The Midlife Chrysalis

Jaksot

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  Can Your Beliefs Actually Change How You Age? | Shawn Achor 21.09.2026 56min

  We’re taught to expect decline as we get older. But the science tells a far more hopeful story.In this episode, bestselling author and positive psychology expert Shawn Achor joins us to explore how our beliefs can shape the way we age. Drawing from his new book, The Power of Beliefs, groundbreaking research, and his own midlife experience, Shawn reveals why getting older can bring new opportunities for growth, meaning, happiness, and wisdom.You’ll discover:How beliefs about aging can influence our physical and cognitive outcomesWhy midlife doesn’t have to mark the beginning of declineHow negative expectations can become powerful nocebo effectsWhy life can become more meaningful even as our priorities changeHow “neuroscaping” can reshape the stories we tell about our livesFrom stepping away from career success to rediscovering what truly matters, Shawn offers a compelling new perspective on aging and the potential that remains ahead.Watch now to discover why your beliefs about getting older may matter more than you think.Timestamps:(03:04) Finding Joy and Wonder in Family Life(04:54) Rethinking Potential in Midlife(09:07) How Fatherhood Changed His Priorities(12:47) Feeling Replaced and Rediscovering Meaning(15:20) How Divinity School Reshaped His Faith(20:16) The Power of Beliefs(24:18) The Nocebo Effect(25:38) How Beliefs About Aging Shape Outcomes(29:09) Optimism and the U-Curve of Happiness(34:11) Why Meaning Can Grow With Age(38:51) Neuroscaping Your Memories(45:59) Turning Possibility Into Reality(47:21) Why Happiness Leads to Success(50:58) Growing Wiser With AgeLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#ShawnAchor #PositivePsychology #PowerOfBeliefs #Midlife #HealthyAging #PsychologyOfAging #Happiness #Mindset #AgingWell #PersonalGrowth #MeaningAndPurpose #Optimism #Neuroscaping #MidlifeGrowth #SuccessfulAging
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  He Spent 10 Years Filming the World’s Oldest People | Sam Green 18.09.2026 50min

  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 mostThe surprising traits he noticed among the world’s oldest peopleHow a serious illness transformed his own relationship with timeWhy accepting life’s uncertainty can change how we liveHis advice for staying connected, creative, and engaged as we ageThis 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 FriendsCheck out Chip's Celebrating Life's Wisdom Oct 25-29 2026 workshop: ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/celebrateLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#SamGreen #TheOldestPersonInTheWorld #Longevity #Aging #HealthyAging #Mortality #LivingTo115 #DocumentaryFilm #DocumentaryFilmmaking #Midlife #LifeLessons #MeaningfulLife #SundanceFilmFestival #Wisdom #MEA
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  Why Birthdays Matter More as We Get Older 16.09.2026 22min

  Why do we celebrate birthdays as kids, then slowly stop celebrating ourselves as we get older?In this episode of The Midlife Chrysalis, Chip Conley joins Derek Gehl for a conversation about birthdays, aging, and why life’s milestones deserve more attention, not less.After decades of marking his own milestone birthdays in memorable ways, Chip shares why celebration has become even more meaningful as he’s grown older and faced his own mortality.Key insights from the episode:Birthdays are more than a number. They can become rituals that help us recognize where we’ve been and who we’re becoming.Turning 50 deserves to be celebrated. Midlife is a major transition and an opportunity to consciously mark a new chapter.Celebration doesn’t have to mean being the center of attention. It can be an experience shared with the people who matter most.One of the gifts of aging is wisdom. Instead of focusing only on getting older, we can recognize everything we’ve learned along the way.Life gives us more reasons to celebrate than we notice. Careers, relationships, transitions, achievements, and even unexpected milestones can all be worth honoring.Tune in for a refreshing conversation about aging, wisdom, and why celebrating life may matter more than ever as we get older.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(00:25) Celebrating Life Through Milestone Birthdays(05:10) Why We Stop Celebrating as We Age(07:17) Why Turning 50 Deserves a Ritual(09:11) Resistance to Celebrating Yourself(10:26) Reframing Birthdays as Celebrations of Life(12:14) Why Adults Stop Celebrating Birthdays(15:11) Making Your Birthday a Gift to Others(15:54) Celebrating the Wisdom That Comes With Age(18:43) What Else Should We Celebrate?(19:41) Experiment of the WeekCheck out Chip's Celebrating Life's Wisdom Oct 25-29 2026 workshop: https://www.meawisdom.com/celebrateLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#ChipConley #WisdomWednesday #MidlifeWisdom #CelebrateLife #CelebratingAging #MilestoneBirthday #Turning50 #LifeAfter50 #MidlifeMilestones #PositiveAging #WisdomAndAging #BirthdayCelebration #MidlifeTransition #RitesOfPassage #AgingWithPurpose
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  Surfing at 87, Writing at 91: James Flaherty’s Rules for Life 14.09.2026 48min

