Midlife isn’t a crisis. It’s an invitation to come alive again.

In this episode of Midlife Chrysalis, Chip Conley is joined by Susan Magsamen, a neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins, and Ivy Ross, Chief Design Officer at Google, for a warm, eye-opening conversation about why creativity is essential to being human, especially in midlife.

Drawing from their book Your Brain on Art, they share how art, play, and sensory experiences quietly support brain health, emotional balance, and a deeper sense of meaning in a world obsessed with productivity and speed.

You’ll hear why:

Creativity is hard-wired into our biology, not reserved for “artists”
Midlife is a powerful moment to rediscover curiosity, play, and making
Small creative acts can reduce stress and help us feel more alive
Art may be one of the healthiest counterweights to burnout and AI

The second half of life isn’t about doing more, it’s about sensing more, feeling more, and reconnecting with what truly matters.

👉 Watch now and let midlife become a chrysalis, not a cage.

Timestamps:

13:35 Guest backgrounds and journeys

18:36 What Your Brain on Art is really about

21:25 Neuroaesthetics and brain science

23:54 Why creativity is essential for health

24:24 How to rebuild creativity in midlife

29:14 Art, neuroplasticity, and medicine

34:32 Creativity inside Google

39:18 Digital literacy, nature, and balance

41:35 Personal midlife transformation stories

45:30 Resilience through illness and change

49:08 Life wisdom and defining moments

55:51 Final reflections and closing

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

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Your Brain on Art: Why Midlife Needs Creativity More Than Ever | Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross

The Midlife Chrysalis

Your Brain on Art: Why Midlife Needs Creativity More Than Ever | Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross