Anne Del Core Interview: TV Exec Turns Professional Artist
Diana Landau | June 09, 2026
This month’s guest has harnessed the power of reinvention quite literally. Anne Del Core was an experienced TV Exec before decided to pivot to an entirely new path. She is now an innovative and award-winning artist, specializing in glass mosaics. “It’s really a metaphor for life—I love the process of breaking something and putting it back together in a whole new way,” she says.
Anne grew up in small town in Western Maryland with her parents and four brothers. Her father and mother were college professors. Anne knew she always wanted to be a television reporter and landed the job while still in college. After college, Anne started her career as a reporter and quickly realized it was more lucrative to become a salesperson for a television station. She worked her way to a General Sales Manager position with WKRT-TV in Norfolk, VA as part of a larger network owned by the New York Times. “I was appreciative of the career I did have and was afforded lots of opportunities and training,” she says.
She had her first retirement when she stayed home to raise her three children. Her husband was a Radio Exec and the family moved quite a bit, including from Austin to Atlanta to Sacramento. As her kids grew older, she started delving into her own interests. Some neighbors invited her to make mosaics in their garage and took her to a glass store. “It (the art) just sparked something in me. I fell in love with the material.” Then a photographer friend encouraged her further so she started making and selling pieces, which led to a website and commissioned work. Now well-connected within her art community, Anne’s pieces often sell for high price tags. “It was a slow build-up….I gained confidence….these touchpoints changed my life.”
Anne now says she embraces the title of “Artist” full-on. Her work is featured in galleries and auctions and she's about to introduce a new themed series of work. “I found something that gives me joy, even keeps me up at night—sometimes I’m thinking about what I want to do the next day, I think how fortunate I am that I found something that I can do for the rest of my life, that I want to do, and I’m producing something!”
Anne’s (Un)Retirement Tips:
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Creativity zone: "Often my husband comes home after work and I'm still in the studio and I'm really in the mode of cutting this piece the right way and get these last pieces in before dinner. I have embraced a new "Dinner Can Wait" philosophy. He's very supportive and I appreciate that."
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You don’t have to do everything yourself: “It’s about being resourceful. We’ve all had experiences in this life that have brought us to this moment and using resources is key at this point (in life) so you’re doing what you want to do.”
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Expect the unexpected: “So in trying something, you don’t have to be good at it or excel right away, but I think if you try something and it leads you down a path in a certain direction, follow that. If it doesn’t work out, you can try something else. I love the concept of reinventing!”
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" blog.
Mitch Slater Interview: From Broadcast Producer to Advisor to Digital Creator
Diana Landau | March 10, 2026
It’s more about re"wiring” than retiring, Carl’s guest tells us. Appearing on CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox Business and other major network’s, Mitch Slater is the host and producer of UBS-TV, where he interviews advisors, industry leaders and innovators helping to shape the future of the financial advisory biz. In his first career, Mitch hosted popular radio shows, and eventually became a producer for the Larry King Show. Larry urged Mitch to go to LA, and he worked on shows like Love Connection, Love Boat and others. (You'll have to listen to the episode to hear more—Mitch has stories!) Mitch then pivoted to success in the financial world for decades. And now, he’s combined all his skills and experience for an impressive third act.
Mitch grew up in Springfield, NJ not far from NYC. He loved acting and piano from an early age and grew up always wanting to be on the stage. As a teen he attended a theater program that included notable actors as teachers including Charlton Heston. “It taught us to be serious about acting and the craft,” Mitch says. In college he performed, DJ’d and interned wherever he could. “I’m an ‘out there’ person—I’m more comfortable on stage then off.”
Before graduating college, Mitch found the school's radio station and called it his home. While interning for another radio show, a twist of fate resulted in getting the chance to work on the air with Howard Stern. And while working on the Charlie Rose show, Mitch jumped at an opportunity to have a brief moment with Larry King and ask for career advice. They ended up having a 4-hour lunch which led to Mitch becoming a producer for Larry’s show. “I put myself into opportunities that never really would have happened but I took the risks.” Mitch says. “Overnight I was getting to work with childhood heroes like astronauts, Frank Sinatra, baseball stars, you name it.”
In the late 1980’s, he got engaged and looked for a more lucrative career. At his father’s urging he shifted to becoming a financial advisor and built a decades-long successful career. “It gave me a lifestyle I never would have dreamed. The financial business is really about relationships and I loved that part of it.”
Today, Mitch as truly come full-circle, combining his passions for radio and television with his experience in the financial world. He is the Executive Director of Digital Communications for UBS National Sales. He helps thousands master the art of telling their story on-camera, on podcasts and social media. He hosts and produces programs across UBS-TV, including UBS Front and Center. Mitch has been married for 38 years to his wife, Leslie, an editor at TIME and they have two children. Mitch says, “I’ve never been happier!”
Mitch Slater’s (un)retirement advice on reinventing yourself:
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Career choices: “Be different, Don’t do what everyone else is doing. Humanize it. Stay open to learning!”
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Reinvention: “It wasn’t so much about starting over, but reapplying all these decades of experience into a new format that kinda fits who I am today. I didn't abandon my last 35 years, I just translated it.”
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Tech/Media: “You don't have to choose the trends, you just have to be open to hearing about them. And that’s going to keep you relevant.”
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Support: “Just like in sports, everybody needs a coach. Seek those coaches out!”
• I Used to be Somebody World Tour Croatia
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" blog.
Kevin Blake Interview: Mystifying Second Act as an Illusionist
Diana Landau | December 09, 2025
Carl is amazed when he interviews the one and only Kevin Blake. Kevin is different from most of our podcast guests in that he is only in his 30’s. But he definitely took a big risk to dive into his very successful second act and he shares what he learned with the rest of us. Kevin is a former marketing exec who left a successful career to follow his dream of becoming a magician/illusionist/mentalist. He now has a wildly popular show in San Francisco at the Palace Theater.
Kevin grew up in suburban Sacramento, CA. A big part of his childhood was spent going to swim practice and becoming a star swimmer in high school and the collegiate level (He would later go on to swim in the Trials for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics!)
After college and a degree in Psychological and Brain Science, Kevin landed at Wells Fargo and pretty quickly felt he wanted something different. Walking around one day in SF he saw a sign for a “Creative Agency” and knew he would rather be following a much more creative path. As a marketing exec, he created brand identities through digital, print, motion and video for big brands such as Lagunitas Brewing Company, Duraflame, JanSport Backpacks, Intel, and more.
While Kevin enjoyed that career, he always had a passion for magic and performing shows. He developed a side gig of online magic shows for companies all the while honing his craft. The pandemic actually became a big new opportunity for him. “I was making more (money) in two months than I was making for my yearly salary.” (You'll have to listen to the podcast to learn more about that!) “It gave me the freedom to be able to quit,” he tells us. He decided to go for it and work in magic full-time. His family and friends were nervous for him and supportive. “Nervous? Yes. But I was confident.”
Kevin has performed and has competed on a national level -- America's Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool Us. Now he performs for sold-out, live magic shows at the Palace Theater as well as for corporate business events. “I’m lucky I have a marketing background so I can sell tickets and promote my business,” he adds. When not performing, Kevin is constantly working on his show, and also spending time with his family. And yes, he’s still swimming.
Kevin Blake, on beginning a Second Act:
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“Your time is open. What do you do with that time? We all have to fill our time with things that create meaning for us.”
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“If you've always had a passion sitting in the back of your mind, try it as a side gig. Go for it, try it, experiment and see what you find. The only thing that can happen is that you'll learn a lot.”
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“If it (second act) was really, really comfortable I wouldn't have that same fire to hustle!”
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“Finding or creating your own small network of people who do what you do is critical.”
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" blog.
David Johnson Interview: The King of Pickleball Industry Begins His Second Act
Diana Landau | August 12, 2025
Carl is excited to interview David Johnson, an internationally recognized pioneer and leader in the pickleball industry. He co-founded Pickleball Central in 2006 with his wife Anna Copley at the dawn of the modern day pickleball renaissance. He built the company into the largest pickleball retailer and led the acquisition of Pickleball Tournaments and Pickleball Inc. while leading Pickleball Central to tens millions of dollars in sales annually before selling the company to Dundan Capital, owner and operator of the PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball, Pickleball Brackets and other related companies. And David has found new ways to give back to the industry in his (un)retirement.
David had an adventure-filled childhood, born in North Dakota and then living in Copenhagen, Denmark for 4 years. His father was a Lutheran pastor and his family traveled extensively while David was growing up. Right after graduating college in Seattle, David formed a software consulting business with partner and then launched Pinnacle Publishing in the early 1980's. (Seeing a serial-entrepreneur pattern yet?)
