Have you ever felt powerless to change the system—wondering if one person's actions can truly make a difference in a world overwhelmed by complex challenges? In this provocative and inspiring episode of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, we confront the limiting belief that individual actions don't matter—a mindset Otto Scharmer and Katrin Kaufer describe as the "illusion of insignificance." Joined by hosts Dr. John Izzo and Alain Gauthier, we directly address elders and regenerative activists, empowering listeners to reclaim their agency and become active participants in reshaping our collective future.

In this deeply insightful conversation, Otto and Katrin share transformative concepts such as "islands of coherence," the essential "social soil" that nurtures societal change, and "fourth-person knowing," a profound form of collective intelligence. Drawing practical connections from their new book Presencing, they illuminate how aligning attention, intention, and agency can empower individuals and communities to break free from outdated systems. You’ll discover how your small yet intentional actions can create powerful ripples of change, building on ideas explored in previous episodes such as intergenerational collaboration, climate adaptation, and regenerative elderhood.

Otto Scharmer is a Senior Lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Founding Chair of the Presencing Institute, an organization dedicated to activating awareness-based systems change through action research. Otto co-authored the influential books Theory U and Leading from the Emerging Future, introducing the transformative practice known as "presencing"—learning from and responding effectively to emerging futures. Drawing inspiration from his regenerative farming upbringing, Otto emphasizes nurturing "social soil," referring to the quality of relationships, awareness, and collective capacity crucial for profound systemic transformation. His work has significantly influenced leadership practices, organizational behavior, and societal change globally.

Katrin Kaufer is the Managing Director and oversees research activities at the Presencing Institute, of which she is also a co-founding member. She serves as a Lecturer and Program Director at MIT's Department of Urban Studies and Planning, where her research focuses on leadership, social transformation, and mission-driven finance. Katrin co-authored Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego-system to Eco-system Economies with Otto Scharmer and authored Just Money, exploring principles of mission-based banking and sustainable finance. Through her research and practice, Katrin highlights how the quality of our relationships significantly defines collective outcomes and advances practices that align attention, intention, and agency, deepening our understanding of transformative leadership and "fourth-person knowing."

About the Presencing Institute and U-School:

The Presencing Institute, founded by Otto Scharmer, is a global organization committed to enabling profound societal transformation through awareness-based systems change and innovative action research. Known worldwide for its groundbreaking Theory U methodology, the institute actively collaborates with leaders, organizations, and communities to cultivate deeper collective understanding and facilitate meaningful change across sectors.

The U-School is an innovative global platform within the Presencing Institute dedicated to helping change-makers, educators, and leaders deepen their understanding and mastery of Theory U. U-School provides transformative learning journeys, workshops, and community initiatives that empower individuals and teams to respond creatively and effectively to complex societal challenges by fostering greater personal and collective awareness, intention, and agency.

Learn more about their impactful work at Presencing Institute.

About The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations:

The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations podcast is proudly supported by the Elders Action Network and Elders Climate Action. We extend our deepest gratitude to these organizations for their steadfast commitment to empowering elders and addressing critical environmental, governance, and social challenges, helping create a thriving world for generations to come. If this conversation inspires you, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and Apple Podcast to ensure you never miss an episode. Join our growing community and explore additional transformative resources at wayforwardpodcast.com.

In a time of deep division and rising authoritarianism, what if we could reimagine democracy—not for the next election, but for the next generation? In this inspiring and provocative episode of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, co-hosts Dr. John Izzo and Alain Gauthier speak with two visionary leaders who are doing just that.

Suzette Brooks Masters, leader of the Better Futures Project and advisor to the School of International Futures, and Clint Wilkins, retired educator and intergenerational climate action leader with Elders Climate Action, introduce us to the practice of Future Design—a foresight method that invites participants to role-play as future generations.

Together, they explore:

• Why U.S. democracy feels broken—and how Future Design can help renew it.
• What happened when elders, youth, and midlifers “time-traveled” to the year 2049.
• How elders can serve as conveners for intergenerational healing and bold democratic imagination.
• Why local communities—not Congress—may be democracy’s best hope.

