In this episode, we dive into the world of outdoor living with Les and Darlene Lewis, owners of American Patio and Fireplace. With over 32 years of experience, they share how the "backyard" has evolved from simple PVC furniture into a sophisticated extension of the home.
For those in the 55+ community, outdoor spaces have become a vital hub for social connection, physical health, and family memories. Les and Darlene discuss the shift from traditional dining sets to "outdoor living rooms" and the rise of the full-scale summer kitchen, featuring everything from pizza ovens and pellet grills to specialized refrigeration.
Key highlights from this episode include:

• Design for You, Not Resale: Why seniors should prioritize their own cooking style and comfort over future home value.
  
• The "Order of Operations": How to plan an outdoor kitchen by starting with the grill (the "diamond") and ensuring adequate prep space.
  
• Safety and Maintenance: Essential tips on gas safety (LP vs. natural gas), ventilation under roofs, and choosing low-maintenance furniture.
  
• The Power of Simplicity: Why retirees should avoid over-crowding small spaces to maintain mobility and ease of use.
  

Whether you’re dreaming of a quiet Tuesday night by a linear fireplace or hosting 30 people for a Super Bowl bash, this episode provides the roadmap to building a space where "retirement dreams come true"

Estate planning is one of those things many people know they should do—but often delay. In this episode, Kim and Stuart Lee sits down on Retired Life with estate planning attorney Owen Goodwyne to talk about why having a clear plan in place is one of the most important gifts you can leave your family.


Estate planning isn’t simply about dividing assets. It’s about protecting your independence, reducing stress for your loved ones, and making sure your wishes are honored the way you intend. Owen explains how many assets actually pass by operation of law, sometimes producing outcomes very different from what people expect.


Owen discusses the unique challenges that arise with blended families, estranged relationships, and second marriages, as well as why ownership structures—such as Tenants in Common versus Right of Survivorship—can significantly impact what happens to property and business interests.


They also explore the importance of Durable Powers of Attorney, planning for special needs beneficiaries, and the many practical details families often overlook—such as where a will is kept, how financial accounts are accessed, and how to organize important records so loved ones aren’t left searching during a difficult time.


The conversation also touches on online wills versus professional planning, what families should understand about probate, and how thoughtful planning can ensure legacy wishes—including charitable giving and pet care provisions—are carried out properly.


Estate planning ultimately isn’t about preparing for the end—it’s about creating clarity and peace of mind for the people who matter most.

Sponsor:
This episode of Retired Life, Wish You Were Here is sponsored by Poole Engineering & Surveying, helping shape communities across the Florida Panhandle through thoughtful design and infrastructure planning.


And of course, don’t forget to check out Retired Life, Wish You Were Here merchandise and resources as we continue sharing stories, ideas, and conversations that celebrate living retirement to the fullest.


Goodwyne & Roberts, P.A.
Email [email protected]
Poole Engineering & Surveying, Inc
Email: Poole-eng.com
Retiredlifewywh.com


Show Notes:
Estate Planning: Protecting Your Wishes and Your Family
Guest: Owen Goodwyne: Estate Planning Attorney
Estate planning isn’t just about distributing assets after death — it’s about protecting your independence, reducing stress for your family, and making sure your wishes are honored.


In this episode of Retired Life, Wish You Were Here, Kim and Stuart Lee talk with estate planning attorney Owen Goodwyne about the practical steps retirees should take to organize their affairs and avoid common legal pitfalls.


They discuss how assets can pass by operation of law, the importance of planning for blended or estranged families, and why understanding ownership structures like Tenants in Common vs. Right of Survivorship matters.


Owen also explains the role of Durable Power of Attorney, how to plan for special needs beneficiaries, and the many details families often overlook — from where a will is stored to organizing financial accounts and important records.


The conversation also covers online wills, probate, charitable giving, and ensuring your legacy wishes are carried out clearly.

Building Healthy Communities is a global grassroots movement led by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC. The Physicians Committee focuses on preventing and treating chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and cancer, emphasizing a "prevention over pills" approach.


Healthy Communities organize a wide variety of events for the community:
Plant-based potlucks, cooking demonstrations, and restaurant visits
Documentary screenings, book clubs, and expert lecture presentations
Volunteer days, community outreach, and advocacy


If you are interested in more information please visit https://www.pcrm.org/buildinghealthycommunities

Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildinghealthycommunitieslmws.

If you would like to discuss starting a group please email Kimberly Peacock at [email protected]

For Info on Retired Life, Wish You Were Here contact us at [email protected]

Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/groups/Retired Life Wish You Were Here
Web- www.retiredlifewywh.com

Caring for an aging parent is one of the most emotional and complex journeys families face. Many families don’t fail their parents — they simply face a healthcare and caregiving system they were never prepared to navigate. This episode discusses recognizing dementia, navigating caregiving resources, evaluating care facilities, and preparing families before crisis hits.


Key Facts About Aging & Caregiving
     *   About 1 in 3 families will provide long-term care for an aging parent.
     *   Dementia significantly increases risks of falls, hospitalization, and long-term placement.
     *   Memory-care caregiving often lasts 5–10 years.
     *   Assisted living and memory care commonly cost $6,000–$10,000 per month, often not covered by Medicare or Medicaid.


Understanding Dementia
     *   Alzheimer’s disease is one type of dementia, but dementia includes several conditions affecting memory, thinking, and behavior.
     *   Care needs typically increase over time, requiring evolving support systems.
Caregiver Resources

- Education & Crisis Support
     *   Alzheimer’s Association
        *   24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
        *   Caregiver education, safety guidance, planning tools, and webinars
    
- Care Navigation
     *   Eldercare Locator: eldercare.acl.gov
     *   Transitions Supportive Care (Pre-Hospice/Palliative Support): transitions-support.org
     *   Hospice & Palliative Care Providers (local search recommended)
     *   National & Local Support Organizations
        *   National Alliance for Care at Home
        *   Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
        *   International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care (IAHPC)
     
Choosing a Care Facility
- Warning Signs of Poor Facilities
     *   Profit-focused without personalized care
     *   High staff turnover or low caregiver-to-resident ratios
     *   Limited leadership access
     *   Hidden or excessive extra costs
     *   Refusal to discuss disease progression
     *   Restrictions on monitoring [e.g., cameras]
- Indicators of Quality Care
     *   Individualized care plans
     *   Stable caregiver assignments
     *   Transparent communication about health changes
     *   Fall tracking and incident reporting
     *   Reasonable cost increases
     *   Staff familiarity with residents
     *   Willingness to allow family monitoring
     *   Encourage unannounced visits, including evenings and weekends


Breaking the Crisis Cycle: Planning Ahead
- Families should discuss aging care plans early, including:
     *   Financial and care planning
     *   Durable Power of Attorney and Medical POA
     *   Long-term care insurance options
     *   Living wills and DNR decisions
     *   HIPAA releases
     *   Preferred care settings (home care, assisted living, family care)
- Family Communication Guidelines
     *   The parent’s wellbeing comes first
     *   Family members may have different relationships and abilities to help
     *   Safety should outweigh independence when risks increase
     *   Professional care can sometimes provide better outcomes than family-only care
     *   Counseling or mediation can help families reach decisions


Find us on social media
Website - www.retiredlifewywh.com
Facebook - Retired Life Wish You Were Here

In this episode of Retired Life, Wish You Were Here, Kim Lee sits down with
Natalie Rodgers, an energy healer and holistic wellness practitioner, for a
thoughtful conversation about aging well, managing stress, and taking a more
intentional approach to health after 55.

Natalie shares her philosophy on holistic wellness and explains how energy
healing and meditation can support emotional balance, nervous system
regulation, and overall well-being as we age. She breaks down these concepts
in the second half of the episode, Natalie talks about her vision for building
collaborative holistic wellness centers. She explains how bringing together
multiple disciplines under one roof allows for a more personalized,
supportive approach to care. Natalie walks listeners through a variety of
services offered in holistic clinics — including meditation and energy work,
naturopathic and integrative medicine, regenerative and anti-aging therapies,
lymphatic support, red light therapy, and reflexology — explaining what
these services are designed to support and how they work together.

Key Topics Discussed:
• What holistic wellness really means
• Energy healing and nervous system regulation
• Meditation as a practical tool for aging well
• Lifestyle, nutrition, and environmental awareness
• Medication education and organization
• Why collaborative wellness centers matter
• Understanding holistic and regenerative services
• Empowerment and informed decision-making after 55

About Our Guest:
Connect with Natalie Rodgers
[email protected]
Call- 850-382-0147

Connect with Retired Life, Wish You were Here
Email [email protected]
Website- Retiredlifewywh.com
Facebook page- Retired Life Wish You Were Here
Follow on Instagram- retiredlife_wishyouwerehere
Facebook Groups- Retired Life Wish You Were Here

What does retirement really look like when you’re not fully there yet?


