Re-think Retirement - a Next-Up Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this inspiring episode of the Rethink Retirement podcast, we sit down with Megan Rowland-Mitchell, a true testament to the idea that it's never too late to learn something new and reinvent yourself. Born on the Isle of Wight, Megan was eager to explore beyond her small island community. After training as a teacher in Exeter, she pursued a vibrant career in London, only to find her true passion teaching English abroad in the stunning Alps.

Megan's journey took an unexpected turn when her father's illness brought her back to the Isle of Wight. Balancing a part-time job with caring for her parents, she faced the difficult realities of life and loss. Her father’s passing left her with not just memories, but a box of broken jewellery—pieces that would spark her next great adventure.

Tune in to hear Megan's transformative story: how she turned a box of broken heirlooms into a thriving jewellery business, and the lessons she learned along the way. From classroom to craftsmanship, Megan's story is a powerful reminder that unretirement can be a time of renewal and new beginnings.

After a diverse career encompassing teaching, lecturing, demonstrations, and television work, 74-year-old Annie Stirk has embarked on an exciting new journey as a model. For 35 years, Annie worked as a food stylist for television programs, spending five years each on "This Morning" and "Open House." She later established her own PR agency, Absolutely Food, where she delighted in telling incredible stories for her clients. While her husband retired, Annie's passion for work persisted, leading her to edit for Yorkshire Life and launch the "Time of Your Life" initiative.

One morning, a Facebook advert seeking models caught her eye. Responding to it led to numerous photo shoots, propelling her into the modeling world. Annie’s new career quickly gained momentum, landing her appearances on the BBC series "Take a Hike" and on billboards nationwide for meatless sausages. She also organized events like Silver and Sassie at Yorkshire Fashion Week and "Find Your Midlife Magic," empowering women to achieve great things. Embracing the freelance lifestyle, Annie's philosophy is simple: opportunities arise when you meet new people and say yes to new experiences.

During a career in investment banking Neelie Verlinden was more and more thinking “Is this really what I want to do for the rest of my life?” It wasn’t so she resigned and started her search for the perfect work/life balance.

The future of work is constantly evolving, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how it will look like. However, some trends are becoming increasingly evident. For example, there is a growing emphasis on remote work and flexible work arrangements, as well as a shift towards more meaningful work.

The concept of ikigai, a Japanese way of life that translates to "a reason for being," is becoming more popular as people seek greater meaning and purpose in their lives. The idea is to find a sweet spot where what you're good at, what you enjoy doing, what you can get paid for, and what society needs all intersect. This can lead to a fulfilling career that feels less like work and more like a calling.

The traditional notion of retirement is also being challenged. Instead of retiring, more people are choosing to stay active and engaged in their work and communities, even as they age. This can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life, as well as greater financial stability.

Ultimately, the future of work is likely to be more flexible, more meaningful, and more focused on personal fulfillment and purpose. By finding your ikigai and staying engaged throughout your life, you can create a career that is both fulfilling and financially rewarding.

In this podcast episode, we speak with Matthew Edwards, a former partner at Accenture who found fulfilment in doing volunteer work while still maintaining his full-time job. Matthew shares how his employer supported him in his early forties to start doing projects in the voluntary sector, like working with nurses in Kenya by designing a training app, and how he continued to pursue this passion on the side of his full-time job.

Matthew also discusses the importance of asking within the organization if there are other ways to do work that are outside of the norm, and how employers can inspire their alumni to volunteer. He shares his unique journey of taking a pay cut to work in the corporate social responsibility function within his company for the last three years of his career at Accenture, and how he now helps start-ups and created a walking and cycling path App to help people explore the battlefields of the First World War.

If you're looking for inspiration on how to use your skills and experience to make a positive impact on society and create a fulfilling and meaningful career in the voluntary sector, then this podcast episode is for you. Join us as we explore the journey of Matthew Edwards and learn how you too can find fulfilment in volunteering.

