Rethinking Retirement: This Isn't the End. It's the Next Chapter.

What if retirement wasn't about winding down, but waking up?

We're starting the conversation. Release date July 16, 2025

Welcome to the conversation we never had at 50.

If you've ever asked yourself, "Who am I without my title?" or "What’s next now that the world says slow down?" – you’re not alone. And you’re definitely not done.

In the premiere episode of our bold new season of NEXT CHPTR CHATS™, co-hosts Pat and Penelope dive into the big questions women face as they navigate life beyond traditional retirement age. Spoiler alert: it’s not about fading away. It’s about redefining, reimagining, and reigniting.

Retirement isn’t a finish line – it’s a launchpad.

For our mothers and grandmothers, retirement was a finish line. But for us, the Boomer or Gen X generations – we’re highly educated, career-driven, and living longer – it’s just a pivot point. Pat and Penelope share deeply personal stories of reinvention: from boardrooms to volunteer boards, from corporate careers to nonprofit missions. They’re not slowing down. They’re shifting lanes.

And here's the thing: We don’t see ourselves reflected in the media or society’s image of aging. Even AI doesn’t recognize us – offering up outdated, gray-haired grandmothers when asked for images of vibrant 60-somethings.

A recent guide highlights how volunteering – even just a few hours a week – boosts mental and physical health, reduces isolation, and deepens community ties. AgeBrilliantly.org For women stepping off the career carousel, volunteering can become the first step into renewed purpose and engagement.

Reinvention: A ground-up process, not a glow-up

After COVID reshaped her life, Pat found herself without a clear direction – and without the structure of a traditional job. What emerged was a new purpose: creating the very platform she couldn’t find when she needed it most. NEXT CHPTR CHATS™ was born from that void.

Penelope shares her own journey of switching careers in her late 50s, diving headfirst into nonprofit work and mentoring younger generations. Both women agree: successful retirement requires a purpose.

Emerging stories of women over 50 reveal reinvention isn’t about surface changes – it’s a soul-deep rebuild. It happens in quiet moments, challenging silences, and the courage to rediscover yourself beyond the “blazer” that once defined you. It’s not dramatic—it’s deeply real, and it requires trust, release, and radical acceptance. Check out StyleAtACertainAge.com  for ideas and thoughts by another digital pioneering 50+.

Health, community, purpose: The pillars of the next chapter

1. Health – Physical, mental, emotional. It’s foundational. We’re living longer, but we need to live well.

2. Community – Human connection is a proven longevity booster. And it doesn’t just mean friends your own age. Intergenerational conversations matter.

3. Purpose –Whether it's paid work, volunteerism, mentorship, or creative projects, we all need a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

   
   

What Does 70 Look Like, Anyway?

I asked AI to generate an image of an attractive 65 year old women (full disclosure - it was last winter). These are the images that were generated.

I asked AI for an image of a 65 year old woman - this is what was generated

So if you’re 60 and can’t picture what 70 looks like, it’s not your fault. We’re not reflected in societal norms – we're not reflected in media. Quite frankly it’s part of the reason we think we don’t exist. That’s why we're building a space where real stories get told, and real women are seen – in all their wisdom, style, and power. We need to be able to see ourselves so that we can normalize what aging means.

This is fun comparison. I'm 65 in this photo, no retouching. It's a snap taken on the street.

And this is what 70 looks like.

It’s a Movement, Not a Moment

This episode isn’t just a conversation – it’s the beginning of a movement. We’re challenging outdated models, asking better questions, and creating a space where vibrant aging isn’t the exception—it’s the expectation.

So ladies: what lights you up now? What have you got planned for your next chapter?

📬 We Want to Hear From You

Have you redefined retirement on your own terms? Are you still figuring it out? Let’s keep the conversation going. Send us an email: what’s your story? And follow us on social.

We’re just getting started. New episodes air every other week. Subscribe, share, and help us grow this bold new community of women rewriting the rules on aging.