The Matt Feret Show

The Psychology of Retirement: Finding Purpose, Identity, and Meaning in Your Third Age

What happens after the career ends? For many people, retirement is supposed to be the reward after decades of hard work. But even financially prepared adults often struggle with the emotional transition away from work. Why? Because retirement is not just a financial decision — it is an identity shift. In this episode of The Matt Feret Show, Matt sits down with Gregg Lunceford, Managing Director and Wealth Advisor at Mesero Wealth Management and author of Exit From Work, to explore the psychology of retirement and what Gregg calls “the third age of life.” Gregg explains why work provides much more than income, including structure, purpose, psychological success, and social connection — and why losing those things can leave retirees feeling lost, anxious, or disconnected even when their finances are secure. My website with more Medicare resources, books, courses, and more: https://prepareformedicare.com I recommend my wife’s Medicare insurance agency, but there’s never any obligation or pressure to work with her team. Here's more information if you're interested: https://brickhouseagency.com The Matt Feret Show is about thriving in midlife, retirement, and beyond. Each week, Matt shares smart conversations on Medicare, Social Security, retirement planning, health, wealth, wellness, caregiving, and life after 50. Explore more episodes and sign up for The Matt Feret Newsletter: TheMattFeretShow.com [https://TheMattFeretShow.com] Need Medicare help? Book a no-obligation consultation: BrickhouseAgency.com [https://BrickhouseAgency.com] Watch full episodes on YouTube: The Matt Feret Show [https://www.youtube.com/@TheMattFeretShow] Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube for more insights on wealth, wisdom, and wellness in retirement. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Retirement Isn’t the End: How to Find Purpose, Community, and Joy After 55

What happens after the job title fades? In this episode of The Matt Feret Show, Matt talks with Andrew Motiwalla, founder of The Good Life Abroad, about rethinking retirement as an opportunity for connection, growth, and purpose. Drawing on 30+ years in travel, Andrew shares how immersive, month-long stays abroad help adults 55+ move beyond traditional tourism into deeper cultural experiences and meaningful community. The conversation explores “joy span”—the idea of extending fulfillment and vitality later in life—along with the challenges of loneliness, identity shifts, and finding direction after full-time work. They also touch on practical considerations like cost, safety, and healthcare, while emphasizing that you don’t have to travel far to build a more intentional, connected life. If you’re wondering what’s next—or how to make the most of it—this episode offers a fresh perspective on living well in the second half of life. My website with more Medicare resources, books, courses, and more: https://prepareformedicare.com I recommend my wife’s Medicare insurance agency, but there’s never any obligation or pressure to work with her team. Here's more information if you're interested: https://brickhouseagency.com The Matt Feret Show is about thriving in midlife, retirement, and beyond. Each week, Matt shares smart conversations on Medicare, Social Security, retirement planning, health, wealth, wellness, caregiving, and life after 50. Explore more episodes and sign up for The Matt Feret Newsletter: TheMattFeretShow.com [https://TheMattFeretShow.com] Need Medicare help? Book a no-obligation consultation: BrickhouseAgency.com [https://BrickhouseAgency.com] Watch full episodes on YouTube: The Matt Feret Show [https://www.youtube.com/@TheMattFeretShow] Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube for more insights on wealth, wisdom, and wellness in retirement. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Midlife Reinvention After Layoffs or Retirement: Redefining Success & Identity

