Bob Preston - The Retired Mindset

01/10/2026

Yay! 👏⛷️😃🌟Bags made it to hotel, FINALLY, three days later. Ski vacation disaster averted! ❤️🎿 Heading to Italy tomorrow.

Ugh, trying to stay positive after 3 days in Munich without my luggage. 😩

01/09/2026

Welcome Mindsetters to another Five Minute Friday installment, this one FMF #10, of The Retired Mindset podcast! 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 wold 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. Whether you’re planning an international adventure or a nearby cultural escape, this episode will inspire you to travel with intention and openness in your retirement years.

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED:
* Travel in retirement
* Benefits of international travel for seniors
* Mental health and cognitive benefits of travel
* Physical activity through travel and walking
* Lifelong learning in retirement
* Personal growth after retirement
* Retirement lifestyle design
* Expanding worldview in retirement
* Active and engaged retirement

CORE THEMES COVERED:
* Mental Benefits of Travel in Retirement
* Experiencing new languages, cultures, and environments activates the brain, improves cognitive flexibility, and keeps the mind engaged well into retirement.
* Physical Health Through Active Travel
* Walking cities, exploring neighborhoods, and moving naturally throughout the day supports balance, endurance, and overall vitality without the pressure of formal exercise.
* Continued Learning and Personal Development
* Travel becomes a living classroom, offering lessons in history, culture, humility, and curiosity through real-world experience rather than structured education.
* Expanding Perspective and Worldview
* Exposure to different ways of living fosters empathy, gratitude, and the understanding that fulfillment in retirement doesn’t follow a single formula.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
* Retirement travel supports both mental sharpness and physical vitality
* Learning and growth continue long after leaving the workforce
* Travel encourages curiosity, adaptability, and openness
* Perspective gained through travel enhances fulfillment in retirement
* You don’t have to travel far — intention matters more than distance

CALL TO ACTION THIS WEEKEND!
* Plan One Intentional Trip
* Choose a destination that offers cultural, historical, or personal growth opportunities.
* Move Naturally While Traveling
* Walk when possible, explore on foot, and allow movement to be part of daily discovery.
* Engage With Curiosity
* Try local foods, learn simple phrases, and observe how others live their daily lives.
* Reflect and Integrate

After returning home, reflect on what the journey taught you about yourself and your approach to retirement.

Travel in retirement isn’t about escaping life — it’s about expanding it. When you challenge your mind, move your body, and open yourself to the world, retirement becomes a season of growth rather than retreat.

FOLLOW UP:
* Subscribe to The Retired Mindset
* Leave a review and share this episode with a fellow retiree
* Travel with curiosity, intention, and openness

Because in retirement…
Soul Meets Body.

Thanks for joining us and I will see you next week!

JJoin us as we post new episodes weekly!

Connect with Bob:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonbob/
Gravatar: https://bobpreston.bio
Website: https://www.theretiredmindset.com

Listen on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-retired-mindset/id1838534053
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DrNVv6ArJEHlwp56bRgJF
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-retired-mindset-292983096/





https://youtu.be/bnIyf5rDLzM

Welcome Mindsetters to another Five Minute Friday installment of The Retired Mindset podcast! Travel in retirement is about far more than sightseeing — it’s ...

01/02/2026

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.

Key Themes:

* Reflection on a transformative year in retirement
* Gratitude for lessons learned and blessings received
* Embracing creativity and purpose after leaving traditional work
* Viewing retirement as a fresh chapter, not a finish line
* Setting goals rooted in intention rather than obligation
* Facing challenges with confidence and self-belief
* Living each day as a gift waiting to be unwrapped

Key Takeaways:

* Retirement is a redesign, not a retreat. It’s an opportunity to reimagine how you live, create, and contribute.
* Looking back with gratitude brings clarity moving forward. * Reflection helps guide better decisions in the future.
* Creativity fuels the soul in retirement. New outlets and ideas keep purpose alive.
* Optimism is a daily choice. It shapes how we approach both opportunity and adversity.
* Each day matters. Treat every day as a gift and an invitation to live fully.
* Challenges are part of the journey—but so is resilience. You’ve overcome obstacles before, and you will again.

Reflection Question for Mindsetters:

As you begin 2026, what lessons from the past year do you want to carry forward—and what new dreams are you ready to pursue?

Closing Thought:

Retirement is a journey best traveled with intention, gratitude, and an open heart. In this next chapter, remember, in retirement:

Soul Meets Body.

