Aging with finesse sounds infinitely more desirable than the humdrum process of simply getting older.  The language we use in describing the aging process is all important. Perhaps even more important is having a plan, as we age. Even though we "don't feel that old" there is an inevitability about the passing years - despite the latest science-backed interventions that may help us slow down the process.  

Clinical psychologist, Dr. Mary Flett, has spent much of her career analyzing the way we value ourselves as we grow older, how we connect with others as we age, and the skills we need to navigate the process with grace. There are, she says, five "pillars of aging," which include creating a legacy of values, staying engaged, adaptation, spirituality, and emotional economics. 

In this LLAMA podcast interview Dr. Flett, who is based in Sonoma, California, discusses the complex, nuanced journey that is aging, and challenges media-driven notions about human longevity.