLDER GIVE PEOPLE MORE FREEDOM TO REINVENT THEMSELVES?

Absolutely. I hear from people all the time who reinvent themselves later in life. They retire, discover interests they never had time to pursue, start new careers, develop creative passions or simply realize they finally have permission to try something different. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through Oldster is that there is so much possibility in getting older. We often focus on what aging takes away, but we don’t talk enough about everything it can make possible.

HOW CAN WE COMBAT AGEISM AS A SOCIETY?

I think ageism largely comes from ignorance. People don’t really know what older adults are like or how capable they continue to be. That’s why I’m committed to making Oldster an intergenerational conversation. When people share their stories across generations, they begin to understand one another. Younger people realize that someone in their 60s or 70s is still living a full, engaged life, while older adults gain a better understanding of younger generations. The more we hear one another’s experiences, the more empathy we build and the less room there is for ageist assumptions.

———–

The following is a recap from Varsity’s Roundtable, a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

———–

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday life, and one of its most promising applications may be helping older adults stay connected, engaged and independent. 

That was the focus of a recent session of Varsity’s weekly Roundtable featuring Assaf Gad, VP of Strategy and General Manager at Intuition Robotics, the company behind ElliQ, an AI-powered companion created specifically for older adults. Gad shared how AI companions are helping reduce loneliness, personalize support and strengthen the circle of care without replacing family members or caregivers. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from his discussion.

AI SHOULD STRENGTHEN HUMAN CONNECTION, NOT REPLACE IT

The most effective AI companions don’t replace caregivers or family members. They make it easier for older adults to stay connected to the people, services and communities that support them.

PROACTIVE AI CAN DRIVE BETTER OUTCOMES

The biggest difference between an AI companion and a voice assistant is initiative. By learning routines and offering timely prompts, AI can encourage healthier habits, stronger social connections and greater independence.

PERSONALIZATION BUILDS TRUST AND ADOPTION

Older adults don’t need to master the technology on day one. AI that adapts to each person’s pace, preferences and comfort level creates stronger engagement and long-term adoption.

THE GOAL IS INDEPENDENCE, NOT SURVEILLANCE

Successful AI solutions give older adults more control over their lives. Consent, dignity and user choice should remain at the center of every interaction and every connection with caregivers.

AI CAN HELP CARE TEAMS WORK SMARTER

AI companions can surface timely insights, automate routine check-ins and promote community programs, allowing staff to prioritize residents who need the most attention while improving engagement across the community.

VARSITY’S FRESH PERSPECTIVE

AI companions represent one of the most promising applications of artificial intelligence in senior living because they address a uniquely human challenge: connection. While much of the AI conversation focuses on automation and efficiency, technologies like ElliQ remind us that AI can also strengthen relationships, encourage healthy behaviors and help older adults maintain their independence. 

The most successful solutions won’t replace people, they’ll help people stay more connected to one another. For senior living organizations, the opportunity extends beyond adopting new technology, it’s about thoughtfully integrating AI into the resident experience and using it to support care teams and personalize everyday interactions.

QUOTES

“Everyone is an oldster. We deal with aspects of physical and emotional aging all the time. It’s not just an old person thing.” (Sari)

“We live in an ageist, youth-obsessed culture driven by capitalism. There’s money to be made by making aging a problem that needs to be solved.” (Sari)

“There’s no going back. You’re going to leave some things behind. That anxiety has morphed into curiosity about what other people’s experience is of getting older.” (Sari)

“When we’re not looking at ourselves in a mirror, we have these ideas of who we are that are based on past versions of ourselves.” (Sari)

“The intergenerational conversation happening on Oldster is helping people feel less trepidatious about aging. It certainly has for me.” (Sari)

“People kept telling me, ‘My life took off at 60… 65… 70… 75.’ They found new partners, new careers, stopped caring what other people thought and started taking risks. That really comforted me.” (Sari)

“Whenever we can really exhibit humanity in its truest form, it’s good. It reminds people they’re not alone in their humanity or their messiness.” (Sari)

“I like myself better than I ever have because I’ve become more myself. I’ve stopped trying to be who I think other people want me to be.” (Sari)

“I’m really just shooting my shot, and it’s paying off. As I get older, more confident and more skilled, I’ll shoot even bigger shots.” (Sari)

“I would say to anyone who feels behind in life: You do you. It’s okay not to be on track with everyone else.” (Sari)

“There is so much possibility in getting older. That’s one of the best things I’ve discovered.” (Sari)

“There isn’t just one right path. If you really listen to yourself and be your true self, you’ll find your right path. It might not match other people’s, but it will take you where you belong.” (Sari)

NOTES

Sari Botton is a writer, editor and founder of Oldster, a Substack publication exploring the emotional, cultural and personal realities of aging at every stage of life. A longtime journalist and essayist, she has become a leading voice challenging traditional narratives around growing older through deeply personal storytelling and intergenerational conversation.

