The Humans vs Retirement Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Humans vs Retirement Podcast

Dan Haylett

Education

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/11d. Total Eps: 112

Humans vs Retirement is the podcast that proves retirement isn't just about money, it's about life. Hosted by me Dan Haylett, I dive into the real, human side of retirement: the emotions, the mindset shifts, and the messy, wonderful journey of reinventing yourself for the next chapter. Through honest conversations with experts and inspiring stories from retirees themselves, you'll get the tools, ideas, and encouragement you need to retire to something, not just from something. If you want to make your second half even better than your first, hit subscribe and join the Humans vs Retirement community.

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Score global : 52%

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S6 Ep 96 - Why Your Brain Isn't Built for Retirement: Modern Software, Ancient Hardware!

Season 6 · Episode 96

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 • Duration 12:55

Retirement is a modern invention, but your brain didn't get the upgrade. In this episode, I unpack why so many retirees feel restless, guilty, or underwhelmed, even when life looks "perfect on paper." It's not because something is wrong with you, it's because you're trying to run a 21st-century life on Stone Age wiring.

I explore the mismatch between modern retirement and ancient survival instincts, why you struggle to relax, why doing nothing feels uncomfortable, why spending feels risky, and why your brain craves purpose, progress and tribe. Most importantly, I share how to retrain your mind for this new chapter, without fighting your biology.

What You'll Learn

Why retirement feels unsettling (and why it's not your fault)
The clash between modern freedom and caveman brain wiring
How dopamine, productivity and survival instincts mess with your retirement mindset
Why your brain resists rest, spending and stillness
Five ways to "upgrade the software" — from micro-missions to novelty, contribution and healthy discomfort
How to feel useful, alive and excited again in retirement

Challenge of the Week

👉 Pick one "Brain Upgrade" and try it for 7 days:

Set a Micro Mission (e.g. walk 10k steps daily, plan a trip, finish a book)
Add Novelty — try something new for 30 minutes a day
Create Contribution — teach, help, give or mentor someone
Introduce Healthy Discomfort — cold shower, tech-free evening, social challenge

At the end of the week ask:
How did it feel? What did it teach me about what my brain needs?

Resources & Mentions

Micro Missions, Contribution Loops & Novelty Windows — My behavioural retirement tools

Next Episode

Episode 11 — The Retirement Focus Ratio: Are You Solving the Wrong Problem?
Why most retirement plans are 90% about money… but most retiree worries are 90% about life. And how to fix the imbalance.

Read moreCollapse

The Emotional Whirlwind of Retirement (and How to Survive It)

Season 6 · Episode 95

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 • Duration 12:41

Retirement isn't a finish line; it's an emotional rollercoaster. In this episode, I break the myth of the "happily ever after" retirement and introduce The Retirement Reinvention Curve — an honest, human map of what really happens when the work stops and life after work begins.

From the initial shock and elation to the frustration, doubt, and eventual flourishing, I unpack the eight emotional stages we all go through when redefining identity, purpose, and meaning beyond the job title. This isn't about pensions or spreadsheets, it's about becoming who you are next.

What You'll Learn

Why retirement isn't a single event but a psychological transformation
The 3 phases and 8 stages of The Retirement Reinvention Curve
How to recognise where you are, and why nothing is "wrong" with you
The real reason traditional retirement advice skips the emotional work
Practical ways to move through frustration and doubt toward purpose and joy
Why rebuilding your identity takes time, curiosity, and compassion

Challenge of the Week

👉 Draw your own Retirement Reinvention Curve.

Sketch a simple line from left to right — no artistic skills required.
Then mark:

Where you've been
Where you are now
Where you want to go next

Write one sentence for each stage you've experienced:
"What did it feel like? What did it teach me?"
Then ask:
"What does my next phase need from me?"

Because awareness is the first step to reinvention.

Resources & Mentions

The Retirement Reinvention Curve — My framework for navigating the emotional journey after work.

