The Retired Mindset

Bob Preston
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Mental Health

The Retired Mindset podcast is about living your BEST life in retirement. We’ll dive into mental and physical health, staying young at heart, and maintaining connections during the "third trimester" of life’s journey. Bob's vision is to help you—yes, both men and women—unlock your full potential, reconnect with what makes you uniquely YOU, embrace aging, and thrive as you transition away from your career. 

  1. 8h ago

    What Does Retire Mean?

    Send us Fan Mail Send Us a Voicemail! The word “retire” has a secret built into it, and once you hear it, you can’t unhear it: it literally means “to withdraw.” That single definition quietly shapes how millions of people picture life after work, as if the next chapter is supposed to be smaller, slower, and safely in the background. I’m not buying it, and in this Five Minute Friday, I push back hard on the idea that retirement equals stepping away from life.  KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED: I challenge the hidden story inside the word “retire” and why it can push us toward shrinking our lives. I reframe retirement as a transition into identity, purpose, and holistic longevity, not a retreat from contribution.  • The French root of “retire” meaning to withdraw or draw back.   • How retirement language can imply slowing down and fading out.   • Redefining retirement as redrawing your life and pulling forward.   • Shifting from “what do I do” to “what do I become now”.   • Why identity, purpose, curiosity, love, and growth do not retire.   • My own reinvention after a corporate career through writing, podcasting, therapy, and coaching.   I talk through why language matters in retirement planning and how the common retirement script can steal momentum before you even start. Then I offer a different frame: retirement as redrawing your life, not pulling back. The key shift is moving from the occupation question “What do I want to do for a living?” to the identity question “What do I want to become now?” That’s where purpose in retirement comes alive, and it’s also where healthy aging and holistic longevity stop being buzzwords and start becoming daily choices that improve your health span.  I also share my own transition after leaving a corporate career and how new work emerged that never appeared on any retirement checklist: building The Retired Mindset, writing a book, hosting a podcast, training as an associate marriage and family therapist, and coaching others through one of life’s biggest changes. You’ll leave with a simple challenge for the next time someone asks if you’re retired, plus a practical way to answer that points toward growth, curiosity, and contribution.  If this reframing hits home, subscribe, share this with a friend who’s nearing retirement, and leave a review so more people can find a better retirement mindset. What are you moving toward next? CALL TO ACTION: Learn more about The Retired Mindset and The Seven Trails to Holistic Longevity: The Retired Mindset Website Click on subscribe or the link in our bio, follow us, email me, or better yet, book a discovery call on our website.   Join us as we post new episodes weekly! We would love to hear from you! Send Us a Voicemail Connect with Bob: BobbyP@theretiredmindset.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube. Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.

  2. 1d ago

    Purpose Doesn't Have to Retire, ft. Kathy Eldon

    Send us Fan Mail Send Us a Voicemail! Retirement can be a relief, but it can also quietly steal something essential: the feeling that you have a reason to get up and go. From a sunlit morning in Malibu, we talk with author, filmmaker, and Creative Visions Foundation founder Kathy Eldon about purpose as a daily practice, not a résumé line. We dig into the difference between being driven and being purposeful, why purpose can change over time, and why the most meaningful work often starts after a major life shift. KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED: Purpose is not a single grand mission, and it does not end when work ends. Kathy Eldon and Bob Preston talk about turning grief into service, using creativity to heal, and finding everyday ways to stay connected to what makes life meaningful: • Driven vs purpose and why money alone is not enough   • How travel and other cultures widen perspective and keep curiosity alive   • Dan Eldon’s story and the importance of being present for people we love   • Transforming loss into a force for good through storytelling and service   • Role models, mentors and why purpose evolves over time   • Ways to reignite purpose in retirement through joy, generosity, connection   • Creative Visions Foundation and the idea of creative activism   Kathy shares how early experiences, travel, and cross cultural living shaped her worldview and strengthened her belief that we are connected. Then the conversation turns to the story that changed everything: the death of her son Dan Eldon, a 22-year-old Reuters photojournalist killed in Somalia after documenting famine and conflict. Kathy speaks with clarity about grief, resilience, and the power of “last words,” and how she chose to transform loss into a force for good through storytelling, service, and creative activism. We also get practical about finding purpose after retirement: shaking up routine, following what brings joy, and letting that joy benefit someone else, even in small ways. If you care about holistic longevity, meaning, and connection, this one stays with you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a spark, and leave a review so more people can find the show. CALL TO ACTION: Connect with Kathy: KathyEldon.com Learn about The Creative Vision Foundation: CreativeVisions.org Learn more about The Retired Mindset and The Seven Trails to Holistic Longevity: The Retired Mindset Website Join us as we post new episodes weekly! We would love to hear from you! Send Us a Voicemail Connect with Bob: BobbyP@theretiredmindset.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube. Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.

