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On my first date with my future wife, I picked her up in an Uber. I played it off as a romantic gesture, but the truth was that I didn’t own a car. I’d given it up because I love public transportation. There’s just something about it. You can clear your head, get work done, and actually see the city rather than focus on the traffic.
Atlanta’s version of the LA Metro is called MARTA. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority has 48 miles of rail track, 38 subway stops, and an abundance of bus routes. From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Sandy Springs, Buckhead to Brookhaven, And Decatur to Doraville, MARTA is taking people where they want to go today and tomorrow. And it can’t do that without today’s guest.
Donna E. DeJesús joined the team in 1993 and has over 30 years of advanced experience in transit call center and customer service management. She’s now the Director of Customer Service, but I just call her the Queen of MARTA.
Nowadays, I do own a car. I had to have somewhere to put my toddler’s car seat. I don’t get many nights out, but when I do, I ride the light rail or the bus whenever possible. If you find yourself craving the rails, or maybe you’ve retired and just want to drive a little bit less, this conversation can empower you with the tips and tricks you need to get where you want to go via the mode of transportation with which you want to get there.
So pay that fare, sit back, relax, and let Donna DeJesús dazzle you with some MARTA magic.
00:00-Hot MARTA Bochinche
03:58-All Aboard!
05:45-Reduced Fare Program for Seniors
09:36-MARTA Accessibility Committee
13:09-Exciting Updates
15:51-Access to All the Atlanta Fun & Senior Centers
19:21-Mobility Service
21:41-Getting to the Battery
23:12-Art Bound: Performances on the Platform
27:46-MARTA’s Best Kept Secret
30:44-Donna’s Team & Sustainability in Motion
35:31-Music in the Park
36:33-Overhauls and Tech by 2026
41:07-Staying Safe on MARTA
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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 of us to embrace the idea of being a beginner. As co-authors of the Amazon best-seller Pickleball for Dummies and the team behind the I Used to be Somebody podcast and newsletter, they dedicate themselves to helping people take on new retirement challenges. That is . . . when they aren’t on the pickleball court.
Rather than fear the unknown, why not welcome the opportunity to try something new, more fun, and maybe even more meaningful? But don’t take my word for it; listen to Carl and Diana.
I get it. You used to be somebody. But now? You can be somebody even better.
00:00-Embrace Being a Beginner
03:54-No Gold Watches Here
07:34-A Season of Reinvention
10:49-Freedom to Explore Your Interests
14:15-Reframing Divorce
15:39-Try - and Quit - As Much As You Want
19:21-Core Pursuits
23:56-Make New Friends in Retirement
26:46-Daily Stretches with Felix
28:52-Don’t Wait - Travel!
31:36-I Used to be Somebody: World Tour
36:15-Reflect on Your Reinvention
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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 could just ask the host to be a guest. To my delight, she agreed.Jerri Williams retired after serving 26 years as a special agent in the FBI. In addition to her podcast, she does work as a technical consultant for major TV networks and production companies. She’s also the author of several books, both fiction and non-fiction. Through her story-telling and interviews with retired FBI agents, she debunks myths and misconceptions with a mission to show the public who the FBI is and what the FBI does. Her podcast has more than 300 episodes and 10 million downloads, so I think it’s safe to say: mission accomplished.Jerri said that talking to me gave her an excuse to reflect on what retirement means, and it felt like therapy. Take her words to heart; perhaps it will for you, too.00:00-Actively Participate01:42-Am I Doing Retirement ‘Right?’02:31-26 Years with the FBI07:25-A Post FBI Position12:10-300 Episodes15:34-SEPTA, The Podcast, & Pay to Play24:51-Are You Happy?27:22-The Grandparent Do-Over34:11-TV Consulting41:53-Crafting an Ideal Schedule46:02-Find Your Reason to Get Out of BedLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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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 the freedom to turn that passion into a thriving core pursuit that even pays for itself. He switched to foam pumpkins because they didn’t rot and launched his own Etsy shop. Take a spin down his digital aisles to find some terrific work. I never knew I needed to see John Wayne, Beetlejuice, or Barbie in pumpkin form, but it turns out I did.
Ken and I talked about his evolving art, favorite charity, media appearances, and primary collaborator. You’ll be happy to hear how a balanced retirement has allowed him to revoke his wife’s “Pumpkin Widow” status.
