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    Education

    The Midlife Chrysalis

    The Midlife Chrysalis is a one-hour podcast hosted by Chip Conley, bestselling author of Learning to Love Midlife and founder of MEA (Modern Elder Academy). Chip and his high-profile guests – including Maria Shriver, Hoda Kotb, Elizabeth Gilbert, Michael Franti, and more – dive into raw, vulnerable conversations about the profound transitions they’ve experienced in midlife.

    Listeners get a rare look at how even the most successful individuals have to navigate life’s pivotal changes – and gain practical wisdom they can apply in their own lives for a more fulfilling and purposeful next chapter.

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    Latest Episodes:
    The Kids Have Left. Who Are You Now? | Gretchen Rubin Nov 09, 2026
    Show notes

    When a role has shaped your life for years, stepping back from it can leave you wondering who you are without it.


    In this episode of The Midlife Chrysalis, bestselling author Gretchen Rubin joins Chip Conley to explore happiness, identity, and finding yourself again after a big transition like the empty nest.


    Gretchen shares:

    • Three ways to rebuild your identity as your role changes
    • A simple exercise to reconnect with what you actually like
    • Why happiness advice needs to fit you
    • How to decide when to accept yourself and when to push through discomfort


    Watch the full episode for practical ways to rediscover what matters to you and choose what comes next.


    Timestamps:

    (01:33) Meet Gretchen Rubin

    (02:04) Connecting with Your Five Senses

    (04:48) Learning to Be Present

    (09:02) Why Happiness Looks Different for Everyone

    (12:10) Finding Your Happiness Habits

    (13:24) Making Time for Everyday Joy

    (16:19) Why Mishaps Make the Best Memories

    (17:50) The Secrets of Adulthood

    (23:22) Navigating the Empty Nest

    (25:45) Relationships After Children Leave

    (28:43) Rediscovering Your Identity

    (32:18) How Others Misperceive Us

    (35:13) Understanding the Four Tendencies

    (37:22) Accepting Yourself and Expecting More

    (39:41) When to Push Beyond Your Comfort Zone

    (41:25) What Will You Regret Not Doing?


    Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/


    #GretchenRubin #ChipConley #TheMidlifeChrysalis #Happiness #EmptyNest #Midlife #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #HealthyHabits #LifeInFiveSenses #TheFourTendencies #TheHappinessProject #SelfAcceptance #SecretsOfAdulthood #Identity


    Your Turn: How to Create a Midlife You Love with Allison Aubrey Nov 06, 2026
    Show notes

    You’ve spent years building a career, caring for others, and doing what’s expected. Midlife is your chance to ask: Who am I now, and what do I want next?


    NPR health and science journalist Allison Aubrey joins Chip Conley to explore how to create a midlife you love. Drawing on her book, Your Turn, she shares practical ways to find more joy, care for your health, and decide what comes next.


    You’ll learn:

    • How to reinvent yourself without starting over
    • Why slowing down helps you hear what you really want
    • How to rethink retirement around what you enjoy
    • How the Brain Care Score can guide healthier habits
    • Why finding purpose doesn’t require a big life change


    Watch the full conversation for a fresh look at midlife and the possibilities ahead.


    Timestamps:

    (06:44) Meet Allison Aubrey

    (08:30) Food as Medicine

    (09:36) The Value of Midlife Wisdom

    (11:19) Creating a Midlife You Love

    (14:04) The Kentucky Derby Midlife Metaphor

    (19:07) Reinventing Yourself Through Play

    (24:34) Finding the Courage to Change

    (26:47) Allison’s Career Transition

    (30:00) Menopause and Changing Priorities

    (33:15) Rethinking Retirement

    (37:36) The Brain Care Score

    (42:46) Finding Purpose in Everyday Life

    (47:37) Rediscovering Your Joyful Self


    Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/


    #Midlife #AllisonAubrey #ChipConley #YourTurn #MidlifeChrysalis #MidlifeReinvention #LifeAfter50 #HealthyAging #FindingPurpose #SelfDiscovery #BrainHealth #Menopause #RethinkingRetirement #PersonalGrowth #MidlifeTransitions


    AI Can Save You Time. Is It Costing You Your Creativity? Nov 04, 2026
    Show notes

    AI can save you hours. But are you handing over more than your workload?


    In this Wisdom Wednesday episode of the Midlife Chrysalis podcast, Chip Conley and Derek Gehl explore how to use AI without losing your voice, creativity, or judgment.


    Together, they discuss:

    • How they use AI to save time on research and everyday work
    • Why polished writing can lose the personality that makes it yours
    • How outsourcing your thinking can mean missing opportunities to learn
    • What makes your skills and experience valuable in the AI era
    • A simple experiment to decide which tasks to keep doing yourself


    Watch the full episode to discover where AI can help and where your human experience matters most.


