Thrivve: Retirement Reinvented
by THRIVVE
Thrivve is the podcast for people over 50 who want to feel better, live richer, and grow stronger in the next chapter of life. Hosted by Riëtte, Thrivve explores the real challenges and opportunities of life after 50 — from retirement and identity shifts to health, purpose, finances, relationships, and personal growth. Whether you're starting over, caring for ageing parents, rebuilding confidence, or rediscovering your purpose.New episodes every Monday. Follow the podcast and join a growing community of people who refuse to fade — and choose to thrive.
Episodes
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Are We Becoming Too Comfortable With Our Lives After 50
Is there something you’d love to do—but keep putting off? After 50, a quieter life can be deeply satisfying. But sometimes there’s something we miss: a friendship, an interest, or the chance to try something new. How do we recognise what we actually want—and what’s standing in the way? In this...
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Keeping the Peace—But Who Pays the Price? | Thrivve Season 5, Episode 7
Have you ever stayed silent at a family gathering because speaking up might upset someone? Smiled at a hurtful joke? Or agreed to something you didn't really want to do, simply to keep everyone happy? We often say, "Let's keep the peace." But whose peace are we protecting — and at what cost? In...
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Bladder health after 50 - By Dr Bruce Crawford
Bladder leakage can affect everyday confidence, but it doesn’t have to be a conversation we avoid. In this video, Dr Bruce Crawford, a urogynecologist and reconstructive pelvic surgeon, introduces PfilAtes™, his movement-based approach to pelvic-floor training. He shares the experiences that...
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Setting Boundaries With People You Love
Have you ever said yes to someone you love, then wished you had paused before answering? You want to help—but your time, energy and needs matter too. In Season 5, Episode 6 of Thrivve, Riëtte van der Merwe explores setting boundaries with people you love, with a warm, practical conversation about...
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Second Marriages After 50: When New Love Divides a Family
You have found love again—but your family is struggling toaccept it. How do you nurture your new relationship without losing closenesswith your children? In Season 5, Episode 5 of Thrivve, Riëtte explores whysecond marriages can stir grief, loyalty conflicts, and fears aboutbelonging—even when...
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When brothers and sisters become strangers
How does someone who shared your childhood become a stranger? In Season 5, Episode 4 of Thrivve, Riëtte explores the quiet grief of growing apart from a brother or sister. Siblings can remember the same childhood differently, carry old family roles into adulthood, and find that caregiving or the...
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When Adult Children Drift Away
When an adult child pulls away, the pain can feel like grief without a funeral—especially when grandchildren and other family members are caught in the middle. In Season 5, Episode 3 of Thrivve, we explore why adult children sometimes distance themselves, why parents and children may remember the...
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When a Marriage Ends Later in Life
What happens when the future you carefully planned suddenly disappears? In Season 5, Episode 2 of Thrivve, Riëtte explores the emotional, financial and deeply personal reality of divorce after 60. Drawing on her own experience of divorce, she speaks honestly about loneliness, guilt and the…
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Why People Feel Invisible After 60
Have you ever felt as though the world started looking pastyou simply because you were getting older? In Season 5, Episode 1 of Thrivve, I share a small moment ina Woolworths checkout queue that left me feeling invisible—and opened the doorto a much deeper conversation about ageing, identity and...
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SEASON 4 FINALE — THERE IS STILL MORE LIFE TO LIVE
In this Season 4 finale of Thrivve, Riëtte reflects on thehonest realities of life after 50 and 60—the changes in our bodies,relationships, confidence, purpose and place in the world. Ageing can bring gratitude and grief, freedom anduncertainty, wisdom and loss. Life may not look exactly as we...
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Why Your Brain After 60 Works Differently — Not Worse 🧠🌿
Have you ever forgotten a name, taken longer to find the right word, or watched someone younger process something faster — and quietly wondered: “Is my brain getting worse?” After 60, some mental processes may take a little longer. But speed is only one measure of how well a brain works. Your…
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Before You Worry About Dementia: 5 Daily Habits That Help Keep Your Memory Sharp After 60
Have you ever forgotten a name, misplaced your keys, orwalked into a room and completely forgotten why you went there? Moments likethese can be frightening, especially after 60. Many people quietly wonder: Isthis how dementia begins? In this episode of Thrivve, we explore the differencebetween...
