On the Brink with Andi Simon

Andi Simon
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

Are you navigating change—personally or professionally? On the Brink is your space for discovering new ways to see, feel, and think about your business, your work, and your life. Host Andi Simon, award-winning author, corporate anthropologist, and change expert, brings you inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders who are reimagining what's possible. Explore how purpose, reinvention, and a human-centered approach can guide you through transitions and help you thrive. New episodes weekly.

  1. 1h ago

    Stephanie McCullough: Retirement Is More Than Money

    Retirement isn't simply about having enough money. It's about creating a life worth living. In this episode, award-winning financial planner Stephanie McCullough joins me to explore why today's retirement requires more than a financial plan. We discuss the emotional challenges of leaving work, why so many people struggle to spend the money they've saved, and how identity, purpose, and community shape a meaningful next chapter. If you're preparing for retirement—or already there—this conversation may change the way you think about your future.

    34 min

  2. 5d ago

    The Promise and Peril of AI in Business

    Artificial intelligence is changing business faster than most leaders realize. But are we adopting it wisely? In this episode of On the Brink, Andi Simon welcomes marketing strategist Shelly Tench and AI educator Heather Owen for a practical conversation about the opportunities—and risks—of generative AI. They explore how AI can help small businesses compete, improve marketing, and increase productivity, while explaining why human oversight remains essential. If you've wondered whether AI will replace people, how much you can trust ChatGPT, or how to avoid costly mistakes, this episode offers thoughtful guidance without the hype. Learn how to embrace AI as a powerful tool while keeping human judgment, creativity, and connection at the center of your business. About the Host Dr. Andi Simon is a corporate anthropologist and founder of Simon Associates Management Consultants. Through her consulting, speaking, writing, and On the Brink podcast, she helps leaders and organizations see opportunities others miss and navigate change with confidence. 🌐 SimonAssociates.net 📚 Author of Rethink Retirement, Women Mean Business, and On the Brink 🎙️ Subscribe to On the Brink with Andi Simon on your favorite podcast platform. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show and leave a review. Your support helps more people discover conversations that inspire fresh thinking.

    38 min

  3. Jun 5

    The Keys to Aging Well: Purpose, Connection, and Lifelong Learning

    What does it really mean to age well in America today? In this thought-provoking conversation, Andi Simon sits down with Cathy Rowe, Executive Director of New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well, to explore how longer lives are reshaping retirement, communities, and our sense of purpose. As more Americans live 20 to 30 years beyond traditional retirement age, the question is no longer "Can I afford to retire?" but "What am I retiring to?" Cathy shares insights on age-friendly communities, social connection, lifelong learning, and why purpose matters as much as financial planning. This episode is a fresh look at retirement, longevity, and creating a meaningful next chapter. Key Topics: • Rethinking Retirement • Age-Friendly Communities • Purpose After Work • Loneliness and Social Connection • Lifelong Learning • Aging Well • Community Engagement • Longevity and Healthy Aging • Retirement Planning Beyond Finances Connect with Andi Simon Ready to rethink what's next in your life, career, or retirement? 📘 Rethink Retirement: It's Not the End, It's the Beginning of What's Next 🌐 Simon Associates Management Consultants: www.simonassociates.net 📰 Subscribe to Andi's Substack: Rethink Retirement 🎙️ Learn more about On the Brink with Andi Simon and explore past episodes. 📧 Contact Andi: asimon@simonassociates.net Interested in Andi's Rethink Retirement Masterclasses, retreats, or speaking engagements? Visit SimonAssociates.net or reach out directly. #RethinkRetirement #AgingWell #Longevity #PurposeAfterRetirement #AgeFriendlyCommunities

    38 min

  4. May 31

    Brooke Foley on Redefining Your Brand and Your Future

    What happens when the identity tied to your business card disappears? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Andi Simon sits down with branding expert Brooke Foley to explore retirement, reinvention, and why today's next chapter is really a "relaunch." Together, they discuss personal branding, purpose, identity, and how individuals and businesses must rethink value in a rapidly changing world. A thoughtful and inspiring episode for anyone navigating change, career transitions, business transformation, or even personal retirement.

    30 min

  5. May 18

    How Can High-Performing Women Thrive, Not Just Survive?

    In this powerful episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I speak with Dr. Sharita Warfield, a board-certified emergency and lifestyle medicine physician, author, and coach who helps high-performing women reclaim their health, energy, and purpose before burnout takes over. After more than 30 years in emergency medicine, Dr. Warfield experienced her own turning point—realizing that success and constant achievement were coming at the expense of her well-being. She shares how that moment inspired her to create the THRIVE Framework, helping leaders and professionals move from merely surviving to truly thriving. Together, we explore burnout, stress, executive wellness, identity, resilience, intentional living, and why so many successful women have been "applauded into exhaustion." We also connect these ideas to retirement, reinvention, and finding purpose in every stage of life. If you are feeling depleted, overwhelmed, or questioning how to sustain success without sacrificing yourself, this conversation is for you.

    31 min

  6. May 12

    How Tonya Thomas Helps Entrepreneurs Delegate and Scale

    In this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, Andi speaks with Tonya Thomas, founder of Team Delegate, about how entrepreneurs and business leaders can delegate more effectively, scale their businesses, and stop becoming the bottleneck. They explore the difference between reactive and proactive executive assistants, how AI is changing executive support, and why leaders need more time to think strategically instead of doing everything themselves. A valuable conversation for consultants, coaches, CEOs, and growing businesses looking to improve productivity, leadership, and business growth.

