In this episode, host Debbie Weil performs a five-minute personal story about what happened, beginning at age 25, when her life didn't go as planned.

Susan De Cuba, an accomplished nonprofit executive, talks about her intentional gap year at age 59, how she planned it out in fiscal quarters, and where she is now at the completion of her sabbatical.

What if more people recognized that those 50 and up are a vast, diverse and untapped source of dollar revenue as well as being overlooked contributors to society? That was the topic of a NEXT FOR ME event in New York City on Oct. 7, 2019: “Myths & Misconceptions: The Truth About 50+ Consumers." The event was co-hosted by Stria News, Silvernest, and this podcast.

Debbie talks to Matt Kepnes, better known as Nomadic Matt, about his new memoir based on 10 years of traveling. Travel is on everyone's bucket list when they talk about taking time off. Matt talks about reinventing yourself - no matter what your age - as part of the reward of longterm travel.

Barbara Waxman has her finger squarely on the pulse of a movement to redefine midlife - so she is a perfect guest for this podcast. She has coined the term Middlescence to describe this new stage. Think of it as adolescence with wisdom added in.

Debbie talks with nonprofit executive Katie Tremper about embarking on a Year of Wellness to take care of herself after a lifetime of working full-time and, mostly, ignoring her health.

Turns out this podcast is about MORE than taking a gap year after the age of 50 or 60. It’s about taking a look at all the aspects of “what’s next” when you are in mid-life and beyond.

Today Debbie talks with Marc Freedman, a best-selling author, renowned social entrepreneur and leading expert on the longevity revolution. Their subject is Marc's new book, "How to Live Forever." But their conversation ranges widely, touching on all the important topics related to mid-life transition: aging and ageism, legacy, how the older and younger generations can collaborate and care for each other, the continuing quest to find purpose, and more.

Debbie interviews psychologist and psychoanalyst Dr. Joy Dryer about the existential questions around mid-life transitions: Who am I right now? Who do I want to be? And where? And with whom? These are essential gap year questions.

Debbie and Sam reflect on two weeks of ex-pat life in the south of France. They studied intensively with a French teacher the first week; then explored on their own. Learning to speak French fluently is on both of their bucket lists.