“Why does friendship feel harder as an adult?” “Why do I feel more isolated even though I’m busier than ever?” or even… “I’ll focus on community later… when life slows down…”

This episode is for you. Refirement Life Recording (4)

Today, we’re joined by Monique Rhodes, a happiness specialist originally from New Zealand, a wildly inspiring human, and someone who brings a rare mix of joy, wisdom, and real-world adventure to everything she touches.

Monique has been nominated for multiple awards—including New Zealander of the Year—and her life story is nothing short of extraordinary. She’s an accomplished singer-songwriter, opened for Chuck Berry, created two platinum charity albums, collaborated on a project with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and now helps people build more peace, happiness, and emotional clarity—one day at a time. But what I love most about this conversation is how practical it is.

We talk about the real reasons adult friendships disappear, why retirement can unexpectedly strip away your social structures, and how happiness isn’t just a personal pursuit it’s actually one of the most powerful forces shaping the relationships around you.

And Monique introduces a few concept sI think every listener needs right now:

✅ Heart friends and Mates (Play friends)

✅ Passive Rest (why this isn't great for you)

✅ and the underrated magic of micro-connections—those tiny interactions that quietly build the fabric of a joyful life.

We also get into the habits that are silently destroying our energy like constant scrolling and passive “rest”—and what to do instead if you want to build connection without burning yourself out.

So whether you’re retired, between roles, still in the grind, or simply craving something more meaningful…

this episode will remind you that community isn’t something you stumble into.

It’s something you build—one brave step at a time.

To dig in further, take the happiness quiz . Become the Happiest Person You Know » Monique Rhodes. and connect with Monique here at moniquerhodes.com

We spend so much time preparing for a long life—saving, planning, investing, optimizing. But there’s one retirement risk almost no one talks about enough:

What happens if your body stops cooperating before your dreams begin?

In this special episode of Refirement Life, Muge and I dive into a powerful (and surprisingly personal) conversation about why longevity without health isn’t the win—and why the most important shift isn’t a new diet or fitness plan…

It’s a mindset shift.

Because the truth is: ✅ Life expectancy is rising ⚠️ But healthy life expectancy isn’t keeping pace And in the U.S., there’s often a 10–12 year gap between living and living well.

That’s a decade where travel plans shrink, stamina fades, mobility changes, and everyday independence can become harder than we imagine.

In this episode, we explore:

💡 The “wealth effect” — and how quickly it disappears when health disappears 💡 The Go-Go / Slow-Go / No-Go reality of retirement (and why it matters now) 💡 Why your healthiest, most mobile years deserve intentional planning—not “someday” 💡 The overlooked importance of social resilience after work ends 💡 A thought-provoking quiz to help you reflect on what your life is really ready for

And we introduce a phrase we might never stop using:

✨ Healthspan… and Joy Span.

Because your retirement isn’t just about how long you live. It’s about how fully you’re able to live while you’re here.

One question to sit with:

What are you postponing for “someday” that quietly depends on your health— and what would it look like to bring 10% of it into this year?

If you’re entering retirement, planning for it, or simply realizing time is moving faster than you expected… this episode will meet you right where you are.

🎧 Listen in — and let us know: What are you choosing to stop postponing?

What if the stress you feel around your boss isn’t “just part of the job”—but your nervous system sounding an alarm?

In this episode of Refirement Life, Christine sits down with Shannon Smith, a former Microsoft leader and Harvard-trained neuroscience researcher who is on a mission to help professionals reclaim their power at work.

Shannon breaks down the real science behind toxic leadership—why your body reacts before your mind does, how chronic stress hijacks your performance, and why even top performers can lose confidence, creativity, and clarity in unhealthy environments.

Together, they explore:

• How to recognize a toxic boss (and toxic workplace) before burnout sets in
• Why your gut, vagus nerve, and amygdala are key signals—not weaknesses
• The Toxic Boss Immune Framework: practical, brain-based strategies to stay regulated, grounded, and clear under pressure
• How to protect your performance without escalating conflict or confrontation
• When resilience leads to growth—and when it’s time to plan your exit

Shannon also shares her personal journey—from pandemic-era anxiety and overload to building neuroscience-based systems that help professionals thrive—and how those same principles now power her work in sales leadership, AI, and founder resilience.

Whether you’re navigating a difficult boss, questioning your workplace environment, or simply want to understand how to stay mentally strong in high-pressure roles, this episode will leave you with clarity, language, and tools you can use immediately.

Because surviving work isn’t the goal—owning your power is.

🔗 Learn more & connect:

• brainhacksbyshannon.com
• salesage.co
• Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn (here (7) 🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀 | LinkedIn)

What happens when a city known for power pauses… for a kiss?

Last weekend in Washington, DC, my husband Paul and I became part of a Guinness World Record—1,385 couples kissing simultaneously under the mistletoe, shattering the previous record. It was joyful, kitschy, and unexpectedly meaningful.

Why are we drawn to holiday world records—from thousands dressed as Santa to massive carol singalongs—and what do they reveal about us?

This episode isn’t about numbers or novelty. It’s about:

Participation over perfection

Togetherness over performance

Joy as the metric

We unpack the neuroscience behind joyful rituals, share playful “micro-record” ideas you can try at home, and invite you to rethink how you spend your holidays—not chasing output, but creating moments that actually last.

Listen in if you’re craving more connection, laughter, and humanity this season.

What record does your family want to break this year—not for the world, but for yourselves?

#Podcast #HolidayJoy #GuinnessWorldRecords #HumanConnection #Leadership #Belonging #Play #MagnetLabs

What if retirement wasn’t an ending—but the most creative chapter of your life?

