The Way Forward Regenerative Conversations

#23: Can reducing consumerism help us save the planet and find happiness. A Conversation with J.B. MacKinnon.

The United Nations panel that studies climate change found that consumption surpassed population growth as the biggest driver of resource and material use on the planet at the turn of the 21st century.  In the United States the population has increased 60% since the 1970s while the consumption of consumer items has increased 400%.  We consume 13 times more than the average person in one of the poorer countries in the world.  This means that having two children in the US is like having 20 children in of the poorer countries of the world.
J.B. MacKinnon is an award-winning journalist who has authored or co-authored five non-fiction books including the one we are discussing in today’s conversation: “The Day the World Stopped Shopping”.  MacKinnon describes his book as “a thought experiment that imagines what would happen—to our economies, our products, our planet, our selves—if we committed to consuming far fewer of the Earth’s resources.”  His work has appeared in the New Yorker, National Geographic and the Atlantic.  He is an adjunct professor of journalism at the University of British Columbia, where he teaches feature writing.
We would like to thank our sponsor Elders Action Network “Building a movement of elders to address the environmental, governance and social issues of our time”.
You can reach us at the email address thewayforwardrc@gmail.com
The views, opinions and ideas expressed by our guests during this in any episode are solely their own and do not reflect or represent the positions, beliefs, or policies of any of our podcast sponsors.   Additionally, the content shared by our guests does not necessarily align with or reflect the position or beliefs of the podcast host or the production team behind “The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations”.

#22: Elder Activism in a time of Climate Crisis. A Conversation with Leslie Wharton, Roger Luckmann and Jen Chandler of Elders Climate Action

Elders Climate Action (ECA), a grassroots organization founded as project of Elders Action Network in 2014 has taken the lead in activating elders to be educated about and address the growing climate crisis at the federal, state, and local levels – through national policy initiatives and regional chapters.  With a strong emphasis on partnerships - especially intergenerational - ECA addresses climate change while there is still time to protect the well-being of our children, grandchildren, and future generations.
 
Drawing from their experience as members of Elders Climate Action, Leslie, Roger, and Jen help us explore the work of ECA in our conversation with them today.
Leslie, the Chair of Elders Climate Action, is a retired attorney, a self-described introvert with a PhD in history.  She describes finding her home in ECA as wonderful, like going from a caterpillar to a butterfly. 
Roger is the co-chair of the ECA National Policy Committee.  He came to climate activism after 50 years as a physician, healthcare researcher, and public health practitioner.  He draws inspiration from ECA which has led to him to become involved  as a heat pump coach and decarbonization advocate in his hometown.
Jen is Director of Elders Climate Action and their only salaried employee.  She was introduced to climate change and inspired by her mother, an early member of ECA. Over the past eight years Jen has led the volunteer members of ECA to build a coalition of more than 26,000 elders working across the United States
We would like to thank our sponsor Elders Action Network “Building a movement of elders to address the environmental, governance and social issues of our time”.
You can reach us at the email address thewayforwardrc@gmail.com
The views, opinions and ideas expressed by our guests during this in any episode are solely their own and do not reflect or represent the positions, beliefs, or policies of any of our podcast sponsors.   Additionally, the content shared by our guests does not necessarily align with or reflect the position or beliefs of the podcast host or the production team behind “The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations”.
Show Notes:
Jen Chandler is the Director of Elders Climate Action. Over the past eight years Jen has led the volunteer leadership of ECA to build a coalition of more than 26,000 elders working across the United States. She has brought her experience and skills as an non-profit leader, educator, creative, advocate and a lover of the natural world to support, uplift and amplify ECA’s mission and build a movement of Elders who are taking action to protect future generations.
Jen has a Bachelor of Arts in Photography and Adventure Education with a Master of Arts in Arts Administration and Nonprofit Leadership. Prior to working in climate action, Jen taught in the Visual Arts and managed the Prescott College Art Gallery at Sam Hill Warehouse and Visual Arts Center. In her twenties Jen worked as an outdoor guide where she fell in love with the Southwestern United States. She happily splits her time between the central highlands (Prescott) and the northern deserts of the Dine’ nation in (Page) Arizona with her partner, Daniel and best canine companion, Birdie.
 
Roger came to climate activism and ECA in his third act after 50 years as a physician, healthcare researcher, and public health practitioner. In the ECA Massachusetts chapter he serves on the leadership, legislative adn research team. He is also co-chair of the ECA national policy committee and is a heat pump coach and building decarbonization advocate in his hometown of Natick Massachusetts.
Leslie was born in July 1951 and raised in the countryside north of Philadelphia, where I spent most of the time I was not in school enjoying the trees, fields, babbling brooks and wildlife.  I got a Ph.D in history and then switched gears and went law school, working for 38 years first in private practice and then for a government agency.  I retired at the end of 2021.  
 