  3. Jul 24

    The Retired Mindset Relaunch!!

    Send us Fan Mail In this Five Minute Friday episode, Bob shares why the Retired Mindset paused for a few months, is now relaunching, and what changed after months away living a “bucketlist dream” and rethinking what retirement really requires. We are moving from a mindset-only view to a holistic longevity approach built around health span, daily intention, and a next chapter with purpose. KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED: Relaunching the Retired Mindset as an integrated platform starting August 1Stepping away to live life, navigate personal changes, and find new creative directionThe Mammoth Mountain winter and how immersion creates personal momentumWhy retirement can shake identity when work structure disappearsWhy positive thinking fails without energy, nutrition, relationships, and purposeDefining holistic longevity as improving health span, not just living longerThe daily, integrated practices that support thriving in retirementWhere to learn the Seven Trails to Holistic Longevity and what’s coming nextRetirement can feel like freedom right up until the structure disappears and the big questions move in. Who am I without my role? What matters now? And what am I optimizing for in the years ahead? After a long pause and some major life changes, I’m back with news that reshapes everything I thought the Retired Mindset was about. I spent the winter living a longtime dream in Mammoth Mountain, working on the mountain safety team and logging more than 100 days on skis. It was exhilarating, but it also became an unexpected lab for real change. Somewhere between ski lifts, cold mornings, community, and recovery, I saw the gap in the classic “just think positive” retirement advice. Mindset matters, but it breaks down fast if your body is worn out, your energy is low, your nutrition is off, your relationships are strained, or your sense of purpose is fading. That’s why I’m relaunching the Retired Mindset on August 1 as a true integrated platform focused on holistic longevity and improving health span. This is about living better, not simply living longer, by aligning how we move, eat, connect, and choose purpose each day. I’ll also be back to weekly podcasting, plus our Five Minute Friday rhythm. Subscribe, share this with a friend planning their next chapter, and leave a review so more people can build a retirement where soul meets body. CALL TO ACTION THIS WEEKEND! Visit the Retired Mindset website at theretiredmindset.com to learn about what I call the seven trails to holistic longevity. Join us as we post new episodes weekly! We would love to hear from you! Send Us a Voicemail Connect with Bob: BobbyP@theretiredmindset.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube. Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.

