Coming of Age in Retirement: Identity, Purpose, & the Emotional Side of Aging | Tom Marks | Ep. 336 episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 18, 2025 · 58 MIN

Coming of Age in Retirement: Identity, Purpose, & the Emotional Side of Aging | Tom Marks | Ep. 336

from The Aging Well Podcast · host Jeff Armstrong

Retirement is often sold to us as “the golden years,” but what happens when the financial plan is in place and the emotional crash still comes? In this episode of The Aging Well Podcast, Dr. Jeff Armstrong sits down with bestselling author Tom Marks, whose book Coming of Age in Retirement: An Advertising Executive’s Story of Enlightenment and Revelation has topped charts in memoir, mental health, and gerontology.Tom brings a candid, funny, and deeply human perspective to the realities of retirement. Drawing on his career in advertising, he reveals how cultural narratives have shaped our expectations, why retirement can feel like a loss of identity, and what it really means to come of age later in life. With humor and honesty, Tom invites us to look beyond financial planning and instead consider the emotional, relational, and spiritual work of… aging well.Learn more about Tom at https://thepeacefulretiree.com/author/tom-marksBUY Coming of Age in Retirement: An Advertising Executive’s Story of Enlightenment and Revelation on Amazon and support this podcast: https://amzn.to/4pKJ8NyPlease, support The Aging Well Podcast by hitting the ‘like’ button, subscribing/following the podcast, sharing with a friend, and….BUY the products you need to… age well from our trusted affiliates and support the mission of The Aging Well Podcast*.The Aging Well Podcast merchandise | Show how you are aging well | Use the promo code AGING WELL for free shipping on orders over $75 | https://theagingwellpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AGINGWELLAuro Wellness | Glutaryl—Antioxidant spray that delivers high doses of glutathione (“Master Antioxidant”) and all new Copper Peptide | 10% off Code: AGINGWELL at https://aurowellness.com/agingwellpodcastBerkeley Life | Optimize nitric oxide levels | Purchase your starter kit at a 15% discount | Use the promo code: AGINGWELL15 | https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/c/6475525/3226696/31118Oxford Healthspan | Primeadine®, a plant-derived spermidine supplement | 10% off code: AGINGWELL | https://oxford-healthspan.myshopify.com/AgingWellJigsaw Health | Trusted supplements. “It’s fun to feel good.” | Click the following link and use the code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://www.jigsawhealth.com/?rfsn=8710089.1dddcf3&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=8710089.1dddcf3Prolon | The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a revolutionary five-day nutrition program scientifically formulated to mimic the effects of a prolonged water fast while still allowing nourishment - supporting the benefits of fasting without the challenges and risks that come from water-only fasts. | For the best available discount always use this link: https://prolonlife.com/theagingwellpodcastL-Nutra Health | The medical division of L-Nutra, focused on helping people manage and potentially reverse chronic health conditions, like type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, insulin resistance, and obesity, using personalized, lifestyle-based programs grounded in evidence, not prescriptions. | Use this link: https://l-nutrahealth.com/theagingwellpodcastThrive25—Your personal longevity advisor | https://www.thrive25.com/early-access?via=william-jeffreyFusionary Formulas | Combining Ayurvedic wisdom with Western science for optimal health support. | 15% off Code: AGINGWELL | https://fusionaryformulas.com/Dr Lewis Nutrition | Fight neurodegeneration and cognitive decline with Daily Brain Care by Dr Lewis Nutrition—a proven daily formula designed to protect and restore brain function. | 10% off code: AGINGWELL or use the link: https://drlewisnutrition.com/AGINGWELLTruDiagnostic—Your source for epigenetic testing | 12% off Code: AGEWELL or use the link: https://shop.trudiagnostic.com/discount/AGEWELL*We receive commission on these purchases. Thank you.

Retirement is often sold to us as “the golden years,” but what happens when the financial plan is in place and the emotional crash still comes? In this episode of The Aging Well Podcast, Dr. Jeff Armstrong sits down with bestselling author Tom Marks, whose book Coming of Age in Retirement: An Advertising Executive’s Story of Enlightenment and Revelation has topped charts in memoir, mental health, and gerontology.Tom brings a candid, funny, and deeply human perspective to the realities of retirement. Drawing on his career in advertising, he reveals how cultural narratives have shaped our expectations, why retirement can feel like a loss of identity, and what it really means to come of age later in life. With humor and honesty, Tom invites us to look beyond financial planning and instead consider the emotional, relational, and spiritual work of… aging well.Learn more about Tom at https://thepeacefulretiree.com/author/tom-marksBUY Coming of Age in Retirement: An Advertising Executive’s Story of Enlightenment and Revelation on Amazon and support this podcast: https://amzn.to/4pKJ8NyPlease, support The Aging Well Podcast by hitting the ‘like’ button, subscribing/following the podcast, sharing with a friend, and….BUY the products you need to… age well from our trusted affiliates and support the mission of The Aging Well Podcast*.The Aging Well Podcast merchandise | Show how you are aging well | Use the promo code AGING WELL for free shipping on orders over $75 | https://theagingwellpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AGINGWELLAuro Wellness | Glutaryl—Antioxidant spray that delivers high doses of glutathione (“Master Antioxidant”) and all new Copper Peptide | 10% off Code: AGINGWELL at https://aurowellness.com/agingwellpodcastBerkeley Life | Optimize nitric oxide levels | Purchase your starter kit at a 15% discount | Use the promo code: AGINGWELL15 | https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/c/6475525/3226696/31118Oxford Healthspan | Primeadine®, a plant-derived spermidine supplement | 10% off code: AGINGWELL | https://oxford-healthspan.myshopify.com/AgingWellJigsaw Health | Trusted supplements. “It’s fun to feel good.” | Click the following link and use the code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://www.jigsawhealth.com/?rfsn=8710089.1dddcf3&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=8710089.1dddcf3Prolon | The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a revolutionary five-day nutrition program scientifically formulated to mimic the effects of a prolonged water fast while still allowing nourishment - supporting the benefits of fasting without the challenges and risks that come from water-only fasts. | For the best available discount always use this link: https://prolonlife.com/theagingwellpodcastL-Nutra Health | The medical division of L-Nutra, focused on helping people manage and potentially reverse chronic health conditions, like type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, insulin resistance, and obesity, using personalized, lifestyle-based programs grounded in evidence, not prescriptions. | Use this link: https://l-nutrahealth.com/theagingwellpodcastThrive25—Your personal longevity advisor | https://www.thrive25.com/early-access?via=william-jeffreyFusionary Formulas | Combining Ayurvedic wisdom with Western science for optimal health support. | 15% off Code: AGINGWELL | https://fusionaryformulas.com/Dr Lewis Nutrition | Fight neurodegeneration and cognitive decline with Daily Brain Care by Dr Lewis Nutrition—a proven daily formula designed to protect and restore brain function. | 10% off code: AGINGWELL or use the link: https://drlewisnutrition.com/AGINGWELLTruDiagnostic—Your source for epigenetic testing | 12% off Code: AGEWELL or use the link: https://shop.trudiagnostic.com/discount/AGEWELL*We receive commission on these purchases. Thank you.

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Coming of Age in Retirement: Identity, Purpose, & the Emotional Side of Aging | Tom Marks | Ep. 336

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This episode was published on December 18, 2025.

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Retirement is often sold to us as “the golden years,” but what happens when the financial plan is in place and the emotional crash still comes? In this episode of The Aging Well Podcast, Dr. Jeff Armstrong sits down with bestselling author Tom...

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