logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
1h 6m

How to Navigate Mid-life Transitions as ...

Dave Asprey
About this episode

Learn how to expand your wisdom, cultivate a generous culture, invest in mentorship, and thrive in relationships as a leader.

Chip Conley, MBA, talks with Dave in Austin about the concept of wisdom, transcending age boundaries, and the importance of writing down life lessons. He firmly believes that curiosity is the elixir of life.

He also explores the paradigm shift in company culture, where focusing on “cultural add” rather than “cultural fit” can foster innovation and diversity. Drawing on his experience that propelled Airbnb’s success, Chip uncovers how Airbnb maintains its strong cultural focus through cultural values interviews and company-wide gatherings.

A big part of mid-life includes navigating and understanding different generations, especially in the workplace. Chip earned the name “Modern Elder” in a surreptitious way through his work with much younger employees. Airbnb looked to Chip’s sustained success in the hospitality space and asked him to help transform their start-up into the world’s leading hospitality brand more than a decade ago. He came on to lead Global Hospitality and Strategy.

Then 52, he was twice the age of the average Airbnb employee. This earned him the title “Airbnb's Modern Elder” who was as curious as he was wise. He’s currently the company’s Strategic Advisor for Hospitality and Leadership.

That experience influenced Chip to create the Modern Elder Academy—a new roadmap for midlife and learning opportunities—at an oceanfront campus in Baja California Sur, Mexico. 

Chip’s also a New York Times bestselling author, an in-demand public speaker (especially TEDtalks!) and is on the advisory council for the Stanford Center on Longevity.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Find all the links and resources in the show notes.  

SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE HUMAN UPGRADE LISTENERS: Learn more about Modern Elder Academy at https://www.modernelderacademy.com and use code DAVE20 to save 20% off in-person workshops, MEA Online, or Sabbatical Sessions. *Offer valid throughout 2023 (some minor restrictions may apply).

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Live Fireside Chat: Dr. Mark Hyman & Chip Conley: The universe aligned to bring Dr. Mark Hyman and Chip Conley to Austin to talk with Dave on The Human Upgrade recently. If you missed Mark’s chat with Dave about how to be “Young Forever," listen here. Then, Dr. Mark and Chip connected for a Live Fireside Chat—listen here!

WE APPRECIATE OUR PARTNERS. CHECK THEM OUT! 

Great Sleep & Refreshed Mornings: https://neurohacker.com/asprey, use code DAVE to get an extra 15% off

9th Annual Biohacking Conference: https://biohackingconference.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
May 22
Ayurveda Meets Biohacking: 5000-Year-Old Medicine Secrets for Modern Stress | Mona Sharma : 1284
This episode reveals the ancient health protocols Western medicine forgot, and how they are now being used to heal stress, rewire the nervous system, and radically improve human performance. Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@Dav ... Show More
59m 11s
May 20
The Biohacker’s Guide to CIA Mind Control & Brainwashing : 1283
You’re being programmed, and it’s more subtle and pervasive than you think. From invisible influence to psychological manipulation, this episode shows you how to recognize when your thoughts aren’t really yours. Host Dave Asprey uncovers the hidden science of mind control with Ha ... Show More
1h 3m
May 16
Military Tech Goes Public: Think 30% Faster with This Brain Hack | Geoffrey Woo : 1282
Your brain runs slow when it’s running on the wrong fuel. In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Dave Asprey sits down with Geoffrey Woo, Stanford-trained computer scientist and founder of Ketone-IQ, to reveal the high-performance brain fuel once reserved for Special Forces and el ... Show More
1h 26m
Recommended Episodes
Apr 24
The Modern Elder: Chip Conley On Reframing Midlife, Cultivating True Wisdom & Finding Purpose In Life's Second Half
Chip Conley is a hospitality maverick, founder of Modern Elder Academy, and the entrepreneurial sage who helped transform Airbnb from a startup to a global phenomenon. This conversation explores midlife as a chrysalis rather than a crisis—a transformative journey from ego to soul ... Show More
2h 5m
Apr 18
The Midlife Makeover: Redefining Success and Happiness After 40 with Chip Conley
In this episode, Chip Conley defines a midlife makeover and how to redefine success and happiness after 40. He shares how the most difficult stretches of his life ended up being the start of something completely new. Chip also explains the pull of the ego, the search for identity ... Show More
45m 44s
Sep 2024
Psychological Safety in the Workplace: Session 274 with John Austin
Dr. John Austin returns to the show to discuss a topic that we touched on briefly back in Session 230: Psychological Safety. While the idea of Psychological Safety might seem overly conceptual in nature, John breaks down what he thinks about it in very easily understood and measu ... Show More
1h 7m
Jan 2025
E073 - The Anti-Aging Routine That Actually Works (Biohacking Guide) | Dave Asprey
This week, I’m joined by the father of biohacking, Dave Asprey. The pioneer behind the global movement that has transformed the way people optimise their health and performance. With decades of experience in biohacking, Dave has authored multiple bestsellers and founded companies ... Show More
1h 44m
Jun 2024
Biohacking with Dave Asprey
Today I am sitting down with my friend, Dave Asprey. Dave is the father of Biohacking and has been a friend and mentor for years. We discuss all things longevity and biohacking! About Dave: Dave Asprey is best known as the founder of Bulletproof Coffee and the entire Biohacking m ... Show More
1h 13m
Jul 2024
Exploring Pain Science with Paul Ingraham: From Massage Therapy to Scientific Writing
In this episode, we welcome Paul, a former massage therapist turned scientific writer, who shares his journey from clinical practice to founding the PainScience.com website. Paul discusses the evolution of his career, the challenges of transitioning to science writing, and the im ... Show More
52m 6s
Jul 2024
Timeless Wisdom: Navigating Aging with Confidence
Meet Karen Viesta, a certified health and lifestyle coach dedicated to empowering women in midlife. As the founder of Wellegent Women Coaching, she specializes in guiding women over 50 who are eager to age powerfully. With a passion for holistic wellness, she offers personalized ... Show More
50m 58s
Apr 13
#1319 - Sadhguru at GL Bajaj Institute — Youth and Truth
In December 2022, GL Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management hosted Sadhguru at its campus in Noida, where students asked Sadhguru their burning questions, ranging from drug addiction, and introspection, to inspiration, and the Save Soil movement.Set the context for a joyful ... Show More
1h 12m
Dec 2024
PRETTY CURIOUS | What Should I Do To My Face? With Dr. Anthony Youn
We’re going under the metaphorical scalpel today on Pretty Curious with Dr. Anthony Youn! We’re tackling everything from upper and lower eyelid surgery (or upper blephs & lower blephs as we refer to them in this episode) to the importance of diet and giving the body the opportuni ... Show More
47m 58s
Oct 2024
Waking Up to Your Authentic Self with Paul Scanlon
In this thought-provoking episode, Caggie is joined by Paul Scanlon, a renowned public speaker, author, and personal development coach, known for his transformative leadership, communication, and self-awareness work. Paul shares his journey of awakening and explains how it has sh ... Show More
56m 2s