Richard Leider will teach during the Wisdom & Wellbeing Multi-Faculty Week 4 | January 24 – 31, 2026 about the following topic:

Unlocking the Power of Purpose

What is my reason to rise?
Most of us, at one time or another, have asked ourselves this question. And each of us sooner or later, must find an answer to live meaningfully and with fulfillment. We need to identify and unlock our purpose in life. Living purposefully is not a luxury for the few, but is fundamental to our health, healing, happiness, and our longevity. At our core we need to matter. We need a felt sense that we are growing and giving to life. If we have a pulse, we have a purpose-which we can unlock no matter our age, our health, or our economic or social situation. Living on purpose helps us feel more alive, more energetic, and more resilient. It gives us a reason to rise.

WHO IS RICHARD?

Richard has helped thousands unlock their purpose and pioneered the global purpose movement, becoming one of the world’s most sought-after experts on purposeful living.

His groundbreaking work has transformed purpose from a luxury for the few to fundamental for health, happiness, and longevity – a path to living longer, better. (Science proves it!)

WHY PURPOSE NOW?

This workshop will show you that purpose is not some far-off destination – but a path you can embrace right now, transforming your life, work, and leadership into being more meaningful.

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM A PURPOSE WORKSHOP

• Clarity on your unique gifts through the renowned CALLING CARDS method – a powerful tool used worldwide to help people discover their authentic purpose
• A practical framework for both “small p purpose” (finding daily meaning) and “big P purpose” (creating lasting impact) that you can implement immediately
• Proven daily practices for turning life transitions into opportunities including the “1440 moments” method for finding meaning each day
• Bonds with fellow seekers forged through meaningful conversations

YOU’LL LEAVE…

With a clear sense of purpose and direction, along with practical tools to bring your purpose path into action.

Author, Coach, Speaker
“What’s your reason to rise?”

International bestselling author, coach, and keynote speaker, Richard has pioneered the way we answer that question. Widely viewed as a pioneer of the global purpose movement, his work is regularly featured in media. His PBS Special, The Power of Purpose, was viewed by millions across the United States. He has brought his message to all 50 states, Canada, and four continents.

Richard has written twelve books, including three bestsellers that have sold over one million copies and been translated into 20 languages. The Power of Purpose, now in its fourth edition, is considered a classic in the personal growth field. He also created the renowned Calling Cards method, which has helped millions of people around the world discover their authentic purpose.

He is the founder of Inventure, The Purpose Company, a firm dedicated to guiding individuals to live, work, and lead with purpose. Forbes ranks him among the top five most respected coaches, and the Conference Board has named him a legend in coaching. He has worked with more than 100,000 leaders across over 100 organizations including AARP, Ameriprise, Blue Zones, Blue Spirit, Ericsson, General Mills, Habitat for Humanity, Mayo Clinic, the NFL, Outward Bound, and the U.S. Department of State.

Richard holds a master’s degree in counseling and is both a National Certified Counselor and a National Certified Master Career Counselor. His work has been recognized with numerous honors, including a Bush Fellowship and the Outstanding Scholar for Creative Longevity and Wisdom award from the Fielding Institute.

He is a Senior Fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing and an Education Fellow with the Retirement Income Institute. He also serves as a global Purpose Ambassador for Blue Zones and Blue Spirit Costa Rica.

His work has helped transform the idea of purpose from a luxury for the few to something essential for health, happiness, and longevity. For more than 30 years, he has led Inventure Expedition walking safaris in East Africa, where he is a founder and board member of the Dorobo Fund for Tanzania. He and his wife, Sally, live in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area.

Check out Richard’s newest book: Who Do You Want to Be When You Grow Old? The Path of Purposeful Aging
Click below to explore more.

“In a culture that offers little guidance for growing old, but excels at pushing elders aside, here’s a book that will help us age into the fullness of life. I’ve been reading Richard Leider and Dave Shapiro with gratitude for years, and once again they’ve offered grounded guidance for the fourth quarter of life. Life is always a gift beyond measure, and there’s only one way to keep a gift alive: pass it along in growth and service as long as we have the chance. We who have reached old age are among the lucky ones, and this book will help us turn our good fortune into an asset for the world. I’m still a young man (81), but this book goes into my backpack as I journey on.”
—Parker J. Palmer (author of “On the Brink of Everything,” “Let Your Life Speak,” “The Courage to Teach,” and “Healing the Heart of Democracy”)

“If we’re lucky, we grow old. If we’re wise, we grow whole. This powerful book is a poignant reminder that life is a crescendo. The plot thickens as life quickens toward the end. Richard and David help us make sense of this quickening to assure our life’s path is purposeful.”
—Chip Conley, Bestselling author and founder of the Modern Elder Academy

“The books by Richard Leider and David Shapiro gave me a road map to find my life’s passions and purpose. With this book, they lead an exploration into powerful and meaningful aging with fresh perspectives from inspiring people. Enjoy!”
— Cathy Wurzer, Author and Emmy award-winning public radio & television journalist

“This excellent book gets to the heart of what I believe is the heart of healthy aging well: purpose matters. It is a manifesto on how to age well. Please read and share.”
—Dan Buettner, National Geographic Explorer, New York Times bestselling author, of The Blue Zones