Rethink Retirement: Why Leaving Work Isn't Leaving Relationships Behind

About this episode

This episode explores the complexities of retirement as a social transition rather than just a personal milestone.

Summary Retirement is often framed as a personal milestone—a moment when we step away from work and into freedom. But what if retirement isn't just about leaving a job? What if it's about navigating the deep relationships, identity shifts, and responsibilities we carry with us into what comes next? In this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon , Andi speaks with Katherine Crewe, a Tech/Vistage chair in Canada, whose thoughtful approach to retirement reveals a powerful truth: transitions are not events—they are processes. The Myth of the Clean Exit: Leaving Work Isn't Leaving Relationships Katherine's story challenges the idea that retirement is a simple, clean break. After decades in biomedical engineering and leadership, she moved into a role guiding CEOs and executives. Now, in her late sixties, she is not "done"—she is reflecting, recalibrating, and carefully designing her transition. What makes her journey so compelling is this: she is not just leaving a role—she is stepping away from a community. As a chair, Katherine has built deep, trusted relationships with the leaders she supports. When she began discussing retirement with them, the reactions were emotional and varied…

People in this episode

Host: Andi Simon

Guest: Katherine Crewe

Topics covered

• retirement
• relationships
• identity shifts
• transitions
• leadership
• community

Keywords

• retirement
• relationships
• transitions
• leadership
• community
• identity shifts
• Katherine Crewe

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tech/Vistage

Places: Canada

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