Pilot: 04.05. - 12.07.26
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Book your ticket now!
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Only 30 tickets available!
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Pilot: May 4 - July 12, 2026 〰️ Book your ticket now! 〰️ Only 30 tickets available! 〰️
Your bonus decade – an 8-week adventure into the next chapter of your life
Pilot: May 4th - July 12th, 2026
Find out what more you have to offer.
You can feel it: there's more life waiting for you. The Bonus Decade is an 8-week virtual learning and adventure journey for everyone who wants to consciously and courageously shape their next chapter of life.
Why a bonus decade?
Perhaps you're at a turning point in your life – triggered by changes or an inner voice saying, "Now is my time." The feeling that another chapter of your life awaits you. A chapter with more freedom, more meaning, more of you.
This is exactly where your bonus decade begins .
Inspired by Petra Martin's book 'The Bonus Decade', we take you on a completely new kind of learning journey that invites you to pause, take a fresh look and consciously shape your next chapter of life.
With buddy groups, an AI travel companion, and plenty of inspiration, you'll embark on a journey that strengthens you, connects you, and opens up new perspectives – all conveniently online and without packing a suitcase.
The essentials at a glance
What it's about: The bonus decade is a learning journey that invites you to pause, gain new perspectives on your life, and consciously shape your next chapter with renewed energy. Here you'll find inspiration, opportunities for exchange, and concrete tools for your personal transformation.
Target group for the program: This program is for everyone who wants more out of life – regardless of age, whether you're 30 or 70. It's aimed at people who sense that there's more waiting for them and who are eager to actively and consciously shape their lives. Whether you're looking for a fresh start, are at a turning point, or are simply curious about what the future holds: You are welcome if you are ready to embrace new perspectives and inspiration.
Limited number of participants: The group size is limited to a maximum of 30 participants in our pilot program.
Duration and Time Commitment: Our pilot program runs from May 4th to July 12th, 2026. The program lasts 8 weeks plus a 1-week break in the middle. Approximately 2 hours of work per week.
Costs : As a participant in the first program, you benefit from a one-time special price: €490 incl. VAT instead of €690 – exclusively for this round. The regular price is €690. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to join now and actively shape the program.
What you can expect in this program
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In week 2, you choose between three themed paths to continue your bonus decade journey. Each path is linked to a city and has a very special focus – lightness & the art of living, new beginnings & change, or legacy & passing on. Which path suits you best?
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You'll share your journey with a small group of like-minded individuals. Each buddy group consists of three people. Your destinations (paths) can differ. You'll support each other, exchange experiences weekly, motivate one another, and stay on track together.
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Three adventurers who have already walked this path share their personal stories, experiences, and insights with you. They offer inspiration, guidance, and courage for your own journey.
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Our digital companions Rosa, Jay, and Aki will guide you through each of the eight weeks with prompts, reflection questions, and small rituals. They know everything about our destinations and offer you new perspectives, inspiration, and support on your individual journey.
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Each participant receives a copy of Petra Martin's book. It serves as a guide throughout the program, providing background information, reading material, food for thought, and enriching the practical tasks of each week.
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After you choose your path in week 2, we will send you a Travel Kit directly to your home - an invitation for the senses with materials, small surprises and inspiration to accompany you on your journey to Venice, New York or Osaka.
Start your bonus decade: Experience what's possible when creative impulses, genuine community, and new perspectives come together.
"It's never too late to stay curious."
—Petra Martin
Three paths lead to the goal – which one is yours?
The Bonus Decade Program offers you three unique paths. Each path is linked to a symbolic location and provides a completely individual perspective on your next chapter of life. You immerse yourself, find inspiration, and are supported along the way by unique AI travel companions. Don't worry: you don't have to pack any suitcases or book a flight – the journey takes place entirely in your imagination.
Venice - lightness and art of living
Imagine strolling through the alleys of Venice, enjoying the light, the colors, and the atmosphere of a city that embodies pleasure, the art of living, and the extraordinary in the everyday. Here you will learn to move through life with more joy and serenity, to slow down, and to discover beauty in imperfection.