Leslie first heard about climate change in 2007, I assumed that our political leaders act for the public good and institute policies to address climate change.  When I looked again in 2014, I was shocked at how little our governments had done.  That’s when I decided to become a climate activist and joined Elders Climate Action.  As part of the ECA leadership, I work on building and supporting new chapters around the country, building collaborations with other environmental groups, and making ECA a strong voice at the federal, state, county and local level supporting the policies and actions needed to protect our children, grandchildren, and future generations from climate catastrophe.
 
 

#21: Can Health Span be increased: A Conversation with Jim Burke the producer and the guest for this Podcast:

Health span is the period of life during which you are generally healthy and free from serious chronic disease. In the United States the average lifespan historically has been lower compared to many developed countries. The U.S. also faces challenges with chronic disease, obesity and other health issues which negatively impact health span.  In 2016 the average life expectancy at birth in the US was 79 years while the health span was only 68.5 years.  This meant 10.5 years where a US resident experienced a decreased quality of life, an increased burden of disease and an increase in their health care cost.    Is this the future each of us faces?
Drawing from experience and study of Lifestyle Medicine, we explore this challenging subject with our guest today, Jim Burke. Jim spent 25 years as a health care clinician and manager for the US Department of Veterans Affairs.  He is a retired physician assistant and MSW.  He currently a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and hold a Nutritarian Coach Certificate. 
Show Notes: In this conversation Jim Burke draws from the work of T. Colin Campbell PhD (The China Study), John Robbins (Healthy at 100), Blue Zones, Joel Fuhrman MD (Eat for Life), Michael Greger MD and Peter Attia MD (Outlive).
We would like to thank our sponsor Elders Action Network “Building a movement of elders to address the environmental, governance and social issues of our time”.
You can reach us at the email address thewayforwardrc@gmail.com
The views, opinions and ideas expressed by our guests during this in any episode are solely their own and do not reflect or represent the positions, beliefs, or policies of any of our podcast sponsors.   Additionally, the content shared by our guests does not necessarily align with or reflect the position or beliefs of the podcast host or the production team behind “The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations”.
 

#20: Overshoot and Collapse: Is That What Our Future Holds? A Conversation with Jim Anest

On YouTube and in current books, stories of pending societal collapse are increasingly apparent.  Are we just experiencing the recurrence of the age-old theme” the end is near” or is something new happening?  Are the increasing climate catastrophes, supply chain shortages, rising fuel and food prices caused by our growing environmental footprint? Are they symptoms of pending societal collapse? Are we in denial of this “new abnormal”?  
Drawing from the recent work of Jem Bendell, we explore his provocative new book “Breaking Together: A Freedom-Loving Response to Collapse”.   Our guest for this conversation is Jim Anest.  Jim is an environmentalist, grandfather, musician, intellectual, and retired senior environmental policy analyst for the State of Washington.
Jim comes to this conversation with a remarkable history of community service and activism.  After attending Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago, he worked as a small-town lawyer for 6 years, where he represented anti-nuclear civil disobedience defendants, battered women, and a case for the ACLU.  Most of his career he worked for the Washington State Department of Ecology focusing on toxic cleanup and shoreline management. He also worked with The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, where he helped create a compliance program for a state agency that bought the best pieces of land in the state and protected them forever (with a portfolio of over 9,000 grants, valued at over $3 billion dollars). Jim also helped create an intentional cohousing community about 15 years ago in Olympia, Washington, where he and his wife still live. He is also an avid hiker, reader, swimmer, piano player, and conversationalist.
 
We would like to thank our sponsor Elders Action Network “Building a movement of elders to address the environmental, governance and social issues of our time”.
You can reach us at the email address thewayforwardrc@gmail.com
The views, opinions and ideas expressed by our guests during this in any episode are solely their own and do not reflect or represent the positions, beliefs, or policies of any of our podcast sponsors.   Additionally, the content shared by our guests does not necessarily align with or reflect the position or beliefs of the podcast host or the production team behind “The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations”.

