The Midlife Chrysalis
The Midlife Chrysalis
Podcast Description
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.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show focuses on themes of personal transformation, emotional healing, and the pursuit of purpose in midlife, with episodes discussing topics such as redefining success and letting go of past identities, exemplified by guests like Maria Shriver exploring identity beyond legacy and Michael Franti sharing his journey of emotional recovery through music.
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.
You’ve built a life that looks successful. Yet the things you worked so hard for may no longer be what you want next.
In this Wisdom Wednesday episode, MEA founder Chip Conley joins Derek Gehl to explore finding purpose when familiar roles no longer feel fulfilling. From a corporate lawyer investing in her community to former business owners pursuing screenwriting, Chip shares how people are discovering possibilities they had quietly put aside.
You’ll hear:
- How to recognize someone else’s success script and begin defining success for yourself.
- Four pathways to purpose: what excites you, agitates you, makes you curious, or feels neglected.
- Why smaller purposes matter, from learning guitar to making more time for your children.
- A question to clarify your priorities: what will you regret not learning or doing 10 years from now?
- A simple exercise to find direction through the moments when you feel useful and lose track of time.
Watch the full episode for a thoughtful look at what deserves your time now and what you’d love to make room for next.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:37) The myth of one purpose
(01:41) Why purpose matters in midlife
(03:36) Passion, purpose and ikigai
(04:40) Four pathways to purpose
(05:39) The MEA Purpose Fellowship
(08:30) Creating a purpose portfolio
(09:40) Finding purpose beyond career success
(12:54) Why community helps you find purpose
(14:56) Purpose after retirement and an empty nest
(17:29) Rethinking relationships
(18:25) Chip’s personal purpose portfolio
(20:34) Making room for small purposes
(21:59) A simple exercise to discover your purpose
(23:06) Ways to explore purpose with MEA
Learn more about MEA at https://www.meawisdom.com/
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