    Timestamps:

    (00:00) Introduction

    (01:12) Will AI Change Everything?

    (04:19) Use AI Without Letting It Think for You

    (06:28) How Chip Uses AI to Save Time

    (10:24) Is AI Making Us Less Creative?

    (12:43) Why Human Content Still Matters

    (14:19) What AI Misses About Human Wisdom

    (16:01) Finding Your Place in an AI World

    (19:44) Why Human Connection Will Matter More

    (20:49) What You Should Never Outsource to AI


    Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/


    #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #HumanConnection #FutureOfWork #CriticalThinking #HumanCreativity #AIProductivity #Midlife #ChipConley #WisdomWednesday #HumanWisdom #Authenticity #CareerReinvention #LifelongLearning #MidlifeChrysalis


    You Have a Book in You. Here’s How to Finally Write It | Kelly Notaras Nov 02, 2026
    Show notes

    That book you’ve been meaning to write isn’t going to write itself. And according to publishing expert Kelly Notaras, you don’t need a perfect plan, a polished first chapter, or even a publisher to get started.


    Kelly, founder of KN Literary Arts and author of The Book You Were Born to Write, has helped nearly 3,000 authors bring their ideas to the page. In this conversation, she shares what decades in publishing have taught her about writing, creativity, and getting a book into the world.


    In this episode, Kelly shares:

    • Why midlife can be a powerful time to finally write the book you’ve been carrying
    • The three things publishers are looking for from authors today
    • Why self publishing is no longer Plan B and can actually open doors to traditional publishing
    • How perfectionism keeps writers stuck and why the first draft needs to be messy
    • Why finding the right time, space, and people to write with can transform your creative process


    If there’s a book you keep telling yourself you’ll write someday, this conversation is a great place to start.


    Watch the full episode and discover how to stop waiting and start writing.


    Timestamps:

    (03:54) Kelly’s Journey Into Publishing

    (06:45) Leaving Traditional Publishing

    (10:42) Working With 3,000 Authors

    (13:44) What Publishers Look for Today

    (19:31) Traditional vs. Self-Publishing

    (23:25) The Best Way to Self-Publish

    (24:34) Why Midlife Is the Perfect Time to Write

    (29:00) How to Create Your Best Writing

    (32:30) Inside a Writing Retreat

    (36:08) Turning Life Experience Into a Book

    (39:11) The Most Important Lesson Kelly Learned

    (39:49) Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There


    Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/


    #WritingABook #MidlifeWriting #BookWriting #WritingTips #AspiringAuthors #SelfPublishing #PublishingTips #CreativeWriting #WritingInMidlife #BookPublishing #KellyNotaras #KNLiteraryArts #MidlifeCreativity #FirstDraft #MidlifeChrysalis


    Stop Chasing Happiness: Find Joy in the Life You Have | Mark Coleman & Lori Schwanbeck Oct 30, 2026
    Show notes

    You can spend years chasing happiness and miss the life happening right in front of you.


    In this episode of The Midlife Chrysalis, Chip Conley joins mindfulness teachers Mark Coleman and Lori Schwanbeck to explore how to feel more present, connected, and fully alive in midlife.


    Together, they explore:

    • How changing what you pay attention to can change your experience of life
    • Why nature makes mindfulness easier and teaches us to let go
    • How gratitude helps you appreciate your life, even when things are hard
    • Why midlife’s losses and transitions can open the door to new possibilities
    • How to quiet your inner critic and recognize your own worth


    Watch the full episode for simple ways to step out of your head, reconnect with the world around you, and find more joy in the life you have.


    Timestamps:

    (06:27) Meet Mark and Lori

    (07:23) Lori’s Path to Mindfulness

    (10:34) From Punk Rock to Meditation

    (13:03) Finding Peace in the Present

    (15:42) How to Reframe Your Thoughts

    (17:40) Mindfulness in a Distracted World

    (19:53) Why Nature Helps Us Slow Down

    (23:36) Making Meditation Easier Outdoors

    (26:10) Why Midlife Sparks Inner Change

    (29:53) Facing Mortality and Loss

    (33:51) Psychedelics and New Possibilities

    (37:13) Gratitude and Nature in Baja

    (39:43) Making Gratitude a Daily Practice

    (41:34) Gratitude Versus Gratification

    (43:06) Remembering to Fully Live

    (45:27) Making Peace with Your Inner Critic


    Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/


    #MidlifeChrysalis #ChipConley #MarkColeman #LoriSchwanbeck #Mindfulness #Midlife #MidlifeTransition #NatureMeditation #Gratitude #MindfulLiving #LettingGo #SelfCompassion #InnerCritic #PersonalGrowth #FindingJoy


    Dreading the Holidays? Create Traditions You Actually Enjoy Oct 28, 2026
    Show notes

    The kids have moved out. Family gatherings feel complicated. Suddenly, the holidays you used to love leave you wondering where you belong.