#19: Finding Purpose and Meaning in the second half of Life: A Conversation with Dr. John Izzo and Alain Gauthier

Retirement is often presented by the media as a time of leaving meaningful work to pursue hobbies, travel, and more time with family.  With increased life expectancy and evolving societal norms, the traditional notion of retirement is undergoing change.  Some people now opt for semi-retirement, gradually reducing their work hours, or they switch careers to less demanding but more fulfilling work.  Others find volunteer opportunities that are consistent with and in line with their passions.  Some pursue spiritual quests and or transformational experiences.   In this conversation using insights from Age Wave’s latest study “the New Age of Aging” we explore the second half of life as a time for those who want to age regeneratively and leave a better world for future generations. 
 
John Izzo is a globally renowned bestselling author of nine books, a professional and dynamic speaker, inspired storyteller, and highly acknowledged business advisor. In his career he has spoken to over one million people, taught at three major universities, and advised over 700 top companies on activating social responsibility and purpose worldwide. John is currently an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia, where he is a co-founder of Blueprint, serves on the board of Sustainable Brands and co-hosts The Way Forward Regenerative Conversations podcast.
 
Alain Gauthier has a 55-year history as an international consultant, facilitator, educator, and author.  He began his journey working with multinational corporations, NGOs, and universities. In his later career, he focused on developing co-leadership emphasizing compassion and dialogue to nurture authentic relationships.  As an elder and a volunteer with Elders Action Network (EAN) he is passionate about integrating the inner, inter, and outer dimensions of regeneration – at a time when our patterns of thought and behavior are challenged by the multi-faceted crisis facing society. He initiated a Visionary Planning Process and co-created the Regenerative Elder Process (REP) – which has been offered by Elders Action Network to elders who want to renew themselves while contributing to the regeneration of their communities.
We would like to thank our sponsor Elders Action Network “Building a movement of elders to address the environmental, governance and social issues of our time”.
You can reach us at the email address thewayforwardrc@gmail.com
The views, opinions and ideas expressed by our guests during any episode are solely their own and do not reflect or represent the positions, beliefs, or policies of any of our podcast sponsors.   Additionally, the content shared by our guests does not necessarily align with or reflect the position or beliefs of the podcast host or the production team behind “The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations”.
 
 
 

#18: What does this moment require of leaders: A Conversation with Akaya Windwood

Many of us feel stuck in a paradigm that no longer serves us or life. Others believe “The Great Turning”, as Joanna Macy calls its, has begun?   There is also an emerging request that we Boomers humbly and courageously step beside the next generation of young leaders to support and learn from them?  Some call for   shared leadership as a model to be embraced.  Our guest Akaya Windwood, who serves as lead advisor on the Advisory Council of Third Act, explores these topics with our hosts.
Akaya Windwood has embraced transformational change since as a young black child she was of one of eight children to attend a school in San Bernardino California at the time of the integration process.  She has focused her energy on leadership and collaboration in the nonprofit and social benefit sector.  She is a faculty member at the Just Economy, founder of New Universal and past president of Rockwood Leadership Institute.  Akaya received the 2020 Vision Award from Middlebury College and the Ella Award from Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.
We would like to thank our sponsor Elders Action Network “Building a movement of elders to address the environmental, governance and social issues of our time”.
You can reach us at the email address thewayforwardrc@gmail.com
The views, opinions and ideas expressed by our guests during this in any episode are solely their own and do not reflect or represent the positions, beliefs, or policies of any of our podcast sponsors.   Additionally, the content shared by our guests does not necessarily align with or reflect the position or beliefs of the podcast host or the production team behind “The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations”.

#17: Is a Clean Energy Revolution Possible? A Conversation with Randy MacEwen

In 2005 we deployed less than 1 GW of solar.  By 2023 there was 350 gigawatts of solar produced with a cost reduction of 85 to 90%.   Hydrogen as a renewable energy source has long been promoted for its potential to revolutionize the energy landscape due to its abundance and clean burning nature.  Despite decades of anticipation its widespread adoption and integration into the global energy mix have been slow.  Challenges related to production, storage ,and distribution have hampered its progress.  The narrative of hydrogen 's potential often feels like the play “Waiting for Godot, where the awaited event or person never arrives.
Randy McEwen has always had a longstanding interest in energy conservation and renewable Energy. Early in his career he worked as a lawyer with a focus on mergers, acquisitions, and corporate finance. Recognizing the intertwined challenges of energy security, air quality, and climate change, Randy decided to make a significant career shift.  His interest in renewable energy led him to hold executive roles in clean energy companies for the last 20 years, including in hydrogen, fuel cells and solar.   Randy MacEwen has served as CEO and a member of the board of directors of Ballard Power since 2014 which has allowed him to align his career with his passion for energy and environmental conservation
The views, opinions and ideas expressed by our guests during this in any episode are solely their own and do not reflect or represent the positions, beliefs, or policies of any of our podcast sponsors.   Additionally, the content shared by our guests does not necessarily align with or reflect the position or beliefs of the podcast host or the production team behind “The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations”.
You can reach us at the email address thewayforwardrc@gmail.com

