MEaningful MEtirement™

Ceci Zak
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

The MEaningful MEtirement podcast helps people in or approaching retirement move from uncertainty, loss of identity, and emotional drift… to clarity, purpose, and confident action—one decision at a time. Each episode is designed to deliver: One breakthrough insight One identity shift One action you can take immediately All possible through the generosity of @HIGHFIVEMEDIA Avon, Co,

  1. 1d ago

    Live Boldly. Start Before You're Ready with Ellen Keszler

    What if the biggest opportunity in your 3rdTHIRD isn't slowing down—it's finally becoming who you were meant to be? In this episode, accomplished executive, board leader, traveler, and adventurer Ellen Keszler shares how life's unexpected transitions became the catalyst for extraordinary growth. After leaving corporate life at 44 and navigating a major life reinvention, Ellen chose curiosity over fear, adventure over comfort, and possibility over limitation.From climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and moving to the Colorado mountains to embracing photography, lifelong learning, and a year of intentional adventures at age 60, Ellen's story is a powerful reminder that the best chapters of life can still be ahead of us. This conversation is filled with wisdom about confidence, resilience, purpose, and how to use the gift of time to create a life filled with joy, fulfillment, and freedom. About Ellen Keszler Ellen is an accomplished corporate director, advisor, and former executive whose career has spanned travel, technology, entrepreneurship, and corporate governance. She has held leadership roles with companies including Travelocity and has served on numerous public and private company boards, helping organizations grow, innovate, and thrive. Today, Ellen is known for her adventurous spirit, lifelong curiosity, passion for travel and photography, and commitment to living fully. Whether she's exploring a new corner of the world, learning a new skill, or encouraging others to embrace life's next chapter, Ellen embodies what it means to create a meaningful and vibrant 3rdTHIRD.

    35 min

  2. 3d ago

    Choose Your Next Chapter Before Life Chooses It for You - Charlotte Sibley

    What if retirement isn’t about slowing down… but finally creating a life that feels like you? At 65, after decades of leadership and breaking barriers in corporate America, Charlotte Sibley faced a question many avoid: Who am I when work is no longer my identity? In this conversation, Charlotte shares the surprisingly simple process that helped her step into MEtirement with intention—before fear, loss, or uncertainty took over. We talk about: The 3 lists that changed her futureWhy financial planning alone isn’t enoughFinding purpose beyond your titleLearning to say no—and finally learning to just beHow community carried her through grief, caregiving, sobriety, and reinventionHer message is clear: Don’t wait until life forces change.Create your next chapter while you still have the health, curiosity, and freedom to live it. About Charlotte Sibley Charlotte Sibley is a former global pharmaceutical executive, public company board member, mentor, and longtime advocate for leadership development and women in healthcare. After a 40+ year corporate career—including pioneering roles for women in healthcare and finance—Charlotte intentionally redefined her third third through board service, mentorship, travel, community, and purpose-driven living. Now approaching 80, Charlotte embodies what MEtirement can look like at its best:living with curiosity, giving back generously, and continuing to grow long after traditional retirement begins. #3rdTHIRD #MEtirement #60for60#LifeDesign #NextChapter #cecizak

