I Used to be Somebody
I Used to be Somebody

I Used to be Somebody

Carl Landau

Overview
Episodes

Details

I Used to Be Somebody inspires 50+ year olds to build their (Un)Retired good life. Each month we interview cool, inspiring people about their retirement challenges and why and how they figured it out—turning this phase of life into an incredible, rewarding reality. It's for people who don't want to retire--they just want to do something new that is more fun, less grind, and more meaningful. Our guests have created amazing Second Acts! Oh, and there's a little talk about Pickleball.

Recent Episodes

Andrew Motiwalla: Mr. Travel -- The Good Life Abroad
APR 14, 2026
Andrew Motiwalla: Mr. Travel -- The Good Life Abroad
What's the most fun thing to do in (Un)Retirement? Everyone has their favorites. But top on many lists is TRAVEL. This month's guest is Andrew Motiwalla, who Carl calls "Mr. Travel" since he's been traveling the world since he was a child. Travel with his family planted the seed and he joined the Peace Corps at 20 years old. Since then the "immersion" theme has carried through his life. Andrew has been an globe-trotting tech entrepreneur and even launched his own specialized travel experience companies. Andrew built a travel organization focused on expanding the horizons of high school students. Now he's developed a very cool experience called "The Good Life Abroad," created for active adults who want to live for a month or two in Europe with a built-in community and concierge service. In the interview, he offers great travel tips and also life experience advice about slowing down, avoiding "tourist mode" and pushing yourself past your comfort zone. In the right environment, we can all do some amazing things with our lives! Andrew is a very interesting guy who has created an adventurous second act for himself. More about Andrew Motiwalla: https://thegoodlifeabroad.com/about-us Andrew's venture The Good Life Abroad: https://thegoodlifeabroad.com Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/andrew-motiwalla-interview-mr-travel-the-good-life-abroad Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die Video Series: https://howtoretireandnotdie.com Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide Subscribe to the the I Used to be Somebody Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe
play-circle icon
50 MIN
Mitch Slater: From Broadcast Producer to Adviser to Digital Creator
MAR 10, 2026
Mitch Slater: From Broadcast Producer to Adviser to Digital Creator
If you're into pop culture, great stories and some outstanding (un)retirement advice, you will love this episode! Mitch got his start as a producer for The Larry King show. He also shares a hilarious on air experience with Howard Stern. There's also his experience as a contestant on a new show (at the time) called Love Connection and his work on the Love Boat. When Mitch hit his 30's his dad suggested that he may want to get a "real job." He went on to have a very rewarding career in Financial Services for 35 years. But what about now? What Mitch is doing in his 3rd period (he likes to break his life into hockey terms) is very cool. He's combining his accumulated skills from his days in the entertainment broadcasting with all his financial advising background to teach financial advisors the modern day skill of storytelling through podcast, video and social platforms. At 65, Mitch finds his 3rd career is very fun and rewarding. • More about Mitch Slater: https://www.ubs.com/content/dam/assets/wma/us/insights/events/documents/mitch-slater-bio.pdf • Mitch's YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@mitchslater191 • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/mitch-slater-interview-from-broadcasting-producer-to-advisor-to-digital-creator • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die • I Used to be Somebody World Tour: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/all-tours • Subscribe to the the I Used to be Somebody Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe
play-circle icon
50 MIN
Tom Marks: Survived 40+ Years in the Ad Biz to a Coming of Age in Retirement
FEB 10, 2026
Tom Marks: Survived 40+ Years in the Ad Biz to a Coming of Age in Retirement
Hang onto your hat this month because Carl interviewed former ad wiz Tom Marks. We go on a wild retirement story. Tom's first couple of years in retirement he summed up in in one word "horrible". He moved into a 50+ community that he hated. He made a rigid list of activities that he "thought" he should be doing in retirement. He felt like he was on a hamster wheel and didn't know how to get off. It wasn't until he figured out that writing was what gave him peace and purpose. He just completed his second best-selling book, Coming of Age in Retirement, An Advertising Executive's story of Enlightenment and Revelation. It's full of insights into how to find your path to true happiness in retirement. He does so with candor and great humor. A bonus is hearing about Tom's father Melvin Marks who was a true celebrity in the advertising world. He was the marketing genius behind the success of Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn. • More about Tom Marks: https://thepeacefulretiree.com/author/tom-marks • Tom's newest book: https://www.comingofageinretirement.com • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/tom-marks-interview-survived-40-years-in-the-ad-biz-to-a-coming-of-age-in-retirement • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/ • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide • I Used to be Somebody World Tour: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/all-tours • Subscribe to the the I Used to be Somebody Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe
play-circle icon
52 MIN
Jillian Johnsrud: Learn How To Take Mini Retirements
JAN 13, 2026
Jillian Johnsrud: Learn How To Take Mini Retirements
Take a mini-retirement during your career? Take a retirement during your retirement? What? These are crazy ideas. But are they? Author Jillian Johnsrud explains this concept and why it's so good for you. Host Carl is a believer and has personally taken 3 long breaks during his career. It helps you avoid burnout and gives you time and space to really think about what you want to do next in your career and life. Jillian has personally taken a dozen mini-retirements in 20 years. She explains how to create your own sabbatical, including how to talk with your employer about it, how to financially afford the sabbatical and even how to to plan for it. For entrepreneurs, she talks about how you can take a break without hurting your business, too. Jillian goes on to talk about the many benefits of taking a mini-retirement during your retirement. What? You'll need to listen in. • More about Jillian Johnsrud: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Jillian-Johnsrud-Interview-Learn-How-To-Take-Mini-Retirements • Jillian's book Retire Often: https://retireoften.com/book/ • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Jillian-Johnsrud-Interview-Learn-How-To-Take-Mini-Retirements • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/ • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/ • I Used to be Somebody World Tour: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/all-tours • Subscribe to the the I Used to be Somebody Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe
play-circle icon
51 MIN