Rich Roll on Reinventing Yourself After Rock Bottom
What if hitting rock bottom was the best thing that ever happened to you?In this raw and inspiring conversation, Rich Roll, a former addict turned world-class endurance athlete, shares how he rebuilt his life from scratch, facing failure, financial ruin, and identity loss to find real purpose.With brutal honesty, he opens up about his addiction, fatherhood, marriage, legacy, and the heavy cost of chasing approval. If you're feeling stuck, burned out, or unsure what comes next, this conversation just might change how you see your own story.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction 01:13 Spine Surgery and Recovery03:02 Losing Identity and Facing Stillness05:47 Interviewing Master Interviewers07:17 Life Begins at 40 & Rejecting the Race11:06 How to Know You’re on the Right Track13:42 Performance vs. Presence15:25 Addiction, Achievement, and the Roots of Disconnection19:49 The Midlife Chrysalis at Age 3924:29 The Support of His Wife Julie26:04 Lessons from Rich’s Midlife Chrysalis32:14 From Blog to Writing a Book38:10 Launching the Podcast & Relocating to Hawaii42:27 Gaining Momentum43:50 Financial Struggles and Family Impact48:14 What Makes Rich Roll’s Podcast Different51:58 The Importance of Genuine Curiosity54:25 The Power of Vulnerability in Conversation56:31 Rethinking Success and Slowing Down01:01:46 Legacy, Family, and Showing UpLearn more about MEA at https://www.meawisdom.com/#MidlifeTransformation #RichRoll #SpineSurgeryRecovery #SobrietyJourney #PurposeInMidlife #EnduranceAthlete #AddictionRecovery #MidlifeReinvention #PersonalGrowth #PodcastLife #EmotionalResilience #LifeAfter40 #LegacyWork #AuthenticLiving #ModernElder
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1:04:57
Reinvention After 50 with Seth Godin: Make Life Your Best Work of Art
What if midlife isn’t a crisis, but your most creative chapter yet?In this inspiring and deeply personal episode, bestselling author and entrepreneur Seth Godin shares how he’s reinvented his life through purpose-driven work, disciplined freedom, and the belief that life itself is a series of art projects.We explore why the “dip” is a crucial part of growth, how to walk away from success when it no longer serves you, and what it really means to build a legacy. Seth also opens up about aging, identity, and choosing meaning over momentum.It’s a conversation full of wisdom, honesty, and practical insight for anyone navigating change. Subscribe for more episodes that help you reimagine your next chapter!Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:16 How Seth and Chip first met at Stanford02:49 Writing their first book together03:53 Jay Conrad Levinson as a modern elder07:01 Writing over 150 books08:31 Understanding The Dip and its midlife parallels12:28 Seth’s two “Dip” examples14:13 Chip’s hotel dip and decision making17:27 Creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurship after 5019:36 Not being in high school anymore & insulating yourself22:49 Midlife crisis or chrysalis?27:25 Alt MBA, The Carbon Almanac, and collaborative creation32:03 Rebranding midlife and self-image as we age35:28 Things that got better with aging37:54 Seth’s perspective on retirement & legacy41:16 Seth’s next project42:42 The future of the U.S. and generational change46:28 A bumper sticker of wisdom48:14 The importance of the origin storyLearn more about MEA at https://www.meawisdom.com/#SethGodinInterview #MidlifeChrysalis #StanfordStories #TheDipBook #PortfolioLife #ModernElderAcademy #CarbonAlmanacProject #AltMBAJourney #RebrandingMidlife #CreativeAging #WisdomInMidlife #OpportunityCostLesson #EntrepreneurAfter50 #LifeAsArtProject #TeachingLegacy
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52:32
You Can’t Scare Me: Hoda Kotb on Starting Over and Fearless Living After 50
