Rainn Wilson: Finding the Soul Beyond the Spotlight
What if the path to a meaningful life had nothing to do with fame or success and everything to do with service and soul?In this captivating conversation, Rainn Wilson opens up about his transformation from Hollywood ego to spiritual seeker, sharing how faith, meditation, and humility helped him rediscover purpose beyond the spotlight. Together with Chip Conley, he explores why midlife can be a sacred turning point when the soul finally takes the lead.👉 Watch now to learn how Rainn’s journey can help you reconnect with your own soul. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:55 What Is a Soul?05:52 Chip‘s Definition of Soul08:18 Humans on a Spiritual Journey09:32 Growing Up Baha’i13:58 The 1960s Spiritual Revolution17:31 Hollywood, Faith & the Dark Night of the Soul21:01 Becoming Dwight Schrute22:50 Famous in Midlife29:01 The Ego and Hollywood31:38 Letting the Soul Lead34:08 Devotion & Daily Practice40:03 The Soul Boom Workbook42:24 How the Workbook Came to Be44:41 Wisdom Bumper Sticker49:24 Chip’s Reflections and Takeaways Learn more about MEA at https://www.meawisdom.com/#RainnWilson #SoulBoom #MidlifeChrysalis #ChipConley #SpiritualRevolution #Bahaifaith #SoulJourney #ModernSpirituality #EgoAndSoul #Mindfulness #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealthAwareness #ServiceAndPurpose #ConsciousLiving #SpiritualAwakening
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53:22
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53:22
BJ Miller: How Facing Death Taught Me to Live More Fully
What if the worst thing that ever happened to you became the very thing that set you free? 🌱 In this deeply moving episode, Dr. BJ Miller—physician, amputee, and palliative care visionary—shares how a near-fatal accident in college transformed his understanding of life, loss, and what it really means to live fully. From his journey through unimaginable pain to founding Mettle Health, BJ reveals how facing mortality can open the door to compassion, creativity, and peace.If you’ve ever feared aging, grief, or change, this conversation will completely shift your perspective.👉 Watch now and discover how to turn life’s hardest moments into your greatest teachers. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:36 The Accident That Changed Everything04:17 Processing Grief and Feeling “Seen”09:27 Rebuilding Life in His 20s14:46 From Art History to Medicine16:24 Discovering Palliative Care20:27 What Palliative Care Really Means24:26 Spiritual Dimensions of Caregiving27:16 What We Get Wrong About Death29:42 Making All Healthcare Palliative32:44 Founding Mettle Health36:56 Advice for Caregivers41:25 The Power of Grief43:50 BJ’s Midlife Chrysalis47:49 What People Regret Most Before Death51:48 Dying as a Creative Act55:25 Wisdom Bumper StickerLearn more about MEA at https://www.meawisdom.com/#BJMIller #MidlifeChrysalis #ChipConley #EndOfLifeCare #PalliativeCare #HospiceCare #GriefAndHealing #MidlifeWisdom #CaregivingJourney #FindingMeaning #LifeAndDeath #SpiritualGrowth #EmotionalResilience #MindfulLiving #AuthenticLife
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1:03:26
Daniel Pink: The Power of Regret and the Freedom to Begin Again
Ever wondered what it really means to start over when the world thinks you’ve peaked? In this episode, Daniel Pink, bestselling author of Drive and The Power of Regret, reveals why midlife isn’t a crisis but a creative turning point. He talks about becoming a beginner again after 50, how regret can guide us toward what truly matters, and why lasting motivation comes from autonomy, mastery, and purpose, not paychecks.👉 Watch now to learn how to reinvent yourself with clarity, courage, and curiosity. Timestamps:01:15 Early Career & Al Gore Years04:12 Leaving Politics for Book Writing07:05 The Book “Drive” & Science of Motivation11:10 Leadership & Purpose Within Organizations14:13 Living an Average Mid-40s Reality17:08 The Midlife Chrysalis & Year-Long Sabbatical22:04 Writing for The Washington Post25:58 Becoming a Rookie at 5030:00 The Science of Timing32:03 Evaluating Autonomy, Mastery & Purpose34:21 How He Wrote “The Power of Regret”37:42 The Wisdom in Regret39:24 Anticipated Regret in Action42:34 On Retirement & Regeneration46:16 The Idea of Gap Year at 5049:38 Regenerative vs. Retirement Communities51:49 Upsides & Downsides of Aging55:20 Dan’s Wisdom Bumper Sticker Learn more about MEA at https://www.meawisdom.com/#DanielPink #ChipConley #ModernElderAcademy #MidlifeChrysalis #ThePowerOfRegret #DriveBook #AutonomyMasteryPurpose #MotivationScience #MidlifeReinvention #CareerReinvention #FindingPurpose #AgingWithPurpose #LifelongLearning #PersonalGrowth #MindsetShift