Oldster is a reader-supported publication on Substack dedicated to reframing aging as a lifelong experience rather than something that begins in old age. Through essays, interviews and community discussions, it brings together readers of all ages to examine identity, relationships, purpose, grief, reinvention and the many realities of getting older.

Before launching Oldster, Botton served as an editor at Longreads, where she created the “Fine Lines” series that inspired the publication. She also edited the bestselling anthologies Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York and Never Can Say Goodbye: Writers on Their Unshakable Love for New York. She is currently working on an Oldster anthology expected in 2027, with plans for a podcast and television series that will continue expanding the conversation around aging.

Botton believes aging doesn’t begin at a specific age. She argues that everyone experiences aging throughout life as they move from one stage to the next, continually leaving behind previous versions of themselves.

She says our culture’s obsession with youth has turned aging into a problem to be solved, often fueled by marketing that profits from people’s fears about getting older.

One of the greatest benefits of the Oldster community has been creating conversations between generations. Hearing older adults share stories about finding new careers, relationships and purpose later in life helped ease her own anxiety about turning 60.

Botton believes one of the most overlooked realities of aging is grief—not only over physical changes, but also over saying goodbye to earlier versions of ourselves, changing relationships and unrealized dreams.

She encourages anyone who feels behind in life to stop comparing themselves to others and recognize there is no universal timeline. Every person’s path unfolds differently, and authenticity matters more than keeping pace with peers.

Rather than presenting an idealized version of aging, Botton believes sharing the messy, imperfect parts of life helps people realize they aren’t alone and creates deeper human connection.

Looking back on her own journey, Botton says growing older has made her more comfortable with herself, more willing to take risks and more interested in pursuing new creative passions. She believes aging brings far more possibility than most people realize.

Fraud has become one of the fastest-growing crimes in America, fueled by AI, stolen data and increasingly sophisticated scams. In a recent episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek talked with Kathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention programs at AARP, and Matt Mazenko, general manager of Nomorobo, about how consumers can stay one step ahead.

Together, they discussed why scammers prey on emotion, how AI is making fraud more convincing, why older adults aren’t the only targets and the simple habits and technologies that can dramatically reduce your risk. They also explained why reporting fraud is critical to protecting others and driving broader solutions.

Check out the full episode here.

WHAT HAS CHANGED ABOUT SCAMS IN RECENT YEARS?

Kathy Stokes: The biggest shift began during COVID, when everyone moved online. At the same time, organized crime transformed fraud into a massive global industry. Scam compounds in Southeast Asia now employ tens of thousands of people, many of them victims of human trafficking, whose sole purpose is to steal money from consumers around the world. This isn’t just an individual problem anymore. It’s a family problem, an economic problem and a national security issue.

Matt Mizenko: These organizations operate like sophisticated businesses. They have managers, quotas, bonuses, scripts and playbooks. AI has made them even more effective by helping them analyze personal information exposed in data breaches. Instead of asking for information, scammers now call already knowing details about you, immediately creating urgency and putting you on the defensive.

WHY ARE TODAY’S SCAMMERS SO EFFECTIVE?

Kathy Stokes: Criminals have always understood how to manipulate emotions. That’s been true for thousands of years. What has changed is technology. They can now scale those tactics, personalize them and reach millions of people. Nearly every successful scam includes three ingredients: an unexpected contact, a heightened emotional response and a sense of urgency that pressures people to act before they have time to think.

WHY DO SCAMS SEEM TO TARGET OLDER ADULTS?

Kathy Stokes: The biggest misconception is that scams only happen because older adults experience cognitive decline or aren’t tech savvy. That’s simply not true. Older adults are targeted because that’s where much of the accumulated wealth is. But criminals are targeting everyone. The danger of believing it’s only an older adult problem is that everyone else lets their guard down.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST RED FLAGS PEOPLE SHOULD WATCH FOR?

