The Midlife Chrysalis

What happens when success stops working and midlife hits hard?Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS Shoes, shares the story behind his most difficult chapter. After building a global brand and achieving massive success, Blake found himself facing a deep midlife reckoning marked by depression, loss of identity, and an urgent search for meaning beyond achievement.Blake opens up about:- How selling part of TOMS triggered an unexpected identity collapse- Why midlife depression often follows success, not failure- The treatments and inner work that helped him recover, including ketamine therapy and TMS- The simple but life-changing realization that shifted everything: “I am enough”- Why connection and community matter more than success or status👉 Watch now to hear Blake Mycoskie’s most vulnerable and meaningful story yet. Timestamps:01:11 Blake’s early entrepreneur journey02:49 Reality Central and first major failure04:59 The business lesson that shaped TOMS07:49 Creating the one for one model08:43 Selling TOMS and losing identity12:36 Depression behind the public image16:23 Searching for relief outside himself17:24 Medication fog and deep isolation19:30 Why telling others saved his life20:54 Moving beyond traditional medication21:12 Ketamine and TMS25:53 Discovering the core wound28:49 India and lasting inner freedom33:27 Launching the Enough initiative35:58 I’m Enough ritual poem37:57 How the nonprofit model works38:47 The growing mental health crisis43:13 Self compassion and flow state46:28 How to support someone in depression51:54 Living with fear of relapse54:17 Wisdom bumper sticker Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#BlakeMycoskie #MidlifeCrisis #MentalHealthAwareness #EntrepreneurMentalHealth #SuccessAndDepression #TOMSFounder #MidlifeJourney #DepressionRecovery #FindingPurpose #SelfWorth #MentalHealthPodcast #MidlifeTransformation #HealingJourney #MenAndMentalHealth #IAmEnough

What if aging alone isn’t the only option?As midlife reshapes relationships, identity, and housing, a bold question emerges: what if women chose community instead of solitude?In this Wisdom Wednesday episode, Chip Conley, founder of Modern Elder Academy, joins Derek Gehl to explore the early-stage idea behind Golden Girls–style living, an intentional housing experiment he’s beginning in Santa Fe to address loneliness, gray divorce, and the realities of solo aging.In this episode, you’ll learn:- Why more women are aging solo in midlife- Why social connection matters more than health hacks- How housing no longer fits modern midlife needs- What Golden Girls–style living could look like in practiceThis isn’t a finished solution — it’s a timely experiment that reimagines how we live and age.👉 Watch now and decide if community belongs in your next chapter. Timestamps:02:40 Golden Girls homes concept03:41 Gray divorce and solo agers06:20 Loneliness and housing mismatch08:05 Why Golden Girls homes now10:10 The Santa Fe pilot homes12:49 Workshops and community vision15:29 What the research revealed18:14 Matching roommates and house culture21:10 Affordability and rental model24:10 What about men26:36 Long term vision and legacy29:21 How to get involved29:55 Final reflections Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#MidlifeChrysalis #GoldenGirlsHomes #MidlifeTransition #SoloAgers #GrayDivorce #LonelinessEpidemic #IntentionalLiving #MidlifeCommunity #WomenOver50 #AgingWell #CommunityLiving #ModernElders #MidlifeWisdom #HousingInnovation #SocialConnection

Aging in America has never been the same for everyone. Chip Conley sits down with Ray Jetson, pastor, former Louisiana legislator, and author of Aging While Black, to explore why aging isn’t a race-neutral experience and what it really means to age well in a system that was never built for everyone.Ray shares a simple, powerful way to rethink aging through community, innovation, and shared wisdom across generations.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why aging while Black carries unique structural and economic realitiesHow the village concept and Sankofa help bridge past, present, and futureWhy technology and mutual mentorship matter for aging wellWhat collective longevity looks like across generationsThis conversation invites us to rethink aging, equity, and how we care for one another at every stage of life. Watch now and join the conversation. Timestamps:03:02 Three pillars of aging while black05:43 The village concept and African origins08:18 Ubuntu and community identity11:11 The Black church as a village13:07 Embracing innovation and technology18:39 Sankofa and learning from the past24:38 Intergenerational circles and family wisdom27:35 Collective longevity across generations33:08 Keeping hopeful and building systems39:50 Sources of inspiration and leadership43:20 What makes aging while black different51:03 Wisdom bumper sticker53:27 Closing thoughts and workshop invitation Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/