  4. Jan 10

    Five Minute Friday 10: Expanding Your World

    Send us Fan Mail Travel in retirement is about far more than sightseeing — it’s about staying mentally sharp, physically active, and deeply engaged with life. In this Five Minute Friday episode of The Retired Mindset, host Bobby P records on location from Munich, Germany, in the Marienplatz in front of the world-famous Glockenspiel, sharing insights on the mental, physical, and personal development benefits of traveling in retirement. From cognitive stimulation and natural movement to lifelong learning and expanded perspective, this episode encourages retirees to view travel as a powerful tool for growth, curiosity, and connection.  KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED: Travel in retirementBenefits of international travel for seniorsMental health and cognitive benefits of travelPhysical activity through travel and walkingLifelong learning in retirementPersonal growth after retirementRetirement lifestyle designExpanding worldview in retirementActive and engaged retirementCORE THEMES COVERED: Mental Benefits of Travel in RetirementExperiencing new languages, cultures, and environments activates the brain, improves cognitive flexibility, and keeps the mind engaged well into retirement.Physical Health Through Active TravelWalking cities, exploring neighborhoods, and moving naturally throughout the day supports balance, endurance, and overall vitality without the pressure of formal exercise.Continued Learning and Personal DevelopmentTravel becomes a living classroom, offering lessons in history, culture, humility, and curiosity through real-world experience rather than structured education.Expanding Perspective and WorldviewExposure to different ways of living fosters empathy, gratitude, and the understanding that fulfillment in retirement doesn’t follow a single formula. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Retirement travel supports both mental sharpness and physical vitalityLearning and growth continue long after leaving the workforceTravel encourages curiosity, adaptability, and opennessYou don’t have to travel far — intention matters more than distanceCALL TO ACTION THIS WEEKEND! Plan One Intentional TripChoose a destination that offers cultural, historical, or personal growth opportunities.Walk when possible, explore on foot, and allow movement to be part of daily discovery.Engage With CuriosityTry local foods, learn simple phrases, and observe how others live their daily lives.*Reflect and IntegrateAfter returning home, reflect on what the journey taught you about yourself and your approach to retirement. Travel in retirement isn’t about escaping life — it’s about expanding it. When you challenge your mind, move your body, and open yourself to the world, retirement becomes a season of growth rather than retreat. Because in retirement… Soul Meets Body. Join us as we post new episodes weekly! We would love to hear from you! Send Us a Voicemail Connect with Bob: BobbyP@theretiredmindset.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube. Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.

  5. Jan 2

    Five Minute Friday 9: Stepping Into 2026

    Send us Fan Mail Hello Mindsetters! We took a short break during the holidays, but we're back and ready to bring you great new content for the New Year in 2026! As we step into 2026, this Five Minute Friday is a moment to pause, reflect, and intentionally move forward. Bob looks back on 2025 as a transformative year—one defined by a shift into a new retired mindset grounded in intention, optimism, and creativity. That shift led to the creation of The Retired Mindset podcast as a creative outlet and community space for sharing perspectives, lessons learned, and encouragement for those navigating retirement with purpose. This episode invites listeners to honor the blessings and lessons of the past year while embracing 2026 as a season of fresh beginnings, new opportunities, and meaningful growth. With gratitude as a foundation and optimism as a guide, retirement becomes not an ending—but an intentional redesign of life. Key Themes Reflection on a transformative year in retirementGratitude for lessons learned and blessings receivedEmbracing creativity and purpose after leaving traditional workViewing retirement as a fresh chapter, not a finish lineSetting goals rooted in intention rather than obligationFacing challenges with confidence and self-beliefLiving each day as a gift waiting to be unwrappedKey Takeaways Retirement is a redesign, not a retreat. It’s an opportunity to reimagine how you live, create, and contribute.Looking back with gratitude brings clarity moving forward. Reflection helps guide better decisions in the future.Creativity fuels the soul in retirement. New outlets and ideas keep purpose alive.Optimism is a daily choice. It shapes how we approach both opportunity and adversity.Each day matters. Treat every day as a gift and an invitation to live fully.Challenges are part of the journey—but so is resilience. You’ve overcome obstacles before, and you will again.Reflection Question for Mindsetters As you begin 2026, what lessons from the past year do you want to carry forward—and what new dreams are you ready to pursue? Closing Thought Retirement is a journey best traveled with intention, gratitude, and an open heart. In this next chapter, remember, in retirement: Soul Meets Body. Join us as we post new episodes weekly! We would love to hear from you! Send Us a Voicemail Connect with Bob: BobbyP@theretiredmindset.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube. Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.