  At 91, James Flaherty isn’t slowing down. He’s still writing, creating, learning, and planning what comes next.A former advertising executive, entrepreneur, innkeeper, and author who wrote five books in his 80s, James joins Chip Conley to share what nine decades of living have taught him about aging well and staying fully engaged with life.In this episode, James shares:Stay useful, not youthful. Growing older brings experience and wisdom that can be put to work for others.Always have a reason to wake up. Purpose, goals, and new projects keep life moving forward at every age.Never stop learning. Curiosity opens new doors and gives you opportunities to keep growing and discovering new parts of yourself.Stay connected. Community, friendship, and being present for others become even more important as we age.Help someone today. Small acts of kindness and service can make someone else’s life better while giving greater meaning to your own.Watch the full episode for an inspiring perspective on longevity, purpose, and making every stage of life count.Timestamps:(00:00) Meet James Flaherty(03:06) Writing Five Books in His 80s(05:21) James’ Early Life and Career(08:20) Moving to Argentina(10:30) A 47-Year Partnership(15:36) Caring for a Partner With Dementia(18:37) What Gets Better With Age(21:16) The Wisdom That Comes With Age(23:33) James’ Longevity Recipe(26:57) How to Find Your Purpose(28:39) Four Pathways to Purpose(33:45) Advice for Younger Generations(34:39) Help Someone Today(38:12) What James Still Wants to DoLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#HealthyAging #Longevity #Purpose #AgingWell #ActiveAging #Midlife #LifeAfter50 #PositiveAging #HealthyLongevity #PersonalGrowth #Wisdom #FindingPurpose #SuccessfulAging #JamesFlaherty #ChipConley
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  From Role to Soul: Who Are You Without What You Do? | Connie Zweig 11.09.2026 49min

  Aging isn’t just about getting older. It’s about discovering who you are when the roles that once defined you begin to fall away.In this episode, Chip Conley sits down with Connie Zweig, author of The Inner Work of Age, to explore the deeper psychological and spiritual work of midlife and beyond.Connie shares what it takes to move from simply growing old to becoming an elder, including:Moving from role to soul: Why identity built around achievement and productivity may need to loosen as we age.Meeting your shadow: How the parts of ourselves we ignore can surface during major life transitions and shape our choices without us realizing it.Listening to the unlived life: Why buried desires, abandoned paths, and old patterns often reappear at midlife.Learning to let go: How releasing outdated roles, beliefs, relationships, and attachments can make space for a new stage of life.Accepting impermanence: What Connie has learned in her 70s about mortality, control, self-reflection, and living more consciously.This is a thoughtful conversation about aging not as decline, but as a profound inner transition.Watch now and discover what it means to move from role to soul.Timestamps:(02:40) Growing and Aging Throughout Life(08:17) Letting Go of Roles and Identities(10:02) Moving From Doing to Being(17:28) What Is Shadow Work?(20:05) From Role to Soul(23:17) The Unlived Life and Midlife Crisis(29:14) The Inner Ageist(31:58) The Chrysalis of Midlife(34:41) Facing Death and Mortality(39:37) What Rumi Can Teach Us(43:35) Wisdom for Younger Generations(45:40) Impermanence, Control, and Conscious LivingLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#Midlife #ConsciousAging #ShadowWork #MidlifeTransformation #HealthyAging #InnerWork #CarlJung #RoleToSoul #MidlifeCrisis #PersonalGrowth #SelfReflection #AgingWell #SecondHalfOfLife #UnlivedLife #ConnieZweig
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  You Can’t Rush Grief: Learning to Feel What We’ve Lost 09.09.2026 22min

