What does navigating midlife have in common with improv comedy? In this episode of The Midlife Academy Podcast, program manager Bri Smith sits down with Jim Robinson — an alumnus of the Brave New Workshop, co-founder of Table Salt Productions, and psychology instructor — to answer that very question.

Together, they explore the surprising parallels between improv theater and real-life midlife shifts. Jim shares how the principles of improv — such as letting go of past narratives, discovering instead of forcing creativity, making peace with failure and practicing "yes, and" — can help us navigate uncertainty, reframe identity and step into our next chapter with greater ease and curiosity.

Podcast host Bri Smith is the program manager for Lifelong Learning at the University of Minnesota College of Continuing and Professional Studies. Learn more about The Midlife Academy: ⁠⁠midlife.umn.edu

Our guest for episode 9 is Tim Houlihan, co-founder of the Behavioral Grooves podcast [https://behavioralgrooves.com/] and founder of BehavioralAlchemy LLC, to explore what behavioral science can teach us about "why we do what we do" during midlife. Tim shares his own transition from corporate executive to a "portfolio career" that blends consulting, podcasting and music.Tim discusses the critical role of luck and serendipity, explaining how paying attention and saying "yes" to "perfectly ridiculous" ideas can lead to unexpected professional credibility. Whether you are navigating a career shift or looking to maintain a lifelong passion, this conversation offers a look at how understanding human psychology can help build the bridge between where you are and where you want to be.Episode Highlights 00:01:20 – The role of luck and serendipity: Tim discusses how being born into certain circumstances and getting breaks along the way were major factors in his career path. 00:02:35 – Keeping passions alive: The importance of maintaining hobbies, such as Tim’s lifelong commitment to music, even during busy career stages. 00:04:00 – Life lessons from the stage: How being a musician—hustling for gigs and reading a live audience—offers similar feedback and lessons to entrepreneurship. 00:05:10 – Building a portfolio career: Tim explains how his current roles unfolded from a combination of his existing skillsets and an openness to serendipity. 00:06:15 – Saying "yes" to ridiculous ideas: How a suggestion to record a meetup in 2017 grew into a podcast with over 500 episodes and listeners in 120 countries. 00:07:20 – Leveraging hidden skills: A story about how a college professor’s observation that Tim "asked good questions" eventually informed his success as a podcaster. 00:09:00 – Professional credibility through passion projects: How the Behavioral Grooves podcast became a primary reason Tim was hired for a major executive role at Truist Bank. 00:09:40 – Defining Behavioral Science: A brief primer on how the field merges economics and human psychology to explain decision-making. 00:11:00 – Bridging the gap: Using behavioral science to identify predictable errors and biases to move from current behaviors to desired outcomes.

Explore The Midlife AcademyReady to redefine your purpose and direction? Whether you're exploring new career paths, rethinking life goals, or simply seeking renewed meaning, you'll get expert insights via online and in-person courses, webinars, and podcasts. Discover what's next at The Midlife Academy: https://ccaps.umn.edu/midlife-academy

Caregiving is a central theme for many in midlife, yet those providing the care are often overlooked. In this episode, TMA Program Manager Bri Smith talks with Allison Breininger, founder of the nonprofit The Negative Space (thenegativespace.life), about shifting the focus from the patient to the person supporting them. Drawing on over 15 years of experience caring for her husband through a rare genetic disease, Allison discusses the physical and emotional toll of caregiving and the dire need for systemic change in how medical and community spaces acknowledge caregivers.The conversation explores the "sandwich generation" reality of juggling care for parents and children while maintaining a career. Allison offers practical strategies for navigating burnout, reclaiming identity beyond the caregiving role, and moving toward "community care." For friends and family looking to help, she provides specific advice on how to offer support that truly lightens the load without adding to a caregiver's mental burden.Episode Highlights00:01:11 – The Negative Space: Allison shares her journey into caregiving and founding a nonprofit for those in the background. 00:03:00 – Visibility Initiatives: Partnering with health systems to ensure caregivers feel seen and acknowledged in clinical spaces. 00:05:08 – The Next Patient: Discussing how the intense demands of caregiving directly impact the caregiver's own health. 00:05:53 – Sandwich Caregiving: Navigating the pressures of caring for multiple generations while managing work and life. 00:08:28 – Sustainable Pacing: Evaluating the long-term sustainability of caregiving and learning when to put down "spinning plates". 00:11:03 – Burnout Tools: Using micro-moments and realistic self-care to return to a "thinking brain" during exhaustion. 00:14:16 – Identity and Adjectives: Shifting self-perception from nouns and roles to personal traits and values to maintain identity. 00:17:13 – Community Care: Moving beyond "bright-siding" toward specific, actionable help and validated listening for caregivers.Allison MentionsThe Negative Space: https://thenegativespace.life/"In Sickness" Podcast: https://insickness.care/The Storyline: https://www.thenegativespace.life/storyline/storyline-home/.Listen and subscribe to this podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Explore The Midlife AcademyReady to redefine your purpose and direction? Whether you're exploring new career paths, rethinking life goals, or simply seeking renewed meaning, you'll get expert insights via online and in-person courses, webinars, and podcasts. Discover what's next at The Midlife Academy on the Midlife Academy website.#MidlifeAcademy #CaregiverSupport #SandwichGeneration #MidlifeTransitions #CommunityCare #TheNegativeSpace #TMAPodcast