Join us as we post new episodes weekly!

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 int...

12/16/2025

**Happy Holidays from The Retired Mindset**
… we are taking a brief break from posting …

As we celebrate this festive season, we’re reminded of the power of gratitude and the importance of living where soul meets body. It’s a time to reflect, appreciate, and embrace the present moment.

We’ll be back in early January 2026 with new episodes and more inspiration to help guide your journey. Until then, may your holidays be filled with peace, joy, and meaningful connections.

With warmth and gratitude,
Bob Preston
The Retired Mindset

12/11/2025

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.

Themes:
1. Retiring Toward Something Meaningful
Alan’s journey illustrates the mindset shift that makes retirement transformative: choosing purpose over pause, exploration over stagnation, and curiosity over comfort.

2. The Sierra Nevada as a Source of Healing and Identity
With time spent in Mammoth, Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and Mono Lake, Alan reflects on how the mountains, alpine lakes, and desert light shaped his sense of self in this chapter of life.

3. Roaming with a Purpose
Alan dives into nature while traveling in his customized Sprinter van—off-grid camping, favorite routes along Highway 395, the challenges behind the scenic Instagram moments, and the incredible payoff of waking up exactly where inspiration strikes.

4. Photography as a Passion
Photography became more than a hobby—it became a new identity that gave Alan structure, creativity, and personal meaning in retirement. He shares how being behind the camera helped him slow down, pay attention, and live more mindfully.

5. Beginning a Creative Journey at Any Age
For listeners dreaming about writing, painting, photographing, or building something new, Alan offers grounded, heartfelt advice: Start small. Start messy. Just start.

Key Takeaways
1. Retirement Is a Beginning, Not an Ending
Letting go of a career opens space for reinvention, self-discovery, and ambitious personal adventures.

2. Purpose Lives in the Things That Light You Up
Your passion—whether photography or something entirely different—isn’t frivolous. It’s fuel.

3. Nature Can Reset Your Compass
The solitude of the Sierras offered Alan clarity, grounding, and joy—reminding us that reconnecting with the outdoors often reconnects us with ourselves.

4. Freedom Has Both Challenges and Rewards
Off-grid camping demands resilience, planning, and adaptability. But the payoff—still mornings, quiet forests, star-filled skies—is worth every obstacle.

5. Creativity Thrives When You Give It Space
Retirement can finally give you the time your creative pursuits always deserved. Let that be an invitation, not an intimidation.

Notable Moments:
* Alan’s “aha” moment that pushed him toward retirement
*Designing a Sprinter van to stay off-grid in the Eastern Sierra
* Navigating Highway 395 seasonally for wildlife and weather
* Alan’s favorite campsite stories (without giving away his secret spots!)
* How photography became a spiritual and emotional practice
* The eternal debate: sunrise or sunset?
* The one photo he still dreams of capturing

Call to Action:
If this episode inspires you, take an intentional step toward something that sparks curiosity or joy. Whether it’s a creative pursuit, a new outdoor habit, or simply exploring a passion you’ve put off—start today.

👉 Check out Alan’s photography:
https://www.aklightplay.com

👉 Join The Retired Mindset Community:
Visit TheRetiredMindset.com and follow us on Instagram for more episodes, insights, and inspiration.

If you enjoyed this episode:

• Like the video
• Subscribe to the channel
• Leave a comment sharing your biggest insight
• Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it

Join us as we post new episodes weekly!

Connect with Bob:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonbob/
Gravatar: https://bobpreston.bio
Website: https://www.theretiredmindset.com

Listen on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-retired-mindset/id1838534053
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DrNVv6ArJEHlwp56bRgJF
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-retired-mindset-292983096/





https://youtu.be/VMo98u2fc8A

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 ...

12/09/2025

In this Five Minute Friday, I'm 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.

Key Talking Points:
1. A New Beginning, Not a Slowdown
Retirement frees us from the constant deadlines, deliverables, and identity tied to a career. But that freedom can feel unsettling without structure or purpose. Personal development becomes the bridge from “What now?” to “What’s next?”