  Some losses hit harder than we ever expect, and grief doesn’t follow our timeline.In this deeply personal episode of Midlife Chrysalis, Chip Conley opens up about the unexpected death of his beloved dog Jamie and what the experience has taught him about grief, love, and loss.Key insights from the episode:Grief comes in waves. It can surface as sadness, anger, exhaustion, or simply the need for space.You can’t rush grief. Searching for meaning too quickly can keep us from actually feeling what we’ve lost.Grief reveals what we love. The depth of our grief often reflects the depth of the connection.Some losses go unacknowledged. Pets, relationships, careers, health, and unrealized expectations can leave grief we never fully allowed ourselves to feel.Tune in for an honest and moving conversation about the losses we carry, the emotions we can’t control, and why there is no shortcut through grief.Watch the full episode now.Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday(02:10) Remembering Jamie(07:05) How Grief Comes in Waves(10:40) The Losses We Don’t Talk About(11:44) Why Unexpected Loss Hits Harder(12:54) Finding Ways to Cope With Grief(13:55) The Danger of Spiritual Bypass(18:53) You Can’t Force Grief(19:16) Grief, Anger, and Boundaries(20:30) Letting Emotions Pass Through(22:07) An Experiment for Unprocessed Grief(24:34) Grieving the Losses of Cancer(26:03) Closing ThoughtsLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#Grief #GriefAndLoss #CopingWithGrief #PetLoss #UnprocessedGrief #GrievingProcess #ChipConley #MidlifeChrysalis #EmotionalHealing #SpiritualBypass #LifeAfterLoss #UnexpectedLoss #GriefJourney #MidlifeWisdom #MEA
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  What Happens After You Achieve Your Biggest Dream? | Paul Harris 07.09.2026 43min

  What happens when the identity you've spent your entire life building suddenly disappears?Former South African international cricketer Paul Harris reached the highest level of his sport, but retiring at just 33 forced him into an even bigger challenge: discovering who he was beyond cricket. In this powerful conversation, Paul shares the emotional reality of life after professional sports and the lessons that helped him build a meaningful second chapter.In this episode, you'll learn:Why major life transitions often trigger an identity crisisThe hidden mental health challenges many high achievers faceThe three principles that helped Paul rebuild his confidence, purpose, and careerWhy the people you surround yourself with can shape your futureWhy "Outwork Everybody" became the foundation of his successPaul's journey proves that losing one identity doesn't mean losing yourself. Sometimes the end of one chapter is the beginning of a more meaningful one.If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could benefit from Paul's story. Timestamps:(02:46) Meet Paul Harris(03:44) Early Life and Playing Cricket(08:36) What is a Spinner?(10:45) Baseball vs. Cricket(11:22) Why Cricket Never Caught in the US(13:15) Why He Retired At 33(15:00) Losing His Identity After Cricket(18:24) Life After Fame(21:14) Starting Over At 40(22:22) Why Retired Athletes Struggle(27:01) Advice For Major Life Transitions(31:30) What Midlife Means To Him(33:35) Wisdom Bumper StickerLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#PaulHarris #LifeAfterSuccess #IdentityCrisis #ProfessionalAthlete #LifeAfterSports #CareerTransition #FindingPurpose #SecondChapter #MentalHealth #HighPerformance #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #SuccessMindset #Cricket #MidlifeChrysalis
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  From Doing to Being: The Power of Presence | Teddi Dean 04.09.2026 49min

  Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is stop doing and simply be present.In this episode, Chip Conley talks with Teddi Dean, former Bones Brigade skateboarder turned filmmaker, mindfulness teacher, and Head of Mind & Body at MEA. Teddy shares his journey through sobriety, yoga, meditation, and decades of exploring what it means to live with greater awareness.You’ll discover:Why stillness can be transformative and help us reconnect with ourselves.How 10 to 20 minutes of daily mindfulness can change how we respond to life.Why mindfulness goes beyond meditation, from walking and surfing to ordinary daily activities.How listening to your body and breath can lead to wiser choices.Why paying attention makes ordinary life richer and helps us see familiar things with fresh eyes. Teddi’s hard earned wisdom is beautifully simple: Just be.Watch the full episode for a practical and inspiring conversation about becoming more present for your own life. Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Teddi Dean(01:05) Growing Up in Skate Culture(03:03) Joining the Bones Brigade(05:20) Walking Away From Skateboarding(08:57) Drinking and Life After Skateboarding(10:04) Getting Sober at 35(11:00) Finding Yoga and Mindfulness(14:23) Starting a New Life in Baja(17:10) Joining the Modern Elder Academy(19:04) Why Midlife Needs a Wisdom School(21:35) The Power of Silent Retreats(26:49) Learning to Sit With Yourself(28:39) Building a Daily Mindfulness Practice(30:22) Creating Space Between Stimulus and Response(32:01) Turning Everyday Activities Into Mindfulness(35:05) What Is Embodied Prayer?(36:30) Listening to the Wisdom of the Body(39:06) Becoming Amazed by the Mundane(41:18) Wisdom Bumper Sticker(43:00) Sunday Sangha Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#TeddiDean #ChipConley #ModernElderAcademy #JustBe #PowerOfPresence #MindfulnessInMidlife #SilentRetreat #DailyMindfulness #FromDoingToBeing #MindBodyAwareness #EmbodiedPrayer #MindfulnessAndSobriety #BonesBrigade #FindingStillness #MidlifeWisdom
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  Curiosity Is the Secret to a Richer Life 02.09.2026 24min

