Re-think Retirement - a Next-Up Podcast

Have you ever felt like your job wasn’t fulfilling enough? Neelie Verlinden did, and she decided to take action

During a career in investment banking Neelie Verlinden was more and more thinking “Is this really what I want to do for the rest of my life?” It wasn’t so she resigned and started her search for the perfect work/life balance.

The future of work is constantly evolving, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how it will look like. However, some trends are becoming increasingly evident. For example, there is a growing emphasis on remote work and flexible work arrangements, as well as a shift towards more meaningful work.

The concept of ikigai, a Japanese way of life that translates to "a reason for being," is becoming more popular as people seek greater meaning and purpose in their lives. The idea is to find a sweet spot where what you're good at, what you enjoy doing, what you can get paid for, and what society needs all intersect. This can lead to a fulfilling career that feels less like work and more like a calling.

The traditional notion of retirement is also being challenged. Instead of retiring, more people are choosing to stay active and engaged in their work and communities, even as they age. This can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life, as well as greater financial stability.

Ultimately, the future of work is likely to be more flexible, more meaningful, and more focused on personal fulfillment and purpose. By finding your ikigai and staying engaged throughout your life, you can create a career that is both fulfilling and financially rewarding.

Accenture partner Matthew Edwards doing volunteer work while still maintaining his full-time job – unusual for professional partners – enabling him to help nurses in Kenya by designing a training app

In this podcast episode, we speak with Matthew Edwards, a former partner at Accenture who found fulfilment in doing volunteer work while still maintaining his full-time job. Matthew shares how his employer supported him in his early forties to start doing projects in the voluntary sector, like working with nurses in Kenya by designing a training app, and how he continued to pursue this passion on the side of his full-time job.

Matthew also discusses the importance of asking within the organization if there are other ways to do work that are outside of the norm, and how employers can inspire their alumni to volunteer. He shares his unique journey of taking a pay cut to work in the corporate social responsibility function within his company for the last three years of his career at Accenture, and how he now helps start-ups and created a walking and cycling path App to help people explore the battlefields of the First World War.

If you're looking for inspiration on how to use your skills and experience to make a positive impact on society and create a fulfilling and meaningful career in the voluntary sector, then this podcast episode is for you. Join us as we explore the journey of Matthew Edwards and learn how you too can find fulfilment in volunteering.

Finding purpose after losing your dream job

In this episode, we speak with Christina Patterson, a former columnist for The Independent who faced a difficult crossroads when she was made redundant from her dream job. Christina shares her story of grappling with fear, rejection, and failure, and how she ultimately found balance and fulfillment in her life. We discuss the importance of purpose and meaning in life, and how to find joy in unexpected places. Christina also offers practical advice for approaching work and life with resilience and determination. Join us for an inspiring conversation about the power of perseverance and discovering purpose after loss.

 

Christina Patterson - writer, broadcaster, coach, consultant

New book - Outside, the sky is blue - A family memoir

https://christinapatterson.co.uk/

 

‘I felt spat out’ says, Eleanor Mills when made redundant from the Sunday Times. But it opened new doors – and happiness

When Eleanor Mills left the Sunday Times she’d worked for for 23 years, she felt like she’d been pushed off a roof. Who was she without the big job that had given her a cloak of power? It was only when someone said “Change is difficult, but you’ll be alright” that she started to relax.  She says, “It’s like the tide going out, sometimes there will be a big wave which knocks you over but the general direction will be better.” This gave her permission to find it tough. To endure. It was such a relief. After a lot of thinking and talking she decided to be the change she wanted to see in the world. Noon was born out of her desire to help women find a new path through midlife and beyond, to change the narrative. 

Midlife is when those dreams we had when we were young – but put aside to earn a living or raise a family – can finally be revisited. It’s never too late to be what you wanted to be.

Eleanor Mills is an award-winning editor, writer and broadcaster. She worked for The Sunday Times for 23 years as Editorial Director, Editor of The Sunday Times Magazine, and as a columnist and interviewer (interrogating everyone from Mikhail Gorbachev to Sheryl Sandberg and Theresa May). As Chair of Women in Journalism (2014 – 2021) she argued that the media must be a true mirror, not a distorting lens, which is what happens if decision makers are not diverse. She is a trustee of the Society of Editors, a board member of Reporters Sans Frontiers and her publications include Cupcakes and Kalashnikovs: 100 Years of the Best Journalism by Women, published by Hachette. She is working on her first novel and lives in London with her husband and two teenage daughters.

www.noon.org.uk

Strap in for the roller coaster career and life of Ande Lyons, particularly after she reached 50!

