In this episode of This Is Getting Old: Moving Toward an Age-Friendly World, I welcome Ashton Applewhite, a leading voice in the global movement against ageism. Ashton challenges the cultural myths that equate aging and disability with decline, showing how these biases harm us all in health care, the workplace, and even in the way we see ourselves. Her talk, Still Kicking: Confronting Ageism and Ableism in the Pandemic’s Wake, highlights the importance of intersectionality and reminds us that ageism is not inevitable—it’s a social construct we can change.

Together, we explore how dismantling ageism and ableism is not just about supporting older adults or people with disabilities—it’s about building a world where everyone is valued at every stage of life. This conversation is both empowering and practical, offering a vision of cultural change rooted in equity, inclusion, and age pride.