When John Geraghty was 29, he looked at his life and realized the path he was on wasn’t leading anywhere he wanted to go. Struggling with alcohol, he decided to change everything. That choice set him on a journey of growth and helping others find what lights them up. In this conversation, John shares what he’s learned about why the traditional idea of retirement often leaves people feeling lost, and how discovering your strengths and staying curious can bring meaning to every stage of life. We t...
Jul 02, 2025•46 min
Alex Potts helped thousands of people plan for retirement until it was his turn. And like so many of us, he found himself asking what now? This episode is a special one. Alex isn’t just a respected leader and former CEO. He’s also a longtime friend. We’ve known each other since the ’90s, and I’ve had the privilege of watching him grow into an authentic, grounded, and service-minded leader. Our conversation explores what it means to live with intention. We talk about resilience, identity, letting...
Jun 18, 2025•51 min
Agi Keramidas made a major life shift when he left behind a stable but unfulfilling life in Greece to follow a calling he couldn’t quite explain. Today, he shares how a midlife awakening (his words) sparked a journey of personal growth. Eventually it would lead Agi to launch his podcast, Personal Development Mastery, and write his book, 88 Actionable Insights for Life. He talks about listening to that quiet voice that says something needs to change. Even when it means starting over in a new coun...
Jun 04, 2025•43 min
When Rich Alderton left his high-powered corporate role on a Friday, signing off millions and fielding nonstop calls, he expected Monday to bring more of the same. Instead, the phone was silent. That stark contrast was the wake-up call: people had been in love with his title, not with him. What followed was a journey into reinvention. Rich stepped away from corporate leadership to help others become more adaptable in a rapidly changing world. Along the way, he discovered just how unprepared most...
May 21, 2025•51 min
David Marlow is known as the Ikigai Guy. I didn’t know that when I first came across his writing. What I did know was that something in his work resonated deeply with me. Today, we talk about what happens when your career comes to a close, and you're left facing the question: who am I now? David shares how he discovered the concept of ikigai, what it means to him, and how it shaped the way he moved through the end of his own career. He offers a thoughtful process for reconnecting with purpose, a...
May 07, 2025•46 min
Richard Eisenberg is back. And this time, we’re diving into what his unretirement looks like now. If you don’t know Richard’s story, he’s an “unretired” journalist who writes a column for MarketWatch and freelances for Next Avenue, Fortune, AARP, and Fodor’s. Richard calls this chapter “unretirement” — living it with purpose and intention. Before all that, he was an editor at Next Avenue and Money magazine, and held senior roles at Yahoo! and Good Housekeeping. He’s also the author of two person...
Apr 23, 2025•34 min
What happens when the career you built your life around stops feeling like it fits? Today, I’m talking to Jordan Grummet about what it really looks like to wrestle with purpose—especially during big life transitions like retirement. Jordan opens up about losing his father at a young age, pursuing medicine to honor his legacy, and eventually realizing that career wasn’t fulfilling him. We covered the struggle between societal expectations and our own authentic path, and how to find meaning after ...
Apr 10, 2025•36 min
Only 5% of homes in the U.S. are moderately accessible. Stairways, sunken living rooms, poorly designed bathrooms, and trip hazards are just the start. Greg Cantore’s journey has spanned bicycle mechanics to defense work and leading nonprofit programs. But his mother-in-law’s experience living in a house that wasn’t designed for her needs opened his eyes to the bigger issue. After modifying her home, and later adjusting to her needs in assisted living, Greg realized there was a larger need for a...
Mar 26, 2025•51 min
You don’t have to spend hours in the gym to stay strong and mobile as you age. My guest, Mark Firehammer, created myFeelness to help men remain functional without grueling workouts or fitness gimmicks. At 43, Mark’s body started pushing back. There were aches, stiffness, and limits he couldn’t ignore. He knew something had to change but wasn’t willing to spend hours in the gym. That led him to rethink movement entirely. Mark found a way to stay strong, mobile, and pain-free through small, mindfu...
Mar 12, 2025•48 min
If you had to make an important healthcare decision today, would you know what to do? My guest, Dr. Corinne Auman, is an expert in aging. She helps people and families figure out senior healthcare, retirement planning, and life’s unexpected changes. She’s a psychologist, CEO of Choice Care Navigators, and author of Keenagers. Most of us don’t think about aging until we have to, like when a parent falls or we realize our own home might not work for us as we get older. Suddenly, we’re faced with t...
