Gloss Angeles Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: In a World Focused on Pro-Aging, Why is "Old" a Trigger Word?
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan

1. Navigating the Devastating LA Fires ([00:38] - [15:17])

A. Personal Impact and Community Resilience
Kirbie and Sara opened the episode by discussing the recent catastrophic fires in Los Angeles, specifically the destruction in the Palisades and Altadena. They shared personal anecdotes about evacuations and the emotional toll of leaving behind cherished belongings.

• Kirbie Johnson ([01:28] - [02:31]):
  “I don’t have a home, I don’t have a ton of things, but I’m grateful for what I do have right now.”

• Sara Tan ([02:33] - [03:30]):
  “It is really devastating. But I know that we will be able to rebuild and bounce back from this because Los Angeles Angelenos are so very strong. But it is going to take a really long time.”

B. The Scale of Destruction
The hosts emphasized the unprecedented scale of the fires, comparing the Palisades' devastation to an entire city like Manhattan and highlighting the ongoing uncertainty regarding casualties and destroyed structures.

• Kirbie Johnson ([03:30] - [04:34]):
  “The Palisades is completely leveled. It looks like a tornado just wiped the whole thing out. It is unfathomable, and it's something that we have never seen before.”

C. Misinformation and Media Responsibility
Kirbie criticized the spread of misinformation regarding the causes of the fires, particularly myths about budget cuts affecting fire services. She urged listeners to verify information before sharing.

• Kirbie Johnson ([04:07] - [06:00]):
  “Please stop sharing misinformation. It doesn’t help anybody. Especially people who are really quick to just share an Instagram or a Twitter tweet without doing the research.”

D. Effective Donation Practices
The conversation shifted to the challenges of donating during such crises. Sara recommended direct support to affected individuals rather than large-scale donations that could impede emergency services.

• Sara Tan ([09:27] - [13:07]):
  “If you know anybody in the LA area that has been affected by this, go to them directly and say, can I send you a Target card? What can I do for you specifically before contributing to larger donation efforts?”

2. Emergency Preparedness Tips ([06:28] - [13:58])

A. Personal Emergency Kits
Kirbie and Sara shared essential tips for emergency preparedness, emphasizing the importance of having a well-stocked emergency kit.

• Kirbie Johnson ([07:05] - [08:48]):
  “Video your home in detail every three to six months. Make sure you know what you have, like the back of your hand. Keep cash readily available... Make sure that you have cash available that you can grab because if electricity goes out, you won’t be able to use your cards.”

• Sara Tan ([09:05] - [10:32]):
  “Preppy (PREPPY) makes such incredible emergency kits. Great for fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes... Make that one of your priorities for the next month.”

B. Practical Recommendations
Additional recommendations included keeping distilled water accessible, maintaining a full gas tank, and ensuring important documents are centralized and easily accessible.

• Kirbie Johnson ([10:32] - [11:54]):
  “Keep distilled water in your car trunk and in a closet in your home... Make sure all your important belongings are in an easy-to-find place.”

3. Transition to Pro-Aging Discussion ([13:58] - [40:13])

A. Introduction to the Term "Old" as a Trigger Word
The hosts introduced the main topic by referencing an op-ed in Allure titled "Old Lady Energy Flexed Its Well-Toned Muscles at the Golden Globes." They delved into the problematic connotations of the term "old" when describing women.

• Kirbie Johnson ([28:14] - [30:52]):
  “When I saw the headline 'old lady energy flexed its well-toned muscles at the Golden Globes,' my initial reaction was, what are we doing?”

B. Analyzing Media Representation and Ageism
Kirbie and Sara analyzed the op-ed's focus on women over 50 in the Golden Globes, highlighting the lack of representation in leading roles and questioning the societal fixation on women's ages.

• Kirbie Johnson ([31:00] - [32:01]):
  “When it comes to getting older, we're told to embrace our age... but younger people telling you to just be grateful is almost patronizing.”

C. Reclaiming the Term "Old"
The conversation centered on the need to reclaim the term "old" for women, contrasting it with the more flattering terms often reserved for men, such as "silver fox."

• Sara Tan ([35:18] - [36:03]):
  “We need this conversation. We need to find a word for women because 'mature' isn’t any better.”

D. Gender Disparities in Age Terminology
They discussed the double standards in language, noting that men are rarely labeled "old" and emphasizing the intersection of ageism and sexism.

• Kirbie Johnson ([36:03] - [37:13]):
  “Brad Pitt and George Clooney are never called old men; they're silver foxes. Why are we focusing on women's ages?”

E. Celebrating Older Women in Media
The hosts praised older actresses like Nicole Kidman and Demi Moore for their continued visibility and representation, advocating for more authentic portrayals of aging women.

• Kirbie Johnson ([36:34] - [37:05]):
  “Celebrating aging means visibility and representation. Women like Nicole Kidman are embodying acceptance and pride in their age.”

4. Concluding Remarks and Forward Action ([40:13] - [42:34])

A. Encouraging Ongoing Dialogue and Support
Kirbie and Sara concluded by urging listeners to engage in meaningful conversations about ageism and to support initiatives that promote positive aging narratives.

• Sara Tan ([40:13] - [40:21]):
  “We need this conversation.”

B. Upcoming Topics and Listener Engagement
The hosts hinted at transitioning back to lighter topics while maintaining the importance of the discussed issues, inviting listener feedback on the reclamation of the term "old."

• Kirbie Johnson ([41:46] - [42:34]):
  “We'd love to know, what do you think? Is 'old lady' ever going to be reclaimed? How do you feel about being called an old lady?”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kirbie Johnson ([01:28] - [01:42]):
  “I’m grateful for what I do have right now.”

• Sara Tan ([02:33] - [03:30]):
  “Los Angeles Angelenos are so very strong. But it is going to take a really long time.”

• Kirbie Johnson ([04:07] - [06:00]):
  “Please stop sharing misinformation. It doesn’t help anybody.”

• Sara Tan ([09:27] - [13:07]):
  “Can I send you a Target card? What can I do for you specifically before contributing to larger donation efforts?”

• Kirbie Johnson ([28:14] - [30:52]):
  “When I saw the headline 'old lady energy flexed its well-toned muscles at the Golden Globes,' my initial reaction was, what are we doing?”

• Sara Tan ([35:18] - [36:03]):
  “We need to find a word for women because 'mature' isn’t any better.”

Key Takeaways

1. Community Resilience: Despite the devastation caused by the LA fires, the enduring spirit of Los Angeles residents offers hope for rebuilding.
2. Misinformation Vigilance: Accurate information dissemination is crucial during crises to prevent panic and ensure effective response.
3. Effective Support: Direct assistance to affected individuals is more beneficial than broad donations that may hinder emergency efforts.
4. Challenging Ageism: The podcast advocates for reclaiming derogatory terms related to age, especially for women, and calls for more authentic representation in media.
5. Empowerment Through Representation: Highlighting successful older women in media serves as a powerful tool against age-based stereotypes and promotes a positive aging narrative.

This episode of Gloss Angeles masterfully intertwines pressing social issues with community support, offering listeners both emotional insights and practical advice. The hosts' passionate discussion on ageism underscores the ongoing battle against societal biases, advocating for a more inclusive and respectful language surrounding aging.