Re-tired: New Tread

Tina and Sue got a text from friends and colleagues, Sharon and Jennifer, who were enjoying a coffee on the first day of school as newly minted Re-tirees. So, of course, they wanted to hear their first impressions of Re-tirement. Sharon has signed on to many activities while resisting the urge to adopt ALL the dogs needing rescue. For Jennifer, Re-tiring has been soulfully bittersweet. Feelings of...

Author, teacher, and friend Nikki Shannon Smith shares how she was pulled away from teaching by realizing her dream in writing.  The spark that led her to be an award-winning author of more than 20 children’s and y/a reader books was when she saw the example of other women who made “changes to their lives that allowed them to be themselves, pursue their dreams, and seek their truth.”  Yes, Nikki u...

That's one more off of Tina's Bucket List! Tina road-tripped to Sedona to test drive another aspect of her new business. Even Jiji got a seat! Sue reminisces about her trips to Sedona with family and friends. It truly is a magical place, one that encourages us to be in the moment. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  &amp...

Tina and Sue continue their conversation about regret. They get a little metaphysical by asking if we can ever really know if a decision to do something important, such as having a child, was the right choice? Can we know if we don't take an action, is that the best choice? Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Can you change long-held personal beliefs? Oh my! References: NYT Opinion Today: 'How to...

This episode is the first in a special, limited series entitled Moving On. The central concept of our Re-tired podcast is discussing and understanding new identities that we take on throughout our lives. People of re-tirement age often must confront the inevitable reality of losing parents. In this series, Sue narrates her experience of the recent death of her father. Sue Britz: Host/Producer/Dire...

It's bold living by the motto 'No Regrets'. Tina and Sue have embraced 'Live and Learn' as their way of confronting regret. We all make mistakes, both big and small. Regret provides the opportunity to process feelings of sorrow, disappointment, and remorse so that personal growth can occur. The power of a growth mindset in dealing with regret helps us avoid making the same mistakes over and over....

No surprise that many of the items on Tina's and Sue's Bucket Lists is travel. The gals talk about Bucket List items that have been checked off, and those still waiting to be accomplished. They even have committed to doing one together! What could it be? Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & the blog "Life After Estr...

Tina and Sue were delighted to learn that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is Kamala Harris's VP pick! Here's some of what they've learned about the next Vice President of the United States. Walz re-tired from the US Army National Guard after 24 years of service, he taught English for a year in China, he's a re-tired high school teacher and football couch, and he signed a bill into law with purple ink...

Tina was inspired by the shocking choice of John Robbins (heir to Baskin-Robbins wealth) to walk away from the ice cream empire for a more meaningful life. The gals discuss what it takes to move past the natural instinct for self-preservation to take action that moral courage requires. Why do the risks inhibit us too often? References: John Robbins' 'Love Over Money' trailer, Gaia.com On Purpose W...

Tina & Sue have made their foray into the discussion of politics! Why? Because there is hope! With their belief in positivity and respectfulness, the gals discuss presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Her origin story, her passion for protecting the rights of women and children, and her joyful laugh are a few of the many reasons that Vice President Harris will be a great president. Top on the...

Do you speak up when you witness children behaving poorly? Tina and Sue discuss how they wrestle with their teacher instincts to monitor kids' behavior -- ever vigilant, the eternal yard duty syndrome. At the same time, they celebrate the freedom to be more themselves in public. Reference: 'Rules for Teachers in 1872 & 1915', openculture .com Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music &a...

Summer fun continues! Tina and Sue have known each other for many years, but do they believe in what astrology says about them? Tina is a Gen X Scorpio and Sue is a Boomer Leo. Both find some general characteristics that they relate to , but they don't always agree with what the stars say. References: ask-oracle.com, horoscope.com, instyle .com, today.com Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor...

Gigi welcomes listeners as Tina & Sue explore the differences of what summer means to those re-tired from the classroom and what it was like for them as teachers. Summer is full of vibrant imagery and nostalgia: tomatoes, fresh corn, camping, swimming, freedom. As Mary Oliver asked, "What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" Reference: "The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver Sue...