Most leaders are chasing short-term wins and missing the long game.In this episode, Chip Conley talks with Rand Stagen, founder of the Stagen Leadership Academy, about what’s quietly breaking leadership today and how to lead with purpose, perspective, and staying power.Rand shares hard-earned insights from decades of working with CEOs and entrepreneurs who want more than success, they want meaning.You’ll learn:- Why short-term thinking undermines great leadership- What it means to play the infinite game- How awareness creates better choices- Why the best leaders think in decades, not quartersIf you’re leading others, or rethinking your own direction, this conversation offers a clear, grounded reframe.👉 Watch now and start playing the long game. Timestamps:05:51 Rand Stagen personal leadership journey07:47 The advice for young entrepreneurs10:17 Entrepreneurial roots and early influences12:43 Founding the Leadership Academy16:50 Structure of the leadership program22:23 Integral theory explained26:18 Leadership and polarization35:57 Practical advice for leaders41:45 Conscious Capitalism principles45:41 Short term versus long term thinking52:01 Workshop goals and takeaways56:18 Who the workshop is for58:12 Leadership wisdom and closing insight Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#LeadershipDevelopment, #ConsciousLeadership, #LongTermThinking, #LeadershipMindset, #PersonalGrowth, #ExecutiveLeadership, #PurposeDrivenLeadership, #InfiniteGame, #MidlifeLeadership, #SelfLeadership, #LeadershipPodcast, #AwarenessAndChoice, #ModernLeadership, #LeadershipWisdom, #ChipConley

Most companies are racing toward AI, efficiency, and scale while quietly losing the one advantage that actually sustains great leadership: wisdom. In this Wisdom Wednesday episode, we reveal why culture, lived experience, and human judgment matter more than ever. Chip draws on decades of leadership experience to explain why many organizations are losing their edge and what they can do to reclaim it. In this episode, you’ll learn:- Why leadership is a practice, not a personality trait- How culture is shaped when leaders aren’t in the room- What companies lose when institutional wisdom disappears- The difference between knowledge workers and wisdom workers in the AI era As technology accelerates, human skills become the real competitive edge.👉 Watch now and discover how wisdom future-proofs leadership and culture. Timestamps:00:13 Leadership as a practice02:29 Culture leaders overlook05:18 Defining real company culture08:57 Institutional wisdom loss13:47 Knowledge workers vs wisdom workers18:30 AI impact on early careers22:22 Humanities and philosophy comeback22:44 Wisdom at Airbnb25:53 Informal mentors and EQ27:57 Leading yourself first28:18 Resources and upcoming workshop30:12 Closing thoughts Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#LeadershipWisdom #WisdomAtWork #FutureOfLeadership #AIAndLeadership #CompanyCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #KnowledgeVsWisdom #HumanSkills #MentorshipMatters #InstitutionalWisdom #LeadershipDevelopment #WisdomWednesday #LeadershipCulture #AIImpact #ModernLeadership

