Rock Your Retirement Show

This episode of the Rock Your Retirement podcast features an engaging and insightful conversation between Kathe Kline, Barb, and their guest, Dawn Fleming, author of the book "Claim Your Dream Life: How to Retire in Paradise on a Shoestring Budget." The episode explores the journey Dawn Fleming took from financial hardship—including surviving a real estate crash and foreclosure—to ultimately finding a fulfilling and affordable lifestyle abroad. Dawn Fleming shares her personal story of relocating from Southern California to Florida and eventually investing in property on Isla Mujeres, a Caribbean island off the coast of Cancun, illustrating how she rebuilt her life from “way below zero” and discovered a new sense of purpose in her third act.Throughout the conversation, the hosts and Dawn Fleming address the common concerns and fears many retirees face, especially those worried about finances and the prospect of moving to a foreign country. Dawn Fleming offers a practical framework for those curious about living abroad: starting with purposeful travel, performing a "beta test" of living like a local, and always renting before buying property. She emphasizes the importance of understanding your personal non-negotiables—such as climate, culture, community, and access to healthcare—to ensure a successful and satisfying transition.Unlike many retirement resources that focus almost exclusively on money, this episode delves into holistic aspects of retirement, reflecting the podcast’s “six pillars”—significant other, family, health, spiritual, friends, and purpose. Barb and Kathe Kline highlight how Dawn Fleming’s experience and book address these emotional and existential factors, encouraging listeners to seek a retirement lifestyle that truly feeds their soul, rather than just their bank account. The discussion showcases how retirement can be a new chapter full of possibility, adventure, and meaning.Additionally, the episode tackles the psychological barriers to retirement—such as fear of the unknown, language challenges, and concerns about leaving community behind—and provides reassurance that embracing change can lead to profound personal growth. Through stories of participants in Dawn Fleming’s workshops and retreats, the audience learns how others have navigated this journey, found love, purpose, and vibrant community in unexpected places. The episode ultimately leaves listeners inspired to reimagine retirement not as an end, but as a rich and rewarding new beginning.

In this episode of the Rock Your Retirement show, host Kathe Kline welcomes Dr. Jennifer Therese Huston, a neuroscientist and author of "Sharp: 14 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life with Brain Science." Together, they delve into practical brain health strategies, especially relevant to those approaching or enjoying retirement. The discussion zeroes in on actionable ways listeners can protect and improve their cognitive function as they age.Dr. Huston explains recent advancements in neuroscience and shares how our understanding of brain health, memory, and focus has become more accessible and applicable to everyday life, especially in the last decade. They talk about the normal age-related decline in parts of the brain responsible for memory and planning—specifically the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus—and reassure listeners that it’s possible to maintain or even regain brain mass through intentional lifestyle choices.The episode gets practical as Dr. Huston introduces the “MAPLE” acronym for brain health: Move, Play, Learn. The hosts discuss research-backed ways to keep your brain sharp, emphasizing physical activity (like brisk walking and dance), social engagement, and lifelong learning—especially language learning—as particularly powerful. Kathe shares her own experiences with sleep tracking, learning Spanish, and even using sleep stories to boost both her rest and her brain’s cleaning process at night.Listeners also hear tips for handling forgetfulness, improving sleep, and adapting habits for better brain health—such as using timers in the kitchen and speaking actions out loud to aid memory. The episode wraps up by encouraging listeners to seek out play and continuous learning as essential ingredients of vibrant aging, and by letting them know where they can find Dr. Huston’s book for more in-depth advice.This episode is sponsored by CertifiedMedicareAgents.com

In this heartfelt episode of "Rock Your Retirement," host Kathe Kline and Retiree Barb dive into the joys and lasting impact of creating special one-on-one memories with grandchildren and younger family members. Barb shares her recent experience of taking her 12-year-old grandson, Grant, on a weekend birthday adventure, a tradition she adapted from Kathe's idea of traveling individually with nieces and nephews. The primary goal of these trips is to deepen relationships, encourage independence, and empower kids to make decisions—all outside the typical family dynamic.The episode details Grant’s customized birthday weekend in San Francisco, where he took the lead in planning and navigating the trip. From handling airport logistics and public transportation, to making decisions about meals and activities, Barb intentionally stepped back, allowing Grant to develop confidence and life skills. Highlights included attending an NBA game to see his favorite player, navigating the Bay Area Rapid Transit system, exploring the city by bike—including riding across the Golden Gate Bridge—and enjoying an innovative sushi dinner delivered by rocket-shaped trays.Beyond the fun and adventure, Kathe and Barb reflect on the powerful conversations and moments of connection these trips foster. They emphasize that the real value goes far beyond the activities—it’s about dedicated time, teaching responsibility, and creating memories that last a lifetime. They also stress that these meaningful experiences don’t require a lavish budget; even a low-cost local adventure can be profoundly impactful. The episode wraps up with encouragement for listeners to find ways, big or small, to invest time with the young people in their lives, affirming that these shared experiences are priceless both for the kids and for themselves.This episode is sponsored by CertifiedMedicareAgents.com

