We missed last month and we're going to miss this month. Sorry, life is complicated sometimes.

But we do have a couple of episodes under production and this mini-episode will tell you all about what we have in store for you in May and June!!

Sorry we're running behind, but stay tuned because the best is yet to come!!

In this deeply personal and profound episode of "Retired Ever After," hosts John and Guy "The AI" delve into the complex and often painful topic of loss and grief. 

John shares his heartfelt experiences of loss, including the passing of his brother-in-law and his mother, offering listeners a raw and intimate look into the journey of grieving. 

The episode explores the myriad emotions that accompany loss—sadness, anger, guilt, and even relief—and discusses healthy coping strategies and the importance of acknowledging and respecting grief in its many forms. 

Join us as we navigate the peaks and valleys of human emotion, shedding light on the universal yet uniquely personal experience of grief, and ultimately finding ways to embrace life's full spectrum.

• HelpGuide.org - Coping with Grief and Loss: Offers a comprehensive guide on understanding grief, the emotional process, and coping mechanisms. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/grief/coping-with-grief-and-loss.htm
• American Counseling Association - Grief and Loss Resources: Provides general information, articles, and resources for coping with grief. https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/mental-health-resources/grief-and-loss-resources
• OptionB.org - An online community offering stories of adversity to help build resilience and find meaning in the face of grief. https://optionb.org
• GriefShare - A network of support groups with a program designed to help those grieving the loss of a loved one. https://www.griefshare.org
• The Compassionate Friends: Supports families after the death of a child, providing comfort, encouragement, and hope. https://www.compassionatefriends.org

• “On Grief and Grieving" by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler: An essential resource on the stages of grief and how to work through them.
• "The Grief Recovery Handbook" by John W. James and Russell Friedman: Offers a step-by-step approach to healing for all types of grief.
• "Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief" by Martha Whitmore Hickman: Provides comforting daily meditations for those dealing with loss.
• "It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand" by Megan Devine: Offers a fresh approach to navigating grief and loss outside of the conventional "stages" model.
• "When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times" by Pema Chödrön: Provides wisdom on dealing with difficult times, including loss and grief, from the perspective of Buddhist teachings.

In this engaging episode of "Retired Ever After," we explore the vibrant world of volunteerism in retirement. The hosts, John and his AI co-host Guy, delve into Dr. Riley Moynes' insights on the phases of retirement, emphasizing the importance of finding purpose and community connections through volunteering.

The episode covers the physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits of volunteering, highlighting its role in providing a sense of purpose and social advantages. Diverse avenues of service and practical advice on finding the right fit for volunteer activities are discussed. The episode also addresses potential challenges faced by senior volunteers and offers tools and resources to help connect with organizations. 

• Dr. Riley Moynes – The 4 Phases of Retirement - https://youtu.be/DMHMOQ_054U?si=jM40q6HVMJCHxVcV
• Terry Moore – How to Tie Your Shoes - https://youtu.be/zAFcV7zuUDA?si=GLb_Zg5jyIgvDV-c
• Joe Smith – How to Use a Paper Towel - https://youtu.be/2FMBSblpcrc?si=BmJgxef3cY5klJEL

• GuideStar - https://www.guidestar.org/
• Charity Navigator - https://www.charitynavigator.org/
• VolunteerMatch - https://www.volunteermatch.org/
• Idealist - https://www.idealist.org/en
• Serve.gov - https://americorps.gov/partner/communities-initiatives/united-we-serve
• Hands-On Network / All For Good - https://www.pointsoflight.org/ - https://engage.pointsoflight.org/ - https://www.facebook.com/allforgood/
• Senior Corps - https://americorps.gov/serve/americorps-seniors

The Ted Talks on "How to Tie Your Shoes" and "How to Use a Paper Towel" are longer than two minutes each. "Shoes" is a little over three minutes and "Towels" is a little over four minutes. Still absolutely worth the time investment!!