Redefining Retirement: Building a Meaningful Life Beyond Your Career
Episode Description
EPISODE OVERVIEW In this interview, Stew Friedman discusses how to maintain work-life harmony after retirement and how shifting personal values and skills influence life transitions. He examines strategies for integrating work, family, community, and personal well-being during retirement, highlighting the importance of sustaining purpose and connection beyond full-time employment. The discussion also covers how external factors like technology, economic change, and evolving career identities impact retirement planning and post-retirement engagement.
PODCAST OVERVIEW Every day, business scholars answer pressing questions in their research - but what do their insights mean for you? In this podcast, Wharton faculty dive into what inspired their studies and how their findings resonate with the world today. Learn how research insights translate into knowledge you can use, with host Dan Loney.
Learn more at http://whr.tn/rippleeffect.
----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal.
Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to:
- Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox
Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU
Brief Summary
Stewart Friedman discusses work/life harmony and retirement, emphasizing integration over balance and the importance of purpose in life transitions.
Key points
- The Shift to Retirement. Friedman explains the gradual shift from work to retirement and its impact on identity.
- Work/Life Harmony in Retirement. Stew Friedman discusses the importance of work/life harmony as we approach retirement.
Ask about Knowledge at Wharton
Episode highlights
- The Shift to RetirementFriedman explains the gradual shift from work to retirement and its impact on identity.“There’s a noticeable difference between our career and the period of time preparing for retirement.”7:35Apr 29, 2025
- Work/Life Harmony in RetirementStew Friedman discusses the importance of work/life harmony as we approach retirement.“The most important feature of finding harmony among the different parts of life is to be grounded in your values.”8:51Apr 29, 2025





