Ninety and Counting

Living past 90 sometimes brings a unique kind of solitude, as a lifetime of stories and experiences can feel heavy when you are one of the few remaining from your generation. But in Argentina, a remarkable story is proving that age is no barrier to connection and vibrant engagement.

With help from his granddaughter, 97-year-old Alberto Chab posted a simple online video inviting fellow nonagenarians to share their lives. And the response was overwhelming: "That little video created a tsunami. 1,500 emails," Chab said. "I mean, there was a real need for people, for seniors, to get together and talk to each other. I touched on a very necessary point, which is why people from all over Latin America wrote to me, even from Canada."

The response resonated with 26-year-old journalist Guadalupe Camurati, who saw the potential for a continued platform: a podcast for 90-somethings.

"From the first minute I saw them, I was kind of excited … It touched me," she said. "I said to Alberto [Chab] and the people who were there: ‘This has to be done digitally. For me, we have to make a podcast.’” And so the new podcast "Ninety and Counting" was born.

Noventa y Contando ("Ninety and Counting") is a space where seniors delve into everything from dancing the tango to healthy habits, from affection to the complexities of aging, and from past relationships to long-gone candies. Each bi-weekly meeting moderated by Chab encourages reflection on life's everyday moments, fostering a "re-socialization" that had been missing. Chab urges his fellow seniors to "just say everything that comes to mind. It’s never going to be absurd, because whatever happens to one of us – having a car crash or going to the eye doctor – a similar situation will arise for the other."

One Instagram clip features an 85-year-old woman embracing travel, proving that dreams have no age limit: "I’m 85, and I’ve finally accomplished a dream—traveling," she says. "My granddaughter helped me travel through volunteer work. In Argentina, it is very difficult for me to be retired and travel. I went to Spain and England. We don’t need to look at age, only our will to do things.”

Now in its second season, the podcast features a rotating cast of five men, five women, and Chab, each bringing their unique perspectives and stories. They grapple with the changing world, reminiscing about lost traditions like "drinking fresh raw milk instead of buying it at the supermarket, having someone to stuff their mattresses with wool instead of buying a new one," and embracing new technologies, with Chab exploring the possibilities of AI.

The impact of the podcast has been far-reaching, sometimes even revitalizing family relationships because of the seniors' participation in social media. "Our grandchildren would say, ‘Hi, Grandpa. How are you? How are you? Fine, fine. Good, very fine.’ And they’d get on their cell phones and talk to each other. But now they have someone participating, there are things to tell our grandchildren or children, or neighbors or friends. So a re-socialization was established, a very fruitful dialogue that didn’t exist before," Chab said.

Juan Carlos, a 97-year-old former physician, credits his longevity to his Creator: "God is good. I didn’t do sports and ate like a sibarita," referring to a lover of fine dining. Mabel, 92, advises that "a tip to get to 90 is to eat healthy and love yourself, love yourself very much."

"Ninety and Counting" is more than just a podcast; it's a testament to the enduring human spirit and the power of connection. In our faith, we understand the importance of community and the value of every life, regardless of age. "Ninety and Counting" highlights the beauty of intergenerational connection and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and loved -- a timely reminder that we are all part of God's larger story.