From America’s Gerontologist, Dr. Kerry Burnight, comes a practical guide that offers a radical new approach to longevity. 

Join us as Dr. Kerry Burnight discusses her book. A Q&A will follow.

Registration is required. You can register to join us virtually from home or attend a viewing session at the Lexington Community Center. We will reach out after you have registred to confirm.

About Joyspan: 

The most powerful predictor of a long, meaningful life isn’t found in your genes, your green juice, or your gym routine—it’s your joy. This paradigm-shifting book delivers a revolutionary, science-backed message: Joy isn’t a luxury—it’s an attainable key to vitality in longevity.

Unlike fleeting happiness, joy is a sustainable state of contentment. It’s what propels people to thrive—not just survive—well into their 80s, 90s, and beyond. With humor, heart, and hard science, Dr. Burnight introduces The Core Four—the transformative habits of people who flourish as they age: Grow. Connect. Adapt. Give.

Whether you’re 35 and planning ahead or 95 and still evolving, Joyspan gives you the tools to: Build unshakable resilience; Forge meaningful, lasting relationships; Discover purpose—even in your most challenging chapters; and Redefine aging as something to celebrate, not fear. Joyspan obliterates outdated, fear-driven narratives about aging and replaces them with an inspiring, evidence-based roadmap for a life of vitality, meaning, and deep fulfillment.

Because longevity without joy is a trap. But longevity with joy? That’s freedom. This book isn’t just a must-read, it’s a movement. It’s your invitation to a future you can look forward to.

About Dr. Kerry: 

Dr. Kerry Burnight—“America’s Gerontologist”—is leading a rebellion against fear-based aging. A trusted voice for the White House Elder Justice Summit, the U.S. Department of Justice, CBS News, NBC, The Doctors, and more, Dr. Burnight is known for her signature blend of rigorous science and irresistible storytelling.

Her New York Times best-selling book, Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half is for anyone who is aging - and we are ALL aging. Whether you are 23 or 93, the key to good longevity isn’t the length of your life, it’s the quality of your life.

Efforts to maximize lifespan and even healthspan don’t address the whole picture. Longevity doesn't mean much if you don’t like your life. Burnight introduces the critical concept, joyspan based on the science of well-being, contentment, connection, meaning, growth, choice, and purpose.

Dr.  Burnight taught Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology for 18 years at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. Burnight's work has been featured in The New York Times, CBS Mornings, The Guardian, Oprah Daily, BBC News, and Forbes Health.

Copies of the book are available for purchase through Book Ends or you can borrow a copy from the library.

This program is made possible by the generous donors to the Cary Library Foundation.