Pat Whitty, Modern Elder
(The Open Nesters Episode 32)






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Welcome to this week's podcast! We have a very special interview for you, with a "modern elder" named Pat Whitty. This remarkable septuagenerian (age 78) is the very picture of an Open Nester. Life changes, career changes, finding great meaning in his life in his Act IIl (or as Pat calls it 'Chapter Four') define this fascinating man.
Pat is an alumnus and community leader of an organization called M|E|A The Modern Elder Academy. This organization is in Baja, California and is positioned as a "mid-life business school." People "connect with their wisdom" during two week visits to their campus. It's about finding your path in your next chapter of life.







Pat Whitty calls himself a Modern Elder Whisperer. Through his own study of health, aging, and his own transition to a Modern Elder, Pat has a unique understanding of the emotional and psychological needs of elders.
Pat recently left his position as the Dean of the School of Business at a San Antonio university to pursue a new career as a Health and Life Transition Coach helping people in midlife and beyond write the next chapter of their life.
He has a Master's Degree in Organizational Development from Incarnate Word University. He was manager of Leadership and Management Training at Chase Bank for 10 years.
Pat is the president of the Rotary Club of San Antonio at the Dominion.






More About Pat
Pat has been in this space for a long time. He owned the Dale Carnegie Training franchise in South Texas for most of his life. There they focused on personal development, communication skills, leadership, and management. Most recently he found himself to be the dean at a school of business in San Antonio, TX. He observed his life there. Private parking space, prestige, responsibility. Yet he was mostly just answering emails all day long where the dialogue was mostly about "CYA... covering your ass." THIS was not how Pat wanted to spend the rest of his days. He made a decision to leave that big job... voluntarily... at age 78!! At this age that is most certainly a "bridge burned!"
Pat formed his company "Chapter Four Coaching." The name comes from Pat's mom's advice:
Chapter One: "Get a Good Education"
Chapter Two: "Find a Real Good Job with a Real Good Company"
Chapter Three: "Retire and Live Happily Every After" 
For Pat it's all about Chapter Four.






My old self stalks me
Like a jilted lover
Keeping me from the new person
I'm eager to discover
 
That person did not make me happy
Yet it is still pulling on me
The security of misery
Is keeping me from being free
 
Am I Vladimir or Estragon
Waiting for Godot
Wasting my life away
In search of someone I don't know
 
I'm hearing the call
Ready for the adventure
Can't cross the threshold
Until I find a mentor
 
Why am I afraid of uncertainty
Seduced by the illusion of knowing
It's all in the past
Keeping me from growing