Preparing for the Psychological Side of Retirement with Dr. Joy Lere

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier is joined by Dr. Joy Lere, a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of Shaping Wealth. They examine retirement as more than a financial milestone, focusing on the shift in identity, purpose, and daily structure that comes with leaving a career. Joy shares how unmet expectations, loss, and identity challenges can shape the transition, along with practical ways to prepare by building a meaningful life outside of work and continuing to contribute beyond a paycheck. 

 

Topics covered: 

• Retirement as an existential transition, not just a financial one
• The gap between expectations and reality in life after work
• Normalizing loss, stress, and emotional complexity in transitions
• Building a life outside of work before retiring
• Balancing meaningful work with other areas of life
• Continuing purpose and contribution beyond a paycheck
• Identity challenges when stepping away from a long-held role
• Shifting mindset from “what you do” to “who you are”
• Identifying needs fulfilled by work and finding alternatives
• Avoidance and delaying difficult transitions
• Processing grief and loss in major life changes
• Holding both joy and grief during life transitions

 

Useful Links: 

 

• Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/ 

• TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/ 

• Joy Lere on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-lere-psy-d 

• Shaping Wealth: https://www.shapingwealth.com/ 

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)