If you're restless about the state of our world but still believe in the power of human imagination and agency, this episode is your invitation to help shape what comes next.

Subscribe. Share. Start a Future Design conversation in your own community.

Show Notes

Episode Title: Designing Democracy: Future Generations at the Table

Guests: Suzette Brooks Masters – Strategic foresight leader and director of the Better Futures Project

• Website: Democracy Funders Network
• Report: Imagining Better Futures for American Democracy (PDF)
• LinkedIn: Suzette Brooks Masters

Clint Wilkins – Educator, intergenerational facilitator, and leader at Elders Climate Action

• Elders Climate Action: https://www.eldersclimateaction.org
• Elders Action Network: https://www.eldersaction.org

Topics Covered:

• What is Future Design and how it works
• Role of imagination and intergenerational empathy in civic renewal
• Inside the ECA Future Design retreat
• How to bring Future Design into your local town hall
• Why elders are essential catalysts in shaping long-term democratic vision

Production Team:

• Hosts: Dr. John Izzo & Alain Gauthier
• Producer: Jim Burke
• Editing: Camtasia 2025

Watch more episodes of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@RegenerativeConversations

Special Thanks We’re grateful to our sponsors, Elders Action Network (EAN) and Elders Climate Action (ECA), for supporting this intergenerational exploration of democracy, imagination, and the future. Your leadership shows that elderhood can be a time of action, not retreat.

In this powerful episode, renowned climate philosopher and activist Dr. Rupert Read challenges us to confront the stark realities of climate breakdown and political instability. Offering a unique blend of radical honesty and transformative action, Read illuminates pathways forward through emotional resilience, transformative adaptation, and community empowerment. This isn't a conversation about easy fixes; it's a compelling call to face our crisis head-on, together.

Dr. Rupert Read PhD is a prominent British climate activist, and author. He holds degrees from Balliol College, Oxford, and Rutgers University, where he earned his PhD in Philosophy. Currently, Read is an Emeritus Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia, UK. He has authored several influential books including Transformative Adaptation, The Climate Majority Project, This Civilization Is Finished, do you want to know the TRUTH, and Deep Adaptation, co-authored with Jem Bendell. Read is also well-known for his involvement with Extinction Rebellion and is co-director of The Climate Majority Project, advocating for practical and systemic responses to the climate crisis. His work blends rigorous philosophical thought with frontline activism, emphasizing emotional resilience, transformative action, and community engagement.

We extend special thanks to Elders Climate Action and the Elders Action Network, whose support makes these essential conversations possible. Their ongoing commitment empowers elders to lead and inspire transformative actions on climate, democracy, and resilience, truly embodying the power and wisdom of elder activism.

If you enjoy this podcast and YouTube channel, please subscribe. You can also find us on Substack and on Bluesky.

On January 20, 2025, as Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term as President of the United States, The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations seized this historic and uncertain moment to discuss the role of elders in shaping our collective future. In this powerful episode, we welcome esteemed author, educator, and activist Rick Moody to explore with us how those aged 65 and older can engage meaningfully in times of political and environmental upheaval.

At a time when misinformation is rampant, democracy feels fragile, and the climate crisis looms large, Moody challenges the notion of passive aging and calls for action. He makes a compelling case for why hope is not just a feeling but a practice—one that requires rolling up our sleeves and actively shaping the world we will leave behind. Whether you’re newly retired, deeply engaged in activism, or wondering what your legacy will be, this conversation will inspire and motivate you to embrace the power of your years.

In Episode we engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Rick Moody about the intersection of aging, climate change, and civic responsibility. We explore how elders can resist misinformation, foster intergenerational collaboration, and take tangible action to create a better future.

Moody shares insights on the importance of truth in an era of political deception, the urgency of climate action, and why aging should be seen as a time of purpose rather than decline. He recalls his experiences working with great thinkers like Hugh Downs and Robert Butler, who coined the term “ageism”, and reflects on how older adults can reimagine their role in society. The conversation is a call for elders to step forward, not step back—to lead, not retreat—to build, not despair.

