In this episode, Amanda and Mark Lenhard, President & CEO of UMC, continue their discussion recorded at LeadingAge's Annual Meeting in Boston, MA (November 2025), going deeper into Mark's TEDx Talk, "Re-envisioning Aging Successfully," and what it was like to step onto that stage. They explore the power of storytelling in shaping how we understand and communicate about aging, the ripple effect of human connection, and the hope Mark carries for the future of our field and the people in it.

The conversation reflects on what it means to be a "hopeful contrarian," the importance of listening to the people we serve, and why engaging the next generation gives reason for optimism.

Takeaways

• Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have in changing the narrative around aging.
• Being a hopeful contrarian means challenging the status quo with possibility, not cynicism.
• The aging population we serve is more vocal, engaged, and expectant than ever before.
• Youth involvement in aging services is a genuine reason for hope.
• Vulnerability in leadership invites others to show up more fully.
• Learning is lifelong — and that's something to celebrate, not fear.
• Connection is at the heart of everything we do in aging services.
• Action, even when messy, moves us further than conversation alone.

Don't miss Part 1 of this conversation (Season 2, Episode 1) if you haven't already — and check out Mark's TEDx talk!

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Special thanks to Mark Lenhard and LeadingAge for making this first on-location episode possible!

This episode is made possible by LeadingAge Texas' Partners: Communities of Faith, RRG, LeadingAge Texas Health Plan, Inc., Value First, and Ziegler.

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The Uplift Aging Podcast is a production of LeadingAge Texas.