The Retirement Years Podcast

Hypnotherapy is perhaps a lesser-known and efficient support that anyone, including older adults, can turn to when experiencing loss from a transition, such as a divorce. Today's guest, certified clinical hypnotherapist Cassandra McLean, shares with us how her Heart Healer's Protocol is based on current research in the field of psychology known as “post-traumatic growth.”

If you're a parent of at least one adult child, this is an episode you won't want to miss! We talk with Gill Tillmann, Life Transition Coach and author of the book, “Pour the Wine - We're Talking About Our Adult Children…Again”. Gill shares with us how she came to write this book as a result of many conversations with other parents of adult children around a kitchen table, on a friend's porch, and around a campfire, usually with a glass of wine in hand. Listen in to hear what Gill has to share about transitioning from parenting your children to being the parent of a young adult or adult.

As if retirement isn't a big enough transition, today's guest, Colleen Kennedy, also chose to take on another huge life transition at the same time: moving to another country! Listen in as she describes what that process entailed in terms of planning and execution, and dream with us of living in sunny Spain!

Most of us have heard of downsizing, and today's guest, Jeannine Bryant, owner of Changing Spaces SRS, explains why “right sizing” is really what we should be considering as we transition ourselves or our parents into older adulthood and beyond.

Retirement for many people means a transition to a fixed income. With the costs of living continuing to increase, most noticeably at the grocery store, more and more older adults find themselves needing to turn to their local food bank. Turns out that the food bank is also a great place to donate your time as a retiree - and food banks rely heavily on volunteers to keep their doors open, as you'll hear from today's guest, Meghan Flindall, Executive Director of the Fare Share Food Bank in Cobourg and Port Hope, Ontario.

For many people, even thinking about creating a will brings up the desire to clean the house, run some errands, start writing that book you've been putting off - do anything but sit down to create a will. In today's episode, we talk with Debbie Stanley of ETP Canada to look at what the role of an executor entails and how anyone can easily prepare a “death binder” to support their estate executor.

It's been a hot minute since Season 3, we know - and we're delighted to finally be dropping the first episode of Season 4! We're grateful to our loyal listeners for patiently waiting for this latest season and for encouraging us to continue creating - and thanks for spreading the word! More and more listeners continue to find us because you're sharing this podcast with your friends, coworkers, former coworkers, families and anyone else you think would enjoy our content. We are beyond grateful.

Dave and Mary Ellen review the topics covered and guests interviewed in Season 3 and provide a sneak peek at what's coming for Season 4.

Yes, there IS such a thing as “witch school”, and anyone can attend. Meet the founder of Witch School Canada, Kiki Keskinen, as she explains to Mary Ellen and Dave what it means to be a witch in 2024 and encourages anyone interested in exploring their spirituality, their connection to nature, and their inner power to consider going back to school.

If you've never heard of a “death doula”, you're not alone - and after listening to today's guests, Stephanie Byfield and Lisa O'Leary who are both certified end-of-life doulas, we hope you'll realize that when it comes to planning for and dealing with the inevitable end of your life's journey, you don't need to be alone then either.

When you hear about natural disasters in the news, you likely don't think about older adults being a critical resource to the various organizations that help disaster survivors recover and rebuild. Today's guest, Kevin King, the Executive Director of the Mennonite Disaster Service, explains why, and how, older adults across North America bring so much value to disaster recovery.

Want to know what other people are focusing on this year with respect to their health and wellness? We'll reveal those today - after we take a walk down memory lane and look back at what was "hot" in the 70s and 80s. We'll also talk with a guest about wellness retreats, which, you guessed it, are one of this year's top trends.

If you're looking for free information and resources to plan your retirement at any stage of your life, you'll want to listen to Dave and Mary Ellen interview today's guest, Fritz Gilbert. Fritz worked in the aluminum industry in the US for over three decades before retiring in 2018.  Three years before he retired, he began a blog that now contains many documents that he researched and wrote about planning and enjoying your retirement to the fullest.

Once you've retired, you've retired - right??? Not if you're one of today's guests, both of whom retired from jobs they loved so much that they chose to return to work part-time in retirement, doing what they loved all over again.

Aaahh, you've finally reached that magical time in your life you've been dreaming about forever: retirement. No alarm clock, no boss, no responsibilities. Why on earth would anyone want to leave that bliss and return to the world of work?! Tune into today's episode to hear from two guests who explain to Dave and Mary Ellen why they each willingly chose to pick up a part-time gig after retiring from their full-time job.

In today's episode, we take a look at retirement income and investment planning before and during retirement. Financial planner Joe Curry explains investment strategies that will help you maintain an income that works for you, while making sure you're leaving a legacy for others that meets your goals.

While we don't usually talk money on our podcast, it is an important part of planning for your retirement, and a financial planner can help you make sure you're able to afford a retirement that matches your values and life's purpose. Today's guest is financial planner Joe Curry, who explains how understanding your values and your goals will guide your priorities for savings and investment before and after retirement.

In today's episode, we will learn more about the history and inner workings of one of the world's largest big box retailers... Costco! Our guests today are retirees and proud New Yorkers, David and Susan Schwartz, who've turned their love of this warehouse into another labour of love: creating and publishing their book (which they wrote while retired!) entitled, The Joy of Costco: A Treasure Hunt from A to Z.

