Today, we have a fascinating conversation about the powerful idea of interdependence. Here on the show to lend his expertise on the subject is Dr. Karl Pillemer, the Hazel E. Reed Professor in Cornell University’s Department of Human Development and the author of the recent book, Fault Lines, in which he examines the impact of familial estrangement. We get to hear from our guest about many aspects and angles of interdependence with a focus on why it is something that should never be neglected, especially as we grow older and enter into our retirement years. Karl speaks about life expectancy and how relationships factor into this, why the fear of being burdensome is so common, and how American norms around families and support compare to other parts of the world. We also get to spend some time on the potent concept of longer shared lifetimes and how this underlines the work that Karl is doing. This conversation is jam-packed with amazing insight, illuminating research, and Karl's personal expertise and passion for helping us have better and longer lives, so make sure to join us.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Defining interdependence and why meaningful connections are so important to all of us. 
• How the pandemic has impacted our conception of interdependence. 
• The need for greater focus on interdependence; rethinking how we analyze this.  
• Examining how the fear of being a burden comes into this conversation.  
• Karl explains the idea of longer shared lifetimes and why it is so powerful. 
• The dangers of how the media often portrays intergenerational conflict.  
• Comparing the familial norms in the US to standards in other countries. 
• How smaller families and more broken homes are influencing the way we support each other.  
• Assessing the usefulness of government action and policy changes. 
• Thinking about the role of the healthcare sector in supporting interdependence. 
• Digitization versus interdependence; are these two areas at odds with each other? 
• Ageism and social media and how micro-aggressions online are doing damage.  
• The creation of infrastructure that supports interdependence and where to start.  
• Karl's thoughts on senior living communities and how they can solve certain problems.  
• How to approach the facilitation of age-inclusive workplaces. 
• Why Karl believes so strongly in the health benefits of interdependence.
• Recapping the top ten takeaways from today's conversation with Karl!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Humana

Dr. Karl Pillemer

Dr. Karl Pillemer on Twitter

Fault Lines

Cornell University

The Chair

Harry Truman

Robert Frost

Civilization and its Discontents

Cosmopolitan

Colin Milner Email

Rethink Aging

Although the rate of increased life expectancy is decelerating, and most of us alive today are probably not going to live to 100, there is a lot of very exciting research being done in the field of aging. Today we are joined by Dr. Jay Olshansky who was recognized by Next Avenue (a PBS affiliate)  as one of the top influencers in aging. Jay came up with the breakthrough concept of a longevity dividend which has gained traction across the world, and who built a health assessment technology for life insurance companies. In this episode, Jay explains the benefits of these developments, and also shares a variety of other discoveries that are being made by him and others in the field which have the potential to change the way we age, and how we deal with aging. Although many people want to slow down the aging process, Jay describes aging populations as hidden gems, and explains why everyone in society would do well to take notice of their value and allow them to flourish. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Longevity dividend; the breakthrough concept that Jay and his teams came up with.
• How we need to change our mindset about aging populations.
• The cause of the major increase in life expectancy in the 20th century.
• Why the increase in life expectancy has been decelerating and will continue to do so in the future.
• Jay explains the difference between improving quality of life and reversing the aging process.
• What current research being done with senolytic compounds could mean for the future of aging.
• The only medication that Jay takes consistently.
• Always verify if any claims made to impact the aging process are backed up by scientific evidence.
• Three areas of research within aging that really excite Jay.
• Why it is so important that anti-aging research focuses on the brain.
• Two elements that seem, to an extent, to protect our brain from aging.
• Unrecognized value of aging populations.
• The health assessment technology that Jay and his team designed. 
• What our faces tell us about how we are aging. 
• An age progression tool that Jay wants to develop.
• What the health data economy is, and how Jay expects this to change our lives.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. S. Jay Olshansky on LinkedIn

Before the pandemic, the world was in a mental health crisis. After such a tumultuous year, it is unsurprising that many of us are experiencing anxiety around restoring a sense of normalcy to our day-to-day life. Dr. Kristin Tugman is the Vice President of Health and Productivity Analytics and Consulting Service for Prudential Group Insurance. In today’s episode, she shares some key insights on the struggles employees are experiencing, what the focus areas are for emerging mental health conditions, and how employers can establish best practices in the workplace to support and protect an aging workforce. Additionally, we speak about surge capacity depletion and reduced resilience following the pandemic, the role of ambiguous grief, and some practical ways that workplace relationships need to change. Dr. Tugman gives us her definition of a psychologically healthy workplace and shares her concerns around productivity and equipping older adults to contribute to a changing work landscape. We know you’ll benefit from Dr. Tugman’s wealth of knowledge. Join us today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Some of the ways in which the new re-entry request has created anxiety for employees.
• How the pandemic has exacerbated the global mental health crisis.
• Surge capacity depletion and reduced resilience post-pandemic.
• Ambiguous grief people are experiencing post-pandemic.
• Focus areas for emerging mental health conditions: awareness, stigma, and access to care.
• How employers need to adjust employee relationship management.
• Defining a psychologically healthy workplace.
• Managing the changing needs of aging employees.
• How Dr. Tugman’s study on aging employees has helped inform best practices.
• Changing attitudes towards older workers.
• How Dr. Tugman and Prudential work to help people create financial health.
• Concerns Dr. Tugman has around the workplace and working remotely.
• Productivity concerns on Dr. Tugman’s radar.
• Dr. Tugman’s thoughts around the training necessary to equip older adults in the workplace.
• Colin’s summary of our conversation.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Kristin Tugman on Twitter
Dr. Kristin Tugman on LinkedIn
Prudential
'Helping Employees Battle Re-entry Anxiety in a Post-Pandemic Workplace'