Telling the stories of long, healthy and productive lives is what we do here.  We share insights into how people conduct themselves - the habits, hacks, lessons and learning curves that evolve over time.  We hear about relationships, athletic adventures and career achievements - the highs and the lows of a life well-lived. One day, hopefully in the distant future, it will be obituary-time. A few paragraphs politely mentioning some of our milestones along with funeral arrangements and options for flowers.  But before it comes to that, have you ever thought about telling your own story?   James R. Hagerty writes obituaries for The Wall Street Journal, but his new book focusses on the living. In Yours Truly: An Obituary Writer's Guide to Telling Your Story, James shares his skills and insight into how to record the pivotal moments of our lives.  He also explains how the process could prove life-enhancing or enlightening and a valuable resource for our loved-ones. In this interview we cover: The value of having a life story preserved.The difference between an obituary and telling your own storyJames' story as a career obituary writer and journalistBut I'm not famous or infamous - do I have a story to tell?How open do I need to be about every high and low in my life? When discretion is the better part of valorSaving stories - from letter-writing to social media postsIs the process therapeutic? How do others benefit from you writing your story?The skill of asking questionsRealizing how little we know about each others' livesEnjoying a long life and career and staying engagedDISCOUNTS ▸ DoNotAge is offering listeners to LLAMA a 10% discount on its range of products, including NAD boosters. Use the use code LLAMA for purchases at DoNotAge.org Health queries can be answered by emailing: [email protected] ▸ Recharge Health is offering LLAMA listeners a $30.00 discount on the purchase of FlexBeam, for red light therapy, which may help your body heal and promote  the health of skin and muscle tissue .  Use the code LLAMA at checkout. ▸ Time-line is offering LLAMA podcast listeners a 5% discount on its Mitopure products - Mitopure Powder, Softgels and Mitopure + Protein. Mitopure supports improve Ask a FarmerDo you have questions about agriculture and food? Ask a Farmer!Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Affiliation disclosure: This site includes affiliate links from which we derive a small commission, if you click on the product links and use the code LLAMA at checkout.  This helps support the channel and allows us to continue sharing conversations like this. LLAMA is available, free of charge, wherever you get your podcasts. Our mission is to explore the science and lifestyle interventions that could help us live longer and better. Thank you for the support! Support the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.