I Used to be Somebody

Carl Landau
  • 4.9 (92)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

I Used to Be Somebody inspires 50+ year olds to build their (Un)Retired good life. Each month we interview cool, inspiring people about their retirement challenges and why and how they figured it out—turning this phase of life into an incredible, rewarding reality. It's for people who don't want to retire--they just want to do something new that is more fun, less grind, and more meaningful. Our guests have created amazing Second Acts! Oh, and there's a little talk about Pickleball.

  1. Andrew Motiwalla: Mr. Travel -- The Good Life Abroad

    5D AGO

    Andrew Motiwalla: Mr. Travel -- The Good Life Abroad

    What's the most fun thing to do in (Un)Retirement? Everyone has their favorites. But top on many lists is TRAVEL.    This month's guest is Andrew Motiwalla, who Carl calls "Mr. Travel" since he's been traveling the world since he was a child. Travel with his family planted the seed and he joined the Peace Corps at 20 years old. Since then the "immersion" theme has carried through his life. Andrew has been an globe-trotting tech entrepreneur and even launched his own specialized travel experience companies. Andrew built a travel organization focused on expanding the horizons of high school students. Now he's developed a very cool experience called "The Good Life Abroad," created for active adults who want to live for a month or two in Europe with a built-in community and concierge service. In the interview, he offers great travel tips and also life experience advice about slowing down, avoiding "tourist mode" and pushing yourself past your comfort zone. In the right environment, we can all do some amazing things with our lives!  Andrew is a very interesting guy who has created an adventurous second act for himself.  More about Andrew Motiwalla: https://thegoodlifeabroad.com/about-us  Andrew's venture The Good Life Abroad: https://thegoodlifeabroad.com Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/andrew-motiwalla-interview-mr-travel-the-good-life-abroad Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die Video Series: https://howtoretireandnotdie.com Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide Subscribe to the the I Used to be Somebody Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

    51 min
  2. Alex Jeffery: Director of The Power of Pickleball

    MAR 24

    Alex Jeffery: Director of The Power of Pickleball

    Host Carl Landau was so enthusiastic after watching the new documentary "The Power of Pickleball" that he reached out to the director Alex Jeffery and put out this bonus episode. If you're part of the pickleball "cult" or just interested in learning about the sport you will love this movie. About 3 years ago Alex was hanging out with his Mom and Aunt who are pickleball fanatics, and they said, "What if we made a documentary about Pickleball?". Not knowing anyone in the industry, Alex says they started reaching out to people to learn more. What struck him was how welcoming everyone was. "People opened their arms to us and started telling us their stories and wanted to share more about the sport." Alex does an amazing job of highlighting the spirit and pure joy of the sport. He's a very talented filmmaker and has a great story of his own. The movie was just released on Prime Video, Apple TV and Doc+. More about Alex Jeffrey: https://bespokeworksllc.com/about-us  Alex's movie The Power of Pickleball: https://www.thepowerofpickleball.com  Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Alex-Jeffery-Interview-Director-of-The-Power-of-Pickleball  I Used to be Somebody World Tour: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/all-tours  Subscribe to the the I Used to be Somebody Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

    24 min
  3. Mitch Slater: From Broadcast Producer to Adviser to Digital Creator

    MAR 10

    Mitch Slater: From Broadcast Producer to Adviser to Digital Creator

    If you're into pop culture, great stories and some outstanding (un)retirement advice, you will love this episode! Mitch got his start as a producer for The Larry King show. He also shares a hilarious on air experience with Howard Stern. There's also his experience as a contestant on a new show (at the time) called Love Connection and his work on the Love Boat.  When Mitch hit his 30's his dad suggested that he may want to get a "real job." He went on to have a very rewarding career in Financial Services for 35 years. But what about now? What Mitch is doing in his 3rd period (he likes to break his life into hockey terms) is very cool. He's combining his accumulated skills from his days in the entertainment broadcasting with all his financial advising background to teach financial advisors the modern day skill of storytelling through podcast, video and social platforms. At 65, Mitch finds his 3rd career is very fun and rewarding. • More about Mitch Slater: https://www.ubs.com/content/dam/assets/wma/us/insights/events/documents/mitch-slater-bio.pdf  • Mitch's YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@mitchslater191  • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/mitch-slater-interview-from-broadcasting-producer-to-advisor-to-digital-creator  • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die  • I Used to be Somebody World Tour: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/all-tours  • Subscribe to the the I Used to be Somebody Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