The Venice Trail invites you to consciously slow down, create small moments of pleasure, and celebrate everyday rituals. You reflect on where lightness has a place in your life and experiment with new routines for a more artful way of living.
"Ciao, I'm Rosa. Venice invites you to take life easier. Let's de-stress everyday life together and discover the little joys – step by step, with more enjoyment and zest for life. Are you ready to embrace the Dolce Vita in your everyday life?"
New York - A New Beginning & Change
Feel the energy of New York: a city that never stands still, full of inspiration, new beginnings, and the courage to constantly reinvent itself. This path invites you to let go of the old, open yourself to new perspectives, and shape your own unique transformation.
On the New York Path, you ask yourself courageous questions: What can go? What should stay? You develop new goals, try out fresh ideas, and conduct small experiments that set you in motion. It's about actively shaping change and consciously experiencing your own new beginning.
"Hi, I'm Jay . New York never sleeps! Everything, always, and everywhere pretty much sums it up. Let's try new things together and boldly embrace your change. Together we'll find your rhythm for fresh ideas and real transformation – are you ready for a fresh start?"
Osaka - Legacy & Transmission
Experience the sense of community and hospitality of Osaka – a city that embodies the sharing of knowledge, rituals, and experiences. Here you'll discover how fulfilling it is to share your joy and knowledge with others and create genuine connections.
In the Osaka Path, you explore what you want to pass on – whether experiences, knowledge, or values. You create small rituals, share your stories, and find ways to embed what you've learned in your environment and your community.
"Konnichiwa (こんにちは), I'm Aki. Osaka shows how tradition and the future merge. I encourage you to pass on your experiences and keep the memories alive. Let's find out together how you can shape your legacy and give something valuable to others – are you in?"
No matter which option you choose – Venice, New York, or Osaka – every path leads you to new experiences, valuable insights, and genuine connections. You'll receive guidance, tasks, and support that will strengthen and inspire you. The choice is yours: Which path suits your next chapter of life? Embrace your bonus decade and discover just how diverse your own journey can be.
Your bonus decade – the 8-week program in detail
The Bonus Decade is an inspiring eight-week journey. Join us in a place brimming with creative impulses, accompanied by experienced mentors and supported by your buddy group. You'll discover new perspectives, reflect on your own path, and find out how to integrate ease and the art of living, new beginnings and transformation, or legacy and passing on into your life. Each week represents an important step – with small tasks, reflections, and opportunities for exchange.
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This is where your journey together begins. We start off relaxed: you'll get to know your buddy group – consisting of three people – who will support you on your journey. You'll build trust, share your expectations, and create your personal map – with previous stops, turning points, and aspirations.
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Now the real adventure begins! Together with your buddy group, you'll set goals for your trip and discuss initial reading suggestions. You'll reflect on what you want to bring to the journey and let yourself be inspired by new perspectives. This is where your direction and motivation for the coming weeks will develop.
Kick-off Meeting:
In the virtual kick-off meeting, you'll get to know Petra and the Connecting Humans , and meet the entire travel group for the first time.
Here you'll learn everything important about the program and get detailed insights into the upcoming trip. -
This is the week you choose your path. There are three paths you could take in the program:
Path 1: Lightness & Art of Living in Venice
Venice embodies the art of living and lightness – the city inspires you to see the extraordinary in the everyday and to move about with ease. You'll discover how to stroll through life with more joy and serenity, creating more space for beauty.Path 2: New Beginnings and Change in New York
. New York never sleeps. The city embodies constant new beginnings and change – here you'll find the courage to forge new paths and evolve. You'll seize the opportunity to explore new perspectives, let go of the old, and consciously change your course.Path 3: Legacy and Passing on in Osaka.