    In this Wisdom Wednesday episode, MEA founder Chip Conley joins host Derek Gehl to explore why holidays change in midlife and how new traditions can bring back a sense of connection.


    Discover how to:

    • Build celebrations around people you genuinely want to spend time with.
    • Embrace Friendsgiving without the guilt of breaking with tradition.
    • Find friendship and a fresh start through a holiday retreat.
    • Plan a meaningful gathering without taking on all the work.


    Watch now for inspiration to make this holiday season feel more connected, more joyful, and more your own.


    Timestamps:

    (00:00) Introduction

    (01:44) How Holidays Change in Midlife

    (02:14) Loneliness and Chosen Family

    (06:14) Choosing Friendsgiving Over Family Drama

    (07:20) Creating a New Year’s Tradition

    (08:46) Holiday Retreats in Santa Fe and Baja

    (11:05) Finding Connection During the Holidays

    (12:03) Choosing Your Friendsgiving Guests

    (12:41) Planning Ahead for the Holidays

    (14:25) Making Holiday Gatherings Easier

    (15:30) Upcoming Thanksgiving Workshops


    Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/


    #Midlife #Holidays #Friendsgiving #ChosenFamily #HolidayLoneliness #NewTraditions #ChipConley #MidlifeChrysalis #HolidayStress #Connection #Thanksgiving #FamilyDynamics #HolidayRetreats #MeaningfulHolidays #MEA


    How to Lead with Heart and Still Make Tough Calls | John Baird Oct 26, 2026
    Show notes

    The hardest conversations are often the ones that help us grow.

    John Baird has spent 30 years coaching leaders at Apple. At 82, he’s still coaching, trying new things, and making time for what matters most.


    In this episode of The Midlife Chrysalis, John joins Chip Conley for a warm, candid conversation about leading with heart, making tough decisions, and building a meaningful life. He shares:


    • How to hold people accountable while treating them with care.
    • Why strong teams say the things everyone is thinking.
    • How to turn your experience into a coaching career in midlife.
    • Why revisiting your priorities matters in both work and marriage.
    • How curiosity and gratitude keep life rich at any age.


    Watch for practical wisdom on becoming a better leader and making more room for the people who matter to you.


    Timestamps:

    (02:31) Meet John Baird

    (03:25) Rethinking Work, Marriage, and Family

    (05:53) Coaching Leaders at Apple

    (09:50) Steve Jobs’ Leadership After His Return

    (11:26) Honest Feedback and Stronger Teams

    (13:11) Leading with Heart and Toughness

    (14:10) Seven Habits of Tough Leadership

    (19:09) Helping Intel Navigate Change

    (20:38) Finding Purpose at 82

    (23:36) Becoming a Coach in Midlife

    (27:55) Measuring Coaching Results

    (29:59) Do You Need Coaching Credentials?

    (31:36) Questions That Turn Insight into Action

    (34:22) Curiosity, Gratitude, and Difficult Conversations


    Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/


    #JohnBaird #ChipConley #MidlifeChrysalis #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadingWithHeart #ToughEnough #DifficultConversations #EmpatheticLeadership #SteveJobs #AppleLeadership #MidlifeReinvention #PurposefulLiving #PersonalGrowth #LifelongLearning


    Will Life Break You Open or Close You Off? | Elizabeth Lesser Oct 23, 2026
    Show notes

    After everything you’ve been through, keeping your heart open can feel like a lot to ask. But there’s still room for connection, beauty, and a life that feels more like you.


    Author and Omega Institute cofounder Elizabeth Lesser joins Chip Conley to explore how divorce, loss, and aging can deepen our lives without hardening our hearts. Drawing on her books Broken Open and the forthcoming Stay Open, she shares insights on how to:


    • Find new possibilities when your old life falls apart.
    • Question the stories that keep you apart from people you love.
    • Make room for joy and grief at the same time.
    • Meet your aging body with kindness and care.
    • Stay open while holding healthy boundaries.


    Join Chip and Elizabeth for a heartfelt conversation about what it takes to stay soft, stay curious, and keep growing through life’s changes.


    Timestamps:

    (02:37) What Is the Soul?