    28 min

  7. May 3

    The Greatest Lessons on Reinvention and Retirement from Louise Olson

    Rethinking Retirement: Why It's Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself Featuring Louise Olson What happens when you step away from the role that once defined you? Why is this thing called "retirement" such a challenge? For many, retirement feels like an ending. But in this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, my guest Louise Olson shows us something very different—it can be the beginning of a bold, expansive, and deeply meaningful next chapter. Louise's journey is not a straight line. And that's exactly why it matters. She didn't begin her professional career until age 45. Before that, she was a stay-at-home mother in a traditional family, where the expectation was clear: care for the home, raise the children, and leave career-building to others. But life has a way of nudging us forward. And Louise listened. Starting as a secretary at Motorola, she stepped into opportunities she didn't even know she was ready for—eventually becoming an international meeting planner, traveling the world, and working on global programs including those with Interpol. And here's what makes her story so powerful: She didn't wait to be chosen. She raised her hand, took bold action, and learned as she went. Reinvention and Retirement are not Just a Moment—They are a Mindset Louise's story is a masterclass in what I call rethinking retirement. When she stepped away from a major global client after 16 years, she faced the same question so many of us do: "Who am I now?" It's one of the four essential questions I explore in Rethink Retirement: Who am I without my business card? What will I do every day? Where do I still matter? Who is my community? Louise didn't rush to answer them. She explored them. She leaned into curiosity, not certainty. She experimented, not perfected. And she reminds us of something we often forget: You are not a victim of your circumstances—you are the creator of them. The Courage to Begin Again (At Any Age) At an age when many people slow down, Louise sped up. She climbed Machu Picchu at 63 Built an international career after 65 Launched retreats and community programs in her 70s Continues to travel, teach, and inspire women globally Her message is simple, but profound: It is never too late. Not to learn something new. Not to build something meaningful. Not to become someone different. What holds most people back isn't age—it's mindset. Retirement should be your From Structure to Self-Design Your Retirement One of the biggest challenges people face in retirement is the loss of structure. For decades, your calendar is filled for you. Then suddenly… it's empty. Louise sees this not as a problem—but as an invitation. "You are going to have to create your retirement," she shared. "And you've never had to do that before." That blank space? It's where your next life gets designed. But design requires intention. Louise starts her days with a simple practice: Gratitude for the day ahead Clarity on what she wants to create A willingness to try something new It's not about having all the answers. It's about taking the next step. And retirement is a great accelerator for you to redesign this next stage in your life. Finding Your Tribe Again, and It Is More Than Other Retirees Perhaps one of the most powerful insights from our conversation was about community. When we leave our careers, we often lose more than a job—we lose our network, our daily interactions, our sense of belonging. Louise recognized this early. Retirement meant she needed a new community. So she didn't wait for a community to find her—she built one. Through her "Wise Wandering" retreats and meetup groups, she's creating spaces where women can: Explore new identities Share their transitions Build meaningful relationships Feel seen and understood Because retirement without community can quickly become isolation. And none of us are meant to navigate this stage alone. What Can You Learn from Louise? Louise's journey offers a few powerful lessons: Say yes before you feel ready Follow curiosity—it will lead you forward Don't wait for permission to reinvent yourself Build your community intentionally Design your days with purpose, not habit Most importantly: Retirement is not about stopping. It's about choosing. Ready to Rethink Your Next Chapter? If Louise's story resonates with you, I invite you to take the next step. Join me for my upcoming Masterclass, where we'll explore how to: Redefine your identity beyond your career Create meaningful structure in your days Clarify your purpose and impact Build a community that supports your journey Or start with the book: Rethink Retirement—available now. Because this stage of life isn't the end of something. It's the beginning of what's next. Have a story about your own transition? I'd love to hear it. Share it with me—because together, we learn to see, feel, and think in new ways. Connect with me: Join my Substack Newsletter Rethink Retirement Website: www.simonassociates.net Book Website: www.andisimon.com Email: info@simonassociates.net Learn more about our books here: Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success On the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights Now--it is time to share our new book with you! Rethink Retirement: It's Not The End--It's the Beginning of What's Next

    33 min

  8. Apr 27

    Rethink Retirement with Jeannette Hobson

    What happens when successful professionals retire—and realize they're not ready to stop? In this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I speak with Vistage Chair Jeannette Hobson about the evolving meaning of retirement—and why so many people are unprepared for what comes next. Jeannette shares her remarkable journey of career pivots, lifelong curiosity, and leadership—and how those same qualities are essential for navigating life beyond work. We explore why retirement isn't an ending, but a transition—one that requires more than a financial plan. It requires a life plan. If you are thinking about retirement—or already there—this conversation will help you rethink what comes next.  In This Episode: Why curiosity is the key to lifelong reinvention The hidden risks of retiring without a life plan How to prepare before you leave your role The importance of purpose, structure, and community Why "age is irrelevant" in designing your next chapter Connect with Andi Learn more about Dr. Andi Simon's work, books, and upcoming workshops: www.andisimon.com

    34 min
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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Are you navigating change—personally or professionally? On the Brink is your space for discovering new ways to see, feel, and think about your business, your work, and your life. Host Andi Simon, award-winning author, corporate anthropologist, and change expert, brings you inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders who are reimagining what's possible. Explore how purpose, reinvention, and a human-centered approach can guide you through transitions and help you thrive. New episodes weekly.

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