On Aging and Beauty

On Aging and Beauty

From Unprocessed by Lia Avellino

February 11, 2026 · 1h 10m · Season 1 · Episode 43

About this episode

Lia Avellino reflects on aging and beauty with Vanessa Cornell, discussing societal pressures and personal experiences as they approach 40.

In this week’s episode, I reflect with my friend and mother of 5, Vanessa Cornell, on what it is like to age in a culture that doesn’t want us to. I talk about this moment in my life, as I get closer to 40, and reflect on the messages I’ve gotten about what is beautiful, pretty privilege, the problems with body positivity, living in a culture that treats every hormonal shift as a problem that has to be solved, and what the research shows about women’s feelings when they are older and no longer being scrutinized and evaluated. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health treatment, diagnosis, or therapy. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship. The views and opinions expressed are based on my lived personal and professional experience but are general in nature. Individual situations vary, and listeners are encouraged to seek appropriate professional support for their specific needs. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own mental health decisions and actions. I am not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the…

People in this episode

Guest: Vanessa Cornell

Topics covered

  • aging
  • beauty
  • body positivity
  • mental health

Keywords

  • pretty privilege
  • hormonal shifts
  • women's feelings
  • cultural messages

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