What if aging itself isn’t the problem, but the way we think and talk about it is? In this episode of This Is Getting Old: Moving Toward an Age-Friendly World, I had the privilege of featuring Ashton Applewhite, one of the most compelling voices in the fight against ageism today. Ashton is an author, speaker, and activist who challenges the cultural narratives that equate aging and disability with decline. Her talk, Still Kicking: Confronting Ageism and Ableism in the Pandemic’s Wake, calls on us to rethink deeply held assumptions and replace fear with truth.

As director of the GW Center for Aging, Health and Humanities and a professor at the George Washington University School of Nursing, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to create spaces where these conversations can take place. One of the ways we do this is through the Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit, an annual event where universities, municipalities, and community organizations come together to share ideas and solutions. These collaborations show us that no community is alone in facing the challenges of an aging population—and that progress happens when we share strategies and work collectively.

Ashton’s message is both urgent and inspiring. She explains how ageism and ableism are woven into our culture, shaping not only how society treats older adults and people with disabilities, but also how we view ourselves. From workplace discrimination to health care disparities, these biases create barriers that harm us all. Importantly, Ashton highlights the concept of intersectionality—the way different forms of discrimination, such as racism, sexism, and ableism, overlap and compound each other. Understanding this helps us see the broader picture of inequity and how interconnected our struggles truly are.

What stood out most to me was Ashton’s reminder that these forms of bias are not inevitable. They are cultural constructs, reinforced through stories, policies, and media. Just as movements for gender equality and disability rights have reshaped social norms, so too can the anti-ageism movement transform the way we see aging. Ashton calls for nothing less than a cultural shift—one that acknowledges our interdependence and values people of all ages and abilities for who they are, not for how closely they fit a mythical ideal of youth and independence.

This change begins with each of us. Confronting our own internalized ageism is not easy, but it is necessary. Small shifts—whether it’s rethinking the language we use, questioning stereotypes, or embracing age pride—can ripple outward into larger societal change. And when we stand together across differences, our advocacy becomes more powerful. Equity is never a zero-sum game; when we create a world where older adults and people with disabilities are fully included, everyone benefits.

Ashton’s words remind us that aging is not a failure—it is a triumph, a lifelong process we are all part of. By rejecting the cultural narratives that diminish people over time, we can build a society where every stage of life is respected and celebrated. I invite you to keep this conversation going: share the episode, join our community through the GW Center for Aging, Health and Humanities, and take part in creating a more age-friendly world. Together, we can dismantle ageism and ableism and create a culture that values all of us, at every age and ability. To continue engaging with these ideas and stay connected, you can join the GW Center for Aging, Health, and Humanities’ email list or Facebook group, Building Age-Friendly Ecosystems. If you found this helpful, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel, Melissa B PhD, for more insights on dementia care and aging.