Have you ever reached a point in life where what once worked… suddenly doesn’t?In this warm conversation with Chip, Ben Katt, MEA’s faculty in residence and author of The Way Home, offers a hopeful reframe of midlife. Rather than seeing it as a breakdown, Ben invites us to see this season as a meaningful transition, one that asks us to let go of old roles and reconnect with who we truly are. In this episode, you’ll discover:- Why midlife often feels disorienting, even when life looks “successful” on the outside- How releasing familiar identities creates space for deeper purpose and wholeness- Why stillness, reflection, and meditation are essential during times of change- How community and support help us move through transitions with more easy If you’re feeling restless, uncertain, or quietly asking “What’s next?”, this conversation offers clarity, comfort, and a sense of direction.👉 Watch now and explore what this chapter of your life is gently calling you toward.Timestamps:00:35 The Hero’s Journey and The Way Home04:49 Ben’s five-year soul journey07:20 Achievement perfectionism and people pleasing09:44 Meditation and inner balance13:19 Phase 1: Leaving the familiar15:46 Phase 2: Falling into the unknown18:30 Dark night of the ego20:51 Wander in the wild23:56 Support and community29:52 Phase 3: Rising to wholeness33:46 Stillness and begin again38:58 Teaching wisdom without religion44:13 The wisdom well metaphor47:21 Why wisdom matters now50:28 Wisdom bumper sticker Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/Find Ben Katt at https://benkattofficial.com/ #MidlifeTransition #MidlifeCrisis #MidlifeTransformation #HeroJourney #FindingPurpose #MidlifeWisdom #LifeTransitions #PersonalGrowth #MidlifeAwakening #SecondHalfOfLife #InnerWork #MeaningInMidlife #JosephCampbell #WisdomTraditions #MidlifeChrysalis

What if the wellness advice you followed for years stops working after 50?In this episode, wellness pioneers Jeff Krasno, co-founder of Wanderlust, and Schuyler Grant, founder of Kula Yoga Project, share how their approach to health quietly but radically shifted in midlife, and why many popular wellness habits fall short as we age.With decades spent in yoga, wellness festivals, and lived experience, they share what actually matters now.They share insights on:- Why yoga alone isn’t enough after 50- How muscle and strength shape metabolic and brain health- The importance of diverse movement, not extremes- How simple habits and presence support long-term well-beingThis is a grounded, honest conversation about aging well — without hype or shortcuts.👉 Watch now and rethink what midlife wellness really requires. Timestamps:01:22 Skylar’s yoga studio near Ground Zero05:54 The origins of Wanderlust09:47 Early resistance to the festival idea11:28 Wellness hotels and business travel14:32 Challenges of working with a spouse20:52 What wellness means after 5020:52 Muscle, metabolism, and aging26:30 Yoga versus strength training29:43 Muscle health and brain health31:37 Diversity of movement in midlife34:38 Curiosity, learning, and discomfort37:34 Habit stacking explained40:27 Wellness and politics45:49 Upcoming Baja workshop49:27 Wisdom bumper stickers Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/ #WellnessAfter50 #MidlifeWellness #HealthyAging #StrengthAfter50 #MuscleAfter50 #AgingWell #Over50Health #MidlifeHealth #LongevityLifestyle #FunctionalFitness #WellnessPodcast #HealthyMidlife #MindBodyHealth #HabitsForHealth #LifeAfter50

Why most New Year’s resolutions fail before February? In this episode of Wisdom Wednesday, we take an honest look at why good intentions fade quickly and share a simple, practical framework for building habits that last. Drawing from real-life experience, we break down how to turn good intentions into daily actions, without relying on motivation alone.In this episode, you’ll learn:- Why most resolutions fail- How habit stacking makes change automatic- The “Four Ps” that make goals stick- Why public accountability matters- How to build habits that last beyond JanuaryIf you’re done repeating the same resolutions every year, this episode will help you do it differently.👉 Watch now and start the year with habits that actually stick.Timestamps:00:44 Morning people and Baja midnight01:39 Why New Year’s resolutions fail02:07 Common resolutions and lack of a plan03:30 Habit stacking explained05:10 Turning resolutions into daily practice06:10 The four Ps framework07:45 Pairing and social accountability08:39 Passion versus accountability09:50 Why fewer goals work better11:03 Learning from past resolutions11:50 Personal resolutions and alcohol13:10 Family time as a long-term priority14:14 Final reflections for 202515:02 Age, milestones, and perspective Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#NewYearsResolutions #HabitBuilding #HabitsThatStick #PersonalGrowth #MidlifeWisdom #BehaviorChange #GoalSetting #Accountability #HabitStacking #Mindfulness #SelfImprovement #Longevity #Wellbeing #LifeDesign #WisdomWednesday

