One of the remarkable things about reaching mid-career—or what I often call the "Power of After" stage of life—is that we have something incredibly valuable to offer: decades of relationships, experience, and the ability to bring people together around a meaningful purpose. Sometimes that purpose grows out of life's greatest joys, and other times it emerges from its deepest heartbreaks. Today's guest, Mike Gomoll, is a powerful example of that. After the devastating loss of his son Joe to epilepsy, Michael and his family transformed their grief into a mission that has touched thousands of lives. Because Joe loved music—even though epilepsy left him non-verbal—they chose music as the vehicle to create hope, awareness, and funding for epilepsy research. Through that mission, they've inspired legendary artists including Cheap Trick, The Go-Go's, Tears for Fears, The Bangles, Guns N' Roses, and many others to perform in the middle of a Wisconsin winter, raising more than two million dollars since 2011. Today we'll talk about overcoming loss, discovering renewed purpose, and how your greatest challenges can become the foundation for your most meaningful impact. More about Mike Gomoll and Joey's Song: https://joeyssong.org Full article here: https://GoalsForYourlife.com/overcoming-loss

• Chapters
• 0:00 Intro and the Power of After
• 2:45 Meeting Mike Gomoll and Joey's Song
• 5:12 The Reality of Epilepsy and Dravet Syndrome
• 8:30 Navigating Grief as a Family
• 12:15 Moving Forward Together After Loss
• 15:40 What Everyone Should Know About Epilepsy
• 19:20 The Different Manifestations of Seizures
• 23:10 Starting a Charity from Heartbreak
• 26:45 Why Music was the Perfect Vehicle for Joe
• 30:15 The Growth of Joey's Song and Early Challenges
• 34:20 Getting Legendary Artists to Madison in Winter
• 38:10 The Magic of Freezing Man and Artist Collaborations
• 42:30 How Research Funding Makes a Real Difference
• 46:15 The Future of Joey's Song and Mike's Legacy
• 50:00 Advice for Finding Your Own Opportunity
• 53:21 End of Episode

Get POWER OF AFTER BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/3GpEGlJ

Make sure you're getting all our podcast updates and articles! Get them here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter

Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment: http://HalftimeSuccess.com

Life has a way of rewriting our plans. Just when we think we've settled into a comfortable rhythm, something changes—a career takes an unexpected turn, a relationship shifts, our health demands more attention, or financial and family responsibilities reshape the future we imagined. At mid-career, these moments can leave us wondering whether we're moving forward or simply trying to recover. Yet I've become convinced that setbacks aren't meant to keep us stuck. They can become invitations to grow, adapt, and discover strengths we didn't know we possessed. That's the heart behind today's episode and the message I've been developing for my upcoming book, Move Beyond, releasing later this year. Together, let's explore how to move beyond life's inevitable setbacks with greater confidence, purpose, and hope for what's next. Full article here: https://GoalsForYourLife.com/beyond-setbacks

Get POWER OF AFTER BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/3GpEGlJ

Make sure you're getting all our podcast updates and articles! Get them here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter

Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment: http://HalftimeSuccess.com

Feeling like an outsider is far more common than most people admit—and that applies to men just as much as women, even if they don't always say it out loud. Our guest today, Alma Derricks, empowers adventurous leaders and global brands to uncover blind spots and think beyond conventional limits. Having worked with an impressive range of both traditional and creative companies, Alma brings deep insight into what it takes to grow through change. Even if you don't see yourself as an "adventurous leader," this conversation will challenge the insecure voice many of us need to unlearn, helping us embrace creative thinking, self-leadership, and the courage it takes to pivot successfully into what's next. More about Alma here: https://rev.la Full article here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/unlearning-insecure-thinking

Watch, then subscribe on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/kJQvHa6yBTw

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Alma Derricks
• 3:20 Slaloming through career disruptions
• 7:45 Contrasting Deloitte and Cirque du Soleil 1
• 2:10 Why established companies become risk averse
• 16:30 Unlearning the business school mindset
• 21:00 How to identify your unique superpowers
• 25:40 Transitioning from corporate to solo consulting
• 30:15 The art of selling value and solving problems
• 34:50 Managing insecurity in high stakes environments
• 39:20 Adopting an entrepreneurial scan of the market
• 43:40 Innovation versus invention in the age of AI
• 47:10 Final advice and how to start your next act

