Chapter X with Michael Kay

Michael F Kay
  • 5.0 (53)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Chapter X with Michael Kay

Navigating your next chapter after traditional work requires a new kind of bravery—especially for men. Michael and his guests speak straight to how to overcome the conditioning of our hard-charging career years and explore what will bring us fulfillment.

  1. JUL 2

    The Stories We Tell Ourselves with John Geraghty

    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 talk about how small steps, honest self-reflection, and contribution to others can create a life you’re excited to live.   We discussed:   Why leisure doesn’t lead to lasting fulfillment How to discover your “zone of genius” to build a life that lights you up The importance of identity beliefs in shaping what’s possible  Why the idea of flow matters for purpose and happiness Why your most rewarding years may still lie ahead   Connect with John:   Visit John's website Follow John on LinkedIn The Prism of Perspective Podcast

    46 min

  2. JUN 18

    Get Busy Living with Alex Potts

    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 go, and how to step into your next chapter with curiosity and purpose.   We discussed:   The money lessons Alex learned when there wasn’t enough How caregiving redefined what legacy means to him What the first day after stepping down actually felt like Why our purpose changes—and how Alex learned to follow it What a simple “just thinking of you” text can really mean The movie line that’s guided him for 25 years

    51 min

  3. JUN 4

    When It’s Time to Pivot with Agi Keramidas

    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 country with no safety net. We explore the role of self-awareness, the discomfort that often comes with growth, and how small, deliberate actions can open the door to a more meaningful life. You’ll hear about: Leaving a life that looked “fine” but didn’t feel right How Agi moved to a new country with two suitcases and no real plan Why podcasting opened a door to something more meaningful Building a morning routine that shapes the rest of the day The gap between insight and action (and how to close it) A two-minute exercise for naming your purpose Resources Personal Development Mastery Follow Agi on LinkedIn

    43 min

  4. MAY 21

    You Are Not Your Resume with Rich Alderton

    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 of us are for life’s biggest transitions.   Today, Rich joins me to talk about how to shift your mindset in the face of uncertainty, reframe fear as opportunity, and rediscover purpose in Chapter X.   We discussed:   Why we resist change (and how to stop fighting it) The mental tool that makes uncertainty more manageable What personal purpose looks like in life after work How to move from fearing change to finding freedom in it Redefining success when there’s no one left to grade you   Resources High Performance Change  Follow Rich on LinkedIn

    51 min

  5. MAY 7

    Living the Ikigai Way with David Marlow

    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, and for paying attention to the parts of your life that make you feel most alive. We talk about identity, daily rituals, the power of reflection, and how a few small steps can open the door to something meaningful.   We also explore:   What ikigai means (and what it doesn’t) How to quiet the noise enough to hear what’s true for you Why a beginner’s mindset is key to moving forward What it looks like to create your own “ikiverse” How old memories and stories can point you back to what matters most   Resources: Follow David on LinkedIn  Subscribe to the Ikiquest Newsletter David’s website   Where to find The Ikigai Way:  Amazon   Barnes and Noble  Wiley Books

    46 min

  6. APR 23

    Richard Eisenberg Talks Unretirement

    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 personal finance books and a proud Northwestern grad.   In our conversation, Richard shares his latest stories on medical debt, telehealth access, and the renewed value of travel advisors. He also opens up about caring for his mom during her dementia journey and what it taught him about starting financial conversations early.   Listen in to hear what Richard’s been up to since the last time we spoke.   We discussed:   What “unretirement” really looks like in practice The importance of having early financial conversations with aging parents Why telehealth access matters—and what could happen if it’s rolled back A fresh look at travel advisors and how they’re evolving Richard’s book recommendations and resources for deeper learning The challenge of caregiving for aging parents with dementia Resources The View From Unretirement Next Avenue Fortune | Richard Eisenberg Fodor’s Travel    Friends Talk Money   The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne The Purpose Code by Jordan Grumet Retirement Intelligence by Robert Laura

    34 min

  7. APR 10

    Letting Go of Old Identities with Jordan Grumet, MD

    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 a life-altering shift.   Jordan, an author and host of the Earn & Invest podcast, brings a perspective shaped by both his work in hospice care and his own experience of stepping away from a path that no longer felt right.   It’s a conversation about what happens when we let go of old identities and start figuring out what comes next. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why purpose feels like such a monumental challenge in retirement Jordan’s story of legacy, loss, and what medicine couldn’t give him The slow burn of professional misalignment and how he woke up to it How powerful external voices influence our life choices The Purpose Code path forward into a more meaningful second act   Resources jordangrumet.com The Purpose Code

    36 min

  8. MAR 26

    Planning a Home for Aging in Place with Greg Cantori

    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 accessible, supportive home solutions. Today, he runs Little Deeds, a company dedicated to making homes safer and more accessible for aging individuals.   Your home should support you as you age. Find out how Greg is helping make that a reality for so many. We discussed:   How universal design makes homes safer and more accessible as we age Greg’s career journey—and how it led him to create Little Deeds The challenges people face with aging in place  Simple ways to make your home safer and more accessible Why it’s important to plan ahead with home modifications   Resources   Little Deeds

    51 min
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5
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Navigating your next chapter after traditional work requires a new kind of bravery—especially for men. Michael and his guests speak straight to how to overcome the conditioning of our hard-charging career years and explore what will bring us fulfillment.

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