2. The Retired Mindset Shift:
Growth doesn’t end at 60, 70, or 80 — unless we decide it does. Curiosity is one of the most youthful energies we have. I've learned along my retirement journey that personal development at this stage is less about climbing ladders and more about exploring:
* New skills
* New passions
* New communities
* New challenges

3. Identity Beyond the Job Title:
Many retirees discover how much of their identity was linked to their career. My goal in retirement has been to create a sense of self-worth and direction. Personal growth and development become the work of rediscovering who you are — and who you want to be now. It can include:
* Journaling
* Fun classes or new certifications
* Creative passions and pursuits
* Physical or mental training
* Spiritual grounding

4. The Power of Small, Daily Habits:
Small commitments such as these will create consistency — and consistency creates momentum.
* Five minutes of stretching.
* Five minutes of early morning meditation.
* Reading 10 pages or listening to a Blinkist audio.
* One mindful walk.
* One new conversation.

5. Reinvention is Encouraged:
You’re not starting over; you’re leveling up. Retirement has given me permission to evolve. Whether it’s picking up photography, joining a hiking group, volunteering, learning a language, or starting a podcast — this stage is perfect for reinvention.

6. Real-Life Example From Bobby P:
For me, personal development in retirement is ongoing, energizing, and deeply fulfilling. I like the early morning before the world wakes up. I'm in the 5am club, rising before everyone, to meditate, listen to my Blinkist library, journal, or just watch the sunrise. Starting the day right helps me maintain my retired mindset for the rest of the day.

Key Takeaways:
* Personal development doesn’t have an age limit. Growth keeps us energized and emotionally healthy.
* Retirement is an opportunity to design who we want to become next.
* Progress beats perfection. Small daily improvements create massive long-term transformation.
* You’re allowed to reinvent yourself at any time — and retirement is the perfect season to do it.

Call to Action:
Reflect on one area where you want to grow this month and take small steps, even five minutes, to move in that direction of personal growth and direction.

The Retired Mindset community is all about growth, connection, and supporting each other through this journey. Where Soul Meets Body

Join us as we post new episodes weekly!

Connect with Bob:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: / prestonbob
Gravatar: https://bobpreston.bio
Website: https://www.theretiredmindset.com

Listen on:
YouTube: /
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DrNVv6...
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-th...



https://youtu.be/QX97LjqHED8?si=PLMrCicAFHB5_9as

In this Five Minute Friday, Bob “Bobby P” Preston explores why retirement isn’t the end of growth — it’s the beginning of an entirely new, more intentional c...

12/02/2025

Episode 4: Friendship, the Key to a Happy Retirement, Ft. Dr. Jaimie Krems, is now live and streaming! This is one of the most interesting and fun episodes I've ever been a part of!

This week on The Retired Mindset podcast, I sat down with Dr. Jaimie Arona Krems, Associate Professor of Psychology at UCLA and Director of the UCLA Center for Friendship Research — yes, the actual place where they scientifically study how friendships work!

We dive into something absolutely essential in retirement: friendship. Not the casual kind… the real, meaningful, life-giving kind.

Dr. Krems shares why friendship is the silver bullet for health and happiness, why so many retirees experience loneliness even when life looks “full,” and the science behind creating what she calls “anti-lonely brains.”

If you’re retired, about to retire, or just craving deeper connection — this episode is a game-changer. Please give it a listen 🎧💙

In today’s episode of The Retired Mindset, host Bobby P sits down with Dr. Jaimie Arona Krems, Associate Professor of Psychology at UCLA and Co-Founder/Direc...

12/01/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from me to you and yours! FMF 7 - Expressing Gratitude: A Thanksgiving Reflection, is now live and streaming!!

As we head into Thanksgiving weekend, today’s Five Minute Friday is all about one of the most grounding and transformative practices we have in retirement: gratitude.

I am grateful for our new sponsor, a cool clothing line called Find The Good. Here is a link to their website, where you will receive a 10% discount by using my coupon code, BOBPRESTON. Click here to shop Find The Good clothing online:
https://findthegoodbrand.com/discount/BOBPRESTON?ref=hawlxejr

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.

Why Gratitude Matters Even More Now:
For the first time in decades, retirement gives us time — time to slow down, reflect, and actually notice our lives. When the deadlines and noise drop away, what remains?

* The people who shaped us
* The friends who supported us
* The family who lifted us up
* The moments we rushed through on the way to somewhere else
* Retirement lets us finally see those things clearly — if we choose to look.

A Thanksgiving Reminder:
Thanksgiving isn’t just about food (though no complaints there).
It’s a built-in pause button — a moment to look around the table, literal or symbolic, and think: “Wow. I’m lucky.”