Kathy Stokes: If you don’t recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. Even answering for a few seconds tells scammers they’ve reached a real person, making your number more valuable and more likely to be sold to other criminals.

Matt Mizenko: If something feels urgent, emotional or too good to be true, slow down. Don’t be afraid to hang up and verify the situation yourself by calling a trusted number. Whether it’s a grandchild in trouble or someone claiming to be from your bank, take a step back before acting.

HOW SHOULD FAMILIES TALK ABOUT SCAMS WITH OLDER LOVED ONES?

Kathy Stokes: Simply telling someone not to answer the phone or click suspicious links isn’t enough. Give them context. Explain that fraud is now one of the biggest crimes in the country and that families need to protect one another. Make it an ongoing conversation where everyone shares new scams they learn about rather than treating it as a lecture.

The following is a recap from Varsity’s Roundtable, a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

———

Art has the power to do something facts and statistics often can’t: change the way people see one another. In senior living, where outdated stereotypes about aging still influence everything from marketing to everyday interactions, creativity can become a powerful tool for reshaping perceptions and celebrating the richness of later life. 

That’s exactly the focus of Meg LaPorte and Jordan Evans, co-founders of Art Against Ageism, who joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable to share how storytelling, public art and interactive experiences are helping challenge ageism and inspire more authentic conversations about aging. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from their discussion.

AGEISM IS OFTEN INVISIBLE UNTIL YOU LOOK FOR IT

Age bias often appears in subtle ways, from marketing imagery to everyday language. Regularly auditing communications and customer experiences can uncover hidden stereotypes.

PUBLIC ART CAN STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Murals and interactive installations invite engagement, generate conversation and help position senior living as an active part of the local community.

AUTHENTICITY BUILDS TRUST

Showing real residents, real experiences and everyday life creates more credible storytelling and helps families connect before they ever visit.

SMALL EXPERIENCES CAN CHANGE BIG BELIEFS

Interactive activations don’t have to be elaborate. Simple, thoughtful experiences can spark conversations that reshape perceptions of aging.

STORIES BRING PEOPLE TO LIFE

Portraits capture attention, but personal stories create emotional connection and help audiences see people instead of stereotypes.

FIGHTING AGEISM TAKES AN ORGANIZATION-WIDE EFFORT

Marketing matters, but lasting change also comes from staff, partnerships and everyday interactions that celebrate aging with dignity.

QUOTES

“We cannot educate our way out of what is a $200 billion-a-year fraud crisis.” (Kathy)

“These businesses are businesses. They are criminal businesses, but they run like a business. They have targets for their employees. They have bonuses for their employees. They have playbooks and very sophisticated scripts. They very much know what they are doing.” (Matt)

“The bigger problem with AI isn’t deepfakes. They’re using AI to harvest the immense amounts of data that have been put out there on the dark web about each of us through data breaches.” (Matt)

“The criminals have had the same playbook for thousands of years. They know what to do to get a person to bypass logic and react emotionally. Before, they didn’t have the technology to scale and perfect it.” (Kathy)

“We’ve been allowing ourselves to believe that it only happens to older people because there must be some cognitive decline or they’re not tech savvy. We were looking for reasons to blame it on older people. That’s not the reality. They’re targeting everybody.” (Kathy)

“They’ve basically taken the practices that banks taught consumers and turned them on their head. They’re saying, ‘We’re calling to be your friend and verify this transaction.'” (Matt)

“If the number calling you is not a number you know, that’s a red flag. Don’t interact with it. Even five seconds of engagement tells criminals you’re a valuable number, and it gets sold again and again.” (Kathy)

“Don’t be afraid to hang up and call back. Anytime something seems suspicious, weird or like you have to decide right now, slow down and verify it yourself.” (Matt)

“We all need to understand this happens to everybody. The smartest, most educated people get scammed because it’s not about intellect or education. It’s because the criminals have a playbook, and it works.” (Kathy)

“Whether it’s Nomorobo or another solution, absolutely you should have something on your phone to protect against those calls. Full stop.” (Matt)

“If you did four or five simple things today, you’d be ten times more protected than you were this morning. But it shouldn’t be our job to protect ourselves when this is the number one crime in the country.” (Kathy)

“You don’t know everything. When you don’t know everything, don’t be afraid to admit it and look for somebody who does.” (Matt)

NOTES

Kathy Stokes is director of fraud prevention programs at AARP, where she leads the organization’s Fraud Watch Network and national efforts to educate consumers, advocate for systemic change and support victims of financial fraud. She is a nationally recognized expert on fraud prevention, financial exploitation and consumer protection.

