Cultivating Purpose with guest faculty Christine Carter

Coming Into Your Own: Reconnecting with Who You Are

Feb 17 - Feb 22, 2025 in Santa Fe, USA

Led by: Christine Carter, Lori Schwanbeck, Robert King

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Financial aid is available. Apply Here.

When You're Clear on Your Purpose, Everything Falls into Place.

You’ve spent years building a career, raising a family, or supporting others, checking off all the boxes of success. Yet you still find yourself asking the same big questions: What now? What truly lights me up? How can I use my strengths in a way that feels meaningful?

Finding the answers isn’t just about fulfillment – it’s about your well-being and longevity. Research shows that having a clear sense of purpose enhances mental and physical health, reduces stress and anxiety, and strengthens your relationships.

The good news? Purpose isn’t something you stumble upon – it’s something you shape. It starts by recognizing your strengths and paying attention to what truly matters to you. The more you lean into what lights you up, the clearer your path becomes.

And Dr. Christine Carter – co-founder and former Executive Director of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center – can help you find the path forward.

Join acclaimed author and sociologist Dr. Christine Carter for five game-changing days in breathtaking Santa Fe, where you'll uncover your unique strengths and passions and learn science-backed strategies to create a meaningful and fulfilling life. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of what truly lights you up – and how to use your unique skills to do work that brings you joy and purpose.

What you’ll gain

During your five transformative days with Christine and the MEA faculty in Santa Fe, you will gain the tools, support, and insight to:

Rediscover Your Authentic Self: Reconnect with your true identity and envision who you aspire to be in your next life chapter.
Understand the Science of Happiness: Learn how happiness and meaning evolve with age, based on scientific insights.
Define Your Personal Concept of Purpose: Clarify what "living with purpose" and achieving well-being mean to you.
Identify Core Strengths: Recognize your unique strengths and attributes that can guide you toward living your purpose..
Activate Your Hidden Potential: Apply research-based practices to tap into your latent abilities at any age.
Cultivate Resilience: Learn strategies to stay grounded and centered amid uncertainty or challenges.
Build Courage to Act: Gain the confidence to step beyond your comfort zone and take meaningful action.
Envision a Fulfilling Future: Create a clear vision for a purpose-driven life that excites and fulfills you.
Implement Your Vision: Unlock the courage to turn your aspirations into reality.

You'll walk away with renewed confidence, clarity, and enthusiasm to fully step into your purpose—energized, empowered, and optimistic about the future, ready to embrace life as the person you were always meant to be.

Meet your faculty

Christine Carter, Ph.D.

Founder and former Executive Director of the Greater Good Science Center

Sociologist | Author | Speaker | Coach

Christine Carter, Ph.D., has spent her career redesigning the way we work—helping people lead more joyful, productive, and fulfilling lives. Blending cutting-edge research with real-world application, she provides science-backed strategies to help individuals and organizations thrive amid modern pressures.

Christine is co-founder and a Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and previously served as its executive director. Now, as a leader at BetterUp, she designs coaching experiences that drive meaningful transformation for people, teams, and organizations.

She has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, TODAY, CBS Sunday Morning, NPR, and BBC Radio, as well as in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and The Washington Post. Her TED Talk was among the top five most viewed in 2021.

As a sociologist, Christine is passionate about driving systemic change in workplaces, families, and schools—helping cultures and institutions cultivate behaviors and beliefs that foster greater well-being and connection.

What Christine's workshop participants had to say...

Her workshop was nothing short of magical.

As a long-time admirer of Christine Carter’s research and writing, I entered the week at MEA with high expectations, all of which were not only met but exceeded. Christine has an extraordinary ability to foster a truly transformative experience, blending her wisdom, engaging interaction, and practical tools. I left with not only a clear plan, but also a profound sense of purpose and clarity. Her workshop was nothing short of magical.

Hope Wisneski

Christine Carter has rock-star allure.

Christine Carter has rock-star allure. She is analytical, creative, pragmatic, sharp, goal-driven, and sensitive. I was lucky enough to attend her MEA seminar, ‘Reconnect with what you are and what you want,’ which helped me realize that I can mastermind my own life. And now, after years of doubting, thinking, wanting, and wishing, I am well on my way.

Margriet Krijgsman

I knew what this would be like (amazing) but it was SO much more than I even dreamed.

Christine’s workshop was incredible. I have read her books and though I knew what this would be like (amazing) but it was SO much more than I even dreamed. It was amazing times 100,000,000.

Laura Beth Neilsen

Christine gently guides you through mind-blowing exercises that help you reflect on your strengths, desires, and what makes you feel alive

Christine gently guides you through mind-blowing exercises that help you reflect on your strengths, desires, and what makes you feel alive in the pursuit of cultivating purpose. The real beauty of Christine's approach is that she's not just instructing—you’re on this journey together. She shares her own vulnerabilities and works through the MEA curriculum alongside her students. It's a safe space to explore whatever arises, leaving you with a sense of direction and optimism.

Julie DeLoca

Her workshop was life-changing in the best possible way.

Christine’s wisdom is a perfect alchemy of deep and broad knowledge of the research, the science behind the how and why of who we are, and an intuitive, grounded, and empathetic connection to the humanity that hums through each of us. I felt such trust in the spaces she created, and joy in wonder in the learning she guided us towards. I left not only with an abiding sense purpose, but also with the understanding that I had a forever resource in Christine. Her workshop was life-changing in the best possible way.

