Why navigate your retirement alone when so many others are on the same journey?

Next Chapter Dialogues

is a positive, encouraging, inspiring discussion space for people who want to live their post-career lives “on purpose” in ways that nurture personal growth and joy.

Next Act Dialogues creates a unique opportunity for people at any stage of the retirement journey to do something that, for most, gets harder with age but is so essential – meet new people and establish new relationships in a non-threatening, easy-going way.

But that’s just the beginning.

What some of the participants in the Next Chapter Dialogues pilot group said…

Participating in this group has provided me with a feeling of being heard and supported as I explore my journey to find purpose in my retirement.

— Dave, 2 years retired

“

Everyone has to make their own decisions… this group was very helpful in providing me with the introspection I needed now to help me define mine.

— Kathryn, 1 year retired

“

…we explored the themes of joy, purpose, balance, growth, structure, and meaning in retirement. It was thought-provoking to hear the different perspectives of the group members on these topics.

— Sally, 5 years retired

“

When?

Where?

Who?

Next Chapter Dialogues meets weekly on Zoom for growth-provoking discussions expertly guided by retirement coach, Marilyn Hintsa.

Why?

Consider joining Next Chapter Dialogues if:

  1. You want to meet others who are grappling with retirement and want to talk about it rather than just read a book or listen to a podcast.

  2. You want to share in different perspectives and learn from other’s experiences.

  3. You want to feel more confident about your choices for your next chapter.

  4. You want to try different approaches to finding purpose, fulfillment and happiness in this time of life.

  5. You want to feel less alone on your journey.

Sally was at a bit of a crossroads when she joined the Next Chapter Dialogues pilot group. Her attendance gave her “a renewed sense of purpose and direction for the next stages of life”.

Next Chapter Dialogues has infinite space for inspiration and growth, but each group holds only 12 people.

Dialogue groups will be limited to just 12 participants. The small size helps us get to know and trust each other faster, ensures no one’s voice goes unheard and supports the creation of a safe space in which we’re comfortable to explore, share, try and celebrate.

The Dialogues have started with one group and, as the need arises, 2 more that will meet on different days will be added.

Come join us in Next Chapter Dialogues if you’re ready to:

  • Build relationships with fellow travellers on a similar but unique journey of their own.

  • Inspire and be inspired by others,

  • Challenge your assumptions,

  • Give and receive support and encouragement to take risks big or small,

  • Test your ideas to get new perspective on them,

  • Be held gently accountable to your desired future,

  • Engage actively in discussion,

  • Feel less alone on your journey.

  • Elaine Gamble, 1 year retired

    “… recently retired, I was interested in being asked to join the Next Chapter Dialogues pilot group to discuss my experiences with others. I was interested to hear how others find purpose and meaning in retirement. It was a small but diverse group of people and I was surprised by how much we had in common. 

    Marilyn's discussion topics really stimulated our discussions and I benefited from hearing that others had similar feelings to myself. It was a rewarding and learning experience and I would recommend it to others who are exploring their next steps after retirement."

  • Roland Legge

    “It felt good to be part of a group that was in a similar stage of life as I was. I felt more heard and understood.

    Every session was helpful. However, the session we explored our identity through the naming of our core strengths was particularly helpful to help me start naming who I truly am without having to use my job title or field to describe myself.

    I highly recommend Next Chapter Dialogues to anyone who is ready to explore how they would like to live out their retirement whether you are already started or something you are thinking about in the near future.”

  • Judith N, retired 6 years

    “Having been retired for six years, I am particularly interested in helping others retire well. I decided to participate in the group to share my experiences, offer encouragement and support to those getting started, as well as hear others’ experiences finding new ways to express themselves and appreciate life in retirement …

    I highly recommend this community experience to others – those starting their retirement decision-making or those already retired – to help you take charge of your life and after a primary career.”

  • GG, thinking about retiring

    "As a self-employed copywriter in my late 60s, I've struggled with retirement for several years. So I was delighted to take part in the pilot group of Next Chapter Dialogues, hoping this would bring me some clarity about what to do next.

    It was a huge relief to hear that everyone shares many of the same questions about the next chapter of our lives.

    Encouraged by Marilyn, everyone in the group was expressive, frank, and thoughtful. I got a lot from the discussions and exercises. I even know how I want my next few years to look.”

