Growing Older Together | Facing Fears, Embracing Resilience
How do we remind others—and ourselves—that we may be older, but we still matter?
Growing Older Together is a podcast for older adults, centered on the stories, memories, and changes that shape how we see ourselves over time. Most episodes are under 15 minutes and explore themes like identity, fear, aging, and personal growth.
I started this podcast because society often treats aging like the end of the story—like we no longer count. And sometimes, we start to believe it. But our stories still matter, and they deserve to be heard.
Season One, Echoes of the Past, Visions of Tomorrow, includes 16 episodes about the experiences that stay with us—through uncertainty, silence, resilience, forgiveness, and how our relationships evolve over time.
Season Two, Silent Struggles: Finding Strength in Our Fears, centers on fear—how it shows up in everyday life, keeps us quiet, and what it means to speak about it. This season also introduced Whispers of Regret: Women Finding Peace in Silence, a recurring interview series where women share stories they’ve carried for years.
Episode 9 was published on December 12, 2024. After that, I stepped away from recording to care for my mom, who passed away on March 17, 2025.
I missed preparing, hosting, and recording the podcast, but my mind and energy were with my mom. Thank you for staying connected and for your patience. I’m ready to return with Episode 10: Invisible With Age: Fighting Ageism. As I find my rhythm again, I'll be sharing new episodes every 2 to 3 weeks.
If this speaks to you, I invite you to listen and maybe recognize a piece of your own story in someone else’s.
Let’s keep growing older and wiser together.
Growing Older Together | Facing Fears, Embracing Resilience
Light In The Shadows - Special Episode
In this special episode, Light In The Shadows, of "Growing Older Together," Lourdes talks about the health challenges people often keep to themselves, inspired by a friend's brave fight against a serious health condition. This personal story leads to a discussion on the invisible struggles within our community, emphasizing the strength and resilience found in shared experiences.
I've also made this special episode available in Spanish to ensure everyone feels included. This helps break down language barriers and build a closer, more united community.
Lourdes shares personal stories about family members who have shown incredible courage in their own health battles, making it clear that there's a big difference between knowing about someone's pain and actually going through it.
Listeners are invited to share their health stories, how they found help, and what that support meant to them. These stories aren't just about the hard times; they're about hope and helping each other feel less alone.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Remember to subscribe and rate the podcast on your favorite platform. You can watch all episodes on my YouTube channels, access show notes, and enjoy captioned content in English and Spanish. Here's the link: https://linktr.ee/growingoldertogether.
You can also email me at podcast@lourdesdirden.com. Thank you for listening.
[00:00:00] Music
[00:00:19] Welcome to Growing Older Together. Today, we are shining a light on the silent battles many face with health issues and exploring how we can offer support and hope as a community.
[00:00:37] This episode was inspired by my friend, Roberto, who is bravely facing a serious health challenge. His situation made me think of others in a similar position. Despite struggling with his health and not being fluent in English, Roberto's strength in listening to my podcast moved me deeply. [00:01:00] To reach and support more people like Roberto,
[00:01:03] I am also translating this episode into Spanish, hoping to connect everyone and build a stronger, more welcoming community.
[00:01:13] Some of us have witnessed the incredible strength of loved ones facing these challenges. My mom and her brother, my dear uncle, are examples in my family.
[00:01:25] Watching my mom push herself to walk despite her pain reminds me that understanding someone's struggle is not the same as living it. We each fight our own battles, often in silence. Let's take a moment to offer support in our own ways, whether through positive thoughts, energy, or silent prayers to the ones among us silently suffering.
[00:01:53] I invite you to join me in this conversation–share your stories, offer your support, [00:02:00] and let's be a light of hope and understanding for those silently struggling.
[00:02:06] I have shared a piece of my story and Roberto's, revealing the silent battles many of us face. Have you or someone you love facing a health challenge in silence? How did you find hope and support? Your experiences are valuable, and sharing them can offer comfort and inspiration to others in similar situations. Your stories of struggle and resilience may be the hope someone needs.
[00:02:38] Thank you for joining me for this special episode. While today we have focused on the silent battles of health issues, our journey together does not end here. As we grow older and wiser, we will continue to explore various topics that touch our lives, always aiming to offer support, [00:03:00] understanding, and hope. Your stories, questions, and suggestions are always welcome as they help shape our journey. Let's grow older and wiser together.
