Senior PrimeTime Podcast Launch/ Episode 1- Real People, Real Conversations-With Annie Charles of Ageless Conversations

Senior PrimeTime Podcast Launch/ Episode 1- Real People, Real Conversations-With Annie Charles of Ageless Conversations

Navigating Your Third Act: Connection, Purpose, and Ageless Conversations with Annie Charles

 Welcome to the premiere episode of Senior Prime Time, a podcast dedicated to helping you live your best life at any age, especially in the vibrant stage we call "Act Three." Join your host, industry veteran Bonnie Keith, and the CEO of the Foundation for Senior Services, Joyce Robertson, as they launch this journey with a powerful conversation about aging with intention.

Our inaugural guest is Annie Charles, founder of Ageless Conversations. As a life coach with over 15 years of experience, Annie specializes in helping seniors feel seen, supported, and empowered. In this episode, we dive deep into the "epidemic of our time"—social isolation—and explore how simple acts of connection can radically improve cognitive health and longevity.

Whether you are a senior looking to "clear the fog" and move forward with clarity, or an adult child seeking to better understand your parents' journey, this episode offers the tools and perspectives needed to thrive. Learn why naming your emotions softens their intensity, how to redefine your "family of choice," and why laughter truly is a superpower.

Drop your pebble today: What is one small positive action you can take this week to create a ripple of change in your life? Let us know in the comments!

Chapter Markers (Timestamps)

• 00:00 – Welcome to Senior Prime Time: Launching Act Three.
• 01:45 – Meet Annie Charles: Feeling Seen in a World That Makes Seniors Invisible.
• 03:20 – The Epidemic of Social Isolation and the Power of a Smile.
• 04:50 – Moving Forward with Clarity: Decision-Making and Independence.
• 06:15 – Rewriting the Story: What We Absorbed About Aging from Family and Culture.
• 07:45 – The "Whack-a-Mole" Effect: Why Naming Emotions Reduces Negative Power.
• 09:30 – Connection and Longevity: The Surgeon General’s Data on Community.
• 11:45 – Letting Go of "What Used to Be" to Embrace the Reality of Today.
• 14:50 – The Foundation’s Call Companion Program: Fighting Loneliness One Call at a Time.
• 17:30 – Redefining Family: Choosing Who is at Your Table in the Third Act.
• 20:15 – Laughter, Gratitude, and Deep Breathing: Physical Tools for Emotional Health.
• 23:10 – "The Pebble is Small, the Ripples are Not": A Poem for Change.
• 26:30 – How to Connect with Annie 
• Move Forward with Intention: Learn how coaching helps clear the mental "fog" to make empowered financial and lifestyle decisions.
• The Power of Connection: Discover why human interaction provides a 50% benefit to physical and emotional health.
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Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• Annie Charles (Ageless Conversations): www.coachanc.com
• Foundation for Senior Services: www.foundationforseniorservices.org
• Sponsor: Special thanks to Simpler Horizons Insurance Solutions (Owned by Elka Soussana) for supporting Senior Primetime Podcast.

Senior PrimeTime is brought to you by the Foundation for Senior Services and hosted by Bonnie Keith.
Each episode features conversations that help seniors and their families live with purpose, vitality, and confidence in Act Three.

Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, or YouTube Music so you never miss an episode.

Learn more:
 FoundationForSeniorServices.org

Transcript

Speaker 0:06

Welcome to Senior Primetime, where real people and real conversations come together. Hi, I'm Bonnie Keith, Creative Visual Director, Industry Veteran, and your host of Senior Primetime. This podcast is brought to you by the Foundation for Senior Services and its co-founder and CEO, Joyce Robertson. Senior Primetime is about living your best life at any age, especially in what we lovingly call Act 3. Today's conversation is the perfect way to launch this journey. Senior Primetime is proud to bring you guests who are certified specialists and trusted partners of the Foundation. And kicking us off with our very first senior specialist is Annie Charles, founder of Ageless Conversations, a coach who helps people feel supported and empowered at every stage of life. And with that, let's get started. I want to say hi to Joyce Robertson, the CEO of the Foundation for Senior Services, who is bringing you and I senior prime time. I am Bonnie Keith. I am the host, and we have today Annie Charles of Ageless Conversations. And Annie, could you just tell us a little bit about yourself?

Speaker 2 1:34

I am a life coach doing the work that absolutely makes my heart sing. And I'm so grateful to be doing this for over 15 years, working with people, bringing out the best, a plan, a change, whatever is needed is what I focus on.