  Happiness and purpose may not be enough for a truly rich life.In this episode of The Midlife Chrysalis, Chip Conley joins Derek Gehl to explore psychological richness and why curiosity, new experiences, challenge, and spontaneity become especially valuable as we age.You’ll discover:Why psychological richness matters as we get older and how curiosity keeps us engaged with life.The question that can reshape your next decade: What will you regret not learning, doing, or investing in 10 years from now?Why becoming a beginner again matters, from learning a new skill to pursuing a passion you’ve neglected.Why spontaneity and stepping beyond routine enrich our lives and open us to experiences we might otherwise miss.Watch the full episode and choose one thing you’re ready to finally do. Timestamps:(00:02) Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday(02:23) What Is a Psychologically Rich Life?(05:58) Creating More Psychological Richness(10:33) Reinventing Yourself in Midlife(12:04) What Will You Regret in 10 Years?(14:33) Is the Door Really Closed?(16:04) Why We Regret What We Don’t Do(17:48) Ways to Enrich Your Life(20:24) Pilgrimages and New Experiences(21:40) Curiosity and Leaving Your Comfort Zone(22:08) The Power of Spontaneity(24:01) This Week’s Challenge24:50 Make Your Commitment Public Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#PsychologicallyRichLife #PsychologicalRichness #ChipConley #MidlifeChrysalis #MidlifeReinvention #Curiosity #HealthyAging #LifelongLearning #GrowthMindset #MidlifePurpose #LifeAfter50 #LivingWithoutRegret #NewExperiences #MidlifeTransformation #Longevity
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  We’re Living Longer. Why Isn’t Society Ready? | David Sinclair 31.08.2026 45min

  The longevity revolution isn’t coming. We’re already living it, and we’re not ready.In this episode, David Sinclair of the International Longevity Centre joins Chip Conley to explore what longer lives mean for all of us and why society needs to catch up with a future that’s already here.In this conversation:Why the real longevity challenge isn’t living to 100, but adapting to longer lives todayWhy prevention needs to play a much bigger role in how we approach health and agingHow longer lives are changing the way we think about work, money, retirement, and our communitiesWhy purpose, connection, and staying engaged matter as much as staying healthyHow the wisdom we accumulate over a lifetime can be shared with the next generationWatch the full episode for a fresh perspective on longevity and what it will take to make our longer lives healthier, more purposeful, and more connected. Timestamps:(03:13) Why Society Isn’t Ready for Longer Lives(04:47) Why We Keep Ignoring the Aging Crisis(07:13) What Governments Must Do About Longevity(10:14) Why Prevention Should Come First(12:01) Building Cities for Longer, Healthier Lives(15:48) The Economics of an Aging Population(18:09) Rethinking Life for the 100 Year Age(20:39) Can Human Lifespan Keep Increasing?(26:13) Living Longer Isn’t Enough(27:18) Why Purpose Matters as We Age(31:21) David Sinclair on the Other David Sinclair(34:53) Who Is Getting Longevity Policy Right?(37:53) The Responsibility to Pass on Wisdom(41:04) The Business Opportunity of Longevity Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#DavidSinclair #InternationalLongevityCentre #Longevity #AgingSociety #HealthyAging #LongevityEconomy #AgingPopulation #FutureOfAging #PurposefulAging #100YearLife #LongevityPolicy #FutureOfRetirement #PreventiveHealth #AgeFriendlyCities #LifelongLearning
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  From Achievement to Fulfillment: Building Your Life 3.0 | Seth Streeter 28.08.2026 47min