  • Marlene, 2 years retired

    "For most of us, 'retirement' is uncharted territory; so it was valuable to find out that I wasn't alone.

    Next Chapter Dialogues put me in touch with others facing the same challenges; but more importantly, it helped me realize that I was actually going to be just fine with 'retirement'"

  • Dave, 2 years retired

    "The biggest takeaway from my experience with these group sessions is that I now have a different lens to see opportunities that I may have not considered previously.”

  • Kathryn, 1 year “retired”

    “I really did not know what to expect when I was suggested to this group, however, it was a time I truly valued. Besides the wonderful people I met and the stories they shared with a vulnerability and strength, I too, left each meeting with things to think about, to ponder and reflect upon as to what my next chapter was to be.”

A Few Words from Next Chapter Dialogue’s Creator and Guide

Kudos for Marilyn

Marilyn is an excellent coach and had a very collaborative relationship with the group as she guided us to think in new ways – sometimes without us even knowing it. This style of coaching took away a lot of pressure to have the “right answers” and instead let me be comfortable being myself, helping me dig deeper into who I am at my core – which has been my biggest challenge in my retirement. I found the group sessions and Marilyn’s coaching style very supportive and worthwhile, using the knowledge shared in the room to its best advantage.

Judith N., retired 6 years

What’s Expected of Me if I Join?

Next Chapter Dialogues asks nothing more from its members than to show up regularly to a weekly Zoom call, ready and willing to participate in conversation.

  • You’ll want to be open to sharing what you know, think, and feel while being accepting, curious and supportive of what other members share.

  • You don’t have to be an expert, but you do have to be open to learning and trying.

  • You don’t have to commit to setting goals and achieving them but, if you do, we’ll help you succeed.

  • You don’t have to do homework between meetings unless you feel it will be helpful.

Sampler of Conversation Themes

Future mindedness
Creating structure and routine
Stepping out of the box to boost personal growth
Reawakening Wonder

Finding a new sense of identity
It’s about doing more of what you love
Positivity – not the toxic kind
Finding purpose and joy

Sometimes, things that don’t cost a lot turn out to be the most valuable.

Next Chapter Dialogues is a subscription that’s paid monthly.

$100.00/month

Billed in Canadian dollars
Excludes taxes

3 Steps to Confirm Your Spot

1 Express your interest

2 Book a time to chat with Marilyn

3 Sign up and pay

Is Next Chapter Dialogues Really Right for Me?

    • You want to be thoughtful about what comes next in your post-career life and would like to tap the wisdom of like-minded peers to support you.

    • You’re curious and always primed for growth and learning.

    • You enjoy collaborating with others and learning in a group.

    • You’re ready to contribute in a meaningful way and welcome others’ contributions.

    • You’re open to doing some internal work to connect with who you are and want to be at this point in your life.

    • You’re able to commit time most weeks to attend gatherings of your Next Chapter Dialogues group.

    • You enjoy meandering paths that take you to unexpected places on your journey to point B.

    • You’re feeling really good about how your retirement is going and don’t feel you need to change anything at this moment.

    • You’re social universe is full of bright stars and you don’t need to meet new people.

    • You’re not curious about yourself or others or interested in trying new things.

    • You feel uncomfortable being open and potentially vulnerable in a group.

    • You get impatient listening to other people speak.

    • You don’t have time for weekly meetings.

    • You’d prefer to read a book or take a course on the ABC’s of retiring well.

    • You don’t feel comfortable with sessions being recorded and potentially shared with the other attendees.

FAQs

    • No. A course generally follows a fixed curriculum delivered by a teacher over a specific length of time. There might be homework and learning goals for attendees.

    • Next Chapter Dialogues offers ongoing curated conversations that explore topics related to creating a meaningful life in retirement. Yes, it is very much a learning opportunity but one that is in perhaps more organic than a course. It is equally an opportunity to expand your social network in the same way you developed the professional network you may now have left behind.

    • 90-minute meetings take place weekly. Regular attendance will help you develop relationships with other members more quickly and they with you. The depth of the conversations increases when everyone feels comfortable with others in the Zoom space. Sometimes, there might be suggestions to read, watch, or try something in the coming week, but there’s no pressure to follow through.

  • In general, no. Next Chapter Dialogues is a subscription-based service that’s paid monthly so your commitment at any time is just one payment. However, there may be extenuating circumstances that would warrant a refund or an agreement to make-up missed sessions. They’ll be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.