    51 min
  4. Tom Marks: Survived 40+ Years in the Ad Biz to a Coming of Age in Retirement

    FEB 10

    Tom Marks: Survived 40+ Years in the Ad Biz to a Coming of Age in Retirement

    Hang onto your hat this month because Carl interviewed former ad wiz Tom Marks. We go on a wild retirement story. Tom's first couple of years in retirement he summed up in in one word "horrible". He moved into a 50+ community that he hated. He made a rigid list of activities that he "thought" he should be doing in retirement. He felt like he was on a hamster wheel and didn't know how to get off. It wasn't until he figured out that writing was what gave him peace and purpose. He just completed his second best-selling book, Coming of Age in Retirement, An Advertising Executive's story of Enlightenment and Revelation. It's full of insights into how to find your path to true happiness in retirement. He does so with candor and great humor. A bonus is hearing about Tom's father Melvin Marks who was a true celebrity in the advertising world. He was the marketing genius behind the success of Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn. • More about Tom Marks: https://thepeacefulretiree.com/author/tom-marks • Tom's newest book: https://www.comingofageinretirement.com • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/tom-marks-interview-survived-40-years-in-the-ad-biz-to-a-coming-of-age-in-retirement • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/  • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide • I Used to be Somebody World Tour: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/all-tours • Subscribe to the the I Used to be Somebody Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

    52 min
  5. Jillian Johnsrud: Learn How To Take Mini Retirements

    JAN 13

    Jillian Johnsrud: Learn How To Take Mini Retirements

    Take a mini-retirement during your career? Take a retirement during your retirement? What? These are crazy ideas. But are they? Author Jillian Johnsrud explains this concept and why it's so good for you. Host Carl is a believer and has personally taken 3 long breaks during his career. It helps you avoid burnout and gives you time and space to really think about what you want to do next in your career and life. Jillian has personally taken a dozen mini-retirements in 20 years. She explains how to create your own sabbatical, including how to talk with your employer about it, how to financially afford the sabbatical and even how to to plan for it. For entrepreneurs, she talks about how you can take a break without hurting your business, too. Jillian goes on to talk about the many benefits of taking a mini-retirement during your retirement. What? You'll need to listen in.  • More about Jillian Johnsrud: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Jillian-Johnsrud-Interview-Learn-How-To-Take-Mini-Retirements  • Jillian's book Retire Often: https://retireoften.com/book/ • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Jillian-Johnsrud-Interview-Learn-How-To-Take-Mini-Retirements  • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/  • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/  • I Used to be Somebody World Tour: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/all-tours  • Subscribe to the the I Used to be Somebody Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

    52 min
  6. Kevin Blake Interview: Mystifying Second Act as an Illusionist

    12/09/2025

    Kevin Blake Interview: Mystifying Second Act as an Illusionist

    Carl gets to talk about "magic" for the first time ever on the show. Kevin Blake made a 180-degree change in his working life. He moved from a promising career in digital marketing, working with big time clients (JanSport Backpacks, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Duraflame, Intel and more), to working as a professional Illusionist / Entertainer. He always had a passion for performing magic and took the big leap, turning his fun side gig into a lucrative and totally rewarding career. His AHA moment came during the pandemic, when he performed online magic shows multiple times a day for companies. He made an insane amount of money in just one month -- December of 2020 (you'll need to listen to believe). Kevin has competed and performed on a national level -- America's Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool us. He is the star 3-4 nights a week as The Illusionist at The Palace Theater. And he's absolutely living his dream! More about Kevin Blake: https://kevinblakemagic.com Kevin's Show, The Illusionist at The Palace Theater: https://sanfranciscomagicshow.com Episode Content: Thttps://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/kevin-blake-interview-mystifying-second-act-as-an-illusionist Sponsor by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide Sponsor by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die I Used to be Somebody World Tour: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/all-tours Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