Speaker 1:54

I know that you say in your mission uh that you help people, as you just said, be seen, supported, and empowered at every stage of life. So feeling seen, not feeling invisible, which a lot of seniors start to feel. What really does that mean to you? And how do you help people that come to you feel seen and heard and empowered? What's your what's your magic?

Speaker 2 2:17

You know, it there's no magic, and it's really simple. It is about looking at someone, looking in their eyes and listening to them. And what I noticed in the senior population is how many times they will be sitting in the back and people are just walking by. And when I would connect with them and actually say hello and smile and listen, it they just came alive. And so it really opened my eyes to how important it is. And you know, social isolation is the epidemic of our time.

Speaker 1 2:59

Absolutely.

Speaker 2 2:59

And, you know, seniors are so susceptible to this. So the idea of connecting, listening, and being that sounding board that is neutral for them is really important.

Speaker 3:13

Moving forward with clarity, purpose, and intention. What does that actually look like?

Speaker 2 3:18

You know, moving forward is about creating a plan or clearing away the fog. For example, I had a senior client who was trying to make a lot of financial decisions and where she was going to live and all of these things. And she's very smart, very educated, very sophisticated woman with adult children who are wonderful and supportive. And yet, it was important to her to talk to someone else to make these decisions because then she felt like she was maintaining her independence. But at the same time, we all need someone to listen to and help bounce ideas off and create that plan. And so that's what I mean by moving forward is listening, mirroring back what I hear you say, and then creating a plan.

Speaker 4:11

In your work, you ask a powerful question. What has culture, family, and early experiences taught you about aging? So why is it so important for people to examine the stories that they've absorbed about getting older?

Speaker 2 4:27

Yeah, well, you know, everything that happens to us, events live in our soul, right? And the past traumas, the past actions, our culture, our families, everything that creates who we are sets us on a path. And the question is, is it the right path for us today? Right. Many lessons we've learned or seen are very powerful and impactful, but they may be taking us down a road that is not um happy, healthy, or necessary for us today. So looking at what we want to keep and what we want to change, because what we are doing today is what our children and the next generation is seeing and absorbing. So it really comes full circle.

Speaker 5:23

One of your core messages is about acknowledging emotions, which is no, we all not pushing them away. So why do you believe that naming emotions actually softens their intensity? That's kind of a new one for me.

Speaker 2 5:39

Well, clarity around what we're feeling. When we're thinking about something and we're feeling it, it can spin and spin and usually goes in a negative spin.

Speaker 1 5:51

Yes.

Speaker 2 5:52

But when we say it, it changes everything. So it reduces the power that a negative emotion will have. It creates the opportunity to say, okay, you know, what else can I feel? How else can I process what's happening? And it creates that space to move forward. But if we keep our emotions in, it's kind of like whack-a-mole. They're gonna come up and they're gonna come up in the worst place possible, right? And that's where we get into really intense dysfunctional relationships because things are not said, but then actions happen that take us down a bad path.

Speaker 6:34

When you emphasize connection, connection, connection, because that's a big thing for you, obviously. And that is like, I believe, everything, because we're all about connecting with ourselves and with other human beings, uh, and you back it up with real data. Can you share why connection is so critical for cognitive health, mental health, and longevity?

Speaker 2 6:56

The statistics around this that were published by the Surgeon General really say that just about 50% in all of those areas will benefit us by connecting and being part of our community by helping others, by doing all these things, is critical to our physical and emotional health.

Speaker 7:24

And that's why you ask people to commit to staying connected, right? So for people that are listening today, what would you say that's one realistic commitment that any of them should be able to make this week?

Speaker 2 7:39

Well, it's really not for me to tell them what step that is. Okay. What I do is ask questions, right? What can you do? What are you already doing? How would it feel if you had coffee with someone today instead of just sitting by yourself? You know, how would it feel to walk over to someone who is sitting by themselves and give them a smile and join in with them? What organizations do you belong to? You know, there's so many things in our life that are possible. So the question is, what's possible for you? And are you taking advantage of that? And will you commit to doing one of these things this week?

Speaker 8:23

Yeah, which is a hard thing to do. But once you commit and you get out there, gosh, you feel so much better. Well, the endorsements that are released are very, very powerful. And who doesn't want more of that? Exactly, exactly. And another powerful idea that you introduced is letting go of what should be, what used to be. I have someone in my life right now who is not even a senior who is dealing with this and can't let go of he thinks in the future and it's negative because of something that happened in the past that he can't let go of. Why is that so difficult?

