Your Brain on Art: Why Midlife Needs Creativity More Than Ever | Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross
Podcast: The Midlife ChrysalisPublished On: Fri Feb 20 2026
Description: 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 makingSmall creative acts can reduce stress and help us feel more aliveArt may be one of the healthiest counterweights to burnout and AIThe 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 journeys18:36 What Your Brain on Art is really about21:25 Neuroaesthetics and brain science23:54 Why creativity is essential for health24:24 How to rebuild creativity in midlife29:14 Art, neuroplasticity, and medicine34:32 Creativity inside Google39:18 Digital literacy, nature, and balance41:35 Personal midlife transformation stories45:30 Resilience through illness and change49:08 Life wisdom and defining moments55:51 Final reflections and closingLearn more about MEA at https://www.meawisdom.com/#MidlifeChrysalis #YourBrainOnArt #CreativityAndAging #MidlifeWellbeing #Neuroaesthetics #BrainHealth #CreativityForAdults #MidlifeGrowth #ArtAndScience #HealthyAging #MentalHealthMidlife #PurposeInMidlife #CreativeLiving #SecondHalfOfLife #MidlifeInspiration
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