Podcast
Beyond Retirement
Hosted by Jacquie Doucette · EN
What really happens after retirement?
If you’re approaching retirement—or already there—and wondering what now?, you’re not alone. The world is full of financial advice for retirement, but there’s far less about how to actually live a fulfilling life once the 9-to-5 ends.
Beyond Retirement is the podcast that explores what comes after the career chapter. Whether your retirement was planned or unexpected, joyful or jarring, you’ll find real stories, honest conversations, and practical inspiration here.
Join host Jacquie Doucette as she shares her own journey and speaks with people who’ve reimagined life after work—some fully retired, some shifting gears, and all discovering new meaning in this next stage. From finding purpose to building community, embracing play, and navigating change, we’ll explore how to create a life that truly fits.
Because retirement isn’t the end—it’s a new beginning.
Let’s figure out what comes next, together.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Move, Reno, Repurpose - How to Decide
Mar 2200:13:00Tap to summarizeIn this solo reflection episode, Jacquie unpacks the biggest insights from her conversation with Kim Costa (author of Live in Your Wheelhouse) and translates them into practical questions listeners can use to evaluate whether their current home still fits the life they want in retirement. The throughline: your home isn’t just a building—it’s a support system for your health, relationships, routines, and sense of peace.Why this matters (the “retire TO” connection)Retirement isn’t only a financial transition—it’s a lifestyle transition. Jacquie invites listeners to think proactively about what they’re retiring to: a daily rhythm, a community, and an environment that supports who they are now (not who they were 20 years ago).What we coveredWhy a “forever home” can stop fitting as your life evolvesThe idea of evaluating your home based on how it supports your lifestyle—not just your stuffKim Costa’s Wheelhouse Method: looking at life in eight dimensions to spot what’s out of syncOptions beyond moving: renovating, downsizing, repurposing rooms, and experimenting with new routinesThe often-forgotten role of spirituality/grounding and nature in retirement happinessTiming: avoiding the stress of waiting too long (or moving too quickly)Living authentically in your “third life” and letting go of stereotypes about what retirement should look likeKey takeawaysYour home should support your life stage. What worked at 25 may not work at 55 or 65.A home decision is also a life decision. It impacts your mobility, energy, relationships, and joy.Not every solution requires a move. Small changes can create big alignment.Don’t ignore the “soft” needs. Peace, sunlight, nature, and spiritual grounding matter.Plan before it becomes urgent. The best moves are made from choice, not pressure.WANT TO KICKSTART 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
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Retirement Lifestyle: Are You Living in Your Wheel House? - with Kim Costa
Mar 1500:34:36Tap to summarizeKim 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
Transcribe →Midlife is a Launch Pad: Reimagining Retirement for Personal Fulfillment
Mar 800:12:43Tap to summarizeIn this solo episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie digs a bit deeper into the idea Sairan Aqrawi brought up in her interview: that we all have "hidden gems" within us, and that as we hit midlife, we have the opportunity to uncover them.Recommended ActionsAllow yourself time for reflectionExperiment and exploreBuild a supportive communityReframe your mindset about agingGive back or mentor othersTake care of your body and mindIf you're struggling to figure out your next step, reach out! Talk to me at retireabc@gmail.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
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Midlife is PRICELESS - not a CRISIS!
