The Midlife Chrysalis

The Midlife Chrysalis

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.

Episodes

July 16, 2025 59 mins

What happens when one of the most thoughtful voices in public life hits a wall?


In this deeply personal conversation, Krista Tippett opens up about burnout, walking away from success, and rediscovering joy in midlife. From letting go of exhaustion to falling in love again, she shares the hard-won wisdom that’s reshaping how she lives, works, and loves. It’s a moving reminder that it’s never too late to begin again, so don’t miss thi...

Mark as Played

What if your so-called “midlife crisis” was actually a doorway to reinvention?


In this powerful conversation, Burning Man CEO Marian Goodell joins Chip Conley to explore how the radical spirit of Burning Man offers surprising lessons on aging, identity, leadership, and legacy. From embracing impermanence to finding purpose without a script, this episode is a deep dive into how midlife can be your most creative and meaningful ch...

Mark as Played

What does it really take to start over at 69?


In this inspiring episode, Whole Foods founder John Mackey shares how psychedelics, purpose, and love reshaped his path after selling to Amazon.From ego death to building Love Life wellness centers, he opens up about business regrets, spiritual breakthroughs, and midlife transformation. You'll learn how conscious capitalism evolves with age—and why love might be the ultimate busi...

Mark as Played

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...

Mark as Played

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 wh...

Mark as Played

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.

Mark as Played

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 an...

Mark as Played

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 songwriti...

Mark as Played

What if the life you built is no longer the one that fulfills you? In this powerful episode, former venture capitalist turned CEO coach Jerry Colonna shares how his midlife crisis became a chrysalis—from collapsing under the weight of outward success to rebuilding a life rooted in meaning, connection, and emotional resilience.


He shares the moment he almost gave up, the books and mentors that helped him begin again, and why real lea...

Mark as Played
June 2, 2025 3 mins

Welcome to the very first episode of The Midlife Chrysalis!


Chip Conley kicks off this amazing podcast by redefining midlife. It’s not as a crisis, but a powerful chrysalis for transformation.


He shares his own wild journey and reveals why your 40s, 50s, and beyond can be the most meaningful years of your life. Plus, get a sneak peek at upcoming guests like Maria Shriver, Brian Chesky, Gavin Newsom, and more.


If you're ready to reinv...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    Latino USA

    Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.