The Midlife Chrysalis

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Marianne Williamson: The Courage to Age, Evolve & Challenge Power

Dec 8, 2025

Guest

Marianne Williamson

Marianne Williamson, a spiritual author and activist with a focus on feminism and social policy, discusses the transformative nature of midlife. She challenges traditional views on aging, emphasizing that it's a time for spiritual awakening rather than crisis. Marianne reflects on the emotional journey of menopause and the importance of communal rites of passage. She advocates for societal shifts that support aging individuals and encourages women to embrace their 'third chapter' with courage and joy, redefining what it means to grow older.

59:55

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INSIGHT

Midlife As Uncharted Territory

Midlife is an unmapped territory that requires cultural reinvention, not just policy fixes.
Marianne frames it as a second puberty and opportunity for spiritual and identity rebirth.

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ADVICE

Ritualize Midlife Transitions

Create communal, ritualized rites of passage for midlife to mark identity transitions.
Use ceremonies so both the person and their community acknowledge and support the new stage.

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ADVICE

Use Policy To Fund Wisdom Schools

Use tax policy to support midlife education and wisdom programs, rather than forcing government to run them.
Offer tuition incentives and health access to empower reinvention after 50.

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Midlife as Uncharted Territory

01:34 • 1min

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Visibility, Menopause and Grief

02:52 • 3min

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Rites of Passage for the Middle Years

05:24 • 4min

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Policy, Education and Midlife Support

09:30 • 1min

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Public Policy Versus Cultural Change

10:53 • 3min

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Reflections on Running for President

Defining Midlife and the Wisdom Years

18:16 • 2min

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Midlife in a Time of Phase Transition

19:51 • 5min

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Teaching Wisdom to the Young

24:50 • 3min

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Family Patterns and Feminine Denial

28:07 • 7min

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Misogyny, Witch Burning, and Power

35:10 • 34sec

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Our Deepest Fear and Claiming Light

35:44 • 2min

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Women, Sisterhood and Public Backlash

38:11 • 5min

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Practical Reinvention and Presence

43:41 • 5min

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Chapter Three as Crescendo

48:34 • 3min

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Advice for Younger Generations

The Midlife Awakening

Creating a Miraculous Next Chapter

Marianne Williamson

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A Return to Love

Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

Marianne Williamson

In this book, Marianne Williamson reflects on the principles of A Course in Miracles, emphasizing the power of love to overcome fear and achieve inner peace. She argues that love is the key to solving both internal and external problems and that by choosing love over fear, we can create a more fulfilling and peaceful life. The book is divided into two main parts: 'Principles' and 'Practice,' and it includes personal anecdotes and spiritual concepts to help readers apply these principles in their daily lives.

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The myth of the eternal return

Mircea Eliade

In this book, Mircea Eliade explores the concept of the eternal return, which is the belief that one can become contemporary with or return to the 'mythical age'—the time when the events described in myths occurred. Eliade contrasts the ontological orientation of archaic societies, which distinguished between the sacred and the profane, with the modern worldview. He argues that archaic societies sought to model their behavior on divine archetypes through rituals and that these rituals allowed them to re-enter sacred time. The book also critiques modern historical perspectives and their impact on human understanding and experience of time and history.

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• Mentioned in 6 episodes

Born to be good

the science of a meaningful life

Dacher Keltner

In this book, Dacher Keltner investigates the role of positive emotions in human evolution, arguing against the conventional view that humans are primarily driven by self-interest. He proposes that emotions such as gratitude, amusement, awe, and compassion have evolutionary value and are essential for cooperative societies. Keltner draws on research in emotions, facial expressions, and anthropological data to support his thesis that prosocial behavior was a key survival strategy in early human societies. The book also explores how emotions like embarrassment, touch, and compassion contribute to social order and human well-being.

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• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Illuminata

Marianne Williamson

Illuminata: A Return to Prayer by Marianne Williamson offers a comprehensive guide to integrating prayer into daily life. The book includes prayers for various life situations, such as releasing anger, finding forgiveness, and healing relationships. It also features rites of passage for significant life events and prayers for the healing of America. Williamson emphasizes the practicality of prayer in achieving peace and spiritual growth.

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• Mentioned in 32 episodes

Awe

The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life

Dacher Keltner

In 'Awe', Dacher Keltner presents a sweeping investigation and deeply personal inquiry into the elusive feeling of awe. The book reveals new research alongside an examination of awe across history, culture, and within Keltner's own life. It shows how awe transforms thoughts of self, one’s relationship to the world, and physical reactions to it. Keltner also explores how awe has propelled human evolution, is beneficial to mental and physical health, and can heal grief, build communal bonds, and humble us by making us feel part of something larger than ourselves.

What if everything you’ve believed about midlife is completely outdated?

In this powerful conversation, Marianne Williamson sheds light on the truth about aging, visibility, and what it truly means to enter the second half of life with purpose. She shares raw reflections on menopause, identity shifts, modern rites of passage, and why midlife is less a crisis and more a spiritual turning point. Marianne also speaks about wisdom, reinvention, societal expectations, and how embracing your “third chapter” can unlock a deeper, more courageous version of yourself.

If you’re ready to rethink aging and step into your next chapter with clarity and confidence, watch the full episode now.

Timestamps:

00:00 Midlife awakening as unmapped territory

01:16 Aging, visibility, and grief for past identities

04:30 Rites of passage and communal transitions

08:13 Policy, culture shift, and public support

11:49 Government support for wisdom schools

13:06 Reflections on running for president

18:34 Midlife crisis vs chrysalis

19:14 Phase transition of society

21:31 Pattern recognition, memory, and wisdom

24:40 Teaching wisdom to younger generations

27:45 Family patterns, shadows, and generational conditioning

34:43 “Our deepest fear” and women’s empowerment

38:59 Cellular memory of witch burning

41:38 Sisterhood, bravery, and supporting each other

43:56 Re-inspiring midlife and visibility as women age

47:00 Presence, faith, and receiving life’s lessons

49:16 Chapter three as a crescendo

50:52 Midlife as a call to the soul

52:04 Wisdom bumper sticker

Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/

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