The Future of Travel: Chip Conley on Wisdom, Aging & the Modern Elder Academy

Passport to Everywhere with Melissa Biggs Bradley

Sep 28 2023 • 56 mins

Bestselling author and hospitality entrepreneur Chip Conley founded the Modern Elder Academy to change the way we think about aging and happiness, and to help people navigate through midlife. The Modern Elder Academy (MEA) has gained international attention for its campus in Baja attracting midlife seekers from around the world with guest teachers like Richard Rhor, Michael Franti and Pico Iyer. Chip’s goal is to help others reimagine their lives and discover how to work through transitions, cultivate purpose and own wisdom through experiential curriculums, workshops and wellness retreats. MEA is opening a Santa Fe campus next March.


Chip previously served as Airbnb’s Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy where he was given the title “Modern Elder” for being someone who is as curious as he is wise. From studying the Gross National Happiness in Bhutan to going on a listening tour to 16 countries while at Airbnb, Chip has led a life of discovery. In today’s episode, he details his fascinating journey from starting Joie de Vivre Hospitality at only 25-years-old to helping Airbnb go from a start-up to a billion dollar valuation. As a philosopher, writer and psychologist; he shares his secrets with Melissa for running a successful company. He also reveals the insights he’s discovered on aging through decades of experience and gives a sneak peak at his 7th book, Learning to Love MidLife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age, coming out next year.  Plus Melissa and Chip talk about the upcoming Indagare Journey at MEA’s private beachside enclave in Baja, California taking place next November. To learn more about the Insider Journey, click here.

For more information about Chip Conley and his work on navigating midlife visit www.chipconley.com and follow him on Instagram @chipconley. To learn more about Modern Elder Academy, the workshops, and retreats visit www.modernelderacademy.com and follow MEA Instagram @modernelder.

To pre-order Chip’s newest book Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age, launching January 2024, check out Amazon, BookShop, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, or Porchlight.

For what to expect on the Indagare Insider Journeys trip Finding Your Flow in Midlife and Beyond at the MEA Campus in Baja, California, click here.

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