So, pour a cup of hot cocoa, put on your Halloween costume, and listen for ways you might be able to carve out your own happy retirement.
00:00-Ken Klinker Love Pumpkin Carving
04:44-The Birth of the Etsy Shop
06:30-400 Pumpkins on Display
09:00-Pop Culture Patterns
12:54-Ken in the News
17:13-Custom Designs
19:25-Giving Back
21:40-Knowing When to Retire
27:16-Core Pursuits
30:40-Facing Challenges
34:26-The Perfect Day
35:27-Teacher’s Aides
37:38-Grandkids & Advice for Retirees
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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 and made a movie about him. The Gregg Russell Story became the #1 trending documentary on Apple TV earlier this summer.
After nearly 50 years of lugging his guitar all over the world as a singer, actor, and entertainer, Gregg considers himself semi-retired. He still loves to perform, but now he has more control over when and where. He’s carved out more time to spend time with family, write children’s books, and even a real estate side business.
Gregg is definitely known for his music, but as he told me, he made his living in between the songs. And even if that set list is a bit shorter these days, he still hits all the right notes.
00:00-The Legend of Hilton Head
07:52-Celebrity Encounters
10:59-Gregg in the Movies
13:04-Talent Runs in the Family
16:23-Semi-Retired
20:43-Singing Under the Oak Tree
27:01-Writing & Investing
29:45-Show Business
41:27-Relief in Semi-Fame
47:31-Advice for the Retirement Phase
50:17-The Gregg Russell Story
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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 the gang toast all the smart, brave, resilient, and joyful guests who have taken the time to share their stories. Cheers!
0:00-Lessons from One Year
01:21-Jill Smith Entrekin Keeps Busy
05:34-Ingrid Reckard Got on a Plane
08:25-Richard Eisenberg Unretires
10:34-Gail and Dixon Grimes Reconnected with Previous Hobbies
14:00-Nancy Kruh, the Dabble Master
17:32-Taking a Train at the Santa Barbara Zoo
20:31-Penny Martinez Gives Back
24:00-Tom Georgi’s Favorite Job
27:02-Nancy Volpe Beringer Designs Couture for Disabilities
29:50-MIchael Blowen’s Retired Thoroughbreds
32:39-Edd and Cynthia Staton Moved to Ecuador
35:53-George Jerjian on Takes Risks
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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. That patient facade is a practiced skill, not a breezy indifference. He knows that accomplishing his goal will require calm focus and repeated effort. Dinner won’t come easy, but if he refuses to quit, his belly will eventually be full.
I don’t know if Kathy had all this in mind when her acrylic brush first touched the wrapped canvas, but it certainly would be apropos of her own story. As a woman trying to succeed in business in the 1960s, it’s amazing her head isn’t scarred from banging against all those glass ceilings. But like that pelican, she never quit. Each challenge strengthened her resolve. Finally, when the moment was right, she founded Active Adults Realty in Delaware in 2009, an independent real estate brokerage focused on helping Baby Boomers plan for retirement. It was a hit.
In 2021, she and her husband, Bill, sold the business and retired to The Florida Keys, where she spends her time focused on core pursuits like blogging about travel and retirement, painting, yoga, pickleball, and listening to as much jazz as she can get her hands on.
There may be plenty of fish in the sea, but they aren’t always so easy to catch. Kathy Sperl-Bell’s inspirational story is full of heartache, hope, hard work, and happiness. Maybe yours is, too.
00:00-Journey to Real Estate
02:42-Live from the Airstream
11:12-“I Don’t Want Any Obligations.”
12:40-A Trip of a Lifetime
16:25-Bucking the Tongue
19:22-From an In-Flight Detective to Director
24:32-A Shared Love of Jazz
26:29-Active Adults Realty
29:45-What Does “Retirement” Mean?
31:29-The Accessibility of Pickleball
34:13-MyRetirementStories.com
36:26-A True Partner
40:11-Perseverance
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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 short, George says the word “retirement” is past its sell-by date and prefers “rewirement” or “refirement.” He says happiness isn’t found by losing our former identity but rather by creating our new one. That might include continuing to work if you enjoy it. But it also might mean going on a safari, eating Ostrich steak in South Africa, or cycling through the rain in Vancouver. The point isn’t that it has to be something exotic but that it should be something that excites you. Maybe even something that scares you.