Blossom Beatty

This workshop is for you if...

You feel like your life is lacking any real meaning and you’re looking to reignite your joy

You’re experiencing burnout at work or home and finding it hard to feel motivated or inspired

You’ve been putting other people’s needs before your own for a long time – now you’re ready to focus on you

You’ve lost touch with who you are and what you want your life to look like

You’re great at what you do – but it’s not in integrity with who you want to be in the world

You struggle with self-doubt and worry that you don’t have what it takes to live a life you love (spoiler: you absolutely do)

You’re looking for deeper meaning and fulfillment in everything you do

You’re willing to explore new science-backed practices that can help you form habits that will help you succeed

Do this powerful work on our beautiful regenerative ranch in Santa Fe

Santa Fe, USA

Rising Circle Ranch

An upscale regenerative ranch featuring traditional Pueblo architecture and spanning nearly 2,600 acres of wildlife, hiking trails in the arroyo, with ancient petroglyphs, and awe-inspiring beauty. Close to historic Santa Fe, an artisan’s mecca.

Big-sky desert country
Breathtaking nature
Interaction with horses and donkeys
Evenings around the campfire
Star-gazing

Meet your MEA facilitators

In addition to the powerful sessions conducted by Christine, you will be guided through the core MEA Cultivating Purpose curriculum by our faculty members:

Lori is a passionate advocate for creating lives of meaning and engagement in both the personal and professional realms. She is a senior faculty member at Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI), an organization born at Google, where she mentors and trains teachers, and designs and facilitates both in-person and virtual mindfulness based emotional intelligence programs.

Lori holds an MA in psychology and is a certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, trained by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach through the Greater Good Science Center. She is currently involved in a 2-year project in Bhutan working in partnership with the Gross National Happiness initiative bringing SIYLI’s program to all levels of the Bhutanese government.

She is also curriculum contributor and facilitator at: LinkedIn, Purpose Blue, Wisdom Labs, Mindfulness Rx and the Mindfulness Training Institute, and leads nature-based mindfulness retreats at MEA, Esalen Institute, and Canyon Ranch.

A near fatal bicycle accident in her early 40’s triggered a humbling re-evaluation of her values, actions and identity. Recognizing that while our lives are short, our choices have a ripple effect on the world around us, Lori is committed to living in alignment with awareness, integrity and whole-heartedness – and dedicated to supporting others who desire to have a similar positive impact.

Robert King is a family medicine physician and award-winning ceramic artist with work in private and public collections all over the world. He is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklohoma and lives in Galisteo, New Mexico with his fearless and furry companion, Wilbur.

As an artist, Robert continuously seeks new ways to express himself, utilizing the natural resources found in the surrounding landscape. He describes his body of work as “a love letter to the high desert”. You will appreciate his creative perspective and deep appreciation for the natural environment in which you’ll be doing this soul-empowering work.

Purpose isn’t something you find. It’s something you create.

You don’t need to embark on a mystical quest into the depths of your soul to build a life of deep meaning and fulfillment. The answers are already within you—you just have to start paying attention.

Are you ready to own your strengths and step into what’s next?

It starts with trust—in yourself, in your abilities, and in the journey ahead. With clarity and action, you can create a life that feels aligned, fulfilling, and deeply meaningful.

And the payoff? More joy. Better health. Stronger connections. And a longer, more vibrant life.

People come for the workshops,
but they stay for the community

This is truly MEA’s “secret sauce” and something you can only experience in person: the powerful connections you will make, not only with your fellow participants and the incredible MEA faculty, but also the deeper sense of connection you will feel to your own inner self and the natural world around you.

Research into aging shows that your relationships play a HUGE role in your health and wellbeing later in life. At MEA, you will make deep and lasting connections and become part of a larger community that will make your life richer and more meaningful.

Many of our alumni cohorts have stayed in close touch for years after their workshop and we have a growing number of local alumni chapters all over the world. It’s a joy for us to see them continuing to offer each other community, friendship, and support as they create thriving midlives for themselves. So if you have been feeling at all disconnected or isolated on your journey, we would love to have you join us!

Have we mentioned the food?

The MEA experience is designed in part by Chip Conley, a world-renowned boutique hotelier, which means the food is amazing.

All of the ingredients are locally sourced, organic, and made from scratch in our kitchens by hand-picked chefs. The delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners will leave you feeling nourished inside and out – not to mention the blended drinks made with fresh fruit and other top-shelf ingredients.

Each retreat center has multiple kitchens that always have snacks and beverages available. At MEA, we believe that thriving is delicious!

Your Workshop Includes

5 days and nights of lodging at our boutique luxury retreat center in Baja or Santa Fe with all of your meals, snacks, drinks and other amenities included
Daily sessions and experiential activities to help you connect with your inner self, envision your desired experience, and release what no longer serves you
Meditation covering a range of practices to soothe your nervous system and help you cultivate greater mindfulness and presence in the moment.

Movement to get the energy flowing and build your strength and agility as you chart your course forward to the life you want to live.
Incredible bonding experiences with the most amazing humans you’ll ever meet.
Three delicious, chef-prepared meals plus snacks throughout the day prepared from scratch with the freshest local ingredients.
Festive gatherings to cultivate connection and celebrate the joy and beauty of life.

Tuition starts at $4,000

Ready to start your journey?