  Success can look impressive on the outside and still leave you feeling like something is missing.Seth Streeter, co-founder of Mission Wealth, spent decades building a successful career while constantly pushing himself to achieve more. But after personal crisis, health struggles, and a major identity shift, he began questioning what success was really for.In this episode, Seth shares his journey from achievement to Life 3.0, a new chapter centered on fulfillment, purpose, and what truly makes us come alive.Key insights include:Achievement can become an identity. When worth is tied to productivity and success, stepping away can be harder than expected.Redefining success changes what matters. A fulfilling life requires looking beyond money, status, and conventional measures of achievement.Transformation requires letting go. Moving forward often means releasing old roles, habits, and ideas about who we need to be.Your values reveal what’s missing. Identifying what matters most can expose the gap between the life you’re living and the life you want.Tune in for an inspiring conversation about redefining success, finding what makes you come alive, and creating a more fulfilling next chapter. Timestamps:(04:04) Seth’s origin story(09:12) The cost of relentless achievement(09:51) Building Mission Wealth(12:31) When life fell apart(15:39) Finding a new way forward(19:50) Wealth vs. fulfillment(23:16) Leaving the company he built(27:12) Finding purpose in Life 3.0(29:30) What keeps people stuck in Life 2.0(32:45) What makes you come alive?(33:39) Identifying your core values(36:01) Love, impact, and health(38:07) Building deeper human connection(40:12) Redefining successLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#Life30 #RedefiningSuccess #MidlifeTransformation #MidlifeReinvention #PersonalGrowth #LifePurpose #Fulfillment #FindingPurpose #LifeTransitions #IdentityShift #MeaningfulLife #CoreValues #SelfDiscovery #MidlifeWisdom #SethStreeter
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  Could Living Together Be the Secret to Aging Better? 26.08.2026 23min

  Growing older is changing. Maybe the way we live should change with it.In this episode of Wisdom Wednesday, Chip Conley joins Derek Gehl to explore a new approach to later life: shared homes that combine independence, connection, and community.Drawing on MEA’s growing Golden Girls experiment, Chip shares:Why traditional senior living and aging in place don’t work for everyoneWhat MEA has learned from its first shared homes and Golden Girls retreatsWhy privacy, flexibility, and compromise are essential to making shared living workHow shared homes can grow into vibrant “distributed villages” built around friendship, learning, and common interestsHow this model could inspire new approaches to housing and community far beyond MEAWatch the full episode to discover a different way to think about home, community, and growing older.Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday(01:39) Rethinking How We Live as We Age(05:05) The Golden Girls Shared Living Idea(07:05) Sage House and Chrysalis House(10:26) The Realities of Shared Living(12:51) Are You Ready to Live With Others?(14:46) Bringing the Concept to Other Communities(16:38) Creating a Distributed Village(19:09) The Long-Term Vision for MEA Homes(22:09) What About the Golden Guys?(23:05) How to Explore Golden Girls LivingLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#ChipConley #WisdomWednesday #ModernElderAcademy #MEA #GoldenGirlsLiving #SharedLiving #AgingWell #HealthyAging #PositiveAging #SeniorLiving #CommunityLiving #LifeAfter55 #Midlife #Longevity #AgingInPlace
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  You Got Everything You Wanted. Now What? | Edward Sullivan 24.08.2026 50min

