Up First from NPR: A New Chapter, Later in Life
Air Date: December 28, 2025
Host: Ayesha Rascoe
Guest: Anthony Brooks (WBUR reporter, creator of the "Third Act" series)
Episode Overview
This thought-provoking episode of Up First’s "The Sunday Story" explores the concept of reinventing oneself later in life, challenging traditional notions of retirement as a slowing down. Host Ayesha Rascoe speaks with reporter Anthony Brooks, whose series "Third Act" documents stories of individuals who, instead of winding down, embark on new vocations, passions, and creative endeavors well into their 60s, 70s, and beyond. Through interviews and personal stories, the episode reflects on the themes of purpose, resilience, and societal expectations around aging, revealing how "late life" can, in fact, be a time of rediscovery and meaningful change.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Rethinking Retirement and the "Three-Act" Life Structure
- Traditional View: Life is commonly divided into youth, middle age, and retirement—the latter seen as a winding down.
- Brooks’ Investigation: Many people now perceive the so-called third act as a beginning, to pursue forgotten dreams, new careers, or give back.
- Ayesha Rascoe’s framing (00:00):
“...people who are rejecting the idea that a productive life ends at a certain age and who see life in older age not as an ending, but a powerful and purposeful new beginning.”
Anthony Brooks’ Personal Motivation
- Origins of the "Third Act" Project:
Brooks was inspired after a health scare and the loss of his father—prompting reflection on how best to spend remaining years. - (02:18)
“...coming to terms with this idea that there's a lot more of my life behind me than ahead of me. And I'm thinking for the first time, what do I really want to do with the time that remains?”
Story 1: Tom Andrew – From Medical Examiner to Methodist Deacon
- Profile: Tom spent 20 years as New Hampshire’s chief medical examiner before burning out during the opioid crisis.
- Catalyst for Change: The emotional toll of witnessing youth die from overdoses and perceived government inaction led to his retirement at 61.
- (03:54) Tom Andrew on the opioid crisis:
“...at this rate, we will see more drug deaths in a given year in New Hampshire than traffic deaths. Well, sure enough, it came to pass.”
- Reinvention: Instead of "retiring," Tom studied to become a Methodist deacon to help youth, focusing on prevention and mentorship.
- (04:59) Tom Andrew:
“I spent 20 years on the assessment end, counting the cost... I wanted to work with young people and let them see that there's a better way...”
- Outcome: Newfound sense of purpose; feels fulfilled in his "third act."
The Societal Context: Living Longer & "Middlescence"
- Radical Demographic Change: Life expectancy has increased from 47 (in 1900) to around 80.
- (06:27) Brooks:
“If you're 54, you could be only halfway through adulthood.”
- “Middlescence”: Later-life period compared to adolescence—tumultuous yet full of growth and opportunity.
- Happiness U-curve: Many experience greater happiness in their 60s, 70s, and 80s after a midlife dip.
- (07:44) Brooks:
“...there’s research on this, the so called U shaped theory of happiness... happiness declines for many people from the teens... but then rises again when people hit their sixties, seventies, even their eighties.”
Story 2: Juliana Richardson – Harvard Lawyer to Historian and Archivist
- Background: Grew up in Ohio, experienced a lack of Black history in school. Inspired by learning about Black songwriters of "Wild About Harry."
- (11:27) Richardson:
“There was no history, not black history. There was not even a sense of... where my place was in American society.”
- Career Path: Went to Brandeis, then Harvard Law, became a successful lawyer, but never felt fulfilled.
- Entrepreneurial Detours: Started a home shopping channel, eventually faced a classic midlife crisis.
- (14:03) Richardson on her lowest moment:
“...sometimes at your darkest moment, the thing that's intended for you is right there.”
- Third Act Project: Founded "History Makers," now a major archive of Black American oral histories. Started with little more than determination and a laptop.
- Accomplishments: 4,000+ interviews (including Ernie Banks, Maya Angelou, Barack Obama), $40 million raised, archive housed at the Library of Congress.
- (16:45) Richardson on legacy:
“...you start asking what is gonna be your leave behind, you know, what did you do in your life that was, you know, significant? If we do this right, it will be something that hopefully makes society a richer place.”
Addressing Accessibility: Is Reinvention Only for the Privileged?
- Ayesha asks: What about those with fewer resources?