Midlife can feel confusing, even when life looks good from the outside. Careers change, relationships shift, and the way we see ourselves starts to evolve, leaving many people feeling stuck in between what was and what’s next.In this episode, Kari Cardinale, Chief Content Officer and partner at Modern Elder Academy, explains why these moments aren’t breakdowns but transitions, and why learning to navigate them is an essential life skill. Through her work on Transitional Intelligence, Kari shares what’s really happening during midlife change and how to move through it with greater clarity and confidence.You’ll learn:• Why most midlife “crises” are actually misunderstood transitions• The three stages of change: endings, the messy middle, and new beginnings• Why the messy middle feels so hard — and why it matters• How rituals, community, and small “glimmers” guide what comes next If you’re feeling stuck or sensing a shift in your life, this episode will help you understand where you are and how to move forward.👉 Navigating Transitions online course from Modern Elder Academy offers a supportive, step-by-step way to work through change with clarity and confidence, starting March 2: https://www.meawisdom.com/navigating-transitions-online/Timestamps:01:20 What is transitional intelligence03:58 The three stages of transition06:02 Voluntary and involuntary change08:02 Why transitions take longer than we expect11:50 The role of ritual in midlife15:54 The messy middle and uncertainty17:53 Glimmers and new beginnings21:44 Growth mindset in midlife24:28 Kari’s personal transition story28:37 The birth of Modern Elder Academy31:36 Love and relationships in midlife34:48 What truly gets better with age37:23 Building community and belonging42:31 Wisdom bumper sticker Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#KariCardinale #MidlifeTransitions #MidlifeChange #MessyMiddle #LifeTransitions #PersonalGrowth #MidlifeWisdom #ModernElder #TransitionalIntelligence #EmotionalIntelligence #MidlifePurpose #NewBeginnings #GrowthMindset #MidlifeJourney #InnerWork

He didn’t plan on being successful. He just followed what pulled at him and kept letting go when it stopped working. In this episode, Stacy Peralta, legendary skateboarder, filmmaker behind Dogtown and Z-Boys, and modern elder, shares how a life built on passion, curiosity, and vulnerability led him from skateboarding to filmmaking to painting, without clinging to any single identity. Rather than chasing security or certainty, Stacy reveals why reinvention requires becoming a beginner again and why midlife may be the most powerful time to do it.In this conversation, Stacy explores:- Why holding onto past identities quietly blocks your future- How embracing vulnerability and being a “kook” unlocks growth- The difference between loving something and knowing when to let it go- How intuition, not logic, often guides the most meaningful transitions- Daily practices that keep creativity, curiosity, and vitality alive 👉 Watch the full episode now and discover why letting go might be the most powerful move you can make. Timestamps:00:58 Early life mischief and finding skateboarding03:32 Understanding transitions and success05:57 Realizing it was time to leave skateboarding06:38 Becoming a beginner in filmmaking10:46 Family influence and unconventional paths13:16 Work ethic creativity and self reliance15:19 Learning from surfer elders16:59 Following what you love in midlife18:41 Giving your gift and letting it go20:00 Embracing vulnerability and being a kook24:10 Facing fear of being too old28:00 Flow challenge and skill31:10 MEA workshops experience34:25 Quiet rebellion and midlife dreams37:05 Listening intuition and creating space39:05 Letting go of control41:23 Daily practices for vitality42:46 Harmonizing heart and mind43:07 The power of listening44:51 Closing reflections and gratitude Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#StacyPeralta #MidlifeReinvention #ModernElder #PersonalReinvention #MidlifeTransition #GrowthMindset #CreativeLife #LettingGo #SecondAct #PurposeInMidlife #LifeTransitions #DogtownAndZBoys #SkateboardingLegend #BecomingABeginner #Intuition

