Crow's Feet: Life As We Age Podcast

Maybe one of the most pernicious movies to sustain and energize the myth that older people are curmudgeons was the 1993 movie Grumpy Old Men with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.

Recent studies from UC Irvine show that older people are generally happier than younger adults. Research frequently illustrates a U-shaped happiness curve, where well-being often dips in midlife (peaking in unhappiness around age 49) but rises significantly in older age, with individuals often reporting less stress, anxiety, and depression.

According to the Center for Retirement Research, as people age, they typically become better at regulating their emotions and buffering themselves from negative situations. Older adults tend to focus on and remember positive information more readily than negative information, and they hone their social networks to focus on meaningful, close relationships.

There are approximately 101,000 people over the age of 100 living in the United States. These individuals, often called centenarians, make up a small fraction (about \(0.03\%\)) of the overall U.S. population. The population of Americans reaching triple digits is growing rapidly; it increased by 50% between 2010 and 2020.

That’s why a podcast like Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age is so critical to dispel those myths and offer older people a sonic resort in which to enjoy their longevity.

In the July 8th episode, the podcast welcomes debut author Jan M. Flynn to discuss what it’s like to have your dreams come true. Then, on July 22, author and blogger Elaine Soloway talks about living life “Out Loud.”

“It’s my first rodeo,” says Jan M. Flynn, who has achieved what most writers only dream of — a major book release with a powerhouse publisher. Flynn’s debut novel, The Griffin Speaker, came out in May and was named an Indie Next Kids’ pick for May and June, one of Barnes & Noble’s Best Kids’ Books of 2026, and was listed by Bookstop.org as one of the best new middle-grade books for ages 8–12.

Flynn, a board member and frequent podcast host for Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age, has published award-winning short fiction in HuffPost, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Medium.com and on her Substack, The Write Life with Jan M. Flynn. On July 8, she is sharing her story about the road to publishing her first novel. Find out how she created the world of Griffin Speaker, how her varied life experiences have enriched her writing, and what’s in store for the future.

On our July 22 podcast, meet Elaine Soloway, whose gift to herself on her 80th birthday was a tattoo! Soloway, the author of three books, The Division Street Princess, She’s Not The Type, and Green Nails and Other Acts of Rebellion: Life After Loss, and her Substack, Escapades, is also a bit of a rebel. “I live my life out loud,” Soloway says, having penned 10 Ways to Be A Rebel After 87 with advice such as “count your blessings,” “get comfortable with technology,” “be honest,” “be curious,” and “never say it’s too late for me.” The real-life inspiration for the award-winning HBO show Transparent, Soloway will share stories from her life and how to start your own “rebellion” while living life to its fullest.

Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age on the Medium platform (www.medium.com/crows-feet) offers a lively and informative collection of written essays on aging, with new pieces added daily. Since its debut in June 2019, the publication has quickly grown in popularity with contributing writers and readers alike. Currently, Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age features the work of more than 600 contributing writers, 30,000 followers, and more than 6,000 visitors a day. Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age includes podcasts, classes, and information to help change the perception of aging. Visit www.crowsfeetlifeasweage.com