What if happiness wasn’t something that happened to you, but something you chose—even in retirement?

In this solo episode, Jacquie reflects on a powerful message from her recent conversation with musician Ron Sowell: “It’s all up to you.” Drawing on stories from Ron’s life and the profound example of Viktor Frankl, she explores the idea that happiness isn’t about perfect circumstances, it’s about how we choose to engage with the season we’re in.

If you’re navigating the years beyond your career, wondering how to find meaning, joy, or direction, this episode invites you to reclaim your agency. Because growing old may be inevitable, but growing disengaged is not.

Key Topics Covered:

• The difference between aging and growing old - Why vitality is a daily choice, not a number
• What it means to “choose happiness” - The difference between agency and toxic positivity
• Ron Sowell’s example of a life built on alignment - Choosing passion over security, and never looking back
• Viktor Frankl’s lesson from the Holocaust - How mindset becomes a final freedom, even in suffering
• Reframing retirement as a meaningful phase - Finding joy, purpose, and connection regardless of circumstances

MUSIC CREDIT: Ron Sowell - It's All Up to You (used with permission)

Ron Sowell is a lifelong musician, singer-songwriter, and performer who has spent decades exploring the transformative power of music. From stage performances to songwriting workshops, Ron’s life offers a rich example of how creativity and personal growth can intertwine—especially in the years beyond traditional career paths.

Ron shares the pivotal moment he stepped off the law-school track and committed to music for life, the joy and meaning he finds in performing and mentoring, and the simple daily practices that keep him grounded and strong as the years add up. We talk Mountain Stage, creative purpose beyond “traditional retirement,” and why gratitude, meditation, and consistent movement are non-negotiables for staying vibrant.

Key takeaways:

* Purpose isn’t a job title. Ron never planned to “retire” from the thing that gives him energy—music.

* Daily anchors matter: meditation, gratitude, and some form of strength/mobility work are simple but compounding.

* Creative contribution evolves with age: performing, producing, and coaching other artists are natural extensions of a lifetime in music.

* Community keeps you sharp: bandleading at Mountain Stage means constant learning and collaboration with top-tier musicians.

Connect with Ron via his website: https://ronsowell.com or @RonSowellMusic ​

Retirement is supposed to be relaxing… so why does it sometimes feel louder than ever?

In this solo episode, I reflect on a conversation with my friend Lynda Camire — and explore what happens when retirement doesn’t deliver the peace we expected. Lynda retired with a plan. But within days, she found herself checking the clock, wandering into her old office, and feeling overwhelmed by a surprising emotion: boredom.

This episode is about the hidden noise that surfaces after the structure of work disappears — and why that noise isn’t a sign of failure, but a signal worth listening to.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why boredom in retirement feels more like pressure than peace
• How unstructured time can trigger unexpected emotions
• The link between boredom and mental clutter
• Why retirement doesn’t quiet your mind — it confronts it
• How to reframe boredom as an invitation to experiment, reflect, and grow

Key Takeaways:

• Structure disappears faster than purpose appears.
• Mental clutter loves a vacuum.
• Boredom can be a bridge, not a wall.
• You don’t need a five-point plan. You need a small spark.

Questions for Reflection:

• Is this boredom… or is this mental clutter in disguise?
• Am I judging myself for not being productive?
• What have I stopped doing that I used to enjoy?
• What am I trying not to feel right now?

If you’ve recently retired and find yourself feeling restless or “off,” this episode is for you. You’re not broken — you’re human. And you’re not alone.

Tune in to learn how boredom might just be pointing you toward your next chapter.