What if aging is something to aspire to, not to dread? What if together we could forge a radiant rebellion against the idea of aging as a season of decline? Join Karen Walrond, author of The Lightmaker's Manifesto, in this intriguing investigation into how we can reclaim aging, cultivate joy, and resist ageism. During her own year of transition--a milestone birthday, a wedding anniversary, the emptying of the nest--Walrond, in the buoyant and luminous style her readers have come to love, does a deep dive into dimensions of getting older, including health, beauty, spirituality, connection, adventure, and meaning and purpose. Through conversations with social workers and neurologists, activists and clergy, Walrond satisfies her curiosity--and ours--about why the dominant culture treats aging as a time of dwindling capacity. She also embarks on a series of experiments that help her rebel against convention: letting her hair go naturally gray, going on a silent retreat, revamping her health practices, and plotting her next adventure. Internalized ageism--bias against our future selves--is not our only option; we can write a different story of aging than the one we've been handed. With wisdom from luminaries who light our way, Walrond helps us radiantly rebel against the fads and assumptions that hold us back, redefine the adventure of getting older, and create a shining future of expanded potential. We might even raise a little hell while we're at it! A resources section offers journal prompts and strategies for creating a handbook for your own radiant rebellion.
Karen Walrond is the author of The Lightmaker's Manifesto: How to Work for Change without Losing Your Joy and a lawyer, leadership coach, and activist. In her work, she has helped thousands of people around the world find purpose and meaning in their lives. Karen and her work have been featured on Brene Brown's Unlocking Us podcast, PBS, Huffington Post, CNN.com, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. A sought-after speaker, Karen is also the author of The Beauty of Different, and her award-winning blog, Chookooloonks, is a lifestyle, inspiration, and photography destination. Karen and her family reside in Houston, Texas.
"Karen Walrond is unrelenting and unapologetic when it comes to finding the joy and light in our messy and tough lives. When I found out that she was taking on aging, my first thought was, 'Let's go!' This book is what we need to fuel a rebellion of connection, love, and joy. I'm here for every page and all the hell-raising!" --Brene Brown, PhD, New York Times #1 bestselling author of Atlas of the Heart "Karen Walrond has done the work. She has drawn on research and her own rich lived experience to craft a healthier and happier way to move through the second half of life. And she has crafted an artful, joyful, thoughtful road map for anyone else who'd like to age expansively." --Ashton Applewhite, author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism "Full of warmth, wit, wisdom, and heart, Radiant Rebellion provides the stories, tools, and prompts that will not only remain with me but guide me as I learn to accept and celebrate growing older." --Justina Blakeney, designer, New York Times-bestselling author, and founder of Jungalow "The gentle, clear-headed way Karen Walrond writes and shares is a gift. By the end of the book I'd experienced a major shift in thinking and held a really positive, bright perspective on my future. It gave me a calm assurance that the best is yet to come." --Gabrielle Blair, New York Times-bestselling author of Ejaculate Responsibly "As someone currently in her thirties, I could not be more grateful that I now have Karen's wisdom in my head and heart to help me imagine all the ways my life can unfold and how I might be able to glow even brighter as the years go on. I am not using hyperbole when I say that I believe this is one of the most important books that I--and anyone of any age--will ever read." --Katie Horwitch, author of Want Your Self and founder of WANT: Women Against Negative Talk "Thinking of friends and family who weren't given the gift of old age or even middle age, I'm reminded of the immense blessing that lies in the simple fact that I'm still here. Radiant Rebellion is a rallying cry and an invitation to reclaim control over not just the narrative but the experience and the yielding grace of growing older, no matter what it brings our way." --Jonathan Fields, bestselling author of Sparked and host of Good Life Project (R) podcast
