Chapter X with Michael Kay

Finding Direction Without a Map

Some people move through life by following a plan. Others move forward by paying attention to what holds their interest. Today's guest, David Litt, spent more than three decades in the U.S. Foreign Service, working and living around the world. Along the way, he built a life shaped by language, learning, and a deep interest in how people and cultures function. After retiring from government service, David didn't step away from engagement. Instead, he found new ways to teach, mentor, and share what he's learned, proving that purpose doesn't end when a career does. In this episode, we covered: What first drew David toward languages and life abroad How curiosity shaped his path into the Foreign Service The realities of representing the U.S. in unfamiliar places One early experience that changed how he viewed diplomacy Why teaching became a natural next chapter after retirement David's advice for staying intellectually engaged later in life

What If You Didn't React Right Away?

Doug Fleener woke up on an airplane with no idea how he got there. That was the moment his life began to change. Today, Doug shares the story of hitting bottom and rebuilding his life one decision at a time. He reflects on addiction, recovery, and the importance of learning how to pause before reacting. Today, Doug is an author and speaker whose work centers on a simple but powerful question: What if? We talk about how that question creates space for perspective and action, especially during major life transitions. We discuss: The moment Doug realized his life needed to change Why hitting bottom didn't immediately lead to transformation How asking one simple question interrupts old patterns The role of identity and routine during life after career Why action matters more than insight alone Resources Get a free book excerpt at StartWithWhatIf.com [https://startwithwhatif.com] Visit DougFleener.com [https://dougfleener.com]

What Your Annual Physical Doesn't Tell You with Reed Davis

As we move into the later chapters of life, many of us begin to think differently about health. Not just how long we'll live, but how well we'll live. What if the symptoms we accept as "normal aging" are actually signals pointing to something deeper? In this episode, I'm joined by Reed Davis, a double board-certified holistic health practitioner and founder of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition. Reed helps people understand what's really happening inside their bodies by looking beyond standard lab work and surface-level symptoms. In this episode, we discuss: Why standard blood work often misses early warning signs The difference between treating symptoms and addressing root causes How stress, diet, and lifestyle quietly shape long-term health What aging well really requires beyond diet and exercise Why having purpose may be one of the most overlooked health factors Resources Learn more and access Reed's free workshop at: fdntraining.com/kay [https://fdntraining.com/kay] Visit Reed's website [https://www.functionaldiagnosticnutrition.com/] Follow Reed on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/fdntraining/] Watch on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7xDnEKCe9gKeWZ2vbE3C8w] Follow on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/san-diego-natural-health-&-fitness-ctr/]

Learning to Ask for What You Want with Paul Quinn

Why is it often easier to know what we don't want than to ask for what we do? In this episode, I'm joined by Paul Quinn, author of The Big Ask: Unlock the Possibilities in Your Work Life and Dreams with Courageous Requests. Paul began his career as an actor before moving into corporate training and writing, where he became fascinated by the moments that spark real change. Today, we explore how identity, fear, and unspoken rules shape the choices we make. Paul also shares stories that show how a single, well-timed question can open doors we didn't know were there. You'll hear about: How asking the right questions can help you reconnect with what you actually want Why redefining identity after work can feel so disorienting The trap of focusing on what we don't want (instead of naming what we do) How fear and perfectionism can limit what you're willing to try A simple question that can shift how we imagine what comes next Mentioned Visit Paul's Website [https://bigaskbook.com] The Big Ask: Unlock the Possibilities in Your Work Life and Dreams with Courageous Requests [https://www.amazon.com/Big-Ask-Possibilities-Courageous-Requests/dp/B0FG1149ZZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1EBWTNJANWU0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.n4OzsZIkKQ3ECVL_KtVm5cKjh1jDR1FCTrhZusT-AeTX9zGLsIwiNcTVUfiPGz8yUUbs9CntEP121AYAu8BakOUmVqlmXbjIz_5srPJHRvRhbcTv937bPKaNIxDh0-mgyE_1jfGeaDMhN4wwi5u_gPhyePMQO86DG3dezfbetgndnCGA1WtL2KG_7tnP-zv5w7TL2NGkoyxEtQQD8GqyOWjj_FoAyDjH2cKaPHHx84Y.nXJp3NpGI8DvqWP3WTDoYNbTulX3443ooLq19LathWI&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+big+ask&qid=1758830697&sprefix=%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-1] Follow Paul on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/PaulQuinnAuthor]

Letting Go of Old Narratives with Doug O'Brien

Many men feel caught between the identity they built at work and the person they hope to become. Today's guest helps us explore that space. Doug O'Brien has spent his career studying how our stories shape the way we live and the way we move through change. Before entering this work, Doug lived an entirely different life as a classical pianist, a Carnegie Hall performer, and a punk rock musician in New York City. Over time, he shifted into teaching and storytelling in a way that opened a new path for him. In this conversation, Doug shares how the stories we hold can keep us stuck and how new ones can help us move into the next chapter. We talk about: * How Doug transitioned from a life in music to helping people change * The moment that shifted how he viewed what is possible * Why career identity becomes so difficult for many men to release * The simple question that reveals who we are beneath our titles * How storytelling helps reshape belief and create room for what comes next Resources: https://www.essentialcoachingskills.com [https://www.essentialcoachingskills.com] https://dougobrienhypnosis.com [https://dougobrienhypnosis.com]