46: Retirement Doesn't Relate to Me, with Judith Kurnick

Take Back Retirement

Today, Stephanie and Kevin are joined by Judith Kurnick, a second act coach, a speaker, and a writer who guides lawyers, executives, and business owners in escaping the corporate life and designing their next chapter. Judith shares how her personal experiences informed her work. She shares her work philosophy, which emphasizes that her job is to partner with clients and help alter their perspectives. She discusses the varying factors that make it difficult for individuals to shift their mindsets and then talks about what impacts the timetables of these shifts.

Judith explores the types of things she explores with her clients, comparing the process to buying a house. She starts with exploring one's self and then coming up with a scenario or several and then preparing to launch their new life through clear planning. She talks about how exploring possibilities can help get one past feeling stuck.

She then shares ageism she has witnessed and the ways in which COVID exacerbated it. She provides examples of simple ways to combat ageism through language, like calling someone an older adult instead of a senior. They discuss the different things that “retirement” can mean for people. Judith touches on research around aging, and how it can be both scary and thrilling.

Stephanie and Kevin close with a reflection on their conversation with Judith, reiterating the importance of meaningful work, deep relationships, sense of community, and maintaining your physical and mental self-care for people as they age.

Key Topics:

• Introducing Judith Kurnick (0:51)
• Judith’s work path (01:49)
• Her work philosophy (04:37)
• Shifting mindsets (06:15)
• Timetables (09:00)
• Steps for planning (10:52)
• Feeling stuck (18:29)
• Resume virtues versus eulogy virtues (24:40)
• Ageism (30:12)
• Using language to combat ageism (33:55)
• Retirement (35:28)
• Possibility of life after 50 (36:08)
• Research around aging (40:08)
• Reflections on their conversation with Judith (47:29)

Resources:

• Judith Kurnick Coaching
• Don’t Retire, REWIRE!
• Encore Network
• #ChangingTheNarrative
• Take Back Retirement Episode 25: What’s Your Number?

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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.

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