In this episode, The Midlife Academy Program Manager Bri Smith sits down with Dr. Ellen J. Kennedy, the founder and executive director of World Without Genocide. Dr. Kennedy shares her unconventional, non-linear career path, moving from a decades-long career as a marketing professor to becoming a leading voice for global human rights.

Driven by the Jewish principle of tikkun olam, or "repair of the world," she discusses her "zero or full" approach to life and the "hippity hop brain" that led her to earn two PhDs and three master's degrees across diverse fields.

The conversation explores the concept of self-efficacy and the importance of recognizing "points of entry" for social change. Dr. Kennedy recounts the pivotal moment a student's question — "What are we going to do about this?" — transformed her academic interest in genocide into urgent, legislative advocacy.

By highlighting her intergenerational mentorship with a younger activist and her strategies for avoiding burnout in heartbreaking work, she offers a powerful masterclass on aligning personal identity with a larger global mission.

Episode Highlights

00:01:11 – The "hippity hop brain": Embracing a non-linear career path through curiosity.

00:03:34 – Tikkun Olam: How a childhood foundation in social justice shaped a lifelong framework.

00:06:51 – Leap and figure it out: Choosing "full speed" over a traditional pros-and-cons calculus.

00:10:45 – The role of self-efficacy: Believing in your ability to see a mission through to the end.

00:13:30 – Building sincere connections: Why networking should be relational rather than transactional.

00:16:40 – The "Rwanda Moment": How a student's challenge sparked the creation of World Without Genocide.

00:18:50 – Intergenerational learning: Gaining wisdom and inspiration from those younger than ourselves.

00:25:30 – Managing "whooped" days: Healthy ways to sustain yourself while doing difficult work.

Listen and subscribe to this podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Explore The Midlife Academy

Ready to redefine your purpose and direction? Whether you're exploring new career paths, rethinking life goals, or simply seeking renewed meaning, you'll get expert insights via online and in-person courses, webinars, and podcasts. Discover what's next at The Midlife Academy.

#MidlifeAcademy #CareerPivot #NextChapter #MidlifeReinvention #MakeTheLeap #SelfEfficacy #HumanRightsAdvocacy #LifelongLearning #Podcast #PersonalGrowth #SocialJustice #TMAPodcast

In this episode of the Midlife Academy Podcast, Bri Smith is joined by Executive Career Transition Coach, George Dow. Since 2010, George has assisted his clients with career assessments, identification of options, and coaching, to help them achieve their desired outcomes.

In this episode of the Midlife Academy Podcast, Bri Smith is joined by Midlife Academy instructor, Courtney Burton. Courtney's eight week course, Next Chapter Reset: Creating Momentum is designed for those ready to make some changes in their life who are looking for direction, inspiration, connections, and help in moving forward.

In this episode of the Midlife Academy Podcast, Bri Smith is joined by Jeannie Stumne for a discussion of a topic that is likely familiar to us all -- burnout. Jeannie is a trauma-informed burnout and leadership coach who had a successful and meaningful 25-year career in higher education, but left due to reduced wellbeing and burnout after facing a serious health crisis.

For many professionals, a career change can feel intimidating, especially in a world that seems filled with constant turbulence and uncertainty. But what if a midlife pivot isn't a leap of faith, but a series of small, intentional steps? In this episode of The Midlife Academy Podcast, Briana Smith and Kate Schaefers explore how to move past fear, find your core purpose, and build the networks you need to navigate change with confidence.

Megan Vorrhees joins our podcast to talk about how she cultivates daily purpose in her life through work, family, hobbies and more.

Welcome to the Midlife Academy podcast! Join hosts Briana Smith and Kate Schaefers, The Midlife Academy director and program manager, respectively, as they kick off conversations about navigating life's exciting next chapters. Whether you're considering a career shift, rethinking retirement, or simply seeking new meaning, we’re here to explore these journeys with purpose and clarity. Learn more about The Midlife Academy: https://midlife.umn.edu