Matt Mizenko is general manager of Nomorobo, where he oversees technology that protects consumers and businesses from robocalls, spam calls and fraudulent text messages. With a background in software development and mobile technology, he has spent his career building products that solve complex technology challenges.

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people as they age. Through its Fraud Watch Network, AARP provides education, fraud alerts, advocacy, victim support, a national helpline and volunteer-led outreach to help consumers recognize, avoid and recover from scams.

AARP’s Fraud Watch Network includes fraud fighter volunteers in every state, a dedicated helpline available to anyone regardless of age or membership, support groups for fraud victims and families, a scam tracking map, biweekly watchdog alerts and the award-winning The Perfect Scam podcast. The organization has also expanded its advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels to pursue systemic solutions to the growing fraud epidemic.

Nomorobo is a call-blocking technology company founded after winning the FTC’s Robocall Challenge in 2013. Its platform uses advanced analytics, audio fingerprinting and call screening to identify and block robocalls, spam calls and suspicious text messages before they reach consumers and businesses.

Nomorobo maintains a network of approximately 300,000 “honeypot” phone numbers that help identify fraudulent callers in real time. The company also partners with AARP to provide discounted protection for members while sharing intelligence about emerging scam tactics to improve consumer education and awareness.

Kathy says fraud has evolved into a global, organized criminal enterprise worth hundreds of billions of dollars annually and believes education alone cannot solve the problem.

Matt explains that modern scam operations function like sophisticated businesses, complete with employee targets, scripts, incentives and advanced technology.

Kathy notes that scammers rely on emotional manipulation rather than intelligence, using fear, urgency and surprise to push victims into acting before they have time to think logically.

Matt explains that AI is allowing criminals to gather and organize massive amounts of stolen personal data, enabling highly personalized scams that immediately establish credibility.

Kathy challenges the misconception that scams primarily affect older adults, arguing that criminals target anyone but often focus on older adults because they have accumulated more assets.

Matt encourages consumers to hang up, independently verify suspicious claims and never feel pressured to make immediate decisions during unexpected calls.

Kathy urges fraud victims to report incidents to law enforcement, emphasizing that fraud is a crime and that greater reporting helps illustrate the true scale of the problem while reducing the stigma victims often feel.

Both guests stress that consumers should use available call-blocking technology, remain skeptical of unsolicited communications and view fraud prevention as a shared responsibility among individuals, technology companies and policymakers.

Getting older is, as J.J. Hubal puts it, “a very big deal,” and pretending otherwise doesn’t do anyone any favors. What does help? A little honesty, a healthy dose of curiosity and, perhaps most powerfully, a well-timed cartoon. 

Bestselling author, cartoonist and former special education teacher J.J. Hubal joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable recently to share the ideas behind her book, Goodbye Old, Hello Bold, a work that challenges long-held stereotypes and invites people to embrace aging with confidence and humor. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.

HUMOR OPENS THE DOOR TO HARD CONVERSATIONS

J.J. demonstrated how humor and cartoons can make sensitive topics like aging, loss, health and change feel more approachable. Participants were reminded that laughter can create space for honest reflection and meaningful conversations.

AGING REQUIRES LETTING GO BEFORE MOVING FORWARD

One of J.J.’s central themes was that aging well isn’t about denying reality. It’s about acknowledging what’s changed, letting go of what no longer fits and creating room for new possibilities, experiences and relationships.

COMMUNITY OFTEN OUTWEIGHS CONVENIENCE

Discussions about downsizing, aging in place and senior living reinforced that people aren’t just choosing a place to live. They’re choosing connection, purpose and belonging. For many older adults, the real value of a move is gaining community rather than simply reducing maintenance.

THE BIGGEST AGING DECISIONS START WITH CONVERSATION

Whether discussing downsizing, future living arrangements or changing family dynamics, participants were reminded that proactive conversations are far better than waiting for a crisis. Open communication creates more choices and better outcomes.

