What happens when retirement doesn’t look the way you expected? And what if purpose appears not through careful plans, but through simply being present?

In this episode of Beyond Retirement, I’m joined by Marilyn Raichle, who has spent her life building communities through creativity, curiosity, and connection. From founding the Seattle International Children’s Festival and a national comedy festival to leading Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care, her work has always centered on bringing people together.

Her life took an unexpected turn when she became a care partner for her parents as they lived with dementia. What followed wasn’t the story of loss that many people expect. Instead, it revealed moments of creativity, humor, and connection that reshaped her understanding of aging, relationships, and what it truly means to live well.

Marilyn is the author of Don’t Walk Away: A Care Partner’s Journey, a hopeful and deeply human reflection on love, creativity, and connection through every stage of life.

Through Marilyn’s story, you’ll discover how slowing down, listening deeply, and embracing simple moments of creativity can transform the way we relate to others and ourselves. This conversation offers a refreshing perspective on aging, reminding us that meaning often emerges in unexpected places.

Life After a Major Pivot

• When retirement doesn’t unfold as planned
• Redefining purpose beyond career identity

Care Partner vs. Caregiver

• Shared humanity and partnership
• Letting go of control and expectations

Creativity and Joy

• Art as a bridge beyond fear and stigma
• Play, music, and laughter as connectors

Changing the Dementia Narrative

• Living with dementia, not suffering from it
• Enduring personhood and human needs

Listening and Presence

• Slowing down and asking meaningful questions
• Why curiosity matters more than answers

Book site: https://dontwalkaway.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.raichle

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynraichle/

Instagram: instagram.com/raichlem/

READY TO RAMP UP YOUR RETIREMENT JOURNEY?

Start here: https://beyondretirement.ca/start-here/

Book a FREE call with Jacquie: https://calendly.com/jacquiedoucette/discovery

Check out the Beyond Retirement Library: https://placeforbooks.com

*****************************

Don't forget to check out Reinvention Rebels with host Wendy Battles, and grab your free gift:

https://reinventionrebels.com/100

Reinvention Rebels is for women in midlife and beyond who are ready to consciously design the next chapter of their lives. Through stories of women 50 to 90-plus who are starting businesses, finding love, taking on big challenges, and rediscovering their confidence, Wendy reminds listeners that reinvention doesn’t have an expiry date.

Retirement gives you time—but it also removes the structure that once shaped your days. For many people, that loss of structure creates a deeper question: what replaces it?

In this solo episode of Beyond Retirement, inspired by my conversation with Andrew Motiwalla of The Good Life Abroad, I explore how immersive travel can help retirees rediscover confidence, connection, and purpose.

Most people travel in retirement the same way they traveled during their working years—short vacations packed with activities. But when you slow down and live somewhere for a while instead of rushing through it, everything changes. You develop routines. You connect with people. You adapt to a new environment.

And those small adaptations rebuild something many retirees didn’t realize they lost: self-trust.

****************************

Special Canada Day Offer from Alex Setzler, CEO/Founder of The Northern Office

Alex Setzler, founder of The Northern Office, is offering Beyond Retirement listeners 10% off an annual membership to the Being Canadian app with the code OHCANADA. On Google Play, use ohcanada. The offer is valid until July 6.

I’ve been using the Being Canadian app myself, and I’ve found it a genuinely fun way to start the day. It includes three satirical stories based on current events, daily Canadian trivia, a snowbird day counter, and a few other extras that make it worth the few minutes it takes each morning.

What I appreciate most is that it’s sharp without being mean-spirited. It lets us laugh at ourselves a little, while still keeping an eye on what’s happening in Canada and beyond.

The Being Canadian app is one of several cross-border tools created by The Northern Office, a studio focused on products for Canadians, especially those navigating life between Canada and the U.S. There’s also a free newsletter and other free tools, with the app’s paid tier unlocking the full experience.

If you’ve ever wanted your morning news with a side of maple-flavoured perspective, this one is worth a look, and the discount code makes it a little easier to try.