George says sitting on the beach is not a retirement. It’s a vacation. You can’t vacation for the rest of your life. So figure out what you want to do, then take some risks to do it. It’s hard to venture out of your comfort zone, but as George points out, the biggest risk of all is never taking a risk. To play it safe and then get to the end of your life and realize you never lived.
You get one, wild, wonderful life? What are you going to do with it?
00:00-You Can’t Vacation The Rest of Your Life
03:59-Not a Binary
09:26-An Ego Death
12:55-George’s Epic Break
23:47-Life is a Risk
26:12-DARE Method
32:30-The Fool
35:43-Don’t be an Ostrich
42:44-A Bird with Two Wings
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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 body parts, balding heads, bad jokes about fading attractiveness. If you found it a little depressing, you’re not alone.
Jan Golden decided to do something about it.
Inspired by a greeting card contest called Changing the Narrative, she combined her graphic design, tech, and creativity skills to create a line of age-friendly greeting cards. As she wound down her primary career, she was able to jump in with both feet. Now, Age Friendly Vibes is thriving, and Jan discovered that she absolutely loves doing it.
Ageism can affect anyone, but it’s often directed at older people. As you plan or execute your happy retirement journey, you won’t always be able to control when it rears its ugly head. But you can decide how to react to it. Listen to Jan’s story and be inspired by her mission to put age-positive sentiments into the world, one greeting card at a time. Now, that’s what I call all the hallmarks of happiness.
00:00-You Can Do Just About Anything
03:29-Transitions & Empowering Older Adults in Tech
09:21-Mindset Matters
10:33-A Birthday Card Contest Turned Etsy Business
15:48-Tradeshows & Strategy
22:06-Immerse Yourself in Something Joyful
28:21-Retirement Rewirement
33:30-Practicality Problems
36:42-Ikigai!
40:50-Core Pursuits & Staying Active
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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.
I don't know if one person has ever been both of those things. 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 Post, The Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Artful Living. His first book, A Season for That: Lost and Found in the Other Southern France, was published this year.
Steve doesn’t consider himself retired, but he’s already figured out that even in the present, you can start walking toward your future. He knows who he is, who he wants to be, and where those two things don’t yet line up. I admire his tireless effort to become a better version of himself.
Open a bottle of French wine, cleanse your palette, and get ready to imbibe some happy retirement wisdom from Midwest Francophile Steve Hoffman.
00:00-Introductions
04:44-A Rediscovery of Old Loves
06:32-An “Oscar” in Food Writing
12:16-Tennis for Longevity
15:08-An Ideal Retirement
18:12-Still: The Art of Noticing
20:17-Couch Time
27:36-Compounding Interest in Happiness
33:23-A Home Base to Return To
40:51-Retirement is an Extension, Not an Escape
43:13-A Transitional Character
49:07-Busyness as a Distraction
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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. She says our jobs don’t define us, and she’s dedicated to helping people remember some of those other ingredients. What did you love before you got locked into your career? Is it possible you might still love those things?
Jacquie says retirement means doing what you want when you want. In other words, she can help show you what you love to do now that you have time to do what you couldn’t do before you did what you did. After all, this is your life. You might as well live it. Let’s go beyond retirement with Jacquie Doucette.
0:00-Start
02:02-Beyond Retirement, Beyond Netflix
06:26-A Retirement Guide
08:34-It’s Your Life, Live It
12:36-A Long List of Core Pursuits
17:02-A Perfect Day
18:27-International Pet Sitting
21:39-Retirement “from/to” Paradigm Shift
24:30-Retirement Challenges
29:17-Advice Corner
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After a successful 35-year career as a psychotherapist, Hugh Willard decided to embark on a new journey as a writer. Currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Creative Nonfiction, he authored a book and hosts a podcast about finding beauty in the gray. I have more gray hair than I used to, and sometimes, I feel insecure about it. But it’s funny; my barber recently told me some of her clients would shell out a lot of money for that brownish-gray coloring. And it’s that positive twist that Hugh uses to change the conversation about aging. Hugh lives in the beautiful city of Apex, North Carolina, which is fitting because as he ages, he seems to be summiting the peak of his own happiness.00:00-Purpose & Identity01:13-Pivoting to a New Chapter03:20-The Osher Institute06:19-A Generative Direction09:30-An Unexpected Passion11:18-Music & Family15:00-Audrey’s Incredible Journey17:42-Answering “Who Am I Now?”27:00-The Default Mode Network30:22-Intergenerational Connectivity32:44-Lowercase f failure & Retirement as a TransitionLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Edd and Cynthia Staton were on track for a happy retirement, but life had other plans. The Great Recession killed their careers, home value, and savings. Instead of throwing in the towel, they devised an outside-the-box solution: moving to Cuenca, Ecuador.