Get POWER OF AFTER BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/3GpEGlJ

Make sure you're getting all our podcast updates and articles! Get them here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment: http://HalftimeSuccess.com

Many people reach mid-career or the halftime of life with a wealth of experience, skills, relationships, and wisdom, yet find themselves asking an important question: "How do I turn all of this into something that truly matters?" Today on the Power of After Show, we're exploring the concept of legacy-driven entrepreneurship—building something that goes beyond earning a paycheck or growing a business. It's about leveraging what you've learned over a lifetime to create meaningful impact, serve others, and leave a lasting contribution. Whether through mentoring, consulting, creating content, launching a business, or supporting your community, your next chapter may be less about accumulation and more about significance. We'll discuss how to transform experience into influence, purpose into action, and success into a legacy that continues to make a difference long after you're gone. Full article here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/legacy-driven-entrepreneurship

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/XhljK6F89dE Watch and subscribe!

• Chapters
  0:00 Intro to Legacy-Driven Entrepreneurship
  1:35 Shifting from Earning to Impact
  4:50 Leveraging Your Life Experience as an Asset
  7:45 Redefining Success and Purpose
  10:20 Designing Your Ideal Lifestyle
  13:15 Using Systems and Automation for Freedom
  16:00 Planning for Life After Retirement
  19:10 The Power of Human Connection in an AI World
  21:40 Defining Your Final Legacy and Epitaph
  
  

Get POWER OF AFTER BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/3GpEGlJ

Make sure you're getting all our podcast updates and articles! Get them here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment: http://HalftimeSuccess.com

What does it really take to turn talent into a thriving career in the arts? On this episode of the Power of After Show, I sit down with world-class conductor and former child prodigy Robert Emery to explore the intersection of creativity and entrepreneurship. With over two decades in the industry, Robert shares how he continues to decide "what's next," stay motivated, and build a sustainable business beyond raw talent. From growing a powerful email list and touring the world as a conductor and music director, to creating orchestral meditation music and launching Ted's List--his influential music education platform, this conversation offers practical insight and inspiration for anyone looking to transform artistic passion into meaningful income and long-term impact. Additionally, I hope you will be inspired to continue enjoying and promoting the arts in your sphere of influence. More info about Robert Emery here: https://robertemery.com Ted's List here: https://teds-list.com/ Orchestral Meditations here: https://orchestralmeditations.com/en/

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/kVlsREDtLWQ Watch and subscribe!

• Chapters
  0:00 Intro and the intersection of arts and business
  3:45 Robert Emerys journey from prodigy to conductor
  7:10 Redefining what is next in your career
  10:50 Overcoming setbacks and the power of mindset
  15:20 Staying motivated through professional variety
  19:30 The Ask the Maestro daily video challenge
  23:15 Why every creative must act like a business
  27:00 Marketing tips and the 1000 true fans theory
  31:45 The story behind Teds List music education
  36:10 Recording orchestral meditation at Abbey Road
  40:50 The science of sound frequencies and healing
  44:20 Manifestation and putting dreams into action
  47:52 Conclusion and final thoughts

Get POWER OF AFTER BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/3GpEGlJ Make sure you're getting all our podcast updates and articles! Get them here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter

Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment: http://HalftimeSuccess.com

Grace and grit are two qualities we desperately need at mid-career and halftime of life. Grace gives us the perspective and patience to navigate change without panic, while grit gives us the courage to keep moving forward even when growth feels uncomfortable. It's the willingness to do the hard things. Inspired in part by the classic film True Grit, this episode of The Power of After Show explores why some of the most meaningful growth in life happens through challenges, transitions, and the willingness to do difficult things. If you've been asking "What's next?" or feeling stretched by change, this conversation will encourage you to keep climbing forward with purpose and resilience. Full article here: https://GoalsForYourLife.com/grace-and-grit

✨ Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• 🚀 Why growth requires resistance, much like building physical muscle.
• 🚀 How to leverage your accumulated wisdom as a transferable strength in the age of AI.
• 🚀 The importance of being a beginner again to stay relevant in your industry. 🚀 How to build confidence through action rather than waiting for it to arrive.
• 🚀 Navigating relationships with aging parents and adult children with intentional grace.