In this episode of the Rock Your Retirement podcast, Kathe Kline and Barb Mock welcome Andrew Motiwala, founder of The Good Life Abroad, for an insightful conversation about reimagining overseas travel in retirement. Andrew shares his journey from discovering a love for travel during his college study-abroad program and Peace Corps service to creating unique experiences for retirees who seek deeper cultural immersion beyond traditional tours and cruises.Andrew explains how The Good Life Abroad was developed in response to feedback from travelers wanting more meaningful, less hectic travel experiences in retirement. Unlike short-term stays through Airbnb or VRBO, which can be hit-or-miss and rarely offer community, Andrew’s program focuses on one-month minimum stays in vetted apartments, ensuring comfort and accessibility. Each cohort-based experience connects like-minded individuals in the same neighborhood, with activities like happy hours, cooking classes, and historical walking tours organized by a local community manager. These managers not only facilitate group bonding but also provide personalized support, from restaurant recommendations to travel logistics and even help during local strikes or other disruptions.The episode dives into the importance of community and flexibility while living abroad as a retiree. Andrew highlights how participants form deep friendships through shared interests, and the program adapts to their unique goals—be it art, language learning, or simply soaking in local life at their own pace. There’s an emphasis on serendipity and the magic that comes from having the freedom to explore, rather than being confined to a tight itinerary.For those with budget constraints or who prefer DIY travel, Andrew offers practical advice on how to find affordable destinations, build community, and access meaningful cultural experiences through local organizations, Facebook groups, and language institutes. The conversation also touches on the growing popularity of this approach—described as “study abroad for retirees”—and how solos, including many widows, can feel safe and welcomed in such programs. The episode wraps up with ways to connect with The Good Life Abroad gives encouragement for listeners to pursue their dream of long-term international living, whether independently or with support from a curated program.This episode is sponsored by CertifiedMedicareAgents.com

This episode of the Rock Your Retirement show dives into a topic that many people shy away from but is absolutely crucial: estate planning and what happens when we’re no longer here. Host Kathe Kline, accompanied by Barb Mock, welcomes guest David Edee, who brings his personal and professional experience to the discussion. David shares his own difficult story of settling his parents’ estate—an ordeal that involved seven years in court, ten court appearances, and $50,000 in legal fees, all exacerbated by a lack of preparation and open conversation within his family. This deeply personal account sets the tone for a candid exploration of why estate planning matters not only for ourselves, but even more so for those we leave behind.Throughout the conversation, the hosts and David stress the importance of having tough but necessary discussions with family members well before a crisis hits. Barb provides a real-life perspective as someone currently navigating these conversations with elderly relatives, and Kathe underscores the need for advance directives, powers of attorney, and plans for incapacity, not just death. David highlights that establishing a will, preparing an executor, and keeping essential documents and digital information organized are all parts of the “greatest gift of love” we can offer our families. They discuss the emotional and logistical burdens left on loved ones when these steps are neglected, sharing examples of messy inheritances, family rifts, and even children taking parents to court over perceived threats to their future inheritance.Practical tips abound in the episode—from updating wills and considering trusts to keeping everything an executor would need in a brightly colored folder, including access to digital assets. Kathe and Barb reflect honestly on their own preparations, discussing tools like password managers and the challenge of choosing the right person to serve as executor. David also introduces the powerful concept of “legacy letters”—handwritten notes to loved ones passing on memories, advice, and sentiments that transcend legalities and financial matters.Ultimately, the episode is about more than death and money; it’s about caring for the people you love and ensuring family unity endures beyond your lifetime.With a mix of vulnerability, practical guidance, and even humor, the conversation empowers listeners to face estate planning head-on and leave behind an organized, thoughtful legacy rather than family discord or chaos. Listeners are encouraged to start the uncomfortable discussions, get their affairs in order, and consider creating their own legacy letters. David’s book “Executor Help” and his resources are mentioned as helpful next steps for anyone looking to get started.This episode is sponsored by CertifiedMedicareAgents.com