In this Wisdom Wednesday episode, Chip Conley, entrepreneur, author, and founder of MEA, opens up about the quiet disappointment many high achievers feel after they’ve “made it.”Through stories from building iconic companies, guiding Airbnb’s founders, and navigating midlife reckoning, Chip explores the success treadmill, and why chasing the next win so often leaves us unsatisfied. In this conversation, you’ll learn:- Why success can feel addictive but never fulfilling- The crucial difference between happiness and joy- How a simple gratitude practice can change how life feels day to day- What midlife teaches us about meaning, ego, and impactThoughtful, honest, and deeply human, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what actually matters.👉 Watch now and step off the success treadmill. Timestamps:01:00 Holiday plans and family time01:51 MEA Film Festival vision and growth04:28 Defining success and ambition06:30 Happiness vs. Joy10:03 Making gratitude intentional11:27 Realizing the success treadmill15:21 Ego shift at Airbnb16:32 Getting off the treadmill sooner16:50 Near death experience and perspective18:30 Service as gratitude practice19:40 Facing illness and loss21:33 This too shall pass21:49 Collective gratitude and closing Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#SuccessTreadmill #GratitudePractice #MidlifeWisdom #FindingMeaning #HappinessVsJoy #PersonalGrowth #MidlifeTransformation #RedefiningSuccess #LifePurpose #InnerFulfillment #ChipConley #MidlifeCrisis #SelfReflection #LifeLessons #MindfulLiving

What if the real risk in midlife isn’t change but staying comfortable?In this episode of Midlife Chrysalis, Chip Conley sits down with Dr. Margie Warrell, global expert on courage and bestselling author of The Courage Gap, to explore why so many smart, capable people feel stuck and how to move forward with clarity and bravery. Drawing from her journey from a rural Australian farm to the world stage, Margie shares powerful insights on courage, reinvention, and choosing growth over safety. In this episode, you’ll learn:- Why comfort quietly keeps you stuck- The hidden “timidity tax” of playing it safe- The tension between belonging and becoming- Why courage is a decision, not a feeling- Simple ways to take braver action in midlife If you’re ready to stop circling what’s familiar and start stepping into what’s possible, this conversation is for you.🎧 Watch now and choose courage over comfort. Timestamps:00:05 Meet Margie Warrell01:08 Margie’s rural upbringing02:33 The horse story and learning courage05:00 Traveling the world after university06:33 Early adulthood and global moves08:47 Trauma, healing, and transformation09:51 Life now and current work11:05 Why courage is difficult13:26 Becoming versus belonging16:40 Regret and missed chances21:19 Courage as action, not feeling23:42 Closing the courage gap23:42 Reset your focus29:10 Challenge your certainty33:50 Take the chance36:13 Real-life courage breakthroughs39:05 Courage, anxiety, and connection42:34 Wisdom bumper sticker Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#MidlifeCrisis #CourageOverComfort #PersonalGrowth #LifeTransitions #MidlifeReinvention #LeadershipMindset #SelfDevelopment #EmotionalResilience #FindingPurpose #SecondHalfOfLife #FearAndGrowth #AuthenticLiving #WomenInLeadership #BraveLiving #TheCourageGap