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A mother's love
Some grief is visible. Other grief is carried quietly for alifetime. In Season 4, Episode 21 of Thrivve, Riëtte shares the deeplymoving true story of Sue—a mother whose love endured separation, unansweredquestions and heartbreaking loss. Sue became pregnant when she was very young, during a...
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When Looking After Yourself Becomes Harder After 60: The Hidden Struggles We Often Misunderstand
Have you ever visited an older parent, neighbour or friendand quietly noticed that something had changed? Perhaps their clothes weren't quite as clean as they used tobe. Maybe their hair looked unwashed, or there was an unfamiliar smell in thehouse. It's easy to assume that they've simply stopped...
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The Battle for Your Attention After 50 – Why We Care So Much About Other People's Lives
Where does your attention go each day? In a world filled with breaking news, social media, celebrity stories and endless notifications, our attention has become one of our most valuable possessions. Yet many of us spend more emotional energy on events we cannot control than on the people sitting...
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When the Person Beside You Starts Changing — Growing Older Together
Growing older changes all of us. Retirement reshapes our routines. Illness tests our resilience. New dreams emerge, priorities shift, and the people we love continue to grow in ways we never expected. In this heartfelt episode of Thrivve, Riëtte shares the deeply personal story of her own…
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It's Never Really About Age | You're Not Too Old to Start Again
"Am I too old?" It's one of the most common questions people ask after 50. But perhaps we're asking the wrong question. What if the better question is: "What would I do if I stopped believing I was too old?" Age doesn't stop most dreams. Fear does. The wonderful news is that fear usually becomes...
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11 Tiny Daily Anchors That Can Steady Your Life After 50
After 50, many of us discover that the routines which oncefelt effortless no longer work quite the same. Energy changes. Sleep changes.Stress affects us differently. Even motivation can become unpredictable. The good news is that you don't need to reinvent your life. In this episode of Thrivve…
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The Secret to Building Communities Where Everyone Feels They Belong | What Every Generation Can Learn from the Other
What does it really mean to belong? In this heartfelt episode of Thrivve, I share a simple evening that began with a cup of coffee and turned into a meaningful conversation about childhood, neighbours, growing older and the communities that shaped our lives. As Pieter and I reflected on our...
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❄️ Winter Comforts After 50 — The Simple Rituals That Bring Us Together
Winter can feel different after 50. The days become shorter, friendships become lessspontaneous, and many people quietly experience loneliness. In this episode of Thrivve, we explore the simple winterrituals that help us stay connected, healthy, and emotionally grounded. From homemade soup and...
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The Power of Community After 50: Why We Still Need Each Other
What if the answer to loneliness after 50 is not simply finding more friends—but finding a place where your life still matters? In this episode of Thrivve, we explore why community becomes increasingly important as we age. While friendship gives us connection, community gives us belonging…
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The Friendship Gap After 50 Why Some Friendships Fade — And How to Build the Ones That Truly Matter
Some friendships don’t end with a fight. They fade quietly. A slower reply. A cancelled coffee. A message never answered. And one day, you suddenly realise someone who once kneweverything about your life… now knows almost nothing about it anymore. In this deeply honest episode of Thrivve, we talk...
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You Are Not Declining — The Science of Getting Stronger After 50
Most people do not fear getting older. They fear becoming dependent. Needing help getting out of a chair. Feeling nervous on stairs. Losing confidence in their own body. But what if getting weaker is not simply ageing? In this deeply encouraging episode of Thrivve, we explorethe science showing...
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Nobody Prepares You for Caring for Ageing Parents
There comes a moment in life that quietly changeseverything. The people who once protected you…start depending on you. Suddenly you are helping with appointments, medication,technology, finances, memory lapses, emotional support — and trying to stay strong while your heart quietly breaks a little...