At 40, Hoda Kotb’s world fell apart—cancer, divorce, and the dream of having children slipping away. But what came next wasn’t the end. It was a beginning.In this amazing episode, Hoda opens up about surviving breast cancer, finding the courage to adopt at 52, and learning that her 50s would become the most meaningful years of her life. She shares raw moments, unexpected joy, and the wisdom that only comes from starting over.If you're navigating change or wondering if it's too late to begin again, this episode will speak straight to your heart. Subscribe to Midlife Chrysalis and join our community for more stories that prove the second half of life can be the best half.Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:23 Growing Up in an Immigrant Family03:25 Childhood in Nigeria and Egypt05:49 Rejection, Resilience, and Unexpected Opportunities08:27 A Tumultuous Early 40s: Marriage, Cancer & Change14:14 Aging On-Air and Thriving in Her 50s17:26 Adoption at 52 and the Joy of Motherhood23:32 Love & Relationships Later in Life28:59 Stepping Away from the Today Show32:51 Starting a New Business at 6034:39 Gratitude for Her Mom36:22 Lessons from Her 60s: Be a Beginner Again41:26 Hoda’s Wisdom Bumper Sticker44:05 Closing ReflectionsLearn more about MEA at https://www.meawisdom.com/#HodaKotb #MidlifeChrysalis #WomenOver50 #BreastCancerSurvivor #MidlifeTransformation #ReinventionAfter50 #AdoptionStory #LifeAfterCancer #StartingOverAt50 #InspirationalWomen #PersonalGrowthJourney #LateBloomerSuccess #CareerChangeAfter50 #FindingPurposeInMidlife #NeverTooLate
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45:57
Maria Shriver: Healing Old Wounds & Becoming Who You Were Meant to Be
What if the most powerful transformation of your life came after the titles, the heartbreak, and the noise? In this deeply moving episode, Maria Shriver opens up about rediscovering her identity beyond the Kennedy legacy, confronting the emptiness behind external success, and finally giving herself permission to become whole.From her Catholic upbringing and complicated relationship with ambition, to the raw honesty of her poetry and spiritual healing, Maria shares how she moved through loss, betrayal, and public scrutiny—and came out the other side free, grounded, and fully herself.If you're navigating your own midlife reinvention, craving deeper purpose, or learning to let go of old roles, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:34 Who is Maria Shriver?02:18 Faith Journey & Early Influence05:20 Self-Discovery & Wholeness07:44 Poetry & Embracing a Feminine Side09:40 Finding Out Who You Really Are15:06 The Poem “Connecting the Dots”19:27 Messy Midlife & Reframing Aging22:11 The Poem “Chaos” & Coming Out of Mess30:14 Redefining Purpose, Love, and Legacy32:21 Vulnerability as a Superpower38:21 Embracing Freedom & Your True Self41:05 Living Fully on Your Own Terms44:48 What is Moral Beauty?47:57 Evolving & Aging as a Gift56:20 Final WisdomLearn more about MEA at MEAWisdom.com#MariaShriver #MidlifeTransformation #Reinvention #SpiritualGrowth #FindingYourself #WomenEmpowerment #HealingJourney #EmotionalHealing #LettingGo #PoetryHealing #LegacyBeyondFame #VulnerabilityIsStrength #RedefiningSuccess #MoralBeauty #PersonalGrowth
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54:14
Break Up With What You Don’t Need: Michael Franti on Healing & Growth
What if midlife isn’t a crisis—but a chance to grow, heal, and start fresh? In this episode, Michael Franti shares how he transformed personal pain into purpose, why letting go of old stories changed his life, and how music helped him reconnect with himself and others.Michael opens up about fatherhood, breaking free from emotional patterns, and the daily work of staying present in a distracted world. From his earliest songwriting days to his biggest transformations offstage, he reveals what it really takes to live with heart and intention. This episode is full of truth, warmth, and perspective for anyone ready to evolve.Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:17 Maturing Through Mistakes03:07 Impactful Midlife Transitions06:03 AIDS Crisis & The Power of Sharing Stories10:40 Success in His 50s & Roll of Wisdom13:09 Creating from Emotion & Collaboration18:06 Musical Genres & Identity Challenges21:09 Learning to Play Guitar at 3025:55 Moments with Bono and Childhood Trauma34:16 Emotionally Unavailable Adoptive Mother39:39 Overcoming Phone Addiction43:17 Creating Deep Family Relationships44:55 How His Dad Changed After a Stroke48:26 Break Up with Everything You Don’t Need51:47 Live Performance55:33 Letting Go of Old StoriesLearn more about MEA at MEAWisdom.com#MichaelFranti #MidlifeTransformation #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalHealing #FatherhoodJourney #LettingGo #LiveWithHeart #MindfulLiving #MusicAsMedicine #BreakTheCycle #StorytellingMatters #LifeAfter50 #HealingThroughMusic #IntentionalLiving #PresenceOverPerfection #SpiritualAwakening #NewBeginnings
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.
UK