Strap in for the roller coaster career and life of Ande Lyons! Ande is the epitome of tenacity, a life-long entrepreneur, learner and problem solver. Here we discover more about Ande’s career path, in particular after turning 50+. How she learnt to create an online presence and the importance of being visible at all stages in life. With 200+ episodes of her livestream show under her belt, what could possibly be next on Ande’s radar?

A holiday led corporate sales director Michelle to early unretirement

Michelle was prompted to make a life changing decision at the peak of her corporate career - albeit unintentionally. Join us as she talks about her story, 5 years into this new journey.

Michelle weathered through Covid by involving herself with a charity for the elderly in her community; only to come through the other side as one of the youngest trustees on the board!

Still only in her early fifties, Michelle believes in life-long learning and doesn't see herself retiring.

Michelle acknowledges she is highly motivated and unafraid of change, which has helped her navigate her own path, fuelled by a desire to be driven by her values and priorities.

 

AI, data privacy and cyber security – Lord Tim Clement-Jones brings experience to these debates

Former lawyer Lord Tim Clement Jones now chairs big tech debates in House of Lords; chairs a university Council and is active on autism and cancer issues. In his 70s, he believes unretirement is a mix of strategy and opportunities.

“You have to stay involved across generations. It’s what keeps you young and with a lively interest – it prevents you becoming mouldy in retirement!”

From funeral to celebrant with Amanda Wheal

A series of bereavements inspired Amanda Wheal to become a celebrant after 30 years of teaching

After a long teaching career, Amanda Wheal took what her friends called a ‘brave’ step and trained as a celebrant. She had to learn about the business side too, which was challenging. But she has never enjoyed life so much. If you are looking for ideas after retirement, Amanda could inspire you too.

The former secondary school teacher, from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, says: ‘I was getting a bit disen­chanted with teaching and was thinking about retiring when my brother died unexpectedly.

‘I was very involved in the funeral and we had an incredible celebrant. I just thought that was something l’ll really like to do.’

After completing her training while continuing to work as a teacher, Amanda estab­lished her business in 2020 and has now won awards for her work.

'I didn’t plan to retire as early as I did but, once I had completed my training, I was so keen to get started that I just went for it,’ she says.

‘I've had the most wonderful two years, it’s just been incredible.’

 

Journalist Peter Davenport travelled the world on top stories. Now in his 70s, he’s on Instagram with his Italian jackets and ties!

International journalist Peter Davenport met Hollywood icons Fred Astaire to John Wayne and Omar Sharif; was with the Royal Navy on HMS Illustrious in the Indian Ocean, flew to the Falklands with the RAF and was at Bloody Sunday in Londonderry. Moving to the ‘dark side’ of PR he started and built PR consultancies and now shares his experiences as a speaker. Author of two books and manager of a teenage rock band, Peter is still young at heart and enjoying life. Always a stylish dresser, he didn’t resort to meeting in pyjamas in Covid! Instead he started sharing his love of clothes on Instagram: @peterd67. Peter is a great example to us all – joyous and positive, trying new things and living life to the full!

Dr Angela Herbert MBE marked her 61st birthday by launching Made on Purpose with a focus on girls and women

Dr Angela Herbert MBE began a career in the Criminal Justice System over 37 years ago; first volunteering for 13 years in a young offenders’ institution and then working at a senior level in a London Prison before transferring to Prison Service policy in the Ministry of Justice.

Education and skills in prison and institutions is a key area of interest for Angela since people of African Heritage are consistently and disproportionately represented.

In April 2021, Angela marked her 61st birthday by launching Made on Purpose with a focus on girls and women. Her extensive career in criminal justice focused predominantly on men. Having survived and successfully navigated exceptional challenges as a woman of African Heritage, personally and professionally, she uses art to convey messages of hope. She defiantly, fist-pumps the sky with grit and determination to 'be'.

Made on Purpose aids others to consider their lived experiences as resources and stepping-stones to fulfil their unique life purpose. This is achieved through coaching, mentoring, training, public motivational speaking, written materials, webinars, podcasts, philanthropic activities, and charitable giving.

She published a book of 100 re-affirmations Another day to be... 100 re-affirmations to inspire (2021). 100% of profits from this range will be gifted to women's charities in the UK, Africa and Barbados, making positive use of the triangular trade route!

Lend your support by visiting Madeonpurpose.org