Episode Summary: "Finding Your Purpose with Susie Welch"

Podcast Information:

• Title: My So-Called Midlife with Reshma Saujani
• Host: Reshma Saujani
• Episode: Finding Your Purpose with Susie Welch
• Release Date: July 23, 2025
• Description: Reshma Saujani explores the depths of midlife dissatisfaction despite apparent success, seeking answers with the help of expert Susie Welch. Together, they delve into discovering personal purpose and aligning life with core values.

1. Introduction to Susie Welch’s Midlife Perspective

[03:16] Susie Welch: "Full transcendent... I have just such a feeling of gratitude and plenty."

Reshma Saujani introduces Susie Welch, an award-winning NYU Stern School of Business professor and New York Times bestselling author. Susie brings a wealth of experience in management research and personal development, particularly focusing on crafting an authentic life and career during midlife.

2. Susie Welch’s Journey: From Journalism to Academia

[05:47] Susie Welch: "It's a crazy life... The twists and turns are, you know, kind of action-packed movie thing, right?"

Susie shares her unconventional career path, starting as a fine arts major and transitioning into journalism with the Harvard Crimson. Her experiences covering intense topics like crime in Miami and Fort Lauderdale during tumultuous times shaped her resilience and adaptability. An unexpected career shift occurred when she was assigned to cover business without prior knowledge, leading her to Harvard Business School and eventually a successful tenure at Bain Consulting.

3. Discovering Purpose Through "Becoming You"

[05:16] Reshma Saujani: "What should I do with my life?"

Susie introduces her methodology, "Becoming You," designed to help individuals discover their purpose by identifying deeply held values, aptitudes, and economically viable interests. She emphasizes that midlife is an optimal period for this introspection, bringing the wisdom accumulated over the years to inform meaningful life choices.

4. The Importance of Values in Finding Purpose

[27:06] Susie Welch: "Your purpose lies at the intersection of your deeply held values, your aptitudes, and your economically viable interests."

The conversation delves into the concept of values, explaining that many people struggle to identify their true values due to lack of education on the subject and the politicization of the term. Susie distinguishes between virtues (like honesty and equality) and core values, which are the fundamental beliefs that drive actions and decisions. She introduces unique values such as "scope" and "eudaimonia," illustrating how they influence one's life choices and sense of purpose.

5. Values Across Generations: Understanding Different Priorities

[31:06] Susie Welch: "Eudaimonia is very high in younger people... older people tend to understand that every value has a trade-off."

Susie discusses how values vary across age groups, noting that younger generations often prioritize personal well-being and self-care (eudaimonia) alongside traditional values like affluence. In contrast, older individuals recognize the necessity of balancing and prioritizing values due to life's inherent trade-offs. This understanding aids in making intentional decisions that align with one's authentic self.

6. Personal Stories: Love, Loss, and Resilience

[11:23] Reshma Saujani: "And you met the love of your life?"

Susie shares her poignant personal story of meeting and marrying Jack Welch, a significant turn in her life. Their partnership was both professionally and personally fulfilling until Jack’s untimely death during the COVID-19 pandemic. She narrates the profound impact of his passing, including her struggle with grief and the eventual realization of the importance of living fully despite loss.

7. Concepts of Growth: Embracing "Scarephoria"

[50:13] Susie Welch: "Scarephoria is that moment where you're scared, but you're euphoric. And to me, that's where growth occurs."

Susie introduces the term "scarephoria," a blend of fear and euphoria, highlighting it as the sweet spot for personal growth. She explains that stepping out of comfort zones, despite the inherent fear, leads to transformative experiences and fulfillment. This concept underscores the importance of embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.

8. Spirituality and Faith in Navigating Midlife

[48:04] Susie Welch: "I'm a faithful person. I'm a Christian, and I am... I conceptualized and understood everything through my faith."

The discussion touches on the role of spirituality and faith in finding purpose and coping with life's challenges. Susie reflects on how her Christian faith provided solace and understanding during her husband's illness and passing. She acknowledges the importance of faith as a personal and sometimes politicized component of one's value system, influencing how individuals navigate their midlife transitions.

9. Practical Advice for Midlifers Seeking Purpose

[52:05] Susie Welch: "Don't go for a big swing. Just try a little tiny thing that feels a little bit scary."

Susie offers actionable advice for those feeling stuck in midlife. She encourages taking small steps outside one's comfort zone to foster growth and discover new aspects of oneself. Celebrating failures and viewing them as learning experiences is emphasized as a pathway to building confidence and uncovering deeper purpose.

10. Conclusion: Embracing Midlife as a New Beginning

[53:04] Susie Welch: "Midlife is maybe the best time to start assessing it because you bring to it the wisdom of your years."

Reshma and Susie conclude by reaffirming that midlife is not an end but a new beginning filled with opportunities for self-discovery and realignment with one's true purpose. The emphasis is on leveraging accumulated wisdom to make intentional choices that lead to a fulfilling and authentic life.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-Discovery: Midlife is an ideal time for introspection and aligning life with core values.
• Values Identification: Understanding and prioritizing personal values are crucial for finding purpose.
• Embracing Change: Stepping out of comfort zones ("scarephoria") fosters growth and fulfillment.
• Resilience: Personal stories of love and loss highlight the importance of resilience and support systems.
• Spirituality: Faith and spirituality can provide strength and guidance during life’s transitions.
• Practical Steps: Small, intentional actions can lead to significant personal development and satisfaction.

This episode provides a deeply personal and practical exploration of finding purpose during midlife, guided by Susie Welch's expertise and life experiences. It offers listeners valuable insights and strategies to navigate their own journeys toward a more meaningful and aligned existence.