Episode Overview

In a culture obsessed with youth, are elders still relevant — or more necessary than ever?

Across traditional societies, elders were honored as wisdom keepers and guides. Yet in modern Western culture, aging is often equated with retirement, retreat, and irrelevance.

What if this moment in history calls for something radically different?

In this powerful episode of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, Dr. John Izzo, Jim Burke, Diana Shoemaker, and Alain Gauthier explore the rise of the Regenerative Elder — blending inner transformation with outer activism to serve future generations. A Regenerative Elder is someone who consciously integrates inner growth, community wisdom, and courageous action to help regenerate society, democracy, and the living Earth for future generations.

Together, through the work of Elders Action Network (EAN) and its educational and activist initiatives — including Elders Rising — they examine how elders can move from retirement to regeneration and become a vital force for societal renewal.

Whatever your age, this conversation may transform how you see aging, leadership, activism, and the future itself.

🌱 The Role of Elders Action Network

This episode highlights the unique role of Elders Action Network, a national organization committed to combining inner development with meaningful civic engagement. Unlike many organizations that focus solely on activism, EAN integrates personal reflection, worldview transformation, and community-building with action in climate, democracy, and regenerative living.

A special focus in this episode is Elders Rising, the emerging educational and community hub within EAN. Elders Rising serves as an entry point for elders seeking:

Elders Rising centers and connects EAN’s programs — including the Regenerative Elder Process, Resilience & Acceptance, Future Design, and Exploring Elderhood — into a coherent pathway for elder transformation and contribution.

⏱ Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction – The Role of Elders in Modern Society

🌱 How to Get Involved with Elders Action Network & Elders Rising

If this conversation speaks to you, here are ways to engage through Elders Action Network and Elders Rising:

EAN operates through volunteer leadership and community engagement — elders are not just participants, but co-creators of the work.

🔗 Resources & Links

Dr. John Izzo’s TEDx Talk (Boomers & Legacy)

Elders Action Network (EAN)

Elders Rising

Regenerative Elder Process (REP)

Future Design Program

Podcast Episode on Future Design

Resilience & Acceptance (RA)

EAN Book Club & Programs

Exploring Elderhood Course

👥 About Our Guests

Dr. John Izzo

Leadership expert, bestselling author, and TEDx speaker. John serves on the board of Elders Action Network and is a global voice on purpose-driven leadership, legacy, and generational responsibility.

Jim Burke

Producer of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, longtime healthcare leader, Vietnam veteran, and regenerative elder activist. Jim is deeply involved with Elders Action Network, Elders Rising initiatives, and climate resilience efforts in Washington State.

Diana Shoemaker

Executive Director of Elders Action Network. Diana leads national initiatives in elder activism, community resilience, and regenerative leadership, and oversees the development of Elders Rising as a central educational platform.

Alain Gauthier

Co-founder of the Regenerative Elder Process and longtime leadership consultant. Alain brings deep experience in worldview transformation, regenerative thinking, and elder wisdom traditions within Elders Action Network.

🎧 Stay Connected

If this conversation resonates with you:

👉 Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform https://www.youtube.com/@thewayforwardrc/featured

Your engagement helps grow a movement of regenerative elders through Elders Action Network and Elders Rising.

🙏 Thank You

Thank you for being part of this community.

Whether you are an elder, becoming an elder, or reflecting on your place in a rapidly changing world — you matter.

The future is not something we wait for.

Was 2025 a year we should forget—or the year everything finally became undeniable? As we step into 2026, the hosts of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations take on the hardest questions of our time: polarization, democracy, violence, climate disruption, and the collapse of shared meaning. This conversation is honest, provocative, and deeply personal—and we don’t all agree. If you’re wondering where to put your energy now, this episode is for you.

🧭 Show Notes – Episode Summary

In this special 2025 Reflections / 2026 Looking Forward episode, all three hosts—John Izzo, Alain (Alon) Gauthier, and Jim Burke—come together to examine what 2025 revealed about the state of humanity, democracy, and the planet.