Feb 19, 2025•42 min
Today, we’re taking a different approach. Instead of focusing on men’s transitions, we’re diving into the journey women face in their next chapter. My guest, T. Kari Mitchell (TK), is a transformational speaker, author, and integrative wellness coach who has dedicated her second half to helping women reclaim their health, confidence, purpose, and power after retirement so they can truly flourish in their golden years. After 32 years as a teacher, she boldly transitioned into holistic coaching an...
Feb 05, 2025•40 min
With freedom comes the risk of losing direction. When we’re younger, the world feels full of possibilities. But as we get older, our focus narrows—one job, one partner, one path. Over time, our routines can make it harder to see new opportunities. In this episode, Paul Wilson explains how mental blocks can keep us stuck and shares how to break free and explore what’s still out there. After a bicycle accident and a broken arm in 2017, Paul found a new career path. Now, Paul is a life coach, busin...
Jan 22, 2025•46 min•Ep. 192
Willie Handler was born to Holocaust survivors. Though his home was loving, the trauma his parents endured left deep scars that shaped his life in ways he only came to understand much later. During the pandemic, Willie began exploring his family’s history and the intergenerational trauma he carried. What started as a way to honor his parents became a transformative journey. It unearthed buried memories, led to tough therapy sessions, and inspired his powerful new book, Out From the Shadows. Alon...
Jan 08, 2025•45 min
For Larry O’Nan, leaving work behind wasn’t about slowing down. It was a chance to step into a new chapter of intentional living and service. With decades of experience guiding faith-based organizations, Larry raised millions for global initiatives and inspired others to lead with purpose. But his journey didn’t stop there. Redefining what it means to live fully, Larry has embraced failure as a tool for growth, mastered the art of saying no to what doesn’t align with his strengths, and found mea...
Dec 11, 2024•50 min
At 70, Edward Doherty ran a virtual Boston Marathon. At 72, he published his first book. If anyone knows the secret to defying odds, it’s him. Ed is a man who radiates optimism—his story not only touched my heart but also reignited my spirit, and I’m sure it will do the same for you. In this episode, Ed takes us through his journey from the restaurant industry to consulting, after a pandemic-induced furlough. He shares the hurdles he faced and how he turned persistence into his greatest strength...
Nov 27, 2024•43 min
We’ve all heard the ‘find your why’ advice, but what if it’s not about that at all? Today, my guest is Blair Dunkley, and I’ll keep it simple: this conversation is going to be mind-filling, mind-expanding, and honestly, mind-blowing. Blair’s here to break down how we can improve our lives by shifting our behaviors with research-backed methods that are both impactful and surprisingly simple. So, get ready to pay attention and maybe even take some notes. In this episode, he breaks down the differe...
Nov 13, 2024•53 min
As a writer, I’ve often heard my peers talk about the “evils” of AI over the past couple of years. But truthfully, I don’t know much about it myself, which is why I’m so excited to talk to today’s guest, Justin Simpson. Justin brings a lifetime of business experience, and now, in his “Chapter X,” he’s exploring the world of AI with new imagination and curiosity. You might be wondering, “What does AI have to do with my stage in life?” Justin’s goal is to show how AI can be useful for everyone, es...
Oct 30, 2024•43 min
Imagine a man who truly wants to connect with his partner. He carefully picks his words, hoping to create that closeness. But somehow, it all falls flat. Frustration builds in his partner, yet he can’t quite put his finger on what’s going wrong. Why does this keep happening? Many men never learned how to connect emotionally in a way that feels genuine to them. Today, we’re diving into this struggle and exploring how men can break free from this cycle. I’m excited to welcome Owen Marcus, the co-f...
Oct 16, 2024•40 min
Imagine the possibilities when men come together in a supportive atmosphere. In the Chapter X community, I’ve seen firsthand how this freedom allows us to be our true selves—and that’s where real growth happens. Today, I’m excited to introduce you to Bodhi Aldridge, a man whose life story is a testament to the power of self-discovery and purpose. Bodhi has traveled the world as a father, grandfather, lawyer, coach, and facilitator. He lives near the beaches of Byron Bay with his wife of 40 years...
Oct 02, 2024•45 min
Today, I’m excited to catch up with my high school friend, Kenny Hersch. His story is truly one of a kind, and I think you’ll find this conversation with him an absolute joy. Kenny’s symptoms began with minor neurological issues, but it took two years to get a clear diagnosis. Early on, doctors worried it might be ALS, which was a scary idea. It was eventually identified as Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS)—a non-fatal condition affecting speech and mobility. Thanks to technology, Kenny can join u...
