The Age of Lions

Aging well doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intentional decisions about our health, our faith, our relationships, and the legacy we want to leave behind. In this episode of The Age of Lions , Mark sits down with pastor, author, and leader Dr. Van Moody for a powerful conversation about embracing the second half of life with purpose, wisdom, and expectation. Van shares how turning 45, losing...

There comes a point in life when the focus shifts from building a career and raising a family to considering the legacy you’re leaving behind. For many people, that transition brings a new sense of urgency—not because time is running out, but because purpose still remains. In this episode, Mark sits down with pastor, author, and disciple-making leader Craig Etheredge to discuss what it means to ag...

Most men don’t fall apart overnight—they drift. In this conversation, Tyler Vinyard joins Mark Clement for an honest discussion about ambition, identity, leadership, isolation, and what it really means to finish life well. Tyler shares stories from years spent leading executives, pastors, business owners, and men navigating pressure, success, burnout, marriage struggles, and purpose. Along the way...

What does it look like to age with purpose, momentum, and spiritual depth instead of slowing down and coasting? In this powerful episode of Age of Lions , Mark Clement sits down with entrepreneur, leader, and founder of Founders Advisors and Abide and Lead, Duane Donner II. Duane shares why, at 58 years old, he is more excited about what lies ahead than anything behind him—and why he believes his...

In this episode of Age of Lions , Mark sits down with Charles Kelly—a rancher, pastor, and late-in-life ministry leader whose story challenges everything we assume about aging, purpose, and calling. Charles didn’t step into full-time ministry until age 50. Before that, his life was built around cattle, horses, and the ranch. But what followed wasn’t a slow fade into retirement—it was a bold step i...

What if the biggest shift in your life didn’t come from doing more—but from finally surrendering? In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Mark sits down with David Sumner to talk about aging, faith, obedience, and the journey from control to complete trust in God. David shares his story—from a difficult childhood in the foster care system to a life marked by transformation, purpose, and...

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Mark sits down with longtime friend and Birmingham media personality   Tasha Simone as she approaches a major milestone—turning 50. Together, they explore what it really means to age with purpose, confidence, and faith. Tasha opens up about the subtle (and not-so-subtle) moments that reminded her she was getting older—from needing glasses for the...

What if your best years aren’t behind you—but just getting started? In this episode of The Age of Lions , Mark sits down with Jamie Riddle, a 66-year-old who is living proof that purpose doesn’t fade with age—it sharpens. Jamie shares the moment everything changed. Sitting at a dinner table in unbearable pain, he came face to face with a question many of us eventually ask: Is this what getting old...

After 35 conversations with incredible leaders, mentors, and thinkers, Mark takes a step back to reflect on the biggest lessons that have emerged from the journey so far. In this milestone episode of The Age of Lions , Mark shares the 10 most powerful themes that have surfaced again and again through conversations with guests who are thriving in the second half of life. These insights come from ne...

What is the difference between faithfully waiting on God and quietly avoiding the next thing He has already asked you to do? In this episode of The Age of Lions , Mark sits down again with leadership coach and Be Far More founder Richard Mobley for a powerful conversation about passivity, purpose, and the danger of getting stuck. Together, they unpack the tension many believers feel between trusti...

In this episode of The Age of Lions , Mark Clement sits down with longtime friend Rusty Hicks for a real conversation about what happens when a major season ends—and God asks you not to sprint into the next one. After decades in the construction industry, Rusty stepped into a surprising second chapter: men’s and marriage ministry, missions work around the world, and leadership in global kingdom im...

After three decades in television, Amy Speropoulos looked successful from the outside — respected career, family, faith, and influence. But privately she was fighting a battle that many people carry quietly: addiction while living a fully functioning life. In this deeply honest conversation, Amy shares the turning point that forced her to confront reality, the moment that nearly cost her family, a...

