Embracing the Beauty of Aging: How Skye Bergman’s 'Lives Well Lived' Documentary Rewrites the Story of Growing Older - Christina Daves

In a world often focused on the negative aspects of aging, it’s refreshing to hear stories that celebrate the wisdom, resilience, and vibrancy of older adults. Skye Bergman’s Lives Well Lived shines a light on the incredible lives of 40 individuals, all over the age of 75, whose collective experiences span an awe-inspiring 3,000 years. Through her project, Skye sets out to challenge society’s perceptions of aging and shares the life lessons that these remarkable people have gathered over the years. From personal stories of resilience to the enduring love of family, Lives Well Lived is not just a documentary; it’s a movement. In this conversation with Christina Daves, Skye opens up about what led her to create this powerful documentary, the inspiring individuals she met along the way, and the invaluable lessons they shared. Discover more on how these stories redefine what it means to grow older, and why it’s more important than ever to embrace the beauty of aging.

A Passion for Positive Aging

Skye Bergman’s journey into the world of photography, storytelling, and ultimately, the Lives Well Lived project, started in her late 40s. As she approached 50, Skye noticed a distinct lack of positive aging role models in the media. Rather than celebrating the joys and wisdom of growing older, the media often perpetuated fear and avoidance, through anti-aging products or stories of the struggles associated with aging.

In her own life, however, Skye had a powerful role model in her grandmother, who was about to celebrate her 100th birthday. Skye’s grandmother embodied the essence of aging gracefully, remaining active, engaged, and full of life well into her later years. Inspired by her grandmother’s example, Skye embarked on a mission to seek out and document others who, like her grandmother, had defied the conventional narratives of aging. “I knew there were other people out there like my grandmother,” Skye explains. “So I set off on a quest to find them, and over the next four years, I interviewed 40 people, whose collective life experience was 3,000 years.”

Skye’s decision to embark on this project wasn’t just for her audience,it was deeply personal. She sought to find role models who could inspire her as she entered her own next chapter. As Skye puts it, “I wanted to learn how I could shape the rest of my life in a really positive way.”

The Lessons We Learn: Attitude, Support, and Purpose

Through the interviews and stories in Lives Well Lived, Sky learned three crucial lessons that resonated with her deeply. The first lesson is the importance of attitude in navigating life’s challenges. Evie Justison, one of the interviewees, shared how reading Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl helped her realize that, while we cannot control everything that happens to us, we can control our attitude toward it. This perspective shift can make all the difference in how we approach adversity.

The second lesson Sky highlights is the power of a strong support system. This support doesn’t always come from family—sometimes it’s found in friends, communities, or even a shared cause. A support system can provide the foundation necessary to weather life’s storms and keep moving forward, no matter what.

Finally, Sky emphasizes the importance of having a sense of purpose. Regardless of age, having something to strive for, something to wake up for each day, can be life-changing. Whether it’s volunteering, pursuing a passion, or simply connecting with others, purpose brings meaning to our lives and helps us navigate the challenges of aging.

For Sky, one of the most impactful lessons came from the realization that purpose can evolve over time. Many of the interviewees, especially older adults, spoke of reinventing themselves in retirement or after major life changes. They discovered new passions, new reasons to get out of bed in the morning, proving that it’s never too late to start something new.

Connecting Generations-Breaking Down Barriers and Building Bonds

One of the core messages in Lives Well Lived is the importance of connecting generations. In a world where age divides people more than it unites them, Sky’s work aims to break down those barriers and create opportunities for younger and older generations to learn from one another.

To further this mission, Sky and her colleagues created a program where college students and older adults watch the film together and engage in thoughtful conversations using a list of guided questions. This initiative encourages dialogue and allows both groups to learn from each other’s perspectives and experiences. The program has been running for over eight years and, even during the pandemic, shifted to virtual sessions, proving that the desire to connect transcends physical distance.

Sky’s book, Lives Well-Lived Generations, extends this mission by highlighting other inspiring projects that bring different generations together. From intergenerational symphonies to co-generational housing initiatives, these projects are reshaping the way we think about aging and community. By connecting generations, we not only preserve history but also foster mutual respect and understanding, reducing ageism and creating more compassionate communities.

Continuing the Legacy of Connection

Sky is far from done with her mission to bridge generational divides and preserve stories of resilience. Currently, she’s working on two new PBS films. The first, Mochi Suki, explores a Japanese-American tradition of making mochi to usher in the New Year. The ceremony, which continued even during the internment camps of WWII, is a symbol of hope and community, something Sky feels deeply connected to.

The second project, Prime Time Band, tells the story of a band made up of older adults who, having put down their instruments for years, have picked them back up to play together again. The band’s members, many in their 70s and 80s, perform throughout Santa Barbara and even introduce music to young students through a program called the Music Van. This cycle of rediscovery and mentorship is a beautiful example of how older generations can continue to contribute to society in meaningful ways.

The Call to Action: Preserve Stories, Build Connections

Sky’s work encourages us all to take action. Whether it’s interviewing older relatives and preserving their stories on video, or reaching out to someone from a different generation to learn from their experiences, it’s crucial to document and honor the wisdom that’s been passed down through the years. Sky’s website offers a list of questions that can help guide those interviews, and she’s even created a video to make the process easier for anyone who wants to get started.

Sky’s message is simple yet profound: Don’t wait until it’s too late. Capture the stories of those around you, and pass them on.

Her work isn’t just about documenting history; it’s about keeping the spirit of resilience and connection alive for future generations. It’s about recognizing that, no matter our age, we all have something to offer, and by sharing our stories, we make the world a richer, more compassionate place.

This post is a combination of the insights and personal stories shared in the podcast and captures Sky’s powerful message of resilience, connection, and the importance of preserving intergenerational wisdom.

Watch her full episode here: