What happens when work ends—who are you then?

In this episode of Fifteen Minutes with Amy and Faith, we’re joined by life coach Joe Sumekh, who challenges the idea of “retirement” and introduces a more empowering concept: graduating from work.

Together, we explore what it means to step into your next chapter with purpose, how to reconnect with yourself after years of responsibility, and why this stage of life can be the most meaningful yet.

If you’ve ever wondered “what’s next?”—this conversation is for you.

00:00 Welcome to Fifteen Minutes with Amy and Faith

00:06 Breathing exercise

00:50 Introducing Joe Sumekh

01:46 What does “graduating from work” mean?

03:49 Taking lessons into your next chapter

04:20 Finding purpose after work

05:43 A lifelong search for meaning

07:20 Why purpose can feel hard to find

08:22 Teaching your kids through how you live

09:31 Fear of “what’s next”

10:19 Modeling passion for your children

11:37 Reacquainting yourself with YOU

12:29 Living vs. existing

13:08 Being present and creating “magic”

14:19 What legacy looks like

15:23 Fulfillment through reflection

16:09 Listener invitation + future conversations

17:03 This stage of life for Gen X

17:49 Joe’s message: “Life is good when…”

Menopause is more than hot flashes—and for many of us, it’s a conversation we never had.

In this episode, Joyce McCall shares what’s really happening during midlife, from brain fog and fatigue to emotional shifts that can leave women feeling unseen and uncertain.

But this stage isn’t about losing yourself—it’s about finding a new way forward.

With her three pillars—Recovery, Regulation, and Fuel—Joyce offers simple, practical ways to support your body, restore your energy, and move from foggy to focused.

 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple PodcastsMenopause is more than hot flashes—and for many of us, it’s a conversation we never had.

In this episode, Joyce McCall shares what’s really happening during midlife, from brain fog and fatigue to emotional shifts that can leave women feeling unseen and uncertain.

But this stage isn’t about losing yourself—it’s about finding a new way forward.

With her three pillars—Recovery, Regulation, and Fuel—Joyce offers simple, practical ways to support your body, restore your energy, and move from foggy to focused.

 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts

Ever feel overwhelmed by even the smallest decisions?

In this episode of Fifteen Minutes with Amy and Faith, we sit down with executive coach Joyce Heckman to talk about decision fatigue — what it is, why it happens, and how it shows up in everyday life.

From choosing what to wear to making bigger life decisions like career moves or retirement, the constant pressure to make the “right” choice can leave us stuck.

Joyce shares how building her own website brought this into focus — and how stepping back, letting go of perfection, and asking better questions can help you move forward.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next… this conversation is for you.

What happens after a long career finally ends?

In this episode of 15 Minutes with Amy and Faith, we launch our new series exploring the question many people eventually face:

What do you do after you “graduate from work”?

Our guest, Ed Schollmeyer, recently retired after a 33-year career at Fidelity. Instead of trying to recreate a traditional full-time role, Ed began exploring new ways to stay engaged, purposeful, and connected.

Today he serves as an adjunct college professor, mentoring students and sharing real-world insights from decades in the financial industry.

In this conversation we talk about:

• The emotional side of leaving a long career

• Why retirement doesn’t have to mean stopping work completely

• Taking small steps toward what interests you

• Finding purpose through mentoring and teaching

• Redefining work and balance in the next stage of life

If you’re thinking about retirement, a career transition, or simply wondering what comes next, this conversation will get you thinking.

And remember…tell your bestie.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to 15 Minutes with Amy and Faith

00:06 Breathing exercise

00:40 Starting the series: Graduating From Work

01:00 Meet Ed Schollmeier

02:30 The first feeling after retiring

03:50 Why retirement decisions happen in small steps

06:00 Finding purpose after a long career

07:20 How mentoring led to teaching

12:00 The best part of teaching students

15:00 Advice for people graduating from work

18:40 Setting boundaries in the next stage of life

20:00 How retirement changes your perspective

21:40 You don’t need a full-time “next act”

23:00 Final thoughts and takeaway

24:15 Tell your bestie

Spring is arriving — the birds are back, the days are getting longer, and sunlight is suddenly streaming through the windows. And with it comes a familiar realization: it might be time to clean and declutter.

In this episode of Fifteen Minutes with Amy and Faith, we talk about the signs of spring and why this season naturally leads to the urge to reset our homes and our routines.

From sunlight revealing the dust we ignored all winter to deciding what to keep, what to let go of, and why we should finally start using our “good stuff,” this conversation explores the emotional side of decluttering that many Gen Xers are experiencing right now.

We also talk about:

• Why longer days trigger the spring cleaning instinct

• Letting go of things we’ve accumulated over the years

• The challenge of inheriting family items and collections

• How to decide what to keep and what to release

• Why it may be time to start using the things we’ve been saving

Sometimes the signs of spring don’t just change the season — they change how we look at our homes and the things we hold onto.

