Chris Farrell coined the term “Unretirement” with his book of the same title – and he’s spent the past several years profiling people shaking up their encore years in all kinds of ways. This fall, Farrell launched a podcast to bring these stories to life. (I’m thrilled to have made an appearance as a commentator on the debut episode.)

The encore theme runs throughout the entire series. For example, Farrell collaborated with my colleague Barbara Vacarr, director of Encore.org’s higher education initiative, EncoreU, on episode #6, a must-listen for anyone considering going back to school later in life.

Episode #8, the season finale, is a spectacular conversation with Alan Page, former NFL star-turned-lawyer (and then, state Supreme Court judge), who unretired twice and speaks movingly about his passion for mentoring. He and his wife created a foundation that provides scholarships to African-American youth, dubbed “Page Scholars,” who are empowered to pay it forward by returning to their communities as tutors, mentors and role models to younger kids.

Marc Freedman, my Encore.org colleague – and one of my own mentors – is the expert voice on this episode, sharing his perspective and a whole lot of impressive data about the power of mentoring and the magic that happens when older and younger generations come together. “A good mentoring relationship is like a soufflé,” says Marc. “If you hurry it up, it collapses.”

I could give you all the best quotes, but then you wouldn’t listen. Which you should. Tune in here.

Want to become a mentor yourself? Check out the resources that accompany the podcast.

Published: January 13, 2016