Initially, they were banking on the lower cost of living to make ends meet. Today, their story is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. They've transitioned from surviving to thriving! Residing in a 3,000-square-foot penthouse apartment, they can still afford a housekeeper, dine out frequently, and cover health care costs. They even walk to their favorite yoga studio.
Ex-pat life has become more common for retirees in the U.S. According to the Social Security Administration, the number of retirees drawing Social Security outside the U.S. saw a staggering increase between 2007 and 2017.
Those looking to do so in the future might want to ask Edd and Cynthia for tips. They’ve authored three Amazon #1 best-selling books, are regularly featured in major media, and run their own online program: Retirement Reimagined!
The affordability of living in another country has given Edd and Cynthia the freedom to explore the retirement happiness they’d always dreamed of having. If you’ve ever considered the idea, today’s episode is a must-stop on your itinerary.
00:00-Start
01:51-An Unexpected Path Forward
08:15-Timezone Matters
11:54-Walking Around Paradise
17:44-Retirement Reimagined
24:07-Committed to Community and Health
33:04-Navigating Healthcare
38:42-Life on our Schedule
44:07-Purpose and Play
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Michael Blowen loves “being old.” Those are his words, not mine!
After years as a film critic for the Boston Globe, he snapped. In the middle of an awful movie, he stood up and yelled at the other critics: “How can you endure this?”
Today, he’s so much happier. As the founder of Old Friends, a Thoroughbred aftercare facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, he’s helped turn a modest mom-and-pop operation into a sprawling 236-acre farm with three satellite locations and a herd of over 255 retired former racehorses and breeding stallions.
Retirement, if you can call it that, really suits Michael. He believes age is a free pass to say yes to the fun and no to the dreaded obligations. He’s formed friendships with celebrities like Albert Brooks and Angie Dickson. Every morning, he wakes up with a heart full of gratitude, ready to feed former Kentucky Derby winners. The thrill of it still gives him the chills.
This whole thing started because Michael, as a fan of horse racing, wanted to improve his gambling skills. But whoops! He fell in love with horses and has dedicated his life to improving their lives. Listen to Michael. It might improve your life.
00:00-Start
03:06-It Started with Six
07:45-Old Friends
14:54-Mo Rocca & the “Rocca Generians”
18:11-Recovering Movie Critic
23:18-You Can’t Go Back Up the Stretch
27:10-Retirement’s an Odd Word
29:05-About the Horses
34:47-A Page Out of Their Book
40:11-There’s a Horse in Your Living Room
43:37-Adversity is an Asset
46:11-Let’s Take a Shot at This
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*In the new documentary "Hendrie," some real heavy hitters, like Bill Hader, Judd Apatow, and Kevin Pollak, all discuss their admiration for Phil's unique and hilarious creativity. So, we decided this was the perfect time to reintroduce you to the interview he did for our show.*
Phil Hendrie is not retired, not even a little bit. He’s creating as much content as he ever has. But his story still resonates with happy retirees because he had to make a giant change in the middle of his career. In essence, that’s what retirement is—a change. It doesn’t mean you stop doing anything; it means you start doing more of what you’ve always wanted to do.
After taking his radio show from a tiny local station to national syndication, Phil realized the business had changed. It was no longer viable to do comedy on the radio. So, he got creative and transitioned to a daily podcast instead. Because his talent was versatile, he also picked up acting roles and voice work in movies, television shows, animation, and video games. He even retained ownership of his old radio material to repurpose for fans who wanted to listen. Don’t look now, but that adds up to multiple streams of income, and you know we love that on this show!
