Richard Leider on Living Your Purpose Rather Than"Finding"It - a podcast by Debbie Weil
from 2022-03-07T02:05:34.167770
Today, Debbie talks with Richard Leider about aging with purpose, the fallacy of "finding" your purpose, and how to practice daily.
Richard is considered a pioneer of the global purpose movement. Yes, the "purpose movement" is a thing. The topic of finding meaning and purpose has come up repeatedly on this podcast. It's key to a life well-lived, we’ve been told. But how DO you live a life of purpose? Are there any shortcuts or secrets? That’s what Debbie wanted to find out from Richard.
Richard Leider is the author of 11 books, many of which have been bestsellers, and recently co-authored the book "Who Do You Want to Be When You Grow Old? The Path of Purposeful Aging." He's very much on the right path for himself. At 77, he’s working, writing, and still, happily, honing his own purpose.
Together, they talk about the idea of purpose in elder hood, and why it is crucial to longevity. They discuss purpose as a verb: it’s not something you find but it’s something you “do” via purposeful living. Richard shares his story of a profound encounter with author and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl in 1968 and how that unlocked his lifelong fascination with purpose.
They also get into what he calls in his book the Ultimate Conversation - the one about death that you should have with your family but also with yourself.
And Richard shares what he does everyday to practice being purposeful. This might be the secret, if there is one. This is a great conversation with a man who is truly living what he talks and writes about.
Mentioned in this episode or useful:
- Who Do You Want to Be When You Grow Old?: The Path of Purposeful Aging by Richard Leider and David Shapiro (Berrett-Koehler Publishers 2021)
- Repacking Your Bags: Lighten Your Load for the Good Life by Richard Leider and David Shapiro (? Berrett-Koehler Publishers 2012)
- Global Purpose Movement
- Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (Beacon Press 2006)
- Parker J. Palmer
- The Way It Is by William Stafford
- Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life by Gail Sheehy (Bantam 1977)
Note from Debbie
If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts. It takes less than two minutes and it really makes a difference. It makes me feel loved and it also attracts new listeners.
Subscribe to my newsletter and get my free writing guide: https://bitly.com/debbie-free-guide.
Connect with me:
- Twitter: @debbieweil
- Instagram: @debbieweil
- Facebook: @debbieweil
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/debbieweil
- Blog: Gap Year After Sixty
- Email: thegapyearpodcast@gmail.com
- Debbie
We Are Looking For a Sponsor
If you are interested in reaching a smart and thoughtful audience of midlife, and older, listeners, contact Debbie Weil.
Media Partners
Support this podcast:
- Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: it will help us find a sponsor! If you are interested, contact Debbie Weil
- Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify
Credits:
- Host: Debbie Weil
- Producer: Far Out Media
- Podcast website
- Music: Lakeside Path by Duck Lake
Further episodes of [B]OLD AGE With Debbie Weil
Further podcasts by Debbie Weil
Website of Debbie Weil