The Thanksgiving I Spent Alone and Got Back to My Family
I’ve always loved Thanksgiving for its simplicity—no gifts, no pressure, just a table and gratitude. But the one year I sat alone at mine, I learned more about grace than any other holiday I’ve lived through.
This is the story of how a box at my door reminded me I wasn’t as alone as I thought… and it helped lead my family and me back to each other.
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Turning 60 is the New 40: Just Getting Started | Ep 41
When I was younger, I thought 60 meant slowing down, maybe coasting into the sunset. But I’ve learned the opposite — this season of life is sharper, clearer, and freer to try and make a difference in the world.
Today, my wife Kent interviews me and ask what turning 60 means and about second chances, regret, aging with peace, and the strange beauty of realizing you have nothing left to prove. It’s not a story about growing old — it’s about finally growing into yourself.
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Father, Daughter and Conversation with Mary Halley Carlson | Ep 40
There was a time when my daughter Mary Halley and I couldn’t talk. Not really. Now we sit across from each other, laughing, asking questions, and sharing the hard-won peace that came from years of healing and growing.
In this conversation, we talk about what it means to rebuild trust, the lessons that come with being parents and grandparents, and why keeping the conversation going is the victory in family.
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A Tree That Marks Time (Essay) | Ep 39
How do you mark change? There’s a maple tree in my community that’s been keeping time for me all my life. Every fall, it’s the first to turn. Always early. Always beautiful. Always right on schedule. I’ve come to mark my years by its color, by the rhythm of its change. This story is about what that tree, and its brilliance, has taught me.
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Essay on Life: The Things that Scare Me
On the eve of Halloween 2025, I talk about the things that scare me now—not the witches and monsters of childhood, but the real fears that come with being human. The fear of disconnection. Of judgment. Of forgetting how to truly see one another.
But maybe fear isn’t only something to run from. Maybe it’s a reminder of what still matters. In this episode, I explore how we can choose curiosity over cynicism, grace over judgment, and how taking off the masks we wear every day might just help us find our way back to each other.
David Magee's Newsletter
https://davidmagee.substack.com/
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Are you seeking deeper connection at home—and real-life wisdom for the hard parts?
I’m David Magee, bestselling author and speaker. Each week I host raw, hopeful conversations with family, friends, and remarkable guests about the things we all face: parenting and marriage, addiction and recovery, mental health, grief, and growth. You’re not the only messy family on the block. Together we’ll explore life’s big questions and small joys—and share practical steps that help you feel less alone and move toward progress.
Years ago, I lost everything. Rebuilding taught me how to find meaning again—and I’m passionate about helping others do the same. Though I became a husband and father young, I didn’t truly begin to flourish until my mid-40s. At 59, I’m still learning—and I invite you to grow with me.
If you’re ready for honest conversation, vulnerability, and resilient hope, this show is for you. Let’s walk it together—one episode at a time.