Osaka embodies legacy and passing on – the city symbolizes the joy of sharing knowledge, rituals, and experiences, and creating genuine connections. You will learn how to share your knowledge and experiences more often with others and foster a sense of belonging.Take your time to discover your own needs and desires. In conversation with the AI travel guides, you will gain clarity about the personal path you want to take.
At the end of the week, you'll make a conscious decision about your individual path. Which one is yours?
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From now on, you will actively immerse yourself in your chosen path and share your first experiences with your buddy group every week.
Travel Kit: To kick off your journey, we'll send you your very own Travel Kit directly to your home – a box for the senses, filled with inspiring ideas and little surprises related to your chosen path. Petra's book is also included. It will accompany you in the coming weeks and support you every step of the way on your personal journey.
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You will learn to recognize beauty in changing perspectives. What can you learn from imperfection? Through creative exercises and stories from various travel destinations, you will gain new insights. The tour guides will provide inspiring impulses and small rituals.
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Now is the time for change! You're shedding old baggage and opening yourself up to new paths. Your buddy group supports you in letting go, and you share personal turning points – together you discover how new perspectives can move you forward.
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Half the journey is complete. Time for a short break. A week to breathe and reflect. You have space to integrate your experiences, catch up on anything you haven't yet managed to do, exchange ideas, and reflect on how you want to share what you've learned.
Enjoy the break and use it consciously for yourself.
The Midterm Meeting: This week we'll meet for our midterm meeting to take stock: What has moved you so far on your journey? What have you learned? You'll share your experiences, celebrate your progress, and get new inspiration for the second half of the journey.
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Now it's time to get creative and bold: You'll try new things, take unfamiliar steps, and discover what wants to grow within you. Your AI travel companion will support you with small challenges and plenty of encouragement so you can surpass your own expectations.
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You look back on your journey and record what particularly moved and changed you. Together with your buddy group, you mark defining moments and share your most important insights. The week is all about sharing – you consider how what you've learned and experienced can enrich others. Your AI travel companion supports you in making the value of your experiences visible and providing new inspiration.
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You've come a long way – the finish line is in sight. Hooray! Time to celebrate!
At the closing event, we'll reflect on the past weeks together, share our highlights, and celebrate everything that has touched us along the way. You'll look back on your personal progress, while we, as a group, look ahead: What are we taking away from this experience? What do we want to pursue further? And how will our journey continue in our daily lives? New plans will be made, fresh motivation will be sparked, and perhaps even friendships will be forged that will last long after the program is over.
Your bonus decade tour guide
Petra Martin
Petra Martin is a coach, author, and learning space architect. In her programs, she combines personal reflection with insightful impulses from psychology, the art of living, and leadership.
Her book "The Bonus Decade" arose from the conviction that life always offers new opportunities if we are willing to approach them with curiosity and a desire to create.
She says: “The bonus decade is not an appendage of life. It is perhaps its freest chapter.”
Connecting Humans
Connecting Humans stands for genuine connection and sustainable development. Katharina Krentz and Jens Wiemann bring people together – with themselves, with others, and with what truly matters. Our programs combine depth with ease, structure with openness, and individual growth with community.
With "Your Bonus Decade," we're expanding our portfolio with a program that uniquely links personal development and a strong community. We support you with conviction, experience, and a genuine passion for growth – so that your new chapter in life can be a success.
Rosa, Jay and Aki
Rosa, Jay, and Aki are your digital AI companions on this learning journey. Each of them accompanies you on one of the three possible paths. They are based in Venice, New York, and Osaka. As smart AI chatbots, equipped with a wealth of path knowledge and insights on the respective topics, they will support you over eight weeks with reflective questions, small rituals, and inspiring thought-provoking ideas.
You don't need any prior experience with artificial intelligence: We'll show you step by step how the companions work. They aren't real people, but digital assistants who will support you in a friendly and uncomplicated way within the program – completely personalized and exactly when you need inspiration or support.
FAQ
GENERAL QUESTIONS
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The Bonus Decade is more than a course – it's an inspiring, step-by-step journey where you're not alone. We'll guide you step by step over eight weeks:
KickOff with Petra Martin and Connecting Humans : You will start together with all other participants and receive an initial dose of inspiration and orientation for the upcoming 8 weeks.
