How to Discover the Gift That’s Uniquely Yours?

How to Discover the Gift That’s Uniquely Yours?

August 19, 2026 · 15 min · Season 1 · Episode 148

About this episode

Chip Conley and Derek Gehl discuss how to uncover your unique gift and essence in life.

What if the thing that makes you different has been there all along, you just haven’t named it yet? In this Wisdom Wednesday, Chip Conley and Derek Gehl explore how to “excavate your essence” and uncover the unique gift that can guide your work, choices, and life. You’ll discover: How Airbnb uncovered “Belong Anywhere” by looking beyond what the company does to why it matters A simple five-question exercise for getting beneath the obvious answers How Chip discovered his gift as a “social alchemist” and used it to better understand his path Why other people and the right environment can help you see what’s difficult to uncover alone Your essence isn’t something you need to invent. It’s something you can uncover. Watch now and ask yourself: What gift can I offer? Timestamps: (00:00) Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday (01:45) How to Excavate Your Essence (02:04) What Makes You Different? (04:04) The Five Questions Exercise (04:59) How Airbnb Found Its Essence (06:28) What Gift Can You Offer? (08:00) Discovering Your Unique Gift (10:38) Let Your Essence Guide You (12:09) Why You Can’t Do This Alone (14:31) Make Space for an Epiphany (14:54) Try the Essence Exercise Learn more about MEA at…

People in this episode

Host: Chip Conley

Guest: Derek Gehl

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Airbnb, Modern Elder Academy

Books & works: Belong Anywhere

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