Tina and Sue are seasoned travelers, but there is always room for travel tips, especially in our ever-changing world. The gals has tips for planning, packing, during travel, and the afterglow. Their biggest difference is advise on packing. Tina has put on new tread, and now will nonchalantly toss her clothes in her suitcase, even sitting on it to zipper it close, while Sue relishes the anticipatio...

Tina and Sue wrap up their book club discussion of This American Ex-Wife: How I Ended My Marriage and Started My Life by Lyz Lenz. Tina is back in SoCal and recording from her sunny outdoor office. Sue and Tina feel differently about marriage after divorce. Sue declares herself a product of her upbringing and still embraces the ideals of romantic love. The choice to be remarried includes the requi...

Tina and Sue continue their book club discussion of This American Ex-Wife: How I Ended My Marriage and Started My Life by Lyz Lenz with Chapters 8 - 12. They discuss the cost that a patriarchal society and some churches exact on a pregnant teen girl for HER sin, while the boy continues on without the responsibility. Then on to the sexualization of single women, and reclaiming of self and body afte...

From country music and changing names, to house remodels and body autonomy, Tina and Sue continue their book club discussion of This American Ex-Wife: How I Ended My Marriage and Started My Life by Lyz Lenz. Liz utilizes our Re-tired metaphor, "Let the past be the past, people told me. Don't look in the rearview mirror. Keep going forward. I've always hated that metaphor. Because looking behind yo...

What is the moment when you know the marriage is over? Tina and Sue discuss and relate to their first "book club" read they share with listeners, This American Ex-Wife: How I Ended My Marriage and Started My Life by Lyz Lenz. In the nonfiction manifesto of her life after divorce, Lyz starts with the end and ends with the start. Decades ago, both Tina and Sue entered idealistically into their marri...

Friend and colleague, Meera Ekkanath Klein joins Sue and Tina to talk about her newest novel, Sunshine Clinic . It's the book three stand-alone story that wraps up the series about a family that lives in a matrilineal village in the state of Kerala, India. The gals talk with Meera about how she was pointed in the "write" direction by a local doctor when she was young, how food can be healing to yo...

We all make wrong turns. Of course, GPS has eased the challenges and pleasures of map reading and having to stop to ask directions. Wrong turns can be aggravating and feel like a waste of time, but Tina and Sue have more often found adventure and learning from such moments. Gratefully, Tina didn't need the Heimlich maneuver, the Benedictine sisters have women's backs, and the police that wrongly a...

The road to re-tirement requires that moment when you know it's the time. It's the moment when there's a change, a putting on of new treads. In this episode, Tina and Sue explore the "When You Know" idea as it relates to other changes besides retirement. Trust the journey and find value in the journey itself. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, au...

Tina and Sue wish you a very happy Mother's Day! While many people delight in celebration of their mothers and/or becoming a mother, others are dealing with sadness, loss, estrangement, or anger. All feelings are valid and deserve to be heard. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Cohost, author of  After the Burn  & the blog "Life After Estrangement" a...

Part of Re-tired is looking for and spreading beauty. Tina & Sue conduct a little free association of their recent travel adventures. Acts of service, books, comida, Dr. Seuss, trees, and Pearl Harbor are the topics of this week's episode. Check out our Facebook page for videos about Lou Conter, the last survivor of the attack on the USS Arizona in Pearl Haror, and Sue's video of her visit. Re...

From Santeria to the Tropicana and polydactyl cats, Tina and Sue talk about all things Cuban. Sue shares her glee of having met a couple of famous Cuban Americans, while Tina talks about her obsession with vintage Mafiosos. Outwardly, these topics may not seem to relate to re-tirement, but ADVENTURE is the new tread. Sue Britz: Cohost/Producer/Director/Editor/Music & Graphics Tina Lokkbakk: Co...

Despite some audio issues, Tina & Sue are able to catch-up even as Tina calls in from Havana, Cuba. Tina went from retrieving her scooter from the shop, to calling in from a hotel lobby where she was able to get wi-fi. Along with the scooter, the '67 classic is being worked on, and Tina discusses the work in getting her philanthropic tour company set up. Sue talks about the fun of participatin...