Orientation phase & path selection: In week 2 you discover what is currently moving you – and choose the path that matches your current feeling about life.
Your individual path: In small buddy groups, you go your own way week after week, receiving tasks, inspiration and exchange on an equal footing.
Your buddies – your support system: You are part of a small, self-organized group (buddy team). Together you reflect, support each other and celebrate progress – because real change is easier when you're connected.
Live events, travel kit & gamification: We motivate you with small rituals, live events and surprises that make your trip special.
You determine the pace and depth – we offer you inspiration, structure and a strong network.
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For people who sense that life has more to offer.
For people who don't just want to continue as before, but want to consciously shape how things proceed.
You don't need to bring anything special, just a little curiosity about yourself and a willingness to consider new ideas.
Many participants are currently at a crossroads. Others simply want to take a fresh look at their lives.
Both are welcome.
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Every person is unique – and every transition feels different. That's why in your bonus decade you can choose one of three paths that address different longings:
Venice stands for lightness and the art of living: Here you learn to see the beauty in everyday life and rediscover your joy of living.
New York is the path of reorientation and reinvention: Dare to try new things, experiment, find your own way.
Osaka invites you to reflect on legacy and passing on: What do you want to leave behind? How do you want to share your knowledge and experiences?
Each path is linked to a city, which serves as a vivid image and a common thread throughout the weeks. These places help participants to look at their own lives from a distance, to playfully adopt new perspectives – and make the journey concrete, tangible, and inspiring.
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You not only gain knowledge, but also experience development with all your senses:
Weekly tasks that get you moving
Inspiring insights from Petra Martin's book
Exchange and reflection within the buddy team
A lovingly packed travel kit full of surprises
3 virtual live events for real encounters
Gamification elements that motivate you and keep you engaged
Access to an exclusive alumni community for sustainable networking
Each week is designed to keep you engaged with joy and ease – and to leave you feeling truly transformed at the end of your journey.
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In a buddy group, several participants come together who are interested in the same topic, face a similar challenge, or simply seek to exchange opinions, views, advice, or passions. It's a gathering of like-minded individuals who don't necessarily have to be the same.
Unlike in a professional setting, where a group usually consists of colleagues who bring similar approaches and have similar training and skills, the participants in a buddy group can come from completely different fields.
Our buddy groups consist of three program participants who embark on the eight-week learning journey together as a small group. The group meets virtually once a week for about an hour for the duration of the program. In these weekly meetings, you'll discuss the week's tasks and reflection questions, give each other feedback, and learn from and with one another.
Each member of your buddy group may be following a different path than you. Everyone is working towards their own goal.
The Las Vegas rule applies: What is discussed here stays within the group. This creates a safe space for experimentation where everyone can contribute and try things out.
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Petra Martin is a coach, author, and learning space architect. In her programs, she combines personal reflection with insightful impulses from psychology, the art of living, and leadership.
Her book , "The Bonus Decade," stemmed from the conviction that life constantly offers new opportunities if we are willing to approach them with curiosity and a desire to shape our lives. She says: "The bonus decade is not an add-on to life. It is perhaps its freest chapter."
Connect with Petra on LinkedIn
Connecting Humans stands for genuine connection and sustainable development. Katharina Krentz and Jens Wiemann bring people together – with themselves, with others, and with what truly matters. Our programs combine depth with ease, structure with openness, and individual growth with community.
With "Your Bonus Decade," we're expanding our portfolio with a program that uniquely links personal development and a strong community. We support you with conviction, experience, and a genuine passion for growth – so that your new chapter in life can be a success.
ORGANIZATIONAL QUESTIONS
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The program will take place in an exclusive pilot phase from May 4th to July 12th, 2026.
