Episode: The Intentional Path to Elderhood

Guest: Chris Bruno — author of “Sage,” founder of Restoration Project

Episode Summary

In this powerful conversation, Mark sits down with Chris Bruno to explore what it truly means to age with intention. Chris draws a crucial distinction between simply becoming elderly and intentionally becoming an elder—a person of wisdom, presence, and spiritual weight within their community.

Rooted in scripture, history, and the stories of cultures that honor the aged, Chris unpacks how elderhood is not guaranteed by time. It is a choice. A formation. A path we step onto with courage, curiosity, and surrender.

If you’ve ever asked, “What does God expect of me in this season?” or “Is there more for me as I grow older?”—this episode offers depth, guidance, and hope.

Key Takeaways

• As we age, we face a profound choice about who we’re becoming.
• Growing elderly is passive. Growing into an elder is intentional.
• Elders carry spiritual authority, relational weight, and generational influence.
• Wisdom is formed through reflection, surrender, and lived experience.
• Scripture offers a vision for elderhood that is active, not passive.
• Many cultures honor elders as the memory-keepers and wisdom-bearers.
• Intention shapes the quality of our aging.
• Communities are strengthened where intentional elders are present.
• The journey of aging can—and should—be deeply meaningful.

Resources / Links

https://www.chrisbruno.org/

https://www.restorationproject.net/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00UU5E1S2/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=74352286-5305-4332-a14d-572bca4948b6&store_ref=ap_rdr&linkCode=sl2&tag=restoratio04e-20&linkId=23ed88c0c4e5887e420004b1e2b94e84&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&ccs_id=a2eda9a8-b51b-46b6-bff9-10f640347fef