Podcast Summary: "Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman"

Podcast Title: Totally Booked with Zibby
Host: Zibby Owens
Guest: Brooke Shields
Release Date: January 30, 2025

Introduction and Background

Zibby Owens introduces the episode by highlighting the focus on Brooke Shields and her latest work, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman. Due to unforeseen circumstances caused by the LA fire, Jessica Shaw from Sirius XM steps in to moderate the conversation. Zibby shares her personal connection to Brooke's book, noting how it helped her cope during a challenging period.

Notable Quote:
Zibby Owens: "I will never forget driving through the streets listening to Brooke as she helped me laugh and feel good about aging and being a woman and so much else." [00:01]

Origins and Motivation Behind the Book

Brooke Shields discusses the catalyst for her book, which emerged while she was launching her company, Commence. Her agent suggested writing about becoming a CEO in her late 50s, sparking a deeper exploration into societal perceptions of aging women.

Notable Quotes:
Brooke Shields: "Why is it so unbelievable that a woman could be this old and start a company?" [03:03]
Brooke Shields: "I wanted it to really be a celebration of what this era in a woman's life really means." [03:47]

Research and Writing Process

Brooke emphasizes the importance of balancing personal anecdotes with solid research. She collaborated with a researcher who provided facts that mirrored her stories, ensuring the narrative remained authentic and raw.

Notable Quotes:
Brooke Shields: "I didn't want the way I wrote the book to be colored in any way by facts that I knew." [05:40]
Brooke Shields: "I wanted it to be more raw." [06:38]

Duality of Aging and Women's Complexity

The conversation delves into the dual nature of aging, comparing it to puberty—challenging yet filled with potential. Brooke highlights the complexity of women's experiences and the societal tendency to oversimplify or overlook them.

Notable Quotes:
Brooke Shields: "Everything has such a duality to it. And I think women have such a complexity." [07:46]
Brooke Shields: "We have to deal with certain issues, but we...approach them from a place of knowledge and empowerment." [43:21]

Navigating the Medical Establishment

Brooke shares her personal experiences with the medical system, particularly how women's health issues are often misunderstood or neglected. She underscores the lack of proper education on menopause and the challenges of self-advocacy in medical settings.

Notable Quotes:
Brooke Shields: "How few women learn about menopause from their doctors is insane to me." [16:33]
Brooke Shields: "Learning how to self-advocate is hard because then when you do, you're a difficult patient." [16:40]

Friendships and Emotional Intimacy

Brooke discusses the evolution of friendships as women age, emphasizing quality over quantity. She reflects on her deepening relationships and the newfound emotional intimacy that comes with maturity.

Notable Quotes:
Brooke Shields: "It's not about the number. It's about the level of friendship, the intimacy, the trust." [20:15]
Brooke Shields: "Meeting a new friend in this age just felt like a revelation." [20:15]

Addressing and Overcoming Ageism in Hollywood

Brooke shares her journey in the entertainment industry, highlighting the pervasive ageism faced by women over 50. She speaks about her strategic approach to selecting roles and advocating for more multidimensional representations of aging women.

Notable Quotes:
Brooke Shields: "We're always pushing forward for the roles that I get offered to be more multidimensional." [41:17]
Brooke Shields: "Ada Calhoun says the world ignores women over 50 at its peril. That's very true." [43:05]

Launching and Leading Commence

Brooke elaborates on her venture, Commence, a care brand aimed at addressing the unique needs of women over 50. She discusses the challenges of starting a company later in life and the fulfillment it brings as she creates products tailored to her demographic.

Notable Quotes:
Brooke Shields: "We are a care brand. We look at women, we ask them what they need." [46:51]
Brooke Shields: "This is the beginning of the beginning. Listen to your peers and listen to this community because they are screaming to be heard." [46:51]

Empowering Women and Building Confidence

The dialogue shifts to the importance of women supporting each other. Brooke emphasizes small acts of kindness and genuine compliments as ways to uplift and empower one another, challenging the pervasive culture of self-deprecation.

Notable Quotes:
Brooke Shields: "Start small. Compliment someone on something. Those little seeds matter." [31:10]
Brooke Shields: "I've started walking up to people and complimenting them. It always makes them say, 'Oh, thank you.'" [31:10]

Overcoming Personal and Professional Challenges

Brooke recounts moments of asserting herself against sexism and ageism, including a pivotal meeting with a venture capitalist who attempted to undermine her. She highlights the importance of self-respect and standing firm in the face of condescension.

Notable Quotes:
Brooke Shields: "I'm not asking for your opinion, I'm asking for your money." [15:43]
Brooke Shields: "I was respecting myself before the other person." [15:43]

Future Aspirations and Legacy

Looking ahead, Brooke expresses her desire to continue growing Commence and exploring new creative avenues in acting. She reflects on her approaching 60th birthday with optimism, planning to celebrate her diverse friendships and ongoing personal growth.

Notable Quotes:
Brooke Shields: "I wake up thinking about acting. Acting feeds my soul." [55:06]
Brooke Shields: "I just want to take the whole year and celebrate it." [57:40]

Conclusion

Brooke Shields wraps up by sharing humorous anecdotes from her book and reflecting on the relentless negativity she often faces. The conversation concludes on an uplifting note, celebrating Brooke's achievements and her unwavering commitment to empowering women.

Notable Quotes:
Brooke Shields: "There are so many ridiculous things that get thrown at me by people I've never met." [58:10]
Brooke Shields: "I was gonna choose to protect myself right now, and it was so simple." [49:38]

Final Thoughts:
This episode offers a profound exploration of aging, gender, and self-empowerment through the candid conversation between Brooke Shields and Jessica Shaw. Brooke's insights, backed by personal experiences and extensive research, provide valuable perspectives on navigating societal challenges and embracing one's authentic self.

For more information about Brooke Shields and her work, visit zibbymedia.com or follow Zibby Owens on Instagram @zibbyowens.