Mindful Aging

Are you aging by default or by design? Local experts share practical answers for the decades ahead. At TEDxJacksonville 2026, gerontologist Susanna Barton argued that aging isn't a crisis but a design challenge we're ignoring. This Salon picks up where her talk left off. Within a few years, Americans over 65 will outnumber children for the first time in our history, and in Florida, that's already true. Whether you're caring for an aging parent, navigating your own midlife transitions, or simply thinking ahead, the choices you make now will shape the years to come. What we'll cover Legal and financial planning, physical and mental health, care preferences, and the legacy you want to leave. You'll take home practical next steps, wherever you are in life. What's a TEDxJacksonville Salon? Salons are smaller, more conversational events between our annual conferences. Expect a moderated panel, time for audience questions, and the chance to talk with speakers and fellow attendees. Moderator Al Emerick, MBA, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, ElderSource Panelists + Susanna Barton, MS Gero, Gerontologist and writer, Grand Plans + Connie Smith, Senior Director of Healthy Living, First Coast YMCA + Marla Murnahan, PHR, CCP, CBP, Benefits and Compensation HRIS Manager, UF Jacksonville Physicians, Inc. + Perry Todd, CPFA, Senior Vice President - Wealth Management, Senior Financial Advisor, Retirement Benefits Consultant, Monahan & Todd Wealth Management Group (Merrill Lynch) "Planning for aging isn't about losing control — it's about taking it. It's about designing the second half of life with the same care we give the first." - Susanna Barton, panelist and TEDxJacksonville speaker