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...
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The Stories We Tell Ourselves with John Geraghty
Chapter X with Michael Kay
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...
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Get Busy Living with Alex Potts
Chapter X with Michael Kay
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...
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When It’s Time to Pivot with Agi Keramidas
Chapter X with Michael Kay
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...
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You Are Not Your Resume with Rich Alderton
Chapter X with Michael Kay
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...
info_outlineDavid 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:
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Where to find The Ikigai Way: