We are living longer and healthier lives than at any other time in history. The traditional three boxes of life—education, work, retirement—no longer fit. Instead, people are weaving together learning, earning, and leisure across the lifespan, with an emphasis on meaning and purpose at every life stage.
In this insightful conversation, longevity expert Simon Chan and The Midlife Academy hosts Kate Schaefers and Megan Voorhees talk about planning for longer lives, making purposeful transitions, and embracing the opportunities that come at midlife and beyond.
Simon Chan is the founder and CEO of Adapt with Intent Inc., a strategic advisory firm that helps senior leadership teams thrive in a multigenerational society. A trusted thought leader in the global longevity movement, Simon is passionate about creating actionable solutions that address demographic shifts, inspire innovation, and empower organizations to thrive in a future defined by longer lifespans and generational diversity. Simon is an ambassador for the Stanford Center on Longevity, is on the advisory board for Yale School of Management’s Experienced Leaders Initiative, and co-chairs The Nexel Collaborative, a global alliance that fosters midlife transitions programs in higher education. He has over 25 years of executive experience across financial services, technology, academia, and nonprofits.
Kate Schaefers, PhD, is the director, Lifelong Learning at the University of Minnesota.
Megan Voorhees is the course facilitator for The Midlife Academy course "Cultivating Purpose."
Conversation Highlights:
0:00:00 – Welcome to The Midlife Academy
0:01:36 – The Longevity Movement: Why Your Career Path Is Changing
0:04:48 – From a Linear Career to a Non-Linear Life
0:12:06 – Redefining Retirement: How to Connect Your Money to Your Purpose
0:15:02 – How to Navigate a Career Pivot
0:21:20 – The Value of Community in Personal Growth
0:23:05 – Is an Employment Gap Okay? The New Rules of Hiring
0:25:48 – Finding Your "North Star" for Your Next Chapter
0:28:46 – The Financial Reality of Working Longer and How to Plan for It
0:31:04 – How to Negotiate for Work-Life Balance and Flexibility
0:37:22 – The New Map of Life: A Blueprint for Navigating Longevity
0:41:02 – Why Higher Ed Is the Place to Explore Your Next Career Chapter
0:43:45 – The Value of Intergenerational Mentorship and Learning
0:45:05 – The Shift from Career Success to Personal Significance
0:48:43 – How to Showcase Your Transferable Skills to Hiring Managers
0:51:01 – Gaining Experience and Credibility Through Volunteering and "Midships"
0:52:57 – Advocating for Systemic Change in the Modern Workplace
0:53:19 – The Synergy Between Older and Younger Workers
0:56:36 – The Power of Your Mindset on Longevity and Health
0:59:13 – Closing Thoughts and Course Announcement