Next Episode

Ep 86 - Living Between Chapters with Toni Petrillo

Season 5 · Episode 86

Tuesday, July 22, 2025 • Duration 59:43

In this deeply insightful and refreshingly honest conversation, I sit down with retirement coach and former financial services executive Toni Petrillo, founder of Retire with Intention. We explore the emotional complexities and personal transformations that often define life after full-time work, diving into the hidden challenges retirees face, particularly around identity, relationships, and what Toni calls the "messy middle." From evolving partnership dynamics to redefining self-worth and navigating the in-between, this episode offers both practical wisdom and warm reassurance for anyone feeling unsettled in retirement.

What You'll Learn

Why a solid financial plan isn't enough, and what you need instead
The concept of "retiring with intention" and how to do it well
How relationship dynamics shift after work ends (and how to prepare)
The danger of rushing through retirement's "messy middle"
Tools and exercises to rediscover identity, purpose, and self
Why curiosity and honest self-reflection are underrated retirement superpowers
The real reason so many retirees feel lost, even when everything looks great on paper

Key Topics

Toni's journey from financial executive to retirement coach
Letting go of your business card and your professional identity
The new relationship rules for life post-career
Setting boundaries with adult children and grandchildren
Rebuilding your relationship with yourself in retirement
Understanding and embracing the "messy middle" of post-work life
Designing a retirement based on your individual AND shared vision
The power of pausing, experimenting, and reflecting
The underestimated emotional labour of retiring
Why permission, especially to feel, pause, and evolve, is everything

Resources & Mentions

Ep 85 - Find Your Voice: Podcasting as Purpose with Matt Halloran

Season 5 · Episode 85

Friday, July 11, 2025 • Duration 01:05:12

In this powerful and entertaining episode, I'm delighted to be joined by podcasting legend Matt Halloran, co-founder of ProudMouth. Together, we explore why podcasting isn't just a tool for business; it's a deeply human medium that offers purpose, connection, and even legacy in retirement.

Whether you're a financial planner looking to build trust with your audience or you're approaching retirement and searching for a creative outlet to share your story, this episode is packed with insight, humour, and encouragement. From storytelling to encore careers, legacy creation to building an ecosystem around your voice, this one goes beyond the mic.

What You'll Learn

Why podcasting is the perfect pursuit for your second half of life
How telling your story can create a real connection and leave a lasting legacy
The simple tools and mindset needed to launch a podcast, even in retirement
How podcasting can transform how financial advisers build trust and attract clients
Why "giving away your wisdom" isn't bad business, it's great business
The 4-part formula for powerful content: storytelling, education, entertainment, and call-to-action

Key Topics Covered

My journey into podcasting and how Matt helped spark it
The evolution of podcasting: from radio tapes to legacy libraries
Podcasting as therapy, storytelling, and a vehicle for human connection
How retirees can use podcasting to reinvent themselves post-career
The magic of interviewing clients, friends, and family
Building a podcast around your encore career or consultancy
Using voice to build trust and deepen client relationships
Pitfalls to avoid when starting and how to play the long game
Why being proud of your voice is the first step to being heard

Resources & Mentions

Ep 84 - Solving the Retirement Income Puzzle with Dr. Jeff Brown

Season 5 · Episode 84

Friday, June 27, 2025 • Duration 01:04:57

In this episode, I had the privilege to sit down with world-renowned economist Dr. Jeff Brown to explore one of retirement's most misunderstood tools, annuities. But this isn't your typical dry financial chat.

Together, we unpack why guaranteed income might be the key to unlocking joy, confidence, and peace of mind in retirement.

With a perfect blend of behavioural science, practical wisdom, and a few sporting analogies thrown in for good measure, this conversation tackles the emotional and psychological dimensions of spending in retirement.

If you've ever thought annuities were boring or unnecessary, this episode might just change your mind (and your future).