- Brooks: Reinvention can require privilege, but creativity and resourcefulness are widespread.
- Examples:
- Woman who transitioned from hotel cleaner to animal shelter worker out of passion, not for money.
- Natalie Jones’ story (next): Proof that resource constraints don’t preclude transformation.
- (19:21) Brooks:
“...reinventing yourself might be a bit of a luxury... But... there are lots of people, no matter their social, economic status, that are really creative and resourceful.”
Story 3: Natalie Jones – First-Gen Student to Clinical Therapist
- Background: Grew up in a working-class Boston family; college seemed unreachable.
- (20:37) Natalie Jones:
“I didn't even know what that meant... My mother just said, check off business... I never thought that I was smart enough to go to college.”
- Challenges: Divorce in her 40s, two young kids, no degree, low-income jobs.
- Support and Shift: Volunteering in support groups led to self-realization and a return to school.
- (22:20) Natalie Jones on starting college mid-life:
“I'm walking across the parking lot with tears rolling down my eyes, saying, oh, my God, I'm in college.”
- Achievements: Master’s degree just before 60, now a licensed clinical therapist still working into her 70s.
- (22:47) Jones:
“I'm constantly saying to people, you can write your own script.”
Personal and Social Value of Late-Life Reinvention
- Wisdom for All: Even those not yet in old age can be inspired by seeing what comes next.
- Purpose = Health: A sense of purpose correlates with longevity; Canadian study cited—15% lower mortality with clear life purpose.
- (23:19) Brooks:
“These stories show the transformative power of human passion and the search for lifelong avocation. And that is literally a matter of life and death for all of us...”
Creative Pursuits: The Ace of Cups — A Band Finds Its Moment Decades Later
- Who They Are: All-women psychedelic rock band from San Francisco; formed in the 1960s, faced industry sexism, never landed an album deal.
- Challenges in the 60s: (25:37) Denise Kaufman:
“Our manager called there and talked to the booking guy, and he goes, yeah, all girl band. Absolutely. We'll book them, but they have to play topless.”
“...you call him back and tell them we won't play topless, but we'll play naked.” - Late-Life Comeback: Reunited after a record producer (decades later) heard them and offered a contract. Their debut album released in 2018—members now in their 70s, still performing and recording.
- Notable lyric: (26:40) "Gonna reap what I sow."
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- (04:59) Tom Andrew:
“I wanted to work with young people and let them see that there's a better way than that pill or that powder or that joint that's offered to them...”
- (14:03) Juliana Richardson:
“...sometimes at your darkest moment, the thing that's intended for you is right there.”
- (22:47) Natalie Jones:
“I'm constantly saying to people, you can write your own script.”
- (25:45) Denise Kaufman (on sexist demands):
“...you call him back and tell them we won't play topless, but we'll play naked.”
- (23:19) Anthony Brooks:
“These stories show the transformative power of human passion and the search for lifelong avocation... people who feel that they have a purpose in life live longer.”
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 00:00 – Introduction, explanation of the third act concept
- 03:12 – Tom Andrew’s story (Medical Examiner to Deacon)
- 06:27 – Context: Increased longevity, “middlescence,” U-shaped happiness
- 11:02 – Juliana Richardson: Lawyer to founder of History Makers
- 19:21 – Discussion on class, privilege, and accessibility
- 20:07 – Natalie Jones: First-gen college student to therapist in her 70s
- 24:40 – Creativity and non-career reinvention: The Ace of Cups band
- 26:54 – Closing reflections: “Keep hope alive. You can do it.”
Tone & Style
The conversation is empathetic, hopeful, and gently humorous at times, blending inspiring success stories with thoughtful discussions on the realities of aging and reinvention. Ayesha Rascoe’s curiosity and warmth help ground the sometimes lofty concepts in everyday experience and practical advice.
Final Takeaways
- It’s never too late to change direction, rekindle forgotten dreams, or make a difference—regardless of age or background.
- Life after midlife can be a time of renewal, not decline—if we’re open to discovery and reinvention.
- These stories are not outliers; demographic shifts mean millions face the question of what to do with “extra” decades.
- Purpose and passion have tangible health benefits, not just for individuals, but for society at large.
- As Rascoe closes:
“...it’s basically like, keep hope alive. You can do it.” (26:54)
For more on the "Third Act" series and related stories, visit WBUR.org.