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 taught him about resilience and peace
• Why vigilance and resolve are essential for healthy aging
• The importance of creating purpose beyond career identity

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Resources:

Visit David's website

Self-Realization Fellowship

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 nature became both refuge and teacher
• The lessons he's learned about acceptance, vulnerability, and mindfulness
• Why he began writing books and travel reflections during his illness
• How he continues to live with purpose and presence despite new limitations

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Resources:

The Edge of Now by Thom Barrett

Living While Dying, Chasing My Northern Lights, and more of Thom's books

Visit Thom's website

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 vital signs most of us don't think to measure.

We discussed:

• How a horse-riding accident set Dr. Justin on a new path
• The surprising link between nocturnal erections and heart health
• Why most men who say "I don't need that" are missing the point
• How data can help tailor treatments and improve sexual performance
• Why Dr. Justin says "put a ring on it" applies to more than relationships

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 discussed:

Why a scientist started listening to something beyond the rational

How nudges show up (and what happens when you ignore them)

The difference between thinking and knowing

Practices that help you tune in, even if you're not "spiritual"

Why gratitude opens more than it resolves

Connect with Aaron:

Website: naturalheartalchemy.com Instagram: @naturalheartalchemy

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 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

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

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

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

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

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