In this episode of The Matt Feret Show, Johanna Danaher—former Pfizer executive turned reinvention coach—dives into what really happens when high achievers face major life transitions like layoffs, retirement, or burnout. Moving beyond the glossy “start over” narratives seen online, Johanna shares practical insights on identity loss, emotional preparedness, and why staying busy can actually hold you back. The conversation explores how to redefine success on your own terms, set boundaries, navigate uncertainty, and design a next chapter that aligns with your values—without ignoring real-life responsibilities like family and finances. If you’ve ever wondered “Who am I without my job?” this episode offers an honest, actionable roadmap forward. My website with more Medicare resources, books, courses, and more: https://prepareformedicare.com I recommend my wife’s Medicare insurance agency, but there’s never any obligation or pressure to work with her team. Here's more information if you're interested: https://brickhouseagency.com The Matt Feret Show is about thriving in midlife, retirement, and beyond. Each week, Matt shares smart conversations on Medicare, Social Security, retirement planning, health, wealth, wellness, caregiving, and life after 50. Explore more episodes and sign up for The Matt Feret Newsletter: TheMattFeretShow.com [https://TheMattFeretShow.com] Need Medicare help? Book a no-obligation consultation: BrickhouseAgency.com [https://BrickhouseAgency.com] Watch full episodes on YouTube: The Matt Feret Show [https://www.youtube.com/@TheMattFeretShow] Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube for more insights on wealth, wisdom, and wellness in retirement. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Employee Ownership Explained: How ESOPs Are Changing Work, Wealth, and Midlife Career Decisions

In this episode of The Matt Feret Show, Matt Feret sits down with ESOP consultant Matt Middendorp to explore how employee ownership is reshaping the way people think about work, wealth, and career fulfillment—especially in midlife. Moving beyond traditional conversations about retirement or business exits, the discussion examines Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) as an alternative model that aligns employee success with company performance. Middendorp shares real-world insights into how employee-owned companies foster stronger cultures, higher retention, and long-term financial security while offering business owners a legacy-driven transition strategy outside of private equity or layoffs. Together, they unpack why so many professionals have never heard of ESOPs, what employee ownership teaches us about purpose and identity at work, and how individuals at any career stage can rethink success, stability, and the value they help create. The Matt Feret Show is about thriving in midlife, retirement, and beyond. Each week, Matt shares smart conversations on Medicare, Social Security, retirement planning, health, wealth, wellness, caregiving, and life after 50. Explore more episodes and sign up for The Matt Feret Newsletter: TheMattFeretShow.com [https://TheMattFeretShow.com] Need Medicare help? Book a no-obligation consultation: BrickhouseAgency.com [https://BrickhouseAgency.com] Watch full episodes on YouTube: The Matt Feret Show [https://www.youtube.com/@TheMattFeretShow] Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube for more insights on wealth, wisdom, and wellness in retirement. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Psychology of Money: How Emotions, Biases, and Behavior Shape Investment Success

In this episode of The Matt Feret Show, wealth advisor and behavioral finance expert Jonathan Blau explains why financial success has less to do with intelligence and market knowledge—and far more to do with human behavior. Drawing on decades of experience through market crashes, economic crises, and investor psychology, Blau reveals how emotional biases like fear, overconfidence, and loss aversion quietly sabotage even the smartest investors. The conversation explores why certainty in markets is an illusion, how media headlines and short-term thinking drive costly mistakes, and why discipline, temperament, and long-term planning consistently outperform reactionary investing. Blau breaks down concepts like the compounding of rational decision-making and the difference between wealth, wisdom, and happiness, offering practical insights that apply to everyone—from everyday savers to high-net-worth investors. This episode delivers a powerful framework for making better financial decisions under uncertainty and building lasting wealth by mastering behavior instead of chasing predictions. My website with more Medicare resources, books, courses, and more: https://prepareformedicare.com I recommend my wife’s Medicare insurance agency, but there’s never any obligation or pressure to work with her team. Here's more information if you're interested: https://brickhouseagency.com The Matt Feret Show is about thriving in midlife, retirement, and beyond. Each week, Matt shares smart conversations on Medicare, Social Security, retirement planning, health, wealth, wellness, caregiving, and life after 50. Explore more episodes and sign up for The Matt Feret Newsletter: TheMattFeretShow.com [https://TheMattFeretShow.com] Need Medicare help? Book a no-obligation consultation: BrickhouseAgency.com [https://BrickhouseAgency.com] Watch full episodes on YouTube: The Matt Feret Show [https://www.youtube.com/@TheMattFeretShow] Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube for more insights on wealth, wisdom, and wellness in retirement. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.