Mar 100:36:28Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →Navigating Retirement Surprises
Feb 2200:17:02Tap to summarizeWhat happens when your carefully planned retirement takes an unexpected turn? On this week’s solo episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie reflected on this question.Here are 3 key takeaways for anyone planning their next chapter:Build Your Lifeline Early: Relationships with family, friends, and community are just as crucial as financial planning. The support Susie and Tony received made all the difference during their toughest days.Nurture Your Anchors: Whether it’s faith, creativity, volunteering, or something else—identify what keeps you grounded. Start strengthening those anchors now, so you’re ready when challenges arise.Embrace Flexibility: Plans are important, but adaptability is essential. The most meaningful moments often come from the unexpected detours and from helping others, even while facing your own trials.Retirement is a new beginning—sometimes bumpy, but always full of opportunities for growth, connection, and purpose.READY 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
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Retirement Interrupted: Reclaiming the Plan when it Changes
Feb 1500:28:48Tap to summarizeOn 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 Realityo Planning a life of travel and freedomo Receiving simultaneous cancer diagnoses· Navigating Treatment as a Coupleo Different journeys: radiation vs non-surgical careo Emotional and logistical challenges of supporting each other· The Role of Family and Faitho Support from kids, including shaving their headso How spiritual grounding helped them persevere· Redefining Retirement After Illnesso Embracing each day with intentiono Reframing 'lost time' as a second chance· Lessons in Resilienceo What they’ve learned about strength and partnershipo Advice for others facing unexpected setbacks
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Flailing Forward - Forget the Path in Retirement
Feb 800:08:43Tap to summarizeRetirement doesn’t need a master plan. In this solo episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie Doucette reflects on Lynn Katz’s journey from school principal to author and community leader, showing how freedom, curiosity, and small daily goals can guide a deeply fulfilling retirement. Whether you’re newly retired or still figuring it out, this episode offers practical insight into designing a path that fits you—not someone else’s vision.Key Topics CoveredIntentional Retirement Choices: No burnout, just clarityPassion Rediscovery: Childhood dreams reignited in retirementGoal Setting Over Scheduling: Daily writing targets instead of rigid routines; flexibility fuels sustained engagementNew Experiences in Later Life: Saying yes to unexpected roles and hobbiesThe Power of Openness: Embracing “flailing” and slow starts; staying curious and adaptableCommunity and Learning: Lifelong learners never retire: connection as a pillar of post-work lifeREADY 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
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Retirement Reimagined
Feb 100:23:17Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie Docette talks with Lynn Katz about how sometimes retirement isn't what you expected.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 writingThe role of personal growth after retirementNavigating identity shifts when leaving a high-responsibility roleStaying engaged with purpose and community through writingThe unexpected parallels between running a school and writing a novelGiving yourself permission to try and fail at things
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Choosing Happiness in the Second Half of Life
Jan 2500:11:48Tap to summarizeWhat if happiness wasn’t something that happened to you, but something you chose—even in retirement?In this solo episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie reflects on a powerful message from her recent conversation with musician Ron Sowell: “It’s all up to you.” Drawing on stories from Ron’s life and the profound example of Viktor Frankl, she explores the idea that happiness isn’t about perfect circumstances, it’s about how we choose to engage with the season we’re in.If you’re navigating the years beyond your career, wondering how to find meaning, joy, or direction, this episode invites you to reclaim your agency. Because growing old may be inevitable, but growing disengaged is not.Key Topics Covered:The difference between aging and growing old - Why vitality is a daily choice, not a numberWhat it means to “choose happiness” - The difference between agency and toxic positivityRon Sowell’s example of a life built on alignment - Choosing passion over security, and never looking backViktor Frankl’s lesson from the Holocaust - How mindset becomes a final freedom, even in sufferingReframing retirement as a meaningful phase - Finding joy, purpose, and connection regardless of circumstancesMUSIC CREDIT: Ron Sowell - It's All Up to You (used with permission)READY 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
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Don't Retire from Life: Music, Rituals, and Joy - with Ron Sowell
Jan 1800:49:17Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie Doucette talks with Ron Sowell, lifelong musician and NPR musical director, about living with passion beyond traditional retirement. 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. You’ll learn how to follow your intuition, why creativity never retires, and how to choose happiness daily.What We Cover:Following intuition over expectations — Ron’s decision to choose music over law schoolCreativity as a lifelong path — why artists don’t “retire” from what they loveDesigning a fulfilling life — building days around passion, relationships, and purposeAging vs. growing old — why mindset determines how we experience later lifeThe power of gratitude — how starting the day intentionally shapes everythingHappiness as a choice — how perspective creates your lived experienceAbout the Guest:Ron Sowell is a lifelong musician, singer-songwriter, and performer who has spent decades exploring the transformative power of music. From live performances to songwriting and teaching, Ron’s career reflects a deep commitment to creativity and personal expression. He is also the musical director for NPR’s Mountain Stage, where he collaborates with world-class artists and continues to evolve his craftKey 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.Links & Resources:• Website: https://ronsowell.com @RonSowellMusic • Facebook: Ron Sowell Music• Album: Dance Till the Music Stops (available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube)Beyond Retirement themes discussed:Purpose & Meaning in RetirementIdentity After WorkPersonal Growth & Lifelong LearningResilience & Emotional StrengthCommunity & ConnectionHealth, Fitness & Aging WellCreating a Fulfilling RoutineCourage, Confidence & Taking ActionLife Transitions & ReinventionTopics:life after retirement, purpose after retirement, creativity in later life, aging mindset, happiness as a choice, living intentionally, retirement identity, passion after retirement
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