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Gen Seasoned

Gen Seasoned

Written by: Anuradha Varma
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About this listen

 Conversations on longevity, reframing retirement and creating multigenenerational connections.
Co-founders Anuradha Varma and Jahnavi Sarma are seasoned journalists as well as a Mindset Coach and Energy Healer respectively. To get in touch, email genseasoned@gmail.com
Copyright Anuradha Varma Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Ep 14: Siddharth Kothari: At 19, he runs the Happy Folks Club for seniors

    Ep 14: Siddharth Kothari: At 19, he runs the Happy Folks Club for seniors
    May 15 2026
    After his 12th Boards, Siddharth Kothari decided to put together an event for senior citizens. That has now grown into the Happy Folks Club, a youth-led social enterprise with over 1400 active members in Bengaluru, and soon to launch in Chennai. The team, the 19-year-old founder & MD tells Gen Seasoned’s Anuradha Varma, comprises youngsters aged 16 to 22 years, with over 650 internships and 220 events organised since its inception in May 2024.

    Listen in as he talks about bridging the generation gap, familiarising seniors with Gen Z lingo, running the Suvidha helpline and the Dosti service, where seniors can book a walking buddy, companion for teatime, tech coach, and more. The young entrepreneur and BBA student, who believes in the power of delegation and having systems in place, also talks about plans for his future and the aim to impact one lakh senior citizens.

    Call the Happy Folks Suvidha helpline: +91 80504 54886
    Follow: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

    Timestamps:
    01:12 About Happy Folks Club, run entirely by the youth
    02:50 The Swatantra School – seven Sundays, seven skills
    04:56 Team ranges from 16 to 22
    06:58 How Happy Folks Club started
    09:10 Age group of seniors involved
    11:43 What the generation gap looks like
    13:00 Teaching seniors Gen Z lingo
    14:30 “Hamaare zamane mein”; then and now
    17:08 Organisational structure of Happy Folks Club; quality assurance
    19:00 Started as a group of 10 friends
    21:50 The Suvidha helpline
    25:00 The Dosti service - walking buddies, teatime companions, etc
    29:00 Profile of seniors, what they’re looking for
    30:00 Siddharth’s aim to be portfolio entrepreneur; time for hobbies
    32:50 Services for brands
    34:43 Scope for agetech
    36:25 Aim to impact one lakh senior citizens through Happy Folks Club

    To get in touch, email genseasoned@gmail.com
    Disclaimer: Views are personal. Listener discretion is advised.
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    40 mins
  • Ep 13: Dr. Saigita Chitturu: TISS Diploma in Gerontology is creating ‘agepreneurs’

    Ep 13: Dr. Saigita Chitturu: TISS Diploma in Gerontology is creating ‘agepreneurs’
    May 9 2026
    As we aim to live longer and better, there is immense scope for “agepreneurs” or “elderpreneurs”. Dr Saigita Chitturu, Assistant Professor,Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai talks to Gen Seasoned host Anuradha Varma about the one-year Diploma in Gerontology via its Centre for Lifelong Learning, focussing on interdisciplinary care for the elderly.

    Open to adults over 25, with special consideration for those over 55, the course provides a comprehensive understanding of ageing, blending perspectives from sociology, psychology, anthropology, social work, education, and economics.

    Listen in as she talks about the diverse group of learners, including 80-year-olds, the need for sensitivity as we transition into the senior years, avenues post-retirement, and celebrating ageing. She also talks about the immense scope of the silver economy, which can cater to healthcare, disability, companionships, second marriages, infrastructure, community living, AI training, financial literacy, and more.

    Follow Dr Saigita Chitturu: LinkedIn
    Check out: TISS Diploma in Gerontology

    Timestamps:
    02:00 About TISS and the diploma in Gerontology
    05:47 Debunk notion that adults can’t learn
    06;40 Students up to 80 years of age; every batch has a student over 60 and below 80
    08:43 We discuss changes during adolescence but not not what happens after 50
    11:35 What the course covers
    14:03 Mandatory field work component in the course
    16:46 Longevity conversations in focus
    17:55 Ageing needs a lifespan approach
    19:41 Feminisation of ageing
    22:45 Socialisation is important for seniors
    24:53 “What do I do now?” Learning to accept ageing
    27:26 Course is helpful for entrepreneurs
    29:32 Scope in gerontology - healthcare to AI training and financial literacy
    32:34 Contribute in society to do away with loneliness
    34:40 Policy implementation
    36:00 Graduates of the course

    Get in touch at genseasoned@gmail.com
    Disclaimer: Views are personal. Listener discretion is advised.
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    41 mins
  • Ep 12: Sailesh Mishra, Founder President, Silver Innings: Ageing is an opportunity, start planning in your 40s

    Ep 12: Sailesh Mishra, Founder President, Silver Innings: Ageing is an opportunity, start planning in your 40s
    Apr 30 2026
    Ageing is an opportunity to find new purpose, says Sailesh Mishra, Founder President of Silver Innings Group, Dementia Master Trainer and Social Gerontologist. Active in the field of senior care for almost two decades, he also runs A1 Snehanjali, Mumbai’s first 24x7 assisted living elder care home located in Nalasopara.

    Using his marketing experience, he used social media early on to craft a positive narrative around ageing. Listen in as he talks to Gen Seasoned host Anuradha Varma about how the conversation has shifted from merely care to seeking unique experiences for a free-spirited silver generation, the importance of upskilling and building lasting social connections as one ages. He also challenges all of us — young and old — to stop treating ageing as something that happens to us, and start preparing for it in our 40s, the way we would plan a financial SIP.

    He also highlights the urgent need for gerontology education in India, building a more age-inclusive society, and explains why the senior sector is poised to become the next big thing after the IT industry.

    Check out Sailesh Mishra on: LinkedIn | Website
    Book by Silver Innings: “Remember Me: You, Me & Dementia”

    For more info, email genseasoned@gmail.com
    Views are personal. Listener discretion is advised.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
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