#14: Richard Banfield on Second Harvest, Designing Your Next Chapter, And The Importance of Connection

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Richard Banfield — author, advisor, and co-founder of Second Harvest, a retreat and coaching venture that believes the second half of life can be the most creative, exciting, and rewarding.We talk about how the idea for Second Harvest came from Richard’s own transitions, and how he’s now applying the UX toolbox — mapping assumptions, testing hypotheses, running small experiments — to the story arc of people’s lives. He shares why the concept of product–market fit is just as relevant for humans as it is for startups, and why sometimes the challenge isn’t changing yourself to fit the world, but reshaping your environment to fit the identity you want to step into.Richard shares his own moments of identity override, what he’s learned from hosting retreats in places like the Austrian Alps, and how designing experiences without gurus or PowerPoints creates the conditions for people to truly connect —with themselves and with others. We also touch on the bigger picture: what human evolution might look like in an age of AI, and why learning to take things in your stride remains one of the most important skills of all.It’s an honest, reflective conversation about reinvention, resilience, and how to write your next chapter—whether that’s starting a business, rediscovering creativity, or simply finding the community you want to journey with.Plus:☕️ Why a flat white is his go to fika, and La Fabrica in Girona is his favourite café⭐ Why “The farmers will make a plan” is his adviceWhat we cover:00:00 Reconnecting After Years: A Warm Welcome04:59 Introducing Second Harvest: A New Journey08:14 Life Transitions: Embracing Change and New Beginnings11:10 The Concept of Retirement: Redefining Purpose in Later Life14:00 Finding Community: The Importance of Connection17:07 The Participants of Second Harvest: Diverse Backgrounds and Shared Goals20:03 The Power of Reinvention: Embracing New Identities23:01 Design Thinking in Life: Applying Methodologies to Personal Growth25:56 Challenging Assumptions: The Experimentation of Second Harvest29:08 Creating Meaningful Experiences: The Role of Environment32:00 The Importance of Reflection: Understanding Our Stories35:00 The Future of Connection: Embracing Analog Experiences38:13 Awakening the Senses: The Body-Mind Connection40:59 Conclusion: The Journey Ahead45:28 The Human Connection in Healthcare47:40 Teaching Human Skills for the Future48:39 Adapting to Environmental Challenges51:33 Divergent Evolution and Future Possibilities54:28 The Role of Human Connection in a Tech-Driven World56:21 Embracing Change and New Experiences01:01:43 Curating Meaningful Connections01:08:09 The Importance of Staying Connected01:12:26 Finding Purpose in the Second Harvest of LifeWhere you'll find Richard: LinkedIn⁠NewsletterSecond HarvestArtRichard on InstagramSecond Harvest on InstagramWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