Refirement Life - Where thriving, purpose, and reinvention meet.

Mindfulness for the Modern Mind: Mediation without the work. Today we’re talking about four overlooked ways to hack your presence—without needing a new calendar app, a yoga retreat, or an hour of mediation a day. In this episode you will find: A quick Mindfulness hack you can do from anywhere. Why most mindfulness rituals don’t stick—and how to make them work for your life. How mindful eating can...

Aging Gracefully and Powerfully: Debunking 10 Health Myths Join Christine and Muge as they tackle common myths surrounding aging and health. From inflammation to gut health, strength training to gentle movements like Tai Chi, we touch upon science-backed insights to help you live your best life after 50. Discover practical tips on managing inflammation, the importance of protein, the benefits of w...

In this episode of the Retirement Life podcast, we sit down with Suzanne Malveaux—an award-winning journalist, storyteller, and mother—whose powerful career has spanned three decades at CNN and beyond. Suzanne shares what it was like to report from war zones, interview five U.S. Presidents, and tell stories that shaped a generation, including her unforgettable times with President Jimmy Carter, Pr...

In this episode of the Retirement Life podcast, we sit down with Suzanne Malveaux—an award-winning journalist, storyteller, and mother—whose powerful career has spanned three decades at CNN and beyond. Suzanne shares what it was like to report from war zones, interview five U.S. Presidents, and tell stories that shaped a generation, including her unforgettable times with President Jimmy Carter, Pr...

Muge and I were excited to host Dr. Margie Warrell, a bestselling author, leadership advisor, keynote speaker and ‘courage catalyst’, Dr. Margie Warrell brings deep insight into human and organizational behavior to foster braver leadership and better outcomes. In this episode, expert Dr. Margie Warrell dives into her book "The Courage Gap" to delve into the hesitation that holds leaders back from...

In this episode, we speak with Yusi Cheng, Founder and Entrepreneur. Yusi's company Magical Winter Lights (MWL), a holiday attraction and festival that showcases multicultural lantern displays, acrobatic performances, amusement rides, and live entertainment. MWL has become one of the leading holiday attractions in the U.S., winning the ABC network's "The Great Christmas Light Fight" in 2019 and at...

In this episode, we talk about one of the biggest contributors to living a happy life which is living authentically. We dive into the topic to cover the following: How do you know if you're living an authentic life? (Yep, there’s a quiz—don’t worry, it's fun!) Who are a few public figures we can learn from who seem to be living authentically? What the heck is the Approval Trap, and are you stuck i...

Are you tired of the same old resolutions that fizzle out by February? This year, let’s ditch the clichés and start the New Year in a radically different way. In today's episode, we are going to give you some unconventional approaches to self-improvement and goal-setting. Muge and I touch on health and wellness, exploration and creativity, and self discovery and growth. This episode has quite a fe...

We visit today with Joe La Pietra, founder of a not-for-profit organization called Mastery of the Mind. The Mastery of the Mind Foundation is designed to foster students, athletes, and more recently adults in the areas of professional growth through education, coaching, and mentoring, Joe takes much of what he has learned as a Financial Services Industry Leader with a successful track record in le...

Thanksgiving in the United States has long been associated with feasts and family gatherings, but throughout its history, people have developed traditions that seem unusual or surprising by today’s standards. Today, we are going to cover touch upon common preferences and then learn about a few of the more quirky and lesser-known Thanksgiving Traditions. We learn about the triumph and perseverance...

From the Balkans to Texas: A Global Educator’s Journey with Richard Join us for a fascinating conversation with Richard Castleberry, a seasoned educator and administrator whose career spans continents and cultures. From teaching business courses in Kosovo, Croatia, and Albania to shaping global networks in Kazakhstan, Richard’s journey is a masterclass in adapting to diverse educational landscapes...

Muge and Christine reflect on the opportunity presented when we are engaged and support civic organizations. This was spurred on by the documentary "Join or DIe" by political scientist Robert D. Putnam, whose influential book Bowling Alone examined the decline of social capital and civic engagement in America. The film explores the implications of this societal shift, focusing on how the weakening...