The bottom line is that even though Phil Hendrie is not retired, his story can still inspire people who want to be. Between that and his comedy genius, this episode is a must-listen!
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At nearly 70 years old, my guest, Craig Miller, is one of the oldest firefighters in the world. He doesn’t get paid for it, and he wasn’t even sure he wanted to do it, but the question that gnawed at him was, “If not me, who?”
In 2023, he shared a startling statistic: “Volunteers comprise some or all of the staffs of more than 85% of fire companies across the U.S., according to an estimate by the National Volunteer Fire Council.” This eye-opening revelation highlights how much responsibility we thrust upon volunteers to keep us all safe.
The funny thing is that Craig could’ve easily been voted least likely ever to battle flames. He’s a public radio guy—you know, the coffee-sipping, tote-bag-toting, academic type. Or, at least, he was, having spent more than 40 years as a broadcaster and journalist. He launched and edited the award-winning Climate Watch multimedia initiative for KQED radio in San Francisco. He’s also an accomplished writer/producer of television documentaries and even co-created a show called “House Detective” for HGTV.
In 2019, he moved from California’s Bay Area to the Catskill Mountains of New York. The local firefighters pursued his services and eventually succeeded in attaining them. But the pleasure has been all Craig’s. Volunteering as a firefighter has become one of the most gratifying features of his entire life.
I spoke with him again after our interview, and he wanted to amend one of his answers. Rather than labeling himself principally as a firefighter, he wanted to go on the record as an “evangelist for volunteerism and community service.” I understand and appreciate the distinction, but when that 911 call rings out in the middle of the night, I’m not sure Craig the evangelist is getting out of bed, but Craig the firefighter sure is. One might even say Craig the firefighter is a damn hero.
00:00-Start
04:57-Good Morning Frankfurt
09:03-Theater of the Mind
10:01-Climate Documentaries & HGTV
15:57-Climate Refugees
19:46-The Birth of Standup
21:02-We’re Not Urban Animals
23:42-65% Volunteers
34:22-Knowing When to Say When
37:48-A Fresh Identity
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Nancy Volpe Beringer made history as the oldest designer to ever appear on the hit show Project Runway. At 64, she made it to the finale at New York Fashion Week, using her talent and can-do attitude to promote more sustainability and inclusivity in the fashion industry. You’re in a wheelchair? No problem. A prosthetic leg? Nancy’s got an idea to make your outfit glamorous and runway-ready. She eventually created “The Vault by Volpe Beringer”—the world’s first and only fully accessible designer luxury platform, offering adaptable options and complimentary consultations for the disabled community.
Nancy won the 2022 Fashion Group International (FGI) Rising Star award. She was named “Best in Philly Fashion Designer for Artsy Dresses” by Philadelphia Magazine for her viral red-carpet design for Grammy nominee and rapper Tierra Whack.
This incredible journey almost didn’t happen. At age 50, Nancy already had a successful career and financial security, but she was miserable. Sure, she’d grown up sewing, but she never dared to dream of becoming a fashion designer. Then, one day, BAM! It all became so clear. Despite the fear of starting over so late in the game, she went for it! No regrets, Nancy.
If fashion is your thing, you’ll love this episode. But hell, if you like the movie Rocky, you’ll enjoy it, too. Like the Italian Stallion, Nancy is a gritty underdog from the mean streets of Philadelphia. She’s never climbed into a boxing ring with Mr. T, as far as I know, but she is definitely a fighter. So, put up your dukes, turn up your volume, and get ready to be inspired.
00:00-Fresh Starts & Accolades
03:09-Inclusive Representation
08:27-Displaced, but not discouraged
12:33-Another Word for Retirement
16:07-I Just Want to Make a Difference
20:27-Tierra Whack at the Grammys
24:17-Make Fear Your Friend
33:18-Working with Legends
35:21-Core Pursuits
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Don Ho, the famous Hawaiian singer, walked into Dave Kenney’s bar and said, “I like the way you operate.” I don’t know Don Ho, I don’t know that much about Don Ho, but I do know that Don Ho seems to have excellent judgment. I, too, like the way Dave Kenney operates.