Moody also discusses his latest book, Climate Change in an Aging Society (2023, Routledge), and his ongoing work with nonprofits and grassroots climate movements. He reminds us that history is not something we inherit—it is something we create, and elders have a crucial role in shaping what comes next.

Harry (Rick) Moody, Ph.D., is a leading voice in the fields of aging, ethics, and climate activism. A graduate of Yale University with a doctorate in philosophy from Columbia University, Dr. Moody has dedicated his career to exploring the intersection of aging, purpose, and social change.

He retired as Vice President for Academic Affairs at AARP and has held faculty positions at Fielding Graduate University and Tohoku University in Japan. Previously, he served as Executive Director of the Brookdale Center on Aging at Hunter College, and Chairman of the Board of Elderhostel (now Road Scholar).

Dr. Moody is the author of over 100 scholarly articles and several influential books, including Aging: Concepts and Controversies, a widely used gerontology textbook now in its 10th edition, and The Five Stages of the Soul, which has been translated into seven languages. His latest book, Climate Change in an Aging Society, was published in 2023.

A passionate advocate for climate action, Dr. Moody writes a newsletter focused on climate change and aging. He was named one of Utne Reader’s “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World” and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society on Aging.

Subscribe to his climate newsletter here: Climate and Aging Newsletter.

We are deeply grateful to Elders Action Network (EAN) and Elders Climate Action (ECA) for their continued support in making this podcast possible. Their dedication to empowering elders to take action on critical social and environmental issues aligns perfectly with the mission of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations.

To learn more about their work and how you can get involved, visit:

• Elders Action Network (EAN)
• Elders Climate Action (ECA)

Thank you for listening and remember: History is not a destination—it is what we choose to do today.

In this special episode of The Way Forward, we confront the stark realities emerging from the latest U.S. elections. With America seemingly more divided than ever, we explore what’s truly at stake for our democracy, our environment, and our social fabric. How do we face an uncertain future? This is not just politics—this is about the values we stand for and the world we wish to leave for our children. Tune in as we grapple with what this election reveals and the urgent questions that we now all face.

In this reflective episode, John, Alain, and Jim dive into the aftermath of the recent U.S. presidential and congressional elections. They share their personal reactions and examine the underlying issues driving this pivotal moment in history. They discuss what the results mean for America’s future, the motives driving voters, and the urgent need to rebuild community through genuine conversations. The hosts also commit to moving forward by inviting more diverse voices to the podcast and focusing on the role of dialogue in bridging divides.

We would like to thank our sponsors, Elders Action Network and Elders Climate Action, for their continued support. Your commitment to fostering a better future for our children and our planet makes conversations like these possible. Together, we stand strong in our mission to inspire generational action and create a more just and sustainable world. Thank you for your dedication and for being part of our journey.

As we approach this pivotal election, the very fabric of our democracy is at risk. What happens if we let polarization and misinformation guide our choices? In this episode, John Sorensen joins us as we dissect what's truly at stake. Could we lose our rights, freedoms, and the values that make our democracy thrive. Join us as we dive deeply into the hard questions of who we want to be as a nation and how we preserve the democratic principles we hold dear.

In this episode, John Sorensen returns to discuss the state of American democracy in the context of the upcoming election. We explore pressing questions about misinformation, the dangers of polarization, and the necessity for civic engagement. John shares the important work he and Elders Action Network (EAN) are doing through Elders for Sound Democracy, focusing on initiatives to protect voting rights, counteract the influence of big money in politics, and support marginalized communities in exercising their right to vote. Together, we challenge the audience to think about the future of our country, the importance of being informed citizens, and why our democracy needs an evolution—a peaceful revolution—to truly reflect the will of the people.

Prior to his involvement with Elders Actin Network, John ran a successful aerospace business for twenty years, which he sold in 2005. Following this, he embarked on a personal journey, including humanitarian work in Vietnam that profoundly impacted his worldview and led to his commitment to elder activism.

