What happens when retirement doesn’t look the way you expected?
And what if purpose appears not through careful plans, but through simply being present?
Marilyn Raichle has spent her life building communities through creativity, curiosity, and connection. From founding the Seattle International Children’s Festival and a national comedy festival to leading Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care, her work has always centered on bringing people together.
Her life took an unexpected turn when she became a care partner for her parents as they lived with dementia. What followed wasn’t the story of loss that many people expect. Instead, it revealed moments of creativity, humor, and connection that reshaped her understanding of aging, relationships, and what it truly means to live well.
Marilyn is the author of Don’t Walk Away: A Care Partner’s Journey, a hopeful and deeply human reflection on love, creativity, and connection through every stage of life.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
Through Marilyn’s story, you’ll discover how slowing down, listening deeply, and embracing simple moments of creativity can transform the way we relate to others and ourselves. This conversation offers a refreshing perspective on aging, reminding us that meaning often emerges in unexpected places.
KEY TOPICS COVERED:
Life After a Major Pivot
- When retirement doesn’t unfold as planned
- Redefining purpose beyond career identity
Care Partner vs. Caregiver
- Shared humanity and partnership
- Letting go of control and expectations
Creativity and Joy
- Art as a bridge beyond fear and stigma
- Play, music, and laughter as connectors
Changing the Dementia Narrative
- Living with dementia, not suffering from it
- Enduring personhood and human needs
Listening and Presence
- Slowing down and asking meaningful questions
- Why curiosity matters more than answers
CONNECT WITH MARILYN:
Book site: https://dontwalkaway.net/
Facebook:Â https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.raichle
LinkedIn:Â https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynraichle/
Instagram:Â instagram.com/raichlem/
Themes:
- Purpose & Meaning in Retirement
- Identity After Work
- Community & Connection
- Health, Fitness & Aging Well
- Creating a Fulfilling Routine
- Life Transitions & Reinvention
Â
