Beyond Retirement

What if travel in retirement wasn’t about seeing more places—but about living more fully?In this episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie Doucette sits down with Andrew Motiwalla, founder of The Good Life Abroad, to talk about a style of retirement travel that’s changing how people 55+ experience the world: slow travel with built-in community.Andrew shares how his Peace Corps experience in Honduras planted the seed for month-long stays that move you out of “tourist mode” and into real life; routines, local cafés, cultural events, and friendships that form naturally when you stay long enough to be recognized. You’ll hear why The Good Life Abroad is not a tour, how their cohort model works, and how community managers create light, optional touchpoints (like cooking classes, walking tours, and local experiences) that help you feel supported without being scheduled to death.You’ll also love Andrew’s perspective on “joyspan”—the idea that we can intentionally expand the years of joy, purpose, and connection in our lives. For many retirees, identity shifts can feel disorienting. Andrew explains how immersive travel can help you grow through learning, connect through shared values, and adapt to new experiences, often leaving you with more confidence and a bigger sense of possibility than when you arrived.Key Topics CoveredWhy slow, immersive travel creates deeper learning: Why a month in one place creates a completely different travel experienceCommunity as a foundation for joy in retirement: What travelers feel after week 1, week 3, and week 4 of immersive living & why community can be the most surprising (and meaningful) part of the experienceIdentity shifts after leaving work: Rediscovering purpose through curiosity and explorationConfidence gained from adapting to new environments: Why small discomforts lead to growth & how The Good Life Abroad supports safety, comfort, and independence (55+)Travel as a test‑drive for expatriate life: “Expat-curious” scouting trips to test-drive a city before moving abroadWho this style of travel is best for: (hint: curiosity matters)How slow travel affects your budget: Ballpark pricing for a month-long program and what’s includedListener OfferBeyond Retirement listeners can use the referral code BEYONDRETIREMENT when booking with The Good Life Abroad to receive an exclusive listener discount.Connect with Andrew:Via email: Andrew@thegoodlifeabroad.comOn the web: https://thegoodlifeabroad.comREADY TO RAMP UP YOUR RETIREMENT JOURNEY?Start here: https://beyondretirement.ca/start-here/Book a FREE call with Jacquie: https://calendly.com/jacquiedoucette/discoveryCheck out the Beyond Retirement Library: https://placeforbooks.com

What if your retirement party skipped the awkward speeches and rubbery chicken… and turned into a real rock show?In this episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie Doucette talks with Scott Walker, a newly retired executive-turned-musician, and the team behind Lootfish about reconnecting with passion and friendships after retirement. You’ll learn how to rediscover old interests, rebuild meaningful connections, and create a fulfilling post-career life.Scott shares how he reunited his college band after decades apart and used Lutefish to rehearse weekly across multiple states—leading to a retirement-party performance at Smith’s Olde Bar (Atlanta) that was equal parts meaningful, terrifying, and unforgettable. But the bigger story isn’t just the tech—it’s what came back to life for Scott: friendship, identity, creativity, and a return to the parts of himself that got packed away during the “35-year detour” of career and family.If you’ve ever wondered, “Who am I without my job?” this conversation offers a grounded, practical way to start answering it.What We Cover:Rediscovering identity after retirement — Returning to passions that were set aside during career yearsThe power of music and shared experiences — How creative outlets strengthen connection and fulfillmentTechnology enabling connection — How Lootfish allows musicians to collaborate remotely in real timeRebuilding long-term friendships — Staying connected through consistent shared activityCreating a meaningful retirement event — Turning a retirement party into a milestone experienceKey takeaways Retirement isn’t the end of your identity—it can be the return to it.Connection gets easier when you’re doing something together (not just “catching up”).A deadline can be a gift: it creates momentum, practice, and follow-through.Your “secret identity” is often hiding in what you loved as a kid.Technology can support what matters most: relationships, joy, and meaning.About the Guests:Scott Walker is a recently retired executive who returned to his early passion for music after stepping away from a 35-year career. By reconnecting with his former bandmates and performing again, he has redefined what retirement can look like. Alongside him, Patrick Finn and Whitney Winkles are part of Lootfish, a company focused on helping musicians collaborate remotely through low-latency technology, enabling real-time online music.Links:The Resistors - https://theresistors.comTheir story: https://lutefish.com/blogs/the-hook/finding-the-groove-again-38-years-later-with-a-little-help-from-a-lutefish-stream Lutefish: https://lutefish.com/Evan Walker - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1s9kO42Yz9yhP7RGDI08d9 NAMM – National Association of Music Merchants – https://namm.org Smith’s Olde Bar Atlanta – https://sobatl.com If this episode sparked something for you, take five minutes today and ask yourself: What did I love so much between ages 10–20 that I lost track of time? Then choose one small step to bring it back—one song, one sketch, one page, one conversation.And if you know someone approaching retirement who’s worried about “what comes next,” share this episode with them—it might be the permission they didn’t know they needed.Beyond Retirement Themes Discussed:Purpose & Meaning in RetirementIdentity After WorkPersonal Growth & Lifelong LearningResilience & Emotional StrengthCommunity & ConnectionCreating a Fulfilling RoutineCourage, Confidence & Taking ActionLife Transitions & ReinventionTopics:retirement identity, life after retirement, reconnecting with old friends, hobbies after retirement, music and aging, creative outlets in retirement, building community, remote collaboration, staying connected after retirement, meaningful retirement activities