  What happens when you achieve the success you've worked for... and it still doesn't feel like enough?In this episode of The Midlife Chrysalis, Chip Conley sits down with executive coach and Velocity Coaching founder Edward Sullivan to explore one of the most overlooked challenges of midlife: figuring out what comes after success.Drawing on years of coaching founders, CEOs, and high achievers, Edward shares why so many people feel restless after reaching major goals, how AI is reshaping work and leadership, and what it really takes to build a meaningful life in the second half of adulthood.Key insights include:Why success often creates unexpected emptinessHow AI is changing leadership and workThe role curiosity plays in personal growthWhy self-care is a leadership skillA powerful question that can help shape your next decadeIf you're navigating midlife, rethinking your priorities, or wondering what comes after achievement, this conversation offers practical wisdom for building a more meaningful future.Watch now and discover what might be waiting on the other side of success.Timestamps:(01:14) Meet Edward Sullivan(02:34) What Makes a Great Coach?(04:54) AI Anxiety and Burnout(06:44) Tuning the Instrument(08:37) Coaching Young Founders(09:42) Wisdom and Age Diversity(12:49) Building Intergenerational Teams(17:16) Curiosity Before Advice(20:11) Midlife and the Happiness Curve(22:37) Right-Sizing Expectations(24:32) Why Success Can Feel Empty(28:56) The Power of Small Experiments(32:17) Designing a Meaningful Life(35:43) Advice for New Coaches(37:57) The Business of Coaching(40:16) Finding Your Coaching Niche(41:32) A Lesson Learned the Hard Way(43:41) What Now Workshop(44:18) Building a Career Crescendo(45:38) Closing ThoughtsLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/Workshop with MEA in March 2027: https://www.meawisdom.com/workshop/what-now-finding-passion-and-purpose-after-a-big-success-march-2027/#LifeAfterSuccess #WhatNow #PurposeAndMeaning #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerTransition #PersonalGrowth #MidlifeTransition #SuccessfulButUnfulfilled #SelfDiscovery #MeaningfulLife #ModernElder #ChipConley #EdwardSullivan #VelocityCoaching
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  Follow the Energy, Not the Career Script | Arun Gupta 21.08.2026 49min

  Your job title tells people what you do. The problem you care about tells them who you are.Arun Gupta, CEO of NobleReach and co-author of The Mission Generation, joins Chip Conley for a thoughtful conversation about finding purpose, staying curious, and creating a meaningful career at every stage of life.Some of the ideas they explore:Why following your energy can lead you somewhere a career plan never couldHow becoming a beginner again can bring fresh energy to midlifeWhy learning, earning, and giving back can happen throughout our livesWhat younger generations can teach us about work and purposeWhy our most human strengths matter even more in the age of AIFrom leaving a 20-year career in venture capital to stepping into the vulnerability of teaching and public service, Arun shares why the next chapter doesn’t need to be mapped out before you begin it.Watch the full episode of The Midlife Chrysalis.Timestamps:(03:39) Arun Gupta’s Mission-Driven Journey(09:05) From India to Venture Capital(12:50) Why Careers Don’t Follow a Straight Path(16:28) What Gen Z Is Teaching Us(20:33) Rethinking Learn, Earn, and Return(22:33) Finding New Purpose Later in Life(25:07) What Makes a Great Mentor(29:24) Learning Across Generations(33:23) AI and the Future of Work(36:17) Building Human Capital in the AI Age(39:25) Arun’s Midlife Career Reinvention(43:46) What Problem Do You Care About?(47:24) Doing Good and Doing Well(49:00) Rebuilding Trust Through InterdependenceLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#ArunGupta #ChipConley #MidlifeChrysalis #TheMissionGeneration #NobleReach #CareerReinvention #PurposeDrivenCareer #MidlifeCareer #FutureOfWork #IntergenerationalMentorship #LifelongLearning #AIAndWork #CareerPurpose #MeaningfulWork #SecondAct
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  How to Discover the Gift That’s Uniquely Yours? 19.08.2026 15min

  What if the thing that makes you different has been there all along, you just haven’t named it yet?In this Wisdom Wednesday, Chip Conley and Derek Gehl explore how to “excavate your essence” and uncover the unique gift that can guide your work, choices, and life.You’ll discover:How Airbnb uncovered “Belong Anywhere” by looking beyond what the company does to why it mattersA simple five-question exercise for getting beneath the obvious answersHow Chip discovered his gift as a “social alchemist” and used it to better understand his pathWhy other people and the right environment can help you see what’s difficult to uncover aloneYour essence isn’t something you need to invent. It’s something you can uncover.Watch now and ask yourself: What gift can I offer?Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday(01:45) How to Excavate Your Essence(02:04) What Makes You Different?(04:04) The Five Questions Exercise(04:59) How Airbnb Found Its Essence(06:28) What Gift Can You Offer?(08:00) Discovering Your Unique Gift(10:38) Let Your Essence Guide You(12:09) Why You Can’t Do This Alone(14:31) Make Space for an Epiphany(14:54) Try the Essence ExerciseLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#ChipConley #MidlifeChrysalis #WisdomWednesday #ExcavateYourEssence #FindYourGift #MidlifePurpose #SelfDiscovery #ModernElderAcademy #MEA #PersonalGrowth #MidlifeWisdom #FindYourEssence #UniqueGifts #PeterDrucker #SocialAlchemist
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  How to Talk to People You Profoundly Disagree With | Shamil Idriss 17.08.2026 45min

