The Midlife Chrysalis

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 Thoughts

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

#Psilocybin #Psychedelics #PsychedelicTherapy #MentalHealth #Midlife #MidlifeTransformation #PersonalGrowth #Healing #Meditation #SelfDiscovery #Wellness #Neuroplasticity #MentalWellbeing #BeckleyRetreats #TheMidlifeChrysalis

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 success
The habits that matter more than money, achievement, or status
How your mindset can shape your happiness, health, and even longevity
Why midlife is the perfect time to rethink your priorities and invest in what truly matters
The simple piece of advice Laurie wishes she'd learned much earlier in life

If 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 Thoughts

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

#LaurieSantos #ChipConley #HappinessScience #PsychologyOfHappiness #PositivePsychology #Midlife #MidlifeChrysalis #Mindset #HealthyAging #Longevity #SocialConnection #PurposeInLife #Yale #HappinessResearch #LiveWell

Do you ever feel like you're not good enough, even when you're succeeding?

You're not alone. In this Wisdom Wednesday, Chip Conley explores why imposter syndrome follows so many high achievers and, more importantly, how to break free from it.

In this conversation, you'll discover:
Why imposter syndrome doesn't disappear with success
How to replace fear with curiosity and become an "explorer" instead of an imposter
Why vulnerability often earns more respect than pretending to be perfect
A simple mindset shift that makes taking risks feel much less overwhelming
How embracing beginner status can unlock growth at any stage of life

If you've ever questioned your abilities, avoided new opportunities, or felt held back by self-doubt, this episode offers practical insights that can help you move forward with greater confidence.

Watch now, and if you enjoy the conversation, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs this reminder.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:36) What Is Imposter Syndrome?
(03:28) Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset
(05:21) Use Humor to Quiet Your Inner Critic
(06:27) Curiosity Over Fear
(08:02) Why Vulnerability Builds Trust
(13:05) From Imposter to Explorer
(14:34) Career Transitions in Midlife
(17:36) Above vs Below the Waterline Decisions
(20:39) How AI Helps You Learn
(22:39) The Human Skills AI Can't Replace
(24:21) A Simple Exercise for Imposter Syndrome

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

#ImposterSyndrome #SelfDoubt #GrowthMindset #HighAchievers #CareerTransition #Midlife #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Confidence #Vulnerability #FearOfFailure #ChipConley #ModernElderAcademy #MidlifeChrysalis #EmotionalIntelligence

In this eye opening conversation, bestselling author and aging activist Ashton Applewhite challenges everything we think we know about growing older. She reveals why many of our fears about aging come from culture, not reality, and explains how getting older can bring more freedom, confidence, and purpose.

In this episode, you'll learn:
Why ageism is one of the last socially accepted forms of prejudice
Why the conflict between younger and older generations is largely a myth
How society pressures us to follow a rigid life timeline
Why confidence and emotional resilience often increase with age
What the longevity movement gets wrong about living a meaningful life

Watch now to discover a healthier, more empowering way to think about aging, purpose, and the years ahead.

Timestamps:
(02:02) Is America Becoming Ageist?
(08:44) Why Generations Need Each Other
(11:32) Why We Fear Getting Older
(14:39) The Biggest Myth About Aging
(16:47) Midlife and Chrononormativity
(21:54) Ashton Applewhite's Journey
(27:43) What Gets Better With Age
(34:31) The Problem With Longevity Culture
(40:12) Wisdom, Curiosity, and Lifelong Growth

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

#Aging #Ageism #HealthyAging #GrowingOlder #PositiveAging #Longevity #OlderAdults #Midlife #LifePurpose #PersonalGrowth #Psychology #Intergenerational #AgeDiversity #WellBeing #AshtonApplewhite

What if your most meaningful chapter begins after 70?

Most people think aging is about slowing down. Dr. Philip Pizzo believes it's about discovering new purpose.

In this inspiring conversation, Chip Conley sits down with Dr. Philip Pizzo, former Dean of Stanford Medicine, founder of the Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute (DCI), physician, educator, and now a spiritual care provider, to explore how we can navigate life's biggest transitions with meaning.

In this episode, you'll discover:
Why purpose, community, and wellness are the foundation of a fulfilling second half of life.
The unexpected journey that led Dr. Pizzo to reinvent himself and begin a new calling in his 70s.
What he learned from helping hundreds of professionals successfully navigate midlife transitions.
Why community becomes one of the greatest predictors of healthy aging and longevity.
How to approach aging with curiosity, purpose, and a growth mindset.

If you're wondering what comes after success, retirement, or your next big life transition, this conversation will change the way you think about aging.

Watch now and discover why it's never too late to reinvent yourself.

Timestamps:
(02:20) Phil Pizzo’s Childhood & Education
(04:22) Life Transitions and Finding New Purpose
(10:15) Converting to Judaism in His 70s
(13:27) Spiritual Care After a Career in Medicine
(15:28) Life in a Retirement Community
(21:44) Modern Day Aging & Longevity
(25:32) Staying Active in Your 80s
(26:39) The Story Behind Stanford DCI
(29:15) What DCI Taught About Midlife
(32:23) The Real Purpose of Midlife
(37:44) Rethinking Aging and Medicine
(41:21) Phil Pizzo’s Advice for Living Well

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

#PhilipPizzo #MidlifeChrysalis #PurposeAfterRetirement #SuccessfulAging #Longevity #StanfordDCI #LifeReinvention #HealthyAging #RetirementPurpose #SecondHalfOfLife #LifeTransitions #SpiritualGrowth #MeaningfulLife #CommunityAndConnection #AgingWell