Rethinking Retirement: "People now look at that phase of life after you leave your career, 65 or older, could be 55 or older, as an opportunity to live life differently than you have before." Mark Matson
We sit down and talk with Mark Matson about transitioning into new phases of life and building a rewarding encore career while giving back to the community. As Mark nears 70, he finds himself with more time for personal interests like swimming and planning a cross-country adventure, though he still enjoys his current job and the surprises it brings.
Mark shares a touching story about helping a guy named Paul move from an 1800 square foot house to a much smaller assisted living space. This wasn't just about logistics; it involved handling strong emotional attachments and practical needs. He talks about the importance of guiding people through such transitions with respect, understanding the sentimental value of their belongings, and finding new homes for cherished items.
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Shifting gears, Mark talks about his past in HR, where he spent years working on talent assessment, training, and development. Over time, he collected a ton of personal assessments like Myers-Briggs, DISC, and Enneagram, helping him understand his strengths, weaknesses, and creativity. This eventually led him to explore new interests like interior decorating, thanks to encouraging words from friends and colleagues.
Retirement planning is another big topic in Mark’s journey. He created a program called "Career Encore" with an HR firm and explored the idea of retirement coaching. Through interviews with retirees, he gained insights on staying active and avoiding a stagnant retirement.
Mark’s venture into business happened almost by accident. A friend needed help managing home renovations and asked Mark to step in. Applying his HR skills in this new context, he discovered a love for home improvement projects. This led to him starting his own “residential concierge” business, handling everything from beekeeping to home renovations. The gig let him use his talent management, emotional intelligence, and communication skills in a new, exciting way, rekindling his joy for seeing tangible results.
Mark recounts the stress of his previous HR role, particularly dealing with layoffs, and his decision to leave in search of more fulfilling work. This resonates with many in his age group who face unexpected career shifts and the challenges that come with them.
Starting his own business wasn't easy, but Mark got invaluable help from accountants and attorneys. He stresses that his journey wasn't meticulously planned—he took it one day at a time, staying motivated and faithful. Networking, researching opportunities, and putting positive intentions out there were crucial.
Mark's approach to Medicare is pretty creative too—he's got a visual “thermometer” to count down the months until eligibility, cutting down health insurance costs. Through his career shifts, he discovered skills he didn't know he had, getting to enjoy personal fulfillment and flexibility by being his own boss.
This episode embodies the value of recognizing transferable skills. It's a conversation full of insights and encouragement for anyone looking to transition into a new chapter in life while making a meaningful impact.
Memorable Moments
00:00 Career journey from Congress to HR director.
07:17 Wish society forewarned uncertain job losses sooner.
14:51 Divine intervention helped avoid challenging job situation.
21:10 Daily reliance and unexpected opportunities unfold daily.
26:50 Developed career encore course with retirement coaching.
31:21 Faith led me to take bold steps.
33:55 Asked to project manage home renovations, surprisingly.
41:16 Empathy, curiosity, listening, question-asking for service.
44:31 Everything learned is eventually used in life.
51:54 Grateful; Universe provides unexpectedly every month.
54:15 Helping navigate moving and letting go process.
01:00:51 Embrace change, avoid binary trap, gain presence.
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Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.
Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson
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The views and opinions expressed by the experts interviewed on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast hosts or any affiliated organizations. The information provided in these interviews is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for specific advice or information related to their individual circumstances. The podcast host and producers do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided by the experts interviewed. Listener discretion is advised.
