Podcast Episodes
New podcast episodes are posted weekly!
Please click the forward arrow button on an episode of choice below to listen to the audio. Click on More Info (in each episode player) for details on the date published and the host/guest. Feel free to share the podcast (the share button is also in the episode player). Episode Summaries provide a quick overview of the content. Click on the Episode Notes /Transcript link below each episode to view key takeaways and read a complete written account of the episode. Finally, you can also click on the Video Player to watch the episode on YouTube!
All episodes can also be found on these popular podcast platforms:
Five Minute Friday 10: Summary: Travel in retirement is about far more than sightseeing — it’s about staying mentally sharp, physically active, and deeply engaged with life. In this Five Minute Friday episode of The Retired Mindset, host Bobby P records on location from Munich, Germany, in the Marienplatz in front of the world-famous Glockenspiel, sharing insights on the mental, physical, and personal development benefits of traveling in retirement. From cognitive stimulation and natural movement to lifelong learning and expanded perspective, this episode encourages retirees to view travel as a powerful tool for growth, curiosity, and connection.
Five Minute Friday 10: Full Episode Notes / Transcript (Click Here)
Five Minute Friday 9: Summary: Hello Mindsetters! We took a short break during the holidays, but we’re back and ready to bring you great new content for the New Year in 2026! As we step into 2026, this Five Minute Friday is a moment to pause, reflect, and intentionally move forward. Bob looks back on 2025 as a transformative year—one defined by a shift into a new retired mindset grounded in intention, optimism, and creativity. That shift led to the creation of The Retired Mindset podcast as a creative outlet and community space for sharing perspectives, lessons learned, and encouragement for those navigating retirement with purpose. This episode invites listeners to honor the blessings and lessons of the past year while embracing 2026 as a season of fresh beginnings, new opportunities, and meaningful growth. With gratitude as a foundation and optimism as a guide, retirement becomes not an ending—but an intentional redesign of life.
Five Minute Friday 9: Full Episode Notes / Transcript (Click Here)
Episode 5: Summary: In this soulful and scenic episode, recorded amidst mountain winds coming off of Lake McLeod in the Eastern Sierra, host Bob Preston sits down with longtime friend and nature photographer Alan Kassan. In retirement, Alan traded his career and office life for wide-open skies, rugged alpine trails, and a custom Sprinter van built for adventure. Together, they explore what it means to retire with intention and purpose —not away from something, but boldly toward a life filled with passion, creativity, and connection to the natural world. From the Sierra Nevada to Yosemite to the eastern edge of Highway 395, Alan shares how the road became his teacher, his retreat, photography studio, and his canvas.
Episode 5: Full Episode Notes / Transcript (Click Here)
Five Minute Friday 8: Summary: In this Five Minute Friday, Bob is exploring why retirement isn’t the end of personal growth and development — it’s the beginning of an entirely new, more intentional chapter. Personal development becomes not just optional, but essential, as we navigate the blank canvas of this phase of life. From identity shifts to curiosity, creativity, and building new habits, this episode reframes personal growth and development as a powerful fuel for happiness, meaning, and fulfillment in retirement.
Five Minute Friday 8: Full Episode Notes / Transcript
Five Minute Friday 7: Summary: The Emotional Shift Into Retirement: Retirement isn’t just a logistical change — it’s an emotional one. The routines fade, the job titles disappear, and the calendar opens up. That newfound space can feel freeing… but also a little unsettling. Practicing gratitude helps anchor us through this transition. It reminds us of what’s constant, what’s meaningful, and what we often overlook.
Five Minute Friday 7: Full Episode Notes / Transcript
Episode 4: Summary: In this episode of The Retired Mindset, Bob sits down with Dr. Jaimie Arona Krems, Associate Professor of Psychology at UCLA and Co-Founder/Director of the UCLA Center for Friendship Research—the first academic hub dedicated to decoding and strengthening human social connection. This conversation is filled with warmth, science, humor, and wisdom you can put into practice today.
Episode 4 – Full Episode Notes / Transcript
Five Minute Friday 6: Summary: You’ve heard the phrase “The Golden Years” your whole life, right? That overly sentimental term that sounds like it was pulled straight from a 1970s retirement brochure — smiling couple, pastel sweaters, beach walk, soft-focus camera lens… maybe a gentle flute solo in the background? Here’s the problem: “Golden Years” unintentionally suggests winding down. It paints retirement as a mellow, static stage for rocking chairs, sunset-watching, and slow-motion pancake-flipping. Nice, but… not exactly inspiring.
Five Minute Friday 6: Full Episode Notes / Transcript
Five Minute Friday 5: Summary: Bobby P reflects on one of the most significant emotional shifts in retirement: the loss — and rediscovery — of community. When we step away from full-time work, we don’t just give up tasks, meetings, and responsibilities; we lose the daily contact, camaraderie, and shared sense of purpose that quietly shaped our lives for decades. Through his experiences in Mammoth’s Host Department and simple moments back home in Del Mar, Bob explores how community shows up in unexpected ways — and how essential it is for meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in retirement.
Five Minute Friday 5: Full Episode Notes / Transcript
Episode 3 – Part 2: Summary: In this powerful Part II conversation, Bob Preston welcomes back aviation legend Rogers E. Smith—NASA test pilot, SR-71 Blackbird pilot, and lifelong student of leadership and passion—to explore how he has carried his core values into retirement. Rogers opens up about his philosophies on money and fulfillment, the two guiding principles that shaped his entire journey (“leadership” and “passion”), and how those same values continue to guide him through retirement. Bob and Rogers discuss the emotional transition out of a career you love, facing self-doubt, what he wishes he had known earlier, and how he stays connected through community—especially in Coronado and Mammoth.
