Becoming An Elder with Mark Gerzon

MP3 Download

In our cultural scenario, the meaning of the first half of our life is derived from education, work, finding a mate, raising children, making a home, and working toward financial stability. But what about the second half? Everyone who is getting older must listen to this exciting conversation about the potential richness of aging - coming to appreciate the value of our accumulated skill, wisdom, experience and sometimes even improved physical health. Gerzon describes the midlife process as a quest, as discovering the deep questions that are arising within and pointing us toward inner fulfillment. He encourages older people to share their stories with the young, as we all learn to dispel the negative and false belief that growing older means not growing. (hosted by Michael Toms)

Bio

Mark Gerzon is co-founder and co-director of the Global Leadership Network, an international organization whose members are leadership trainers from every region of the world. Among the Network's projects are a book on the global dimensions of leadership, and a Global Leaders program being designed in partnership with Outward Bound International. He has also served as a consultant to the United Nations Development Program and its Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery.

He is the author of:

• American Citizen, Global Citizen: How Expanding Our Identities Makes Us Safer, Stronger, Wiser - And Builds a Better World (Spirit Scope 2010)
• Leading Through Conflict: How Successful Leaders Transform Differences into Opportunities (Harvard Business Press 2006)
• Listening to Midlife (Shambhala 1995)

To learn more about the work of Mark Gerzon go to www.markgerzon.com.

Topics Explored in This Dialogue

• What is the impact of the Baby Boomer Generation
• Why meeting the shadow is important
• What is growing whole
• What is the "red light" syndrome
• Why honoring the "Seven Generations" is important

Host: Michael Toms      Interview Date: 11/18/1992      Program Number: 2361

Music Included

From Album: Polar Shift
Artist: Vangelis, Chris Spheevis, Paul Vondouris & others
1991 Private Music #2083-2-P

From Album: Gaudi
Artist: Robert Rich
1991 Hearts of Space #HS 11028-2

From Album: Legends
Artist: Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumbel
1988 Narada Lotus #ND-61022

From Album: Gypsy Heart
Artist: Matt Balitsaris
1992 Raven Recordings