The Midlife Academy at the U of MN
The Midlife Academy podcast is produced by the University of Minnesota. Hosts Briana Smith and Kate Schaefers, the program's director and manager, discuss navigating the next chapters of life. Episodes cover topics such as career changes, retirement planning, and finding new meaning. The show aims to help listeners explore these transitions with purpose and clarity. More information is available at midlife.umn.edu.
Episodes
Aligning Money and Purpose
How do money, purpose and life transitions intersect? In this episode of The Midlife Academy Podcast, host Bri Smith sits down with Kim Brown, President, and Elise Huston, Director of Advisory Services and Senior Advisor, JNBA Financial Advisors, to explore how alignment between financial planning and personal values can transform life’s biggest shifts.Together, they discuss moving away from tradi
The Portal of Possibility
Our guest for episode 9 is Tim Houlihan, co-founder of the Behavioral Grooves podcast [https://behavioralgrooves.com/] and founder of BehavioralAlchemy LLC, to explore what behavioral science can teach us about "why we do what we do" during midlife. Tim shares his own transition from corporate executive to a "portfolio career" that blends consulting, podcasting and music.Tim di
Caring for Caregivers
Caregiving is a central theme for many in midlife, yet those providing the care are often overlooked. In this episode, TMA Program Manager Bri Smith talks with Allison Breininger, founder of the nonprofit The Negative Space (thenegativespace.life), about shifting the focus from the patient to the person supporting them. Drawing on over 15 years of experience caring for her husband through a rare g
Make the Leap
In this episode, The Midlife Academy Program Manager Bri Smith sits down with Dr. Ellen J. Kennedy, the founder and executive director of World Without Genocide. Dr. Kennedy shares her unconventional, non-linear career path, moving from a decades-long career as a marketing professor to becoming a leading voice for global human rights.Driven by the Jewish principle of tikkun olam, or "repair o
Rethinking Work and Retirement: Career Crossroads After 50
In this episode of the Midlife Academy Podcast, Bri Smith is joined by Executive Career Transition Coach, George Dow. Since 2010, George has assisted his clients with career assessments, identification of options, and coaching, to help them achieve their desired outcomes.
Next Chapter Reset: Creating Momentum
In this episode of the Midlife Academy Podcast, Bri Smith is joined by Midlife Academy instructor, Courtney Burton. Courtney's eight week course, Next Chapter Reset: Creating Momentum is designed for those ready to make some changes in their life who are looking for direction, inspiration, connections, and help in moving forward.
Healing from Burnout
In this episode of the Midlife Academy Podcast, Bri Smith is joined by Jeannie Stumne for a discussion of a topic that is likely familiar to us all -- burnout. Jeannie is a trauma-informed burnout and leadership coach who had a successful and meaningful 25-year career in higher education, but left due to reduced wellbeing and burnout after facing a serious health crisis.
The Midlife Pivot
For many professionals, a career change can feel intimidating, especially in a world that seems filled with constant turbulence and uncertainty. But what if a midlife pivot isn't a leap of faith, but a series of small, intentional steps? In this episode of The Midlife Academy Podcast, Briana Smith and Kate Schaefers explore how to move past fear, find your core purpose, and build the networks
Purpose at Midlife
Megan Vorrhees joins our podcast to talk about how she cultivates daily purpose in her life through work, family, hobbies and more.
Why We Started
Welcome to the Midlife Academy podcast! Join hosts Briana Smith and Kate Schaefers, The Midlife Academy director and program manager, respectively, as they kick off conversations about navigating life's exciting next chapters. Whether you're considering a career shift, rethinking retirement, or simply seeking new meaning, we’re here to explore these journeys with purpose and clarity. Learn more ab
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