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...

  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 epi...

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...

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 m...

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, b...

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 li...

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,...

  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.   O...

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...

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 be...

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 mo...

Richard Eisenberg is back. And this time, we're diving into what his unretirement looks like now.    If you don't know Richard's story, he's an "unretired" journalist who writes a column for MarketWatch and freelances for Next Avenue, Fortune, AARP, and Fodor's. Richard calls this chapter "unretirement" — living it with purpose and intention.   Before all that, he was an editor at Next Avenue and...

What happens when the career you built your life around stops feeling like it fits? Today, I'm talking to Jordan Grummet about what it really looks like to wrestle with purpose—especially during big life transitions like retirement.   Jordan opens up about losing his father at a young age, pursuing medicine to honor his legacy, and eventually realizing that career wasn't fulfilling him. We covered...

Only 5% of homes in the U.S. are moderately accessible. Stairways, sunken living rooms, poorly designed bathrooms, and trip hazards are just the start.    Greg Cantore's journey has spanned bicycle mechanics to defense work and leading nonprofit programs. But his mother-in-law's experience living in a house that wasn't designed for her needs opened his eyes to the bigger issue.   After modifying h...

You don't have to spend hours in the gym to stay strong and mobile as you age. My guest, Mark Firehammer, created myFeelness to help men remain functional without grueling workouts or fitness gimmicks.   At 43, Mark's body started pushing back. There were aches, stiffness, and limits he couldn't ignore. He knew something had to change but wasn't willing to spend hours in the gym.   That led him to...

If you had to make an important healthcare decision today, would you know what to do?   My guest, Dr. Corinne Auman , is an expert in aging. She helps people and families figure out senior healthcare, retirement planning, and life's unexpected changes. She's a psychologist, CEO of Choice Care Navigators, and author of Keenagers.   Most of us don't think about aging until we have to, like when a pa...

Today, we're taking a different approach. Instead of focusing on men's transitions, we're diving into the journey women face in their next chapter.   My guest, T. Kari Mitchell (TK), is a transformational speaker, author, and integrative wellness coach who has dedicated her second half to helping women reclaim their health, confidence, purpose, and power after retirement so they can truly flourish...

With freedom comes the risk of losing direction. When we're younger, the world feels full of possibilities. But as we get older, our focus narrows—one job, one partner, one path. Over time, our routines can make it harder to see new opportunities.   In this episode, Paul Wilson explains how mental blocks can keep us stuck and shares how to break free and explore what's still out there. After a bic...

Willie Handler was born to Holocaust survivors. Though his home was loving, the trauma his parents endured left deep scars that shaped his life in ways he only came to understand much later.   During the pandemic, Willie began exploring his family's history and the intergenerational trauma he carried. What started as a way to honor his parents became a transformative journey. It unearthed buried m...

For Larry O'Nan, leaving work behind wasn't about slowing down. It was a chance to step into a new chapter of intentional living and service.    With decades of experience guiding faith-based organizations, Larry raised millions for global initiatives and inspired others to lead with purpose. But his journey didn't stop there.   Redefining what it means to live fully, Larry has embraced failure as...

At 70, Edward Doherty ran a virtual Boston Marathon. At 72, he published his first book. If anyone knows the secret to defying odds, it's him. Ed is a man who radiates optimism—his story not only touched my heart but also reignited my spirit, and I'm sure it will do the same for you.   In this episode, Ed takes us through his journey from the restaurant industry to consulting, after a pandemic-ind...

We've all heard the 'find your why' advice, but what if it's not about that at all? Today, my guest is Blair Dunkley, and I'll keep it simple: this conversation is going to be mind-filling, mind-expanding, and honestly, mind-blowing.    Blair's here to break down how we can improve our lives by shifting our behaviors with research-backed methods that are both impactful and surprisingly simple. So,...

As a writer, I've often heard my peers talk about the "evils" of AI over the past couple of years. But truthfully, I don't know much about it myself, which is why I'm so excited to talk to today's guest, Justin Simpson.   Justin brings a lifetime of business experience, and now, in his "Chapter X," he's exploring the world of AI with new imagination and curiosity. You might be wondering, "What doe...

Imagine 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 strug...

Imagine the possibilities when men come together in a supportive atmosphere. In the Chapter X community, I've seen firsthand how this freedom allows us to be our true selves—and that's where real growth happens.    Today, I'm excited to introduce you to Bodhi Aldridge, a man whose life story is a testament to the power of self-discovery and purpose.    Bodhi has traveled the world as a father, gra...