Episode 110

Side By Side Aging, An exploration of Aging, Relationships, and Spirituality

My guests are Caryl and Jay Casbon co-authors of the book, Side by Side: The Sacred Art of Couples Aging with Wisdom & Love.

The book is based on interviews with couples well into the second half of life and looks to answer the question, What keeps a marriage evolving and thriving, especially in the final season of life?

And: 

  • How can we make the most of our remaining years?
  • What does love mean now, at this seasoned age?
  • How do we work with the tension of "me" and "we?"
  • How do we practice mutuality to support each other in body, mind, and spirit?
  • How can we offer a beneficial presence to our troubled world?
  • When one of us dies first, how will the survivor live on and thrive?

Vulnerability increases with age but so does our capacity for intuitive understanding. This thin-skinnedness allows us to absorb life more fully and connect deeply with others.

Spiritual connection isn't just about faith; it's a bond that can reinforce love as we age. Sharing this path can lead to profound intimacy and strength within relationships.

I had 2 important questions. The first is rooted in conversations with girlfriends who are either single by choice in their 60s or widowed with no desire to remarry.

1. Is marriage necessary as we age?

And all of this talk about working on ourselves together is great but...

2. What happens when one partner refuses therapy?

You can learn more about the couple Caryl and Jay interviewed and their other work, which includes retreats, here.

And if you are new to the Rebellious Wellness concept of aging, head over here and get started.

About the Podcast

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Rebellious Wellness Over 50
Helping women over 50 age better

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About your host

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Gregory Anne Cox

Why this chubby, bologna and mayonnaise sandwich eating child of the 50's ever ended up with a passion for all things health, fitness, and longevity is a mystery. I wanted to be a doctor as a child but my gifts were not in lab sciences but words and making science easy to understand. (I'm a science and research geek)
My soul insists on freedom and that drives the work I do with women. Freedom from disease, limitation, self-doubt--whatever form it takes--informs what I create and how I coach.