87. What’s So Great About Retirement?
Summary
Stephen and Angela debate the pros and cons of retirement, addressing a listener’s hesitation to leave a rewarding job. They explore data on non-standard retirement paths, the link between retirement and cognitive decline, and psychologist George Vaillant’s findings on aging well. The hosts conclude that maintaining purpose, relationships, and mental engagement is crucial, suggesting that "use it or lose it" applies to the brain even after leaving the workforce.
Topics discussed
Intro and T-Mobile Home Internet ad
Listener question on reluctant retirement
Retirement statistics and non-standard paths
Cognitive decline and the retirement link
Upsides and downsides of retiring
Listener voice memos on ideal retirement
The psychology of purpose and goals
George Vaillant's research on aging well
Pets, relationships, and use it or lose it
Fact check and closing credits
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