In this special roundtable episode of Retired Life, Wish You Were Here, all six partners come together — three couples, three lifelong friends, and six people navigating very different stages of retirement. Some of us are fully retired, some are semi-retired, and some are still working full-time while dreaming about what comes next.


At the heart of this conversation is a unique bond that started decades ago when Kim, Maria, and Nancy were college roommates. Life took each of us in different directions — careers, marriages, military service, career changes — but retirement brought us back together in an unexpected way.
This episode is an honest, relatable look at retirement as a transition, not a finish line. We talk about balancing work and life, navigating change as couples, redefining purpose, and how building Retired Life, Wish You Were Here has helped all of us prepare for the next chapter — even before it officially begins.


If you’re retired, planning to retire, or just wondering what life after 55 can look like, this episode is for you.


What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Why retirement isn’t one moment — it’s a journey
How three couples navigate different stages of work and retirement
The power of lifelong friendships in shaping your next chapter
What it’s like when one partner is retired and the other is still working
How career changes and reinvention affect retirement plans
How Retired Life, Wish You Were Here grew from an idea into a shared purpose
Advice for listeners who aren’t retired yet but are thinking ahead
 
Meet the Partners
Kim & Stuart — One still working, one fully retired from military service, building community and creativity together
Mumy (Maria) & Bill — One working full-time, one retired, finding shared purpose and joy in retirement planning
Nancy & Dave — Navigating career changes and dreaming forward together while still working full time
 
Why This Episode Matters
So many retirement conversations focus on what happens after work ends. This episode is about what happens before — the planning, the mindset shifts, the fears, the excitement, and the friendships that make the journey meaningful.


Listener Takeaways:
You don’t have to wait until retirement to start living well
Retirement looks different for every couple
Community and connection matter more than timelines
Purpose doesn’t disappear — it evolves


About the Show:
Retired Life, Wish You Were Here is a lifestyle podcast for people 55+ who are turning the page into their next chapter — with curiosity, joy, and community. Through real conversations, inspiring guests, and shared stories, we explore what it means to build a fulfilling retired life… even if you’re not quite there yet.


Merchandise Mention
Celebrate your retired life (or your future retired life!) with our Retired Life, Wish You Were Here merchandise — including mugs, tumblers, wine glasses, beach bags, and apparel designed to make this season of life fun and connected.
👉 www.retiredlifewywh.com

Brenda Sulmonetti turned to painting in her fifties, trading a conventional career for the canvas. In a few short years she developed a signature contemporary-impressionist voice — rich in color, light, shadow and emotional resonance — and gained representation with galleries and design-world clients. Her journey is a living testament to reinvention: it’s never too late for a second act. Episode Focus / Theme: 

• Reinvention in later life — rediscovering creativity post-career / post-retirement
• The emotional, practical, and spiritual journey of starting anew
• Translating passion into purpose — building a meaningful second act
• Encouragement and guidance for listeners seeking their own reinvention

  Key Highlights / Talking Points (we’ll discuss on the show): 

• What sparked Brenda to pick up a paintbrush after retirement
• Overcoming self-doubt, starting from scratch, finding her style
• Her early steps: studio setup, experimentation, discovery
• First successes: first sale, first gallery representation, first collectors
• The power of consistency, daily creative practice, and community/support
• Advice for listeners: how to begin — even if you’ve never painted before or feel it’s “too late”
• The meaning, purpose, and joy she draws from art — especially in “second life”
• What’s next: future art plans, dreams, and continued evolution

  Websites & Social Media / Where to Find Her Work Platform / SitePurpose / What You’ll Find

- Official Website / Online Studio — SulmonettiStudio.com Portfolio, shop of available paintings, bio, contact info, exhibitions & events 
- Gallery Representation Page — DK Contemporary Gallery (dkGallery.us) Selected works, artist profile, gallery representation info
- Artist Profile & Portfolio Archive — ArtworkArchive.com (Brenda-L. Sulmonetti) 


Full catalogue of works (sold and available), past exhibitions, contact / inquiry info
Instagram — @sulmonettistudio
Facebook — Brenda Sulmonetti

Podcasts, Merchandise, and everything we do can be found at retiredlifewywh.com!

