Chip’s Wisdom Weekend:
Philosophy for a Meaningful Life with Eric Weiner
Is a partial scholarship for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to everyone, which is why we offer partial scholarships on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
These scholarships support individuals facing financial challenges, including — but not limited to — members of underrepresented communities. If financial stress might prevent you from attending a workshop, we encourage you to apply.
Partial scholarships, provided through the Association for Growth and Education, are limited to 2–3 seats per workshop and reviewed in the order received. We recommend applying as soon as possible, as scholarship decisions are typically confirmed 90–120 days before the workshop date.
Chip Conley
MEA Founder, Hotelier + Hospitality Entrepreneur, Bestselling Author
Eric Weiner
New York Times Bestselling Author NPR Veteran & Acclaimed Storyteller Philosopher of Everyday Life
Develop a personal philosophy that guides your decisions, reconnects you with wonder, and brings depth and presence to your everyday life
You’re great at making decisions, showing up for people, and handling what needs handling.
But increasingly it feels like you're doing it all without a clear sense of what truly matters – and you often find yourself asking: Is this the life I want to be living, or just the one I’ve built by default?
There's supposed to be more depth to this, more wonder in everyday moments. You can sense it. But you've been too caught up with your daily responsibilities to stop and ask the bigger questions – the ones that could give your life real direction and help you show up more intentionally.
Without a personal philosophy to guide you, you'll stay exactly where you are.
Collecting insights that never stick… making choices that don't quite align… and never quite feeling grounded in what you're doing or why.
You'll spend years knowing there's more awe and spaciousness available to you but never trusting yourself to claim it. And eventually, the restlessness you feel now will harden into the resigned acceptance that maybe this is as good as it gets.
Listen to Chip and Eric Weiner on the Midlife Chrysalis podcast:
Why Wisdom Matters More Than Knowledge in Midlife | Eric Weiner
It's time to develop your own wisdom framework for living.
What if you had a clear philosophy to guide your decisions, navigate uncertainty, and stay grounded in what actually matters?
Imagine moving through the world with the kind of clarity that comes from knowing what you stand for. You could make choices with confidence, experience wonder in ordinary moments, and show up in your relationships and work from a place of real intention rather than just reacting to whatever comes next.
That's what you can develop over the course of a transformative weekend with MEA founder Chip Conley and New York Times bestselling author and modern-day philosopher Eric Weiner.
Eric Weiner is the rare philosopher who makes timeless wisdom feel immediate, accessible, and deeply human.
A former NPR correspondent, he has spent decades exploring how ancient ideas can guide modern life – not through academic theory but through storytelling, humor, and genuine curiosity.
The Wall Street Journal called him "a big-hearted humanist" – and that's exactly what you'll experience over this weekend: someone who helps you think more deeply without taking himself too seriously, who asks the big questions with humility and warmth, and who knows how to translate abstract ideas into tools you can actually use.
Join Eric and Chip and Eric at Rising Circle Ranch in Santa Fe for three immersive days that help you shift from collecting insights to actually living them, and move from restless searching to clarity and presence.
This is your chance to develop a philosophy for daily life that guides how you live, choose, and connect – grounded in timeless wisdom but entirely your own.
During your three days with Chip and Eric, you will…
Build your personal philosophy – develop a practical framework for making decisions, navigating uncertainty, and staying grounded in what matters most to you
Learn how philosophy becomes a daily practice – translate timeless insights into tools you can actually use in your relationships, work, and everyday choices
Explore life's biggest questions with curiosity and humility – practice sitting with paradox and mystery, letting philosophical inquiry open you to wonder rather than false certainty
Cultivate awe as a pathway to meaning – reconnect with beauty and the profound in everyday moments, learning how wonder deepens your presence and reshapes your relationship with life
Develop practices for reflection and meaning-making – create spaciousness to slow down, listen inward, and integrate what you're learning into a philosophy that feels true to who you are
Clarify what you stand for and why it matters – move from vague values to articulated beliefs that guide your choices and give you confidence in how you want to live
Experience the power of deep, meaningful conversation – connect with fellow seekers who understand this work, sharing insights and being witnessed in your depth
Walk away with a clearer lens for living – leave with concrete philosophical frameworks and renewed clarity that stick because they're yours, built from your own reflection and questions
And you’ll do this powerful work in an intimate small-group setting surrounded by the natural beauty of the high desert and MEA’s legendary luxury and hospitality.