****************************

Drawing from my own experiences living temporarily in Chapala and Oaxaca, Mexico, this episode explores why immersive travel can expand your world rather than shrink it—and why retirement may be the perfect time to explore life differently.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why retirement often creates a loss of structure and identity
• The difference between vacation travel and immersive travel
• How living somewhere temporarily helps rebuild confidence
• Why community—not location—is the real destination
• How language barriers become opportunities to connect
• The truth about safety and healthcare while traveling abroad
• Why extended travel can sometimes cost less than staying home
• Practical steps for exploring immersive travel experiences

Mentioned in This Episode

The Good Life Abroad https://thegoodlifeabroad.com

Use code BeyondRetirement for $100 off your first program.

Key Takeaway

Retirement becomes richer when it’s designed around expansion rather than contraction. When you choose experiences that encourage curiosity, learning, and connection, the world doesn’t get smaller—it opens up.

Action Steps From This Episode

1. Start learning a new language today

Download an app like Duolingo and spend ten minutes a day learning basic phrases.

2. Practice small acts of adaptation

Change a routine in your daily life—try a new grocery store, attend a new event, or take a different route somewhere.

3. Research one immersive travel destination

Instead of looking at a one-week vacation, explore what it would cost to live somewhere for a month.

READY TO RAMP UP YOUR RETIREMENT JOURNEY?

Start here: https://beyondretirement.ca/start-here/

Book a FREE call with Jacquie: https://calendly.com/jacquiedoucette/discovery

Check out the Beyond Retirement Library: https://placeforbooks.com

*********

What if travel in retirement wasn’t about seeing more places—but about living more fully?

In this episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie Doucette sits down with Andrew Motiwalla, founder of The Good Life Abroad, to talk about a style of retirement travel that’s changing how people 55+ experience the world: slow travel with built-in community.

Andrew shares how his Peace Corps experience in Honduras planted the seed for month-long stays that move you out of “tourist mode” and into real life; routines, local cafés, cultural events, and friendships that form naturally when you stay long enough to be recognized. You’ll hear why The Good Life Abroad is not a tour, how their cohort model works, and how community managers create light, optional touchpoints (like cooking classes, walking tours, and local experiences) that help you feel supported without being scheduled to death.

You’ll also love Andrew’s perspective on “joyspan”—the idea that we can intentionally expand the years of joy, purpose, and connection in our lives. For many retirees, identity shifts can feel disorienting. Andrew explains how immersive travel can help you grow through learning, connect through shared values, and adapt to new experiences, often leaving you with more confidence and a bigger sense of possibility than when you arrived.

Key Topics Covered

• Why slow, immersive travel creates deeper learning: Why a month in one place creates a completely different travel experience
• Community as a foundation for joy in retirement: What travelers feel after week 1, week 3, and week 4 of immersive living & why community can be the most surprising (and meaningful) part of the experience
• Identity shifts after leaving work: Rediscovering purpose through curiosity and exploration
• Confidence gained from adapting to new environments: Why small discomforts lead to growth & how The Good Life Abroad supports safety, comfort, and independence (55+)
• Travel as a test‑drive for expatriate life: “Expat-curious” scouting trips to test-drive a city before moving abroad
• Who this style of travel is best for: (hint: curiosity matters)
• How slow travel affects your budget: Ballpark pricing for a month-long program and what’s included

Listener Offer

Beyond Retirement listeners can use the referral code BEYONDRETIREMENT when booking with The Good Life Abroad to receive an exclusive listener discount.

Connect with Andrew:

• Via email: [email protected]
• On the web: https://thegoodlifeabroad.com

READY TO RAMP UP YOUR RETIREMENT JOURNEY?

Start here: https://beyondretirement.ca/start-here/

Book a FREE call with Jacquie: https://calendly.com/jacquiedoucette/discovery

Check out the Beyond Retirement Library: https://placeforbooks.com

Retirement is often framed as a financial milestone—but the deeper transition is psychological. When work ends, the identity that came with it often disappears as well. In this solo episode, Jacquie reflects on her conversation with Michael Kay about the idea of “Chapter X”—the stage of life where the structure of career gives way to something far more open-ended.

What happens when the ladder of achievement disappears? How do you redefine success when productivity is no longer the main measure of value? And how can curiosity become the compass for designing a meaningful life after work?

This episode explores the identity shift that many retirees experience and offers a simple but powerful question that can help you begin writing your next chapter.

