After decades of work, Don Akchin found himself with too much time and very little structure.
That moment marked the beginning of a new kind of work for Don: paying attention to what happens when careers end and the familiar routines of life fall away.
Don Akchin is a writer and researcher who retired at 66 and began reflecting on his own experience alongside conversations with others navigating life after work.
Over time, those observations became the foundation for his book The AfterWork, which explores how people find meaning, connection, and direction beyond their careers.
We cover:
Why the loss of structure can be one of retirement's biggest surprises
How identity shifts once work is no longer central
What Don learned from listening to others' retirement stories
Why resilience matters more than having a perfect plan
How Don rebuilt structure after leaving work
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