Dating in midlife can feel strangely hard, even when you’ve done the work, built a full life, and know yourself better than ever. If you’ve ever thought, “Why is this still so complicated?” this episode is for you. In this conversation, I sit down with Rachel Greenwald, Harvard MBA and veteran matchmaker who has helped guide nearly 1,000 marriages. With warmth, humor, and deep insight, Rachel reframes dating not as luck but as a learnable skill, especially in midlife.Together, we explore:- Why the people who make us happiest don’t always match our dating checklists- How chemistry can fool us and what actually leads to lasting connection- The quiet dating rules that keep smart people single- Why love often shows up in unexpected packages- How modern couples are redefining partnership, including living apart togetherThis is a hopeful, practical conversation about dating with wisdom, curiosity, and openness, not fear or frustration. 👉 Listen or watch now and discover why midlife may be your most meaningful, and romantic, chapter yet. Timestamps:00:46 Meet matchmaker Rachel Greenwald03:36 From Harvard MBA to professional matchmaker04:03 A midlife pivot that changed everything07:29 The highs and lows of matchmaking09:44 What is keeping people single10:20 The most powerful question in dating13:11 Chemistry vs compatibility & happiness17:11 Why we repeat unfinished relationship patterns19:46 Why dating checklists can backfire22:39 Why men make up most matchmaking clients25:08 Why parents hire matchmakers for young adults28:03 Why midlife dating isn’t hopeless35:57 The three must-haves that really matter38:26 Living apart together and modern relationships44:51 Inside the Santa Fe dating workshop48:27 Wisdom bumper sticker53:11 Final takeaways on love and dating in midlife Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#MidlifeDating #DatingAfter40 #DatingAfter50 #MidlifeRelationships #FindingLoveLaterInLife #DatingAdvice #ModernDating #RelationshipAdvice #DatingWisdom #MidlifeWomen #MidlifeMen #Matchmaking #LoveAfterDivorce #DatingOver40 #MidlifeChrysalis

Feeling stuck in midlife? You might be in your chrysalis, not a crisis.In this Wisdom Wednesday episode, Chip Conley breaks down why midlife often feels confusing and heavy, and why that “messy middle” is actually the beginning of real transformation. Chip shares:• The three stages of every transition and where most people get stuck• What really happens inside the messy middle• Why men and women experience midlife so differently• How transitional intelligence (TQ) helps you move forward with clarity If you’re wondering whether something is wrong, or whether you’re simply evolving, this episode offers the reassurance and perspective you need.If you enjoyed this, follow the show, leave a rating, and join us next week for more Wisdom Wednesday insights. Timestamps:00:00 Film Festival & Holiday Mood01:55 Crisis vs Chrysalis and the Hollywood Myth05:15 The Three Stages of Transition07:07 Emotions in the Messy Middle09:33 Finding Your Through Line11:21 Ritualizing Endings13:16 How Men Experience Midlife15:40 How Women Experience Midlife15:53 Why Women Navigate Midlife Differently19:27 Identity, Purpose, and Feeling Stuck21:35 Chip’s Personal Midlife Story22:42 Why Men Resist This Work Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#MidlifeChrysalis #MidlifeTransition #MidlifeCrisis #MessyMiddle #PersonalGrowthJourney #LifeTransitions #ChipConley #TransitionalIntelligence #MidlifeWisdom #SelfDiscovery #MidlifeWomen #MidlifeMen #EmotionalWellbeing #LifeReinvention #GrowthMindset

What if midlife became your chance to ROAR, not retire?In this powerful conversation, bestselling author and longevity visionary Michael Clinton shares why your 40s, 50s, and beyond are actually the most exciting and opportunity-filled decades of your life. From his rise to the top of Hearst Magazines to running marathons on seven continents and earning a new degree at 67, Michael reveals how reinvention is not only possible, it’s essential. He breaks down the ROAR framework for reimagining your future, explains why “life layering” is the antidote to midlife crisis, and dives into the emerging world of longevity science, age-positive culture, and purpose-driven living. If you’ve ever wondered what’s next, or what’s possible, this episode shows you how to build a richer, more meaningful second half of life. Watch now and start reimagining what your future can be. Timestamps:00:00 Michael’s Santa Fe moment01:31 Early life, father’s influence, love of words05:27 A career in publishing08:02 Midlife awakening at 3910:50 Climbing Kilimanjaro and building an adventurous life12:32 Returning to school at 6715:56 The ROAR framework begins20:00 Ageism, language shifts, modern role models25:13 Life layering and building new identities27:45 Preparing for post-career life29:01 Reinvention stories and reimagineers30:51 Relationships, editing your circle, and support systems35:25 Growth mindset and lifelong curiosity37:33 Longevity insights and the next book39:18 Why longevity is having a cultural moment44:01 Why the US is falling behind on lifespan45:22 Rethinking work, age diversity, and longer careers49:56 Longevity clinics and new health models52:57 Longevity travel and residential communities54:35 Wisdom bumper sticker Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#MidlifeReinvention #Longevity #PurposeAfter50 #ReimaginingAging #LifeLayering #ROARMethod #SecondHalfOfLife #HealthyAging #MidlifeAwakening #RewireNotRetire #AgingWell #LiveLongerBetter #MidlifeTransformation #ModernAging #LifelongLearning

