We’re quick to notice ageism. But sometimes we harbor ageist assumptions about growing older that we may not be fully aware of. Dr. Tracey Gendron, author of Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It, argues that there’s a healthier perspective on aging as a new developmental stage of life.

We discuss:

• Why she thinks everything you know about aging is wrong
• The driving forces behind ageism
• The consequences of ageism – for individuals, businesses, and societies
• Myths about older workers that need to be busted
• The downsides of traditional retirement and age-segregated communities
• How retirement can be a new developmental stage of life
• How can people ask themselves more strength-based and growth-centered questions on aging
• Ableism and how elderhood offers a new vision of later life
• How she defines aging

Dr. Gendron joins us from Virginia.

___________________

Bio

Dr. Tracey Gendron serves as Chair for the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Gerontology. Tracey has a Master’s degree in Gerontology, a Master’s degree in Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology. With over 25 years of experience as a gerontologist, Dr. Gendron has authored and co-authored over 30 manuscripts and seven book chapters on ageism and aging-related topics. She is frequently quoted in popular media outlets, including the New York Times, the Huffington Post, and U.S. News and World Report. Dr. Gendron has spoken about ageism in forums across America.

_________________________

For More on Dr. Tracey Gendron

Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It

_________________________

Podcast Episodes You May Like

From Role to Soul – Connie Zweig

The Age Tech Revolution – Keren Etkin

Are You Ready for The New Long Life? – Andrew Scott

Retirement Planning Includes Getting Good at Getting Older – Rabbi Laura Geller

_________________________

Wise Quotes

On Why Everything You Know About Aging is Wrong

“…the way that we talk about aging is usually all about how our bodies age and decline. So we’re all familiar with the aches and the pains and the different injuries that we may have or disability or illnesses. And that’s most of what we associate with aging. And yes, that is part of aging. But when I say everything else you know about aging is wrong, it is because we don’t talk about aging in terms of growth in terms of opportunity and in terms of development. What do you like better about yourself now than you did last year, or the year before, or five years ago? Aging is really change and not negative change. It’s positive change as well. So, that’s what I’m getting at with everything you think you know about aging is wrong – because you really just hear about a single story of aging, which is the story of decline. Then when you look at the messages that are given about aging from the larger culture, it also feeds that narrative and really brings us a sense of shame about getting older. Instead of growing older, [it’s] how we have to fight aging and how we should hide the visible signs of aging. All of that really comes together to shape what you think you know about aging. And the book is saying let’s look at this a little more critically and then let’s see if you can make a decision for yourself about how you want to see aging.”

On The Consequences of Ageism

“Decades of knowledge and research shows that how we feel about our own aging – if we have negative attitudes – is bad for our health. But it’s not something that we really talk about and not something that most people know, so there’s some pretty serious consequences of negative attitudes towards aging or what I would call internalized ageism. There are many forms of ageism and internalized ageism is the one that focuses how we feel about ourselves as an aging person and our own aging process. And there’s research that shows that when we have negative attitudes about aging, it increases our risk of biomarkers for dementia disorders. It creates a sense of dependency. It even takes seven and a half years of your life. So there’s a longitudinal study that followed people over decades and found that people with positive views of their own aging live seven and a half years longer. So it’s not a small contribution. It’s actually quite a large contribution for each person. It robs us of happiness and it robs us of longevity. It’s also something that we’re just beginning to talk about. We should include Diversity, Equity & Inclusion work on ageism and ableism as it relates to the workplace.”

__________________________

About Retirement Wisdom

________________________

About Your Host

Joe Casey is an executive coach who also helps people design their next life after their primary career. He created his own next chapter after a twenty-six-year career at Merrill Lynch, where he was Senior Vice President and Head of HR for Global Markets & Investment Banking.

Today, in addition to his work with clients, Joe hosts The Retirement Wisdom Podcast, which thanks to his guests and listeners, ranks in the top 1.5 % globally in popularity by Listen Notes. Business Insider has recognized him as one of 23 innovative coaches who are making a difference.

He’s the author of Win the Retirement Game: How to Outsmart the 9 Forces Trying to Steal Your Joy coming this summer.

_________________________

Intro and Outro voiceovers by Ross Huguet

2020 is changing life in many ways, including the way we work.  The trend toward working virtually was already well underway, but now remote work from home jobs may become more common going forward. Working virtually expands options for older workers who want to work longer, but with greater flexibility.

Kerry Hannon joins our podcast to talk about her new book Great Pajama Jobs: Your Compete Guide to Working from Home. She notes how remote work from home jobs level the playing field by focusing attention on performance and productivity.

I discuss with Kerry her views on:

• The benefits of working virtually for mature workers – and the upside for employers.
• If it’s possible for people to redeploy their skills in new areas, while also shifting to remote work from home jobs.
• How someone knows if they’re a good fit for working virtually.
• How to be successful – and happy –  working virtually.
• How people working remotely should approach networking.
• What someone who wants to create ongoing remote work with their current company should do.
• What people should pay attention to in a job search targeting remote work from home jobs, beyond the technical skills a job requires.