Kim Costa, a top 5% Realtor with Atlanta Fine Homes & Sotheby’s International Realty and creator of the Wheel House Method, shares how to use a Wheel-of-Life approach to decide whether to stay, go, or renovate in retirement. You’ll hear why “home” is more than square footage, how life changes create a “void” your current space may no longer fill, and how to make choices that support enjoyment and personal growth in your next chapter.What we coverWhy retirement is a “third life,” not an endingThe Wheelhouse Method: using eight life areas to clarify what’s working and what isn’tHow life changes (empty nest, health shifts, career ending, family moving) can make a once-perfect home stop fittingDownsizing options: lock-and-leave living, reducing maintenance, and freeing up equityPractical ways to stay put: “shut down” unused floors, adjust thermostats, and reduce cleaning/expensesRepurposing rooms for who you are now (hobbies, writing, yoga, podcasting)The most neglected area on the wheel: spirituality (connection to nature, grounding, sunlight)Avoiding “should” decisions (e.g., moving somewhere because it’s what people do)Try-it-first strategies: house-sitting, seasonal stays, and inviting family to test a destination homeBiggest regret drivers: moving too fast, not thinking it through, and market pressureKey takeawaysYour home should match your current life stage. What worked at 25 may not work at 60.Fix the pain point—but don’t create a new problem. Consider health care access, finances, and connection before you leap.Enjoyment is allowed. Retirement is a season to reclaim what you loved—and design your space to support it.Small changes count. You can often improve fit by repurposing rooms and reducing unused space.Connect with Kim:Website: lifestylefoundations.comSocials: KimECostaHer new book, Live in Your Wheel House, available now for preorder; ships March 24th! https://amazon.com/dp/B0GKTB5Z7C

In this inspiring episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie sits down with Sairan Aqrawi, a civil engineer, certified coach, and founder of the Gem Thrive Academy. From STEM to soul-searching, Sairan shares how she helps women over 50 rediscover their “hidden gem” — a unique passion, gift, or calling buried under years of work, family, and obligation.Whether it’s painting, public speaking, or building furniture in your garage, your gem doesn’t need to make money to be meaningful. Sairan’s bold, no-nonsense approach helps women reclaim midlife.To find out more about Sairan and the GemThrive Academy, visit sairanaqrawi.com

