I Used to be Somebody #1 Voted Best Episode of 2020
Jan 5, 2021
Deborah McColloch, former Philadelphia housing director with a 37-year public service career, shares her shift from running a $100M office to retirement life. She talks identity changes after leaving a big job. She describes practical losses, setting boundaries with a working spouse, and choosing purposeful volunteer roles. Her take: redefine yourself and pursue creative, value-aligned activities.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Retirement Is An Identity Shift
- Retirement is a huge identity transition comparable to becoming a parent.
- Deborah McColloch emphasizes you must consciously redefine yourself to others and yourself.
From Power To Relative Anonymity
- Deborah felt the abrupt loss of influence after decades of decision-making authority.
- She described going from everyone seeking her opinion to feeling ignored the next day.
Book A Post-Retirement Boundary Trip
- Take a clear vacation immediately after retiring to mark the boundary between careers.
- Deborah used a three-week Hawaii trip to separate work life from the next chapter.