EP 74 Finding Fulfillment After You Retire
Who says fulfillment has to stop when your career does? A lifelong writer whose remarkable career has taken him from the newsroom to the boardroom - and now into the world of positive aging advocacy - Don Akchin’s decades of lived experiences ideally prepared him to bring us the insights and wisdom we need to thrive after 65. In this inspiring conversation, Don shares ...
Who says fulfillment has to stop when your career does?
Don Akchin shares the best advice for when the career chapter closes, how do you find meaning, joy, and purpose in what comes next.
A lifelong writer whose remarkable career has taken him from the newsroom to the boardroom - and now into the world of positive aging advocacy - Don’s decades of lived experiences ideally prepared him to bring us the insights and wisdom we need to thrive after 65.
In this inspiring conversation, Don shares how he transitioned from a traditional career into a fulfilling, purpose-driven life after retirement.
We talk about his newest book, The AfterWork: Finding Fulfilling Alternatives to Retirement, and explore how we can all rethink the way we view this next chapter of life.
Together, we chat about:
✨ How Don’s diverse career shaped his post-retirement creativity and outlook
✨ Why aging should be seen as a time for reinvention, not retreat
✨ The importance of curiosity, passion, and staying connected after leaving the workforce
✨ How to dissolve those sneaky, internalized ageist beliefs that keep us small
✨ The joy and freedom of building your own “after work” life
Don also shares the story behind his weekly Substack newsletter, The Endgame, where he explores the art of aging positively and purposefully. His wisdom, humor, and honesty remind us that ambition and creativity don’t expire — they evolve.
If you’re curious about how to design a vibrant, meaningful life after 60, you’re going to love this conversation.
🎙️ Connect with Don Akchin
Website; Substack; The AfterWork
Listen, learn, and let’s thrive together.
And remember: stay strong, stay curious, keep growing, and keep glowing.
If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.
☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!
For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee
Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡
Waving from Boston – cheers!
Ande ♥
CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage
SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – ande@dontbecagedbyyourage.com.
Don Akchin
Don Akchin has had a long, somewhat circuitous career as a writer. He began as a newspaper reporter, then moved into magazine writing and editing. He also served as a marketing executive for a college and a university, a communications consultant for a foundation, and for many years had his own business serving the communications needs of nonprofit organizations. Since leaving the working world, he stays busy publishing a weekly newsletter (https://theendgame.substack.com) on the broad topic of positive aging. His newest book, The AfterWork: Finding Fulfilling Alternatives to Retirement, is a positive guide for older adults looking for paths forward in their post-career years.
