Retire & Aspire - Just Getting Started

You spent decades knowing what needed to be done each day, but what happens when retirement gives you permission to stop? After years of working, meeting deadlines, and measuring progress through achievement, an open calendar can feel surprisingly uncomfortable. Even when you are financially prepared to retire, letting go of the need to stay productive may be one of the most difficult parts of the...

Retiring abroad may promise warmer weather, a lower cost of living, and a fresh start—but what will make another country truly feel like home? Choosing where to retire involves much more than finding an affordable destination. Healthcare coverage, residency requirements, taxes, estate planning, safety, property ownership, and proximity to family can all shape whether life abroad works over the lon...

Will retirement make your world feel larger, or will your comfort zone slowly begin to shrink? Trying something unfamiliar can feel more intimidating later in life, especially when it involves a different language, culture, or level of risk. But confidence doesn’t require fearlessness. It can grow gradually as you research, prepare, and take one manageable step beyond what already feels comfortabl...

You’ve visited the famous landmarks, but what might you discover if you stepped beyond the traditional tourist trail? Adventure travel in Europe and Central America can take many forms, from hiking through the Dolomites and exploring Croatia’s lesser-known islands to surfing in Costa Rica and kayaking along the coast of Belize. The experience—and the cost—often depends less on the destination than...

You don’t have to cross an ocean to find your next great adventure. What possibilities have you overlooked in your own Canadian backyard? From Newfoundland’s rugged coastline to the wide-open skies of the Prairies, Canada offers countless opportunities to explore new landscapes, connect with local communities, and experience the country with fresh eyes. Whether you prefer challenging outdoor adven...

Who are you when you no longer have a job title, business card, or professional responsibilities defining your days? Retirement can bring freedom, but it may also create an unexpected loss of identity, purpose, mental stimulation, and connection. After years of being needed and knowing where your time should go, building a meaningful work-optional life requires more than simply filling an empty ca...

You’ve spent years living up to expectations, but what could your work-optional life look like if you finally focused on what brings you joy? Retirement creates an opportunity to make your own choices, but letting go of other people’s opinions can be difficult. After decades of prioritizing careers, families, responsibilities, and financial security, you may need to rediscover what you genuinely w...

You’ve spent decades building a career, but who will you be when that chapter comes to an end? The transition into retirement can bring freedom and possibility, but it can also mean stepping away from the achievement, camaraderie, routine, and sense of purpose that work once provided. Even when you’re ready for a work-optional life, it may take time to understand what you want that life to look li...

You’ve spent decades saving for retirement—but will you actually allow yourself to enjoy what you’ve built? When the regular paycheck disappears, even financially prepared retirees can struggle to make the shift from accumulating money to spending it. Fear of running out can lead people to put off meaningful experiences, withdraw socially, or hold onto more than they will ever need. In this conver...

How do you move forward when life takes an unexpected turn? Just one month after retiring from a 43-year career as a pastor, Dr. Brad Miller received a life-changing prostate cancer diagnosis. Instead of allowing fear to define his future, he made a different decision—one rooted in hope, humor, and purpose. In this inspiring conversation, Scott and Brad explore how major life transitions, whether...

What happens after the excitement of retirement begins to wear off? For many people, the first months of retirement feel like a well-earned vacation filled with travel, family, and freedom. But eventually, a new question emerges: What's next? In this solo episode of Retire & Aspire , Scott explores why so many people struggle to find purpose after leaving their careers and how to reconnec...

What if retirement isn't about slowing down—but finally speeding up toward the experiences you've always wanted? In this episode of Retire & Aspire, Scott sits down with award-winning travel writer and adventurer Mary Charleson of Carry On Queen to explore why adventure travel is becoming one of the fastest-growing lifestyle trends for adults over 50. Together they discuss how travel...

Steve Bridge , CFP, joined me on this episode, where the focus was on the unexpected financial challenges many transitioning to work-optional life encounter. From not spending enough,  to when to take CPP and OAS, to how much one needs to have in this inflationary environment (and to live to 95 or beyond;), we covered a lot of ground in 23 minutes.

Preparing yourself and your business for the next phase, what ever that might be for you, will give you greater peace of mind and more dollars in your pocket. Join Randy and I as we outline the challenges and best practices, with true stories from the trenches.

Some of us loved it! Others, not so much. Regardless where you fall on this relationship continuum with school, learning is great for you, and your next phase of life. In this episode we talk student life with Michael Shouldice of Athabasca University and the why's and what's of a mature learner experience in 2026. We also chat with someone who is currently taking a face-2-face class wit...

Those 10,000 steps? The arms curls on the machine? They are not nearly enough according to PJ Wren , fitness instructor of the year in Canada last year. Your goal is to be as fit as long as possible. Every day doing the right types of workout programs keeps you more mobile (think of that great next trip) and independent.

Society just doesn't know yet what to do with the newly transitioned who can live another 30-40 years of full of vibrance, you may have to lead the charge. From the Olympics to the classroom, Dr. Jennifer Walinga offers insights and tips that are both honest and encouraging. Enjoy! Cheers, Scott

Transitioning to work-optional life (formerly known as retirement) in 2026 and beyond is uncharted territory . No previous generation has had this much health span, wealth and mobility. In this episode, we lay out the six foundations or controls you get to work with to create a fulfilling next phase of your life, a phase that can easily last 30 years or more.