They explore:

The conversation moves beyond headlines and elections to ask a deeper question: Who are we becoming—and how will we choose to respond?

This episode also gives listeners a rare chance to get to know the hosts personally: what grounds them, what challenges them, and where they’re putting their energy in the year ahead.

👥 Host Bios

Dr John Izzo, PhD

John Izzo is a bestselling author, speaker, and former Presbyterian minister whose work focuses on purpose, meaning, leadership, and the future of humanity. He brings moral clarity, historical depth, and a gift for asking the questions most people avoid. John is the author of multiple books, including The Purpose Revolution: How Leaders Creae Engagement and Competive Advantage in an Age of Social Good, and a longtime voice calling for deeper reflection in times of disruption.

Alain Gauthier

Alain is a systems thinker, facilitator, and co-creator of the Regenerative Elder process. Drawing from Indigenous history, lived experience, and spiritual inquiry, he helps individuals and communities integrate inner transformation with outer action. His work focuses on regeneration, resilience, and the re-emergence of elder wisdom in a fractured world.

Jim Burke

Jim Burke is the producer of The Way Forward and a lifelong health professional, systems thinker, and climate activist. He serves on multiple local and regional committees focused on infrastructure, climate resilience, and regenerative community development. Jim is deeply interested in longevity, lifestyle medicine, clean energy, and redefining elderhood for the 21st century.

🔗 Links & Where to Find Us

Podcast & Website:

Linktree (all platforms & support links):

Listen & Watch:

📣 Call to Action (Subscribe, Comment, Engage)

If this conversation resonated with you:

Your engagement helps us grow this community of thoughtful, courageous, regenerative conversations.

Was 2025 a year we should forget—or the year everything finally became undeniable? As we step into 2026, the hosts of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations take on the hardest questions of our time: polarization, democracy, violence, climate disruption, and the collapse of shared meaning. This conversation is honest, provocative, and deeply personal—and we don’t all agree. If you’re wondering where to put your energy now, this episode is for you.

🧭 Show Notes – Episode Summary

In this special 2025 Reflections / 2026 Looking Forward episode, all three hosts—John Izzo, Alain (Alon) Gauthier, and Jim Burke—come together to examine what 2025 revealed about the state of humanity, democracy, and the planet.

They explore:

The conversation moves beyond headlines and elections to ask a deeper question: Who are we becoming—and how will we choose to respond?

This episode also gives listeners a rare chance to get to know the hosts personally: what grounds them, what challenges them, and where they’re putting their energy in the year ahead.

👥 Host Bios

Dr John Izzo, PhD

John Izzo is a bestselling author, speaker, and former Presbyterian minister whose work focuses on purpose, meaning, leadership, and the future of humanity. He brings moral clarity, historical depth, and a gift for asking the questions most people avoid. John is the author of multiple books, including The Purpose Revolution: How Leaders Create Engagement and Completive Advantage in an Age of Social Good, and a longtime voice calling for deeper reflection in times of disruption.

Alain Gauthier

Alain is a systems thinker, facilitator, and co-creator of the Regenerative Elder process. Drawing from Indigenous history, lived experience, and spiritual inquiry, he helps individuals and communities integrate inner transformation with outer action. His work focuses on regeneration, resilience, and the re-emergence of elder wisdom in a fractured world.

Jim Burke

Jim Burke is the producer of The Way Forward and a lifelong health professional, systems thinker, and climate activist. He serves on multiple local and regional committees focused on infrastructure, climate resilience, and regenerative community development. Jim is deeply interested in longevity, lifestyle medicine, clean energy, and redefining elderhood for the 21st century.

🔗 Links & Where to Find Us

Podcast & Website:

Linktree (all platforms & support links):

Listen & Watch:

📣 Call to Action (Subscribe, Comment, Engage)

If this conversation resonated with you:

Your engagement helps us grow this community of thoughtful, courageous, regenerative conversations.

