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

Pat Belding: The Dream! Operating a Sports Bar in Retirement
MAY 19, 2026
Pat Belding: The Dream! Operating a Sports Bar in Retirement
Have you ever thought about your dream second act? Something you enjoy doing and you imagine what it would be like to run a fun business where you'd love to be a customer? Most of us wake up the next day and forget about that dream or talk ourselves out of it quick. This month's guest, Pat Belding is actually doing it. In his mid-sixties, he's running Frankie's Sports bar in San Francisco. Quite a change from owning and operating his high tech marketing company. Rather than dealing with Fortune 100 companies like 3M, Cisco and Google, he's behind the bar (managing a team of 20 employees, dealing with food and beverage vendors and keeping the bathrooms clean) while serving San Francisco Giants fans beer, cocktails and great food before and after games. And he's loving it! Pat is pushing way beyond his comfort zone. Three years ago, with no prior experience in the food and beverage industry, he started helping out at Frankie's, a cool sports bar on the South Beach marina. It's located just a stone's throw away from Oracle Park, where the SF Giants play. Frankie's, originally named the "Java Hut", has a special history--it's the Embarcadero's oldest operating eatery for over a century. His story is inspirational. Told with humor and humility. A true (un)retirement success story! • More about Pat Belding: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patbelding • More about Frankie's Sports Bar: https://www.frankiessf.com • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/pat-belding-interview-operating-a-sports-bar-in-retirement • Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide • Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die Video Series: https://howtoretireandnotdie.com • Subscribe to the the I Used to be Somebody Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe
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56 MIN
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
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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
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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
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52 MIN