“Find an upbeat ending”: NYT bestselling author Bruce Feiler on the power of storytelling when we go through difficult times, the universal patterns of “lifequakes”, and how we can better manage change at any age. * BruceFeiler.com * Life is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age * The Life Story Project * Bruce’s Ted Talks In honor of Bruce’s first concert, my mom’s birthday this week, and presenting Midlife Mixtape Podcast sponsor Amateur Music Network, I bring you my favorite JD song to belt out. Thanks as always to M. The Heir Apparent, who provides the music behind the podcast – check him out here! ***This is a rough transcription of Episode 88 of the Midlife Mixtape Podcast. It originally aired on December 8, 2020. Transcripts are created using a combination of speech recognition software and human transcribers, and there may be errors in this transcription, but we hope that it provides helpful insight into the conversation. If you have any questions or need clarification, please email dj@midlifemixtape.com *** Bruce Feiler 00:01 The proper response to a setback is a story. So, you’re going to move on, and the only question is: what story are you going to tell about it? 00:10 Welcome to Midlife Mixtape, The Podcast. I’m Nancy Davis Kho and we’re here to talk about the years between being hip and breaking one. [THEME MUSIC – “Be Free” by M. The Heir Apparent] Nancy Davis Kho 00:35 Hi listeners – Just as quick reminder as you’re doing your holiday shopping this year that indie bookstores, indie music venues, and creatives of all stripes need your support in order to be around to greet us when we emerge from this pandemic. I’m inviting you to be creative in your giving this year – buy a ticket for an artist’s live stream concert, tip generously when a DJ you like does a live set on Twitch, buy some merch from a club or a singer you love. Your local bookstore probably has gifts from $3 bookmarks on up to fat coffee table books, and they’re keeping employment and tax dollars right in your neighborhood. I hope you’ll remember to shop local, shop small, and keep live music alive in your life this December! [MUSIC] Hey there Pop Rocks, and if you need that reference go back and listen to Episode 87 with Joanna Bloor. Nancy here and I hope you’re hanging in, keeping your masks tight, your distances social, and your sanity intact. That light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter every day, and we are going to get there. I am really excited about today’s conversation because it’s one that I think couldn’t come at a better time for all of us. My guest today is Bruce Feiler. Bruce Feiler is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers; the presenter of two prime-time series on PBS; and the inspiration for the drama series COUNCIL OF DADS on NBC. Bruce’s two TED Talks have been viewed more than two million times. His new book, LIFE IS IN THE TRANSITIONS: Ma...