  6. 12/11/2025

    Episode 5: Roaming with Purpose, Ft. Outdoors Photographer Alan Kassan

    Send us Fan Mail In this soulful and scenic episode, recorded amidst mountain winds coming off of Lake McLeod in the Eastern Sierra, host Bob Preston sits down with longtime friend and nature photographer Alan Kassan. In retirement, Alan traded his career and office life for wide-open skies, rugged alpine trails, and a custom Sprinter van built for adventure. Together, they explore what it means to retire with intention and purpose —not away from something, but boldly toward a life filled with passion, creativity, and connection to the natural world. From the Sierra Nevada to Yosemite to the eastern edge of Highway 395, Alan shares how the road became his teacher, his retreat, photography studio, and his canvas. Episode Sponsor: Find The Good In retirement, there is a need for a shift in all of our mindsets, so we built an apparel brand to do just that. We're here to focus on the good and build a community of people looking to encourage others to do the same. Shop today for hats, hoodies, shirts, and the like. Use the promo code: BOBPRESTON for exclusive discounts on merchandise!  https://www.findthegoodbrand.com Themes: 1. Retiring Toward Something Meaningful Alan’s journey illustrates the mindset shift that makes retirement transformative: choosing purpose over pause, exploration over stagnation, and curiosity over comfort. 2. Roaming with a Purpose: Alan dives into nature while traveling in his customized Sprinter van—off-grid camping, favorite routes along Highway 395, the challenges behind the scenic Instagram moments, and the incredible payoff of waking up exactly where inspiration strikes. 4. Photography as a Passion Photography became more than a hobby—it became a new identity that gave Alan structure, creativity, and personal meaning in retirement. He shares how being behind the camera helped him slow down, pay attention, and live more mindfully. 5. Beginning a Creative Journey at Any Age: For listeners dreaming about writing, painting, photographing, or building something new, Alan offers grounded, heartfelt advice: Start small. Start messy. Just start. Key Takeaway: Retirement Is a Beginning, Not an Ending: Letting go of a career opens space for reinvention, self-discovery, and ambitious personal adventures. Call to Action: If this episode inspires you, take an intentional step toward something that sparks curiosity or joy. Whether it’s a creative pursuit, a new outdoor habit, or simply exploring a passion you’ve put off—start today. 👉 Check out Alan’s photography: https://www.aklightplay.com 👉 Join The Retired Mindset Community: • Like the video • Subscribe to the channel • Leave a comment sharing your biggest insight • Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Join us as we post new episodes weekly! We would love to hear from you! Send Us a Voicemail Connect with Bob: BobbyP@theretiredmindset.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube. Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.