Speaker 2 9:01

Everything that I talk about in my coaching world has to do with us at every stage. That's why it's ageless conversations because it this is life in general. But like you said, as we get older, things do get more intense. As we get older, things are changing. You know, who is in our life, who isn't, where are we going? What activities are we doing? Who are we doing them with? So there is a lot of thinking about what used to be. And I understand that. I mean, I have that in my own life as well. If we stop and say, okay, I'm not gonna get rid of that feeling, right? If we're sad or we're longing, that's okay. I'm not saying you're just gonna find something and poof, that feeling's gonna go away. But to me, it's all about um going forward with that feeling in conjunction with this event or this situation in our life. I also have the capacity to look at it from a different perspective that will help me move forward instead of staying stuck. Because if we stay in what used to be and what we want it to be, that's not the reality, right? Right. So where is that gonna take us? You know, in our head, it's it's just really very negative. For instance, my daughter moved to Denver with her husband. And it's the first time any of my kids are not in my area to come to my nest, right? And the holidays last year, first time ever, she wasn't at home. And so, of course I'm sad. Of course I wish they weren't there, of course I wish all these things. But on the other hand, she has a beautiful life there. She is so happy, and we FaceTimed all the time while she was, you know, shopping for chkolas for the table. She's showing them to me. I got to see her table, I got to see her friends. You know, I was there in the any way that we could. So is it what I would prefer? No. But I don't want to just sit and feel sad. So I chose to celebrate what I can and let it be good.

Speaker 11:23

So you use the word chose. And again, when I'm talking to this person in my life, I keep saying, you have to change your perspective. You know, think your your everything is the glass is half full, but the and in reality, it's not. The glass is very full. So you're right, it is a choice, but when people are so down on themselves, how can they change their choice? How do they change that perspective? That's a hard one, right?

Speaker 2 11:53

Because we can't change people, right? And they have to want to have something different in their life.

unknown 12:01

Okay.

Speaker 2 12:01

And sometimes we have to let them get to the bottom of that feeling that can say, can you help me? or can we talk about this? Or even if you go and say, Are you, are you ready? Are you open to hearing some other perspectives about this? You know, so you have to ask permission, and then maybe they say yes, but they don't want to take action, but that's okay if they're willing to listen. But I think it's important to ask people when in that kind of situation, are you open to hearing something? Because we have to respect where they are. Otherwise, that's how it starts that other dysfunction in the family, you know, and people pushing each other away.

Speaker 12:51

Right.

Speaker 2 12:51

So people come to me for coaching because they have a desire to learn or do something different. Now it doesn't mean it's easy. It doesn't mean that they embrace what I'm saying. They may struggle, struggle, struggle. But my role is to say, okay, what are you getting from this? How is this serving you? You know, what what is the the goal here? You know, so I just bring to the table what's happening, and and if they're, you know, if this is where they want to be, then this is where they're going to be. Does that make sense?

Speaker 13:31

It really does. And thank you. The asking permission to offer the advice. That's very um that's that's that's wonderful.

Speaker 1 13:40

Bonnie and Annie, I I just seem to you talk so eloquently about this connection and this communication. And Bonnie, you mentioned calling someone in your life. It makes me think that uh with our call companion program.

Speaker 13:56

I was just gonna mention that, Joyce. Yes.

Speaker 1 13:59

I think about I'm so glad that we have that vehicle where people can call and get a friendly call buddy to talk about these kinds of things that the two of you are talking about today. And they have a vehicle to talk to somebody that cares and has compassion and can listen. So that hard work might become a little easier if that communication and connection stays open. Annie and and Bonnie, what do you think about our call companion program and what you've seen when we get people calling that are lonely, isolated, not quite sure what direction to take. How do you think a program like that can help?

Speaker 2 14:41

It's extremely important and so beneficial. And this is why I love the work that we do with the Foundation for Senior Services. This is why I am a part of this organization because of all the tools that we are focused on bringing to our seniors, and as well as uh, you know, over 300 specialists who can help in so many different areas that they might need. And specifically the call companion, when you call someone, again, it's those feel-good endorphins because you're making a call to connect. How are you? What's happening today? You know, just call to say hello. And the other person starts to talk, and then they really start to talk, and all of a sudden you've got this bond and you're laughing and you're connecting. And by the time you hang up, both of you feel those feel-good endorphins, right? So it's good for everyone. It's it's just so powerful. We need each other, we need to stay connected.

