Phoenix Aerie: An Inner Spark

Where do you think an inner spark comes from? How does that spark become a flame? There are boundless sparks out in the world, but true flames are harder to come by. They take more than just grit; they need proper kindling, a conducive environment, and guidance that doesn’t smother. 

When I was young(er), my father told me that “everything is a microcosm”, and I’ve come to believe him. To stay in our theme, I’ll use fire as our microcosm today. The field of longevity seems to be a burgeoning blaze—it’s got enough drawn eyes and interest from powerful parties for an occurring and continuing surge in growth—as if gasoline has been poured on it. The whole goal—for all who flame itself and all who benefit from it—is for the flame to grow, so that it can provide necessary warmth for those who need it, but gasoline can only do so much for a fire that, ironically, needs longevity. In order to help provide that for the field, Phoenix Aerie has been formed.

Launching in 2025 in the Bay Area, Phoenix Aerie is set to become a premier co-living community designed to provide bountiful options for fueling emerging longevity scientists and visionary builders with the brightest inner sparks. Our three-month program will offer a dynamic space for four to eight young longevity-focused professionals, aged 18 to 25, to live, work, and innovate together.

Our vision is to foster a supportive environment where future leaders can immerse themselves in cutting-edge research, share insights, and build lasting connections with their peers. Here we will delve into Phoenix Aerie’s goals, our strategic timeline, and what makes our community uniquely poised to shape the future of health and longevity:

In our breakout year, we have several aims for our first cohort:

First and foremost, we seek to bring together a diverse group of young thinkers and builders who, via opportunities funneled through, to, and around the Aerie, will establish powerful and lasting connections with other flames in the field by simply doing what they love.

Our next goal would be to foster and support the professional growth of all of Phoenix Aerie’s cohortees, providing a variety of workshops ranging from debate nights to journal clubs alongside opportunities for mentorship in one of the main hearth and homes of longevity. In addition to whatever work the Aerie’s cohortees will be conducting in the area in the summer, there will be plentiful opportunities to connect to established professionals of varying focus and background in the field of longevity. This summer will open up further avenues of connection and increase the professional advice and information all cohortees receive. 

Our final major aim is to fuel the growth of the longevity community in the area and within Phoenix Aerie’s future alumni network by establishing the Phoenix Aerie home not just as a hotspot for passionate longevity-focused individuals, but as a home base where those fiery minds can always go to find new connections and old friends. 

Our application is live and open as we speak—admittance is rolling until capacity is reached or a soft deadline of January 2025’s end. To answer any remaining questions, there will be a webinar on October 20. Register for the webinar here. While additional questions are answered on the website, here are important points to be aware of:

• Main selection criterion: passion for the field. A track record in longevity helps but is not required, as long as you’re leaping into the field for the longer term.

• Professional direction does not matter; variety is a core value for us.

• For the first cohort visas can not be sponsored.

• Having an internship lined up in the area helps, as we want to aid you in your professional journey.

Phoenix Aerie will officially open its doors for the summer of 2025 in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. The programming for our first cohort will run through the months of June-August, beginning at the start of June and concluding at the end of August. This will allow space for cohort members to prepare for school, if still in undergrad programs. 

Following the successful graduation of our first cohort, Phoenix Aeries will continue to be held annually, eventually expanding to multiple locations in a given summer. This will produce an expanding and passionate alumni network for all Phoenix Aerie members to access.

Phoenix Aerie is distinguished by its unique blend of scientific focus and community living. Our approach is rooted in the belief that innovation thrives in environments where individuals are supported, inspired, and connected. The Bay Area location offers a rich ecosystem of research institutions and tech hubs, providing residents with unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and growth. A day at Phoenix Aerie might begin with a shared breakfast, followed by residents diving into their personal pursuits—whether it's an internship, job, or other work pushing the field forward. Evenings may bring the cohort back together for a communal dinner with a visiting scientist or to a local longevity event, fostering the exchange of groundbreaking ideas. Other nights might feature spirited debates, or "show-and-tell" sessions where members share their favorite contributions to the field. We will bring each cohort together into a family as much as possible. 

Contact us via the website, or contact me directly at hudson_eaton@brown.edu or hudson@phoenixaeries.com to find out how you could sponsor and/or donate—otherwise spread the word!