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What happens when your career ends but your life continues? The Mental Men, Andy Kang, Pat Rice, Chris Gordon, Dennis Sweeney, and Bob Cherney return in this deeply personal exploration of retirement, identity, and finding purpose beyond the job that defined you.

Bob Cherney, recently retired after decades as a therapist, shares his raw experience of waking up each morning still feeling "there's supposed to be stuff I'm supposed to do." This sentiment resonates powerfully with the group of mental health professionals who've dedicated their lives to helping others through crisis and trauma. Their conversation reveals the unexpected challenges of this transition – from the alarming statistic that 20% of first responders develop serious medical conditions within a year of retirement to the profound identity crisis that can follow when the uniform comes off.

The discussion delves into how retirement resembles a grief process – mourning not just the job itself but a way of being in the world. As Dennis reflects, it requires "acceptance of what we can or cannot do" while acknowledging "the grief of what you've lost." For professionals accustomed to emergency response and crisis intervention, the absence of that adrenaline and purpose creates a void that requires intentional filling.

Yet within these challenges lie opportunities for growth. The group shares strategies that have helped them navigate this transition: developing hobbies before retirement, volunteering in new contexts, maintaining social connections, and perhaps most importantly – staying curious. As Pat beautifully puts it, "The Fountain of Youth is composed of two elements: keep your legs as strong as you can and stay curious." This curiosity – this willingness to try new things and engage with life in fresh ways – emerges as perhaps the most powerful tool for navigating life's later chapters.

Whether you're approaching retirement, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in how we maintain purpose and meaning throughout life's transitions, this conversation offers wisdom, humor, and practical insights from those walking the path. Join us for this powerful exploration of what it means to redefine yourself when the career that shaped your identity comes to an end.

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Strength isn't the absence of weakness—it's how we transform our challenges into growth. In this riveting conversation with leadership coach and author Becky Schmooke, we explore stoic philosophy as a misunderstood yet powerful tool for navigating life's inevitable obstacles.

Becky shares her personal journey of using stoicism to overcome a twenty-year battle with bulimia, developing the STOA framework (Success, Targets, Obstacles/Opportunities, Action steps) that now helps everyone from executives to NFL players and first responders navigate high-pressure situations. Far from the emotionless stereotype, stoicism emerges as a practice of emotional awareness without emotional control.

"Leadership is a lifestyle, not a job title," Becky emphasizes, challenging conventional hierarchies with her SAFE framework that builds genuine capability rather than superficial "show muscles." Her approach transforms organizations from having "a team and a leader" to fostering "a team of leaders"—a critical distinction for environments where split-second decisions matter.

The Japanese art of kintsugi—repairing broken pottery with gold—becomes a powerful metaphor for resilience throughout our discussion. When we acknowledge our breaks rather than hiding them, we become stronger precisely where we were once vulnerable. This principle applies powerfully to trauma recovery, offering a path beyond mere survival to genuine transformation.

Whether you're leading a team, recovering from trauma, or simply trying to navigate life's complexities with more grace, Becky's practical frameworks provide immediate, actionable insights. Her husband, a fire captain, uses these same principles during emergency calls, demonstrating their real-world effectiveness under pressure.

Ready to choose the handle that holds? Join us for this enlightening conversation about stoicism, leadership, and the art of transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth. Find Becky's book "Choose the Handle that Holds" here and connect with her mindfulness retreats at www.beckyschmooke.com.

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Bruce Wasser shares his journey of losing his father at age 15 and how this profound loss shaped his decision to become a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War and ultimately led to his 33-year teaching career.

• Growing up in Seattle with his father Joe, a WWII veteran who instilled values of teamwork, equality, and community
• Devastating loss of his father to cancer just 14 months after diagnosis when Bruce was only 15
• Becoming an overachiever in school and sports as a response to grief
• Drawing the draft lottery number 90 during Vietnam and applying for conscientious objector status
• Finding surrogate father figures in coaches, professors, and public figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Discovering his calling as a teacher where he could identify and connect with students who were hurting
• Experiencing what his wife calls "post-traumatic growth" – becoming more empathetic through trauma
• Suggestions for grieving on Father's Day: share grief with others, write letters to your father, find meaningful places

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