In this episode of Behind the Village Podcast we sit down with Mike Bailey, a lifelong learner who spent decades reinventing his working life, moving from grocery clerk and electrical apprentice to corrections officer and HR advisor before retiring into a second act as a full‑time photographer. Mike shares how he recognized when it was time for change, how he rebuilt confidence, and how photography gave him purpose; he explains his pre‑visualization approach to storytelling, the daily "do nothing" practice that reduced stress and sharpened focus, and offers practical advice on midlife career change, retiring into creative work, photography as therapy and income, overcoming self‑doubt, slow living, and balancing family and work.
A Shoebox of Memories
Website: https://ashoeboxofmemories.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AShoeboxOfMemories/
The Villager Magazine
Website: https://villagermagazine.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVillagerCommunityNews/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevillagermagazine/
Newsletter: https://villagermagazine.ca/subscribe/
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:10 Life After Retirement
03:21 When is it Time to Make a Change
05:09 Self-Confidence is the Secret
07:55 Finding Balance
09:52 Photography as a Creative Endeavour
17:05 What Does Success Mean
19:13 The Effects of Negativity and How to Combat it
27:14 A Look Back - What Would Mike Change