    (05:47) Let Your Soul Lead in Midlife

    (08:45) When Life Breaks You Open

    (11:54) The Stories That Keep Us Apart

    (13:40) How to Have Difficult Conversations

    (18:00) How to Stay Open When Life Is Hard

    (24:03) Finding Beauty Alongside the Pain

    (26:20) Growing Older, Becoming More Whole

    (28:47) What Gets Better With Age

    (32:59) How Omega Institute Began

    (38:13) Behind the Scenes of a Retreat Center

    (42:30) Do No Harm, but Take No Shit


    Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/

    Check out Chip's Celebrating Life's Wisdom Oct 25-29 2026 workshop: https://www.meawisdom.com/celebrate


    #ElizabethLesser #ChipConley #MidlifeChrysalis #BrokenOpen #StayOpen #OmegaInstitute #MidlifeTransformation #HealthyAging #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalHealing #SpiritualGrowth #Relationships #GriefAndLoss #SelfCompassion #Boundaries


    When Everything Hits at Once: The Art of the Reframe Oct 21, 2026
    Show notes

    “Stay positive” can feel hollow when cancer returns, someone you love dies, and your marriage is ending.


    In this Wisdom Wednesday episode, MEA founder and author Chip Conley joins Derek Gehl for a deeply personal conversation about facing all three. Drawing on his upcoming book, The Art of the Reframe, Chip shares how he’s finding a way forward without pretending the pain isn’t real.


    You’ll discover how to:

    • Feel the grief before trying to find the silver lining.
    • Separate what happened from the story you tell yourself about it.
    • Rethink the belief that a marriage ending means it failed.
    • Find new possibilities through a simple reframing practice.
    • Build deeper friendships by opening up about what’s really going on.


    Watch for an honest conversation about loss, love, and changing your perspective when you can’t change your circumstances.


    Timestamps:

    (00:00) The Art of the Reframe

    (01:20) When Life Changes All at Once

    (04:33) Reframing Without Ignoring Grief

    (06:02) Letting Yourself Feel

    (07:24) Understanding Your Frame

    (10:44) Rethinking Love and Connection

    (15:21) Breaking Free from Feeling Stuck

    (16:14) Routines, Rituals and New Perspectives

    (17:58) Deeper Friendships and Honest Conversations

    (19:04) Men, Vulnerability and Emotional Support

    (22:54) A Simple Reframing Practice

    (26:02) Psychedelics and Changing Perspective

    (27:20) Learning to Let Go


    Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/

    The Art of the Reframe PRE-SALE: http://meawisdom.com/reframebook

    #ChipConley #DerekGehl #WisdomWednesday #MidlifeChrysalis #TheArtOfTheReframe #ModernElderAcademy #Reframing #MidlifeTransitions #LifeTransitions #NavigatingGrief #MarriageEnding #EmotionalResilience #FeelingStuck #ToxicPositivity #MaleVulnerability


    He Built the Green Building Movement. Then His Life Fell Apart | David Gottfried Oct 19, 2026
    Show notes

    You can build a successful life and still reach a point where you need to rebuild yourself.


    In this episode, Chip Conley sits down with David Gottfried, co-founder of the U.S. Green Building Council and pioneer of the green building movement, for a candid conversation about success, loss, and reinvention.


    David shares how transforming an industry was followed by a deeply personal transformation when his 20-year marriage ended and forced him to rethink who he was.


    They explore:

    • How green building went from a fringe idea to a global movement
    • Why hiding parts of ourselves can come at a profound cost
    • What divorce taught David about vulnerability and letting others in
    • Why letting go of old identities can open the door to a new life
    • Why regeneration must go beyond our planet to include ourselves

    David’s lesson from it all is simple: “Truth is oxygen.”


    Watch the full episode for an honest conversation about success, identity, and finding the courage to become


    Timestamps:

    (06:13) From Stanford to Real Estate

    (10:06) Bringing Solar Into Development

    (12:00) Founding the U.S. Green Building Council

    (17:12) Making Green Building Mainstream

    (20:17) How LEED Took Off

    (22:05) A Midlife Transformation

    (26:25) Divorce and a Personal Chrysalis

    (31:05) What Pain Taught Him

    (33:45) No More Hiding

    (35:04) The Dark Night of the Ego

    (37:05) From Sustainability to Regeneration

    (43:14) What Gives Him Hope

    (45:08) Truth Is Oxygen


    Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/


    #DavidGottfried #ChipConley #MidlifeChrysalis #GreenBuilding #USGBC #LEED #RegenerativeLiving #MidlifeReinvention #PersonalTransformation #LifeAfterDivorce #FindingYourself #Vulnerability #Sustainability #Regeneration #SecondHalfOfLife


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