Ever wondered why some people get stronger, wiser, and more grounded with age?In this powerful conversation, Laird Hamilton and Gabby Reece reveal why midlife is actually the most dynamic, resilient, and liberating season of life. They open up about growing up on islands, how they met, what keeps their partnership strong, and why presence, patience, and community matter more than ever. From breathwork and injury recovery to identity shifts, parenting, and purpose, they share the hard-earned wisdom that helps them stay grounded, strong, and deeply connected.If you’re ready to see midlife as a chrysalis, not a crisis, this episode is for you. Watch now. Timestamps:00:00 Welcome00:09 Childhood and Island Upbringing05:06 How Gabby and Laird Met09:24 Navigating Two Athletic Careers14:26 Relationship with Your Aging Body21:46 Breathwork and Training Philosophy26:04 Books and Science Behind Breathwork29:42 Midlife Crisis vs Midlife Chrysalis37:59 What Gets Better With Age41:51 Relationship With Risk and Mortality45:36 Presence and Stillness51:47 Wisdom Bumper Sticker54:17 Closing Remarks Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#LairdHamilton #GabbyReece #MidlifeWisdom #MidlifeChrysalis #HealthyAging #LongevityLifestyle #BreathworkTraining #MindBodyHealth #MidlifeTransformation #AgingWell #PeakPerformance #AthleteMindset #MidlifeGrowth #ModernElder #ChipConley

What if the secret to living longer isn’t in your genes… but in your mindset?In this Wisdom Wednesday episode, Chip Conley reveals the surprising research showing how a simple shift in how we think about aging can add years—yes, actual years—to our lives. From Becca Levy’s longevity findings to Carol Dweck’s growth-mindset principles, Chip breaks down why curiosity, openness, and lifelong learning may be the real fountain of youth. You’ll learn why “I’m too old to…” is one of the most dangerous beliefs we carry, how anticipated regret can propel us into action, and why midlife is actually one of the most powerful stages for reinvention.If you’re ready to rethink what’s possible in your next chapter, this episode will change how you see aging forever.Tune in now and start shaping the mindset that shapes your life. Timestamps:00:00 Canadian spelling banter02:56 Shifting mindset on aging05:59 Anticipated regret as motivation07:50 Lifelong learning and curiosity10:09 What gets better with age11:21 You’re not “too old” for anything14:18 Mindset as invisible life framework15:40 Weekly mindset assignment and closing remarksWhich of the 12 Reasons Most or Least Resonates With You? https://chipconley.com/reasons-quiz/ Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#wisdomwednesday #midlifegrowth #agingmindset #growthmindset #proaging #lifelonglearning #longevitymindset #chipconley #meaprogram #mindsetshift #curiosityasapower #midlifetransitions #positiveaging #mindsetmatters #livebetterlonger