Key Topics Covered

1. Retirement Is More Than a Financial Transition

• Why retirement planning often ignores the identity shift
• How work provides structure, meaning, and social identity

2. The Identity Gap

• What happens when your job title disappears
• Why high achievers often struggle most with this transition

3. The Concept of “Chapter X”

• Retirement as an undefined chapter of exploration
• Why uncertainty can actually be an opportunity

4. Reclaiming Beginner’s Mind

• Why curiosity matters more than expertise after retirement
• Learning to try new things without pressure to master them

5. Redefining Success

• Moving from productivity-based identity to meaning-based living
• Designing days around values instead of expectations

Reflection Questions:

• If someone asked who you are today—without referencing your career—how would you answer?
• What parts of your identity were shaped by your work?
• Where could curiosity lead you in this next stage of life?
• What does success look like for you now?
• What small experiment could you try this month?

READY TO RAMP UP YOUR RETIREMENT JOURNEY?

Start here: https://beyondretirement.ca/start-here/

Book a FREE call with Jacquie: https://calendly.com/jacquiedoucette/discovery

Check out the Beyond Retirement Library: https://placeforbooks.com

Michael F. Kay spent decades as a CPA and financial professional before transitioning into life coaching focused on the emotional and identity side of retirement. In this conversation, he explains the origin of “Chapter X” (solve for X) and why many high-performing men reach retirement without a clear picture of what comes next.

Together, Jacquie and Michael unpack the universal fears that show up in retirement—relevance, vitality, identity—and why the solution is never one-size-fits-all. Michael shares practical ways to reclaim curiosity, experiment without pressure, and let go of ego-driven competition that no longer serves you. They also talk about the value of remembering past transitions (your first day at work, your first promotion) as proof you already have the tools to navigate change. Michael describes exercises from his book—including writing a multi-perspective eulogy—to clarify values and live intentionally now. The episode closes with a powerful reminder: retirement is your chance to curate your days around meaning and joy, not “shoulds,” deadlines, or status.

Key topics discussed

• Michael’s path: musician → CPA → financial life planner → life coach
• Why retirement questions start with: “What does that mean to you?” • The origin of “Chapter X” and the idea of “solve for X”
• What “X” really is: what gets you out of bed, meaning, purpose, curiosity
• Why high-performing men often struggle more with the transition
• Identity beyond the job title: “Who are you when you’re no longer your job?”
• The danger of “waiting to die” and the sadness of purposeless later years
• Depression in seniors and the pull of living in the past
• Retirement as a new transition: reclaiming a beginner’s mind
• No one dies from being uncomfortable: normalizing transition anxiety
• Unlearning: ego, competition, ladder-climbing, and “should”
• Go-go / slow-go / no-go stages and using vitality wisely
• Contribution doesn’t have to be big: small acts that lift others
• Joy as a filter: if it isn’t joyful, don’t do it
• Curating your day: energy, sleep, priorities, and flexibility
• The book’s process: progressive exercises + expert chapters (gerontology, psychology, exercise, couples)
• The eulogy exercise: clarifying values and living them now

Action steps:

1. Define your X: Write down what you want to get out of bed for in this season of life.
2. Try a beginner’s mind experiment: Pick one new activity and commit to 3 tries—no pressure to “be good.”
3. Audit your “shoulds”: List the things you do out of obligation; cross out one this week.
4. Recall a past transition: Write about your first day at your first real job—what did you learn about adapting?
5. Create a 2–3 item day: Put only 2–3 priorities on your calendar, leaving space for joy.

Connect with Michael: https://michaelfkay.com

Grab Michael's book on Amazon

In this solo episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie reflects on her conversation with Jermaine Ee (founder of HeirLight) from Episode 294. She distills Jermaine’s wisdom on living intentionally, defining “enough,” and designing ordinary days that feel truly meaningful. Listeners get practical prompts and small experiments to bring more clarity, gratitude, and purpose into their daily retirement life.

Why this matters

Retirement isn’t just about filling a calendar—it’s about creating days that genuinely satisfy. Jacquie explores how to step out of comparison, focus on what matters, and design a “perfect average day” that brings joy, not just busyness.

