I'm not quite sure why I paused to reach out when we produced our 30th episode of I Used to be Somebody. The facts are that just a small percent of new podcasts actually hit 30 episodes. But I guess it's just that I'm having so much fun, our guests so inspire me, (and hopefully you!) and I'm happy to celebrate them! I'm happy to celebrate anything after the year we all just had.

Each week we get pretty attached to each guest. You really get a pretty good sense of who they are, what they've accomplished and what unretirement looks like for them. So I contacted our previous podcast guests and here's some of updates about what they're doing right now....

If you've accomplished something really cool, please let me know and we can share in future newsletters: podcast@pickleballmediahq.com

#1 Joe Pulizzi

"Well, as you know, I can't stay in retirement. New book launching May 25th Content Inc. and just launched the new media business for content entrepreneurs, The Tilt."

#2 Moira McGarvey Black

"My fourth book, a romantic comedy, came out this past February —  Love On The Line — and I have a new thriller out on May 28 called A Text Before Dying, which is book #5."

#7 Jim Roddy

"I’ve launched a Walk-On Method Workshop that has generated tons of positive feedback from attendees of all ages – executives to staff to students about to enter the professional world. I was also named one of the world’s Top 100 Retail Influencers and named a Leading CannaTech Influencer."

#10 Debb McColloch

"I continue to serve on my various Boards: Neighborhood Gardens Trust had a very successful fundraising campaign called Dig Deeper; Community Ventures completed an affordable housing development and won a Blue Ribbon Award.  I also learned a cool new quilting technique called Jelly Roll!"

#11 Mark Shaiken

"I have finished my next book, a bankruptcy law mystery called: “Fresh Start” which should be out the last part of June. I have started my next book, another bankruptcy law mystery called “Automatic Stay.” So, keeping busy in my new life!"

#14 Richard Haiduck

"New adventures include relocating to Pacific Grove, and also launching the audiobook version of Shifting Gears; 50 Baby Boomers Share Their Meaningful Journeys in Retirement."

#18 Val Haller

"Hooray! Live music is coming back and I can't wait to get in front of those stages again; I'm getting tickets to make up for a year's worth of sitting at home.  And I'm excited to announce that we're bringing back our Winnetka Music Festival (N. Shore of Chicago) on Sept 11."

#20 Mike Drak

"Since last talking to you I have created a speaking tour, which we are quite excited about and I also hired a triathlon coach to make sure I make the starting line at Ironman Cozumel Nov/2022. I never thought I would pay someone to yell at me - I must be losing it."

#21 Ed Casey 

"I'm very excited to share with you that a lifelong dream was fulfilled since we spoke and my short film, "The Trial and the Tribulations of Sally" was a finalist in the Best Director Film Festival in the UK. Then, we won a Special Jury Award for Editing for "Sally" in the Europe Film Festival - both in April. " 

#24 Caroline Ceniza-Levine

"I am currently on a 4-week road trip – from Jax, FL up to Columbus, OH and then west to NM and CO before heading back to Jax. I’m leading workshops for audiences in Asia and the US and coaching clients as far as the UAE, all while enjoying places I have never been -- proof positive that the digital nomad life is viable at any age."

To learn more about Pickleball Media or subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter go here!

Tags:    the carl diary   unretirement   interview   Joe Pulizzi   Moira McGarvey Black   Jim Roddy   Debb McColloch   Mark Shaiken   Richard Haiduck   Val Haller   Caroline Ceniza-Levine Drak     

There are so many well-meaning people full of advice for you on what to do in retirement. We say don’t retire! Consider doing something new and more meaningful. (Maybe not work 40 hours a week either.) Here’s some wise advice from our I Used to Be Somebody guests on taking the steps toward the (Un)Retirement of your dreams:

“It’s essential to find your new tribe, whether it’s a new organization, golf, etc. You have to get out there. Do not isolate. We need connection, we are social beings.” - Joan Ryan, Sports Journalist and Best-Selling Author

“Your career was your identity. How do you want to redefine your identity now, for yourself and to others? ….Remember that you have a lot to give AND have a lot of experience. You have value!” - Deborah McColloch, Philadelphia’s Former Housing Chief 

“Keep your goals realistic and attainable. Think about what talents and skills you have honed throughout the years that could be an advantage in some new way.” - Moira McGarvey Black, Best-Selling Author

"I knew I wanted to retire to something, not from something." - Mark Shaiken, Award-Winning Photographer

"You will have other goals now and they will be very different. If you’ve been driving hard in your work life for 30-40 years, it’s hard to suddenly slow down. Creating a work life with more fun and less grind takes practice." - Joe Pulizzi, Godfather of Content Marketing

“Do something meaningful that has an impact for people-- that will in turn accelerate their success too.” -  Jim Roddy, Publisher, Author, Speaker

“When you do something new, you have to have a certain amount of patience.” - Barry Pincus, Former COO for NY Yankees, Martha Stewart and others 

“YOU choose what “balance” is and what work you take on. There’s so much to get involved in, you have to decide what you really want for you—first." - Michela O’Connor Abrams, CEO

“We get caught up in the troubles of life—the world, politics, family, etc. Life is short. Make an effort to enjoy it and be fulfilled.” - Richard Turner, Photographer, Poet and Author

“Take any door that opens and walk through it. If you work hard, people will help you to succeed.” - Bob Tuschman, Former Food Network Exec

“Don’t EVER retire! What’s so wonderful about life is that there are so many new surprises; you just have to look for them. “ - Mike Krukow, SF Giants Sports Broadcaster

Diana Landau is the Content Wrangler for Pickleball Media. After 15 years in corporate marketing, in 2012 she pivoted to write and wrangle content for Niche Media's weekly blog. She now manages the “I Used to Be Somebody” weekly blog.

Tags:    blog   retirement   advice   quotes   joan ryan   debb mccolloch   moira mcgarvey black   mark shaiken   joe pulizzi   jim roddy   bary pincus   michaela oconnor abrams   richard turner   bob tuschman   mike krukow  

Carl had the opportunity to catch up with his long-time friend Deborah McColloch -- who he discovers "really was somebody!" So many of us understand the importance of community service and want to do it “some day.” Philadelphia’s Deborah McColloch devoted decades of her career to affordable housing development, at the OHCD (Office of Housing and Community Development.) She is still going strong in (un)retirement, devoting much of her time to serving on Boards that make her community a better place to live. Her career was dedicated, hard work combined with ribbon-cuttings, ground-breakings, a $100 million budget  and a staff of 75 to manage, plus definitely some masterful political maneuvering.

Carl met Deborah back in the 1970’s when both were day camp counselors for the Shaker Recreation Department in Cleveland. They had, in Carl’s words, maybe too much fun? (Carl and Deborah have been long friends and recently reconnected again.) Deborah’s parents were teachers and inspired her commitment. “I have always had this passion for community,’ she says. Her three brothers eventually pursued careers in community service as well.

In 1978 Deborah started as summer intern and eventually worked her way up to OHCD Director , a position appointed by the Mayor. Deborah not only worked with many diverse groups (often with opposing agendas) but also negotiated between the Mayor and the City Council to get things done. It’s a difficult job, and possessing huge amounts of patience is key. “In this field you need to be flexible. You need to like people and like interacting with people. While the rewards may not be monetary, they are soulful.”

Every four years usually meant a different administration and the opportunity to evaluate whether she wanted to keep doing the same work. In 2015, she decided it was time to do something new. “I didn’t have a specific plan, but I had things I definitely wanted to pursue, in addition to my hobbies, like quilting.  Before spending time ticking off items on her bucket list, she took a break. “Go on vacation as soon as you retire. It creates a clear space between work and starting the next thing.” After a 3-week trip to Hawaii, Deborah came back and tackled her bucket list, including attending Philadelphia Phillies' spring trainings, a trip the Grand Canyon, and even singing songs with her daughter on the actual Greek island featured in the movie, “Mama Mia.”

Deborah now serves on an impressive list of community Boards: The Neighborhood Gardens Trust, New Kensington Community Development Corporation, Community Ventures and St. Laurentius School. She is still working hard to create housing and neighborhood services for those in need, as well as urging thoughtful land preservation. Deborah’s three most powerful words to describe this new phase of her life: “Purposeful, creative and….contented!”

 Wise(un)retirement advice from Deborah:

• “It’s important to think about how you want to spend your time, energy and creativity in retirement. Think of ways to contribute without sitting in long boring meetings.”

• “When volunteering, it is very easy to get swept up into doing other people’s grunt work. Be selective. Are they good people who are committed to the community?”

• “It’s a huge life transition to retire (or do something new), like when you become a parent. Your career is your identity. How do you want to redefine your identity now, for yourself and to others?

• “Remember that you have a lot to give AND have a lot of experience. You have value!”

To learn more about Deborah McColloch and one of the many non-profits she works with, go to New Kensington Community Development Corporation: visit their website.

For the full interview, listen to I Used to be Somebody, Episode #10 with Deborah McColloch.

Diana Landau is the Content Wrangler for Pickleball Media. After 15 years in corporate marketing, in 2012 she pivoted to write and wrangle content for Niche Media's weekly blog. She now manages the “I Used to Be Somebody” weekly blog.

Tags:    blog   interview   Debb McColloch   Deborah McColloch   philadelphia   housing   volunteer