‘Walking into Retirement’ explores the emotional, psychological, and practical realities of modern retirement through a series of reflective conversations undertaken while walking scenic routes across the UK.
Retirement today is no longer a clear-cut ending to working life, and for many professionals, it is an uncertain transition marked by loss of identity, fear of stopping, questions of purpose, and the challenge of balancing enjoyment of life with planning for a (hopeful) long future.
‘Walking into Retirement’ will address this transition, head on, in a fresh and engaging way.
The authors will undertake a series of walks across the UK, coastal paths, countryside trails, and other familiar UK landscapes, and using walking as both a literal framework and a metaphor for change they will talk: honestly, humorously, and thoughtfully about what retirement now means, why it differs so much from previous generations, and how people can move into it deliberately rather than abruptly.
They will share their similar and yet very different approaches and plans for this new period in their lives and speak openly about their hopes and their fears.
The walks themselves will also be outlined to paint a picture for the readers.
Send us Fan Mail What happens when the career that shaped your identity, your routine and your relationships suddenly comes to an end? In this episode of Walking Into Retirement, Peter and DAS are joined by Louise from Australia to explore the reality of life after work. They talk about preparing for retirement, finding new purpose and structure, replacing workplace connections, discovering a new identity, and the unexpected freedom of having time without feeling guilty about how ...
18 Sept 2026
#16 - Wisdom - Getting Older, Getting Wiser? - The Walk that never was
Send us Fan Mail What actually makes us wise? Is it simply getting older and collecting a few more scars, stories and questionable decisions along the way? In this episode of Walking Into Retirement, Peter Taylor and DAS take a stroll through the idea of wisdom, exploring what experience teaches us, how our perspective changes as we get older, and whether we really become wiser or simply better at pretending we know what we are doing. Along the way, they reflect on the lesso...
28 Aug 2026
#15 - Availability - Who is going to tell me I'm doing a good job
Send us Fan Mail What happens when retirement is still several years away, but you start imagining life without work? In this episode, Chris shares her hopes, concerns and expectations, from more time for travel, volunteering and family, to the unexpected pressures of becoming more available to ageing parents. Exploring the loss of structure, recognition and measurable achievement, and asking whether retirement really means freedom or simply finding new ways to create purpose, mea...
9 Aug 2026
#14 - Moments - When achievement stops being the point - Thames Source and the Sapperton Tunnel
Did he fall over or was it a fall? DAS explains his personal sporting injury which becomes a surprisingly powerful moment of reflection. Rather than focusing on the fact that he fell, DAS reflects on how lucky he was not to be seriously injured and how the experience suddenly made life feel more immediate and precious. The conversation challenges the idea that retirement should simply become another project built around purpose, goals, achievement and productivity. After decades of being cond...
31 Jul 2026
#13 - Lighter - Finding contentment and comfort
In this episode, Peter and DAS, with their guest Jill, reflect on the power of roots, family, and what it means to move through life's transitions. From generations who were born, baptised and buried in the same village church to parents who left in search of new opportunities, the conversation explores how our backgrounds shape us. They also discuss the experience of a well-planned retirement, the importance of preparing for the transition, and the unexpected feeling of becoming 'lighter' on...
24 Jul 2026
#12 - Time - When every day is a Saturday - Wales Coast Path Chepstow
If every day is now like a Saturday where does the structure come from and is it important anyway? Peter and DAS go for a walk, get lost, and discover the perfect metaphor for the state of elderescence. They further explore the paradox - that when we are busy days feel long but years feel short, yet when, in retirement, days feel leisurely weeks can disappear because there are fewer memorable markers. And reflect on the idea that memory is built on novelty.
2 Jul 2026
#11 - Transition - Embracing opportunity and taking control
Three years after leaving corporate life, this episode reflects on the journey our guest, David, made taking back control and embracing the opportunity for continuous growth. It explores the power of defining how you want to feel rather than simply what you want to do, and how a simple coffee with a trusted friend (in this case DAS) can provide the perspective needed during times of change. The conversation concludes with the move into executive coaching, a role that brings togeth...
25 Jun 2026
#10 - Community - The importance of belonging - Symonds Yat/River Wye
In this episode, during a hot sunny walk along the beautiful river Wye at Symonds Yat, Peter and DAS explore community. We are, after all, social creatures and the value of community through work is something other guests on the podcast has spoken to. But what happens when that 'work' community ends and what do you replace it with in life? DAS accuses Peter of being a social 'loiterer' and Peter enjoys the walk even though he was expecting to just be in a pub. By land and by boat the dynamic ...
10 Jun 2026
#9 - Long Tail - When retirement is a gradual process over years
Exploring, with their guest, Dave Achtemichuk, the long glide path to the point of actual retirement. Peter shares some more statistics and DAS compliments his old boss on his golf handicap. But more importantly the conversation explores the idea that it doesn't have to be a hard stop at the 'R' point (or cliff edge) but it can be instead a gradual reduction in the work side of the work/life balance that offers opportunity. A model that our guest recommends.
23 May 2026
#8 Opportunity - A personal experience - Oxford Canal and the Thames
This episode, with a very flat walk along the Oxford canal and river Thames, chosen by Peter, is very much about Peter and his personal experience of the whole elderescence world. Echoing many of the lessons from earlier podcast guests but with it now a personal reality in a time-rich but focus-poor state and with no real plans beyond the 'R' point (and Peter decides it must be called) DAS offers up some thoughts and encouragement. The heart of which is that 'experience becomes more valuable ...
15 May 2026
#7 Returning - When going back to work is a post-retirement option
After a busy, perhaps pressurised, work life then retirement can be seen as the perfect solution. But what drives so many people to return to work, or some form of work? Peter and DAS are joined by their latest guest, Dean Stockwell, who talks about the positives and some negatives of retirement and what drew him to returning to the workplace, albeit in a very different role. The main motivations for such a return are discussed including financial (very common), social contact/enjoyment...
23 Apr 2026
#6 Positivity - The many potential benefits of retirement - Pen Y Fan
Whilst ascending a physical and metaphorical mountain DAS and Peter discuss the many benefits of a future state of retirement that can strengthen relationships by allowing more quality time with family, friends, and community. They also explore creating space for improved wellbeing, thereby giving people more time to focus on physical health, mental relaxation, and activities that genuinely bring joy. And discuss the freedom to explore new interests or revisit old passions, whether that...
23 Apr 2026
#5 Identity - The impact of losing career-based structure that often defines a person
For many people their career is a big part of how they define themselves, so what happens when that 'identity' through work is no longer there? DAS and Peter are joined by Sadie Wackett to explore this topic as part of the ongoing elderescence journey. Retirement is not just a financial transition but it is also an identity transition - often the hardest part of this whole 'retirement' business is actually the fear of losing who you thought that you were. In their usual style DAS and Pe...
8 Apr 2026
#4 Hidden Challenges in retirement after a full-on career - The Cotswolds Way, Broadway
Exploring why stopping can be more difficult than expected when on the cusp of retirement. With a backdrop of the wonderful Cotswold landscape and Broadway, and with metaphors galore, Peter and DAS discuss what makes 'stopping' challenging and what is 'lost' when it comes to crossing that retirement bridge. But also, what is to be gained as well when on the other side. All this with a bonus of some really cute lambs.
2 Apr 2026
#3 Forced Retirement - A discussion about grief when the choice is made for you
They say that life is what happens to you whilst you are busy making other plans and in this episode, our first guest podcast, Sally MacQueen joins Peter and DAS to discussion the impact of when retirement is more forced upon you rather something you planned. The loss of purpose, the loss of identity, and moving through the grieving process are all covered with honesty and a certain degree of rawness. Also we discuss the disappearance of a key social community and potential isolation when you...
16 Mar 2026
#2 Elderescence - The Malvern Hills
In which the dynamic duo head to the Malvern Hills, for a challenging walk, and DAS creates a new word in an effort to get something off his chest about the word 'retirement'. Peter goes public on his lack of love for all things JR Tolkien and DAS shows off about his knowledge of Malvern and surroundings. They also outline the walking and studio plans for the podcast series in 2026, and for this they need your help.
8 Mar 2026
#1 An Introduction - Some ideas behind 'Walking into Retirement'
Retirement today is no longer a clear-cut ending to working life, and for many professionals, it is an uncertain transition marked by loss of identity, fear of stopping, questions of purpose, and the challenge of balancing enjoyment of life with planning for a (hopeful) long future. ‘Walking into Retirement’ will address this transition, head on, in a fresh and engaging way. The hosts, Peter and DAS, will undertake a series of walks across the UK, coastal paths, countryside trails, and ...
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