Chapter X with Michael Kay

The most meaningful advice can take years to fully understand. Just two weeks before his death, Gary Coulton's father asked him a question about who would attend his funeral. It took Gary ten years to understand the wisdom behind it. My guest today is Dr. Gary Coulton, a former biomedical scientist and executive coach turned writer and poet. Gary describes himself as a "successful misfit" and a work in progress. In this episode, we explore Gary's journey of self-discovery, how to make wiser decisions, and the "positive echoes" we can leave in other people's lives. We covered: What Gary discovered about himself at 65 that changed how he viewed his past Why he walked away from a successful 30-year career in science The surprising lesson learned from spending two hours looking at flowers A simple exercise to discover the values that matter most to you How your heart, head, and gut can work together to make better decisions -- Resources: Substack: https://garycoulton.substack.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/garycoultonaic  Website: https://garycoulton.co.uk    Books: Wisdomize – See Clearly. Decide Wisely. Live Fully: https://mybook.to/wisdomize Demons to Champions – How I fell in love with my neurodivergent maverick mind: https://amzn.eu/d/00oSXlxo

Sometimes finding purpose in retirement is as simple as picking up the phone and calling an old friend.   After decades of chasing success, it can be hard to imagine that something so small could make a difference. We're used to measuring our accomplishments by the size of the impact we make.   My guest today is Jonathan Logan, a coach who's reinvented himself several times throughout his life. Along the way, he's learned a thing or two about change, identity, and what makes life fulfilling.   We talk about letting go of old identities, building new habits, and finding purpose in unexpected places. Jonathan has some wonderful insights and practical advice to share as we think about our own next chapter.   In this episode: 3 fears that make us resistant to change How to prepare for retirement beyond financial planning Why finding purpose doesn't have to involve grand accomplishments The simple act that can help men rebuild friendships and social connections Jonathan's practical advice for breaking old habits    -- Resources YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LifeSuccessTools LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanlogan/ Smoking Cessation - https://stopsmokingforever.life/  

Retirement is filled with decisions, and the choices we make today can have a lasting impact on our lives. With so much conflicting advice out there, how do we know we're making the right ones? My guest today is Dan Goldie, a former professional tennis player, financial advisor, and author of The Retirement Answer: The Six Key Decisions Every Retiree Needs to Make. In this episode, Dan shares the experiences that shaped his life, the importance of being open to help, and why understanding what matters most to us is essential as we plan for retirement. I think you'll appreciate Dan's common-sense approach to some of retirement's toughest decisions. We covered: How a difficult childhood led Dan to a career in professional tennis The four mentors who helped shape Dan's life and career Why being open to help is essential for personal growth How one retirement decision can impact your financial future Why your personal values should guide your retirement plan Dan's plans to help younger generations build financial literacy    -- Resources The Retirement Answer by Dan Goldie: https://lnk.to/theretirementanswer

The first six months of retirement may be the easy part.   At first, there may be travel, projects, and long-awaited plans to fill the time. But once the dust settles, retirement can begin to feel very different.   Psychotherapist Austin Dowling joins me again on Chapter X to talk about what can surface after the initial transition. We explore loneliness, identity, self-reliance, and the challenge of adjusting habits that may have served us well throughout our careers.   We covered: Why loneliness often appears after the first few months of retirement How senior roles can make relationships feel increasingly transactional Why successful people may struggle to ask for help How over-scheduling can become another way to avoid discomfort How to adapt your career strengths instead of leaving them behind -- Resources Website: https://www.insightstudiotherapy.com Email: [email protected]  Phone: 347-454-2799

We spend a lot of time thinking about the past or worrying about the future. What gets lost in between?   For Dr. Evan Fishman, that question became more personal after he was laid off from Facebook in 2023. The experience forced him to rethink how much of his identity was tied to work, achievement, and what came next.   Today, Evan helps others navigate similar questions around identity, uncertainty, and being present.    In this episode, we cover: How Evan's Facebook layoff changed the way he saw his life What we use to avoid uncomfortable feelings Why fear can create stories that feel true (even when they aren't) How to become more comfortable with uncertainty Why the present moment matters during times of change   -- Resources www.evanfishman.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanfishman https://www.instagram.com/dr.evanfishman https://x.com/evan_fishman https://belovedinstitute.substack.com