Living Intentionally After Retirement: From Striving to Thriving – Denise Taylor

About this episode

The episode discusses how to live intentionally after retirement, focusing on shifting from striving to thriving and the importance of curiosity in aging well.

What if retirement wasn’t about filling your time — but about choosing how you want to live? In this episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie Doucette talks with Denise Taylor about rethinking life after full-time work. You’ll learn how to shift from striving to thriving, why curiosity is essential for aging well, and how to create a more intentional rhythm in your life. Denise shares how her own “rediscovery” season led her to step back from intensive one-to-one coaching and lean into writing, research, and thought leadership—work that helps not only individuals, but also the professionals who support them. Together, Jacquie and Denise unpack how retirement has changed over the decades (from “finally rest” to “reinvent again”), and why so many high-achievers struggle with identity when the job title disappears. The conversation also moves into a more mindful, grounded view of aging: shifting from constant doing to intentional being. Denise describes the restorative power of nature—especially time spent in her woodland retreat—and offers an alternative narrative to the “work forever” message that dominates many retirement discussions. The episode closes with practical, encouraging…

People in this episode

Host: Jacquie Doucette

Guest: Denise Taylor

Topics covered

• retirement
• intentional living
• identity
• aging
• mindfulness
• curiosity

Keywords

• retirement
• intentional living
• identity
• mindfulness
• curiosity
• aging
• nature
• self-discovery

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