When is being competitive good and healthy and when is it detrimental? Muge and I dig into this topic. According to a recent Gallup survey, a significant portion of the population identifies as competitive. While exact numbers can vary, about 50-60% of people in the U.S. often consider themselves at least moderately competitive, with a smaller percentage, around 10-20%, identifying as highly compe...

In this episode, we visit with Julissa S. Germosen, bestselling author of "Latina, Madrina: Stories, Lessons, and Hard Truths from a Brown Latina in Tech." Julissa is an accomplished technology and strategic operations leader with over 20 years of experience in global enterprise sales, consulting, strategic alliances, product development, strategy and operations. She currently serves as CEO of Mar...

The kids are back to school again. This made us think of our own time in college and what we took away from our own Commencement speeches and more current examples of inspiration. For our listeners who want to get inspired further: Here are a few links to check out for three of the speeches referenced in our session Rafael Nadal - "The most important thing is that you become good persons" Rafa Nad...

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris have not only showcased extraordinary athletic prowess but also highlighted remarkable stories of perseverance, a sense of humility in the face of adversity, and the spirit of competition. These elements intertwine to form the essence of the Olympic Games, and this year’s event has been no exception.. Muge and I touch on several stories that are sources of inspira...

In this episode, we broadcast live from the Long Hall Pub in Dublin. It's a thank you to our wonderful listeners in Dublin. In this session, we cover a bit about what to think about when you are researching your own ancestry. Fun facts - O ver 40 million people worldwide have taken a DNA test from companies like Ancestry.com and 23andMe, making it one of the most popular consumer genetics services...

Ever hear a voice in your head telling you that you can do more to serve others? Mona Nguonly heard that voice in a big way, dropped a successful career in HR, and started a family run not for profit. She is now the full-time executive director of Koun Khmer Foundation, a 501C-3 nonprofit that is providing much needed school supplies and improving the learning environment of underserved rural high...

In this session, Christine visits with Nicole Carline, President of The Wellbeing Hacker and is a Co-Founder of The Legacy Builder Program. With over two decades of experience as a highly successful sales and global IT leader in Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Boston Scientific, she has a proven track record of exceeding customers' expectations. Now, Nico...

Maintaining Brain Health: Navigating the Aging, Feeling, and Thinking Brain As we journey through life, our brains undergo various changes that can affect our cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, and overall mental health. Understanding these changes and adopting proactive strategies can help maintain brain health and enhance quality of life. This podcast explores the aging brain, the feelin...

UC Berkeley professor of psychology Dacher Keltner, Ph. D. presents a radical investigation and deeply personal inquiry into the 8 Sources of Awe and how awe transforms our brains and bodies, Muge and I discuss and reflect on Prof. Keltner findings. Tune in to learn how cultivating awe in our everyday life leads us to appreciate what is most humane in our human nature. Things you can do: Tune in t...

Muge and I visit with tech executive and entrepreneur Lisa Dion for a thought-provoking discussion about how to prepare for a large pursuit in life or in business. Lisa has cracked the code on how to drive highly performant sales teams. The techniques she uses and discusses are very relevant for both business and your personal life. this episode, we dive into the critical elements of preparing for...

Today we are talking about the Keys to Happy Retirement and sourcing some content from a Kiplinger Article - Key to a Happy Retirement? Finding Yourself | Kiplinger A few helpful guiding principles: Acknowledge the emotional mix: excitement and fear. Recognize that retirement is not just a change in routine but a shift in identity. Encourage self-reflection to understand one's sense of self beyond...

Today we meet with Sharon Warner, Entrepreneur and CEO of Moajaza Expeditions, a safari company in Tanzania. When most people are slowing down in their fifties, Sharon answered a calling to start a business on the other side of the world. The reason for starting this business was to positively impact the life of a man she had met while climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Learn about Sharon's story and hear...

Join Muge and I for a thought-provoking episode which covers practical tips for the Sustainability. We tap into Muge's expertise as a Sustainability Leader for Microsoft. Learn about how the Global Food Network fed an additional 32M people by getting creative about the food reprocessing and distribution. Listen to the Sustainability practices that any of us can do. Try and adopt 1 or 2 to do your...