Brains, Balance, and Belonging: The New Science of Aging Well

with Janis Clark Johnston,

Author, Psychologist

This week on the Art of Aging, Rev. Beth Long-Higgins speaks with psychologist and author Dr. Janis Clark Johnston about redefining retirement as a time of growth, creativity, and purpose rather than decline. They discuss how major life transitions like moving or leaving a career can stimulate the brain, the role of daily mindfulness and meditation in emotional resilience, and Dr. Johnston’s concept of a “psychological portfolio” that includes personality, reflection, exercise, and creativity. The conversation explores grief over the loss of professional identity, differences in how men and women experience retirement, and the importance of asking, “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” Key takeaways include embracing a growth and grit mindset, letting go of old roles, staying socially connected, and seeing later life as a season for reinvention, learning, and contributing in new ways.
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Notes:

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

  • Welcome to Today’s Episode with Janice Clark Johnston (0:36)
  • Moving, Transitions, and Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone (3:26)  
  • Mindful Reflection Group and Daily Meditation Practice (6:36)  
  • Psychological Portfolio and Personality in Later Life (10:16)  
  • Grieving the Loss of Professional Identity in Retirement (13:43)  
  • How Men and Women Experience Retirement Differently (17:01)  
  • “What Would You Do if You Knew You Could Not Fail?” and New Pursuits (20:58)  
  • Letting Go, Mindset, and Growth in Retirement (24:28)  
  • Grit, Health Challenges, and Physical Therapy (28:25)  
  • Shifting from Psychologist to Author and Writing What You Know (31:45)  
  • Aging, Falls, Balance, and Crystallized Intelligence (35:16)  
  • Creativity, Poetry, and Her Mother’s Legacy of Abundant Aging (37:18)  

 

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. 

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