In 2019, Justin Roethlingshoefer looked like the picture of health from the outside. He was a world championship triathlete and CrossFitter with a successful career in the NHL. But then he started experiencing debilitating headaches combined with stomach issues and insomnia—health challenges he had never faced before. Doctors told Justin he was in perfect health, but he knew it was a lie. He continued to push for more tests, eventually receiving a colonoscopy and endoscopy that found four precan...
Mar 13, 2024•35 min
It’s never too late to adopt an active lifestyle, even in retirement. Today’s guest, Leon Sirulnick, has been retired for 17 years now. His life has been filled with extraordinary adventures—and I can say he’s truly done it on his terms. Today's guest is very special to me. Back in 2002, I met Leon for the first time in my office. He walked into our meeting, threw a stack of papers onto my desk, and firmly announced he was ready to retire. That one meeting was a turning point in my financial lif...
Feb 21, 2024•39 min
When Jerry Werner retired, he found himself in an unexpected slump. Getting hit by the retirement blues was a surprising experience for someone as goal-oriented and optimistic as the former Navy SEAL. Thankfully, a nudge from his son reignited his enthusiasm to finish a book project he'd started to write. The driving force behind Jerry's book was his desire to leave a lasting and meaningful legacy for his grandchildren. From his exciting Navy career to his transition into business leadership, Je...
Feb 14, 2024•36 min
In a world where fresh starts are often idealized but rarely explored, my guest today takes us behind the scenes of his own transformative journey. I'm truly excited to welcome Howard Epstein, a lifelong resident of Omaha, Nebraska, who recently retired as the Executive Director of The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. Now, he's embracing a new role as an adjunct professor at Creighton University School of Law, teaching a class in nonprofit organizations. With a background that spans family...
Feb 07, 2024•42 min
Finding your mission in life is no easy feat, but Ken Mifflin cracked the code. Join us today as we unravel the steps of his remarkable journey toward discovering purpose. While not labeling himself as "retired," Ken has skillfully redefined his life around activities aligned with his deepest values. As a seasoned management consultant and aspiring author with a background at Procter & Gamble, McKinsey & Company, and Andersen Consulting/Accenture, Ken provides unique insights into naviga...
Jan 31, 2024•47 min
Life is more than chasing a bigger paycheck or a career fixated on it. Our guest today, Rand Selig, suggests that as we step into the next phase after work, it's an opportunity for self-discovery. What's interesting is that the same skills that fueled our career success can now shape this new chapter. Rand Selig is a seasoned entrepreneur, coach, and roll-up-your-sleeves conservationist with an MBA from Stanford. His expertise in managing global projects adds a unique flavor to our conversation....
Jan 24, 2024•43 min
What lies beneath the surface of your thoughts? Today, we're going deep into the stories we carry within ourselves with my guest, Kevin Burk. The stories we tell ourselves, often without realizing it, shape our reality and beliefs about ourselves and our situations. Kevin B. Burk is the Headmaster of The Real Astrology Academy and the creator of the Human Game, a philosophy based on the idea that the Universe is made up of stories. He coaches the Human Game Experience, an astrology-based reality...
Jan 17, 2024•53 min
Nan Ives and Lisa Stornaielo were long-time colleagues at Fidelity Investments. Their careers took an unexpected turn when the unexpected offer of an early retirement landed in their laps—and it sparked a whole new perspective on what retirement truly means. In their research, they noticed a gap in the retirement planning discussion. While finances often take the focus, the life planning piece was missing. Big questions about purpose, balance, and making the most of the coming decades were left ...
Jan 10, 2024•44 min
To start off the new year, I decided to try something new. Each month, our Chapter X community gathers on Zoom to discuss a specific topic. And today, you're in for a treat—this podcast episode features a recording from our final Chapter X meeting of the year. During this gathering, we reflected on 2023 and our aspirations for 2024: What lessons did it bring? What changes are we seeking or what growth are we aiming for? What insights emerged from both successes and challenges? I believe that sha...
Jan 03, 2024•58 min
Welcome to a special rerun episode that holds a special place in my heart. Today, we're revisiting a profound conversation that delves into life's transitions and the invaluable lessons they offer. Looking back at our lives often reveals the defining moments that shaped our paths. But how do we take those lessons and apply them to our next chapter? That’s the theme of today’s conversation. It’s truly an honor to reintroduce our guest, Meir Statman. He is a professor of finance at Santa Clara Uni...
