Send us Fan Mail
What happens when you stop seeing retirement as an escape plan and start treating it like a leadership decision?
In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast, I sit down with my friend Rich Lucey to talk about retirement planning, professional identity, consulting, networking as an introvert, and what it really means to create a purposeful next chapter after mid-career.
Rich spent more than two decades leading alcohol and drug misuse prevention efforts across state and federal government. But instead of waiting until burnout forced a decision, he chose retirement at 62 with intention, strategy, and clarity about how he wanted to spend his time moving forward.
If you are a mid-career professional thinking about retirement, considering a second career, exploring consulting, or wondering how to maintain purpose after leaving a long-term role, this conversation will help you think differently about your next move.
We also dive into one of the biggest challenges many mid-career professionals face today: visibility. Rich openly shares why networking feels exhausting for introverts, how “forced socialization” drains energy, and why meaningful professional relationships are built through intentional conversations instead of trying to work an entire room.
This episode also explores public speaking, professional legacy, leadership presence, and the mindset shift that helps you contribute more confidently in meetings, presentations, and workplace conversations.
You will also hear an important discussion for parents and professionals about college campus alcohol and drug culture, the dangers of fake pills and illicit fentanyl, and why the first six weeks of college can be especially high risk.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How to approach retirement planning with purpose and strategy
- Building a consulting business without creating another full-time job
- Why networking for introverts should focus on mutual benefit and intentional conversations
- The connection between theater training, leadership presence, and public speaking
- Questions parents should ask colleges about alcohol and drug culture
- Practical guidance about fake pills and illicit fentanyl awareness
Connect with Rich Lucey
LinkedIn
Support the show
If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.
Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup
If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.
Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter
Other ways we can connect:
- Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
- Get John's books on Amazon here.
- Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
- Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.
This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.
https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/
