Photo by Spencer Backman on Unsplash
Creativity has no expiration date! Let one man’s story inspire you to thrive at any age and cultivate a life that’s fulfilling, emotionally rich, and creatively alive.
I’m Mindy Peterson, host of Enhance Life with Music podcast, where we explore the ways music transforms everyday life. And this is Microhance, a micro-dose of musical enhancement.
Today’s microhance is a convergence of two recent happenings: First, I read what ended up being one of my favorite new books of 2025: Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half, by Dr. Kerry Burnight. And second, I heard from a listener who is a perfect example of this book in action!
His name is Steve Goldberg. In his 70s, after completing a forty-year career in leadership development, Steve was at a transition point. He found himself asking: What’s next?
He describes what crept in then as a kind of flatness or fog. Not depression, not despair, but what psychologist Adam Grant calls languishing. That in-between space where we’re not failing, but not flourishing either. This discomfort is common in life transitions, whether it’s a job change, graduation, loss, or simply finding yourself out of sync with the life you’re living.
And this is when Steve returned to the piano – a loose hobby he had dabbled with in his 50s. What started as a few tentative notes of curiosity and exploration grew into something more: a way of internal listening and expressing what words could not… and ultimately, a creative awakening.
The piano became both mirror and muse, a daily practice that rekindled joy and meaning. Steve didn’t intend for his piano playing to become anything significant. But slowly, it did. Rediscovery blossomed into a whole new chapter: composing and recording original music, writing reflections on meaningful living, and sharing calming piano pieces that soothe and uplift listeners around the world. It’s a give-back project, freely shared, that has become for Steve “a conduit for connection, purpose, and peace.”
Steve’s languishing transformed into vitality, and resulted in two albums, an ebook, and a TikTok channel that connects across generations. Steve focuses on helping others rediscover calm, meaning, and creative possibility – at any age. He shares his music and book freely – not just for enjoyment or healing, but as living proof that our creative potential and ability to thrive have no expiration date.
Listeners from around the world have written to say that Steve’s music helps them relax, de-stress, and sleep more peacefully. One even called it “a modern-day lullaby” for all of us. It’s designed to calm the mind and soften the edges of the day.
Steve’s ebook is called Languishing or Blossoming: A Guide to Meaningful Living at Any Age – Inspired by a Late-Life Awakening. I LOVED this short read! Along with Steve’s insights and inspiration from his own experiences, you’ll find practical guides and reflective tools, with space to write your own thoughts and ideas.
Steve writes:
While my own reawakening happened in life’s later chapters, the themes explored here – presence, energy, creativity, and meaningful engagement – are relevant at any age or turning point.
This book isn’t just about the healing power of music… It’s about cultivating a life that is not only fulfilling, but emotionally rich, creatively alive, and deeply human.
I appreciate this real-life example that our creative potential and ability to thrive have no expiration date. Sometimes the most beautiful chapters of life begin not with a plan, but with a small act of curiosity – and the courage to follow where it leads.
May we all find our own way to blossom, regardless of our age.
I’ll link to all resources in the show notes.
You can always connect with me on email (mindy@mpetersonmusic.com), Facebook, Instagram, X, or LinkedIn; and by signing up for my monthly e-Newsletter.
I’m Mindy Peterson, and I hope this inspires you to enhance your life with music.
Connect/Other Resources
- Steve’s albums:
- Sweet Dreams: Piano for Encouraging Calm, Restful Sleep and Dreaming
- Calmer Days, More Peaceful Nights: created to calm the mind and soften the edges of the day
- Ebook: Languishing or Blossoming: A Guide to Meaningful Living at Any Age
- Website
- Linktree
- TikTok: @soothingpiano1
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