This Workshop Is For You If…
Meet
Eric Weiner
Bestselling Author | Former NPR Correspondent | Modern Philosopher of Everyday Life
Eric Weiner helps curious souls make sense of life through timeless wisdom and worldly insight.
A former NPR correspondent who spent years traveling the globe exploring questions of meaning, happiness, and what makes life worth living, Eric brings a rare combination of intellectual depth and accessible warmth to ancient philosophical ideas.
His bestselling books – The Geography of Bliss, The Socrates Express, and Ben & Me – blend travel, humor, and philosophical inquiry into playful but profound lessons for everyday living. The Geography of Bliss became a docuseries featuring Rainn Wilson, bringing Eric's philosophical explorations to an even wider audience.
His latest book, Ben & Me, explores Benjamin Franklin's surprisingly relevant blueprint for a meaningful life, showing how an 18th-century polymath's wisdom can guide us through 21st-century challenges.
A gifted storyteller and guide, Eric makes abstract ideas accessible, funny, and deeply human. He leads wisdom and writing retreats around the world, helping people develop their own philosophical frameworks for living with more presence, curiosity, and joy.
Even as he makes complicated ideas accessible, Eric dispels the myth that there is a singular ‘recipe’ for things like happiness or genius.
~ Tamara Hale, PhD
Mr. Weiner is blessed with this gift. He is a prober and questioner, a big-hearted humanist who will always take a colorful, contradictory reality over some unfounded certainty.
~ The Wall Street Journal Review
Whether tracing the coordinates of happiness, charting the topography of human genius, or seeking divine whispers in far-flung rituals, Weiner invites us to think more curiously, and live more deliberately.
~ Reader’s House
Supported By the MEA Team
Darby Rose
Experience Facilitator
Darby Rose is a multidisciplinary artist, arts administrator, cook, actor and animal lover, currently living in Santa Fe, NM. Born into a family of travelers in Austin, TX, she’s lived more places than she can count — all over Texas, Boston, Jackson WY, Baltimore and Los Angeles, to name a few; and outside the US i ...
View BioT'ai Jamar Hanna
Experience Facilitator
Before joining MEA, T’ai spent years dancing between worlds: organizational change management and embodied wisdom, business consultant and community organizer, spreadsheets and bodywork. She’s led international retreats, facilitated yoga teacher trainings, and designed educational curricula rooted in somati ...
View BioWhat you'll gain
Reclaim your sense of wonder
Learn to ask life’s big questions with humility, curiosity, and courage.
Navigate setbacks with wisdom
Adopt timeless tools for facing challenges with grace and perspective.
See beauty where others miss it
Discover new depth in the ordinary and delight in life’s simplest pleasures.
Live with greater intention
Walk through the world more consciously, listening deeply and acting with kindness.
Clarify what truly matters to you
Align your energy, time, and attention with your deeper values.
Our Agenda at a Glance
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
4:00 PM: Arrival / Check-In
5:30 PM: Welcome Reception & Dinner
7:00 PM: Orientation Session
9:00 PM: Free Time
Friday:
7:30 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
Saturday:
7:30 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
6:30 PM: Dinner, Dessert & Graduation
8:00 PM: Evening Gathering
Sunday:
7:00 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Checkout / Departure
*Please note that not all “classroom time” activities take place in the actual classroom.
*Please note all times are estimates as some activities go longer or shorter depending on the group. This agenda is meant to give you an idea of the general flow of activities.
Step into transformation in the high desert
Rising Circle Ranch | Santa Fe, USA.
Our spectacular Santa Fe campus is located on an upscale regenerative ranch featuring traditional Pueblo architecture and nearly 2,600 acres of wildlife, hiking trails in the arroyo, and awe-inspiring beauty. Close to historic Santa Fe, an artisan’s mecca.
