Some of the podcasts I listen to cater a younger demographic – specifically GenZ and Millenials in their late 20s to early 40s. Usually the hosts and guests fall into the same demographic.
This makes sense since these generations are the “target demo” ages for advertisers. It also makes sense to me because these are the ages where people can be highly productive and ambitious. Often they are progressing in their careers, taking chances and are not yet burdened with families, mortgages, commitments etc. They have time and energy to work on podcasts, try new things and build their lives.
The ads on the podcasts have zero appeal to me. Many are overpriced cheap products that are sold as a monthly subscription. Online therapy, toothbrushes, curated clothing, socks, vitamins, etc. A few are even worse – high-fee financial services, unregulated crypto-currencies and other investment scams.
Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot about a hair-loss/anti-thinning product marketed to women. It’s some formulation of “custom designed, bespoke nutrients designed just for you based on our simple 10 minute online questionnaire” yada, yada, yada. (Get my shovel).
The same company also pitches anti-aging cream, wrinkle reducing lotions and vitamins to maintain your youthful appearance.
What a bunch of bullshit.
It’s the same snake oil that people were selling back in the 1800s, and likely long before then.
Here’s what I’ve come to realize now that I’ve hit 55 years old.
Everyone who gets old will eventually look old. No matter how much makeup, hair dye, filters, injections, lotions, potions and vitamins you take, sooner or later, you look old.
Skin sags, wrinkles form, gravity wins.
As much as I loved him, I never imagined I’d look like my grandfather. Now I look in the mirror and see his face sometimes.
And you know what? It’s OK.
We all get old.