David has launched at least 7 different companies, everything from software to publishing to online funeral planning. But he saw a BIG opportunity with Pickleball. He and his wife, Anna, first started with a website selling t-shirts and merchandise, then pickleball equipment and the business took off. Sales soared to $40 million annually at Pickleball Central and eventually David and Anna decided to sell the company.
Carl asks about the stress of the transition. "When we sold, Anna retired immediately. I stayed on for a year and then retired. I took a full 8 months where I didn't do anything pickleball-related. But I started feeling a little antsy." So, David decided to do some consulting involving developing pickleball facilities, which led to him forming the International Association of Pickleball Facilities (IAPF). His team advises businesses and cities on building facilities. They've created a conference and trade show and also publish a magazine, "The Business of Pickleball" and more. David says they help their clients understand building requirements, develop programming, avoid mistakes and take that next important step--build a sense of community within a pickleball facility. "So when people come to play, they have a great time!" he emphasizes. When David isn't working in his new pickleball (ad)ventures, he spends time with his family in Seattle and yes, plays some pickleball.
David Johnson's (un)retirement advice:
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"I think (un)retirement can be more successful if you make sure you have some accountability that you apply to what you're doing. I found in the 8 months when I wasn't doing anything that I got bored. I didn't feel like I was accountable to do anything useful. Give yourself some structure, some accountability."
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"Focus on the things you enjoy and just look for opportunities. It might be advising smaller businesses that are just getting started as a way to expose yourself to other opportunities out there. On LinkedIn you can get some really good intel on an industry you're interested in."
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"I was sort of a behind-the-scenes guy. I am not fond of listening to my own voice. To get out of my comfort zone, I've really tried to work on in the last years or so, to be more public and forward-facing. I've moderated a number of panels in the industry and we're doing videos. I've got to push myself. Practice is the way to do that and get comfortable."
• I Used to be Somebody World Tour: Croatia
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" blog
My 6 Best (Un)Retirement Decisions
Carl Landau | February 10, 2024
I'm currently starting my 4th year of what we call (Un)Retirement. And maybe I've learned a thing or two I can share to help you...
Actually do it and retire! I thought about it many times. Exactly when should I cut the cord and stop working the crazy hours and dealing with the pressure of running my own business for 40+ years? The best advice I give people about (Un)Retirement is do it sooner rather than later. I wish I had sold/quit 5 years earlier. The last couple of work years were a drag on my mind, body and spirit. And I didn't realize it until I stopped.
Hire a pro to create a financial plan. The reason I felt comfortable in stopping the job/career is that I had been working with a great financial planner for several years in anticipation of the change. That person is Ian Castille at Capital Advantage and I consider him a good friend at this point.
I talk to so many people that have/had successful careers and have created wealth that they manage themselves. Or at least they try. This is crazy. What do you truly know about the financial market? I'd rather pay someone that studies the market all day to make my decisions. I sleep so much better at night because of this.
Avoid the temptation to go back! You are an expert with experience and it's so tempting to go back. I was in the live event biz for the past 20 years. I know that business back and forth and have seen so many opportunities to return. But, every time I return to my senses (also with the wise counsel of my wife Diana who had to put up with my totally-consumed-working-self for many years). Now I focus on where I'm going!
Do something new. Use the skills you already have, except in a new way. After working for decades, we all have developed incredible insights into organization, management, writing or whatever. Just use that toolbox in some new and cool endeavor.
Hire someone to do the shit you don't like to do or aren't good at. When I first was launching our podcast and newsletter I was going to hire an assistant. But my friend Bekah said I should consider hiring a virtual assistant company. I did that 3+ years ago. I hired a company Monkey Creative. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. No employees for me to worry about and I only pay for what I need done. I get to do the writing and they handle the graphics, e-marketing and all the other stuff I don't want to do/not good at.
Just start and see what happens. I didn't have a plan beyond starting the I Used to be Somebody podcast and newsletter. Then I took a leap of faith. Perhaps it would lead to something else? It lead to me interviewing 80 incredible people that I would never have met in a million years. Many I now consider my friends. The podcast and some pickleball talk led to Diana and I co-authoring (with our instructor and friends Mo and Reine) the Amazon best-seller, Pickleball for dummies. Most recently, my new path has led to leading vacation tours around the world for our podcast audience. You never know...