PLUS: Gourmet from-scratch meals, snacks, and drinks featuring locally sourced ingredients, made by our in-house chefs
Meet the horses of Rising Circle Ranch
Rising Circle Ranch spans 2,600 acres of New Mexico high desert – wide skies, rugged trails, and plenty of room to roam. During your stay, you’ll see that our horses are part of the daily rhythm of life on the ranch.
For our three-day workshops, optional guided rides are available to book on-site for an additional fee, depending on weather and ranch conditions. Led by experienced guides, these rides are open to all skill levels – from first-timers to seasoned riders.
You’ll experience highlights like:
Your Workshop Includes:
Your life won't get more meaningful by accident. You have to choose it.
You've spent years knowing something deeper is possible – more clarity, more wonder, more intentional living. But without taking time to develop a personal philosophy, you'll keep moving forward exactly as you are: collecting insights that don't stick, making choices that don't quite align, and never quite feeling grounded in what you're doing or why.
This weekend gives you:
The philosophy you need to guide your next chapter starts here.
Book your spot today
Chip’s Wisdom Weekend: Philosophy for a Meaningful Life with Eric Weiner
Is a partial scholarship for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to everyone, which is why we offer partial scholarships on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
These scholarships support individuals facing financial challenges, including — but not limited to — members of underrepresented communities. If financial stress might prevent you from attending a workshop, we encourage you to apply.
Partial scholarships, provided through the Association for Growth and Education, are limited to 2–3 seats per workshop and reviewed in the order received. We recommend applying as soon as possible, as scholarship decisions are typically confirmed 90–120 days before the workshop date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this different from a traditional philosophy class?
This isn’t about memorizing ancient texts or debating abstract theories. It’s about living philosophy. Eric brings timeless wisdom down to earth, showing how ideas from thinkers like Epictetus and Confucius can help you navigate real-life challenges, find meaning, and live more intentionally in today’s noisy world.
Do I need any background in philosophy to attend?
Not at all. This experience is designed for thoughtful people, not academics. Whether you’re brand new to philosophy or have long been “philosophy curious,” you’ll find the content engaging, accessible, and relevant to your life.
What if I’m not in a major life transition right now?
You don’t need to be at a turning point to benefit. This workshop is about sharpening your inner compass – so whether you’re navigating life changes, feeling stuck, or simply hoping for deeper insight and clarity, you’ll leave with practical tools to guide your next steps.
How is this different from other MEA workshops?
While all MEA experiences blend wisdom, connection, and transformation, this workshop focuses specifically on philosophical thinking as a daily practice. It’s ideal for those drawn to deep questions, meaningful conversations, and timeless tools for living with more presence, perspective, and joy.
What’s included in the workshop fee?
Your tuition covers everything once you arrive:
- 3 nights of luxury accommodations at MEA’s Santa Fe campus
- Chef-prepared meals, snacks, and beverages
- Daily sessions with Eric, Chip, and the MEA team
- Equine-assisted learning and mindfulness activities
- All materials, guided movement, and unforgettable group experiences
The only additional costs are your travel to Santa Fe and any personal purchases.
Will we be sitting in a classroom all day?
Not at all. While there are rich conversations and guided learning sessions, we intentionally balance mind, body, and spirit. You’ll also enjoy time outdoors, movement practices, and quiet moments of reflection – all designed to deepen your experience and ground what you learn.
Is this workshop right for me if I’m not spiritual?
Absolutely. This isn’t about dogma or belief systems. It’s about cultivating wisdom, curiosity, and presence – universal human qualities that transcend labels. Whether you’re spiritual-but-not-religious, skeptical, or somewhere in between, you’ll find space for your own path here.
What’s the group like? Who attends these retreats?
Our participants are thoughtful, curious people from all walks of midlife – executives, artists, educators, entrepreneurs, lifelong learners. Many are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, seeking greater meaning, clarity, and connection. What they share is a willingness to go deep, show up fully, and explore what truly matters.
Still deciding or have questions?
Connect with our helpful team of Advisors
Our Advisors are all MEA alumni who can offer genuine insights into our programs. They’re passionate about helping you finding the right fit to make your next chapter the best one.
Daniel Booz
Lucas Erie
Leslie Bartlett