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1:00:26
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1:00:26
Love, Loss & Caregiving with Bruce Willis’ Wife, Emma Heming Willis
What happens when the person you love most slowly begins to disappear before your eyes? In this deeply emotional and inspiring conversation, Emma Heming Willis opens up about life with Bruce Willis following his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and how she turned heartbreak into purpose. Joined by Helen Christoni, co-founder of Make Time Wellness, the two reveal why women’s brain health is so often ignored, what every caregiver needs to hear, and how to rediscover joy even in the hardest seasons of life.👉 Watch now and learn how making time for yourself might just be the most powerful act of care there is. Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:54 How Helen and Emma created Make Time Wellness04:47 Hormones, estrogen loss, and dementia risk06:03 Helen’s personal connection to dementia08:04 Starting Make Time as Bruce’s symptoms appeared08:51 How Emma met Bruce Willis and first signs of FTD12:05 Understanding anosognosia and early dementia signs15:29 The meaning of ambiguous loss for caregivers18:45 Practical tools and exercises for caregivers20:37 Redefining self-care and “making time”21:20 How others can help caregivers in real ways24:09 The caregiving crisis and policy change needed28:43 Gender roles and men’s perspective on caregiving31:00 Make Time Wellness mission and products34:49 Bruce Willis’s current condition and progression38:20 How their daughters are coping and family life39:24 Emma’s and Helen’s advice for caregivers40:57 Wisdom bumper sticker44:57 Closing reflections and gratitude Learn more about MEA at https://www.meawisdom.com/#EmmaHemingWillis #HelenChristoni #MidlifeCaregiving #WomensBrainHealth #CaregiverSupport #FrontotemporalDementia #DementiaAwareness #MakeTimeWellness #MidlifeResilience #SelfCareReimagined #MidlifeWisdom #WomenSupportingWomen #CaregivingJourney #FindingJoyAgain #ModernElderAcademy
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49:41
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49:41
Arthur Brooks on How to Break Free from the Striver’s Curse in Midlife
What if everything you’ve been taught about happiness and success is upside down?In this episode of Midlife Chrysalis, Chip Conley talks with Arthur Brooks, Harvard professor, bestselling author, and former French horn prodigy, about his remarkable journey from the concert stage to the world of behavioral science. Together, they unpack why strivers burn out, how our brains shift from fluid to crystallized intelligence, and the simple formula that can turn midlife from a crisis into a transformation.Don’t miss this inspiring conversation. Listen now and start rethinking your own second curve. Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:06 Arthur Brooks’ origins and family background02:59 Religious upbringing and conversion to Catholicism04:56 Navigating academia and faith in secular environments07:08 Early music training and struggles to become the best13:06 Striver mentality and American entrepreneurship DNA16:41 Leaving music for economics and behavioral science20:52 Imposter syndrome and skills learned from performance22:33 Becoming CEO of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI)29:05 Burnout, midlife shift, and vital plane encounter 32:19 Plane encounter with a famous figure and reflection on decline35:47 Realizing the need for a second curve38:10 How we move from fluid to crystallized intelligence42:43 Airbnb and the role of “modern elder” wisdom45:02 Advice for shifting into careers built on crystallized intelligence46:56 The danger of pride and Dante’s frozen Satan metaphor49:40 Learning to want less: the secret to second-curve happiness54:39 Editing life instead of accumulating - reverse bucket lists55:55 Generativity, religion, and aging with meaning57:16 Policy thoughts on midlife education and wisdom schools1:01:59 Wisdom bumper sticker1:05:28 Closing reflections from Chip Learn more about MEA at https://www.meawisdom.com/
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.
USA