#16: Is the Future Friendly? A Cynical Optimist looks at the Future: A Conversation with Joe Tankersley

Albert Einstein was once asked what question would he most want to know the answer to if he returned to Earth in 500 years, he replied “Is the universe friendly?” We live in a pivotal period where numerous aspects of our modern societies face unprecedented challenges.  Some fear we may already be on the path of societal and environmental collapse.  It is in this context that redefining and reimagining our future becomes not just essential, but urgent.  How do we use foresight and can elders play a special role in creating a regenerative, equitable, and just future for all?
Our guest for this conversation is Joe Tankersley, a renowned futurist, writer, and Walt Disney Imagineer.  With a rich career spanning filmmaking, writing, and imagining futures at Walt Disney, Joe brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to our conversation.  He has spent most of his professional life using strategic foresight and storytelling to create compelling visions of better tomorrows.  Joe is an ardent believer in “Practopia”, a future that is measurably better than today and one that requires us to stretch beyond our perceived limits.   Having served on the board of the Association of Professional Futurists, Joe brings expertise and passion to the pressing questions of our time.  He is actively involved in creating better tomorrows, not just in his professional work but also through his commitment to local communities and not-for-profits. Joe is the author of “Reimagining Our Tomorrows: Making Sure Your Future Doesn’t Suck”.
We would like to thank our sponsor Elders Action Network “Building a movement of elders to address the environmental, governance and social issues of our time”.
You can reach us at the email address thewayforwardrc@gmail.com

#15: Can We Decarbonize and Regenerate our Lives: A Conversation with Brian Stewart

As record breaking temperatures are recorded in the United States and across the world during the summer of 2023, Climate Change” and “Global Warming” can no longer be relegated to the future.  For more and more of us it has become a lived experience.  What can we do as individuals, groups and as a society to take action in the face of this ever-emerging crisis. 
Brian Stewart is the founder of “Electrify Now” an all-volunteer organization that believes that electrification through cleaning up your electric supply, electrifying your home, electrifying your ride, and enabling everyone to electrify is the quickest and easiest path to a decarbonized world.
In this far-reaching conversation with Brian, former VP of Sustainability for Nike, he shares with us his journey from the corporate world into retirement and becoming an elder.  In this journey he discovers his passion and current life’s work as a volunteer in the organization that he and his wife founded “Electrify Now”.
With over 30 years of experience in product design, manufacturing, innovation and sustainability, Brian has held senior leadership roles at NIKE Inc.  He is a Principal of Cyan LLC where he works with corporations, universities, and other non-profit organizations. 
We would like to thank our sponsor Elders Action Network “Building a movement of elders to address the environmental, governance and social issues of our time”.
You can reach us at the email address thewayforwardrc@gmail.com

#14: Can Baby Boomers answer the call to Activism: A Conversation with Bill McKibben

The Sixties were a time of cultural revolution in the United States that faded into individualism, consumerism, and a move to right-wing politics.  As the Boomer generation become elders, they are faced with unprecedented crisis: climate change has become a lived experience, inequity continues to grow, democracies teeter on the brink and authoritarians are on the rise.
Bill McKibben believes the next 5 years may be the most important in the history of the human experiment. He strongly believes that young people need the support and help of elders with their activism, political clout and unprecedented wealth to transform our world’s future. 
Bill was one of the first voices to write about climate change with his book The End of Nature published in 1989. He is a noted environmentalist and an activist who has authored twenty books including his most recent “The Flag, the Cross, and the Station Wagon: A Graying American Looks Back at His Suburban Boyhood and Wonders What the Hell Happened.”  He founded 350.org, Third Act. and led strong opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline. 
In this conversation we explore the seismic shift  in American politics and cultural that happen when Ronald Reagan was elected president, what needs to happen for us to win the fight not just the argument on climate change, how younger generations and elders can work side by side to bring about social change, and lessons from Bill’s  lifetime of activism.
Note to listeners: This was recorded in a natural setting therefore the soundtrack contains wind noise and bird songs.
We would like to thank our sponsor Elders Action Network “Building a movement of elders to address the environmental, governance and social issues of our time”.
You can reach us at the email address thewayforwardrc@gmail.com