What we covered

• The power of asking: “What would I do every day if money and recognition didn’t matter?”
• Living with clarity: identifying what truly matters now
• Defining “enough” and escaping the comparison trap
• Jermaine’s “tiny list” strategy for whose opinions matter
• Designing your “perfect average day” (and why it’s more important than big dreams)
• Meaning vs. busyness: how to choose fulfillment over a packed schedule
• Legacy, conversations, and not waiting for the “perfect” moment
• Bonus tips: new communities, prioritizing health, staying curious, capturing memories

Key takeaways

• Clarity is love in practical form.
• Comparison is the thief of joy.
• Designing small, meaningful days matters more than chasing big achievements.
• Don’t wait to have important conversations or experiences.
• Retirement is richer when you choose relationships, activities, and routines that energize you.

WANT TO KICKSTART YOUR RETIREMENT JOURNEY?

Start here: https://beyondretirement.ca/start-here/

Book a FREE call with Jacquie: https://calendly.com/jacquiedoucette/discovery

Check out the Beyond Retirement Library: https://placeforbooks.com

What if the goal of retirement isn’t just “more free time”… but a life you’re not trying to escape from?

Jermaine Ee is a storyteller based in Los Angeles and the founder of HeirLight, a fast, modern, emotionally intelligent way to create a legally binding will, health care directive, and durable power of attorney.

In this episode, Jermaine talks about the pressure to postpone life for a promised future—and how clarity often arrives quickly once avoidance ends. You’ll hear Jermaine’s perspective on defining what is enough (and whose voices shape that definition), why the best days aren’t always the big adventures, and how one conversation with his mom led to a dream trip that changed everything. We also touch on estate planning in a refreshingly human way: not as a fear-based task, but as a way to reduce confusion, protect dignity, and care for the people you love.

Key Topics:

• Why so many people trade their present for a promised future
• How culture shapes our definition of “enough”
• Living for the weekend vs. designing a good Tuesday
• The “small paper” exercise: whose opinions actually matter
• Choosing relationships that add energy (and reducing time with draining ones)
• Busy vs. meaningful: saying no more often
• A powerful reminder: ask your parents about their dreams
• Estate planning as clarity (not fear): will, health care directive, power of attorney

Thoughts to ponder

• Whose voices are shaping your definition of “enough” right now?
• What’s one thing you could do on a random Tuesday that would make it a good day?
• What conversation are you avoiding that would bring clarity to your family?
• If you asked your parents (or kids) about their dreams today, what might you learn?

Action steps (try this in 7 days)

1. Design your “good Tuesday.” Write down 3 small things that would make an ordinary day feel like a win.
2. Do the small-paper exercise. List the 5–7 people whose opinions truly matter—and stop outsourcing your self-worth to everyone else.
3. Start one clarity conversation. Pick one topic you’ve been avoiding (health wishes, finances, family expectations, legacy) and take the first step.

Connect with Jermaine:

• HeirLight: https://heirlight.com
• Jermaine: https://eejermaine.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eejermaine

**Since recording this episode, HeirLight has expanded its reach and now offers services in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.

For 50% off the HeirLight service, use: www.heirlight.com/en/podcast

In this solo episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie dives into the essential—yet often avoided—topic of long-term care, sparked by key takeaways from her interview with Raymond Lavine. She explores why long-term care planning matters, what can happen when caregiving needs arise unexpectedly, and how listeners can take practical steps now to protect their choices, finances, and family relationships.

Retirement dreams often focus on freedom and independence, but the reality is that many retirees will eventually need some form of care—sometimes suddenly. Planning ahead can mean the difference between empowered choices and stressful crisis management.

• How caregiving needs can disrupt retirement plans—often without warning
• The hidden ripple effects: finances, family roles, and household dynamics
• The true cost of care—money, time, energy, and emotional bandwidth
• Raymond Lavine’s three core planning questions: Where? Who? How?
• The importance of starting conversations early, before a crisis
• Organizing vital documents and communicating your wishes
• Understanding care costs in your area
• Exploring long-term care insurance and why earlier is better
• Making your home safer, one simple change at a time
• Proactive steps for those who can’t or don’t want insurance

• Don’t wait for a crisis. Planning ahead preserves dignity, options, and family harmony.
• Start small. Even simple conversations and small home changes make a difference.
• Know your options. Research care costs, insurance, and local resources early.
• Empower your family. Clear documents and communication prevent confusion and conflict.
• Self-care matters. Healthy habits and a safe home reduce future risks.