🙏 With Gratitude to Our Sponsors

This podcast is made possible by the generous support of Elders Action Network and Elders Climate Action.

Their work empowers elders across the country to step into leadership on climate, democracy, and social justice—exactly the kind of engagement this moment calls for.

Learn more and get involved:

In this episode of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, John Izzo hosts Bill McKibben, Brian McLaren, and Dr. Rupert Read for a raw and urgent dialogue on the climate crossroads. Together, they confront illusions, speak truth we can’t ignore, and explore what agency we still hold in shaping our future. Perfect for listeners seeking depth, courage, and clarity in the climate conversation.

Summary

In this powerful conversation, recorded live at The Climate Crossroads, our panel explores the defining moment humanity now faces. Bill McKibben highlights the accelerating physical realities of a warming planet — and the political forces working to slow progress. Dr. Rupert Read explains why adaptation, resilience, and community transformation may be our most underused leverage points. Brian McLaren examines the spiritual and psychological roots of the crisis, and why outdated worldviews continue to hold us back.

Together, they illuminate how technological change, moral courage, and community-scale action must converge to create a livable future. They invite us to move beyond false optimism and paralyzing doom — toward grounded, regenerative action rooted in compassion, clarity, and connection.

This is the first in a series of Crossroads Conversations exploring how elders, activists, and communities can rise to meet the challenges of our time.

👥 Guest Mini-Bios

Bill McKibben

Bill McKibben is a pioneering climate author, journalist, and activist who wrote the first major book on global warming, The End of Nature. He is the founder of 350.org and Third Act, mobilizing older Americans for climate action. His latest book, Here Comes the Sun, explores the global revolution in solar energy.

Brian D. McLaren

Brian McLaren is a former pastor, public theologian, and bestselling author whose work explores spirituality, social transformation, and climate consciousness. His recent book, Life After Doom, examines our spiritual response to the ecological crisis and the path to deeper courage and connection.

Dr. Rupert Read

Dr. Rupert Read is a philosopher, author, and co-founder of the Climate Majority Project, focused on mobilizing broad societal engagement in climate adaptation. He served as a prominent spokesperson and strategic voice for Extinction Rebellion, helping shape its early messaging and global impact. His work, including Why Climate Breakdown Matters and Transformative Adaptation, calls for a profound shift in how communities prepare for a rapidly changing world.

🙏 Sponsor Acknowledgment

This episode is brought to you by the Elders Action Network (EAN) and Elders Climate Action (ECA) — two organizations mobilizing elders across the world to stand for democracy, climate justice, and a regenerative future.

📣 Audience Call to Action (YouTube & Podcast)

If this conversation moved you, inspired you, or challenged you — please support our work:

In this powerful and timely conversation, Dr. John Izzo and Alain Gauthier sit down with award-winning filmmaker and journalist Paul Jay, whose upcoming documentary How to Stop a Nuclear War dives deep into the existential risks humanity continues to ignore. Together, they explore why the Cold War never truly ended, how nuclear weapons remain an urgent and immediate threat, and what each of us can do to break the silence and reclaim our collective future.

This episode is not just about nuclear war — it’s about truth, power, media silence, and our responsibility as citizens of a shared planet.

Jay shares the untold story behind the nuclear threat and the making of his new film inspired by Daniel Ellsberg’s The Doomsday Machine. He argues that the Cold War didn’t end — it simply evolved — and that the same forces of fear, profit, militarism, and denial continue to push humanity toward catastrophe.

You’ll hear why policymakers rarely talk about nuclear weapons, how media myths shape public perception, why dialogue with our “enemies” is essential, and how ordinary citizens can influence extraordinary change by confronting the “house of dynamite” we all live in before it explodes.

About Paul Jay

Paul Jay is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker, journalist, and founder of TheAnalysis.news (https://theanalysis.news).

He is also the founding chair of the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival, now the largest documentary festival in North America.

