El Podcast

E61: Location's Impact on Longevity: Unveiling the Secrets

Episode Summary

Ryan Frederick discusses the importance of choosing the right place to live in the second half of life. Aging in place may not be the best long-term strategy, as people's needs and preferences change over time. However, many people still choose to age in place due to the psychological comfort it provides. The second half of life can be defined as anyone in their 40s and above, and the principles of choosing the right place are applicable to all adults. The decision of where to live impacts health, purpose, social connections, physical well-being, and financial stability. It is important to plan for uncertainty and be open to exploring different options. In this conversation, Ryan Frederick discusses the intersection of healthy longevity and place. He emphasizes the importance of not just living longer, but living longer better. Ryan explores the idea of creating a movement around elevating how we think about place and its connection to healthy longevity. Watch the full episode on YouTube 📺 https://youtu.be/nMQFPh3yZpw

Episode Notes

Aging expert Ryan Frederick joins Jesse to explore how place shapes our health, happiness, and purpose in the second half of life—and why “aging in place” often fails to deliver.

👤 Guest Bio: Ryan Frederick is the CEO of Here, a company focused on the intersection of healthy aging and place. He’s the author of Right Place, Right Time: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Home for the Second Half of Life, and a nationally recognized speaker on longevity, community, and the future of aging.

🧠 Topics Discussed

• Why “aging in place” is often the wrong strategy
• The health and social importance of where you live
• Downsizing, relocating, and “portfolio of place” strategies
• Friendship, loneliness, and the Harvard Study on aging
• Financial planning vs. place planning in retirement
• Panama, The Villages, and expat retirement lifestyles
• Design thinking and testing retirement choices
• How to build your own personal Blue Zone

💬 3 Standout Quotes

“The health of your friends at age 50 is the highest correlate to your health at age 80.”
—Ryan Frederick on the Harvard Study’s profound finding on relationships and longevity

“Place is not just where you live—it’s how you live. It drives your habits, your friendships, your health, and even your purpose.”
—Ryan Frederick on why where you age is a life-altering decision

“People say they want to age in place, but that’s often a substitute for not having a plan.”
—Ryan Frederick challenging the default strategy of staying put