In this episode, we speak with Christina Patterson, a former columnist for The Independent who faced a difficult crossroads when she was made redundant from her dream job. Christina shares her story of grappling with fear, rejection, and failure, and how she ultimately found balance and fulfillment in her life. We discuss the importance of purpose and meaning in life, and how to find joy in unexpected places. Christina also offers practical advice for approaching work and life with resilience and determination. Join us for an inspiring conversation about the power of perseverance and discovering purpose after loss.

Christina Patterson - writer, broadcaster, coach, consultant

New book - Outside, the sky is blue - A family memoir

https://christinapatterson.co.uk/

When Eleanor Mills left the Sunday Times she’d worked for for 23 years, she felt like she’d been pushed off a roof. Who was she without the big job that had given her a cloak of power? It was only when someone said “Change is difficult, but you’ll be alright” that she started to relax.  She says, “It’s like the tide going out, sometimes there will be a big wave which knocks you over but the general direction will be better.” This gave her permission to find it tough. To endure. It was such a relief. After a lot of thinking and talking she decided to be the change she wanted to see in the world. Noon was born out of her desire to help women find a new path through midlife and beyond, to change the narrative. 

Midlife is when those dreams we had when we were young – but put aside to earn a living or raise a family – can finally be revisited. It’s never too late to be what you wanted to be.

Eleanor Mills is an award-winning editor, writer and broadcaster. She worked for The Sunday Times for 23 years as Editorial Director, Editor of The Sunday Times Magazine, and as a columnist and interviewer (interrogating everyone from Mikhail Gorbachev to Sheryl Sandberg and Theresa May). As Chair of Women in Journalism (2014 – 2021) she argued that the media must be a true mirror, not a distorting lens, which is what happens if decision makers are not diverse. She is a trustee of the Society of Editors, a board member of Reporters Sans Frontiers and her publications include Cupcakes and Kalashnikovs: 100 Years of the Best Journalism by Women, published by Hachette. She is working on her first novel and lives in London with her husband and two teenage daughters.

www.noon.org.uk

Strap in for the roller coaster career and life of Ande Lyons! Ande is the epitome of tenacity, a life-long entrepreneur, learner and problem solver. Here we discover more about Ande’s career path, in particular after turning 50+. How she learnt to create an online presence and the importance of being visible at all stages in life. With 200+ episodes of her livestream show under her belt, what could possibly be next on Ande’s radar?

Michelle was prompted to make a life changing decision at the peak of her corporate career - albeit unintentionally. Join us as she talks about her story, 5 years into this new journey.

Michelle weathered through Covid by involving herself with a charity for the elderly in her community; only to come through the other side as one of the youngest trustees on the board!

Still only in her early fifties, Michelle believes in life-long learning and doesn't see herself retiring.

Michelle acknowledges she is highly motivated and unafraid of change, which has helped her navigate her own path, fuelled by a desire to be driven by her values and priorities.

Former lawyer Lord Tim Clement Jones now chairs big tech debates in House of Lords; chairs a university Council and is active on autism and cancer issues. In his 70s, he believes unretirement is a mix of strategy and opportunities.

“You have to stay involved across generations. It’s what keeps you young and with a lively interest – it prevents you becoming mouldy in retirement!”

A series of bereavements inspired Amanda Wheal to become a celebrant after 30 years of teaching

After a long teaching career, Amanda Wheal took what her friends called a ‘brave’ step and trained as a celebrant. She had to learn about the business side too, which was challenging. But she has never enjoyed life so much. If you are looking for ideas after retirement, Amanda could inspire you too.

The former secondary school teacher, from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, says: ‘I was getting a bit disen­chanted with teaching and was thinking about retiring when my brother died unexpectedly.

‘I was very involved in the funeral and we had an incredible celebrant. I just thought that was something l’ll really like to do.’

After completing her training while continuing to work as a teacher, Amanda estab­lished her business in 2020 and has now won awards for her work.

'I didn’t plan to retire as early as I did but, once I had completed my training, I was so keen to get started that I just went for it,’ she says.

‘I've had the most wonderful two years, it’s just been incredible.’