Sep 18, 2024•23 min
David Rynick was a big deal in college—serving on the university senate, co-captaining the wrestling team, and enjoying much attention. But despite all his achievements, he wasn’t happy. This realization set him on a path to explore what mattered to him beyond just achieving more and pleasing others. Today, David is a Zen teacher with credentials in two lineages and a seasoned life and leadership coach. His latest book, Wandering Close to Home: A Year of Zen Reflections, Consolations, and Reveri...
Sep 04, 2024•46 min
When is the right time to start asking yourself life's big questions? My guest, Austin Dowling, who shifted from a corporate attorney to a psychotherapist, is here to discuss the vital role of self-reflection in finding fulfillment in retirement. Originally from Ireland, Austin is a practicing psychotherapist and executive coach based in New York. He helps professional adults at a crossroads in their personal or professional lives, many of whom struggle with anxiety or a lack of motivation and a...
Jul 17, 2024•52 min
In a world full of noise, it's easy to forget that real happiness can start with reconnecting with who we truly are inside. Today, that’s exactly what we’re exploring with Amrit Singh, a life coach who helps men discover what they truly want and what makes them happy. In this episode, we tackle the tough challenges men face with vulnerability and how embracing your true self can transform your relationships. Amrit shares some truly powerful tips on how vulnerability can lead to more joy and fulf...
Jul 03, 2024•43 min
When we find something that drives us forward, life takes on new meaning and fulfillment. But true fulfillment isn’t just about traditional success—it’s about discovering joy and purpose in our everyday experiences, especially as we navigate the second half of life. Today, we explore this enriching path with a guest whose resilience and purpose have guided his own journey. Alain Dumonceaux joins us, a man whose own life trials have shaped his passion for helping men align their lives with their ...
Jun 19, 2024•48 min
Ever had a friend recommend a book that completely captivated you? That's exactly what happened to me. My friend Bob suggested this book written by a college acquaintance of his, and I decided to grab a copy. Little did I know, it would be one of those extraordinary reads. As I flipped through the pages, I found myself really connecting with the importance of the author's words. I knew I had to track down David Chernikoff’s email and invite him to join me for a conversation. David is a meditatio...
Jun 05, 2024•55 min
In 2015, Brian Feutz began feeling the tug towards retirement. He went headfirst into a journey of discovery, diving into the ins and outs of retirement planning, wondering what the future held, and whether he was financially ready for it all. He's not just navigated through the transition to retirement, but he's crafted a life filled with meaning and purpose, and I have no doubt you'll find his story truly inspirational. Brian is a top writer, speaker, columnist, and published author with a uni...
May 22, 2024•53 min
What if stress isn't the enemy we thought it was? Our guest today suggests that certain aspects of stress can actually be powerful motivators. But here's the catch: there's a sweet spot, and most of us tend to overshoot it. Today I'm speaking with Dr. Stephen Sideroff. This is a conversation you will want to listen to multiple times, or at least have a notepad with you so you can jot down some notes. In fact, you're going to want to listen to this multiple times because it's packed with incredib...
May 08, 2024•49 min
How does one reach the pivotal moment that propels them into the next chapter of their life? For our guest today, that moment unfolded in a Starbucks, where Jeff Eamers stumbled upon a newspaper ad seeking volunteers for suicide prevention. Having battled his own demons for years, Jeff saw this not just as an opportunity, but as a calling. In his past life, Jeff wore many hats—writer, director, producer, counselor—all while battling the tumultuous challenges of bipolar disorder. Now, he's found ...
Apr 24, 2024•56 min
What could be more crucial as we enter Chapter X than knowing our purpose? Today, I’m happy to have Ian Chamandy on board. He’s developed a groundbreaking program aimed at helping people define their purpose. Ian is no stranger to purpose-driven work. As a founding partner of Blueprint Business Architecture, he's helped hundreds of companies define their unique essence in seven words or less. But Ian's mission goes beyond corporate boardrooms. He firmly believes that every single one of us has a...
Apr 10, 2024•46 min
Today, we're catching up with Richard Eisenberg, who embarked on his "unretirement" journey in 2022 after stepping away from his role as Managing Editor for Next Avenue. Over the past two years, Richard has gracefully navigated this new chapter, balancing writing, mentoring, volunteering, and personal exploration alongside his wife. As he continues to carve out his path, he generously shares his insights and experiences with us once again. I’m thrilled to reconnect with Richard and dive into his...
Mar 27, 2024•31 min