    33 min

  3. Jun 25

    Reclaim Your Next Chapter When Life Asks You to Let Go - Wendy White

    What happens when you reach this stage of life—and realize it’s not about slowing down… it’s about becoming more of who you are? In this powerful MEtirement conversation, Wendy White shares what it really looks like to navigate the “in-between”—that space where your old identity no longer fits… and your next chapter isn’t fully clear yet. This isn’t about retirement. This is about MEtirement. We talk about: Letting go of roles that once defined you Sitting in uncertainty instead of rushing to fix it Reconnecting with who you are—without titles, expectations, or noise Choosing your next chapter with intention, not default Because the truth is—this stage of life isn’t about what you’re leaving behind…it’s about what you’re finally ready to claim. If you’re asking “what’s next?”—this episode will help you start answering that question from the inside out. About Wendy White Wendy is a seasoned entrepreneur leader and trusted advisor who has spent her career helping individuals and organizations navigate complex transitions with clarity and intention. Now in her own MEtirement chapter, Wendy brings a deeply personal and grounded perspective to what it means to let go of past identities and consciously create what comes next. Blending professional insight with lived experience, she helps others move through change—not by rushing to answers, but by reconnecting with who they truly are—so they can build a life rooted in meaning, fulfillment, and freedom. She embodies the essence of MEtirement:not retiring from life—but stepping fully into it. #metirement #thirdthird #3rdTHIRD #60for60 #LifeDesign #NextChapter #cecizak

    23 min

  4. Jun 24

    Rise Again by Choosing Yourself After Life Changes Everything - Taren Grom

    What happens when everything you thought defined you… is suddenly gone? In this deeply honest and inspiring episode, Taren Grom shares what it looks like to rebuild your life after back-to-back “life quakes”—selling her company, losing her mother, and losing the identity she had carried for decades. There was no roadmap. No plan.Just a blank page—and a choice. Taren opens up about: Moving through grief, numbness, and uncertainty Letting go of identity tied to career and titles Choosing herself—her health, her time, her joy Rebuilding a life rooted in energy, freedom, and intention From double hip replacement… to daily movement… to preparing to jump out of a plane—this is what it looks like to come back to life. Because the truth is: Your next chapter doesn’t begin when things are perfect—it begins the moment you decide to rise. About Taren Grom Taren is the co-founder of PharmaVOICE and a respected industry storyteller who spent more than two decades elevating the voices of innovators and changemakers across the life sciences sector. After a pivotal period of personal and professional transition, she stepped into a new chapter defined by resilience, reinvention, and self-prioritization. Today, Taren is focused on living fully—investing in her health, exploring new experiences, and finding meaningful ways to give back, particularly in support of women and community impact. She embodies what it means to move forward—not by having all the answers, but by having the courage to keep going and transitioning. #metirement #thirdthird #3rdTHIRD #60for60 #LifeDesign #NextChapter #cecizak

    36 min

  5. Jun 15

    Choose Yourself Before It’s Too Late: Fear, Freedom & Living Your Truth - Andrea Mallozzi

    What happens when you stop following the rules everyone else believes about retirement, success, money—and start listening to yourself instead? In this episode, Andrea Mallozzi shares the deeply personal shift that led her to walk away from decades of expectations and toward a life built on freedom, experiences, and authenticity. From surviving breast cancer to questioning society’s “truisms” around work and financial security, Andrea opens up about choosing time over accumulation, stillness over striving, and alignment over approval. If you’ve ever wondered Is this really the life I want?—this conversation will stay with you. Why fear shouldn’t be the barrier to your next chapterThe surprising joy found in stillness and silenceHow health challenges changed Andrea’s definition of successWhat it means to choose experiences over expectationsWhy your “third third” may be the first time you truly choose yourself About Andrea Mallozzi Andrea is a former communications executive, lifelong learner, and deeply reflective thinker who has spent decades balancing achievement with curiosity, creativity, and growth. After navigating a significant health challenge and years in high-pressure corporate environments, Andrea made the courageous decision to redefine success on her own terms—choosing freedom, experiences, and authenticity over convention. Today, she embraces her “3rdTHIRD” with intention, exploring what it means to live aligned with personal values, pursue long-held dreams, and create a life driven by meaning rather than expectation. Her perspective is a powerful reminder that reinvention is possible at any age. #3rdTHIRD #MEtirement #60for60#LifeDesign #NextChapter #cecizak

    31 min

  6. Jun 11

    Redefine Work, Let Go of Ego, and Choose What Actually Matters - Ana Goizueta Clark