Kerry joins us from Washington, DC.

_________________________

Bio

Kerry is the best-selling and award-winning author of 14 books. Her latest book, Great Pajama Jobs: Your Compete Guide to Working from Home is now available. Never Too Old to Get Rich: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Starting a Business Mid-Life, published by John Wiley & Sons, in 2019, and is a #1 bestseller on Amazon and was selected by The Washington Post for its Book-of-the-Month Club in September.

Other best-selling and award-winning books penned by Kerry include: Money Confidence: Really Smart Financial Moves for Newly Single Women, Great Jobs for Everyone 50+: Finding Work That Keeps You Happy and Healthy . . . And Pays the Bills, Love Your Job: The New Rules for Career Happiness, Getting the Job You Want after 50, and What’s Next?: Finding Your Passion and Your Dream Job in Your Forties, Fifties and Beyond.

She has spent more than three decades covering all aspects of careers, business and personal finance as a columnist, editor, and writer for the nation’s leading media companies.

Kerry is currently an expert columnist and regular contributor to The New York Times, MarketWatch, Forbes, and is personal finance and entrepreneurship expert on the PBS website NextAvenue.org. Her areas of expertise include small business, personal finance, retirement, wealth management and career transition.

She has appeared as a career and financial expert on The Dr. Phil Show, ABC, CBS,, CNBC, NBC Nightly News, NPR, Yahoo Finance and PBS.

In addition to delivering practical advice for mid-life workers seeking to land rewarding jobs, find financial and personal rewards and ride the age wave of longevity with grace, a key passion for Kerry is helping and advising women on how to take charge of their own financial planning, at all stages of their lives, to prepare themselves for a financially secure future.

Her earlier books include Suddenly Single: Money Skills for Divorcees and Widows and The 10-Minute Guide to Retirement for Women.

Kerry is a former National Press Foundation Fellow, a former Fellow of the Columbia Journalism School and the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center’s Age Boom Academy. She is also a former Metlife Foundation and New America Media Fellow on Aging.

She has testified before Congress about the importance of older workers.

Kerry graduated from Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she serves on the Board of Visitors. She received a bachelor’s degree from Duke University, where she is currently a member of an editorial board. Kerry lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, documentary producer and editor Cliff Hackel, and her Labrador Retriever, Zena.

_________________________

Wise Quotes

On the Benefits of Working Remotely

“I really truly believe that for older workers, the opportunity to work remotely offers several benefits that you might not have considered. And the number one really is truly getting at the core of ageism, right? This is the ‘ism’ that has been around forever. And nobody really talks about it in a concrete way that helps move the ball forward, but we’re all very acutely aware of it. Here’s the deal. When you’re working remotely, you have the opportunity to be judged on your performance and on your productivity. So you’re not being judged by a cover, but really what’s inside and what you produce. So it sounds a little simplistic, but I honestly think this option offers a great opportunity for experienced workers to be considered on an even playing field by their performance.”

On Networking as a Remote Worker

“…My favorite little slogan is networking is one letter away from not working. So it’s not one of those things that’s expendable. You have got to network and you can’t be ‘too cool for school’, especially if you are looking for a job.  Don’t be bashful. Look at everyone. You know, it’s the only way. And I’m meaning this that you truly get hired these days is you got to know somebody who knows somebody – or you have to have some kind of connection to that employer. [If you] have somebody who can refer you, they’re not going to get you that job, but if they can get you in the door for that first interview, you can shine and sell yourself at that point. But it truly is getting somebody to give you the inside scoop about who you’re going to talk to there, who you can talk to, what the culture is like and what is out there and the best way to find out.”

_________________________

For More on Kerry Hannon

KerryHannon.com

Her new book: Great Pajama Jobs: Your Complete Guide to Working from Home

Her 2019 book: Never Too Old to Get Rich: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Starting a Business Mid-Life

Visit Kerry’s Website

Follow Kerry on Twitter: @KerryHannon

__________________________

Related Podcast Episodes You May Like

I’m Not Done. Are You? – Patti Temple Rocks

The Skill Set for Life’s Transitions – Bruce Feiler

Retired, But Not Done Yet – Dr. Cynthia Barnett

A Second Act after The Law – Mark Shaiken

How to Make a Wise Career Switch – Dawn Graham

Why People Make a Career Change with Purpose Top of Mind – Chris Farrell

___________________________

About Retirement Wisdom

We help people who are retiring, but not done yet, discover what’s next.

A long retirement is a terrible thing to waste. And a meaningful retirement doesn’t just happen by accident.

We help you design the life and/or the second career you want.

Schedule a call today to discuss how we can help you.

Explore retirementwisdom.com

Ageism in the workplace is increasingly an obstacle to working longer. Patti Temple Rocks, author of I’m Not Done: It’s Time to Talk About Ageism in the Workplace, shares her story and why she’s fighting for change. Her book offers a portrait of the costs of ageism and recommends solutions that CEOs and HR can implement.

