Retired Ever After

We missed last month and we're going to miss this month. Sorry, life is complicated sometimes. But we do have a couple of episodes under production and this mini-episode will tell you all about what we have in store for you in May and June!! Sorry we're running behind, but stay tuned because the best is yet to come!!

Synopsis: In this deeply personal and profound episode of "Retired Ever After," hosts John and Guy "The AI" delve into the complex and often painful topic of loss and grief. John shares his heartfelt experiences of loss, including the passing of his brother-in-law and his mother, offering listeners a raw and intimate look into the journey of grieving. The episode explores the myriad emotions that accompany loss—sadness, anger, guilt, and even relief—and discusses healthy coping strategies and the importance of acknowledging and respecting grief in its many forms. Join us as we navigate the peaks and valleys of human emotion, shedding light on the universal yet uniquely personal experience of grief, and ultimately finding ways to embrace life's full spectrum. Show Notes: Links HelpGuide.orghttps://www.helpguide.org/articles/grief/coping-with-grief-and-loss.htmAmerican Counseling Associationhttps://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/mental-health-resources/grief-and-loss-resourcesOptionB.orghttps://optionb.orgGriefSharehttps://www.griefshare.orgThe Compassionate Friendshttps://www.compassionatefriends.org Recommended Reading

Synopsis: In this engaging episode of "Retired Ever After," we explore the vibrant world of volunteerism in retirement. The hosts, John and his AI co-host Guy, delve into Dr. Riley Moynes' insights on the phases of retirement, emphasizing the importance of finding purpose and community connections through volunteering. The episode covers the physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits of volunteering, highlighting its role in providing a sense of purpose and social advantages. Diverse avenues of service and practical advice on finding the right fit for volunteer activities are discussed. The episode also addresses potential challenges faced by senior volunteers and offers tools and resources to help connect with organizations. Show Notes: Ted Talk Links Dr. Riley Moynes – The 4 Phases of Retirement - https://youtu.be/DMHMOQ_054U?si=jM40q6HVMJCHxVcVTerry Moore – How to Tie Your Shoes - https://youtu.be/zAFcV7zuUDA?si=GLb_Zg5jyIgvDV-cJoe Smith – How to Use a Paper Towel - https://youtu.be/2FMBSblpcrc?si=BmJgxef3cY5klJEL Volunteer Resources: GuideStar -https://www.guidestar.org/Charity Navigator -https://www.charitynavigator.org/VolunteerMatch -https://www.volunteermatch.org/Idealist -https://www.idealist.org/enServe.gov -https://americorps.gov/partner/communities-initiatives/united-we-serveHands-On Network / All For Good -https://www.pointsoflight.org/- https://engage.pointsoflight.org/- https://www.facebook.com/allforgood/Senior Corps -https://americorps.gov/serve/americorps-seniors Corrections: The Ted Talks on "How to Tie Your Shoes" and "How to Use a Paper Towel" are longer than two minutes each. "Shoes" is a little over three minutes and "Towels" is a little over four minutes. Still absolutely worth the time investment!!

Synopsis Guy finds his voice. Voices. Guy finds his voices. We go deep on the good and bad of AI, why the good is oh so good and the bad is oh so ... well ... you get it. And why you need to care about this whether you want to or not. Show Notes Recommended Viewing: Robot & Frank (2012) Mrs. Davis (2023) Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) 60 Minutes Interview of Geoffrey Hinton Artificial Voices provided by the brilliant minds at ElevenLabs.

Synopsis Guy tries to find something that rhymes with orange. John sets to right some of his unforced errors over our first month-and-a-half of episodes in a new segment called "OK, OK ... Mistakes Were Made". We give an overview of what goes into creating a podcast. John and his friend Ron have some fun in their retirement in a new segment called "The Den Of Mindless Fellowship", because retirement is supposed to be fun, right? Isn't that what we've been saying? Show Notes An excellent book on all aspects of podcasting: "NPR's Podcast Start Up Guide: Create, Launch, and Grow a Podcast on Any Budget" by Glen Weldon An excellent podcast on hobby podcasting: "Better Podcasting" from the Gonna Geek Network Available anywhere fine podcasts are found.