  How do you find common ground with someone you profoundly disagree with?At a time when political, religious, and cultural divisions seem deeper than ever, peacebuilder Shamil Idriss, CEO of Search for Common Ground, shares what decades of bringing people together have taught him about trust, conflict, and human connection.In this conversation with Chip Conley, Shamil explores:Why being heard and respected matters more than being agreed withHow building trust before a crisis can bridge even deep dividesWhy curiosity is more powerful than judgmentHow taking just one meaningful action can restore hopeWhy today’s breakdown may ultimately lead to breakthroughFrom global conflicts to disagreements in our own communities, Shamil offers a hopeful reminder that our futures are interconnected, and that each of us can help build common ground.Watch now to discover how connection can begin, even when we disagree.Timestamps:(03:50) Meet Shamil Idriss(04:55) The Beginning of Peacebuilding Journey(08:48) Inside the UN Alliance of Civilizations(11:02) Why Our Futures Are Connected(15:07) How to Build Common Ground(19:40) What Can We Do Together?(21:39) How Trust Is Built Across Differences(24:07) Being Heard Matters More Than Agreement(26:19) Curiosity Instead of Judgment(29:10) Why Peacebuilding Is Harder Today(32:00) The Power of Doing One Thing(36:48) How to Hold On to Hope(40:38) A Lifetime of LessonsLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#ShamilIdriss #SearchForCommonGround #Peacebuilding #CommonGround #PoliticalPolarization #ConflictResolution #BridgingDivides #BuildingTrust #CulturalCuriosity #HumanConnection #Dialogue #MidlifeWisdom #Ubuntu #SocialCohesion #ChipConley
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  Why Retirement Is the Wrong Goal | Ken Dychtwald 14.08.2026 47min

  Midlife isn't the beginning of the end. For more than 50 years, Dr. Ken Dychtwald, psychologist, bestselling author, and founder of Age Wave, has studied what it really means to grow older.In this conversation, he explains why midlife isn't the beginning of the end, but the start of one of life's most meaningful transformations.In this episode, you'll discover:Why midlife is a time of growth, not declineThe powerful idea of "middle essence" and how it changes the way we think about agingWhy retirement may be one of today's biggest mythsHow purpose becomes even more important as we get olderThe simple advice Ken believes can help anyone build a richer, more meaningful lifeIf you're navigating midlife or wondering what's possible in the years ahead, this conversation will change the way you think about aging.Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs this message.Timestamps:(03:39) Ken Dychtwald's Early Journey(08:31) The Exercise That Changed His Career(10:42) Predicting the Age Wave(14:55) Why Ageism Persists(16:34) Midlife Is a Chrysalis(18:05) The Case for "Middle Essence"(20:55) Why Society Doesn't Support Midlife(25:41) Ken's Midlife Lessons(29:56) Why He Never Retired(31:00) The Untapped Purpose of Older Adults(33:10) The Two Books Everyone Should Read(34:54) Advice for Chip Conley(36:38) Why Deep Questions Matter(37:22) The Future of Midlife(40:01) Think Bigger Than Yourself(42:18) Love, Mentors, and Lifelong RelationshipsLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#KenDychtwald #MidlifeTransformation #MiddleEssence #SecondHalfOfLife #PurposeAfter50 #AgeWave #Retirement #Ageism #PsychologyOfAging #HumanPotential #PersonalReinvention #ChipConley #Elderhood #Midlife #Purpose
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  Why Midlife Feels Stuck (And How to Break Free) 12.08.2026 23min