Speaker 1 15:50

We chose this week to actually launch senior prime time, and that's because this week honors seniors with welderly day, March 16th is Welderly Day to celebrate and honor all of us, to look ahead, just like what you're saying, and how to have a fuller life and actually not look back. But we have a journey in our third act, Annie, like you talk about all the time, uh, to move forward and to really embrace what we can do to enjoy the journey, enjoy this week and and welderly day, and and and move forward with us and cool and communicate and connect.

Speaker 2 16:33

I think, you know, as we're growing up, there are so many guidelines or books. How do you how do you raise your kids? How do you go for a career? There's so much information. And then when we get to be seniors, I think maybe everybody thinks we got it figured out, right? We're the wise ones. Now it's time to relax and we're just gonna have fun, but not everybody approaches it that way. And and families don't understand how to support and how to help and how to anticipate what changes may come for them as well. So, you know, I have seen when I have been out at foundation events of the adult children of seniors coming and talking to us, and their eyes are so wide open, they're they're just like stunned about what's happening and what they can do. And that's surprising to me to see how much people don't know about this phase, you know, this third act, this the greatest generation. There are some seniors who are living a great life and they are so happy. So it's not all, you know, doom and gloom. There are people who are thriving. We just want to put all of them together so that the ones who aren't can see the ones who are, and that's how that continuous circle keeps moving everybody forward.

Speaker 17:53

So you just mentioned family. So you also speak about in your business embracing a family of choice, which is different than your family that you were born into. So why is redefining family in this third act so important?

Speaker 2 18:09

As we age, as life changes, like I said, people maybe are no longer there, situations are different, where we're living, what we're doing. And so longing for the family or the people who used to be. So if we can look at who is at the table, right, and embrace that, these people, these are now our family, could be so many people, could be your best friend that you grew up with, it could be one of your friend's parents. And there's there's so many variations of family of choice. And for an example, at one of the senior communities that the foundation had us come and talk to, they're now living in a new environment, right? And when the holidays come or any type of celebration, they have chosen to look at who they are with in their new community, who is at their table. And I can remember this man's face so clearly. And he said, This is my family of choice. I am choosing to be happy and be part of this new life. And there's so many fun things to share because they've never heard the stories a hundred times that they're gonna share, right? And and but but again, you have to you have to choose it, you have to be open to it. And it doesn't mean that it's easy because at that same event, there were people who just moved there, and that transition is hard. And so it wasn't as easy for them to happily look at their new family of choice, but they're there, they're willing, and the others are embracing them to help move through that transition.

Speaker 19:57

You you you talk about laughter as a superpower, and I also want to know how when someone feels overwhelmed, where do they start with that?

Speaker 2 20:07

So, well, first laughter, you know. Um what I have found in my work is that everything has a physical reaction. Yeah. For instance, self-care, how we take care of ourselves has a huge impact on our heart health, on our in addition to our emotional health, you know, depression, anxiety. Um gratitude. Gratitude has a physical effect on our body and how we how healthy we are, just by the fact that we practice gratitude. Laughter is the same thing. The endorphins, the feelings, the connection that is released with laughter is hugely important. So it's not always easy to find something to laugh about. Is there a funny movie that you always know is gonna crack you up, or a TV show, or a corny joke that you love to think about that you know somebody told you? Or looking at a picture of one of our, you know, grandkids or someone we love with that smiling face can bring a smile and joy. So there's lots of ways, and it's just really important to break that cycle of feeling lonely, negative, disconnected, right? Whatever. And being overwhelmed, yes, that that is all of us. I mean, the idea of multitasking, it's just not productive. So when we're overwhelmed, what I really find is the need to just stop, stand where you are, take that deep breath in, hold it, and then even a slower breath out. Because when we do that, it our body tells our nervous system that we're safe. And we don't have to be in fight or flight. And we can now have access to calmer thinking. And we just do one thing at a time. You know, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. And that is it's simple. That's what it works really well.

Speaker 22:23

So if you were to right now have one takeaway from everything that you've talked about now, what would you say the main, if you wanted to leave our listeners the the biggest thing that they can do that they can take away from this, if they could act on, what would what would what would it be?

Speaker 2 22:42

You know, that's like asking me who's my favorite child.

unknown 22:47

Of course.

Speaker 2 22:50

I know. Sorry about that. I think. Of course. Right. And so, you know, I guess, you know, the awareness piece, the willingness. Because if we are willing, all of these things can come through us. But if we are stuck and we are stubborn, then that's where we're gonna stay, right? And nothing I say, you say, the foundation, nothing will change anything. So the willingness to listen and to be open to perspective and a better experience in life is crucial.

