From Legal Careers to Podcasting: Our Journey of Exploration in Retirement

Subscribe to our updates and receive notifications directly to your email every time Amanda writes a new article.

Submit your email below.

By signing up, you agree to receive email updates from Business Insider and accept all terms associated.

Five years have passed since we embarked on this podcasting adventure.

At the beginning of 2020, we started contemplating retirement and knew that bidding farewell to Brooklyn, where we’d raised our son and spent many years, was inevitable.

A desire to connect with nature motivated us to consider relocating to a different region. Our initial venture took us to Winter Park in Florida. It was appealing, yet we sensed it wasn't the perfect fit for us.

Upon returning to New York, uncertainty about our next destination persisted. However, like the rest of the world, our plans halted when the pandemic unfolded, leaving us at a standstill.

Embarking on Our Podcasting Journey

We decided to create a podcast focused on retirement locations, intending to share personal stories from various regions. Reaching out to relatives, friends, and their connections, we managed to gather a few willing participants. Understanding that new podcasts often debut with multiple episodes, we quickly recorded four.

Securing guests has been persistently challenging. As our initial network's potential guests dwindled, an introduction to a retiree in Paris marked our venture's international debut.

Launching the podcast was slightly daunting, given our assumption that most podcasters were significantly younger. Yet, given our technological familiarity, we knew we were capable.

Recording sessions took place in our soundproofed basement in Brooklyn, each spanning approximately an hour or more, with editing requiring up to five hours.

After over 200 episodes, we discovered that our most engaging guests are those candid about unforeseen realities. Some discovered that their dream vacation spots didn't match their expectations for permanent residence.

A standout story involved an American eager to relocate to Costa Rica whose wife was hesitant. A local guide's solo tour for her transformed reluctance into enthusiasm.

We've secured some sponsorship that modestly supports our operational costs like software subscriptions and maintaining our website.

Expanding Our Worldview

Conversations with a diverse array of retirees have significantly influenced our retirement outlook, particularly those opting for global relocation.

Experiencing international retirements piqued our interest in incorporating overseas living into our plans.

Now based in Pennsylvania, we're on the hunt for a permanent home while planning foritional residences abroad, spending one quarter of each year in a chosen city.

Initially, the prospect of international retirement seemed out of reach, having grown up without much means. Hearing from others who had succeeded changed our mindset.

Realizing a flight from New York to Europe takes no longer than crossing to California helped diminish perceived distance.

Ultimately, we believe embracing this opportunity could enrich our lives. While we aren't ready to leave the U.S. for good, with our son nearby in Rhode Island, our plan is gradual immersion.

We've relished our experiences in countries like France, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, cherishing each adventure.

Retirement has reinforced a sense of self-assurance, and travel has further broadened our horizons.