Graduating From Work: What's Next? With Joe Sumekh

Graduating From Work: What's Next? With Joe Sumekh

What happens when work ends—who are you then? In this episode of Fifteen Minutes with Amy and Faith, we’re joined by life coach Joe Sumekh, who challenges the idea of “retirement” and introduces a more empowering concept: graduating from work. Together, we explore what it means to step into your next chapter with purpose, how to reconnect with yourself after years of responsibility, and why this stage of life can be the most meaningful yet. If you’ve ever wondered “what’s next?”—this conversation is for you. 00:00 Welcome to Fifteen Minutes with Amy and Faith 00:06 Breathing exercise 00:50 Introducing Joe Sumekh 01:46 What does “graduating from work” mean? 03:49 Taking lessons into your next chapter 04:20 Finding purpose after work 05:43 A lifelong search for meaning 07:20 Why purpose can feel hard to find 08:22 Teaching your kids through how you live 09:31 Fear of “what’s next” 10:19 Modeling passion for your children 11:37 Reacquainting yourself with YOU 12:29 Living vs. existing 13:08 Being present and creating “magic” 14:19 What legacy looks like 15:23 Fulfillment through reflection 16:09 Listener invitation + future conversations 17:03 This stage of life for Gen X 17:49 Joe’s message: “Life is good when…”

The Menopause Talk We Never Had: From Foggy To Focused

Menopause is more than hot flashes—and for many of us, it’s a conversation we never had. In this episode, Joyce McCall shares what’s really happening during midlife, from brain fog and fatigue to emotional shifts that can leave women feeling unseen and uncertain. But this stage isn’t about losing yourself—it’s about finding a new way forward. With her three pillars—Recovery, Regulation, and Fuel—Joyce offers simple, practical ways to support your body, restore your energy, and move from foggy to focused.  Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple PodcastsMenopause is more than hot flashes—and for many of us, it’s a conversation we never had. In this episode, Joyce McCall shares what’s really happening during midlife, from brain fog and fatigue to emotional shifts that can leave women feeling unseen and uncertain. But this stage isn’t about losing yourself—it’s about finding a new way forward. With her three pillars—Recovery, Regulation, and Fuel—Joyce offers simple, practical ways to support your body, restore your energy, and move from foggy to focused.  Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts

Decision Fatigue: Why You’re Stuck and How to Move Forward | Fifteen Minutes with Amy and Faith

Ever feel overwhelmed by even the smallest decisions? In this episode of Fifteen Minutes with Amy and Faith, we sit down with executive coach Joyce Heckman to talk about decision fatigue — what it is, why it happens, and how it shows up in everyday life. From choosing what to wear to making bigger life decisions like career moves or retirement, the constant pressure to make the “right” choice can leave us stuck. Joyce shares how building her own website brought this into focus — and how stepping back, letting go of perfection, and asking better questions can help you move forward. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next… this conversation is for you.

What Do You Do After You “Graduate From Work”? | With Ed Schollmeyer

What happens after a long career finally ends? In this episode of 15 Minutes with Amy and Faith, we launch our new series exploring the question many people eventually face: What do you do after you “graduate from work”? Our guest, Ed Schollmeyer, recently retired after a 33-year career at Fidelity. Instead of trying to recreate a traditional full-time role, Ed began exploring new ways to stay engaged, purposeful, and connected. Today he serves as an adjunct college professor, mentoring students and sharing real-world insights from decades in the financial industry. In this conversation we talk about: • The emotional side of leaving a long career • Why retirement doesn’t have to mean stopping work completely • Taking small steps toward what interests you • Finding purpose through mentoring and teaching • Redefining work and balance in the next stage of life If you’re thinking about retirement, a career transition, or simply wondering what comes next, this conversation will get you thinking. And remember…tell your bestie. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to 15 Minutes with Amy and Faith 00:06 Breathing exercise 00:40 Starting the series: Graduating From Work 01:00 Meet Ed Schollmeier 02:30 The first feeling after retiring 03:50 Why retirement decisions happen in small steps 06:00 Finding purpose after a long career 07:20 How mentoring led to teaching 12:00 The best part of teaching students 15:00 Advice for people graduating from work 18:40 Setting boundaries in the next stage of life 20:00 How retirement changes your perspective 21:40 You don’t need a full-time “next act” 23:00 Final thoughts and takeaway 24:15 Tell your bestie

Seeing the Signs of Spring Leading to Cleaning & Decluttering | A Gen X Conversation

Spring is arriving — the birds are back, the days are getting longer, and sunlight is suddenly streaming through the windows. And with it comes a familiar realization: it might be time to clean and declutter. In this episode of Fifteen Minutes with Amy and Faith, we talk about the signs of spring and why this season naturally leads to the urge to reset our homes and our routines. From sunlight revealing the dust we ignored all winter to deciding what to keep, what to let go of, and why we should finally start using our “good stuff,” this conversation explores the emotional side of decluttering that many Gen Xers are experiencing right now. We also talk about: • Why longer days trigger the spring cleaning instinct • Letting go of things we’ve accumulated over the years • The challenge of inheriting family items and collections • How to decide what to keep and what to release • Why it may be time to start using the things we’ve been saving Sometimes the signs of spring don’t just change the season — they change how we look at our homes and the things we hold onto.