What can the world’s oldest people teach us about time, aging, and being alive?
Academy Award nominated filmmaker Sam Green spent 10 years filming people who held the title of the world’s oldest living person. His documentary The Oldest Person in the World began as a curiosity but became a deeply personal exploration of mortality, connection, and how we use the time we have.
In this episode, Sam shares:
- What life really looks like at 115 and what seems to matter most
- The surprising traits he noticed among the world’s oldest people
- How a serious illness transformed his own relationship with time
- Why accepting life’s uncertainty can change how we live
- His advice for staying connected, creative, and engaged as we age
This conversation isn’t about defeating aging. It’s about paying attention to the life you have while you have it.
Watch now for a fascinating perspective on longevity, mortality, and what makes a life meaningful.
Timestamps:
(05:13) The Oldest Person in the World
(08:14) Longevity vs. Mortality
(10:21) What Centenarians Have in Common
(13:20) What Life Is Like at 115
(15:12) Meeting the World’s Oldest People
(17:49) What Helps Us Live Longer
(19:36) A Life-Changing Diagnosis
(23:22) The Film Distribution Challenge
(28:02) Making a Living in Documentary Film
(30:19) Becoming a Filmmaker
(32:33) Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers
(36:01) Favorite Documentaries
(38:07) Would You Live to 115?
(39:50) The Origins of MEA
(42:14) Make Younger Friends
Check out Chip's Celebrating Life's Wisdom Oct 25-29 2026 workshop: https://www.meawisdom.com/celebrate
Learn more about MEA at https://www.meawisdom.com/
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