AGING ISN’T ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL

Health, finances and relationships affect everyone differently. J.J. encouraged attendees to focus less on aging stereotypes and more on helping people navigate their own unique circumstances with honesty, flexibility and self-awareness.

PEOPLE CONNECT WITH AUTHENTICITY

The strongest themes in J.J.’s work came from real-life experiences, frustrations and observations. Participants were reminded that the most relatable stories, messages and marketing often come from genuine human experiences rather than polished talking points.

Music can do more than entertain, it can create connection, reflection and even healing. In a recent episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we talked with Stuart Malina, longtime Music Director and Conductor of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and Tony Award-winning orchestrator.

In the conversation, Stuart discussed why music often resonates more deeply as we age, how live concerts create powerful shared experiences and the surprising ways music can unlock memory and emotion. Stuart also reflects on working with Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp on Broadway’s Moving Out and shares advice about creativity, confidence and defining success for yourself.

Check out the full episode here.

WHAT HAVE YOU OBSERVED ABOUT HOW PEOPLE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH MUSIC CHANGES AS THEY AGE?

The core audience of classical music is older. I would say probably averaging somewhere in the upper 60s to lower 70s. I don’t think this is a coincidence. I think that there is something about classical music that resonates perhaps a little bit more intensely with older audiences. Music speaks to everybody, but as you get older, different kinds of music will bring responses. 

I speak to a lot of people who say the same thing: I grew up and I loved the pop music of my time, and of course I still do. But now I’m beginning to understand this music a little bit better and it speaks to my heart.

WHY DO YOU THINK MUSIC BECOMES MORE MEANINGFUL LATER IN LIFE?

If there is wisdom, it’s just kind of being able to look at life with a little bit more grand perspective, and I do think that might be part of why there’s a response to not just music, but any kind of great art as you get older. 

I also think that part of it is patience. As you get older, I do think there is a greater ability to just sit back and enjoy a journey. So much of classical music is just allowing yourself to enjoy the progression of an emotional arc or the progression of a beautiful long phrase. And I do think that comes a little bit more easily when you’re older. But the last thing might even be just a practical issue, that older people just have a little bit more time.

RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT MUSIC CAN SUPPORT MEMORY, MOOD, AND BRAIN HEALTH. DOES THAT ALIGN WITH WHAT YOU’VE SEEN PERSONALLY?

I actually think that music is unbelievably powerful. I do think that music speaks to parts of the brain that you can’t reach in other ways. We have a great friend of the orchestra who brought her husband to concerts. He was suffering from very severe Alzheimer’s, to the degree where he really couldn’t remember anything and he didn’t remember who people were. 

She brought him to the concerts because when he walked in the concert hall, suddenly he was who he was before. He was recognizing members of the orchestra. And she said that for that one hour and 45 minutes or two hours, he was himself again. And then they would leave and it would be back to his old world. So something’s going on there. 

Everybody in senior living is talking about the workforce crisis. Fewer people entering caregiving. more older adults needing support, rising pressure on operators, care teams and families. But underneath all of those conversations is a reality the industry can’t avoid anymore: the future of caregiving and the future of immigration are becoming increasingly connected. 

For many organizations, this is no longer just a policy conversation. It’s a people conversation, a culture conversation and ultimately a care delivery conversation.

That topic drove a powerful discussion during Varsity’s quarterly Executive Roundtable last week where we were joined by Rob Liebreich, President & CEO of Goodwin Living, and Lindsay Hutter, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at Goodwin Living. Together, they shared how Goodwin Living is approaching immigration advocacy, workforce development and employee support at a time when caregiver demand continues to outpace supply across the country. 

Said Lindsay during the presentation, “If we as a nation didn’t welcome global workers, we would not have the hearts, the heads and the hands to care for the older adults when they are at that stage of living.”

Their conversation explored the emotional realities facing immigrant caregivers, why advocacy has strengthened trust inside their organization and how older adults themselves are emerging as important voices in the workforce conversation. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from their discussion. 

CAREGIVING IS A WORKFORCE MATH PROBLEM, NOT JUST A POLICY DEBATE

As the caregiver support ratio continues to shrink, senior living organizations are confronting a simple reality: there are not enough caregivers to meet growing demand. Immigration is increasingly tied to workforce sustainability and long-term care access.

