After Brain Surgery in His 70s, Barry Maher Became an Author and Syndicated Humor Columnist

What happens when you're in your 70s, you've survived a cancerous brain tumor, and you're pretty sure you're ready to retire? If you're Barry Maher, you return to fiction, become a syndicated humor columnist, and start thinking about a sequel for your novel!

Barry is an author, syndicated humorist, and longtime professional speaker whose path to this chapter of life included nearly 100 jobs, four years at Notre Dame that somehow took five, an hour and a half at UC Berkeley's journalism grad school, and five weeks at what he calls the “Whopper College” of Burger King. He may be the only person whose fast food management career ended after a would-be robber pointed a gun at him. Barry decided that being the world's worst Burger King manager wasn't worth dying for!

After decades of professional speaking, Barry was beginning to think about retirement when he received a cancerous brain tumor diagnosis. Following brain surgery, he woke up with Lady Gaga singing in his head and a vivid story he couldn't shake. That story eventually became The Great Dick and the Dysfunctional Demon, his first novel in 30 years. A serious diagnosis had changed his perspective, and a story that wouldn't leave him alone gave him a reason to keep creating.

Then came another unexpected twist. A British reporter asked Barry what people in Santa Barbara thought about Harry and Meghan. Barry offered a few casual observations, only to find himself described in news reports around the world as a “renowned royal expert.” The experience led to a humorous newspaper piece, then an occasional column, and eventually his weekly syndicated humor column, Slightly Off-Kilter.

In this conversation, Barry shares the unexpected turns that brought him to this chapter of life, how facing mortality changed his perspective on time and unfinished dreams, and why he wants to keep creating. We also talk about his latest MRI results, his hope of finishing a sequel, and the importance of doing the things we keep telling ourselves we'll get around to someday.

Tune in for a funny, candid conversation about second acts, unexpected opportunities, and making the most of the time we have. Because sometimes, being ready to retire from one thing doesn't mean we're finished with everything else!

Find Barry at BarryMaher.com to explore his work and learn more about The Great Dick and the Dysfunctional Demon. You can also find his Slightly Off-Kilter column on Substack.

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Tune in for more conversations with people 65+ fueling passion, purpose, and pocketbook. Keep aging out loud and proud, and don’t be caged by your age!

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

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