In a world where youth is often glamorized and aging misunderstood, Christian Living Communities (CLC) is flipping the script with the launch of their bold new podcast, Aging Unscripted. This dynamic series, debuting in March 2025, dives headfirst into the rich, complex, and often under-celebrated experience of growing older—dispelling outdated stereotypes and sparking transformative conversations.
Aging Unscripted is more than a podcast—it’s a movement. It’s for anyone ready to think differently about aging, whether you’re navigating your own journey, supporting loved ones, or working in the field of aging services. Each episode brings listeners into authentic discussions that are equal parts eye-opening and uplifting.
Why Aging Unscripted?
According to Jill Vitale-Aussem, President & CEO of Christian Living Communities, the podcast is a natural extension of CLC’s mission: to create communities where aging is honored and celebrated. “We recognize the need for a fresh and honest perspective on what it truly means to grow older,” she says. “Aging Unscripted will give a voice to those who are reshaping the aging experience, while providing insights that empower listeners to embrace this stage of life fully.”
And that’s exactly what the podcast delivers—an unscripted, unapologetically real look at aging that is empowering, inclusive, and deeply human.
Not Your Average Aging Podcast
Our next episode To Dye or Not to Dye is candid and humorous, take on the decision to embrace gray hair. Hosts Jill Vitale-Aussem and Pam Sullivan share their own journeys with authenticity, breaking down societal pressures around beauty and aging. It’s not just about hair—it’s about identity, liberation, and redefining what “aging gracefully” really means.
Subsequent episodes continue to challenge the norm, taking listeners on an engaging exploration of key issues that shape the experience of aging:
Episode 1: Place Matters
In this episode, aging expert and author Ryan Fredrick joins the hosts to examine how our surroundings affect health, happiness, and longevity. It’s a compelling discussion that reframes aging not just as a personal journey, but one influenced heavily by environment and community. Whether you’re thinking about downsizing, aging in place, or finding the right community, this episode offers valuable insights into how “place” matters.
Episode 2: Citizenship in Senior Living
Moving beyond the passive role of “residents,” this episode features an international aging advocate and Clermont Park resident Verna Cavey, who explores how embracing citizenship in senior communities fosters purpose and inclusion. We share CLC’s Citizenship Model of community living which focuses on how shared responsibility and engagement can elevate the aging experience for residents, team members, and families alike.
Episode 3: To Dye or Not to Dye
Returning to the theme of authenticity, this episode revisits the “To Dye or Not to Dye” question with deeper reflections on ageism, self-acceptance, and social expectations. The hosts’ vulnerability, combined with humor and cultural critique, makes for a powerful commentary on personal expression in later life.
Upcoming Episodes: Living Well with Dementia & Aging as a Spiritual Practice
Future episodes continue the podcast’s commitment to nuanced, progressive conversations. In June we’ll feature dementia educator Jessica Luh Kim and advocate Mary Beth Wighton, who lives with dementia. Together, they discuss how to shift from a narrative of decline to one of dignity and support, highlighting the importance of inclusion and empowerment in living well with dementia.
In July we’ll dive into the spiritual dimensions of aging, with Chaplain Services Director Robert Smith and retired spiritual director Jane Vennard. They offer a thought-provoking dialogue on how spiritual practice can help us embrace aging as a sacred journey rather than something to fear or deny.
A Podcast for Everyone Who Cares About Aging
What makes Aging Unscripted so powerful is its accessibility and relevance. You don’t have to be in your 70s to appreciate the insights this podcast brings. Whether you’re a caregiver, a professional in aging services, or someone simply curious about what it means to age well, this series offers something meaningful. The tone is conversational, the guests are inspiring, and the content is grounded in real-life experience and expertise.
It’s not about sugarcoating aging or ignoring the challenges—it’s about telling the full story, with honesty, heart, and hope.
Join the Conversation
As the podcast tagline suggests, aging is no longer something to fear—it’s something to embrace. With Aging Unscripted, Christian Living Communities is taking this message far beyond its walls and into the public square, helping shift cultural perspectives one conversation at a time.
New episodes will be released regularly on major podcast platforms, and listeners are encouraged to join the dialogue on social media using the hashtag #AgingUnscripted.
Because aging isn’t the end of the story—it’s the start of a new, unscripted chapter.