READY TO RAMP UP YOUR RETIREMENT JOURNEY?

Have a chat with Jacquie: https://calendly.com/jacquiedoucette/discovery

New to Beyond Retirement? Start Here: https://beyondretirement.ca/start-here/

Check out the Beyond Retirement Library: https://placeforbooks.com/

Retirement is supposed to feel like freedom… until caregiving enters the picture.

Raymond Lavine is a caregiving planning advocate who helps families prepare for long-term care realities before a crisis hits. He’s the host of the podcast Planning with Purpose: The Caregiver’s Blueprint and co-author of the Amazon bestseller Empathy and Understanding in Business.

Raymond shares how his parents’ experiences shaped his work, why even affluent families can get squeezed by care costs, and what changes—logistically, emotionally, and financially—when one person needs ongoing support. You’ll also hear practical ways to reduce stress even if you’re not ready to buy a plan today: decluttering, home modifications, organizing documents, and building habits that make aging at home safer.

Key Topics:

• Why families delay long-term care planning until a crisis
• How caregiving reshapes retirement for everyone involved
• The hidden logistics: meds, appointments, finances, bathing, transfers, and constant worry
• Why “having enough money” still doesn’t mean care won’t disrupt your life
• Planning choices: where you want care, who will manage it, and how you’ll pay
• Using care support to stay social, travel, and avoid getting “stuck”
• What people underestimate most: caregiving is “invisible” until it’s not
• Simple stress-reducers: declutter, improve lighting, add grab bars, swap knobs for levers
• Keep documents and passwords in one place (digital + paper)

Thoughts to ponder

• If caregiving started tomorrow, what would change first in your life?
• Who would coordinate care in your family—and do they know that?
• What would you want to protect most: dignity, independence, relationships, finances?
• What’s one small home change you could make this month to reduce risk?

Action steps (try this in 7 days)

1) Answer the “3 Care Questions.”

1. Where would I want care?
2. Who would manage it?
3. How would we pay?

2) Create a “one place” folder.

• Health card/insurance info, key contacts, legal documents, medication list, passwords (securely stored).

3) Do one safety upgrade.

• Add a grab bar, improve lighting, remove a rug, or swap a doorknob for a lever.

Connect with Raymond:

Website: https://lavineltcins.com

In this solo episode of Beyond Retirement, Jacquie draws inspiration from her conversation with Henry Quinlan—a publisher, memoirist, and passionate advocate for purposeful living in retirement. The episode explores how telling your story, reflecting on life’s turning points, and embracing new “second acts” can help you find meaning, connection, and fulfillment after the traditional working years.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• Why retirement isn’t just about stopping work, but about moving toward something meaningful
• The power of memoir and storytelling for self-discovery and legacy
• How reflecting on your life’s “plot twists” can reveal hidden strengths and new opportunities
• The value of curiosity, creativity, and staying engaged at any age
• Practical ways to start writing your story—even if you don’t consider yourself a writer
• Henry Quinlan’s approach to living with optimism, humor, and purpose in later life

Key takeaways

• Retirement is a new beginning. It’s a chance to design a life that excites you, not just a time to wind down.
• Everyone has a story worth telling. Memoir writing can clarify your values, celebrate your journey, and leave a legacy for loved ones.
• Reflection brings meaning. Looking back at challenges and turning points can help you see how far you’ve come—and what you still want to do.
• Curiosity keeps you young. Stay open to new interests, skills, and connections, no matter your age or background.
• You don’t have to be a professional writer. Start with small stories, favorite memories, or lessons learned—what matters is capturing your unique perspective.

READY TO RAMP UP YOUR RETIREMENT JOURNEY?

Have a chat with Jacquie: https://calendly.com/jacquiedoucette/discovery

New to Beyond Retirement? Start Here: https://beyondretirement.ca/start-here/

Check out the Beyond Retirement Library: https://placeforbooks.com/