And here’s the truth: In retirement, every day can be Thanksgiving. It’s not about the holiday — it’s about the mindset.

Your Weekend Gratitude Challenge:
Before Monday arrives, or sometime next week, try this simple exercise:

* Write down three things you’re grateful for — anything, big or small.
* Share one of them with someone you care about.
* Gratitude multiplies when it’s expressed. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling —
* It’s a practice, an expression, and a powerful tool for shaping this stage of life.

Wishing you a warm, connected, and grateful Thanksgiving holiday weekend!

Join us as we post new episodes weekly!

Connect with Bob:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: /prestonbob
Gravatar: https://bobpreston.bio
Website: https://www.theretiredmindset.com

Listen on:
YouTube: /
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DrNVv6...
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-th...




https://youtu.be/PNImbeC36do

As we head into Thanksgiving weekend, today’s Five Minute Friday is all about one of the most grounding and transformative practices we have in retirement: g...

11/24/2025

This week's Five Minute Friday is now live and streaming!
We’re taking on a big cultural myth — one that desperately needs a modern-day reboot.

You’ve heard the phrase “The Golden Years” your whole life, right? Here’s the problem: “Golden Years” unintentionally suggests winding down. It paints retirement as a mellow, static stage meant for rocking chairs, sunset-watching, and slow-motion pancake flipping. Nice, but… not exactly inspiring.

And let’s be honest — gold doesn’t bend.
It’s inflexible.
Exactly the mindset we do not want heading into retirement.

In this episode, Bob challenges the whole idea and makes the case for a full-on rebrand:

Retirement isn’t a final act — it’s an encore. And not a quiet one. Think pyrotechnics, laser lights, a guitar solo, and a crowd screaming for more.
These aren’t years to coast — they’re years to level up.
Instead of “Golden Years,” maybe it’s time to call them:
The Prime Time Years
The Bonus Round
The Heck Yeah Years
Bob shares his own journey — how he initially fell into the “slow down” mindset after retiring… before quickly realizing he wasn’t built for that. Launching this podcast, exploring new passions, learning new things — this stage of life didn’t shrink him. It expanded him.

And the invitation to listeners?

Define this era for yourself. Boldly. Loudly. Honestly.
If someone says, “Enjoy those Golden Years,” feel free to reply:
“Nope — these are my Shining Years. My Bold Years. My Heck-Yeah-I’m-Still-Here Years.”

Because retirement isn’t the end of the road.
It’s the off-ramp to everything you finally have time to do, pursue, build, and become.

Life doesn’t fade after 60 — it gets brighter. And remember, in retirement, Soul Meets Body.

Join us as we post new episodes weekly!

Connect with Bob: [email protected], LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.

https://youtu.be/KKQ56B4pkSk

This week on Five Minute Friday, we’re taking on a big cultural myth — one that desperately needs a modern-day reboot.You’ve heard the phrase “The Golden Yea...

11/16/2025

Episode 3 Part 2: Faster Than a Speeding Bullet, Ft. NASA SR-71 Test Pilot, Rogers E. Smith ... now live and streaming!

Send us a text

In this powerful Part II conversation, Bob 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.

In Part I, Rogers shared stories from his extraordinary flying career. Today, the conversation shifts from the cockpit to the next chapter of life: how to build purpose, meaning, and fulfillment after stepping away from a high-achievement career.

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.

Listeners will also hear the inside story of Rogers and his wife Judy’s longtime involvement with the Mammoth Mountain Host/Safety team, where he and Bob serve together today.

This episode is filled with wisdom, humility, and heartfelt perspective from someone who has lived boldly, stayed curious, and continues to lead with integrity well into retirement.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why money matters—but isn’t enough—for fulfillment
The lifelong power of living by two simple values: leadership and passion
How to know when you’re truly ready to retire
Whether top performers regret stepping away from their careers
How to bring your best qualities into retired life
What Rogers wishes he knew before retiring
Why he splits his time between Coronado and Mammoth Lakes
How he and Judy stay active, engaged, and connected through community
Practical philosophies for “living great” in retirement
If you’re preparing for retirement—or already in it—Rogers’ wisdom offers a grounded and inspiring roadmap for designing a meaningful next chapter.

Join us as we post new episodes weekly!

Connect with Bob: [email protected], LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.

https://youtu.be/oBMqsOG2HM0

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...