Paul is currently directing How to Stop a Nuclear War, based on Daniel Ellsberg’s The Doomsday Machine, examining the systems of power that shape global nuclear policy — and how citizens can reclaim agency over issues that determine humanity’s survival.

Explore more of his work: https://theanalysis.news

Our Sponsors

This episode is made possible through the generous support of our partners:

Their work empowers elders everywhere to stand up for democracy, climate action, justice, and the future of life on Earth.

Stay Connected

Thank you for joining us on The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations.

If this episode moved you, please:

Explore more episodes and sign up for updates at:

Upcoming Live Event

The Climate Crossroads: Why Haven’t We Changed — and How We Do Now

📅 Tuesday, December 2

A live global event presented by The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations Podcast.

https://www.youtube.com/@thewayforwardrc

We know the science — yet society still struggles to change. Why?

Moderated by Dr. John Izzo, this 90-minute event confronts the hard truth of where we stand — and explores the pathway from paralysis to courageous collective action.

Hosted by Elders Action Network, Elders Climate Action, and The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations Podcast.

Attendees will have the chance to ask live questions.

👉 Register now and be part of the generation that turns awareness into action:

Bill McKibben joins The Way Forward to explore the rapid rise of solar energy and China’s commanding role in the clean energy economy. Drawing from his latest book Here Comes the Sun, McKibben shares how the solar revolution is reshaping global dynamics — from the shift away from fossil fuels to the acceleration of decentralized power — and why local action still holds the key to a regenerative future.

In this episode of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, environmental leader Bill McKibben reveals the remarkable—and largely untold—story behind the global solar energy boom. Drawing from his new book Here Comes the Sun, McKibben explains how solar has moved from the margins to become the world’s cheapest, fastest-growing energy source, reshaping geopolitics, economics, and the fight for a livable planet.

We explore why the transition is accelerating so quickly, how China surged ahead in clean-energy manufacturing, what’s blocking progress in the U.S., and why decentralized energy strengthens both democracy and community resilience. McKibben makes a powerful case that the most impactful climate action isn’t individual—it’s collective organizing to change policy and scale solutions that match the crisis.

This is a conversation about speed, possibility, and the decisive decade ahead—and why a sun-powered world is much closer than we think.

Bill McKibben—author, journalist, and founder of 350.org and Third Act—is one of the world’s most influential climate voices. His new book, Here Comes the Sun, charts the extraordinary rise of solar power and what it means for the future.

Themes

UPCOMING LIVE EVENT

THE CLIMATE CROSSROADS – December 2, Live Online

A powerhouse panel with Bill McKibben, Dr. Rupert Read, and Brian McLaren, moderated by Dr. John Izzo as they explore what it will take to move from paralysis to action. Hosted by Elders Action Network, Elders Climate Action, and The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, this 90-minute event blends moral clarity with practical hope.

🗓 December 2

Also visit and register at our Sutra to have an interactive experience with our 3 guests. Climate Crossroads Sutra

The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations is hosted by Dr. John Izzo & Alain Gauthier and produced by Jim Burke.

In this powerful episode of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, hosts John Izzo and Alain Gauthier sit down with philosopher and climate activist Dr. Rupert Read and Manda Scott to explore the groundbreaking new book, Transformative Adaptation.

Is it too late to stop climate change? What does it mean to adapt with courage, not despair? And how can we transform ourselves and our systems to save what truly matters?

We dive deep into:

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, hosts Dr. John Izzo and Alain Gauthier sit down with Rupert Read and Manda Scott to explore their new book Transformative Adaptation: Another World Is Still Just Possible.

We ask:

From real examples in Nepal and Rojava to the spiritual and narrative shifts needed to heal our “trauma culture,” this episode will leave you questioning what kind of future we can still build—together.

👥 Guest Bios & Links

Rupert Read – Philosopher, former Extinction Rebellion spokesperson, co-founder of the Climate Majority Project, and co-author of Transformative Adaptation.

