Podcast Summary
Living well in different ways with Wise and 70 Over 70: Wise makes international finance easy and cost-effective, while 70 Over 70 encourages introspection on life and mortality, both offering unique perspectives on living well.
Wise provides a convenient and cost-effective solution for managing and converting currencies, allowing users to send money internationally and travel without the hassle of airport exchange desks. Max Linsky's project, 70 Over 70, emphasizes the importance of living fully and facing the reality of death, drawing insights from the experiences of older individuals. Wise caters to the practicalities of international finance, while 70 Over 70 invites introspection on life and mortality. Both offer unique perspectives on living well in different ways. Wise simplifies the process of managing money across borders, while 70 Over 70 encourages us to consider the value of life and the wisdom that comes with age. Join the 16 million Wise users worldwide or tune in to 70 Over 70 for insights on living well in your own way.
Realizing the importance of documenting loved ones' experiences: Creating a project like a podcast can help deepen connections with loved ones during challenging times by providing a platform for meaningful conversations and documenting their stories.
The pandemic and a loved one's health scare can clarify one's motivations for creating a project, such as a podcast, to better understand and connect with that person during a challenging time. The speaker shares how her father's 80th birthday and health issues made her realize the importance of documenting his experiences and having deeper conversations with him, which felt more difficult due to the pandemic and his struggle to express his feelings. This reflection echoes her past experience with interviewing her grandmothers before they passed away, where she sought to document their stories and connect with them more deeply. The podcasting process became a means to facilitate these conversations and provide a platform for her father to share his thoughts and feelings, ultimately strengthening their bond.
Exploring Fear and Vulnerability with Notable Figures: Through interviews with notable figures, the speaker discovered that fear and vulnerability are common experiences, regardless of age or accomplishments, and that people can find meaning and purpose even in uncertain times.
Fear and vulnerability are common experiences, even for notable figures. The speaker's father underwent serious heart surgery, leaving him scared and uncertain about the future. The speaker's therapy project required him to put himself out there in a vulnerable way, and he chose to make it public in hopes of encouraging conversations between people. In the project, he interviewed various notable figures, including Madeleine Albright, Dan Rather, and Dionne Warwick, to understand what drives them now and how they find purpose and ambition in their later years. The conversations were deeply introspective but also joyous and life-affirming, challenging the stereotype of elderly people as jaded and tired. The speaker's experience with his father and the interviews showed that fear and vulnerability are universal experiences, and that even in the face of uncertainty, people can find meaning and purpose.
Staying true to oneself and embracing the present moment: People value being present and authentic as they age, recognizing the importance of balancing personal and professional life, and viewing life as a journey that evolves rather than declines.
People who have lived full lives continue to be present and true to themselves as they age, despite the changes that come with time. This was a common theme in conversations with individuals who had accomplished much professionally but recognized the importance of balancing personal and professional life. The idea of viewing life as a journey that evolves rather than going downhill was also mentioned frequently. The simple yet profound concept of being present was a recurring message, with individuals expressing a desire to focus on the present rather than dwelling on regrets or past achievements. Overall, the conversations highlighted the importance of staying true to oneself and embracing the present moment at any age.
The Importance of Deep Connections: People value deep relationships over professional or material success, and encourage prioritizing them early in life. The 'deathbed test' helps us consider what truly matters in the present.
The people interviewed on the podcast have come to value deep connections with others over professional or material success. Many have realized this later in life, often prompted by a therapist or a near-death experience. They wish they had prioritized these relationships earlier, and now they are doing so. The "deathbed test" mentioned in the podcast is a thought experiment: ask yourself what you'd rather be doing on your deathbed - living in the present with loved ones or pursuing other goals. The conversations you hear are not about regret, but about making the most of the present. In the podcast, Max reflects on his relationship with his father and encourages listeners to avoid taking loved ones for granted. The podcast offers insights from people around the world, and the common thread is the importance of connection. Shopify, the sponsor of the podcast, offers the flexibility to help businesses sell at every stage of growth, just as the podcast encourages us to live our lives to the fullest.
Appreciating relationships and managing finances: Value and appreciate relationships and international money transfers for seamless transactions at real-time exchange rates, saving time and money
Both Wise and personal relationships require appreciation and valuing. In the financial realm, Wise offers a solution for seamless international money transactions at real-time exchange rates, saving users from hidden fees and inflated exchange rates. With over $100 billion transferred in 2023 and an average transfer time quicker than listening to this ad, Wise simplifies managing money in different currencies. Personally, the conversation highlights the importance of acknowledging and cherishing relationships, especially those with family members. The speaker shares how they've taken their father for granted and only came to appreciate his presence more deeply after losing their mother. This loss made them more attuned to their father's mortality and deepened their relationship. Life's experiences, both positive and negative, serve as reminders to cherish what we have and not take things for granted. So, whether it's managing finances or relationships, remember to value and appreciate them in the present. For international money transactions, consider Wise, and for personal relationships, take time to express gratitude and cherish the moments.
