We've got a special "two for the price of one" today! This is our annual "Ask the Experts" episode. It's an interesting pairing. The first expert is Joe Casey who is considered the GOAT of retirement podcasters. He's been the host of Retirement Wisdom for 10 years and has produced over 350 episodes. He's a true pioneer in the Retirement Industry. He was one of the first Executive Coaches and Retirement Coaches before it was actually a thing! He's seen every misstep and shares his own personal challenges. Despite Joe being a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, we still loved hanging out with Joe. And so will you!

Joe's Interview: [03:20]

Judi Nadratowski is a rookie (Un)Retirement Expert. But she's coming in strong with incredible practical advice, as a writer and blogger who shares her journey through 6 years of retirement. She had an executive position at an International Law Firm for 40+ years. Yes, she worked at the same company for her entire career and had done zero planning about what she was going to do post-career.  Anyone who is nearing the end of their professional career is going to learn so much from Judi's advice about what the future can hold for you! She's simply a delight!

Judi Nadratowski Interview: [29:50]

• More about Joe Casey: https://www.retirementwisdom.com/joe-casey/

• More about Judi Nadratowski: https://www.retirementcommentaries.com/about-me/

• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Meet-the-UnRetirement-Experts-Interviews-with-Joe-Casey-and-Judi-Nadratowski

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/

• "I Used to be Somebody World Tour" -- SOLD OUT! https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

Carl visited one of his favorite cities in the world -- New Orleans and had the privilege to interview the amazing Nick Mueller, co-founder of the World War II Museum. You do not need to be a history buff to love this episode.

Nick was contemplating his first (un)retirement in 1990, when he and Stephen Ambrose (best-selling author and celebrity historian) met over a bottle of sherry and discussed the idea of starting a World War II Museum on a historic site right there in New Orleans. The original idea was to raise one million dollars and have a modest warehouse museum by the water. Thirty-four years later, they have raised $400 million and now operate one of the world's best museums, right in the middle of New Orleans.

Nick was the founding CEO of the museum (after his first career) and just retired again last year at age 84. He's a remarkable person and the museum is an incredibly moving experience. Along the way he's made friends and has garnered significant contributions from celebrities Tom Hanks, Tom Brokaw and Steven Spielberg. 

Please make sure to listen to the last 6 minutes of the interview. As Nick talks about the lessons learned from WWII, Carl asks him where he thinks our country is headed now. His thoughtful insights are so inspirational and he gives us some needed hope for the future.

• More about Nick Mueller: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/about-us/our-team/museum-founders/gordon-h-nick-mueller

• Nick's new book Preserving the Legacy: Creating the National WWII Museum: https://lsupress.org/9780807184493/preserving-the-legacy

• Episode Content:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Nick-Mueller-Interview-Mr-World-War-II-Museum-Co-Founder-and-Former-CEO

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die

• Join the "I Used to be Somebody World Tour": https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

Probably anyone who loves to travel has thought at one point about what it would be like to travel the entire world. Everyone has that thought but who would actually do it? 

This month's guest Wayne Schmidt and his wife Sally quit their jobs in Australia -- sold their house, cars and all their worldly possessions and started their journey in 2017 and have never stopped. Yes, 92 countries later they are living the (un)retirement dream life. 

Wayne says he's made every mistake possible but has no regrets. They eventually figured out a lifestyle that works for them. They are "Digital Nomads" that work 2.5 days a week offering a unique business model by providing marketing consulting for ten accounting firms. And the rest is adventure time. It's been one crazy eight years of adventure!

Wayne has some very helpful travel and life advice for us all. It's a super fun and thought-provoking conversation.

• More about Wayne and Sally Schmidt:  https://www.traveldinestay.com/blog 

• Forbes Article about The Schmidts:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/garystoller/2025/02/17/digital-nomads-improve-marriage-by-traveling-to-92-countries 

• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Wayne-Schmidt-Interview-A-Traveling-UnRetirement-Adventure-92-Countries-and-Counting 

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:  https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die 

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide 

• Join the "I Used to be Somebody World Tour" to Croatia in 2026: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/croatia 

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe 

What a great way to kick off the baseball season with a super fun episode about a guy who's whole career was inside the world of sports. Gary Saunders had an exciting career in management and marketing/sales working the minor league baseball circuit. He traveled around the country working for about a dozen different organizations and capped it all with a big time sports exec job at University of Mississippi.

