HEY BOOMER!

Retirement. A time for exploration, self-expression, and fulfillment.

VOL. 1 ... No. 40. November 15, 2023

Hello Humper Tribe,

Hope your day is going well and you’re humping along at a satisfying speed. My gears are well-oiled this morning. You figure out what that means. Probably not what you think.

The Friends’ Corner . . .

It’s time for a segment I introduced to you back in August of this year called, The Friends’ Corner! You may remember, I profiled my friend James Kirshner, a Zen meditation teacher who had just written a poignant and powerful spiritual memoir called, Becoming Peacemaker. I shared some of your comments with James, and he was so touched by your responses to his book.

You should know this about The Friends’ Corner . . .

I make no claim to being unbiased. I have many creative friends, and I love every single person that I will be showcasing over the upcoming months. However, I can state with absolute conviction that they are all talented, and their work speaks to me. I want to give you an opportunity to know them and to decide for yourselves if their work speaks to you.

Today, I am featuring Wendy Green, creator of the Hey Boomer! livestreamed podcast, and Boomers and Beyond Banter, a monthly, online discussion group. Each Hey Boomer! episode airs live at 1:00 pm, Eastern Time, on Mondays, but is recorded and can be found later on Facebook, YouTube, and as an audio Podcast if you prefer to listen rather than watch.

In April 2020, Wendy was laid off from her corporate job, and found herself thinking, “What’s next? How do I want to feel?” The answers came immediately. “I want to feel relevant. I want to feel useful. I want to feel that what I do matters.”

Along about this same time, there was a funny, but mean-spirited, meme gathering momentum on social media, called “Okay, Boomer.” Read that quote with abundant sarcasm. The movement was driven by people who felt that the Boomer Generation had had its day, and we should all just shut up and settle into our rocking chairs.

They obviously didn’t know Wendy — or the rest of us.

Wendy says her mission with Hey Boomer! is to “support and inspire people as we move into the next act of our lives.” She sees our next act not as retiring, but evolving into “an exciting, new and vibrant chapter. A time for exploration, self-expression and fulfillment.”

Topics on the Hey Boomer! show run the gamut — from artists sharing insights into their craft, to scientists talking about climate change, to financial planners experienced in retirement issues, to experts in relationship or aging issues, to comedians, professors, musicians, and authors. I could go on and on. Anything that pertains to life after fifty, you can bet Wendy has had — or will have — an insightful guest on her show to discuss it.

You can find the Hey Boomer! shows on Wendy’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/heyboomerpodcast

If you’d rather listen to podcasts, check out Wendy’s website here: https://heyboomer.biz/podcast/

Here are a small selection of topics you will discover on Hey Boomer!

A few of Wendy Green's guests and their topics.

Stu and I met Wendy Green when we were on her show in September of 2021, and we had a great time performing and getting to know her. She’s a delight who is always engaged with her guests. Wendy was perfectly prepared for our interview. She’d read our work, and watched our videos. Her interviewing skills are excellent and, unlike so many other podcast hosts, she gives her guests time to answer questions without interruption.

Here’s a look at our segment on Wendy’s podcast.

As Hey Boomer! began to grow, Wendy decided that she would create online groups called, Boomer and Beyond Banter, so fans of the show could get to know each other. The groups meet once a month for lively discussions and mutual support. Topics are chosen beforehand, and the groups are kept small in order to give everyone time to get to know each other. I’ve attended a number of gatherings, and I always come away energized and uplifted. Sometimes, it’s just fun to hang out with people from all over the country. While our individual lives are different, we share a wealth of history and experiences. But, it’s not an “echo-chamber.” It’s a supportive group of individuals, each with their own perspective.

To learn more about the Boomers and Beyond Banter groups, click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/heyboomer0413

I hope you’ll check out the links I’ve provided and find out more about Wendy Green’s work, her passion to build community, and her efforts to help Boomers thrive as we evolve into this new and vibrant chapter of our lives.

Just as she had hoped when she was laid off over three years ago, Wendy’s work continues to be relevant and serves a greater purpose. As she says at the end of her podcasts, “Remember, you are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.”

Until next time, keep on growing, dreaming, and enjoying your beautiful lives.

And remember . . .

Love Yourself and Love Who You Love.

It’s all the same thing.

Janna

The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected. — Robert Frost