The Retirement Wisdom Podcast

Coming of Age in Retirement – Tom Marks

Dec 1, 2025
Tom Marks, a veteran advertising executive and author, discusses redefining retirement away from conventional imagery. He shares his personal journey from a high-pressure career to discovering happiness post-retirement. Marks highlights the importance of individuality in retirement, the concept of 'mulligans' for mistakes, and stepping off the 'hedonic treadmill.' He emphasizes the power of new passions, daily gratitude practices, and repurposing skills for a fulfilling life beyond work.
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ANECDOTE

Pressure Of Leading An Agency

  • Tom Marks describes being a high-pressure ad executive who prioritized paying employees and carrying heavy responsibility.
  • He admits the pressure made him unhappy and 'a lousy guy' during his career.
ADVICE

Release Professional Identity

  • Let go of former professional identity to discover who you are after work ends.
  • Release attachment to roles and offices to make room for new interests and purpose.
ANECDOTE

Struggling Then Starting A Passion Project

  • Tom describes struggling for two years after retirement and creating thepeacefulretiree.com as a passion project.
  • Connecting with contributing editors showed him many retirees share transition struggles.
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