You don't need to a sports fan to love this episode. Gary retired to Florida with his wife Eileen. He started what he thought would be a dream retirement and just become a beach bum. Gary who always was a busy guy, soon found himself bored out of his mind and has put together a combination of part-time jobs that as he says, "puts a smile on his face everyday."

He went back to his roots and got his dream job being the music/sound guy for the Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training team and during the summer works for their minor league affiliate. He's a popular radio DJ with the very cool handle of "HoDad" on the Longboat Luau show. What's a "HoDad"? You'll need to listen to the episode.

And get this -- he's also a resident butler at the fancy St. Regis hotel. Plus, a whole lot more. Most importantly he's build a really cool community of friends through each of his part-time jobs. This episode is 100% fun and inspiration! You'll dig it all...

• More about Gary Saunders: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-saunders-4391635/ 

• Feature about Gary Saunders: https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2023/feb/22/longboat-luau-is-a-labor-of-love-on-wslr/ 

• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Gary-Saunders-Interview-Sports-Exec-becomes-HoDad-Radio-Personality-and-Minor-League-Baseball-Sound-Machine 

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/ 

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/ 

• Join the "I Used to be Somebody World Tour": https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/ 

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe 

Mitch Dunn is the poster child for what (Un)Retirement is all about. He had an amazing career for 30+ years in the ad agency business, starting at the legendary Leo Burnett agency and eventually worked his way up to Senior VP at Empower. One fateful day his boss "uninvited" him to stay at the agency. This happens to so many talented people that are 50+, as companies want to drop a high salary. But Mitch was prepared!

He had started a side hustle by founding the Cincinnati Pickleball Club for the community. He embraced his passion for pickleball and then took it next level. He thought, "What if, I take my passion project and create a for-profit company?" Mitch became a first- time entrepreneur in his mid-fifties. He launched The Pickleball Lodge with a partner. It's the second largest indoor pickleball facility in the country. They already have well over 1,000 members. "I'm the happiest I've ever been in my entire career!" he says.

You will love this episode. It's chock full of savvy (un)retirement advice and we even talk a little bit about our mutual love for Cincinnati chili....and pickleball, of course. 

• More about Mitch Dunn: https://mitchdunn.medium.com/the-year-of-reinvention-93b9648a6fba 

• More about The PIckleball Lodge: https://thepicklelodge.com/ 

• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Mitch-Dunn-Interview-Ad-Agency-Wiz-turns-into-Pickleball-Entrepreneur 

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/ 

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/ 

• Join the "I Used to be Somebody World Tour":  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/ 

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe 

How can you not be drawn in by that title? What the heck? "Join or Die" is a hit documentary playing on Netflix right now. Carl watched the movie and was such a fan of the movie and it's message. It brought back to him some wonderful memories when he was part of a club that he loved -- the Odd Fellows. He was very fortunate and was able to connect with the movie's co-creator, Rebecca Davis.

Rebecca was inspired by the work of political scientist and author Robert Putnam, whose earlier work, "Bowling Alone" went viral. Americans had stopped joining clubs and civic organizations. Even the number of dinner parties and picnics had declined. His research showed that those "joining" activities correlated to how Democracy is doing.

Rebecca's personal story is an interesting one. She has had a successful career working as a producer with NBC News. "Join or Die" was a passion project for Rebecca. She worked on this film with her brother and co-creator Pete Davis for eight years, working on the movie on weekends and whenever she had time between her busy NBC duties. Initially they were thinking it would be a short Youtube piece, but it grew into what is now an award-winning full-length documentary that is inspiring thousands of people to get off their phones and couches and join or start clubs. You will be totally inspired by this interview and by watching the film.

• More about Rebecca Davis: https://www.rebeccadavisvideo.com/ 

• More about Join or Die: https://www.joinordiefilm.com/ 

• Episode Content:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Rebecca-Davis-Interview-Co-Creator-of-Join-or-Die 

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/ 

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:  https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/ 

• Join the "I Used to be Somebody World Tour":  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/ 

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe 

Carl talked to big-time entrepreneur Paul Giobbi about what it's like to build a company into a high tech power house, sell the business interest and then face a midlife retirement. It sounds easy but it's not. Paul has been on an amazing journey for the past 4 years and we take you with us on the ride.