Here are the dates:Week 0: Getting to know each other week
04.—10.5.Week 1: Initial spark, alignment and kickoff
May 11–17 (Kickoff, TBD)Week 2: Orientation & Decision Preparation
18.—24.05.Week 3: The start of your chosen path,
May 25-31 (Sending of travel kits)Week 4: Change of perspective & inspiration
01.-07.06.Week 5: Turning Point - Letting go and venturing down new paths
08.—14.6.Break week
15-21 June (1st milestone meeting, TBD)Week 6: New Courage & Experiments
22.—28.06.Week 7: Review, insights and sharing
29.06.—05.07.Week 8: Conclusion & Outlook
06.07.–12.07. (Closing meeting, TBD)waiting list today . We'll then be among the first to inform you as soon as we open registration.
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As a participant in the first pilot program, you'll benefit from a one-time special price: €490 incl. VAT – exclusively for this round. The regular price will later be €690. Take this opportunity to join now and actively shape the program.
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Write us an email at info@connecting-humans.de . Katha, Patra and Jens look forward to hearing from you.
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We strive to create diverse buddy groups with three participants. However, our highest priority is ensuring that scheduling the one-hour weekly meetings works smoothly. Therefore, we focus on participants having similar preferences regarding the day of the week and time.
We will determine the exact allocation by conducting a survey among the participants before the program starts.
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That's a shame, of course, because not only will you miss out on the group discussions and have to work through the material on your own, but the group will also miss out on your input. Please take responsibility for this and try to catch up beforehand or afterward if you can't attend.
Communicate openly and try to find dates that everyone can attend. From the kick-off event to the closing event, you have 9-10 weeks for 8 meetings; that should be manageable.
The 3 virtual live events will take place via Zoom and will be recorded and made available to the participants afterwards.
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If you speak German well and can make it work time-wise, then of course you're very welcome. Please note that all times listed are in German Central European Time (CET). All group events take place in the early evening, and the buddy groups coordinate their weekly meetings. When registering, please remember to specify your time zone or only register for time slots that work with Germany.
CONTENT-RELATED QUESTIONS
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No. You don't need to have read the book beforehand.
Quite the contrary: Petra Martin's book "The Bonus Decade" is part of the program and included in the welcome package. All participants receive a freshly printed copy.
Throughout the learning journey, we will repeatedly revisit individual chapters. They serve as inspiration, open up new perspectives, and provide impetus for our discussions.
So you don't read the whole book at once, but discover step by step the thoughts that fit each stage of the journey.
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Plan to spend approximately 2 hours per week on the program.
For the joint session and for short reflections in between. The 2 hours can therefore be scheduled flexibly.
Some participants take more time because they realize how good it feels to pause and reflect.
But the program is designed in such a way
that it can be easily integrated into a busy daily routine. -
Each Travel Kit is a lovingly designed package that accompanies you on your learning journey, tailored to your chosen path (Venice, New York, or Osaka). Inside, you'll always find a personal copy of Petra's book "The Bonus Decade," as well as a notebook for your thoughts, experiences, and inspirations. In addition, you'll discover small, surprising items that stimulate your senses, support rituals, and bring the atmosphere of your chosen city into your home. Many things remain a secret beforehand, so that anticipation and discovery become part of the experience.
The Travel Kits help you to delve even deeper into your path, to learn with all your senses and to experience the journey in a particularly intense way.
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No, you'll receive the Travel Kit that corresponds to your chosen path. Each kit is individually tailored to the themes and tasks of that specific path and is designed to guide you along your journey. This will make your bonus decade a truly personal experience.
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No, in the program you choose a path from week 2 onwards, on which you will spend the following weeks.
Consciously focusing on one path allows you to truly delve deeper, develop new routines, and initiate lasting change. If you later become curious about the other paths, you can, of course, explore them at another time – but during your learning journey, you remain true to your chosen path.
If you are still undecided at the beginning: The first two weeks are deliberately designed to give you orientation and make it easier for you to decide on the path that suits you best.
Still haven't found the right answer to your questions? Then send us an email to info@connecting-humans.de – we'll be happy to help.