Have you found a podcast or two (or ten) that you love to listen to? Or, ones that you find recommending to your friends and family? It is quite fascinating to hear the tremendous interest so many have in listening to podcasts. The range of topics is nearly infinite, yet it can be quite overwhelming to find ones that are meaningful to you and what to learn about. I wondered if there were specific podcasts for Boomers.
I was particularly looking for topics about financial readiness for retirement or making the transition to retirement successfully. Even better, were there conversations about more meaningful ways to look at your second half of life, after raising kids or building successful careers? So, I started poking around the zillions of podcasts to see what might be out there. All I can say is, “Yikes!” What the heck are people recording and listening to?!!
Searching Stitcher and Spotify for Boomer Podcasts
Most podcasts sit on several platforms. I checked around some of the more popular ones to see how the information is organized and if there were any podcasts for Boomers.
There were no categories for personal finance, retirement, or Boomers on the first platform, Stitcher. So, I searched a variety of categories they had available. Maybe there would be personal finance or retirement in the business category of podcasts for boomers? No. Just lots of podcasts on business successes and failures. Then, I thought there would be something of interest in the “Society and Culture” category. But no. Instead, I found there is a huge appetite for crime shows: true crimes, small town crimes, serial killers. Oh my gosh! This is how we’re defining our “society and culture” these days?
I quickly moved over to check out another popular platform, Spotify, to see what’s hot there. Well, I’m happy to report that they too have a “Society and Culture” category, but this time no crime podcasts. That’s because they have an entire category dedicated to “true crime”! This is not what I expected to see as the most popular topics of our time. The “Lifestyle & Health” category didn’t include any podcasts for Boomers or retirement either. But, if you can’t sleep or need to find some passion in your life, there’s lots to choose from.
Does iTunes Have Podcasts for Boomers?
The one platform that most people seem to gravitate to is iTunes. I personally find it hard to navigate. But then again, I am a Boomer who didn’t grow up with a hand-held computer in my back pocket. I gave it the old college try. Let’s see if I can find podcasts for Boomers on iTunes. Strike three.
There really isn’t anything specifically categorized or readily obvious for our generation or for helping us with where we are in our life stage. However, if you’d like to learn how to rob a bank, well now, that’s standing in the #2 spot on the education hot list!
Resorting to Google
I stopped the madness and instead went to the tried-and-true option: a Google search. One search of “podcasts for Boomers” and I hit a home run. It became clear that someone else has put some hours into searching for podcasts that might be relevant to Boomers who are redefining retirement. In addition, I found a couple of articles that might be of interest to you and save you some time randomly searching through podcast platforms:
• First is Baby Boomer Podcasts. An easy-to-navigate listing of a variety of popular podcasts for Boomers. This article includes Repurpose Your Career and the Feisty Side of Fifty.
• There’s also a list of podcasts for Boomer women at Revolution Gray. A plus in this article: a good set of instructions for getting into the podcast craze.
Why All the Information about Podcasts for Boomers?
It’s intriguing to watch the evolution of a medium. The radio was (and arguably, still is) the most important communication option for most people, and certainly for Boomers, for a century or longer. We’ve moved from AM to FM to satellite radio and now to podcasts. The ability to tell a good story, even without pictures, is as powerful as ever.
As I think about all the Boomers I’ve met and talked to, I recognize how so many are struggling to figure out this thing called “retirement.” They are unsure of their next step forward. They are mightily concerned about how to pay for it. So, I’m hoping new media, like podcasts, will help more Boomers on their journeys.
Podcasts, in particular, are very accessible. First of all, you don’t need someone to hang a 99-inch gigantic TV on a wall. You don’t have to pay for the platform service, but usually need to pay for an internet connection. And, best of all, you can choose your topics and listen at your convenience on many different devices. And, you can even access most podcasts for free, or for a low monthly cost.
Best of all, these podcasts for Boomers and everyone else are highly entertaining.
It’s Never too Late to Learn Something New
I think we can all learn a lot of new stuff, hear different points of view, and even get a chance to share our own stories. Podcasters are looking for guests. Check out those who are hosting podcasts in your area, reach out and pitch them with your ideas. See if you have something to add to the conversations and discussions they are focusing on. You might be invited to talk to them about a topic you are interested in that fits with their goals.
As you may know, I’ve had several opportunities this year to join others on both radio shows and podcasts. They are super fun to do. Totally unscripted. Wonderful hosts. Great conversations.
Engaging Voices
The most recent podcast opportunity I had was with Stacey Shipman. She’s a hot ticket here in the Boston metro area, helping folks become more confident communicators and presenters so that they can confidently “engage the room.” You can find her on LinkedIn as Stacey Shipman or on Facebook as Stacey Hamwey Shipman. (Previously, her posts were available, but as of 2024, she’s closed her site.)
Stacey and I had a lively conversation. She dove into topics that are near and dear to my heart, and added her own insights and perspective to our money talk, including:
- How traditional male/female roles play out in money conversations.
- Where a woman’s discomfort around money comes from.
- Are there steps women can take to feel more comfortable with money discussions?
- Is there a way for men to fit into the conversation?
- What are some of the biggest challenges in educating women about money and retirement?
Most surprising was her opening question: “What did you want to be when you grew up and did you deliver on that?” How fun to think back about what I wanted to be all those years ago. And, how funny, in a round-about way, those same ideas from my junior-high and high-school years have become part of my fabric.
New Technology, New Opportunities
I encourage you to start surfing the land of podcasts. Find areas of interest and check out a few episodes. See if there are topics and podcasters who can help you think about how to spend your time in retirement. Or about the financial side of retiring. Or even fun ideas to make a difference in retirement. Send me your recommendations for your favorite podcasts for Boomers. I’ll keep a running list and publish them in a future blog.
If, however, you find yourself obsessed with the true crime series, don’t tell me. I really don’t want to know!