  Don't wait until it's too late to tell someone what they mean to you.In this inspiring Wisdom Wednesday episode, Chip Conley joins host Derek Gehl to share a powerful idea that could change the way we celebrate the people we love: the social eulogy. Instead of waiting until a funeral, why not tell people the impact they've had on your life while they're still here to hear it?In this episode, you'll learn:Why we struggle to express appreciation when it matters most.The difference between a living funeral and a social eulogy.How anticipating loss can help you live with fewer regrets.Why meaningful human connection is more important than ever in the age of AI.A simple challenge you can put into practice today.🎧 Watch now, and if this conversation resonates with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who deserves to hear how much they matter.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(01:18) What Is a Living Funeral?(03:02) The Social Eulogy Explained(07:19) Seeing Your Impact on Others(08:01) Why Age 50 Is the Perfect Time(09:20) Why We Wait to Express Appreciation(10:42) The Power of Anticipating Loss(11:36) The Cost of Leaving Things Unsaid(12:30) Lessons From People at the End of Life(14:11) Who Should Be Part of a Social Eulogy?(16:32) Becoming More Human in the Age of AI(17:33) This Week's Challenge(18:54) Why This Gift Costs Nothing(19:18) Final ThoughtsLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#ChipConley #SocialEulogy #LivingFuneral #MidlifeChrysalis #WisdomWednesday #ModernElder #MeaningfulRelationships #HearYourEulogy #LeaveNothingUnsaid #HumanConnection #LifeLessons #Legacy #MidlifeWisdom #EmotionalWellbeing #RelationshipAdvice
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  How Psilocybin Can Change Your Life After 40 | Neil Markey 10.08.2026 55min

  Could one guided psychedelic experience transform the way you think, feel, and live?In this episode of The Midlife Chrysalis, Chip Conley speaks with Neil Markey, CEO of Beckley Retreats, former Army Ranger captain, McKinsey consultant, and Harvard public health student, about the growing role of psilocybin in personal transformation and mental well-being.Together, they explore:Why midlife may be the ideal time for a psychedelic experience.What really happens during a professionally guided psilocybin retreat.Why preparation and integration are just as important as the experience itself.The benefits, risks, and biggest misconceptions about psychedelic therapy.How meditation, nature, and new habits can create lasting change.Whether you're curious about psychedelics or looking for new ways to navigate midlife, this conversation offers a thoughtful, evidence-informed perspective on one of today's most talked-about topics.If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who would find it valuable.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(01:54) Neil Markey's Background(06:53) First Psilocybin Experience(09:45) The Story Behind Beckley Retreats(15:53) Amanda Fielding's Legacy(18:20) Joining Beckley Retreats(21:31) What Happens at a Beckley Retreat(26:45) Inside a Psilocybin Session(29:26) What a Psychedelic Experience Feels Like(33:33) Why Midlife Is the Right Time(40:20) The Importance of Integration(43:11) The Future of Psychedelics in the US(47:36) Life Lessons and Final ThoughtsLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#Psilocybin #Psychedelics #PsychedelicTherapy #MentalHealth #Midlife #MidlifeTransformation #PersonalGrowth #Healing #Meditation #SelfDiscovery #Wellness #Neuroplasticity #MentalWellbeing #BeckleyRetreats #TheMidlifeChrysalis
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  Your Brain Is Lying to You About Happiness | Dr. Laurie Santos 07.08.2026 45min

  We've been chasing happiness the wrong way. Dr. Laurie Santos explains what actually works.Join Chip Conley and Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale's renowned happiness professor and creator of the university's most popular course, for a thought-provoking conversation on the science of happiness, the opportunities of midlife, and the habits that lead to a more fulfilling life.In this episode, you'll discover:Why your brain often pushes you toward the wrong definition of successThe habits that matter more than money, achievement, or statusHow your mindset can shape your happiness, health, and even longevityWhy midlife is the perfect time to rethink your priorities and invest in what truly mattersThe simple piece of advice Laurie wishes she'd learned much earlier in lifeIf you've ever wondered whether you're spending your time on the things that really matter, this conversation will change the way you think about happiness, purpose, and the second half of life.If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could use a fresh perspective on living well.Timestamps:(02:10) Meet Dr. Laurie Santos(03:13) Growing Up and Finding Purpose(05:19) Studying Monkeys at Harvard(07:23) What Monkeys Teach Us About Human Thinking(09:08) The Most Popular Class at Yale(12:24) The Science of Happiness(16:40) How Mindset Shapes Longevity(18:47) Turning 50 and Rethinking Midlife(21:51) The Power of Midlife Rituals(25:00) Why Everyone Needs a Sabbatical(30:44) Giving Back and Building Strong Relationships(32:50) The Future of Higher Education(37:04) It Doesn't Matter as Much as You Think(38:24) Final ThoughtsLearn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#LaurieSantos #ChipConley #HappinessScience #PsychologyOfHappiness #PositivePsychology #Midlife #MidlifeChrysalis #Mindset #HealthyAging #Longevity #SocialConnection #PurposeInLife #Yale #HappinessResearch #LiveWell