Dec 27, 2023•45 min
Mark Weber spent his career helping the wealthy transfer their wealth efficiently. He attended hundreds of meetings with attorneys and their clients, navigating the ins and outs of estate planning. But something was missing—hardly anyone talked about their values or the legacy they wanted to leave. It dawned on Mark that advisors had a chance to go beyond just taxes and talk about the impact people could make and the legacy they could create. He saw this as a way to change minds among Omaha's pr...
Dec 20, 2023•49 min
In 2019, Greg Vigdor decided to take a break after working in healthcare for four decades. His plan was to relax for a few months before returning to work. However, the outbreak of a global pandemic threw a curveball into his plans. During this unexpected pause, Greg dove into a brand-new project. He started writing his very first novel, weaving his expertise from healthcare into fascinating detective stories. The idea was to entertain readers while enlightening them on health policy, the flaws ...
Dec 13, 2023•44 min
Growing up before 1970 meant a diet heavy on margarine and potato chips—we just lacked awareness of nutrition. Today, we're armed with much more knowledge. Yet, navigating through varied advice can be bewildering, especially if you were raised with different beliefs. At the core of our pursuit for health and well-being lies the desire to become the best version of ourselves. So, how can we show up as our best selves every day? According to our guest today, you have to take care of your hormones ...
Dec 06, 2023•52 min
Imagine retirement not as the end of a journey but as the beginning of an entirely new chapter—one where time becomes your most precious currency. Today, we're peeling back the layers of conventional retirement wisdom to explore how the art of time optimization can transform these post-career years into an unparalleled phase of enrichment and purpose. As a Certified Professional Retirement coach, David uses his 35+ years of organizational and time management skills to help business professionals...
Nov 29, 2023•43 min
Steven Kushner had originally planned to retire at 70. However, at 65, he began feeling fatigued, noticing the strain of evening meetings and realizing his body was signaling a need to slow down. By June 2018, he retired and received the honorary title of Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Ner Tamid. Eager to venture into uncharted territory, he sought something entirely new. Throughout his rabbinic career, Steven's creativity had largely been expressed through writing and speaking. Yet, in 2017, anticipa...
Nov 22, 2023•53 min
We often mistake experience for wisdom. But today, our guest challenges this notion. Wisdom isn't just about ourselves; it's about the legacy we craft. How do we become good ancestors and leave the world better than the one we entered? Join me in a conversation with Nikos Patedakis, a philosopher dedicated to unleashing wisdom and compassion. Brace yourself—the ideas exchanged in our conversation were nothing short of mind-expanding. Nikos, armed with multiple philosophy degrees, including a PhD...
Nov 15, 2023•53 min
Today we're delving into the world of dating. If you're married and thinking about skipping this one, I’d suggest you pause and consider sharing it with the single men in your life, whether they're single due to widowhood, divorce, or other circumstances. Our guest today is Brad Johnson, the mastermind behind Zero Nonsense Dating. He caught my attention with his unique approach to tackling the challenges faced by men in the dating world. This podcast conversation was unlike any other I've had, a...
Nov 08, 2023•50 min
Episode 159: Finding Yourself with Rabbi Andy Warmflash Title: Finding Yourself with Rabbi Andy Warmflash As Rabbi Andy Warmflash's professional life came to an end, his world was flipped on its head. He had an abundance of time, but profound questions about his identity loomed. With a lifelong career as a rabbi, his job had defined him. However, Rabbi Andy was clear about a few things: he wanted to share the wealth of wisdom accumulated during his 40-year career, seek meaningful pursuits, savor...
Nov 01, 2023•44 min
In a world filled with endless choices, it's all too easy to fall into the analysis trap, especially while redefining the next chapter of our lives. The conventional retirement playbook has been tossed out, ushering in a new era. Today, we're joined by Campbell Gerrish, a successful entrepreneur, coach, and co-founder of Third Half Advisors (THA), an organization that’s helping reshape retirement in America. THA, a nationally acclaimed resource for post-career professionals striving to thrive in...
Oct 25, 2023•49 min
In Yiddish, there's an expression, " bashert ," meaning that some things are destined to happen. Last September, I had the privilege of attending my first writers' conference, and amid a wealth of wisdom and inspiration, fate led me to a serendipitous meeting with today's guest. David T. Cohen, a retired attorney turned aspiring novelist, brings a wealth of experience to the table. He spent three decades as a litigator at the U.S. Department of Justice and is now crafting epic fantasy novels. In...
