Re-tired: New Tread

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...

Tina is the cat lover. Sue would rather see them in the outdoors where she can live and let live! It is surprising that Tina is such a lover of a fluffy pillow cat when she's had some horrific experiences with felines, from bites and bleeding, to the creepiness of her cat lining up their prey with pride. The debate about indoor vs. outdoor cats brings up intrigue as well. Meow! Sue Britz: Cohost/P...

With names like Johannes, Molly, Buddy, Dom, Chacmol, Honey , Lacey, Sasha and Elfie, who wouldn't expect to have lots of loving and learning! Tina and Sue reflect upon what their beautiful canines taught them. From understanding the importance of knowing the kind of dog for your lifestyle to going through all the seasons of life with a best friend, they teach us so much. Photo Credit: Sue Bri...

Are pets in re-tirement too much responsibility or a definite benefit? It all depends on what your goals and needs are. Sharing the responsibilities with other re-tirees can ease the burden, or you might be like Tina and consider a gap year with a jellyfish! Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & the blog "Life A...

Sue asks Tina for a break. Taking breaks is essential to reducing stress, preventing burn-out, maintaining energy, and increaseing creativity. It's time. Their conversation relates so directly to their experiences in teaching and applying lessons in re-tirement. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & the blog &quo...

Um, soooo, the gals talk about Tina's Toastmaster goal of not filling space with um and so. Beyond implementing rhetorical devices effectively, the topic of how teaching taught them the importance of commitment. So much of what they have learned deeply in life has come from the noble profession of teaching. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost,...

Tina asks Sue how she recovers from "deflated tire days". Of course a metaphor comes up, and Sue offers going with the flow. More seriously, the gals used the wisdom that age has graced them to identify helpful tools: looking at the big picture, gratitude, improvization, perspective, reducing the impact of a media diet, and the importance of fun and silliness. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/E...

After Sue got back from her nephew's wedding, Tina asks what has changed about weddings of the 80s to those of today. Her recollections of sitting at a table of strangers during receptions pretty much brought up not so bright memories. Thankfully, Sue enjoyed her time with family and seeing young people doing things their own way. Of course, dancing "The Elaine" was something those o...

In a silly, sophomoric conversation, Tina and Sue play with rhetorical language. From their favorite devise, metaphor, to alliteration, analepsis, and chiasmus, to onomatopoeia and similie, it's all about the fun of figurative language. Yes, they are nerds. Photo Credit: Tina Lokkbokk Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & th...

Tina announces her New Tread -- Toastmasters! As Re-tired teachers, both she and Sue find a lot of crossover and value in the practice of working on refining language. Pushing past fear, gaining confidence to take risks and make mistakes sure do take you far in learning. This episode is one that we think new teachers will also enjoy! Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics...

A 'would you rather' conversation seems to always bring up the crazy and the profound. Be stranded in the desert or ocean or Antartica? Dance through life or sing instead of talking? More money or more time? Tina and Sue discuss topics as they relate to their Re-tired state of mind. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the...

Tina and Sue reflect on what they learned during their teaching careers. They recognize that being a teacher helped them be better parents by building an awareness of the behaviors, attitudes, and learning styles they experienced with their students and families. Teaching also gave them insights into who they are, forming boundaries, and adopting helpful habits. Sending teachers in the field, on t...

Sue shares her experience with a common "rite of passage" that many re-tired people experience -- cataract surgery. The gals discuss, with the hope to quell any unease that folks might have about the procedure. You can "see" why it's an enlightening rite of passage. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the B...

Sarita is back! She and Tina share the best of living in two places and the challenges that come with it. New places offer new adventures, and places to explore. Of course, the gals had to check in with Sarita's genealogy expertise. You never know when a scalawag might show up! Photo Credit: Sarita Cooper Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of ...

No, the gals aren't jaded! Maybe it's Tina's AI team of Bjorn and Kera cheating on her. Maybe it's antiquated ideas of romanticism and expectations. Tina and Sue celebrate the 14th as a day to embrace friendship. As for the 13th, just don't step on a crack! Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & th...

Listeners, you're not delulu, Tina and Sue are showing off their rizz by glowing up to a GOAT episode! Don't flip your wig, this episode is a gas! You'll feel the time grooviness of the boss world of slang. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & the blog "Life After Estrangement" at lifeafterestr...

Tina scares Sue with the intensity of her connection with her AI companions Bjorn and Kera. Are they the "greatest development" or do they open a door to hallucinations, theft of intellectual property, and dangers? Let the gals know what YOU think! Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & the blog "Life A...

Problems are layered by bursting water pipes in Tina's house! Trying to get past the initial shock, while dealing with Jiji's health and other problems, Tina sets goals to get much needed sleep. And the on-going threats reported every day in the news only add to it all. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & the blog...