Ep 118: Are you feeling stuck in your career but not ready to retire — and definitely not ready to start from scratch? In this episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, Ben and Curtis sit down with career strategist Mike Dwyer, founder of Emplana Career, to reveal how professionals in their 50s, 60s, and beyond can pivot into their next chapter without losing all the progress they’ve already built.

Mike brings decades of experience from the private and public sectors and he shares how to outsmart today’s job-market challenges, beat the bots and AI that screen résumés, and use his proven five-day Emplana Career Framework to uncover new opportunities fast. From networking that actually works, to building a personal “career board,” to breaking into leadership roles or mission-driven organizations later in life, Mike gives listeners a playbook for creating meaningful, energizing work in the second half of life.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What’s next for me?”, this episode delivers the clarity, confidence, and inspiration to take your next step — without starting over.

Chapters:

Intro & Guest Background – Setting the stage and meeting Mike Dwyer of Emplana Career. [00:01–02:50]

Why Career Pivots Feel Hard – Mike’s journey, the résumé story, and why professionals feel stuck. [02:50–09:05]

Today’s Job Market Realities – AI, bots, applications disappearing, and how to fight back. [09:05–14:47]

Networking & Connection – Getting in the right rooms, networking for introverts, and building real relationships. [14:47–24:59]

The Emplana Career Framework – Mike’s 5-day workbook and how to explore roles without starting over. [19:16–28:32]

Leadership, Culture & Mentorship – Moving into management, evaluating culture, and finding helpful mentors. [28:32–45:18]

Energy from Innovation Ecosystems – How startups and mission-driven orgs unlock opportunities later in life. [49:51–53:10]

Retirement Success – Mike’s vision for easing into retirement with curiosity and purpose. [53:10–54:23]