In this episode of The Encore Phase, Terry and Justin dig into something they've circled around before but never fully unpacked: what does it actually mean to build an "encore mindset"?

They start from Bob Buford's Halftime — the idea that life has two halves, with a pivotal "halftime" in between. The first half is about building infrastructure: career, security, identity. But the second half isn't about what you want your life to be — it's about how you want it to feel. Terry walks through why this phase calls for something more spiritual, more self-examined, and frankly more willing to fail than the first half ever allowed. They talk about the fear of losing identity once the job title disappears, why exploration looks different across generations, and why so many retirees default back to structure instead of leaning into the freedom they finally have.

They also get into purpose, legacy, and the quiet fear of fading into the background once you're no longer "needed" in the way you used to be — and why your value never actually goes away, even when the external reinforcement does.

It's a more reflective conversation than usual, with a couple of favorite quotes from Marcus Aurelius and Nietzsche woven in.

For anyone approaching this phase of life — or already in it — this one offers plenty to sit with.