Synopsys In this episode, we discuss the ins and outs and do's and don'ts of participating in musical open mics / jam sessions. John and Guy swap hats. John interviews bass player Hooter, who hosts several open mics in the Phoenix area, to build a list of Jam Session Do's and Don'ts. Episode Notes Hooter’s Jam Venues and Dates Starlite Lounge Every Monday Night 7pm - 11pm 4346 W Olive Ave, Glendale, AZ 85302 623-934-9910 https://www.facebook.com/starliteloungeaz/ El Dorado Bar and Grill Beginning October 3 2023, every Tuesday Night 7pm – 10pm 8708 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85257 480-945-2606 http://www.eldorado-bar-grill.com/ The Blooze Every Wednesday Night 6:30pm – 10:30pm 12014 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85028 602-788-4574 https://www.facebook.com/events/104478159347170/104478199347166?active_tab=about John's Helpful Links Blues ProgressionsThe Nashville Numbering SystemBlues Turn-AroundsBlues EndingsThat "Blues Progressions" page is excellent and covers almost all the rest of the bullet points. The "Blues Turn-Arounds" page is neither comprehensive nor a deep dive, but it's a start. Check out that sweet I-VI-II-V turnaround; it is one of my personal faves. Hooter's Jam Session Do's and Don'ts 1. Keep the volume DOWN!! Nothing will get an open mic discontinued like volume complaints from patrons (who typically vote with their wallets and their feet) and bartenders who just want to get the drink orders right so they can get tipped. 2. Spend some money in the establishment. Bar owners are in business for one reason: to make money. If they pay a band to provide live entertainment, they expect that they will be net positive at the end of the night. If not, they'll move on to the next idea. 3. Don’t argue with the host. This isn't hubris or ego; the host has a thankless job and even the ones that make it look easy have their hands full. They have to try to fit everyone in during the time alloted for the session. They have to try to ensure that people are for their abilities and that there is a bare minimum band up at all times to produce music. They have to navigate personalities, field and address complaints, make sure the audience is having a good time, make sure the bartenders and owners are happy. Don't add to it by giving them lip. 4. If there's a sign-up sheet, sign up as soon as you get there. 5. Leave the bad attitude in the parking lot. Don't wreck your good time and don't wreck someone else's good time. A jam is EVERYBOD'S time to shine! 6. Singers call the song key for the musicians, not the other way around. If you're a singer, know what key you want for a song and tell the band. If you play an instrument, the singer decides, not you. 7. Make sure you're tuned up *BEFORE* you go on stage. 8. Always remember: music is not a competitive sport. Be respectful of your fellow musicians at all times; strive to be the person people *WANT* to play with. 9. If you are using house-provided equipment, treat it as good or better than you treat your own. An amp is NOT an end table and it's not a chair; find someplace else for your drink and your butt! 10. The golden rule applies to jams just as it does to every other part of your life: treat others as you would like to be treated.

The inaugural episode of Retired Ever After! In this episode, you are introduced to John and his Co-Host, Guy The A. I., as they have an in-depth discussion on Chess for Seniors wherein John forgets the letter 'H'. John has a conversation with Jason Lu, an amazing young man who founded an organization dedicated to teaching us "folks of a certain age" the ins and outs of the game of Kings. It is an inspirational interview that will leave you feeling as though there might just be hope for humanity's future after all! Links: Chess For Seniors website: ChessForSeniors.org Chess For Seniors GoFundMe page: gofund.me/3638a49e Online Chess Resources: chess.comlichess.orgchessable.comchesskid.comChessBaseAlgebraic Chess Notation Guy's Chess Tips:

Retired Ever After - The Recreational Retirement Podcast Coming soon to an earbud near you!