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The Confidence Crisis After 50 — And How to Get It Back
Nobody really prepares you for the confidence shift that can happen after 50. Not only physically. Emotionally too. Suddenly your body changes. Your roles change. Your children grow up. Retirement approaches. Careers shift. Relationships evolve. And quietly, many people begin to question…
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What if life after 60 is your best chapter yet?
What if life after 60 is not about slowing down… but finallybecoming more yourself? In this episode of Thrivve — Retirement Reinvented,Riëtte explores why life after 60 might become one of the most meaningful, honest, and powerful chapters of your life. Many people fear ageing because they…
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The Downsides of Retirement That Nobody Talks About
Retirement is supposed to feel like freedom… So why do so many people quietly feel lost, lonely, anxious, disconnected — oreven disappointed after finally getting there? In this deeply honest episode of Thrivve – RetirementReinvented, Riëtte opens up about the emotional, mental, financial,...
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The 7 Biggest Regrets People Have After 50
Many people reach their 50s and begin reflecting on lifewith a mix of gratitude and regret. In this episode of Thrivve, we explore the 7 biggestregrets people have after 50 — and the powerful truth that it is never toolate to change direction. You will learn: • The most common regrets people…
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The 7 Biggest Regrets People Have After 50 — And How to Avoid Them
Many people reach midlife orretirement and begin to reflect on the choices they made — and the ones theydelayed. In this episode, we explore the mostcommon regrets people share after 50, including neglecting health, working toomuch, staying in situations too long, and waiting for the perfect…
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Bonus Episode: Anxiety Anxiety is not a weakness. It is your nervous system trying to protect you.
Anxiety is not a weakness. It is your nervous system trying to protect you. In this important bonus episode, we go deeper into the conversation on anxiety — especially the kind that appears later in life, when roles change, uncertainty grows, and responsibilities shift. Retirement, health…
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Anxiety After 50 — You’re Not Broken
Anxiety can appear unexpectedly after 50— even when life seems stable. In this Thrivve bonus episode, we explore whyanxiety happens, what is happening inside your brain and body, and the realtreatment options available, including therapy, medication, psychiatry, andhypnotherapy. You will also…
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Anxiety After 50 — What It Is, Why It Happens, and How to Calm the Storm
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Duane from The Alchemist Labs to explore what anxiety really is, why it appears later in life, and — most importantly — what we can do about it. Because anxiety after 50 is not a weakness. It is often a signal. A signal that something in life has...
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Anxiety After 50 — You’re Not Broken
Anxiety can appear unexpectedly after 50— even when life seems stable. In this Thrivve bonus episode, we explore whyanxiety happens, what is happening inside your brain and body, and the realtreatment options available, including therapy, medication, psychiatry, andhypnotherapy. You will also…
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Welcome to Thrivve — Retirement Reinvented.
This is more than a podcast about getting older. It’s a conversation about living fully, rediscovering purpose, and building a life that still feels exciting after 50. In Thrivve, we talk honestly about the real transitions that come with this stage of life — retirement, identity, health,...
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The Identity Shift After Retirement — Who Am I Now?
Retirement doesn’t only change your schedule — it changesyour identity. In this episode of Thrivve, we explore the emotionalshift many people experience after leaving work and how to rebuild confidence,purpose, and belonging in this new stage of life. Through three relatable real-life stories,...
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The Loneliness Nobody Talks About After 50
Loneliness after 50 is real — butalmost nobody talks about it. You can be married. You can have children. You can have friends. And still feel deeply alone. In this honest and deeply human episode of Thrivve:Retirement Reinvented, we unpack one of the most silent struggles ofmidlife and…
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How to Start Over After 50 (Even If You're Scared)
Have you ever reached a point in your life where everythinglooks the same on the outside… but something inside you has quietly shifted? Starting over after 50 is not about failure. It’s not about losing your way. And it’s certainly not about being too old. It’s about courage. It’s about growth.…
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Nobody Told Me This About Turning 60 — And It Changed the Way I See the Future
For many years, society quietly taught us a story about ageing. That life slows down after 50. That retirement is a winding down. That turning 60 means stepping back. But something interesting happens when you actually reach this stage of life. You realise those assumptions were never entirely...