Manda Scott – Award-winning novelist, podcaster (Accidental Gods), and co-author of Transformative Adaptation, pioneering the concept of Thrutopia storytelling.

🙌 Call to Action

✨ Subscribe to The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations for more deep dialogues on climate, culture, and regeneration.

🎙 Show Branding

The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations is hosted by Dr. John Izzo & Alain Gauthier and produced by Jim Burke.

🌿 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

On The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, John and Alain sit down with Brian McLaren to explore what it means to live—and lead—after doom. Drawing from Life After Doom, Brian reframes “doom” as the moment we realize our problems outsize our current solutions, then walks us from anger to grief to love as a generative path forward. Along the way, we unpack overshoot and the polycrisis beneath climate change, a practical four‑scenario map of possible futures, and everyday practices that keep us grounded—finding companions to talk with, time in nature, and deep honesty in prayerful reflection. The result is a clear‑eyed conversation that neither sugarcoats nor catastrophizes—and calls us to show up with courage, compassion, and love.

Show notes summary

What we cover

Key takeaways

Our heartfelt thanks to Elders Action Network (EAN) and Elders Climate Action (ECA) for the work they do and for their support of this conversation and community.

Subscribe & Share

If this episode resonated, please subscribe on Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast app, and leave a comment—your engagement helps others find the show.

Connect with Us

Web: https://wayforwardpodcast.com

In this episode of The Way Forward Regenerative Conversations, co-hosts Alain Gauthier and Jim Burke, our producer stepping into the host role, dive into humanity’s greatest challenges and the transformative opportunities they present. Join us as they interview Dr. John Izzo, who takes the guest seat to explore “What is the way forward?” for a thriving planet and future. This podcast is a bold call to action, inspiring regenerative practices and mindset shifts to build a better world.

About This Episode

Struggling to stay grounded amidst wars, climate crises, or AI hype? Dr. John Izzo, author of The Five Thieves of Happiness, reveals how five toxic mindsets—Control, Conceit, Consumption, Comfort, and Coveting—are stealing your happiness. Discover the “Notice, Stop, Choose” method to overcome these thieves, practice “attention without attachment,” and challenge outdated patterns like tribalism. From social media coveting to reimagining capitalism, Izzo offers practical tools to transform your inner life and spark outer change. Perfect for activists, elders, and visionaries ready to build a regenerative future.

About Dr. John Izzo

Dr. John Izzo is a bestselling author, speaker, and leadership expert with over 25 years advising Fortune 500 companies like IBM and Coca-Cola on sustainability and regeneration. His nine books, including The Five Thieves of Happiness, blend spirituality, science, and practical wisdom, inspiring millions globally. A former minister and Camino de Santiago pilgrim, Izzo’s TEDx talks and podcasts deliver bold, actionable insights for personal and collective transformation.

Get Involved

Thank Our Sponsors

Your support drives these regenerative discussions. Thanks for listening!

In this gripping episode of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, we dive deep into the explosive revelations of Katherine Stewart’s new book, Money, Lies, and God. With nearly two decades of investigative journalism exposing the rise of Christian nationalism and the anti-democratic forces reshaping America, Stewart reveals the unholy alliances of billionaires, culture warriors, and ideological extremists working to dismantle our democratic foundations. This conversation is essential listening for anyone who cares about truth, pluralism, and the future of the American experiment.

Katherine Stewart is an award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author who has covered the rise of the anti-democratic movement in the U.S. for over 16 years. Her latest book, Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy (Bloomsbury, 2025), builds on the critically acclaimed The Power Worshippers and The Good News Club. Stewart’s work appears in The New York Times, The New Republic, and Religion News Service. Follow her work at website https://katherinestewart.me/ katherinestewartbooks.substack.com and on Bluesky at katherinestewart.bsky.social.

If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please subscribe to our podcast and visit our website at www.wayforwardpodcast.com to join our community, explore show archives, and stay connected.

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Their support makes these vital conversations possible.