Did you know that the average age for a first Botox injection is reportedly now just 26? Wild, right? That’s just one sign of how deeply ageism is woven into our lives - whether it’s in the workplace, healthcare, or even just the way we see ourselves.

So, today I am chatting with Dr. Stacey Gordon, a senior fellow at NYU’s Center for Health and Aging Innovation, and Aubrey Hirsch, an author and illustrator, about their incredible public art installation in New York City, “What About Age?” This 13-panel exhibit at NYU’s Kimmel Windows puts ageism on full display - literally.

We dive into why they created this project, what it was like watching college students actually stop and think about aging, and how they turned big, complex issues into eye-catching, can’t-ignore-it street art.

The response has been HUGE - from people stopping and taking photos, to my LinkedIn post about it that went viral (yes, really - 2.4 million views!). Stacey and Aubrey also unpack how ageism impacts women, how it’s weirdly still okay to make ageist jokes, and why younger people need to care about this too. Tune in and let’s talk about why ending ageism isn’t just important - it’s long overdue! And if you’re in New York before March 18th, don’t miss the exhibit!

“Ageism is not just ageism. It's part of a larger social structure that comprises laws, policies, macro-level issues, and communal institutions like healthcare and the workplace.”

~Dr. Stacey Gordon

In This Episode:

-How the “What About Age?” exhibit is challenging ageism

-Why age discrimination is often overlooked, and how it affects everyone

-The unexpected response to the “What About Age?" exhibit

-How women face age-related biases

-Age stereotypes across industries and demographics

-Practical steps we can take to challenge stereotypes

And much more!

Link to an article about the NYU Art Exhibit: https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2024/september/nyu-s-kimmel-windows-presents--what-about-age---oct--1-march-18-.html

Connect with Dr. Stacey Gordon:

-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceygordonempa