Re-tired: New Tread

Do you agree that you'd rather put New Tread on your old technology than see it go to the landfill? Why is technology so frustratingly disposable? Consumerism? Capitalism? When the cost of repair is as a new piece of technology, it sees our choice is already made for us. Printers, cell phones, rubber gloves, oh my! What is the solution? Be resourceful, recycle, prioritize, take action! Sue Britz:...

Congratulations to friend Claudia Krich! Her newly published book is about her experience during and after the fall of Saigon in April of 1975. She and her husband were directors of the American Friends (Quaker) Service Committee program in Vietnam. They ran a large civilian physical rehabilitation center in the town of Quang Ngai. Most of their patients had lost limbs caused by landmines. Claudia...

Tina talks about her most recent adventure with refurbishing the beautiful '57 Chevy in Cuba: Swiss-cheesed body, rough welding, lackluster painting, and betrayal. Photo Credit: Tina Lokkbakk 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-tired Podcast...

Sharon's baaaack! The gals get to hear what Re-tirement has been like for their friend Sharon, after one year out of the classroom. Sharon began the four stages in vacation mode, and has shifted well into contentment. While the gals revisit the realities of the classroom, debating pay and class sizes, they agree with Sarita (Season 2 Episode 23) that their teaching licenses will lapse. Sharon's jo...

It's hard to celebrate our nation's birthday with the constant barrage of so much fear, insanity, and sadness in our nation and world. The gals each discuss four ills in our nation right now. Despite the actual doom and gloom, they remain hopeful and patriotic of this nation they love. Foul language is used in this episode. Extra Music & Sound Effects: Pixabay.com Episode photo: created with M...

This is the forth episode in a special, limited series entitled Moving On. This particular episode is the continuation of a conversation that Sue has with her daughter after the death of her mother. Sue shares an interview with her mother that she documented 25 years ago, when Patty was just a kid. The "time capsule" of grandmother-mother-daughter insights has been helpful in the grieving process....

Tina had an adventure in vulnerability. With just Jiji in the car, Tina had a tire blow out in the solitary mountains, with no phone service. She could hike out, but not poor Jiji. Then two sketch-looking men approach with metal tools in hand. Episode Photo Credit: Tina Lokkbokk Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of After the Burn & th...

This is the third episode in a special, limited series entitled Moving On. This particular episode is Part 1 of a conversation that Sue has with her daughter after the death of her mother. Sue shares an interview with her mother that she documented 25 years ago, when Patty was just a kid. The "time capsule" of grandmother-mother-daughter insights has been helpful in the grieving process. Music fro...

There's so much news, terrible news, coming at us every day. It's all so overwhelming, so unbelievably believable. In an environment of fear, we know the highest sign of patriotism is to protest wrongs. Even confronting the question of what may happen in response to protest, have courage. Resist and persist. References: Audio Clip from No Kings Protest with CA State Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D...

Sue shares some initial thoughts about the death of her mother the previous week. The changes that we feel will the loss of a parent truly mark us. The gals talk about shared experiences with Memory Care, Alzheimer's Dementia, and hospice. Sue is grateful that she and her siblings were together and of the same mindset in honoring the wishes of their mother. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Edit...

Tina reads a chapter from her memoir, "Turtles", that provokes a discussion about the lives of our pets. The girls ask if, like Tina's Hymalayan Persian cats, the wildness is bred out of us? Or is nature v nurture? As responsible pet owners we grow to learn and understand how to provide the best quality of life for our beloved family members. Call out to Jiji and Mimi! Episode Photo Credit: Tina L...

Sue's friend, Sarita, joins the gals in today's episode to share her foray back into the classroom as a substitute. And, oh, what the adventure! Surprisingly, Tina reveals that she was one of those students that would change her name or her seat when she had a sub in junior high! Sarita shares feeling that it "broke my soul" even while embracing the need to save public education. Credit: Episode p...

What are the five things you would grab if you were suddenly faced with a zombie apocalypse?! Tina is just exhausted with the felt experience of even talking about such a dilemma, while Sue exudes the energy of a true zombie fan! Together with her neighbor friends and fellow fans, they are in their fourth year of watching 'Zombies @ The Curb' ever since the pandemic gave them a taste of what a zom...

After her stream of consciousness writing, Tina states her theory that when we love what we do, we don't want to retire. What do you think? Are you in a stressful job that is pushing you to re-tirement? Do you wish you were in a job you love and would like to continue all your life? Interesting topics always bring the gals back to their experiences in teaching. References: 'The Artist's Way Mornin...

In honor of Mother' Day, Tina and Sue talk about their grandmothers. Sue pulls from a primary source, letters from her Grandma Marie. This self-made woman, with only a fourth grade education, gives Sue some advice. She also wrote about her loneliness and special memories. Tina's grandparents lived in Norway, so distance and language formed her memories. She remembers the gentleness of spirit of he...

Opening a car door, unsolicited help with a jacket, paying a tab on a date, making coffee. Are these merely kindnesses or out-of-date gestures from another generation? How is it that some of this chivalry can produce a trauma response? Do such demonstrations of traditional gender roles push buttons about submissive attitudes and heteronormativity? Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music &...

Sue’s back from her adventures in England, the highlight of which was visiting Anne Lister’s Shibden Hall and all the events of Anne Lister Birthday Week. Visiting Bath, Halifax, and York were like stepping back in time. The impact of Gentlemen Jack (HBO/BBC) drew her to this yearly festival where fans of Anne Lister and Ann Walker celebrate the first modern Lesbian. Representation matters. For so...

Why does smoking look so cool? Does it, really? The initial smoky aroma, the satisfaction of striking a match ... But, then, there's the headache and coughing of secondhand smoke while in the backseat of a VW Bug. Oh, and being sent to the store at age 7 to buy a carton because your folk's habit is real. And the dismay at being called out by a teacher because your clothes are embedded with the sme...

What feeds your soul? Tina is so motivated by the inevitability of death that she has set a goal of healthy and fit living until the age of 99 years and 364 days! She's up to 24 consecutive days of hikes in the sunny, snowy, soul-filling mountains where she lives. Meanwhile, Sue relates to death as a motivator to a zombie apocalypse. References: Alex Hormozi '23 Harsh Truths Nobody Wants to Admit'...

Did you keep your deepest wishes and secrets in a diary when you were a kid? Tina and Sue have found that keeping a diary or a journal throughout their lives has provided them with an outlet for stresses and as means to self discovery and creativity. Journaling for Tina is an external release that has left her in shock even as she writes. Puzzle pieces of understanding fit together, providing insi...

Why is it that when a woman travels one of the first concerns is her safety? Unwanted sexual advances, condescending treatment, outright misogyny all limit or impact women's travel experiences. Tina and Sue discuss seldom mentioned experiences traveling on their own or with others. Of course, even traveling as an American today is a whole new experience. References: U.S.Department of State Tips fo...

How are you doing? That question is taking on a new context these days. Perhaps we should be asking, "How do you cope?" Tina and Sue have a much needed conversation about their perspective takes on managing the Big Red Elephant in the room. While Tina is mourning the redirection of her dream, she's committed to holding on to positivity and offering a reprieve for people. Sue sees the happenings of...

Have you ever been accused of being hysterical? It's a very different feeling than finding something hysterically funny. Why is it that the term hysterical is almost primarily used to describe women? Being accused of hysteria belittles, undermines, and disempowers women. Tina and Sue have a few things to say about that! Oh, and happy Pi Day! References: Google.com definition of hysteria 'Medical V...

OK, this one is explicit, so if you're sensitive to open discussion of women's health issues, including but not limited to, mention of blood, clots, and more, perhaps skip this episode. The gals break taboo and open discussion about the new identity that menopause brings. Oh, and happy International Women's Day! Closing sound effect from Pixabay.com Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music...

Are you a dog person or a cat person? In this episode you'll hear how the pets of a lifetime have impacted Tina and Sue, making them very much dog and/or cat people. Dog people are said to be very loyal, outgoing, energetic, positive, sociable, and easy going. Cat people are independent, low-maintenance, like to try new things, curious, creative, and elusive. Jiji cuddles in for the conversation t...