  7. 12/05/2025

    Five Minute Friday 8: Personal Development in Retirement

    Send us Fan Mail In this Five Minute Friday, Bob is exploring why retirement isn’t the end of personal growth and development — it’s the beginning of an entirely new, more intentional chapter. Personal development becomes not just optional, but essential, as we navigate the blank canvas of this phase of life. From identity shifts to curiosity, creativity, and building new habits, this episode reframes personal growth and development as a powerful fuel for happiness, meaning, and fulfillment in retirement. I am so happy to have met our new sponsor, a cool clothing line called Find The Good. They epitomize this personal growth and development we are discussing today! Receive a 10% discount by using my coupon code, BOBPRESTON: Click here to shop Find The Good clothing online. Key Talking Points: 1. A New Beginning, Not a Slowdown Retirement frees us from the constant deadlines, deliverables, and identity tied to a career. But that freedom can feel unsettling without structure or purpose. Personal development becomes the bridge from “What now?” to “What’s next?” 2. The Retired Mindset Shift: Growth doesn’t end at 60, 70, or 80 — unless we decide it does. Curiosity is one of the most youthful energies we have. I've learned along my retirement journey that personal development at this stage is less about climbing ladders and more about exploring: * New skills * New passions * New communities * New challenges 3. Identity Beyond the Job Title: Many retirees discover how much of their identity was linked to their career. My goal in retirement has been to create a sense of self-worth and direction. Personal growth and development become the work of rediscovering who you are — and who you want to be now. It can include: * Journaling * Fun classes or new certifications * Creative passions and pursuits * Physical or mental training * Spiritual grounding 4. The Power of Small, Daily Habits: Small commitments such as these will create consistency — and consistency creates momentum. * Five minutes of stretching. * Five minutes of early morning meditation. * Reading 10 pages or listening to a Blinkist audio. * One mindful walk. * One new conversation. 6. Real-Life Example From Bobby P: For me, personal development in retirement is ongoing, energizing, and deeply fulfilling. I like the early morning before the world wakes up. I'm in the 5am club, rising before everyone,  to meditate, listen to my Blinkist library, journal, or just watch the sunrise. Starting the day right helps me maintain my retired mindset for the rest of the day. Key Takeaways: * Personal development doesn’t have an age limit. Growth keeps us energized and emotionally healthy.  * Retirement is an opportunity to design who we want to become next. * Progress beats perfection. Small daily improvements create massive long-term transformation. * You’re allowed to reinvent yourself at any time — and retirement is the perfect season to do it. Join us as we post new episodes weekly! We would love to hear from you! Send Us a Voicemail Connect with Bob: BobbyP@theretiredmindset.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube. Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.

  8. 11/28/2025

    Five Minute Friday 7: Expressing Gratitude: A Thanksgiving Reflection

    Send us Fan Mail  As we head into Thanksgiving week, today’s Five Minute Friday is all about one of the most grounding and transformative practices we have in retirement: gratitude.  I am grateful for our new sponsor, a cool clothing line called Find The Good. Here is a link to their website, where you will receive a 10% discount by using my coupon code, BOBPRESTON: Click here to shop Find The Good clothing online. The Emotional Shift Into Retirement  Retirement isn’t just a logistical change — it’s an emotional one. The routines fade, the job titles disappear, and the calendar opens up. That newfound space can feel freeing… but also a little unsettling.  Practicing gratitude helps anchor us through this transition. It reminds us of what’s constant, what’s meaningful, and what we often overlook.  Why Gratitude Matters Even More Now  For the first time in decades, retirement gives us time — time to slow down, reflect, and actually notice our lives. When the deadlines and noise drop away, what remains?  The people who shaped usThe friends who supported usThe family who lifted us upThe moments we rushed through on the way to somewhere elseRetirement lets us finally see those things clearly — if we choose to look. A Thanksgiving Reminder  Thanksgiving isn’t just about food (though no complaints there).  It’s a built-in pause button — a moment to look around the table, literal or symbolic, and think: “Wow. I’m lucky.”  And here’s the truth:  In retirement, every day can be Thanksgiving. It’s not about the holiday — it’s about the mindset.  Your Weekend Gratitude Challenge  Before Monday arrives, try this simple exercise:  Write down three things you’re grateful for — anything, big or small.Share one of them with someone you care about.Gratitude multiplies when it’s expressed. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling — It’s a practice, an expression, and a powerful tool for shaping this stage of life.  Wishing you a warm, connected, and grateful Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Join us as we post new episodes weekly! We would love to hear from you! Send Us a Voicemail Connect with Bob: BobbyP@theretiredmindset.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube. Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.

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About

The Retired Mindset podcast is about living your BEST life in retirement. We’ll dive into mental and physical health, staying young at heart, and maintaining connections during the "third trimester" of life’s journey. Bob's vision is to help you—yes, both men and women—unlock your full potential, reconnect with what makes you uniquely YOU, embrace aging, and thrive as you transition away from your career. 

Information

  • Creator
    Bob Preston
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Retired Mindset
  • Show Website
    The Retired Mindset