Benji Kelley joins Mark Clement for a raw, hope-filled conversation about what it looks like to step into a “second chapter” with clarity, health, and purpose. Benji shares the behind-the-scenes story of serving as founding pastor of NewHope Church for 22 years, hitting a wall of deep burnout, and taking an intentional three-year sabbatical marked by rest, soul care, therapy, journaling, and a ret...

What if the second half of life isn’t about slowing down—but stepping fully into what God has been preparing you for all along? In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Mark Clement sits down with Joel and Niki Murphy, founders of Revive Ireland, to talk about calling, obedience, marriage, and what it looks like to say “yes” to God in midlife—without having all the answers figured out. Joe...

In this episode of The Age of Lions , Mark sits down with Mychal and Terri Smith —pastors and founders of Adventure Together Marriage & Family —to talk about the power of a “vision retreat” for couples. They unpack why getting away from everyday distractions helps couples reconnect spiritually, get aligned on what matters (finances, calendar, parenting, intimacy, health, purpose), and build a...

What happens when the house gets quiet… and, at the exact same time, your phone starts ringing with new kinds of needs? In this honest, hope-filled conversation—co-hosted by my amazing wife, Jinda—Tim and Susan Tucker share what the empty-nest transition really looked like for them: grief, surprises, and the unexpected gift of rediscovering their friendship as the day-to-day pressure of parenting...

You’re the Youngest You’ll Ever Be: Start Now In this episode of Age of Lions , Mark sits down with functional health coach Chris DeHollander to talk about what it really takes to age with strength, energy, and purpose. Chris shares her personal story—from growing up in a deaf household and becoming a lifelong “figure it out” problem-solver, to teaching fitness for decades and ultimately building...

In this episode of Age of Lions , Mark Clement sits down with Frank Schwartz —President of F3 Nation (known in the group as “Dark Helmet” )—to talk about the surprising thing happening in parks before sunrise all over the world: men gathering for free, outdoor workouts… and walking away with far more than fitness. If you’ve never heard of F3 , don’t worry—Frank breaks it down simply: Fitness, Fell...

We made it to episode 25, and true to her word, the amazing Jinda Clement is our special guest. Leaning into the season, Jinda and Mark have a fun and helpful conversation about setting goals for a new year - but NOT THE WAY you might be thinking. Listen in for some real talk about this crazy season of life (50+, adult kids, weddings, grandkids, going back to school, etc.) and what it actually tak...

Mark Clement shares an inspirational message around the wonder of Christmas, and recapturing our child-like faith and the ability to believe that anything is possible. 

In this episode of The Age of Lions , Mark Clement is joined by Brian Dodd —author, speaker, and senior leader with InJoy Stewardship —for a thoughtful conversation centered on aging with purpose and intention . Drawing from a lifetime of leadership, writing, and service, Brian reflects on how our calling doesn’t diminish with age, but often becomes clearer, deeper, and more impactful. Together, t...

In this episode of The Age of Lions , Mark sits down with Pastor Crissa Letson of Asbury Church in Madison, Alabama, to talk about what it really looks like to age with purpose in the Kingdom. Crissa shares honestly about the quiet “aha” moments of midlife—from catching a glimpse of her gray hair in the sunroof to realizing she and her husband are no longer the “younger generation” in their church...

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...

For nearly two decades, Ken Schafer used his entrepreneurial leanings to minister bi-vocationally in a multicultural context. A mid-life transition to full-time ministry gave him an even bigger vision for serving people and churches. Before joining Ramsey Solutions to work with the country’s largest churches, he was the stewardship pastor at Christ Fellowship in Miami, Florida. Ken fervently belie...

So excited to have my good friends Rhett Barden and Justin Bradshaw as our special guests this week on The Age of Lions. Rhett and Justin are the hosts of the Armchair Authentic podcast, and have over 50 years of pastoral experience between them. We have an incredible conversation about the impact of our beliefs, and the power of our stories, a perfect follow-up to episode  017 with Jinda Clement....