On this episode of Beyond Retirement, host Jacquie Doucette welcomes Soozie and Tony Cisneros, a couple whose retirement dreams took an unexpected turn. Just as they prepared to embark on new adventures together, both received life-changing cancer diagnoses—on the very same day. In this candid conversation, Soozie and Tony share the shock and uncertainty of facing treatment, the ways their family and community rallied around them, and the powerful role faith played in their journey. From setbacks to milestones, and finally reclaiming their freedom, their story is one of resilience, hope, and finding new meaning in life after the unimaginable. Whether you're approaching retirement or already there, this episode offers inspiration and wisdom on facing the unexpected and supporting one another along the way. Key Topics Covered: · Retirement Expectations vs Reality o Planning a life of travel and freedom o Receiving simultaneous cancer diagnoses · Navigating Treatment as a Couple o Different journeys: radiation vs non-surgical care o Emotional and logistical challenges of supporting each other · The Role of Family and Faith o Support from kids, including shaving their heads o How spiritual grounding helped them persevere · Redefining Retirement After Illness o Embracing each day with intention o Reframing 'lost time' as a second chance · Lessons in Resilience o What they've learned about strength and partnership o Advice for others facing unexpected setbacks

Lynn Katz is a retired school principal, curriculum writer, and educator who has reinvented herself as a fiction author in retirement. With a deep passion for storytelling, Lynn now writes both adult and middle-grade fiction, bringing her years of experience working with children and school systems into the heart of her stories. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and enjoys kayaking, hiking, and spending time with her grandchildren. Her writing touches on themes of family, emotional resilience, school systems, personal transformation, and the challenges and magic of growing up. Key Topics: * Transitioning from leadership in education to creative writing * The role of personal growth after retirement * Navigating identity shifts when leaving a high-responsibility role * Staying engaged with purpose and community through writing * The unexpected parallels between running a school and writing a novel * Giving yourself permission to try and fail at things

Ron Sowell is a lifelong musician, singer-songwriter, and performer who has spent decades exploring the transformative power of music. From stage performances to songwriting workshops, Ron's life offers a rich example of how creativity and personal growth can intertwine—especially in the years beyond traditional career paths. Ron shares the pivotal moment he stepped off the law-school track and committed to music for life, the joy and meaning he finds in performing and mentoring, and the simple daily practices that keep him grounded and strong as the years add up. We talk Mountain Stage, creative purpose beyond "traditional retirement," and why gratitude, meditation, and consistent movement are non-negotiables for staying vibrant. Key takeaways: * Purpose isn't a job title. Ron never planned to "retire" from the thing that gives him energy—music. * Daily anchors matter: meditation, gratitude, and some form of strength/mobility work are simple but compounding. * Creative contribution evolves with age: performing, producing, and coaching other artists are natural extensions of a lifetime in music. * Community keeps you sharp: bandleading at Mountain Stage means constant learning and collaboration with top-tier musicians. Connect with Ron via his website: https://ronsowell.com or @RonSowellMusic [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCbhfAYd3-R2xPZTmj0tWV8A]

What really happens when you close the laptop for the last time and step into retirement? In this candid episode, I sit down with my friend Lynda Camire, who recently retired from a long-standing career in finance with the Canadian government. She may not have had a retirement party, but she does have a lot of honest insights about what happens when the structure of the 9-to-5 disappears. Lynda shares how she planned her retirement, and how that plan didn't include just how bored she'd be in the first few days. From wandering into her home office out of habit to watching the clock like she was still on the job, Lynda's story is a refreshing reminder that even a well-planned retirement can feel disorienting at first. We talk about: * The emotional surprise of Day One in retirement * What happens when there's no daily agenda * Struggles with identity when you no longer say "I work for…" * Learning how to stop watching the clock * Her passion for cooking and possibly turning it into something more * Travel dreams that are still on the horizon * Why "if you're unsure about retirement, you're probably not ready" Whether you're counting down the days to your own retirement or already in it and wondering "what now?", this episode offers a real, grounded perspective on navigating the unknown with a little humour, honesty, and Thai food. Links & Resources: Lynda's episode is part of our ongoing season focusing on Mental Health, Enjoyment, and Personal Growth in retirement. Know someone struggling with the early days of retirement? Share this episode with them. Listen to more episodes at: https://beyondretirement.ca/podcast https://zencastr.com/Beyond-Retirement Or wherever you usually listen to podcasts!