Older vs. Elder: Redefining Aging, Wisdom, and Legacy with Dr. Marc B. Cooper

The Not Old - Better Show

Paul Vogelzang

History, Fitness, Film, Health, Aging, Employment, Fashion, Career, Technology, Seniors, Society & Culture, Music, Health & Fitness

5 • 1.8K Ratings

🗓️ 18 March 2025

⏱️ 24 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What if growing older wasn’t just about adding years but about stepping into wisdom, influence, and purpose? What if instead of fading into the background, we embraced a new role—a role of guidance, leadership, and transformation?

Today, we’re speaking with someone who has dedicated his life to redefining what it truly means to age. Dr. Marc B. Cooper is a coach, author, and thought leader who challenges the idea that aging is simply about preservation. Instead, he asks us to consider: Are we merely “Older,” or are we evolving into “Elder”? Because there is a difference. Older is resignation—Elder is possibility. Older is retreat—Elder is engagement. Older is a conclusion—Elder is a beginning.

Dr. Cooper’s work—including his book Older to Elder: The Thinking and Being of a Contemporary Elder—lays out a clear, compelling path for those 60 and beyond who refuse to be sidelined by outdated expectations. Instead, he encourages us to step forward as storytellers, mentors, and wisdom-keepers for the generations that follow.

In our conversation today, we’ll explore how to embrace this powerful transition. What does it take to move from simply aging to becoming a true Elder? How do we overcome ageism and societal doubts? And most importantly—how can we shape the legacy we leave behind?

Dr. Cooper has coached, written, and traveled the world sharing these insights, and today, we’re honored to have him with us. So, let’s get started. I’m your host, Paul Vogelzang, and this is The Not Old – Better Show.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to the Not Old Better Show, the show covering all things health, wellness, culture, and more.
0:06.3	The show for all of us who aren't old, were better.
0:09.2	Each week we'll interview superstars, experts, and ordinary people, doing extraordinary things,
0:15.3	all related to this wonderful experience of getting better, not older.
0:19.7	Now here's your host, the award-winning Paul Vogelzang.
0:23.6	Welcome to the Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast. I'm Paul Vogelzang. Those of us over age 55,
0:31.6	I'm over age 65, all of us in this age span.
0:37.8	We're thinking about all of this stuff.
0:39.9	So what if growing older wasn't just about adding years,
0:44.8	but about stepping into wisdom, influence, and purpose?
0:47.9	I think we've got the guest for you today.
0:50.0	What if instead of fading into the background,
0:53.0	we embraced a new role, a role of guidance, leadership, and transformation?
0:57.7	Today, we're speaking with someone who has dedicated his life to redefining what it truly means to age.
1:05.1	Dr. Mark B. Cooper is a coach, author, and thought leader who challenges the idea that aging is simply about
1:13.7	preservation. It's not. Instead, Mark Cooper asks us to consider, are we merely older or are we
1:22.1	evolving into elder? Important distinction because there is a difference. Older is resignation. Elder is possibility.
1:30.5	Older is retreat. Elder is engagement. Older is a conclusion. Elder is a beginning. I love all of that.
1:40.3	And I think it's so important to embrace Dr. Cooper's work, including his book, Older to Elder,
1:46.8	the Thinking and Being of a Contemporary Elder. Dr. Cooper will lay out for us today this clear,
1:53.4	compelling path for those of us 60 and beyond who refused to be sidelined by outdated
1:59.8	expectations instead.
	...

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