Whether you are looking to reinvent your career or simply find more meaning in your daily life, this episode offers the encouragement you need to step out of your comfort zone and into your most purposeful chapter yet.

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro: Grace and Grit at Mid-Career
• 2:15 Lessons from True Grit and the Halftime of Life
• 4:45 Navigating Mid-Career Crossroads and Uncertainty
• 7:30 Why Growth Requires Discomfort and Resistance
• 10:15 The Power of Grace and Perspective
• 13:00 Developing Courage Through Risk
• 15:45 Practical Grit: Choosing Growth Over Comfort
• 18:30 Why Your Experience Matters in the Age of AI
• 21:15 Building Confidence Through Action
• 23:30 Moving Forward with Purpose and Next Steps

Get POWER OF AFTER BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/3GpEGlJ

Make sure you're getting all our podcast updates and articles! Get them here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter

Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment: http://HalftimeSuccess.com

I've often shared that these are the "travel years" for my husband and I. We've seen this window close for our parents and feel like it's important to take advantage of opportunity and health! We have such an interesting guest today in Wesley Baker. He is a Bestselling author and entrepreneur with 40+ years experience, sharing real-life stories from travel, business, and life, leading numerous adventures all around the world and inspires others to explore what's next for them. We will be discussing today some of the current challenges in travel and how he delivers exceptional travel experiences through his PureOneGroup travel company. Find out more about Wesley at: https://www.wesleybaker.com Full article here: https://GoalsForYourLife.com/curated-travel

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro and the importance of travel years
• 2:15 Meet Wesley Baker: From software developer to CEO
• 5:10 Writing a bestseller from an ICU bed
• 7:45 The spark that ignited a love for global culture
• 10:20 How our travel perspectives shift with maturity
• 13:40 Why travel should be a necessity for your mind
• 16:15 Navigating modern challenges in the travel industry
• 19:30 The rise of small group and independent tours
• 22:00 Sustainability and the joy of slow travel
• 25:10 It is never too late: Traveling with health issues
• 28:45 Finding value and safety in unique destinations
• 32:15 The evolution of cruising and river tours
• 35:40 Industry recovery and the reality of travel costs
• 38:20 Breaking the habit of saving too much for the future
• 41:30 The healing power of nature and slowing down
• 44:15 Lessons on prioritizing health over possessions
• 46:50 Final wisdom and where to connect with Wesley

Get POWER OF AFTER BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/3GpEGlJ

Make sure you're getting all our podcast updates and articles! Get them here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter

Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment: http://HalftimeSuccess.com

Before walking onto a stage, there's always a certain amount of self-talk. For years, a colleague and I would encourage each other with a simple pep talk before a concert—something to sharpen our focus and concentration. Coaches do the same before athletic events. These moments are designed to build confidence, motivation, and clarity. Today's message is a kind of pep talk as well—a reminder to realign with what truly matters: our values, purpose, and the life we're intentionally creating. At halftime of life, we are often given a unique opportunity: the chance to reassess, realign, and intentionally create a next chapter based not on pressure or performance, but on purpose and values. This stage of life is not about starting over from zero. It is about building wisely from everything already accumulated—skills, experience, relationships, wisdom, resilience, and perspective. Full article here: https://GoalsForYourLife.com/appearance-vs-reality

Watch & Subscribe on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/N2x3QpYS7T4

• Chapters
  0:00 Intro and the Power of After Show /
  2:45 The Trap of Appearance and Modern Culture /
  6:20 Defining Core Values as Your Internal Compass /
  10:15 Aligning Your Daily Schedule with Your Values /
  13:00 Finding Purpose as an Anchor for Your Next Chapter /
  16:30 Designing Your Desired Lifestyle and Flexibility /
  19:45 Valuing Your Accumulated Experience and Skills /
  23:15 Using Technology and AI as Expansion Tools /
  26:45 The Process of Realignment and Honesty /
  29:15 Practical Steps and Reflection Questions /
  30:15 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Get POWER OF AFTER BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/3GpEGlJ

Make sure you're getting all our podcast updates and articles! Get them here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter

Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment: http://HalftimeSuccess.com