It all started when Paul was 11 years old and he went to work in the family publishing and events business. Instead of participating in school sports, he spent his time working. He eventually left the family business and worked in tech. In 2000, he co-founded Zumasys, a fast-growing technology company. 

Over two decades later, Paul sold off his business interest. Like many people, the transition has not been an easy one for him. "When you decide to step away from your primary act in life, it challenges your relationships, your identity, your ego." He tried to find a peer group for mid-life advice to minimize the sudden isolation and lack of purpose but couldn't find one. So he started "The Exit Club", to connect with others going through the same transition. 

Paul reflects on it all and says, "It took a while to learn who I am was not my business".

• More about Paul Giobbi:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiobbi/ 

• More about Paul Walks: https://paulwalks.com/ 

• Episode Content:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Paul-Giobbi-High-Tech-Entrepreneur-Starts-The-Exit-Club

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/ 

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/ 

• I Used to be Somebody World Tour:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/ 

• Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody Newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe 

It took Carl 89 episodes but he finally found a former doctor who has created an amazing second act. Not just any doctor, "Doc G" has a super popular podcast (Earn & Invest) and is a best-selling author. His story is a dramatic one. After 15 years of being an internal medicine doc he found himself totally burnt out and had some sort of breakdown.

He found his passion and voice in becoming a podcast star, talking about investing and giving people life advice on how to find true happiness and purpose. 

He shares some of the best (un)retirement advice we've ever learned on the show gleaned from his new book "The Purpose Code". Great episode to end 2024!

• More about Jordan (Doc G) Grumet:  https://jordangrumet.com/    • Doc G's Book The Purpose Code:  https://jordangrumet.com/#bookrelease    • Episode Content:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Jordan-Doc-G-Grumet-Interview-Hospice-Doc-Shares-How-to-Live-a-Regret-Free-Life 

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/ 

 • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:  https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/     • I Used to be Somebody World Tour:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/    • Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe 

How does a Tax Preparer from Minnesota end up moving his family to a little village in the French Countryside end up becoming an award-winning food writer and publishing his memoir about the experience with a big-time book publisher?   

Today's guest Steve Hoffman's story is so unlikely. Back in 2012, Steve dreamed of living in France with images of swimming in the ocean on the coast and then sipping with a wonderful glass of Rosé. The reality was that he brought his wife and two children to a hard-working, hot and dusty winemaking village. No one spoke English. To say the beginning of this adventure was rocky is a understatement. 

Once Steve and his family stepped back and let their French experience evolve on its own, it was transformative. It's all shared in his memoir, "A Season for That, Lost and Found in the Other Southern France". 

Steve still lives two lives. For 6 months a year, he runs his self-stated "boring" job of tax preparation that pays well and the other half of the year is devoted to his creative life, winning a James Beard M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award.

• More about Steve Hoffman: https://www.sjrhoffman.com/

• Steve's book "A Season for That": http://tiny.cc/z37uzz

• Episode Content:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Steve-Hoffman-Interview-Food-Writer-and-Author-of-French-Countryside-Experience

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:  https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/

• I Used to be Somebody World Tour:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/

• Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

We've gone CAT crazy this month on the podcast. They say cats have 9 lives. Our guest Suna Kneisley is probably on life #5. Her story starts in Korea where she was born. She was raised in a small town in the Midwest where she was the only Asian kid in town. At 12 years old, she helped run her family's 24-hour donut shop.

In her 20's, Suna lands in Silicon Valley as a marketing exec at Intuit and Oracle. Eventually, she launched her own real estate investment company. And this is when things get even more interesting. She sees an opportunity and pounces on the Cat business, running a non-profit and buying a successful boutique Cat Hotel as a third, maybe 4th act. It's a super fun story full of lots of twist and turns. Suna is full of optimism and has some great (un)retirement advice for you!

• More about Suna Kneisley:  https://patsplaceforcats.com/about/meet-the-owners 

• Pat's Boarding House for Cats: https://patsplaceforcats.com 

• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Suna-Kneisley-Interview-Kitty-Hotel-Second-Act-Success-Story 

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide 

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:  https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die 

• I Used to be Somebody World Tour:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/all-tours 

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe