This month Carl chats with Jed Smith, a former top marketing exec who worked with brands all over the country, including Athleta, where he was the Senior Creative Director, before making his next big move 10 years ago--to Italy. Jed has embraced (un)retirement as a very accomplished artist and photographer. He is also the author of the recently released book "Under the Oak with Agnes." 

Jed spent his growing up years in Columbia, South Carolina. His father was a nuclear engineer and his mother was an artist and art teacher. "She really brought out my love of art and expression......I am so grateful for that."  As a teen in Clemson, Jed says he didn't feel confident then and wasn't sure about his place in the world. Everything came together for him in college when he entered University of Georgia's School of Graphic Design.

Jed studied art abroad during college in Cortona, Italy. "I wasn't prepared for how it blew me away!" Living in Italy ignited a hunger in him to one day live in a different country and culture. Through his career, Jed lived in 15 U.S. states. (He adds that his mother always said he was restless.)  Years ago, Jed was working on a photo shoot in Italy for Athleta and stayed longer for vacation. Soon he was touring properties with a real estate agent. He'd just sold his home in San Francisco and he decided to buy a home in Italy. 

Jed has embraced his (un)retirement life in Italy. In addition to becoming an author, Jed blogs regularly on his Italywise.com about making the transition to living in a new country and wants to help others with adapting to a new culture and language. He also recently launched a new standalone website, Jedsmithart.com for his incredible paintings and photography. "Wake up every day and remember that your ability to create is without limit," he says.

Now 67 and living on the Italian coast, Jed is on the move again--this time to Ragusa, Sicily. "With everything I've learned, it's important to surrender. Show up, do your best, tell the truth and then let go of the outcome!" 

Jed Smith's tips on making the leap to a new country and culture:

• "Americans don't often understand the flipside of immigration. You can't just waltz into another country. Research and plan as you begin to navigate the process."

• "Be careful how you balance the romantic side of your dream with the practical realities."

• "Without a command of the language, your experience will be so limited."

• "My pet peeve: Don't try to pack up your culture and move, only leaning into what's familiar."

• "If you're not feeling a little nervous, you're not taking the committed leap! Demonstrate to the universe that you are serious about the step you're taking."

• More about Jed Smith

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage

• Sponsored by Mike Ownbey, COMPASS 

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die

• I Used to be Somebody World Tour: First Stop -- Tuscany

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.

Tags:    Blog   Carl Landau   Jed Smith   Artist   Unretirement   I Used To Be Somebody   Italy   Marketing   Executive   passion  

Carl interviews Robin Pajaro, a former head chef for Ritz Carlton, a private chef on yachts, a hypnotherapist, owner of Coco’s Cocktail Caravan and so much more. What’s important to know about Robin is she embraces change and is unafraid to try new endeavors—which is why she seems to be successful at whatever she sets out to do.

FUN FACT: Robin’s mother was the first Alice in Wonderland at Disneyland. She became Walt Disney’s stewardess on his private jet and was there when they found that Florida property. To learn more about some of Walt’s eccentricities and the secret Club 33, you'll have to listen to the podcast!

Robin grew up in Laguna Beach, an only child to a single mother. Her mother was a big exec at Kodak who loved to cook and entertain. “I really owe a lot to her for my love of cooking and entertaining,” Robin says, “she always included me in it. Cooking eventually became my passion and I took it a step further.” Robin says she was a rebellious, adventurous teen that managed to stay out of trouble. At age 19 in community college, she was in a serious car accident and lost her short-term memory for months. The struggle to get back to normal made her think, “Maybe there’s something bigger out there for me.”

She jumped at an opportunity to go to South Africa for 3 months. “It was a special time (in South Africa),” she says. “Nelson Mandela had just been released from prison and it was great to see all the change happen.”  Three years later, after backpacking all over the continent with friends, Robin took a job in Boston aboard a private yacht with the hopes of attending culinary school. “I just winged it,” she laughs. She says the family was very kind and the job was fun. Then she attended culinary school in Pasadena, closer to home.

Robin interned for Ritz Carlton and eventually became head chef at their Laguna Niguel property. It was the 1990’s, the pay was not so great and the field was entirely male-dominated. She worked hard to be respected and tells us she felt like a pioneer for women in her industry. Later, when she met her husband, she left the chef-world to become a mother, raising two daughters. But she never really stopped working, trying on completely new ventures—including a time as a certified hypnotherapist, adolescent alcohol and drug counselor, competing in a triathlon, even a stint as pastry chef at a doggie bakery.

While working at the doggie bakery, she re-discovered her passion for cooking. “Doing that creative work again and having full control of it really reminded me how much I loved cooking. I asked, "Now that I have my passion back, what do I want to do?” She became interested in mobile-entertaining and the possibility of working with so many different kinds of people intrigued her. Robin and her husband found a gutted out 1970’s retro trailer and after some remodeling and planning launched “Coco’s Cocktail Caravan.” “I love this business, seeing people’s faces light up. And it’s so much fun—we’ve done Barks & Brews for a good cause, weddings, business openings, even a disco party!”

 Robin’s (Un)retirement Tips:

• “Figure out what you don't want to do, that’s half the trouble.” 

• “Finding your passion (or rediscovering it in some way, like I did), and being 100% confident in your expertise, you can’t fail. Just take the leap!”

• “When you're in your joy, your bliss --and making money too, what more do you want?!”

• Learn more about Robin Pajaro
• Sponsored by LoveMyHeartStudy.com
• Sponsored by Capital Advantage

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   unretirement   robin pajaro   chef   hypnotherapy   embracing change   passions  

In Episode 2 of our I Used to Be Somebody podcast, Carl talks with best-selling novelist Moira McGarvey Black. Right away her energy and joy for life are apparent. It’s all about changing careers without fear no matter how old you are—and never looking back.

After a lucrative sales career with Conde Nast in NYC, (working for GQ, Allure, Lucky, etc.) she jumped on board a division called Conde.net. The Internet was new and she recognized it as a game-changer, becoming their National Sales Director. Moira then pivoted, becoming an executive recruiter so she could work from home when her children were young. She tells Carl a secret to her success has always been to make choices that serve your purpose.

Ten years later, McGarvey Black decided to pursue her passion and a new career as a writer.  She had always loved writing and had been writing for herself. She would write, show her husband and then put it away in a drawer.  Moira eventually realized she could just go for it. Three best-selling novels later, (psychological thrillers about searching for the real truth), Moira’s fourth novel is a romantic comedy—more proof about her drive to do new things. She is working on fifth and sixth novels now. 

3 key takeaways from Episode 2 with Moira McGarvey Black: 

1. Keep your goals realistic and attainable. If you are 65 years old, becoming a Bolshoi ballerina would not be realistic. Think about what talents and skills you have honed throughout the years that could be an advantage in some new way.

2. Whenever you try something new, expect rejection and then keep going. Moira still has the 177 rejection letter she received when trying to publish her first book. “The ones who succeed are the ones who don’t give up.”

3. Pay attention to the “whispers.” (From the Maya Angelou quote “Let choice whisper in your ear and love murmur in your heart. Be ready. Here comes life.”)

Moira puts it best: “I just want to keep going and doing new things!” This is exactly what living the good life in (un)retirement is all about.

For the full interview, listen to I Used to be Somebody, episode #2 with Moira McGarvey Black. For listening details go to our website!

To learn more about Moira, visit her website!

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   moira mcgarvey black   best selling   bestselling author   passion   episodes