On to Phase Two!

The EndGame expands from a newsletter to a community.

Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

Ten months ago, I launched The EndGame. At the time, I thought I was creating a newsletter about aging with joy, purpose, grace, and – dare I say – attitude. But your responses to my posts have created something greater – an ongoing conversation. I am immensely grateful for your loyalty, your valuable commentary, and your encouragement. You’ve reassured me that my words are resonating and providing a useful service.

More than once in 2021, a reader of The EndGame said to me, “I think you’re onto something.” I’m more and more convinced that’s true. And I hope that you’re onto it with me.

I recognize that now is the time to take the next step – to evolve from a conversation to a community. I invite you to continue the journey with me as we build that community in 2022.

What Could Be 

The impetus for The EndGame was to assert confidently that we are not past our sell-by date. I wanted to rebut the widely held notion that we have nothing more of value to offer the world. That we have no more to give, no more to create, no more to write or dream or sing or paint. I don’t buy it, and I know you don’t buy it either. I started The EndGame to deliver that message and to encourage us to pursue lives of meaning and purpose, joy and creativity throughout our whole lives. I’m still on a mission to spread that message far and wide.

What I envision for the next step is to support each other through our common journey. Our generation has been gifted with extra years to live. But because our current social structures aren’t prepared for it, we have to figure out for ourselves how to make the most of this gift. If we can create vehicles for sharing our experiences, pooling our knowledge, and encouraging each other, the journey can be more rewarding for all of us.

But How?

An enlarged mission generally means an enlarged budget. Paying for those expenses can be a snare. Accepting advertising, for example, gives a third party influence over the content that you receive. I am not going that route, because you shouldn’t have to wonder if what you read in The EndGame is influenced by what an advertiser wants you to read. The only voice that should have influence on the content of The EndGame is yours.

The model that has been most successful for internet-based publications is reader support. But that creates another dilemma: if the readership is limited to those willing to pay for it, fewer readers will benefit from the message of our mission-driven publication.

That is why I am following a model – call it the PBS model – that keeps content available for free but also provides a means of support – guaranteeing that The EndGame remains responsive and responsible to  its readers. The newsletter and podcasts will remain free, while those readers who feel so moved can demonstrate their commitment and their personal stake in its success with a paid subscription.

Exclusives for Paid Subscribers

As a paid subscriber, in addition to the weekly essays and biweekly podcasts you will also receive two additional community-building features:  

·         A briefing of news relevant to the aging journey. To supplement the weekly essays on specific topics, I wanted a bulletin to share news in brief about a broader range of topics relevant to our age group – medical advances, changes in law and policy, financial factors, dangerous scams, and the like. I am introducing Newscan, a brief biweekly bulletin with pertinent items I have gathered in my scan of print, broadcast, and internet media. It will be a one-minute read, but each item will include links for further reading if you want to go deeper.

·         A community gathering over the internet. Once each quarter – and more often if the response is positive – we will have an opportunity to come together virtually. We can meet one another, share stories, ask questions, get support, and give support for our shared adventure into the aging frontier.

Ways to Support The EndGame

You can show your support in these ways:

[ ] Monthly subscription $5/month

[ ] Annual Subscription $50/year*

[ ] Benefactor $100/year.

[ ] Free subscription.

If you can’t commit to financial support now, you can help us take the next step in another important way: Share The EndGame with friends, relatives, co-workers, casual acquaintances, or strangers on the street – basically anyone who, like you, can appreciate insightful perspective on positive aging (with a side order of snark).

---

*Special Annual Subscription (OG rate) – $35/year

As a loyal reader in 2021, you can take advantage of a special OG (Original Geezer) discount. Your annual renewals will also be at the OG rate. This offer expires February 28, 2022. To take advantage of this special rate, click this link: https://theendgame.substack.com/06a31aa5

Thank you again for joining me on this journey. I welcome your active engagement in moving The EndGame to a valuable community in support of positive aging.

 I look forward to continuing our journey together in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Don Akchin