Walking into Retirement
‘Walking into Retirement’ explores the emotional, psychological, and practical realities of modern retirement through a series of reflective conversations undertaken while walking scenic routes across the UK.
Retirement today is no longer a clear-cut ending to working life, and for many professionals, it is an uncertain transition marked by loss of identity, fear of stopping, questions of purpose, and the challenge of balancing enjoyment of life with planning for a (hopeful) long future.
‘Walking into Retirement’ will address this transition, head on, in a fresh and engaging way.
The authors will undertake a series of walks across the UK, coastal paths, countryside trails, and other familiar UK landscapes, and using walking as both a literal framework and a metaphor for change they will talk: honestly, humorously, and thoughtfully about what retirement now means, why it differs so much from previous generations, and how people can move into it deliberately rather than abruptly.
They will share their similar and yet very different approaches and plans for this new period in their lives and speak openly about their hopes and their fears.
The walks themselves will also be outlined to paint a picture for the readers.
Episodes
17 episodes
#17 - Retirement: Finding your new identity
What happens when the career that shaped your identity, your routine and your relationships suddenly comes to an end? In this episode of Walking Into Retirement, Peter and DAS are joined by Louise from Australia to explore ...
#16 - Wisdom - Getting Older, Getting Wiser? - The Walk that never was
What actually makes us wise? Is it simply getting older and collecting a few more scars, stories and questionable decisions along the way? In this episode of Walking Into Retirement, Peter Taylor and DAS take a ...
#15 - Availability - Who is going to tell me I'm doing a good job
What happens when retirement is still several years away, but you start imagining life without work? In this episode, Chris shares her hopes, concerns and expectations, from more time for travel, volunteering and family, to the unex...
#14 - Moments - When achievement stops being the point - Thames Source and the Sapperton Tunnel
Did he fall over or was it a fall?DAS explains his personal sporting injury which becomes a surprisingly powerful moment of reflection. Rather than focusing on the fact that he fell, DAS reflects on how lucky he was not to be seriously i...
#13 - Lighter - Finding contentment and comfort
In this episode, Peter and DAS, with their guest Jill, reflect on the power of roots, family, and what it means to move through life's transitions. From generations who were born, baptised and buried in the same village church to parents who le...
#12 - Time - When every day is a Saturday - Wales Coast Path Chepstow
If every day is now like a Saturday where does the structure come from and is it important anyway?Peter and DAS go for a walk, get lost, and discover the perfect metaphor for the state of elderescence.They further explore the para...
#11 - Transition - Embracing opportunity and taking control
Three years after leaving corporate life, this episode reflects on the journey our guest, David, made taking back control and embracing the opportunity for continuous growth. It explores the power of defining how you want to feel ra...
#10 - Community - The importance of belonging - Symonds Yat/River Wye
In this episode, during a hot sunny walk along the beautiful river Wye at Symonds Yat, Peter and DAS explore community.We are, after all, social creatures and the value of community through work is something other guests on the podcast h...
#9 - Long Tail - When retirement is a gradual process over years
Exploring, with their guest, Dave Achtemichuk, the long glide path to the point of actual retirement.Peter shares some more statistics and DAS compliments his old boss on his golf handicap.But more importantly the conversation exp...
#8 Opportunity - A personal experience - Oxford Canal and the Thames
This episode, with a very flat walk along the Oxford canal and river Thames, chosen by Peter, is very much about Peter and his personal experience of the whole elderescence world.Echoing many of the lessons from earlier podcast guests bu...
#7 Returning - When going back to work is a post-retirement option
After a busy, perhaps pressurised, work life then retirement can be seen as the perfect solution.But what drives so many people to return to work, or some form of work?Peter and DAS are joined by their latest guest, Dean Sto...
#6 Positivity - The many potential benefits of retirement - Pen Y Fan
Whilst ascending a physical and metaphorical mountain DAS and Peter discuss the many benefits of a future state of retirement that can strengthen relationships by allowing more quality time with family, friends, and community.They also e...
#5 Identity - The impact of losing career-based structure that often defines a person
For many people their career is a big part of how they define themselves, so what happens when that 'identity' through work is no longer there?DAS and Peter are joined by Sadie Wackett to explore this topic as part of the ongoing elderes...
#4 Hidden Challenges in retirement after a full-on career - The Cotswolds Way, Broadway
Exploring why stopping can be more difficult than expected when on the cusp of retirement.With a backdrop of the wonderful Cotswold landscape and Broadway, and with metaphors galore, Peter and DAS discuss what makes 'stopping' challengin...
#3 Forced Retirement - A discussion about grief when the choice is made for you
They say that life is what happens to you whilst you are busy making other plans and in this episode, our first guest podcast, Sally MacQueen joins Peter and DAS to discussion the impact of when retirement is more forced upon you rather somethi...
#2 Elderescence - The Malvern Hills
In which the dynamic duo head to the Malvern Hills, for a challenging walk, and DAS creates a new word in an effort to get something off his chest about the word 'retirement'.Peter goes public on his lack of love for all things JR Tolkie...
#1 An Introduction - Some ideas behind 'Walking into Retirement'
Retirement today is no longer a clear-cut ending to working life, and for many professionals, it is an uncertain transition marked by loss of identity, fear of stopping, questions of purpose, and the challenge of balancing enjoyment of life wit...