In this week’s episode of The Refirement Life Podcast, we sit down with the remarkable Lisa Haynes—retirement coach, reinvention expert, and author of Retired and Killin’ It. Lisa has spent years helping high achievers, leaders, and purpose-driven professionals rethink what’s possible in the second half of life. And her message is clear: you get to design this chapter on your terms.

This conversation is full of insight, honesty, and those “aha” moments that stay with you long after the episode ends.

🔹 What we explore together:

• Rediscovering passion: Why Lisa believes your next chapter can be your most energized and meaningful one yet.
• Knowing when it’s time: The surprising moment she realized she was ready to retire—even while performing at the top of her career.
• Behind the book: What inspired her to write Retired and Killin’ It, and the stories that shaped her philosophy.
• The traps people fall into: The biggest logistical and emotional mistakes people make when planning retirement.
• The KILLIN’ IT Formula: Lisa breaks down her practical, joyful approach to designing a life filled with purpose, vitality, and connection.
• Losing (and rebuilding) identity: Her advice for high achievers who struggle when the titles, deadlines, and adrenaline fall away.
• The part no one talks about: Why the non-financial side of retirement matters just as much as the financial—and the questions everyone should be asking themselves.
• A 3–5 year runway: The single most important step you should take now to set yourself up for a thriving retirement later.
• Lisa’s personal surprises: The mindset shift and unexpected joy that reshaped her own transition.

🔹 Why this episode matters

Retirement isn’t just a financial milestone—it’s a psychological, emotional, and spiritual transition. Lisa’s approach is grounded, refreshing, and deeply human. Whether you’re 5 years away, 15 years away, or already navigating this chapter, her wisdom offers a roadmap for living fully, boldly, and intentionally.

If you’re ready to rethink retirement and imagine what’s possible, this episode will leave you inspired and energized.

For more on Lisa visit = Https://retiredandkillinit.com or email her at retiredandkillingit.com .

In this episode of Refirement Life, we sit down with Jamie Tozzi — transformational leadership coach, speaker, former Microsoft executive, and host of the “Executive Access” podcast. Known for scaling billion-dollar businesses and developing high-potential leaders across the tech sector, Jamie brings a rare combination of operational rigor, human-centered leadership, and deep systems thinking.

Together, we explore the future of irreplaceable leadership — what it takes to thrive in a world shaped by complexity, disruption, and rising AI capabilities — and why human ingenuity is still the ultimate competitive advantage.

Jamie shares powerful insights from her journey leading a $1B sales organization at Microsoft, her board roles across tech and construction, and her work coaching executives in Fortune 100 companies and high-growth startups. Throughout the conversation, we explore creativity, compassion, agility, communication, and identity as central anchors for modern leadership.

In this episode, Jamie, Muge, and Christine discuss:

• Transformational leadership in practice How human-centered leadership fueled breakthrough performance at Microsoft — and why culture makes transformation sustainable.
• People as the true differentiator Why human creativity and ingenuity remain irreplaceable, even as AI becomes more integrated into daily work.
• Coaching future-ready leaders The common gaps Jamie sees in today’s leaders and the essential skills she helps them build: like adaptability, authentic influence, and creative problem-solving.
• Systems thinking and agility How executives can stay responsive rather than overwhelmed in a world defined by complexity.
• Communication as a superpower What has changed since Jamie’s early career and how leaders today can communicate with clarity, presence, and transformational impact.
• Scaling empathy at the organizational level Jamie’s guidance for leaders who want to embed compassion into high-performance cultures — and why empathy is a capacity AI can’t replicate.
• Insights from the boardroom The irreplaceable traits CEOs and executives must cultivate to prepare for the future.

If you would like to connect with Jamie about keynote speaker opportunities or business coaching, please connect with her here at LinkedIn - (1) Jamie Tozzi | LinkedIn,

New Episode: The 5 Remembrances — Finding Grace Through Difficult Times

After an unexpected pause in recording, I return with my co-host Muge Wood for an episode that comes from the heart. A month ago, my husband suffered a stroke — an experience that reminded me just how fragile, beautiful, and precious life really is.

In this conversation, we explore the Five Remembrances, timeless teachings that help us face aging, illness, loss, and change with gratitude and grace. We discuss how to stay grounded in what truly matters, care for our health, and cherish every connection — even on the most ordinary days.

✨ “Illness reminds us not to postpone joy or connection. Change reminds us that control is an illusion, but grace is always available.”

Tune in to Episode 75 and reflect with us on what it means to live fully — and to make each day count.

🎧 Listen here → [insert link] #Podcast #Mindfulness #Resilience #Gratitude #FiveRemembrances #StrokeAwareness #Leadership #LifeLessons #Compassion #Presence #Wellbeing #HumanConnection

The Irreplaceables: Barry Ridgway on Empathy, Culture, and Global Leadership

In this episode, we sit down with Barry Ridgway, a global leader with 30 years of experience, including nearly three decades as an executive at Microsoft. Barry has led teams across four continents, built strategy and sales transformation programs, and worked with Fortune 500 companies, governments, and startups in over 50 countries.

Now the founder of Sugarland Partnership, Barry shares how empathy, courage, and culture are not just soft skills—they’re measurable drivers of business outcomes. Together, we explore:

• What leaders must localize vs. what’s universal in cross-cultural leadership.
• The micro-skills managers need to navigate hard conversations with empathy.
• Why creativity, moral courage, and space-making remain irreplaceable in the age of AI.Christine and Muge invite Barry to share memorable moments and other examples of lessons in clarity, courage, and connection. This session reminds us that leadership is most powerful when it is human at its core.

For more information about Barry:

Barry is a well trusted and sought after business advisor and executive coach to learn more about Barry and get in touch visiit:

Barry Ridgway - Founder & CEO — Sugarland Partnership | Business Advisory & Leadership Coaching | Washington, D.C.