What You'll Learn

Why most people don't buy annuities, and why that might be a huge mistake
The "under-annuitisation puzzle" and what it reveals about human behaviour
How guaranteed income permits retirees to spend with confidence
Why planning to "live to 90" is a dangerous oversimplification
The impact of cognitive decline on financial decision-making
How framing retirement as a complex human problem changes everything
Innovative policy ideas and product designs that could change the retirement game

Key Topics

Lifetime income vs lump sum: the psychology behind the choice
Framing effects: how a few words can change your retirement plan
Complexity theory in financial planning
The power of defaults and nudges in retirement decisions
Emotional burden of wealth vs income in later life
The link between guaranteed income and happiness in retirement
The decline of cognitive ability and how annuities can provide protection
The role of tech and AI in the future of retirement advice

Ep 83 - The 7 Pillars of Aging Responsibly with Tony Taylor

Season 5 · Episode 83

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 • Duration 59:01

In this energising and heartfelt episode, I'm joined by Tony Taylor, a retired entrepreneur turned healthy ageing coach, functional medicine practitioner, and the creator of the 7 Pillars of Ageing Responsibly. After facing the retirement cliff edge head-on, Tony rebuilt his life with purpose, resilience, and a relentless curiosity. Together, we explore what it really means to age well in today's world, beyond the money talk and the small, intentional choices that lead to a longer, stronger, more connected life.

What You'll Learn:

Why retirement often starts with confusion, not celebration
How to build your own "power hour" to set up each day with intention
The vital difference between lifespan and healthspan
How to avoid the three silent killers of retirement: complacency, disconnection, and loss of purpose
Why strength training, sleep, and curiosity may be more important than your pension pot
The overlooked power of cross-generational relationships
What resilience really means, and how to build it at any age

Key Topics Covered:

Tony's personal story: from business owner to active ageing advocate
The cliff-edge effect of retirement and how to navigate it
The 7 Pillars of Ageing Responsibly:
1. Sleep
2. Resilience
3. Purpose
4. Complacency
5. Strength
6. Curiosity
7. Connection
How to rethink your day-to-day structure in retirement
Why men need to do a better job of building social connections
Cold showers, olive oil, and "shopping bag carries" as unlikely tools for longevity
Why mindset is the ultimate muscle to train

Ep 82 - Why You Should Write a Book in Retirement with Helen Wilkie

Season 5 · Episode 82

Friday, June 6, 2025 • Duration 54:57

In this inspiring and thought-provoking episode of Humans vs Retirement, I sit down with The Executive Book Coach, Helen Wilkie to explore why retirement may be the ideal moment to write the book you've always dreamed of. From memoirs to how-to guides, legacy to creativity, Helen shares practical insights and soulful encouragement for anyone curious about turning lived experience into lasting written impact. Whether you're scribbling down notes already or just entertaining the idea, this episode is for you.

What You'll Learn

Why retirement can be the most powerful time to write a book
The difference between a book being your legacy vs holding your legacy
How the writing process helps you rediscover purpose, identity, and structure
The most common obstacles that stop people from starting and how to overcome them
The importance of editing, time-blocking, and defining your "why" before writing
How ghostwriting and book coaching work (and why it's not cheating)

Key Topics

Creativity in the second half of life
How to write a book after retirement
Purpose and identity beyond work
Memoirs, business books, and other nonfiction options
Fear, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome
Writing as an experience, not a task
Turning vague ideas into a finished manuscript
Legacy, storytelling, and honouring your life

Resources & Mentions

Helen Wilkie's free gift: How to Write a Memoir PDF and 20-minute exploratory session
Email Helen at: helen@theexecutivesbookcoach.com with subject line: "Memoir Guide"

Ep 81 - Who Will Get My Money When I Die? with Stuart Ritchie

Season 5 · Episode 81

Thursday, May 29, 2025 • Duration 01:11:08

In this eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Stuart Ritchie, chartered tax advisor, estate planning expert, and author of Who Will Get My Money When I Die, to explore one of the most emotional and misunderstood aspects of later-life financial planning: inheritance tax.

This episode isn't about doom and gloom, it's about taking control. Whether you're planning for your own legacy, thinking about your children's future, or simply want to make sure the government doesn't get more than its fair share, this is a must-listen.

