In this episode of Aging Unscripted, guest host Chaplain Services Director Robert Smith and retired Spiritual Director and author Jane Vennard explore aging as a spiritual practice. They discuss how Western culture pushes us to deny aging, but through a spiritual lens, we find freedom, purpose, and celebration in the journey. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on embracing aging with mindfulness, grace, and deeper meaning.

1. Books that Jane Vennard finds useful:

Chittister, Joan, The Gift of Years: Growing Old Gracefully, Blue Bridge, 2010.

Iyer, Pico, The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere, Simon & Schuster, 2014.

Leland, John, Happiness Is a Choice You Make: Lessons From a Year Among the Oldest Old, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2018.

Singh, Kathleen Dowling, The Grace in Aging: Awaken as you Grow Older, Wisdom Publications, 2014.

Vennard, Jane, Fully Awake and Truly Alive: Spiritual Practices to Nurture Your Soul, Skylight Paths, 2013.

1. Spiritual Care in Senior Living Blog by Robert Smith

In this episode of Aging Unscripted, we challenge traditional views of dementia, shifting from a focus on decline to empowerment and support.

Hosts Jill Vitale-Aussem and Pam Sullivan welcome dementia educator Jessica Luh Kim and advocate Mary Beth Wighton, who is living well with dementia. Together, they explore how to foster true belonging and create a more inclusive, supportive world for those on the dementia journey.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation!

1. Dignity & Dementia: Carpe Diem by Mary Beth Wighton

2. Dementia Action Alliance

3. Living with Well Dementia Blog CLC

In this episode of Aging Unscripted, hosts Jill Vitale-Aussem and Pam Sullivan tackle the question: “To Dye or Not to Dye?”

Sharing personal, heartfelt, and humorous stories, they explore the emotional journey of embracing gray hair. From societal pressure to the freedom of authenticity, they discuss ageism, stereotypes, and the liberation of letting go of hair color.

Join us as we break free from expectations and celebrate the beauty of aging—gray and gorgeous!

Openly Gray Blog

Giving Gray Hair the Green Light Column