Next year I am going to be 60 (yikes :-)), so when my coaching supervisor, David Crowe, shared Joyspan, I was intrigued!
Indeed, Joyspan invites readers to rethink what it means to age by shifting the focus from “lifespan” and “healthspan” to a more holistic measure, Burnight calls “Joyspan”—the extent to which we thrive, feel connected, and live with purpose as we grow older.
Drawing from decades of gerontological research and her own experiences as a caregiver and advocate for older adults, Burnight offers a warm, accessible framework built around four pillars: growing through curiosity and learning, adapting to change with resilience, connecting deeply with others, and giving in ways that foster meaning. And when Mel Robbins says, “This book completely changed how I see myself growing older. It’s not just about adding years to your life—it’s about making those years incredible. A must-have guide to living longer and better!” You know you have to read it!
Here is my interview with the author Kerry Burnight. Enjoy!
1. What inspired you to write Joyspan?
For more than 30 years, I’ve been at the bedsides, kitchen tables, and funeral services of older adults. I’ve witnessed extraordinary resilience and also incredible suffering. What struck me most was that much of the suffering could have been avoided. I wrote Joyspan to provide a science-backed roadmap for living fully, not fearfully. My mother, Betty, now 96, exemplifies what’s possible when we embrace growth, connection, adaptation, and contribution throughout life. I wanted to take that lived wisdom and pair it with the strongest research to help people thrive through every decade.
2. You introduce the concept of “joyspan” as something different from lifespan and healthspan. How do you define joyspan, and why is it so important to measure?
Lifespan measures how long you live. Healthspan measures how well your body functions. Joyspan measures the quality of your inner life: your purpose, relationships, curiosity, adaptability, and sense of meaning. It’s the emotional, psychological, and social well-being that makes a long life one you actually want to live.
“Lifespan measures how long you live. We measure it because what gets measured gets improved. When we track and work on our joyspan, we realise that thriving in longevity isn’t accidental. It’s intentional and within reach at any age.” Burnight
3. Your model centres on four pillars: Grow, Connect, Adapt, and Give. How did you develop these particular pillars, and what makes them essential for thriving in life’s second half?
These pillars are the overlapping sweet spot of three things:
- Empirical research spans psychology, neuroscience, and ageing science.
- What I’ve observed in older adults who thrive.
- Practical steps people can take in daily life.
3. What people can actually practice in daily life.
The 4 pillars are verbs because they all take effort: Grow, Connect, Adapt, Give (GCAG). Grow captures curiosity and cognitive vitality. Connect reflects the unmatched power of relationships. Adapt is the resilience we build when life constantly shifts. Give taps into generativity, meaning, and contribution. Together, the four pillars act like a compass for a fulfilling second half of life.
4. You have spent decades working with older adults as a gerontologist. What is one lesson from your clinical or research experience that has most influenced this book?
Again and again, older adults told me they wished they had worried less and connected more, resisted less and adapted more, consumed less and contributed more. Their clarity became my blueprint. Joyspan is, in many ways, a love letter to the hard-won wisdom it embodies.
5. The book challenges “anti-ageing” culture. What do you see as the most harmful myths about ageing that you hope to dispel?
The myth that ageing is synonymous with decline across every part of life is not only wrong but also damaging. Yes, bodies change. But psychological well-being often increases with age. Older adults tend to experience more emotional stability, deeper relationships, and a stronger sense of meaning. Another harmful myth is that purpose and growth are reserved for the young. The science is clear: purpose, learning, and contribution are potent longevity enhancers at any age. Ageing isn’t the enemy. Ageism is.
6. You write that internal strength is just as important as physical health. What does internal strength mean to you, and how can readers foster it?
Internal strength is your capacity to stay open, vital, and hopeful even when life gets messy, especially when life gets messy. (Notice is saying when and not if). Internal strength is built through reflective practices, supportive relationships, curiosity, gratitude, and learning to let go of what no longer serves you. The more we cultivate internal strength, the more we can navigate whatever life brings without losing ourselves.
7. Is there a story, either from your research or personal life, that best illustrates what a strong joyspan looks like in practice?
My mother, Betty, offers a perfect example. At 96, she has lived through losses, injuries, and health scares, yet every day she chooses connection, curiosity, and gratitude. She is deeply interested in others, continues to challenge herself, and looks for ways to help others. Her life is not free of challenges, but her joyspan is expansive because she works at it and keeps leaning into life rather than withdrawing from it. She reminds me daily that thriving is an active practice.
8. Connection is a key pillar in your framework. What have you learned about the science of meaningful relationships as we age?
The science is unequivocal: relationships are the single strongest predictor of well-being across the lifespan. Not the number of friends, but the quality of connection, being seen, valued, and supported. As we age, emotional closeness becomes even more critical. Social ties buffer stress, protect the brain, enhance immunity, and give life meaning. Longevity isn’t just about what we eat or how much we exercise. It’s about who we love and who loves us back.
9. You emphasise adaptability as a vital trait for long-term joy. What are some practical ways people can become more adaptable at any age?
Adaptability grows when we practice three things:
- Recognition: Intentionally recognising that every human has significant unwanted challenges.
- Coping strategies: learning to see challenges as opportunities for growth and using science-backed internal (e.g., journaling) and external coping strategies (e.g., seeking counselling).
- Mindfulness: meditation, breath work, time in nature, art, and music can encourage openness rather than rigidity.
- Adaptability isn’t a trait reserved for the resilient few. It’s a muscle anyone can strengthen.
10. If you could leave readers with one message about ageing and fulfilment, what would it be?
Ageing is not the problem. How we think about ageing is. The second half of life can be your most joyful, meaningful, and powerful chapter. When you grow, connect, adapt, and give, your joyspan expands, and with it, the full richness of your life.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The blend of science, personal stories, and practical exercises makes the book easy to engage with, especially for readers looking to reflect on how to shape the second half of their lives intentionally. While grounded in research, the tone remains conversational and encouraging, making the material approachable rather than academic. Burnight emphasises that thriving later in life isn’t about avoiding difficulty but about cultivating habits and mindsets that expand joy, agency, and community.
Ultimately, the book offers a hopeful and joyful roadmap—one that encourages individuals to design a more connected, meaningful, and joyful future, regardless of age or starting point!
Burnight, K. (2025). Joyspan. (For the conceptual framework on Grow, Connect, Adapt, Give.)