Podcast Summary: Chip Conley – How to Be Useful

The Ronan Levy Podcast
Host: Ronan Levy
Guest: Chip Conley
Episode Title: Chip Conley: How to Be Useful
Release Date: October 19, 2024

Introduction

In this poignant and insightful episode of The Ronan Levy Podcast, host Ronan Levy engages in a deep conversation with Chip Conley, a renowned hospitality entrepreneur, bestselling author, and founder of the Modern Elder Academy (MEA) — the world's first midlife wisdom school. The discussion navigates through topics such as psychedelics, spirituality, life, death, and finding purpose. This summary captures the essence of their dialogue, highlighting key moments, insights, and transformative experiences shared by Chip Conley.

Self-Definition and Personality

Ronan Levy initiates the conversation by asking Chip to introspectively define himself beyond his professional accolades.

Chip Conley [02:42]:

“Who am I? I am someone who defies definition. No, I think I'm a bit of a rebel soul. Someone who doesn't like conforming but has a hospitality spirit. I'm a social alchemist, which means I'm a mixologist of people...”

Chip describes himself as a "social alchemist," blending his rebellious nature with a deep-seated hospitality ethos. He emphasizes his journey from feeling the need to prove himself to focusing on personal growth and self-improvement. This self-awareness underscores his commitment to fostering meaningful connections and creating environments where others can thrive.

Notable Quote:

Chip Conley [04:05]:
“I think the hospitality professions about one of the most noble professions you could go into, because it's about helping people just feel good about themselves and feel joy.”

Facing Mortality: Cancer Diagnosis and Near-Death Experience

A significant portion of the conversation delves into Chip's recent diagnosis with stage three prostate cancer and his past near-death (NDE) experience.

Chip Conley [09:12]:

“I have stage three prostate cancer... initially, the prognosis was dire, but subsequent studies improved my outlook to an 80% chance of living another 10 years...”

Chip candidly shares his emotional journey upon receiving his cancer diagnosis, highlighting the fluctuating nature of medical prognoses. This revelation adds depth to the discussion, intertwining personal vulnerability with philosophical musings on life and death.

Near-Death Experience [10:52]:

Chip Conley:
“When I went to the other side... everything was very sensual... I was one with everything else. And most importantly, that I was supposed to slow down.”

Chip recounts his NDE at 47, describing a serene and interconnected experience devoid of human presence, emphasizing a profound sense of unity and the imperative to slow down and appreciate life's beauty.

Redefining Leadership: Hero vs. Conduit

A central theme of the episode is Chip's evolution from a traditional "heroic" leader to embracing the role of a "conduit."

Chip Conley [27:23]:

“The idea of can do it. Hero versus conduit. This is two different archetypes... the conduit means my job is really to create the conditions for epiphanies to happen.”

Chip contrasts the conventional archetype of the hero—characterized by taking charge and seeking personal glory—with that of the conduit, who facilitates growth and insights in others without seeking the spotlight. This shift reflects his leadership philosophy at MEA, where fostering epiphanies and personal transformations takes precedence over individual accolades.

Notable Quote:

Chip Conley [29:00]:
“My job is to help steer this rocket show... being a conduit as opposed to the conduit hero.”

Cultivating Wisdom

Chip emphasizes the importance of actively cultivating wisdom through reflective practices and structured learning.

Wisdom Journal [40:35]:

“I have a wisdom journal. I started writing in it at age 28. Every weekend I would sit down and spend 20 to 30 minutes making sense of my lessons of the week...”

He advocates for maintaining a wisdom journal to process life experiences, extracting lessons, and applying them to future endeavors. This practice not only aids personal growth but also enhances collective wisdom within leadership teams.

Modern Elder Academy Workshops [41:45]:

“We have a series of workshops called Owning Wisdom... let's share them with the group and let's talk about what was the core of where they came from.”

At MEA, Chip facilitates workshops that encourage participants to articulate their wisdom and life lessons, fostering a community of shared knowledge and mutual growth.

Legacy and Mindsets

Towards the end of the conversation, Chip reflects on his legacy and the mindsets that shape it.

Mindsets [47:27]:

“A mindset that is no longer serving me is the sense that starting MEA and growing it and having it be successful is my legacy...”

Chip acknowledges the pressure of defining his legacy through MEA's success and recognizes the need to adopt a more flexible mindset. He redefines legacy as the immediate impact he has on individuals through MEA, rather than a fixed institutional legacy tied to external successes.

Notable Quote:

Chip Conley [49:17]:
“As we get older, it's not about being youthful, it's about being useful. And to feel useful is the kind of thing that a person wants to feel the rest of their life.”

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Ronan Levy expressing gratitude for Chip's profound insights, encapsulating the essence of their dialogue. Chip's journey—from personal struggles with identity and mortality to redefining leadership and legacy—offers listeners a compelling narrative on finding purpose and fostering wisdom.

Final Thoughts:

Chip Conley:
“Trust your instincts about people, but trust and verify... make sure that you're not just hiring somebody who's just a repeat of you.”

Chip leaves listeners with actionable wisdom, emphasizing the balance between intuition and verification in personal and professional relationships.

Notable Quotes Overview

• Chip Conley [04:05]:
  “I think the hospitality professions about one of the most noble professions you could go into, because it's about helping people just feel good about themselves and feel joy.”

• Chip Conley [10:52]:
  “When I went to the other side... everything was very sensual... I was one with everything else. And most importantly, that I was supposed to slow down.”

• Chip Conley [27:23]:
  “The idea of can do it. Hero versus conduit. This is two different archetypes... the conduit means my job is really to create the conditions for epiphanies to happen.”

• Chip Conley [29:00]:
  “My job is to help steer this rocket show... being a conduit as opposed to the conduit hero.”

• Chip Conley [40:35]:
  “I have a wisdom journal. I started writing in it at age 28. Every weekend I would sit down and spend 20 to 30 minutes making sense of my lessons of the week...”

• Chip Conley [49:17]:
  “As we get older, it's not about being youthful, it's about being useful. And to feel useful is the kind of thing that a person wants to feel the rest of their life.”

Final Remarks

Chip Conley's conversation with Ronan Levy offers a deep dive into personal transformation, leadership evolution, and the pursuit of wisdom. His experiences and philosophies serve as a guide for listeners seeking to redefine success, embrace vulnerability, and cultivate meaningful legacies. For more insights from Chip Conley and his work with the Modern Elder Academy, visit chipconley.com or mea.wisdom.com.

For More Episodes: Visit ronanlevy.com or subscribe to The Ronan Levy Podcast on your preferred podcast platform. Follow Ronan on social media at @RonanDLevy.