What if everything you’ve believed about midlife is completely outdated?In this powerful conversation, Marianne Williamson sheds light on the truth about aging, visibility, and what it truly means to enter the second half of life with purpose. She shares raw reflections on menopause, identity shifts, modern rites of passage, and why midlife is less a crisis and more a spiritual turning point. Marianne also speaks about wisdom, reinvention, societal expectations, and how embracing your “third chapter” can unlock a deeper, more courageous version of yourself.If you’re ready to rethink aging and step into your next chapter with clarity and confidence, watch the full episode now. Timestamps:00:00 Midlife awakening as unmapped territory01:16 Aging, visibility, and grief for past identities04:30 Rites of passage and communal transitions08:13 Policy, culture shift, and public support11:49 Government support for wisdom schools13:06 Reflections on running for president18:34 Midlife crisis vs chrysalis19:14 Phase transition of society21:31 Pattern recognition, memory, and wisdom24:40 Teaching wisdom to younger generations27:45 Family patterns, shadows, and generational conditioning34:43 “Our deepest fear” and women’s empowerment38:59 Cellular memory of witch burning41:38 Sisterhood, bravery, and supporting each other43:56 Re-inspiring midlife and visibility as women age47:00 Presence, faith, and receiving life’s lessons49:16 Chapter three as a crescendo50:52 Midlife as a call to the soul52:04 Wisdom bumper sticker Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#midlifeawakening #midlifecrisis #midlifewomen #agingwell #spiritualgrowth #womenswisdom #reinvention #mariannewilliamson #midlifetransformation #menopausejourney #mindfulnesspractice #lifepurpose #selfreinvention #modernelder #innerwisdom

What if living to 100 is more realistic than you think?Longevity expert Dan Buettner breaks down the real habits behind the world’s longest-living people, from food and movement to purpose, community, and stress relief. He explains why Americans age faster, what actually adds years to your life, and how simple daily choices can transform your future health.A simple, science-backed path to your best chapter yet. Watch now. Timestamps:01:25 What society gets wrong about aging04:05 Dan’s early life and big expeditions06:33 Why anti-aging shortcuts don’t work09:10 Proven habits for longevity15:42 The alcohol debate and new research18:56 Benefits of drinking moderately21:29 Why 65 isn’t “old” anymore25:02 What the US gets wrong about health28:51 Processed food, inactivity, and social media30:52 Blue Zones work in US cities35:13 What’s happening in original Blue Zones37:40 New insights for Dan’s next book39:59 Dan’s divorce and midlife chrysalis42:31 How Blue Zones became a concept46:17 What Dan would regret not doing48:45 Dan’s experience at MEA51:07 Netflix series and frozen meals success51:58 Wisdom bumper-sticker55:19 The role of humility and aging55:59 The need for a rite of passage at 5056:19 Why midlife can be the best stage of life Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/#BlueZones #Longevity #DanBuettner #HealthyAging #LiveLonger #HealthSpan #MidlifeChrysalis #AgingWell #LongevitySecrets #LiveTo100 #HealthyLiving #PurposefulLiving #HolisticHealth #LifestyleMedicine #Wellbeing

What if midlife is actually the start of your happiest years?In this episode, Chip Conley and Derek Gehl break down why life often gets better after 50, from rising emotional intelligence and deeper wisdom to feeling more like your true self. Chip explains why “growing whole” matters more than “staying young,” how Carl Jung’s insights can reshape your mindset, and why a pro-aging outlook can change your health, relationships, and purpose.If you want a fresh, hopeful take on midlife, don’t miss this conversation. Watch now.Tune in, and take the quiz! 👇 https://chipconley.com/reasons-quiz/"The Midlife Checkup Quiz" Timestamps:00:00 Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday03:12 Beauty of Santa Fe winters03:15 Introducing Chip’s book04:32 Growing whole as we grow older06:31 Integrating all parts of ourselves07:46 Stories about aging from Chip’s parents09:18 Why Chip founded MEA11:20 Midlife Checkup Quiz12:07 Time affluence and midlife14:29 Creating a pro-aging friend group16:34 Closing thoughts Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/Which of the 12 Reasons Most or Least Resonates With You?https://chipconley.com/reasons-quiz/ #MidlifeWisdom #ProAging #AgingWell #MidlifeGrowth #UCurveOfHappiness #EmotionalIntelligence #LifeAfter50 #MidlifeTransformation #HealthyAging #ChipConley #MidlifeMindset #PersonalGrowthJourney #WisdomWednesday #IdentityGrowth #MEACommunity