What if you could design an app for happiness? Would it actually work?

In this episode, Amy and Faith imagine what a happiness app might look like — and discover that true happiness isn’t something you download or swipe through. Instead, it comes from small, intentional daily actions.

They explore practical ways to boost your mood, retrain your brain, and find more joy every day, including:

• Getting a little sunshine, even in winter

• Listening to your favorite music to shift your mood

• Faith’s Positivity Toolbox — simple mindset tools that really work

• The facial feedback loop: why smiling (even fake smiles) releases feel-good chemicals

• How neuroplasticity helps your brain notice the good and build happiness

Whether you grew up without apps like Gen X or just want simple, actionable ways to feel lighter, calmer, and happier, this episode is full of practical ideas you can try today.

Connect with Faith for coaching: Reach her on Instagram or Facebook to learn more about using these tools in your everyday life.

Subscribe for more real conversations about life, mindset, and everyday challenges from a Gen X perspective.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to 15 Minutes with Amy and Faith

00:15 Why we’re talking about happiness today

01:20 Breathing exercise

01:55 Imagining an app for happiness

02:55 Happiness Tool #1 – Sunshine and mood

05:55 Happiness Tool #2 – Music and emotional shifts

08:40 Our go-to songs that instantly change our mood

10:45 Faith’s Positivity Toolbox – The power of smiling

12:50 Reframing thoughts: “I’m safe, I’m okay”

14:10 Training your brain to notice the good

15:40 Designing your own happiness app

16:30 Final thoughts and where to connect with us

Chapters / Timestamps

Do you ever feel like you care too much… or just feel completely drained? You’re not alone. In this episode of Fifteen Minutes with Amy and Faith, we talk with life coach Richard Taliaferro about misplaced caring, why “not caring” can become a coping mechanism, and how to protect your energy and set boundaries.

We cover:

• How to know when caring is hurting instead of helping

• Using your energy as data to guide your choices

• Learning to say “no” without guilt

• Understanding who truly deserves your energy

• Reclaiming focus, clarity, and emotional balance

This conversation is for Gen X women and anyone feeling burned out, stretched thin, or unsure what matters most.

 Reflect with us: What truly matters to you? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!

0:00 – Welcome & Episode Intro

1:06 – Breathing Exercise: 5-5-7 Reset

2:16 – Guest Introduction: Richard Taliaferro

3:10 – Richard’s Podcasts & Career Insights

3:50 – Misplaced Caring & Zero Fs Given Era

5:16 – Not Caring as a Coping Mechanism

6:41 – Choosing What Matters & Prioritizing Energy

7:08 – Boundaries: Good Fences

8:22 – Saying No & Protecting Your Limits

9:36 – Difficult Conversations

10:50 – Energy as Data

13:27 – Journaling & Reflection

15:02 – Authenticity vs Performative Caring

16:35 – Making the List: What to Care About

18:14 – Permission to Want What You Want

19:04 – Reflective Question: What Really Matters to You?

19:50 – Episode Wrap-Up & Closing

Listen wherever you get your podcasts: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Are we becoming our grandmas — or is Gen X just remembering something we forgot?

In this episode of Fifteen Minutes with Amy and Faith, we talk about the rise of “granny hobbies” like crochet, gardening, baking, and puzzles — and why so many of us are suddenly choosing yarn over scrolling.

But this conversation doesn’t stay light. Gen X is the bridge generation. We grew up with analog childhoods and now live fully digital adult lives. We remember slower afternoons, fewer notifications, and homes shaped by women whose hands were always creating something steady and warm.What we once brushed off as ordinary now feels meaningful.

This episode shifts from hobbies to nostalgia — from what we’re making now to what our mothers and grandmothers quietly built before us. We used to roll our eyes. Now we’re rolling yarn.

And maybe that’s the power of nostalgia.

Crochet projects. Journals. Baking from scratch. LEGO flower kits. Cozy hobbies that feel surprisingly familiar.

In this episode, Amy and Faith talk about the return of “granny hobbies” and why so many Gen X women feel drawn to slow living, handmade creativity, and nostalgic traditions.

We explore:

• Why crochet and knitting are trending again

• Journaling and memory-keeping

• Baking family recipes and legacy

• The connection between Gen X women and our mothers

• What we’re seeing in younger generations

• Creativity without productivity pressure

Is this about getting older — or about rediscovering something grounding in a fast-paced digital world?

If you’ve felt pulled toward slower hobbies, cozy creativity, or reconnecting with your grandmother’s traditions, this episode will resonate.

Share your favorite “granny hobby” with us — we’d love to hear what you’re making.

In this episode of Fifteen Minutes with Amy & Faith, Jocelyn Kenner shares five practical ways to get organized, reduce overwhelm, and discover joy in your everyday life. Whether you’re a busy Gen X listener or anyone looking to create more order, simplify routines, and enjoy your space, this episode is packed with actionable tips and insights you can put into practice immediately.