Living Your Best Encore: Wendy Green

What is or was your prior job/career, and how many years have you spent there? Are you willing to share your age?

I've had many jobs and careers. I married young, at 19, and didn't have a college degree. After my divorce, with two small children to support, I returned to school and earned a Computer Science degree from UNC-Asheville. My first technical job was in Atlanta as a programmer, but I soon found that it wasn't a good fit. I transitioned into customer support and later into customer training, where I found my passion. In 1995, my company began downsizing, and eventually, it was sold. After my son graduated high school and was accepted to Georgetown, I contacted my DC area contacts and secured a program director position. After a few years, the company was sold. I briefly worked for the acquiring company, but the weekly travel was too much.

I enrolled in a Change Leadership program at Georgetown, which led to an HR job focused on recruiting, onboarding, and leadership development. Unfortunately, that job ended the day before 9/11. It was a tough time. With no network in the area, I struggled to find another job and eventually took a position as a center director at Sylvan Learning Center. I loved working with children so much that I bought a KidzArt franchise, which grew to 14 teachers and won Franchise of the Year in 2009. During that time, I also became a certified life coach. Eventually, the stability of a corporate job called to me, and I took a position as the director of training for a company in Annapolis, MD.

After moving to South Carolina to be closer to my mother after my father passed, I worked remotely until the company was sold and training was outsourced. I returned to a Sylvan Learning Center in Greenville, SC, until the pandemic shut everything down. At 66, I had Medicare, so health insurance wasn't a concern. But I knew how difficult it was for people over 50 to find employment. That led me to start my podcast in 2020. I didn't know much about podcasting, but I thought it was an excellent way to reach the Boomer generation and remind them that we all still matter and have something to offer. From there, I learned how to stream live on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube and convert it into podcast episodes. My first show aired on April 13, 2020, and I now have over 200 episodes.

What inspired you to pursue your current path?

I guess I answered that above.

What advice would you give someone considering a career change, retirement, or starting a new chapter in life?

I always recommend Transitions by William Bridges to people entering retirement or those considering a career change. In the book, he discusses the "Neutral Zone," and I firmly believe that it is an integral part of the process. After working for decades, many people feel adrift and unsure how to fill their days. In the Neutral Zone, giving yourself time to rest and reflect is important. Think about your life's successes, the things you enjoyed, and what you might have put aside. From this quiet space, new ideas can begin to emerge.

What do you wish someone had told you before you made your decision? 

What do I wish someone had told me? That making money as a podcaster is hard, and that I would love podcasting. I would love the creativity, the people I meet, the constant learning opportunities. And podcasting is a lot of work, if you want to be good at it. It is not just you and a microphone.

What unexpected challenges, joys, or surprises have you encountered in this phase of your life?

I had no idea how much I would love podcasting. It's creative and fulfilling, and it's allowed me to connect with incredible people worldwide. It's also far more work than I expected. And surprisingly, it's been challenging to accept the role of "thought leader." I still see myself as the same person, just doing different work, but I suppose the label fits. I've learned, shared a lot, and put out exciting ideas.

What life lesson has your current phase of life taught you that you wish you had known earlier?

Believe in yourself. I wanted to be a reporter in high school, but I was told it wasn't practical. After my divorce, I went back to school to get a degree I could use to support my kids. It wasn't something I loved, but I thought it was practical. Later, when I stumbled upon podcasting, many people told me it wasn't a practical choice. But this time, I was ready to ignore the doubters and follow my passion. I have a talent for interviewing, inspiring, teaching, and coaching—and it was time to use it.

How has your understanding of happiness or fulfillment evolved over the years, especially in your current phase of life?

Good question. I didn't think about happiness much when raising my kids as a single mother. I focused on ensuring they had what they needed and giving them a good start in life. It wasn't until my late 40s or early 50s that I began thinking about what made me happy and how I could find fulfillment. When my kids were older, I had space to focus on myself. Coaching, running my KidzArt business, and now podcasting have all given me a sense of purpose. I also feel fulfilled knowing I did my best as a mom, even though it was sometimes challenging. Happiness, or joy, is more present in my life now. I make time for myself and look for things to be grateful for. It is a new phase of life.

Considering all you've learned, what's something you wouldn't waste time worrying about anymore?

Another interesting question. I watch my 94-year-old mother worry about everything, especially her children. I don't worry about my children anymore. They are capable adults who can handle their own challenges. I know I would be there for them if needed, but I trust them to make their own decisions. What I do still worry about, though, is running out of money before I run out of life. I'm working on making sure that doesn't happen, but other than that, worry doesn't serve me anymore. It's better to plan and be mindful than to spend energy on what you can't control.

You can listen to Wendy's podcast at Boomer Banter - Real Talk About Aging Well.