Welcome to Season 3! After a longer-than-planned break following the end of Season 2, Dave and Mary Ellen are back with a stellar lineup of guests to talk about a range of topics related to retirement - but first, let's talk about the concept of retirement itself and find out where the whole notion started in the first place.

Dave and Mary Ellen reflect on the topics covered in Season 2 of TRYP and the wonderful guests who shared their knowledge with listeners. They also share some highlights from listener feedback along with some of their favourite moments from Season 2. Be sure to listen for the details on a contest we're holding for listeners between Seasons 2 and 3!

Dementia is often mistakenly assumed to be a "given" as we grow older and today's guest debunks that myth. Our guest for this episode is Robin Hull, an education coordinator for the Alzheimer Society in Ontario, Canada who clarifies the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's and explains that there are many forms of dementia. She lists the warning signs of Alzheimer's and what you can do to prevent or slow down the onset of this disease and shares a variety of resources and supports that are available for both dementia patients as well as caregivers. Dave and Mary Ellen take a look at what resources and supports are available online wherever you live.

In today's episode, we continue the conversation we started last week with Joanne, a mental health promoter who works in public health in Ontario, Canada. Joanne shares a long list of protective factors that act as a buffer against stress and also provides listeners with a variety of resources and supports for researching and fostering good mental health. Dave and Mary Ellen also take a look at what resources and supports are available in the US and the UK.

In today's episode, we take a look at why some retirees fall into depression. Our guest today works in public health as a mental health promoter and she sheds some light on the difference between being mentally unwell and being mentally ill. She also shares an extensive list of risk factors that can affect our mental well-being at any age.

Chances are, not matter what continent you live on around the globe, you've heard of pickleball, one of the world's fastest-growing sports (especially for older adults!). Join us today to learn more about this sport and to hear from Neil, an internationally certified pickleball instructor who only learned how to play pickleball in retirement.

Falling is not a given as we age! Our first guest has some tips for what you can do to safeguard your stability and balance at any age. Our second guest highly recommends the benefits of yoga - and planning your own funeral while you're healthy.

What do shuffleboard, bingo, cooking classes, chair yoga, and painting classes have in common? They are a few of the wide variety of recreational programs and services available for older adults (55+) at your local community centre. In today's episode, you'll hear from two recreationists in Mary Ellen's community and be inspired to check out what your local community centre has to offer.

She's back! One of our guests from S1Ep4 joins Mary Ellen in a conversation about nutrition, the psychology behind why we eat what we do, and wellness tips for both busy pre-retirees and retirees. The good news? It's never too late to make changes that will have a profound effect on your well-being in your retirement years!

At some point in our journey through adulthood, we discover the importance of loving who we are as a whole human being - the good, the bad, and the ugly. For today's guest, his access to knowing and accepting himself came through learning and practicing mindfulness, which in turn has allowed him to open up and be vulnerable with loved ones and strangers alike, offering them the gift of connection. Listen to Mike's story on today's episode of The Retirement Years Podcast.

Curious about how the final phase of retirement is connected to lemons? Find the answers by listening to the second half of Dave and Mary Ellen's interview with author and TedTalk speaker, Dr. Riley Moynes.

Welcome to the premiere episode of Season 2! Your hosts, Mary Ellen and Dave, speak with author and TedTalk speaker Dr. Riley Moynes about his research on the four phases of retirement.

Dave and Mary Ellen reflect on their journey to launching The Retirement Years Podcast and share their favourite moments from Season 1 along with what some listeners had to say. Wondering what Season 2 has in store? Tune in and get a sneak peek!

You don't need to be wealthy to leave a legacy - but you do need to start thinking about what that legacy will be, regardless of whether you're retired yet or not. Listen to this episode to hear three generations of people talk about the legacy left behind by one ordinary man: Mary Ellen's dad.

Would you rather be wealthy or generous? Join Mary Ellen and Dave as they explore this question and talk with three retirees about what gets them out of bed each morning.

Retirement is an emotional decision, not just a financial decision. Listen to this week's episode to find out the seven critical questions you should ask yourself before deciding to retire.

Your working life hasn't been one-size-fits-all, so why should your retirement be any different? Join Mary Ellen and Dave as they share some questions for you to contemplate about your work life and your retirement - and the answers may surprise you!

In this episode, Mary Ellen and Dave introduce a white paper produced by RTOERO called Five Ways to Think about Retirement Planning ... and Money Isn't One of Them and discuss one of these five ways to think about retirement planning in more depth.

"A second home in a warm climate; travel; camping with my husband; time to look after myself" - these are some of the wishes you'll hear shared by listeners who haven't yet retired. You'll also meet today's guest, Louise Nadeau, and hear all about her new life in retirement in the Dominican Republic!

Not everyone is excited about the prospect of retiring - find out why in this episode.

Mary Ellen and Dave speak with a guest, Nancy, as they explore the six stages of retirement and share some not-so-serious retirement letters.

Join Mary Ellen and Dave as they introduce themselves and their vision for The Retirement Years Podcast as a vehicle for listeners to have their questions about retirement answered - what to expect, how to prepare for retirement emotionally, finding your new purpose, and so much more.

In this short trailer for The Retirement Years Podcast, you'll meet Mary Ellen and Dave and get a taste of what this podcast is all about (hint: it's NOT about the financial side of retirement!).