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Nobody Told Me This About Turning 60
Turning 60 is not the end of strength. It is often the beginning of clarity. In this honest and empowering episode of Thrivve — Retirement Reinvented, Riëtte explores the truths many people discover after 50 — but rarely talk about openly. The quiet changes. The unexpected fears. The surprising...
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Hope Is Contagious | Season Closing Episode
Hope is not always loud. Sometimes… it hums in the background. In this season closing episode, we move away from bigbreakthroughs and focus on something quieter — the kind of hope that shows upin everyday life. A decision to accept help. The courage to open what you’ve been avoiding. The strength...
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BUILDING FUTURES | The Heart of Ubuhle | Podcasthon 2026
In this special Podcasthon 2026 episode, we visit Ubuhle Christian School in Bronkhorstspruit — a school built on dignity, faith, and sustainable education. From competitive chess and academic excellence to vegetable gardens feeding learners, Ubuhle is proving that education restores futures....
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How to Start Again When You Don’t Feel Ready | Life After 50
Most people don’t fail because they’re incapable. They fail because they wait to feel ready. In this episode of Thrivve, we explore what it really meansto start again after 50 — especially during retirement transitions, grief,identity loss, health challenges, or business pivots. You’ll learn: •…
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The Immovable Ones
In this episode of Thrivve, we explore what it really means to feel strong, steady, and confident after 50. Strength is no longer about aesthetics or pushing harder — it’s about capability, independence, and trusting your body again. We unpack the science behind balance, mobility, and functional...
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The Immovable Ones
In this episode of Thrivve, we explore what it really means to feel strong, steady, and confident after 50. Strength is no longer about aesthetics or pushing harder — it’s about capability, independence, and trusting your body again. We unpack the science behind balance, mobility, and functional...
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Stories Around the Table
Why Friendships After 50 Matter More Than Ever | Social Connection & Ageing Well Friendships change after 50. They stop happening by accident and start requiring intention. In this episode of Thrivve, we explore why friendships in later life are not just “nice to have,” but essential for…
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Stories Around the Table
Friendships change after 50. They no longer happen by default — they happen by intention. In this episode of Thrivve, we explore why friendship in later life is not a bonus, but a form of social wealth that supports wellbeing, resilience, and longevity. We talk about how loneliness after 50…
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What Keeps Us Going After 50? | Purpose, Connection & the Power of Small Things
There’s a quiet question that often arrives in midlife: What keeps me going now? In this episode of Thrivve60, we explore why the answer is rarely big or dramatic, and why research shows that small, repeatable things are the real scaffolding of a meaningful life after 50. This episode covers: Why...
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The Small Things That Keep Us Going
They’re small. Quiet. Almost invisible. A morning routine that steadies you. A walk that clears your head. A message from someone who remembers. A cup of tea, you actually sit down to drink. After 50, we often realise that significant breakthroughs don’t hold life together, but by small…
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How to Change Habits After 50
For many of us, habits become the rhythm of daily life: the evening snacking, the skipped exercise, the scrolling, the extra glass of wine, the “I’ll start on Monday” loop. But here’s the truth: change is absolutely possible at 50, 60, 70 and beyond. In this episode, we explore: 🌿 Why habit…
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How to change habits after 50
What’s one small habit you’d love to shift this year? #Thrivve #ThrivveLife #ThrivveAfter50 #ThrivingAfter50 #MidlifeHabits #HealthyAfter50 #LifeAfter50 #PositiveAgeing #ChangeIsPossible #HabitsThatStick
About this show
Thrivve is the podcast for people over 50 who want to feel better, live richer, and grow stronger in the next chapter of life. Hosted by Riëtte, Thrivve explores the real challenges and opportunities of life after 50 — from retirement and identity shifts to health, purpose, finances, relationships, and personal growth. Whether you're starting over, caring for ageing parents, rebuilding confidence, or rediscovering your purpose.New episodes every Monday. Follow the podcast and join a growing community of people who refuse to fade — and choose to thrive.
Hosted by
THRIVVE