    Ana Goizeuta Clark doesn’t sugarcoat things—and that’s exactly why this conversation hits. After decades building a successful career on Wall Street, Ana faced a reality many people avoid:What happens when your identity is tied to your profession… and that chapter ends? In this episode, she walks through: The discomfort of stepping away from a high-powered career The ego hit of going from high income to zero The struggle with relevance—and why it’s mostly self-created The role of faith in navigating uncertainty and change How becoming an EMT reshaped her sense of purpose Her perspective is clear:You don’t stop working—you just shift where and how you contribute. And if you’re willing to let go of ego, get comfortable with vulnerability, and focus on service…you may find something more meaningful than what you left behind. About Ana Goizeuta Clark Ana is a global business leader with over three decades of experience in financial services, including senior roles on Wall Street where she built a reputation for strategic leadership and results. After stepping away from her corporate career, Ana transitioned into service as a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), applying her decision-making skills in high-pressure, real-world situations. Her work today reflects a shift from achievement-driven success to purpose-driven contribution—grounded in faith, service to others, and a willingness to challenge her own assumptions about identity, relevance, and what truly matters. #metirement #thirdthird #3rdTHIRD #60for60 #LifeDesign #NextChapter #cecizak

    44 min

  7. Jun 9

    Reimagining Retirement as Your Greatest Opportunity - Mitch Lee

    Most people think retirement is the finish line. Mitch Lee saw it as the starting line. After decades of leadership, success, and building a career, Mitch made a bold shift—he chose to stop letting work define him and start living a life built around purpose, passion, and impact. And here’s the truth he discovered:You don’t need more time… you need more intention with your time. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Stop tying your identity to your career Use the skills you built in life to design a better one Find purpose through service and giving back Create structure so your days actually matter Let go of ego so you can fully enjoy your life And one powerful reminder you won’t forget:Don’t wait too long. Because the life you’ve been working toward?It’s ready for you now. About Mitch Lee: Mitch is a former senior executive at Raytheon, and graduate of the United States Military Academy. After a highly successful career leading large teams and scaling business growth, Mitch transitioned into a purpose-driven third chapter centered on service, leadership, and community impact. He is deeply involved with Project Hero, where he has led hundreds of rides supporting veterans—many coping with invisible injuries like PTSD—helping them find healing through connection and movement. Known for his love of travel, athletics, and mentorship, Mitch embodies what it means to live a life of joy, fulfillment, and freedom—by choosing purpose over ego and impact over identity. #metirement #thirdthird #3rdTHIRD #60for60 #LifeDesign #NextChapter #cecizak

    35 min

  8. Jun 2

    Redefine Success on Your Terms in Your 3rdTHIRD - Simon Davidoff

    There comes a moment—quiet but undeniable—when you realize: This life I built has been meaningful… and I want even more. In this episode, Simon Davidoff shares how he honored that feeling—and chose to expand, not settle. No dramatic exit. No perfect plan.Just the decision to keep growing. We talk about: Letting your identity evolve beyond your success Trusting yourself before you feel ready Expanding into freedom, curiosity, and new possibilities Because this next chapter isn’t about leaving your life behind—it’s about building on it in a bigger, more intentional way. About Simon Davidoff Simon is a global business leader turned entrepreneur with decades of experience in AI, digital innovation, and infrastructure. After a highly successful corporate career, he chose to expand into a new chapter—one driven by freedom, curiosity, and continuous growth. Today, he advises emerging companies, launches new ventures, and embodies the belief that your next chapter isn’t about starting over—it’s about becoming more of who you’re meant to be. #metirement #thirdthird #3rdTHIRD #60for60 #LifeDesign #NextChapter #cecizak

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The MEaningful MEtirement podcast helps people in or approaching retirement move from uncertainty, loss of identity, and emotional drift… to clarity, purpose, and confident action—one decision at a time. Each episode is designed to deliver: One breakthrough insight One identity shift One action you can take immediately All possible through the generosity of @HIGHFIVEMEDIA Avon, Co,

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