[email protected] email us ideas or if you would like to be a guest.

Welcome to Retired Life, Wish You Were Here — the podcast where we explore what happens when the chapter we call “retirement” becomes the launchpad for something new and amazing

In this conversation, Darryl shares:
His long career in healthcare and how it shaped his view of service, stress, and human stories.
What prompted him to turn to writing — and why medical mysteries became his genre of choice.
How the writing class he and I attended together helped him find his voice and embrace the process.
How applying his professional experience gives his fiction authenticity while still being entertaining.
What “retirement” means to him today and how creativity has become a key part of his next chapter.
His advice for anyone listening who is thinking: “What’s next for me?”
What projects are on his horizon and how you can follow his work.

Whether you’re already retired, nearing that milestone, or simply curious about reinvention, this episode will inspire you to lean into your next act with purpose, joy and a healthy dose of suspense!

Guest Info & Links:
Website: www.DarrylBollinger.com  
Facebook: Darryl Bollinger Author  
Books to check out: Treatment Plan, The Healing Tree, The Cure and more.  

Connect with Us:
We believe retirement isn’t the end — it’s an open door to new adventures. Visit Retiredlifewywh.com for episodes, merchandise and ways to stay connected.

In this honest and empowering conversation, Stuart Lee leads a heartfelt discussion with men in mind — identity, aging, intimacy, and how to thrive when life enters its next season. Joined by life coach and wellness guide Tristan Eldridge, we explore what happens when men step away from their careers, face changes in their bodies, and confront the quieter challenges no one talks about. Kim Lee joins as co-host with warmth and humor, bringing the balance only a trusted partner can offer. Together, we break down the myths of “masculinity,” open the door on sexual health after 55, and highlight the new ways men can find purpose, confidence, and closeness in retirement. This is an episode meant for husbands, wives, partners — and honestly, anyone who wants to understand aging from the inside out.

🌟 Key Topics
We Cover How retirement affects a man’s identity and sense of purpose
The emotional shift away from the “provider” role
Sexual health without shame: ED, libido changes, and communication
Redefining intimacy and connection beyond performance
How hobbies, fitness, and friendships support healthy aging
Masculinity reimagined for the modern senior
How partners can support each other through physical and emotional changes
Why humor is one of the best tools for aging well

🎧 Why This Episode Matters Men don’t always talk about what’s happening inside — emotionally or physically. This episode opens space for real conversations, real solutions, and a chance to enhance connection with your partner, family, and community. It fits beautifully into the Retired Life, Wish You Were Here mission: helping retirees live boldly, love deeply, laugh often, and embrace every season of life with confidence.

🧭 About Our Guest — Tristan Eldridge Tristan is a life coach, performance specialist, and mentor who works with men and women seeking clarity, health, and purpose in their next chapter. Known for blending practicality with inspiration — and a little humor — he guides people into stronger relationships with themselves and their partners.

❤️ Perfect For:
Men entering or already in retirement
Couples navigating intimacy changes
Anyone wanting to understand aging from a man’s perspective
Listeners craving honest, elegant conversations about the realities of getting older

🔗 Connect With Us Follow Retired Life, Wish You Were Here for more episodes, stories, and lifestyle inspiration at retiredlifewywh.com 

Check out our merchandise, events, and upcoming guest lineup at retiredlifewywh.com

In this episode, Kim and Stuart sit down with their friend Charles Minter, a financial advisor who brings fresh perspective on what money really means after 55. Instead of complicated jargon, Charles talks about how to enjoy the years ahead with confidence—turning savings into lifestyle, making smart choices about Social Security, and preparing for surprises without losing sleep. Charles shares stories from his career and life experience, making finance less about numbers and more about freedom, purpose, and fun in retirement.  

Talking Points & Questions Covered  

• The big shift: saving years vs. retirement years
• How to feel confident spending what you’ve saved
• Simple “buckets” approach for money now, soon, and later
• Social Security timing—when does it make sense to wait?
• Smart ways to help kids or grandkids financially
• How to plan for healthcare and “what ifs” without fear
• What money mistake he sees most often in retirees
• One or two “wish you were here” stories where money created memories, not stress

 The conversation reminds us that retirement isn’t about penny-pinching—it’s about making choices that let you live fully and sleep well at night.