Tom Marks: Survived 40+ Years in the Ad Biz to a Coming of Age in Retirement
From I Used to be Somebody by Carl Landau
February 10, 2026 · 52 min · Episode 104
About this episode
Carl interviews Tom Marks about his challenging transition into retirement and the insights he gained through writing.
Hang onto your hat this month because Carl interviewed former ad wiz Tom Marks. We go on a wild retirement story. Tom's first couple of years in retirement he summed up in in one word "horrible". He moved into a 50+ community that he hated. He made a rigid list of activities that he "thought" he should be doing in retirement. He felt like he was on a hamster wheel and didn't know how to get off. It wasn't until he figured out that writing was what gave him peace and purpose. He just completed his second best-selling book, Coming of Age in Retirement, An Advertising Executive's story of Enlightenment and Revelation. It's full of insights into how to find your path to true happiness in retirement. He does so with candor and great humor. A bonus is hearing about Tom's father Melvin Marks who was a true celebrity in the advertising world. He was the marketing genius behind the success of Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn. • More about Tom Marks: https://thepeacefulretiree.com/author/tom-marks • Tom's newest book: https://www.comingofageinretirement.com • Episode Content…
People in this episode
Host: Carl Landau
Guest: Tom Marks
Topics covered
- retirement
- advertising
- personal development
- writing
- happiness
Keywords
- retirement
- advertising
- Tom Marks
- writing
- happiness
- personal growth
- best-selling book
Sponsors
How to Retire and Not Die, Capital Advantage
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn
Books & works: Coming of Age in Retirement
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