Oct 18, 2023•50 min
Today, we're getting to the root of a problem that plagues 80% of the population at some point in their lives: back pain. Dr. Lysander Jim, a spine health specialist, is here to shed light on this frequently misunderstood problem. Dr. Jim's journey into the world of medicine was sparked by a simple biology textbook, leading him into the world of chronic pain management amid the fiery debate over opioid prescriptions. But frustration grew as he watched patients return month after month with littl...
Oct 11, 2023•49 min
Today's episode is a special one, born from an unexpected encounter that unfolded in the lobby of the Hotel Matilde in Budapest this summer. As our two-week journey began, I had the privilege of crossing paths with an individual who would soon become not just a fellow traveler but a friend. Throughout those days in Budapest and the subsequent weeks of our journey, we shared experiences that left lasting impressions. We reveled in the rich sights, sounds, flavors, and the occasional cocktail, all...
Oct 04, 2023•54 min
Kent Weishaus spent 25 years in the world of television production — a realm of celebrities, directing, writing, producing, and navigating the interactions with network executives and large crews. Yet, he realized that much of his TV work was fueling the sensory overload that plagues us today. Driven by a hunger for purpose, Kent embarked on a career transition into the "helping profession." Today, he's a licensed clinical social worker in California, with a diverse career that has seen him serv...
Sep 27, 2023•51 min
In a world that often encourages us to wear masks, authenticity simply means living by your core values. It's about boldly being yourself, shedding the years spent behind social facades, and embracing the courage to be truly genuine. Today, we're revisiting a favorite past episode as we dive into part two of our conversation with Parker Palmer. Parker, a renowned writer, speaker, and founder of the Center for Courage & Renewal, takes us on a journey of self-discovery. In this encore presenta...
Sep 20, 2023•40 min
Today, we're revisiting a truly extraordinary conversation—one that left a profound mark on me. I’m replaying this special two-part episode to delve once more into the wisdom shared by a guest who epitomizes living with meaning and purpose. Having Parker Palmer guest on my show was a dream come true, an opportunity I never imagined would come to fruition. Words like activist, author, and speaker only begin to scratch the surface of who Parker is. He is, without a doubt, a unique and inspiring in...
Sep 13, 2023•31 min
Mark Barnes and James Sturtevant, retired educators turned authors, have embarked on a mission to help people redefine aging. Their latest book, Hacking Life After 50: 10 Ways to Beat Father Time and Live a Long, Healthy, Joy-Filled Life , is a treasure trove of wisdom that promises to shift your perspective and ignite a momentum mindset. Mark is a longtime educator, entrepreneur. He is on a quest to live past 100 and bring anyone interested along for the ride. James, a 34-year veteran classroom...
Sep 06, 2023•50 min
Retirement takes on a new dimension when experienced as a couple. Yet, it's an aspect that is often overlooked. Today’s guests Caryl and Jay Casbon set out to shift this narrative. Their mission: to spotlight the journey of couples navigating this distinct life stage. Equipped with a motorhome, curiosity, and a desire for real understanding, the Casbons hit the road, covering 15,000 miles across North America. Three days at a time, they immersed themselves with different couples, unveiling the n...
Aug 30, 2023•54 min
Last month, I stopped by a Barnes & Noble store and found myself face-to-face with a book: “The Wisdom of Morrie.” You might recall Mitch Albom’s heartwarming novel, “Tuesdays With Morrie.” Well, this time, the newly released book was authored by Morrie himself and edited by his son Rob Schwartz. I’m thrilled to introduce you to Rob today. A writer, producer, and entrepreneur, Rob Schwartz's journey has taken him from the pages of prestigious publications like Time, Newsweek, and Variety to ...
Aug 23, 2023•49 min
You might recognize today’s guest from his work as a bestselling author, philosopher, and consultant, but there's so much more to his story. James embodies the idea that resilience is at the heart of a meaningful life. Through his coaching and leadership programs, he has touched the lives of over a million individuals from around the world. He's authored several books, including the bestselling "Harmonic Wealth," and he's made appearances on shows like Oprah, Larry King, and the Today Show. Yet,...
Aug 16, 2023•53 min
Curious about the emotions shaping your financial decisions? Join us as we dive deep into the hidden psychology of financial life planning. Manisha Thakor brings more than 25 years of financial expertise and a deep commitment to empowering through financial education. A graduate of Wellesley College and Harvard Business School, Manisha honed her skills while working with prestigious money management firms. Yet, her mission today is equipping families with the knowledge and tools they need to ach...
Aug 09, 2023•52 min