Episode 3 – Part 2: Full Episode Notes / Transcript
Five Minute Friday 4: Summary: Podcast host Bob Preston reflects on the true joy that comes from giving back — inspired by one of his lifelong heroes, legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, who once said: “Nothing can give you greater joy than doing something for another.” From growing up a passionate UCLA basketball fan to serving today as Vice Chair of Communications on the UCLA Parents’ Council, Bob shares how volunteering has become a cornerstone of his retired life — providing connection, community, and renewed purpose. He explores why giving back isn’t just about helping others — it’s also about nourishing the human spirit and rediscovering our sense of worth beyond work.
Five Minute Friday 4: Full Episode Notes / Transcript
Five Minute Friday 3: Summary: Bob Preston is coming to you from the base of beautiful Mammoth Mountain, where the air is fresh, the peaks are dusted with early snow, and the message is clear — retirement health is about more than just staying busy. In this episode, Bob opens up about what he has learned regarding the connection between mental and physical health in retirement. From his 5 am routine of mindfulness, meditation, and reading to his outdoor adventures around Mammoth and Del Mar, Bob shares how small daily habits can transform how you think, move, and live.
Five Minute Friday 3 Notes / Video / Transcript
Episode 3 – Part 1: Summary: Podcast host Bob Preston’s guest today is aviation royalty. Rogers E. Smith—“Rog” to his friends—is a former Royal Canadian Air Force pilot, Air National Guard veteran, and NASA test pilot who spent nearly two decades at the legendary Dryden (now Neil Armstrong) Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base. During his incredible career, Rog flew some of the world’s most advanced aircraft: the X-29, X-31, F-15, F-16, and F-18 jets. But his crown jewel? Eight years in the cockpit of the SR-71 Blackbird—the world’s fastest airplane. We’re talking 85,000 feet and over Mach 3—more than 2,300 miles per hour. Yes, faster than a speeding bullet.
Episode 3 – Part 1: Full Episode Notes / Transcript
Five Minute Friday 2: Summary: Bob Preston, shares his biggest surprise about retirement — it’s harder than it seems. Most of us spend years dreaming about retirement: freedom, travel, long mornings, no deadlines. But when it finally arrives, you realize… this is a massive life shift: one that touches your identity, your routine, and your sense of purpose. For decades, work gave Bob structure, direction, accountability, and even self-worth. He didn’t realize how much of who he was was tied to that professional identity until it was gone. And he learned something: you can’t just subtract work. You have to replace it with something meaningful.
Five Minute Friday 2 Notes / Video / Transcript
Episode 2 : Summary: In this special episode, The Retired Mindset host, Bob Preston, goes solo to share a heartfelt reflection on the concept of Trail Angels—the kindhearted individuals who have profoundly impacted his life and hiking adventures. Bob discusses how he came to his decision to retire and highlights the importance of the inspiring people he met along the way on his retirement journey, emphasizing how their kindness propelled him forward.
Episode 2: Full Episode Notes / Transcript
Five Minute Friday 1: Summary: In this very first Five Minute Friday, Bob kicks off a brand-new series of short, on-location mini-episodes designed to bring you quick bursts of insight, fun, and adventure every Friday — all in five minutes or less. Broadcasting from the beach in Del Mar, Bob shares the story and purpose behind The Retired Mindset and what listeners can expect in the episodes ahead. This isn’t a retirement finance show — it’s about redefining what life after the 9-to-5 can truly look like.
Five Minute Friday 1:Full Episode Notes / Transcript
Episode 1 : Summary: Many of you are aware that Bob has been a podcaster for years, but you may not know that he has just launched a new one! It’s called The Retired Mindset, and it’s now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all the major podcast platforms. It’s also available on our website, theretiredmindset.com, along with a wealth of other great information and resources. In Episode 1, Hear All About It, Bob is flying solo to introduce The Retired Mindset and tell our listeners what this podcast is all about. Listen in as Bob shares a glimpse into his current retired mindset, which can apply to every person, regardless of their retirement status, financial resources, or health.
Episode 1: Full Episode Notes / Transcript
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics does the podcast cover?
The podcast covers a variety of topics related to retirement, including mental health, lifestyle changes, and personal development, all aimed at helping listeners thrive in their retirement years. While we may touch on some basic financial points, this IS NOT a podcast on wealth management and financial planning for retirement. There are 100s of podcasts already dedicated to those topics.
Who is the host of the podcast?
The podcast is hosted by Bob Preston, an on-air podcast personality known for his engaging discussions and insights on living your best life in retirement. He is not a life coach, therapist, or financial planner. Nor is he trying to be a metaphysical guru. He is just an ordinary guy who has discovered joy in retirement and wants to share that experience with anyone interested.
How can I listen to the episodes?
You can listen to the episodes right here on our website Episodes page and all major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
Is there a community for listeners?
Yes, we encourage listeners to join our online community on social media (links below) where they can share experiences, ask questions, and connect with others on similar journeys.
How often are new episodes released?
New episodes are released weekly, providing fresh insights and discussions on various retirement topics to keep you informed and inspired as you navigate this exciting phase of life.