Exploring the lives of the elderly beyond reminiscing and current events: The '70 Over 70' podcast provides a platform for in-depth conversations with elderly individuals, revealing their unique perspectives on aging and challenging societal perceptions.
The "70 Over 70" podcast, inspired by the host's realization of his father's aging, is a family project aimed at documenting conversations with people as they navigate their later years. It's a response to the gap between how society perceives elderly people and how they see themselves. Many elderly individuals, even well-known ones, don't get the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences beyond reminiscing or commenting on current events. The podcast offers a platform for these in-depth conversations, revealing how people's self-perception and experiences may differ from their public image. The project's scope extends beyond the host's family, as it explores various perspectives and approaches to aging. The host's curiosity and passion for these conversations underscore the importance of acknowledging and valuing the experiences of older generations.
Disregard for Elders during COVID-19 Pandemic: Our society's individualistic and libertarian values prioritized economy over elders' lives, undervaluing their wisdom and experiences.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a disturbing disregard for the elderly population, with some officials suggesting that their lives were expendable for the sake of the economy. This attitude stemmed from our individualistic and libertarian society, which prioritizes rights over obligations, particularly towards our elders. However, as the speaker reflected on the value of wisdom and the totality of a person's life, they recognized the deepest truths in life are not comprehensible and that wisdom is not valued in our culture. The speaker's personal experiences of losing loved ones only emphasized the importance of recognizing the worth of elders and the value of their accumulated wisdom.
Reflecting on life and relationships during the pandemic: The pandemic has highlighted the importance of relationships and introspection in understanding the meaning of life for elderly people. It has provided a unique opportunity for new connections and rediscoveries, as well as peace and acceptance of mortality.
The experiences of elderly people, particularly during the pandemic, have shed light on the importance of relationships and introspection in understanding the meaning of life. While relationships emerged as a common theme, it was challenging to separate the impact of the pandemic from the natural contemplation of life that comes with aging. The pandemic provided a unique opportunity for people to reflect on their lives and prioritize relationships, leading to new connections and rediscoveries. Additionally, those who have come to terms with their own mortality have shown a remarkable ability to find meaning and peace, rather than fear.
Embracing the present moment and acknowledging mortality: Appreciate present moments, live with intention, acknowledge impermanence, have difficult conversations
We should strive to live more fully in the present moment, acknowledging that our lives will eventually come to an end. This was a recurring theme in a conversation about death and the afterlife. The speaker, who had recently turned 40, expressed that he hadn't fully reckoned with his own mortality and the idea that he would leave behind loved ones. He referenced the philosopher Schopenhauer, who emphasized the importance of appreciating the present moments in our lives, as they are all we truly have. The speaker also emphasized the importance of having difficult conversations and asking uncomfortable questions, as this is something he was taught to do growing up. In essence, the takeaway is to make the most of our time and live with intention, while also acknowledging the impermanence of life.
Embrace the journey of trying: Fearlessly attempt new things, respect comfort levels, and find deeper connections through uncomfortable conversations.
Life is a continuous journey of trying, not a puzzle to be solved. Fear of getting it wrong should not hinder us from attempting new things. The closer we are to our mortality, no matter our age, helps us stay present and open to new experiences. Conversations about uncomfortable topics, such as death, can lead to deeper connections and self-discoveries. It's essential to respect people's comfort levels and preferences when engaging in such discussions. My hope is that these conversations inspire people to reflect on their own experiences and find meaningful insights that resonate with them deeply.
Exploring meaningful conversations and connections: Listeners can be inspired to have deeper conversations and build stronger relationships through the Vox Conversations podcast.
The "Vox Conversations" podcast aims to inspire listeners to have meaningful conversations that they might not have otherwise. The hosts hope that their conversations will resonate with listeners and even prompt them to reach out to someone in their life. The ultimate goal is to facilitate connections and foster deeper relationships. The podcast's production team includes Eric Jenekas, Amy Drosdowska, Paul Robert Mounsey, Brakemaster Cylinder, and Liz Kelly Nelson. Listeners are encouraged to share their feedback, suggestions, and ideas for future episodes at VoxConversations@vox.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it, rate, and review, and join us next week for another thought-provoking conversation. The podcast can be therapeutic and even cathartic for both the hosts and the listeners. And finally, the hosts express their condolences to Sean for the loss of his mother.