Speaker 23:33

I knew you could do it, Annie. I knew I threw that one at you. Okay, so now I have asked you to read a poem that I just think just sums it all up as well. Can you say what the name of the poem and can you just read it to us really, really quickly? Yeah, everyone will enjoy it.

Speaker 2 23:53

So it's called The Pebble is Small, The Ripples Are Not. And I end every talk I do with this poem. And I also have a beautiful basket of pebbles that when we're in person, I pass it around and everybody takes one because I want them to hold this and remember what we talked about. When you look at this pebble, let it remind you of some of these nuggets that came out of our discussion. And so the idea is every small choice we make creates ripples. A moment of gratitude, a decision to show up for an activity, a smile for someone sitting alone. These may seem like tiny pebbles, but their effects spread outward into our mood, our relationships, our community, and our long-term well-being. Just like a pebble creates widening circles, one small positive action can create waves of change in our lives and the lives around us.

Speaker 25:11

I just love that. And and now I want to ask for our listeners who just heard those beautiful words, and thank you for sharing that poem. What is one small pebble that they could drop today that might create ripples in their own life or in someone else's? Just one small pebble. And I'd love everybody to think about that. Actually, write it down so that you will do it, and then comment below this podcast link and let us know what you have done, how you feel about that, and what you're hoping will come from this one little action that you are now taking for your life or for someone else's. And is there anything else that you, Annie, would like the listeners to do or to know or to feel and Joyce the the same before we finish up this wonderful uh conversation?

Speaker 2 26:07

Well, I just really want to say how grateful I am to be a part of this conversation and how wonderful it is to talk with you, Bonnie, and to be part of the Foundation for Senior Services with Joyce is truly amazing and such a gift that we get to bring to the community and to not only seniors but their families as well. And it is so important and I'm so grateful that the foundation is there and a terrific resource for people. And I just enjoyed so much our conversation today. So thank you for having me.

Speaker 1 26:45

You too. Thank you, Annie. And and Joyce. I actually have goosebumps right now, Annie and Bonnie. Um, I am just so honored that we started with you two wonderful women that represent our organization so well. And to listen to that poem and that pebble that I want to hold on to is how grateful I am for both of you and all of our wonderful people that are serving seniors every day to live that better life moving forward into their third act. I know for me, my third act is moving well because of the two of you and all of our others. Thank you. Thank you so much for starting senior prime time off for us today.

Speaker 27:27

Well, thank you. Thank you, Joyce. It is an honor for me to be a part of this. And I I mean, I get to to to hang with Joyce a lot and uh and to host and and get to know wonderful people like you, Annie. And if the people who are listening want to contact you, Annie, can you just give them really quickly? Uh by the way, everyone, uh Annie's information and the foundation's information is in the description, in the show notes.

Speaker 2 27:54

Yeah, my website, www.annieccoachanniec.com, is a perfect way to get a hold of me. You can write me a message, it'll reach me right away, and I will connect with you as soon as I can.

Speaker 28:08

Fantastic. And and and Joyce, is there any way that you would want people to uh get in touch with you or for the call companion? Or what's the best uh way for them to do that?

Speaker 1 28:18

Please know that you can call us, you can email us at the information that you have, go on our website, send us a message, and we will be here to you to guide you through whatever assistance you might need in any area of your life.

Speaker 28:32

Perfect. And and the it's the Foundation for Senior Services.org is the official website website for the foundation. I just want to thank everyone for listening in on our launch episode. This is number one during welderly week of senior prime time, and we will be bringing you more once a month for now. And we hope that you come back because we've got all kinds of good stuff coming your way. And it's just been a pleasure again, ladies. And I hope you have a wonderful day and a wonderful week, month, and year. And for everybody out there who's in their third act like I am, welcome. It's feeling good here. Thanks to people like my friends Annie and Joyce. And we will see you next time. Thank you, Annie. Thank you, Joyce. Have a great one, everybody. Thank you, Bonnie. Thank you. Thank you so much for listening and for being part of the conversation. We're so grateful that you've spent your time with us, and we hope that today's discussion was meaningful to you. And we'd also like to give a big shout out and thanks to Simpler Horizons Insurance Colition, owned by Elka's Design, for sponsoring this episode of Inner Prime Time. Simpler Horizons is dedicated to quality service and helping thousands of Medicare recipients find just the right plan for their unique needs. Elkit's contact information can be found in both the description and show notes below. And if you would like to be a sponsor of Senior Prime Time, we'd love to hear from you. Now remember to subscribe and follow us so that we can stay connected. We have more inspired stories coming your way that you will not want to miss. This is Senior Primetime, your place for real people and real conversation.