A Better Way to Age with Dr. Ravi Kumar
Chapter X with Michael Kay
Modern medicine can treat almost anything. Yet it often misses the root of what makes us sick. Dr. Ravi Kumar is a neurosurgeon who trained at the Mayo Clinic and spent years in operating rooms before realizing he needed to step away. He sold everything and moved his family to India, where he worked in mission hospitals under the most basic conditions. Those experiences changed the way he views medicine, aging, and what it really means to heal. In this episode, Dr. Kumar shares what he’s learned about the lifestyle choices that support our long-term health. How...
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Beyond Reason with Gregg Korbon
Chapter X with Michael Kay
What happens when life forces us to confront the unexplainable? Today’s guest, Dr. Gregg Korbon, is a retired anesthesiologist whose life took an extraordinary turn after the loss of his nine-year-old son, Brian. A lifelong man of science, Gregg was suddenly faced with experiences that defied logic and ultimately changed the course of his life. In this deeply moving conversation, Gregg shares how tragedy cracked his heart open to a world beyond reason. Together, we explore what it means to find meaning after unimaginable loss—and how love, grief, and trust can...
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Life After the Mic with Peter Haskell
Chapter X with Michael Kay
For nearly 30 years, Peter Haskell’s voice was a familiar one across New York. As a reporter for WCBS Newsradio 880, he covered some of the region’s most defining moments. When a rare vocal disorder forced Peter to step away from the microphone, it brought an unexpected crossroads. What followed was a shift toward gratitude, purpose, and a renewed belief in the power of stories and kindness. Today, Peter continues his lifelong calling to tell meaningful stories through his work with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and as an adjunct professor of journalism at Fordham...
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Hiking the Appalachian Trail at 72 with Rand Timmerman
Chapter X with Michael Kay
At 68 years old, Rand Timmerman looked in the mirror and thought his life was over. A decorated Vietnam War veteran and successful attorney, he had been undone by alcoholism and the toll of PTSD. Yet what seemed like the end became the beginning of a new path. Now more than a decade sober, Rand shares how recovery gave him the strength to take on an extraordinary challenge with his brother: hiking the Appalachian Trail in their seventies. Along the way, they faced storms, solitude, and moments of reckoning that reshaped how Rand understands resilience, purpose, and second chances....
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Finding Your Path After Loss with Ray Martin
Chapter X with Michael Kay
What happens when life as you know it is suddenly pulled out from under you? For Ray Martin, the unraveling of his marriage, the death of his father, and the collapse of his career all came within months of each other. Left with nothing familiar to hold onto, Ray made a choice to let go of clinging to the life he had built. What began as a six-month sabbatical turned into a 14-year journey across Asia. Along the way, Ray discovered mindfulness and a new definition of success that wasn’t tied to titles, possessions, or status. His experiences became the foundation of his book Life Without a...
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Reinvention at Any Age with David Danon
Chapter X with Michael Kay
Life after work doesn’t come with a roadmap. But my guest today shows what can happen when you stay curious and keep saying “yes.” David Danon has worn many hats: sailor, hair stylist, yoga teacher, Hollywood crew member, and musician. Now, in his seventies, he continues to surf, foil, and coach others on healthy aging. His journey is proof that reinvention can happen at any age. In this episode, David shares: How sailing and surfing shaped his outlook on life Why curiosity has opened unexpected doors throughout his journey The lessons yoga and meditation...
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Still Exploring with Thom Barrett
Chapter X with Michael Kay
Some people step into retirement without a clear plan, while others see it as an open canvas. My guest today, Thom Barrett, retired at 55 after a successful career at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and chose to fill his canvas with adventure, creativity, and service. From kayaking off the coast of Antarctica to building furniture in his workshop, Thom has lived a life of bold exploration. Even as he faces stage four cancer, he continues to write, travel, and approach each day with intention. In this episode, we discuss: Why Thom chose to retire early and pursue adventure How travel and time in...
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What Your Doctor Won’t Ask with Dr. Elliot Justin
Chapter X with Michael Kay
Most of my conversations on Chapter X explore purpose, meaning, and navigating life after a career. Today’s episode takes us in another direction. My guest is Dr. Elliot Justin, founder of FirmTech and an expert in men’s sexual health. Today, we talk about why sexual health is often left out of the conversation in the doctor’s office. We also look at how technology and data can enhance the way men monitor and improve their performance. Plus, Dr. Justin takes us on his journey from a career in emergency medicine to developing a smart “erection ring” that tracks...
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What Else Might Be Possible with Aaron French
Chapter X with Michael Kay
What would it take to trust something you can’t explain? Aaron French didn’t plan to become a spiritual mentor. He began as a biologist, then built a successful corporate career. On the surface, everything seemed great. But underneath, he felt pulled in a different direction. In this episode, we talk about how that shift unfolded and what it’s like to follow moments that don’t always make sense, but still feel meaningful. You don’t need to believe in anything mystical to listen. You just need to be curious about what else might be possible, especially in this next phase of life. We...
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6 Signs You’re Stuck with Dr. Glenn Berger
Chapter X with Michael Kay
I’ve always been drawn to people who’ve done the hard work of figuring themselves out. Dr. Glenn Berger is one of those people. At 17, he was working in one of the top recording studios alongside Bob Dylan and Frank Sinatra. By 37, he was writing jingles for toys, using drugs every day, and wondering how his life had gotten so far off track. In this episode, Glenn shares how he felt lost in life and what helped him feel like himself again. It’s one of the most personal and thoughtful conversations I’ve had in a long time. He tells the story of a trip to Ellis...
info_outlineImagine 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-founder of MELD. It's a community focused on helping men reconnect with their emotions and bodies. With over thirty years in men’s emotional wellness, Owen has created programs that blend emotional understanding with peer support to help men, and now women thrive.
What Owen does is incredibly important for living authentically. In this episode, we’ll dive into a major challenge men face today: being disconnected from their emotions.
We discuss:
What inspired Owen to start working with men 30 years ago
Why society tells men to disassociate from emotions
One simple way to talk to men about their feelings
The impact community and relationships has on men
Owen’s method for reconnecting with your body
Breaking the pattern of emotional distance across generations
Resources
Couples retreat in Costa Rica for Valentine’s Day 2025