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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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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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...
info_outlineChapter 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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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...
info_outlineChapter 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...
info_outlineChapter 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...
info_outlineChapter 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 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...
info_outlineChapter 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_outlineI’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 Island and a message from his grandfather that changed everything. We also talk about why so many people feel stuck, how shame holds us back, and what it means to live in a way that aligns with your values.
We talk about:
Glen’s early years in the music industry (and what it really taught him)
The burnout that brought him to a breaking point
Why so many high-achievers feel lost
The six traits of stuckness (and the six attributes of the heart)
What it looks like to grow, evolve, and stay true to yourself at any age
Glen’s HeartFinders project and how it helps people reconnect with their purpose
Connect with Glenn:
Visit go.heartfinders.co for a free lesson or free consultation