ON THE BRINK OF EVERYTHING Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old

Narrator Steve Carlson's textured voice and thoughtful phrasing punctuated with strategic pauses and authentic emotion make his performance sound totally in sync with 80-year-old Parker Palmer's reflections and insights. The audio is a collection of 24 essays and some poems that deal with issues of aging such as reimagining work and purpose, staying engaged with young people, knowing oneself, and coming to terms with end-of-life issues. Palmer says he aims to use his personal experience of aging to help others approach it "as a period of discovery and engagement rather than decline and inaction." With Carlson's vocal engagement and relaxed delivery, this is a listening experience that will provoke thoughtful reframing of what it means to live fully in one's later years. T.W. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2019]