We discuss with Patti Temple Rocks:

• Why she’s on a mission to combat ageism in the workplace
• When she first noticed ageism in the workplace
• The signs and subtle signals of ageism
• Why ageism is bad for business
• How companies benefit from a multigenerational workforce
• What CEOs and HR can do to create an inclusive culture with age diversity
• What she’s learned for her personal journey
• How 5:45 AM Soul Cycle sessions helped in her transition
• Her advice for people who aren’t done and want to work longer

Patti joins us from Chicago.

__________________________

Bio

Patti Temple Rocks is the author of I’m Not Done: It’s Time to Talk About Ageism in the Workplace. Her book, an Amazon bestseller, was ranked as one of INC Magazine 9 Books Every Professional Should Read in 2019 and Kirkus described her book as a “compelling argument and a spirited call to action against workplace age discrimination.” Patti is also a Forbes contributor and public speaker.

In close to four decades in the communications business, Patti has held senior leadership positions in four different areas of the industry: PR, Advertising Corporate, and Start-up. Patti is known as an inspirational leader, innovative thinker, problem-solver, growth driver, passionate brand steward, and both an agent for change and a counselor during that change.

Patti was the Managing Director for the Chicago office of IPG Public Relations agency, Golin, and led the agency to consistent growth, while providing counsel and ideas to clients including McDonald’s, Walmart, Humana, Tylenol, Unilever, Discover, Dow, and ConAgra. As the Chief Reputation Officer at Leo Burnett, Patti sat on of the agency’s Global Leadership Council, where she provided global strategic leadership of communications, and experienced first-hand the seismic shifts that were happening within the ad industry. While Chief Brand and Reputation Officer for Dow Chemical, Patti was the principal architect behind the company’s “Human Element” campaign, an award-winning rebranding effort that lifted Dow’s reputation scores by the most significant margin in its history. And as Founder of Temple•Rocks Communications in the 90s, she learned how to serve a wide variety of smaller clients while simultaneously getting married, giving birth, making cold calls, fixing copy machines, and built a successful start-up agency along the way.

Most recently, proving that she truly wasn’t done, Patti rejoined the creative agency world. In April of 2019, she accepted a role as Senior Partner ICF Next (formerly Olson Engage) where they utilize her “Wisdom, Experience & Connections” (Chapter 6 in her book) as she leads Client Impact across their combined advertising and PR group, Brand Engage.

Patti, an avid traveler who never says no to a travel opportunity and a lifelong Cubs fan, is most proud to be mother to Jake, step-mom to Eric and Danielle, and “Gigi” to five-year-old twins, Liam and Teagan. She lives in the Chicago suburb of Geneva, with her husband Bob and her two golden retrievers, Rose and Rizzo.

__________________________

Wise Quotes

On First Noticing Ageism

“And so I started to realize that there was a code language that maybe I didn’t fully understand. And so from that moment on, I just think I became acutely aware of some of this behavior that exhibits in workplaces because there is just this unchecked assumption that people reach a certain age and it’s over for them. They either will want to go off and do something different or the organization wants them to, but it was much more prevalent than I realized.”

On Taking Ownership

“…That’s one of the things that makes me saddest about ageism because I think it erodes people’s confidence. And so I think that’s probably why it is hard for people to take the next step…, because you’re not confident that the next step will work. And I’ve always sort of felt like, well, if this doesn’t work, I’ll try something else. So some of that I think must have to do with how I was raised, or I have taken a lot of risks in my career, but I also found when I described what happened with my boss and mentor at the time, I thought I’m not gonna let this happen to me. And I’m not going to be surprised. And if the workplace decides that I’m not relevant anymore, I’m going to be prepared to take that next step to move to that…second act.”

“And that’s when I realized Hell No!… I am still in my first act. I am still good at this career that I’ve spent 30 plus years building. I am not going to go to something else. I’m going to find a way to keep doing what I’m doing. So some of what I think fueled me was I thought I want to change the narrative …in the simplest way: I say, It’s not you. It’s them’  as long as the older worker, so-called older worker is still showing up and doing a good job every day. If the workplace makes a decision that that person isn’t valuable anymore, it’s the workplace, not the person. So I was honestly pretty ticked off when I wrote the book and thought I need business leaders to wake up and realize that they can.”

__________________________

For More on Patti Temple Rocks

Patti Temple Rocks’ book:

I’m Not Done: It’s Time to Talk About Ageism in the Workplace

Next Avenue Article:

The Most Insidious Form of Age Discrimination at Work: The ‘I’m Not Done’ author on the demoralizing practice of marginalization

___________________________

Related Podcasts You May Like

Navigating An Unexpected Career Change – Maggie Craddock

The Skill Set for Life’s Transitions – Bruce Feiler

If You Plan on Working Longer, How Do You Best Prepare? – Kerry Hannon

No Finish Line – Meyer Feldberg

How to Make a Wise Career Switch – Dawn Graham

We’re All Ageing. Are You Up for a Bolder Approach? – Carl Honoré

___________________________

About Retirement Wisdom