What Does a 100-Year Life Actually Look Like? | Michael Clinton on Longevity

What happens when 62 million Americans over 65 are living inside structures designed for a world where most people didn't survive past 62? That is the central question driving Michael Clinton's book Longevity Nation, and it shapes every topic in this conversation. Clinton, founder of Roar Forward, bestselling author, and adviser to the Graham School's Leadership and Society Initiative, joined Dean Seth Green and LSI Executive Director Diana Petty to discuss the book's argument: that the United States is living 21st century lives inside 20th century systems, and that a global network of innovators is working to change that across every sector of society. On the workplace, Clinton describes American companies as significantly behind their European and Asian counterparts in retaining and promoting workers over 50, pointing to L'Oreal's multigenerational workforce initiative and Singapore's government stipend for hiring older employees as models worth emulating. For individuals, he draws on Kauffman Foundation data showing that older entrepreneurs tend to succeed at higher rates, and offers examples ranging from a retired United Airlines pilot who pivoted into wealth management to a woman who launched a steel sculpture business at 80. The conversation moves through medicine — where Clinton sees GLP-1 drugs, senolytics, precision medicine, and AI-accelerated drug development converging toward what he calls the normalization of the 100-year life — and into the built environment, where he contrasts the isolation of 55-plus communities with intergenerational housing models like Mirabella at Arizona State. Audience questions draw out his views on falling birth rates and intergenerational resource tension, the gap in financial and aging literacy in American schools, the role of grassroots advocacy in driving the longevity movement, and what surprised him most while writing the book. 0:00 Welcome and introduction of Michael Clinton 2:38 Origins of Longevity Nation and the reimagineer concept 8:17 How companies are adapting to an older workforce 11:50 Mandatory retirement and the talent drain problem 13:28 Entrepreneurship after 50 and why older founders succeed 17:00 Venture capital targeting 55-plus entrepreneurs 17:34 Medicine, technology, and the 100-year life 20:38 Access, equity, and democratizing longevity tools 24:11 The built environment and age-friendly cities 28:14 Intergenerational housing and new living models 30:12 Higher education, lifelong learning, and the enrollment cliff 32:58 Creativity as a longevity practice 35:02 Falling birth rates, generational wealth transfer, and resource tension 39:12 Financial literacy and aging literacy gaps in schools 40:51 Breaking down silos between innovators and social systems 44:15 What surprised Clinton most while writing the book About the Leadership & Society Initiative (LSI) The Leadership & Society Initiative at the University of Chicago brings together accomplished leaders to engage in rigorous inquiry, interdisciplinary learning, and meaningful dialogue about leadership, service, and societal impact. Grounded in the University’s intellectual tradition, LSI connects theory with practice, equipping participants to navigate complexity and lead with clarity across sectors. Learn more about LSI and explore upcoming opportunities: https://leadforsociety.uchicago.edu/about-lsi/ About Graham The Graham School is a one-of-a-kind intellectual community that brings the best of the University of Chicago to lifelong learners who are seeking discovery and discernment. Through an array of distinctive programs and courses in the Great Books, the liberal arts, and advanced leadership, we welcome learners who seek to deepen their understanding of the world and lead examined lives of purpose. Learn more at https://graham.uchicago.edu