Re-tired: New Tread

Climate change is taking the back seat to AI as the highest concern for human extinction, but should it? Is this race to the end the modern version of the Fall of the Roman Empire? As re-tired teachers, Tina and Sue taught that we're supposed to learn from history and not repeat it's errs. Despite our capacity for moral actions and even kindness, why does it seem that the worst in our natu...

Wow, the gals are hitting it hard! This far in, with attacks on democracy, constant lies, criminal acts, hatred, war, and more, it's a legitimate question. Confronting morality, right and wrong, within a friendship is the topic. Both Sue and Tina find common ground with kindness and compassion as essential needs in friendship. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tin...

Tina had a successful Expo experience that RE-ITERATED the impact of RE-DISCOVERY and RE-FOCUS. There are so many lessons from teaching that can be so helpful when applied to new adventures. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & the blog "Life After Estrangement" at lifeafterestrangement.com Facebook: Re-ti...

Tina and Sue catch up on their re-tirement adventures. Tina has been practicing her speeches with Toast Masters in preparation for her debut at an Expo, while Sue has been road tripping to the Pacific Northwest. In the background, both gals carry the urgency around midterms. VOTE! Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  &amp...

Tina is on to more adventures! She's got a new vision for her Cuba Experiences that involve dominos, cigars, and mystery dinner parties. Together with her commitment to helping others with loss and estrangement, Tina is cooking on all burners! Photo Credit: Tina Lokkbakk Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & the...

Recently Star Trek celebrated its 60th anniversary. It's a perfect time to "beam" Tina over to Sue's other podcast, "Lister Sister Conversations". The gals talk about the impact that female leadership representation had on them back in the day. Then the Star Trek team makes an appearance, fan fiction style, to save Anne Lister from the fever that nearly took her life in...

The gals talk about their youthful introductions to Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem and how the first impressions changed and developed. Both women were incredible models of feminism and hope. We honor their legacies. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & the blog "Life After Estrangement" at lifeafterestra...

Tina and Sue meander from talk about Social Security, news overload, Scrabble, to the impact of the deaths of Dolly and Gloria. From hopelessness to hopefulness, Tina remembers to give herself a shout out! She's grabbing the lightning bolt and empowering her courage and determination. References: New York Times app 'Year of Yes' by Shondra Rhimes Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Edi...

How often do you wish you could reach out for your mom? It can hit hard for those who have lost their mothers. There's something so unquantifiable about the unconditional presence, the comfort and safety that Mom provides (if we're lucky to have it). The gals now appreciate their role they serve for their own daughters all that much more. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music &a...

Does it really provide social security? When it's a small amount to begin with, then threatened to be cut by 25%, what do you do? Metaphors fly with Sue and Tina: flea bites and pitbull attacks, rent being the cost of dinner, worker ants and worker bees, on a train or on a line! And don't get started on Lake Ontario! References: 'The Social Security fund is running out, and yet it'...

Sue hit some spike strips on her trip to Medicare coverage, and the gals want to dispel some common misconceptions and assumptions. Most importantly, know your own specific situation. For teachers, especially single teachers, the consequences can be high. Know how marriage status can deeply effect your Medicare qualifications. Medicare is not universal, so be aware. To be clear, Sue is sharing wha...

When it comes to Mama Bear, Tina and Sue agree on the importance of protecting their cubs, and also equipping them with skills and self worth that only healthy love can instill. Sharing children, whether youths or adults, can be very complicated and emotional for all involved. Leaning in to the wisdom that experience teaches us can help ease hurt feelings. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Edito...

Tina was born and raised an only child. Sue second of four siblings. Ironically, Tina raised multiple children and Sue had an only child. The gals discuss the myths and truths of lonely, spoiled children and the joys of siblings. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & the blog "Life After Estrangement" at li...

The gals continue to learn important life lessons from the dogs in their lives. In continuation from the last two weeks, Tina and Sue discuss the value of standing up for the values of fairness, kindness, and responsibility not only in our classrooms, but in the greater society as well. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn...

It takes a village, and that's why teachers say, "The buck stops here!" Teachers take their jobs to heart. Tina and Sue still feel the frustration of that burden passionately when it comes to their colleagues who are on the front lines of teaching today. The loss of common sense undermines the value of truth-telling and standing up for what is right. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Direct...

The proverb says that it takes a village to raise a child. The wisdom is in understanding that diverse perspectives and shared guidance by a caring community can best support the growth of children. Tina notes that the proverb actually extends to all of us throughout all the stages of our lives. Part of that sensibility is showing up with the latest "innovation" in the classroom (and hop...

Elder women enter menopause so as to provide the bounty of the Grandmother Effect. In the times of early humans, post menopausal were free to care for young, carry lifesaving memories, and enrich their culture. Evolution is smart like that. So why isn't modern society up on this wisdom? Can we restore or regain the valuing of our elders? References: ‘What Did Ancient Humans Do When They Got Ol...

Tina describes confronting denial and fear - and the long wait for an appointment - to have her recent surgery. It's important for women to share their health concerns in order to provide information and support. Health concerns also remind us to CARPE DIEM. Don't wait! Let simple things like a favorite song touch your soul and remind you of the wisdom we all know to live each day. Sue Bri...

Happy 250th birthday to our beautiful country! The gals try to move their focus from the negative sideshow of politics that is festering right now, to positive memories of their childhood celebration of the Bicentennial way back in 1976. The wish is for unity and true patriotism. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  &...

Please enjoy our first ENCORE episode, 'A Teacher Makes the Decision'. It's been two years since our dear colleague and friend, Sharon Davies, joined Tina and Sue as their guest for this episode of Re-tired. While very personal to her career path, her experiences & insights are incredibly relatable by teachers everywhere. Subjects include impacts of the pandemic, feeling invisible,...

What IS the topic? Small talk, ABCs, the worst, missing friends and neighbors? Yep, and more. Talking sport is like talking politics or religion. The gals talk around the worst and keep it positive, although a few explicit words slip in. At least they don't talk about gardening. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  &a...

Tina is on the road to southern California, with Jiji in the backseat. She is disappointed to find out that the inquiries about guest offers on the pod are AI generated scams. Sue talks about how Mimi is no longer riding shotgun. Our dog friends certainly do teach us, from life cycle and responsibility, to foreshadowing what our own aging is like. They remind us to make the decision to remember th...

Tina's in for a surprise! Sharon shows up for a surprise visit, just in time for the end of the school year. Sharon rereads her EPIC re-tirement poem, and the gals feel the feels. The three re-tired teacher friends offer their respects to those still in the trenches, and even offer some wisdom that may offer hope. Certainly, remember the good stuff! Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/M...

Tina and Sue start off talking about the challenging changes in the cigar business, then end up stressing the importance of being an upstander. It's interesting and fun seeing where conversations turn. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & the blog "Life After Estrangement" at lifeafterestrangement.com...

Uh oh! Is it a coincidence? During their break, Tina injured her ankle on a hike, and Sue pops a rib in a bike accident. The gals agree that injuries in re-tirement are harder to rebound from, but living life is the most important just as long as you don't die from doing something SHE loves! LOL Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  A...