#32 – I Used To Be Somebody With Carl & Diana Landau

In the first part of our lives, we’re busy working toward a career. Then we’re busy doing it. By the time we’re done, we’ve gotten pretty good at whatever it is we do, so it can be pretty intimidating to try anything else. What if we’re terrible at it? Carl and Diana Landau want all […]
#31 – The Federal Bureau of Happy Retirements with Jerri Williams

I’m a massive fan of books and movies about the FBI. If my wife sees me reading, she can often assume it’s some story about counterintelligence or criminal profiling. One night, I was enjoying a podcast called FBI Retired Case File Review, and it dawned on me that as someone with my own podcast, I […]
#30 – Carving Out A Spooky Retirement: Halloween With Ken Klinker

Ken Klinker loves carving pumpkins. He started doing it for his kids 30 years ago. He’d come home from work and head straight to the shed—eager to sculpt some groovy orange gourds. His wife spent so much time alone in the house that she started calling herself “The Pumpkin Widow.” But retirement has given Ken […]
#29 – In Between Songs: Gregg Russell Is Happy In Harbour Town

If you grew up in the South, you’ve probably heard Gregg Russell sing. If you were lucky enough to vacation on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, you’ve probably heard it live. He’s been singing for kids and their families in Harbour Town under a 300-year-old oak tree since 1977. Two of those kids grew up […]
#28 – One-Year Anniversary Show

On this very special episode, Ryan breaks out his tuxedo and invites Producer Mallory into the studio to celebrate one year of interviewing happy retirees. They explore some of the most dynamic lessons learned and what they hope the listeners will use as inspiration in their own lives. Break out the champagne glasses and help […]
#27 – Pelican Persistence and Glass-Ceiling Breakthroughs: Kathy Sperl-Bell’s Guide to Winning at Work and Retirement

Kathy Sperl-Bell has an abstract painting called “Dinner Time.” In it, a Pelican stares down into the sea as dark shadows betray the location of fish who, unbeknownst to them, are in serious jeopardy. What strikes me about this particular Pelican is his ability to keep his eye on the prize. His hunger is evident. […]
#26 – The Biggest Risk Of All With George Jerjian

Albert Einstein once said, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” George Jerjian gave it a shot. What he noticed was that nothing in nature retires. Polar Bears don’t leave with severance packages, and Komodo Dragons don’t get a gold watch or cake in the office kitchen. Wildlife is typically either growing or dying. In […]
#25 – Ending Ageism With Friendly Vibes: Jan Golden

Think about the last time you bought a birthday card. You were probably in a hurry, maybe even running late for the party you needed the card for. You scanned the racks, noticing that cards now cost more than the gift. But even more than that was the overwhelming bombardment of “over-the-hill” birthday themes: sagging […]
#24 – Uncork Your Bottle of Happiness With Steve Hoffman

My conversation with Steve Hoffman was deep and engaging, largely due to his eloquence and profound self-reflection. Steve is a Minnesota tax preparer and a French-loving food & wine writer. His writing has garnered significant recognition, winning multiple awards, including the prestigious 2019 James Beard M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award. His work has been featured in Food & Wine, The Washington […]
#23 – It’s Your Life: Live It! Beyond Retirement with Jacquie Doucette

As Americans, we tend to believe our jobs define us. Think about that last time you met someone new. What’s the first thing you asked? “So what do you do?” How we make a living is so ingrained in our self-worth recipe that we often neglect the other ingredients. Jacquie Doucette wants to change all that. […]