Chapter X with Michael Kay

In a world where conformity often reigns, creativity is the rebellion that fuels progress and transformation. Our guest today delves into the depths of imagination and creative thinking, unearthing the potential that lies within each of us.

Rich Kirkpatrick writes, consults, and speaks about the intersection of creativity, faith and leadership. In 2022 he authored MINDBLOWN: Unlock Your Creative Genius by Bridging Science and Magic. He is also a musician, songwriter and recording artist with the group A Beautiful Liturgy. Rich is based in the East San Francisco Bay Area, CA.

If you've ever wondered how to tap into your creative side, regardless of whether you consider yourself creative, you're in for a treat. I hope Rich's insight will leave you inspired and eager to explore the endless possibilities of your own imagination.

We discussed:

• How to become more creative (when you’re not naturally creative)
• The surprising reason why failing is more important than you think
• Why we must learn to practice embracing the awkward moments
• The difference between innovation vs. creativity
• Why your creativity dies without clear boundaries or structure
• Finding the capacity to become more than we were the day before

https://rkblog.com

Get a free book sample of Rich's book

Rich on Facebook

We often mistake experience for wisdom. But today, our guest challenges this notion. Wisdom isn't just about ourselves; it's about the legacy we craft. How do we become good ancestors and leave the world better than the one we entered?

Join me in a conversation with Nikos Patedakis, a philosopher dedicated to unleashing wisdom and compassion. Brace yourself—the ideas exchanged in our conversation were nothing short of mind-expanding.

Nikos, armed with multiple philosophy degrees, including a PhD, wields wisdom, love, and beauty to transform lives. Through his role as a consulting philosopher and educator, he reshapes individuals, cultures, and our world. In this episode, we explore wisdom traditions and the need to deepen one's understanding of oneself and the mind.

We discussed:

What it means to have a wisdom-based approach to life

How to weave a lifetime of your experiences into wisdom

Considering your legacy and how you would love to be remembered

Why mindfulness makes life much more interesting as you age

The concept of ‘training for death’ (and why you shouldn’t put it off)

Why leaving work behind isn’t really about filling a void in your life

Free resources on compassion training: https://dangerouswisdom.org/meditations

Nikos’ book recommendations on the subject of living well and dying well:

The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now by Thich Nhat Hanh

Dying with Confidence: A Tibetan Buddhist Guide to Preparing for Death by Anyen Rinpoche

The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us about Living Fully by Frank Ostaseski

How We Live Is How We Die by Pema Chodron

The documentary Tukdam

Interview with Doug Tallamy about creating the world's biggest national park in your own backyard

To start off the new year, I decided to try something new. Each month, our Chapter X community gathers on Zoom to discuss a specific topic. And today, you're in for a treat—this podcast episode features a recording from our final Chapter X meeting of the year.

During this gathering, we reflected on 2023 and our aspirations for 2024: What lessons did it bring? What changes are we seeking or what growth are we aiming for? What insights emerged from both successes and challenges?

I believe that sharing these reflections could offer guidance to those navigating their own journeys—after all, that's what Chapter X is all about. I hope you find this conversation intriguing, engaging, and perhaps it might even inspire you to join our monthly gatherings.

In this meeting, we explored topics such as:

Why managing expectations becomes key in navigating the new experiences and challenges of this stage of life

How remaining present and savoring every moment is a necessary challenge for your personal well-being

Stoic philosophy and the idea of choosing how we respond to situations

The impact of your family upbringing on shaping your outlook on the world

Why letting go of worrying about external factors and honing in on what we can control in life is a powerful mindset

The emotional hurdles of taking on new endeavors and shielding our self-worth from the judgments of others

https://michaelfkay.com/connect/community/

Today's episode is a special one, born from an unexpected encounter that unfolded in the lobby of the Hotel Matilde in Budapest this summer. As our two-week journey began, I had the privilege of crossing paths with an individual who would soon become not just a fellow traveler but a friend.

Throughout those days in Budapest and the subsequent weeks of our journey, we shared experiences that left lasting impressions. We reveled in the rich sights, sounds, flavors, and the occasional cocktail, all while exploring the wonders of this beautiful city with Mario Bofill and his wife, as well as other fellow travelers.

Mario Bofill, an adventurer and an accomplished professional, was born in Matanzas, Cuba, and embarked on a remarkable journey that took him from Cuba to the United States. His career spanned various roles, including leadership in Lean Six Sigma, corporate auditing, and efficiency management in renowned companies. Now retired, he enjoys the dream life in Florida with his family and furry companion, Symi.

I couldn't help but be captivated by his profound insights. So, when I approached him with the idea of joining us on this podcast, he graciously agreed. Today, I'm thrilled to bring you a conversation with a dear friend, Mario Bofill.

We discussed:

Mario’s incredible childhood journey from Cuba to Spain to Long Island

His traveling career in the PC business that spanned 800,000 miles

Why Mario believes he should have retired earlier in his career

The serenity in post-retirement life through quality time with his spouse and hobbies

How to embrace leaving work behind with a roadmap (and eliminate fear)

The value of celebrating successes—and finding wisdom in life's challenges

In Yiddish, there's an expression, "bashert," meaning that some things are destined to happen. Last September, I had the privilege of attending my first writers' conference, and amid a wealth of wisdom and inspiration, fate led me to a serendipitous meeting with today's guest.

David T. Cohen, a retired attorney turned aspiring novelist, brings a wealth of experience to the table. He spent three decades as a litigator at the U.S. Department of Justice and is now crafting epic fantasy novels. In this episode, he guides us through his retirement decision—a story driven by the desire for quality time with loved ones and the pursuit of lifelong dreams.

David openly addresses the challenges of shedding a career-centric identity, fervently advocating for creative, physical, community-focused, and social engagement as the keys to a fulfilling retirement. Despite missing his legal career, he finds a sense of purpose in writing and emphasizes the enduring importance of making a difference in retirement.

We discussed:

How the tragic loss of a colleague sparked David’s early retirement journey

One universally worthwhile question to ask yourself periodically (at any age)

How to take a sip of retirement before fully embracing the entire experience

Why losing the daily contact with your colleagues leaves an unexpected void

Navigating the transformation from a career-defined identity to a new sense of self

David can be reached at [email protected].