What You'll Learn

Why inheritance tax is about more than just money, it's about clarity, fairness, and family harmony
The critical role of wills and why DIY ones often cause more harm than good
What lasting power of attorney actually does and why it's vital even if you're married
How to avoid common traps when it comes to gifting, trusts, and tax bills
Why talking to your family before you die might be the greatest gift you give them

Key Topics

Wills and the rules of intestacy: what really happens if you don't plan
The psychology of leaving a legacy: control, conflict, and clarity
Power of Attorney: the two types and the risks of not setting one up
Blended families, second marriages, and planning with complexity in mind
Lifetime gifting and the 7-year rule explained
Life assurance, pensions, and the new inheritance tax reforms
The emotional and practical costs of poor estate planning

Resources & Mentions

Stuart Ritchie's book: Who Will Get My Money When I Die? – available on Amazon
Stuart's firm: www.ritchiephillips.co.uk

Ep 80 - The 10 Commandments of Retirement with Fritz Gilbert

Season 80 · Episode 5

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 • Duration 01:04:03

What really matters in retirement? After the spreadsheets are done, the portfolio's in place, and the paycheque has stopped, what's left?

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, I sit down with Fritz Gilbert, author of Keys to a Successful Retirement and founder of The Retirement Manifesto, to explore the non-financial side of life after work. We dive into the real questions: How do you stay fulfilled? Where do you find purpose? And how do you avoid the emotional pitfalls so many retirees never see coming?

Fritz shares his "10 Commandments of Retirement", a personal code he created before stepping away from corporate life and how each one has guided his journey. From "Make No Obligations" to "Keep Eternity in Mind," these principles offer a practical, heartfelt framework for anyone who wants to retire with intention, freedom, and joy.

What You'll Learn

Why mindset matters more than money in retirement
How to create your own guiding principles for life after work
The 90/10 Rule: Why most people focus on the wrong things before retiring
How Fritz skipped the "retirement depression" so many experience
Why giving yourself space and grace in your first year can change everything
How to find (or rediscover) your purpose in the second half of life
The surprising power of legacy, contribution, and shared purpose

Key Topics Discussed

Fritz's "10 Commandments of Retirement" and how they've held up over time
The emotional challenges many retirees face and how to prepare for them
What it means to shift from saving to spending, from doing to being
The founding story of Freedom for Fido and how it brought deeper meaning to retirement
The role of mindset, curiosity, and experimentation in building a rich post-career life

Your Next Step Let's Keep the Conversation Going

Ep 79 - What Will I Do All Day? with Patrice Jenkins

Season 5 · Episode 79

Friday, April 25, 2025 • Duration 01:04:48

In this uplifting and thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Patrice Jenkins, author of What Will I Do All Day?, to explore the real heart of retirement beyond financial plans.

Together, we dig into why retirement is not simply about staying busy, but about rediscovering meaning, purpose, identity, and joy.

Patrice shares insights from her decades of counseling and interviews with retirees, offering a compassionate, practical guide to navigating the messy, magical transition into post-career life.

What You Will Learn

Why financial readiness alone doesn't guarantee a happy retirement.
The emotional stages of transitioning into retirement and why patience is crucial.
How to rediscover passions, build social portfolios, and embrace "space."
Why successful retirements often include a form of meaningful "work."
How to avoid the trap of being "busy but unfulfilled."
Simple frameworks to plan your next two years, not just your next thirty.

Key Topics Discussed

The difference between hiding out and holding out when nearing retirement.
The importance of purpose, agency, and intention in retirement planning.
Why internal validation matters more than external praise after leaving work.
How relationships - spouses, adult children, friendships - evolve post-retirement.
Embracing play, experimentation, and curiosity in later life.
Strategies to transition through the inevitable "messy middle" of change.
How to think differently about work as part of a fulfilling retirement.

Resources Mentioned

by Patrice Jenkins

Memorable Quotes "Retirement is not about keeping busy. It's about living meaningfully and purposefully every day." — Patrice Jenkins "Work gave you structure, identity, and purpose — but your next chapter can too. It just takes intention." — Patrice Jenkins "Perhaps work kept you so busy that you forgot what you used to love. It's time to remember." — Patrice Jenkins "You don't have to figure out your whole retirement — just the next two years." — Dan A Takeaway Exercise A Final Thought Stay Connected