Originally from England, Dave’s work in the hotel industry eventually landed him in Hawaii, and understandably, he didn’t want to leave. Since then, he’s owned and operated just about everything: a convenience store, a t-shirt business, a fishing boat, and nine or ten different Honolulu bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
During the Covid-19 outbreak, Dave and his wife, Margie, bought a place in Henderson, Nevada, just outside Las Vegas. Now, they hop back and forth between the two. That journey is a common one: Las Vegas has been called “The Ninth Island” because of its sizeable Hawaiian population.
Dave retired at 55, but Margie’s real estate business is booming, and he lends his hoteling expertise whenever she needs it. Otherwise, he does Zumba four days a week, walks several miles daily, and enjoys his afternoon cocktail.
Dave finds a perfect day no matter where he is, and as much as he travels, that could be just about anywhere. For a guy who claims he’s never worked a day in his life, he sure has had a lot of jobs. Maybe that’s the beauty of the Aloha spirit.
When life handed Dave lemons, sometimes he made lemonade. Other times, he traded the lemons for limes and made a gin and tonic to enjoy by the pool. That sounds like a happy retirement to me.
***********
Chapter titles:
00:00-Start
02:24-From First Jobs to Hawaii
09:58-Taste of Honolulu
12:14-Transatlantics
17:19-Staying Fit
21:50-Booze Cruisin’
24:19-Earn a Little, Keep a Lot
30:50-I’m Happy Where I’m At
38:16-Core Pursuits & Identity
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Tom Georgi’s wife, Suzanne, was horrified to discover that by age 60, he had saved enough money to retire. “You’ve got to get another job, she insisted.” Marines know how to follow a chain of command, and there was no wiggle room in this code red. So, Tom took his marching orders.
Being a golf marshal meant miserably early mornings, and dog walking for the animal shelter would track too much dander into the house, so when a friend suggested volunteering at the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum in downtown San Diego’s Embarcadero, he gave it a shot.
More than a decade later, he’s never looked back.
Named after a WWII naval battle that helped turn the tide of the war with Japan, the Midway was the United States’ longest-serving carrier of the 20th century and is now an immensely popular tourist destination. As a safety officer, Tom greets guests at the entrance and exit, roams the floor, monitors the flight deck, and loves every minute of it.
Tom spent twelve years on active duty in the Marines, then taught Air Force Officers how to fire the Cruise missile weapon system for General Dynamics and eventually moved to a computer science corporation. That sounds like an exciting career. But without hesitation, Tom says that working at the Midway is the best job he’s ever had, even though it doesn’t pay him a penny.
00:00-Start
04:31-Bend with the Breeze
06:10-A Professional Volunteer
09:14-Hotfooting it For the Grandson
10:49-For the Love of Cruises
14:29-Fully Retired, Semi Planned
17:17-EA-6B Prowler and Yeti
19:50-Facing Challenges
24:54-Midway Naval Museum History
30:01-That’s My Definition of Retirement
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Johnny Hiles just completed his rookie year of retirement, and his stats are lookin’ really good. He plays pickleball 4-5 times per week and works out even more. He attends a weekly men’s Bible study and volunteers as a greeter every other week at church. He and his wife just took their first trip to Greece and Turkey, with their sights set on taking a big trip at least every other year.
After a full career, Johnny has no regrets about retiring, and he’s hoping his story will help others decide the right time in their own lives.
As a professional, he went by John. Now, more and more people call him Johnny. In a way, retirement has recreated his identity. John had to get up every day and go to work. Johnny gets to explore the world, enjoy his family, and even tackle that honey-do list.
John had to act like a grown-up. Johnny’s far too happy for that.
After a year in the retirement game, it’s safe to say Johnny is well on his way to a promising career of happiness.
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00:00-Johnny’s Identity Shift
02:50-The Big Questions
05:43-Johnny’s Career Journey
08:11-A Very Good Mentor
10:48-Staying Active
12:22-Atlanta Living
14:05-Two Out of Three
16:33-Getting Involved at Church
18:38-The BC Boys Ski Trip
21:00-Doing the Same Stuff, just More of It
22:20-Upsizing Again
26:10-“Retirement Recreated Me.”
27:47-Financial Planning and Confidence
29:19-Retirement is Limitless
31:34-Comparison is the Enemy of Contentment
32:49-A Rookie Season, But…
33:48-Plan, but Go For It
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