We want to thank our sponsors, Elders Action Network and Elders Climate Action, for their continued support of this podcast. Their dedication to fostering a resilient and empowered elder community has allowed us to bring these vital conversations to you. We appreciate their unwavering commitment to addressing the most urgent issues of our time, from democracy to climate action.

Join us as we talk as we hold a conversation with renowned farmer and activist Michael Ableman as he unearths the incredible potential of urban farming to heal our cities, our communities, and our souls. In this episode we explore how growing food in unexpected places can be a powerful act of resilience and regeneration. From feeding marginalized communities to reconnecting with the land, this is a conversation that will leave you rethinking the future of food and how you can be part of the solution.

In this episode, Michael Ableman shares his inspiring journey in urban agriculture, from the creation of Sole Food Street Farms to his lifelong dedication to sustainable farming practices. He discusses the powerful intersection of food, social justice, and community-building, offering practical insights into how urban farming can transform lives. Ableman also reflects on the broader impact of sustainable agriculture and the need for innovative approaches to feeding a rapidly urbanizing world. This conversation highlights the profound social, ecological, and mental health benefits of reconnecting with the land and growing food.

Michael Ableman is a renowned farmer, author, photographer, and one of the pioneers of the urban agriculture movement. With a career spanning over four decades, he has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable farming practices and advocating for food security, social justice, and environmental stewardship. Ableman co-founded Sole Food Street Farms, one of North America's largest urban agriculture initiatives, providing employment and purpose to marginalized communities in Vancouver. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including Street Farm, Fields of Plenty, and From the Good Earth, and his work has been featured in publications worldwide. Ableman continues to inspire through his commitment to sustainable agriculture and community healing.

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, Elders Action Network and Elders Climate Action, for their unwavering support in helping us bring these critical conversations to life. Your dedication to creating a better future for all generations makes this work possible, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership

Welcome to a special solo episode of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations. Today, we delve into a topic that strikes at the heart of aging with purpose—what does it mean to be a regenerative activist elder? In a world facing pressing challenges like climate change, social inequality, and environmental degradation, the wisdom of elders is more vital than ever. But this isn’t just about passing on knowledge; it’s about actively contributing to the regeneration of our planet and society. Together, we explore the path to becoming elders who lead with intention, resilience, and a commitment to healing the world for future generations. Join us as we rethink elderhood and embrace our roles as agents of change."

"In our 40th episode of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, the podcast team engages in a lively dialogue on what it means to become a regenerative activist elder. We examine the challenges and opportunities of elderhood in today’s world and share our personal journeys of transformation. From balancing savoring life and contributing to society, to exploring how elders can foster long-term regenerative change, this episode invites listeners to reconsider what it means to mature into elderhood. Through candid reflections, we uncover how elders can shape the future by embracing regenerative activism as a way of life."

• John Izzo is a bestselling author, speaker, and expert on leadership and social responsibility. With over four decades of experience, John has dedicated his career to helping individuals and organizations discover purpose and foster meaningful change. He is deeply committed to exploring the role of elders in creating a regenerative future.
• Alain Gauthier is an international facilitator, coach, consultant and author specializing in transformational leadership. With a passion for deep inquiry and systemic change, Alain’s work bridges inner development and outer societal impact, empowering leaders and elders to create regenerative practices that support community renewal and well-being.
• Jim Burke is the producer of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations and a regenerative activist elder. Jim’s career began in healthcare, where he worked as a healthcare provider and manager within the Veterans Affairs system for over 25 years. His extensive experience in leadership and service led him to focus on regeneration and community engagement, and environmental activism after retirement

We want to take a moment to thank our sponsors for their continued support in making The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations possible. A special thanks to Elders Action Network, and Elders for Climate Action for your dedication to creating a regenerative future and for enabling us to continue these critical conversations.

To our listeners, if you found today’s episode inspiring, please subscribe to our podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Your subscription helps us reach more people who are eager to join the movement for a regenerative future. Thank you for listening, and we look forward to having you with us for the next episode!"