The Thrill Isn’t Gone

Nicole Christina closes her eyes and basks in the sun.

BY LUCIE BODNAR

Reclaiming life in an age that refuses to age

Aging in America is…confusing.

From the time they can speak, children are asked ad nauseam what they plan to be when they grow up—a bizarre, weighty question cloaked in a disguise of innocence, absurdity and humor. Over the course of three decades, age returns annually in the form of a reward to youth—an unavoidable yet much welcomed treat— where the inescapable nature of getting older is the present itself.

It’s baffling to consider that at the same time, for those edging closer to middle life, a culture clash occurs; individuals bump into a conflicting narrative wherein age poses a threat so powerful, they gradually begin to deny their own life journey.

Psychotherapist and wellness expert Nicole Christina, M.S.W. ’92, LCSW is on a mission to eradicate calendar threat with her newly launched interview-style podcast, Zestful Aging. Contoured by her own lived experience, the podcast celebrates the joys, challenges and changes brought on by growing older.

Christina has always been fascinated by culture and its effect on individuals. A feminist activists Jean Kilbourne fangirl at heart, Christina paid particular attention to the problematic link between advertising and eating disorders amongst women. “Once you see that connection, you can’t ignore it,” she said. For nearly 30 years, Christina worked with individuals struggling with eating disorders and helped them to “break free of the trance many of us are in—the idea that we have to look a certain way to be of value.” Subsequently, an unexpected theme emerged.

“I noticed that more and more of my clients were expressing thoughts about their aging process. This struck me because at the same time, I too was facing questions pertaining to my own age-related issues: How do I find meaning in my life? What legacy will I leave behind? How do I face my mortality?” The convergence of her questions and her clients’ longing to talk about this new chapter of their lives flipped a switch in Christina’s mind. She recognized the need to hold space for these individuals where they could feel safe, heard and respected and where their fear of the unknown could be transformed into a revitalization of self, filled with adventure, reclamation and excitement. Enter Zestful Aging.

Through interviews with featured guests—Pulitzer prize winners, Emmynominated actors, New York Times bestsellers, to name a few—the podcast explores age culture and its effect on individuals middle-aged and beyond. “My guests are carefully selected because they make a contribution to the greater good,” said Christina. “That’s what interests me as a host, a social worker, a thoughtful human.”

What began as a way to information gather, swap stories and share sage wisdom on the topic of getting older, quickly transformed into something more personal, more rewarding for Christina: It generated an entire network of people searching for answers, for a community, a place to belong.

For Christina, it’s about finding meaningful ways to make an impact. “As an advocate, I want to bring issues of fairness to the forefront. But people want to be entertained and educated at the same time so oftentimes I’ll don a playful hat to ensure my guests are enjoying themselves. At some point in the conversation, there’s almost always some humor. Even if we’re talking about mortality.” ◆

Listen to Zestful Aging at: nicolechristina.com/podcasts