I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
George Bernard Shaw
Irish playwright, critic, polemicist, and political activist

It started with a friend’s recommendation.

He knew my next step for Entertainers Life was to launch a podcast. I want to speak directly to Entertainers, to deepen these blog posts with as many experiences and voices as I can reach. He said, “You should listen to The Interview, a The New York Times podcast hosted by David Marchese.”

Because he is brilliant and I respected him deeply, I didn’t hesitate. I clicked play.

You have to love the universe and the law of attraction, because what unfolded was more than podcast research. It was a validation of the style I naturally gravitate toward—human-centered, emotionally rich, layered conversations…

and something else…

The very first interview I listened to…

Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody—with their son Gideon.
Their conversation went beyond celebrity they were talking about age, joy, legacy, humor, lifetime love that grows and creativity that will never retire.

Several months ago the topic of retirement came up. One friend shared that they were looking at retiring in about 15 years, another 10 and another in about five, with one who is joyfully in the retirement camp. When asked what my plans were, I realize that a response did not immediately come to mind and then I had the most beautiful thought, and

I smiled and said:
“I live with the person I love, in the city I love, doing the work I love. I have no desire to retire.”

And that’s what sparked this post.

There’s a myth that once a person hits a certain number—50, 60, 70, 80—you are now in your final chapter. Time to step aside. But you’re still breathing with purpose—your voice, your work, your story still matters.

Which is why I so love George Bernard Shaw’s quote.

You may leave a “job,” but is that retirement—or the beginning of your next creative chapter?

You don’t age out of artistry.
You grow into it.

Your Next Act Could Go Viral—Even from Your Kitchen Table
Gideon’s TikToks resonate with their audience because they are real.

Stay Curious. Stay Weird. Stay Wondering.
Kathryn is now exploring astrology, string theory, and yes—psychedelics. Growth doesn’t stop when your hair turns silver.

Be the Body in the Other Room
Kathryn once found that phrase insulting. Now, she finds it comforting. Love changes, but presence matters more than perfection.

Be a Mess. On Purpose.
“I want to be messy. I want to be human.” – Kathryn Grody
If there’s anything this family teaches us, it’s that being a ‘purposeful mess’ might be the truest form of freedom.

Grandkids. Arguments. Political Debates. And Still… Love.
From marriage struggles to geopolitical commentary, they don’t filter their voices or their truth.

You Create on Your Time

You are never too old.
It is never too late.
You are evolving.

Whether you’re 25, 45, or 85—if there’s something you want to say, do, build, or become… this is your time. Literally YOUR TIME!

Create the story you want to live.
Create your spotlight.
Shine in your light.

If this blog stirred something in you, here are simple ways to bring that energy into your creative journey—starting today.

Define Retirement Your Way
You get to decide when—and if—you ever stop.

Build a Body of Work, Not a Shelf Life
Art doesn’t come with an expiration date.

Speak from Your Years
Wisdom is a gift. Use it.

Keep Learning
Curiosity is evolution in motion.

Use Your Voice Until Your Last Breath
It is the viewer who will breathe life into the art you leave behind.

There’s something rare and refreshing about watching artists like Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody speak with unfiltered honesty, humor, and heart. Their conversation spanning love, legacy, aging, and creative chaos offers more than entertainment. It’s a mirror, an invitation, and a powerful reminder that life’s most meaningful chapters are often the ones we’re still writing. (Note: They do get political.)

Watch the video or click here to read the full Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody Interview