IMMIGRANT CAREGIVERS BRING CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, NOT JUST LABOR

Many immigrant caregivers come from multigenerational households where caring for older adults is deeply ingrained. That lived experience often translates into stronger patience, empathy and attentiveness in caregiving environments, challenging the misconception that these roles are simply “jobs people take.”

ADVOCACY BUILDS INTERNAL TRUST AS MUCH AS EXTERNAL AWARENESS

Goodwin Living’s public stance around immigration and workforce issues strengthened loyalty and engagement among employees because team members saw leadership actively standing behind them. Values-driven advocacy became a culture-building strategy, even though that was never the original intention.

OLDER ADULTS ARE EMERGING AS A POWERFUL ADVOCACY VOICE

Residents and older adults are becoming active participants in workforce conversations because they directly understand what caregiver shortages mean for their quality of life. Efforts like the “Seniors Care for Caregivers” campaign demonstrate how resident voices can influence public awareness and policymaker attention.

THE MOST EFFECTIVE WORKFORCE STRATEGIES ARE LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

Competitive wages alone are not enough. Organizations are pairing living wages with leadership development, continuing education, retirement benefits and mentorship programs to create long-term career pathways and improve retention across caregiving roles.

Download Goodwin Living’s Citizenship Program Playbook for practical insights on supporting immigrant team members, strengthening workforce stability and building long-term caregiving pathways inside your organization.

Aging rarely happens the way people expect. It arrives gradually, bringing changes in identity, relationships and perspective that can feel difficult to navigate. In a recent episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sat down with bestselling author, cartoonist and former special education teacher J.J. Hubal, whose book Goodbye Old, Hello Bold uses humor and visual storytelling to explore the realities of growing older with more curiosity and courage.

In their conversation, Derek and J.J. discussed why aging often creates anxiety, how humor can make difficult topics more approachable and why reinvention becomes increasingly important later in life. J.J. also shared personal reflections on loneliness, friendship, creativity and the importance of continuing to step outside your comfort zone as you age.

Check out the full episode here.

WHAT DOES “HELLO BOLD” MEAN TO YOU?

I started the whole project at about 72 years old and I had the old part down, but I definitely didn’t have the bold part. So I’m the perfect author. I had zero bold. To me, bold is different things for different people. Sometimes it’s something very small. Sometimes it’s something very large. Most of my time was spent wallowing in self-pity that life hadn’t worked out for this reason, that reason. The whole project was really a search for bold. I didn’t start it even as a book. I certainly didn’t start it with a whole pile of bold ideas. I had absolutely nothing.

WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE APPROACH AGING WITH ANXIETY INSTEAD OF CURIOSITY?

I think people get stuck in the negative, what didn’t go right. We also fill our minds with things that aren’t realistic anymore. There’s nobody blazing the trail for us. We’re pioneers. There are 10,000 boomers turning 65 every day and millions turning 80. You’re overwhelmed with loss and change. All loss causes change and even change you choose ends up with losses. You just have fewer people. If you’ve lost health, money, people or security, all of those things keep us stuck for a while.

WHY IS HUMOR SUCH A POWERFUL TOOL WHEN TALKING ABOUT AGING?

Humor is a powerful tool for talking about anything sensitive or difficult. Adding a cartoon takes you out of a live person saying something. It’s just a drawing. Humor makes the medicine go down easier. Reality can be a tough thing to deal with. The old humor acts like a spoonful of sugar. It lets people face difficult truths without feeling attacked or overwhelmed.

HOW IS THE CULTURAL NARRATIVE AROUND AGING CHANGING?

It’s definitely changing and it’s most evident in media and advertising. Years ago, if somebody was even 50, it was treated like they were almost ready for the grave. Now it’s becoming more natural. We’re investing less in clinging tooth and nail to old images and more in what’s next. People are experimenting more. We’ve opened up both ends of the spectrum. I see younger generations being less rigid too. There’s more freedom now to age honestly.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST FEARS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT AGING?

One of the most popular cartoons I’ve done is just a sign in a yard that says, ‘Estate Sale: Everything My Children Told Me They Don’t Want to Inherit.’ People react to it because the stuff we hang onto has emotional power. It represents pieces of our lives, our history, our memories. It’s not just about cleaning out a room. It’s about realizing the past isn’t coming back. I had to stop looking backward and understand that I was stopping any positive input into my life.