#76 - From “What Now?” to A Plan: Reinventing Retirement with Faust Ruggiero

Got a comment or idea? Send us a text.

A quiet truth about retirement: it’s not a finish line, it’s a design challenge. We sit down with nationally recognized therapist and author Faust Ruggiero to rethink the next chapter through small, consistent moves that rebuild purpose, health, and identity. Instead of waiting for a grand passion to appear, Faust shows how momentum comes from motion—micro-goals, daily structure, and a kinder internal voice that turns “what now?” into clear steps you can take today.

We dig into his Process Way of Life, a practical framework that pairs concise learning with explicit action steps. You’ll hear how to set one long-term aim, anchor it with a few short-term goals, and fuel it with three concrete actions under each—replacing them as you progress so progress never stalls. We explore the “I over E” mindset—intellect over emotion—to pause reactivity, think clearly, and then feel based on facts rather than fear. Along the way, we get real about exercise, sleep, diet, and alcohol; these aren’t side quests, they’re the foundation that gives you energy to spend on the work that matters.

Faust shares stories of late-life pivots, from a yoga student who becomes an instructor to seniors who discover new lanes by teaching what they know. We talk about the trap of comparison, the value of mistakes as proof of motion, and why older adults are urgently needed in a fast, AI-accelerated culture for their discernment, patience, and critical thinking. If you’ve been treating retirement like a permanent vacation and wondering why you feel stuck, this conversation offers a roadmap: simple steps, repeated often, grounded in service and joy.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s planning their next chapter, and leave a review with the one action you’ll take this week—we’ll read a few on the next episode.

For more information about aging in place and caregiving for older adults, visit our website at SeniorSafetyAdvice.com