    49 min
  7. Anthony Napolitano: Forced Into Early Retirement and Now a Renaissance Man

    11/11/2025

    Anthony Napolitano: Forced Into Early Retirement and Now a Renaissance Man

    This month we tackle a topic we haven't talked much about...Forced Retirements. Anthony Napolitano had a very successful career in the high-tech world. Then he was laid off not once, but twice by two big corporations right around when he was 50 years old. That was two years ago, and since then he has plunged into the world of early retirement with great enthusiasm, (which is an understatement.) His friends joke that he doesn't have a "Type A personality," he has a "Type-Anthony personality".  Anthony has an analytical mind and devised a personalized Life Retirement Plan. He bases his plan on the four pillars of Health, Mindset, Purpose and Relationships. He even grades himself every year. He was a star baseball player in high school and then went on to play four years of college division 1 baseball at Loyola-Marymount College. So in (un)retirement, Anthony is a natural as a high school coach. He loves being the assistant coach for the girls volleyball team. He also works as a wine educator at a local winery in his tiny mountain town of Julian, CA, just outside of San Diego. He does a little bit of everything at the winery, from picking grapes to hosting wine tasting events. You will love Anthony. He's full of wonder and personality. Although Carl points out that he is the star of the podcast, Anthony clearly steals this month's show. • More about Anthony Napolitano: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonynapolitano • Anthony's Blog "For the Napos": https://forthenapos.com • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/anthony-napolitano-interview-rorced-into-early-retirement-and-now-a-renaissance-man • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:  https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide • I Used to be Somebody World Tours:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/all-tours • Subscribe to I Used to be Somebody newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

    52 min
  8. Fritz Gilbert: Mr. Retirement -- Author of "The Retirement Manifesto"

    10/21/2025

    Fritz Gilbert: Mr. Retirement -- Author of "The Retirement Manifesto"

    It takes a long time to hit 100 episodes when you're a monthly podcast. So we're pretty excited. Carl wanted to get the perfect guest. He chose Fritz Gilbert the OG, who is the top voice in the modern retirement movement. Fritz is a retirement expert/book author/speaker/do-gooder and the author of award winning "The Retirement Manifesto". He's written 400+ articles and 1 million words about retirement and how to live your very best life in this next phase of life. Fritz totally delivers! He's high-energy, funny and gives incredible insights into helping you plan a smooth transition to and once you're in that retirement how you can make it even better.  • More about Fritz Gilbert:  https://www.theretirementmanifesto.com/about/  • Fritz's Fritz's Retirement Manifesto "Ten Commandments of Retirement: https://www.theretirementmanifesto.com/the-ten-commandments-of-retirement/  • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Fritz-gilbert-interview-mr-retirement-author-of-the-retirement-manifesto  • Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/  • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/  • I Used to be Somebody World Tour: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/all-tours  • Subscribe to I Used to be Somebody newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

    49 min
See All (108)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
92 Ratings

About

I Used to Be Somebody inspires 50+ year olds to build their (Un)Retired good life. Each month we interview cool, inspiring people about their retirement challenges and why and how they figured it out—turning this phase of life into an incredible, rewarding reality. It's for people who don't want to retire--they just want to do something new that is more fun, less grind, and more meaningful. Our guests have created amazing Second Acts! Oh, and there's a little talk about Pickleball.

Information

  • Creator
    Carl Landau
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    108
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Pickleball Media
  • Show Website
    I Used to be Somebody

You Might Also Like