Chip Conley: What it Means to be a Modern Elder

Into the Magic Shop

As a child of two Type-A parents, Chip Conley had his success script written for him. But deep down he knew he was destined to write his own story.

Today, Chip is the bestselling author and thought leader at the intersection of psychology and business. Having founded the Joie de Vivre hotel chain, of which he was CEO for almost 24 years, he then sold the company and became an advisor to the founders of Airbnb, before founding the Modern Elder Academy, which he describes as the world’s first midlife wisdom school.

“I had this epiphany, which was, why do we not have midlife wisdom schools, places where people can go and reimagine and repurpose themselves in midlife, because if we're living longer, and people are often staying in the workplace longer by choice and necessity, we need places where people can do a midlife pitstop.”

In this episode, Chip talks about his life trajectory and the things that make him happy, (including the things that can make all of us happy). He also discusses what it means to be a modern elder, and how having insight changes everything.

“I don't call the midlife crisis a crisis anymore. I call it the midlife chrysalis. Because midlife for a butterfly is the chrysalis. And it is in that dark, gooey space, that the transformation happens between caterpillar and butterfly.”

On today’s podcast:

• How to create a sense of meaning for people
• Why fame is a double-edged sword
• Roles models in the conscious capitalism movement
• Founding the MEA (Modern Elder Academy)

Links:

• https://chipconley.com/