Advertise on podcast: Home After 50™

What if everything you thought you knew about retirement was built on an outdated model designed for a life expectancy that no longer exists? That is the question at the center of this conversation, and the answer might surprise you. Gregg Lunceford is a Managing Director and Wealth Advisor at Mesirow Wealth Management with over 33 years of experience in financial services. But what makes him truly unique is this: in the middle of a successful career, he went back to school and earned his PhD specifically to study what people actually experience when they transition out of work. Not just the financial side. The human side. He is also the author of Exit from Work: What Will the New You Look Like? and today he is sharing some of the most important ideas from that book. In this episode we talk about: Why 65 is an arbitrary retirement age that was set when the average person did not live past their early 60sWhy the IRS already assumes you will live to 90, which means retiring in your 60s puts you closer to middle age than old ageThe difference between retiring FROM something and retiring TO somethingWhy this is the only life transition that comes without a guidance counselor, a mentor, or a planHow the Golden Girls actually modeled one of the most financially and socially smart living arrangements for this stage of lifeThe growing movement of university-based retirement communities and why they are worth knowing aboutHow multi-generational living fits into the bigger picture of building a rich third age and how multi-generational friendships are critical to thriving through all stages of life The way Gregg speaks of the idea of the Third Age will stay with me. We are living longer, we are need to stay healthier longer, and most of us still have so much to give. The question is whether we are going to drift into this chapter or design it. This episode is for you if you are anywhere near 50 or beyond and starting to wonder what comes next. LINKS AND RESOURCES Gregg's book, Exit from Work: What Will the New You Look Like?  https://a.co/d/07eL72SP Connect with and learn more about Gregg Lunceford at Mesirow Wealth Management: https://www.mesirow.com/bio/gregg-lunceford Multi-Gen Living Guide. Toolkit, and Money Guide: juliford.com/multi-gen Work with Juli: juliford.com Follow Juli on Instagram: @itsjuliford

Juli just returned from speaking at Rise Retreat in Scottsdale, Arizona and she cannot stop thinking about what happened in that room. This episode is her reflection on what it means to step into your leadership, your authority, and your full self at this stage of life. Whether you are navigating multi-generational living, rebuilding your business after your kids leave home, or just trying to get out of your own way, this one is for you. WHAT JULI COVERS IN THIS EPISODE Last year at Rise Retreat, Juli felt completely out of place. She barely knew anyone. She was at a crossroads in her business and honestly questioning whether she belonged there at all. This year she returned as a speaker to a room of over 300 women and everything was different. Not because she had changed on the outside, but because she stopped waiting until she felt ready and just showed up anyway. She shares the moment from her talk that she did not plan, the one about putting on whatever pants fit and getting out there and doing your life. And she shares why the response from women in that room, many of them with tears in their eyes, stayed with her. Because this is not just about real estate conferences. This is about every woman over 50 who is holding herself back because she does not feel like enough. Not thin enough, not young enough, not polished enough. And Juli talks about the real cost of that, not just for us, but for the people we are meant to serve and the lives we are meant to live. Here is what she knows to be true. Your experience and your authenticity at this stage of life are your superpower. The wisdom you carry, the decades behind you, the way you hold your family together in the sandwich generation, the way you show up in your home, your business, your community. That is leadership. And it is time to own it. WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR Women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s navigating major life transitions Women in the sandwich generation caring for aging parents while still raising or launching their own children Women exploring or living in multi-generational households Women rebuilding or relaunching a business in this chapter Anyone who has ever let how they look or how they feel about how they look keep them from showing up fully RESOURCES AND LINKS Juli Ford website: juliford.com Multi-Gen Living Free Guide: juliford.com/multi-gen Follow Juli on Instagram: @itsjuliford KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING If this episode landed for you, share it with a woman in your life who is ready to step into her own leadership. And come back next week.

In this episode, Juli Ford and Kim Buckner pick up right where they left off - and this time, they get practical. Kim has coached women in business for more than a decade. And in Part Two, she gets into the one thing she sees holding women back almost every single time. Not skills. Not market conditions. Not experience. She names it in the first few minutes - and a lot of women are going to feel seen when she does. Together, Juli and Kim explore what it actually looks like to stop overgiving, stop overcompensating, and start showing up as the fullest version of yourself - for the people and things that actually deserve her. This conversation covers: The single biggest thing holding women back in their businesses - and why it has to be reprogrammed multiple times a dayWhy being over 50 is actually the advantage - and what it means to finally stop caring about opinions that have no bearing on your lifeWhat Kim says to a coaching client who is afraid to take a risk or start overThe exact words to use when someone underestimates you Why boundaries are not just good for you - they are good for everyone around youKim's life mantra: reciprocity is king - what it means and why it changes everythingThe one thing Kim would tell any woman who is depleted, overextended, or rebuilding herself right now Missed Part One? Go listen to that first and then come back here! Resources Mentioned The Ladder Collective with Kim Buckner - Social Media Mastery for realtors and entrepreneurs Starts April 20th → stan.store/kimbuckner/p/the-ladder-collective-social-media-mastery Connect with Kim https://www.kimbucknerrealtor.com/ Follow Kim on Instagram: @kimbucknerrealtor Resources from Juli Free Multi-Gen Living Guide and The Multi-Gen Family Toolkit → https://juliford.com/multi-gen Real estate agents - join Juli’s agent newsletter here → juliford.myflodesk.com/agent-updates Follow Juli on Instagram: @itsjuliford  Connect with Juli: https://juliford.com/

In this episode, Juli Ford sits down with her friend and fellow real estate entrepreneur, Kim Buckner, for a conversation that starts warm and gets real fast. Kim is a 17-year real estate veteran, former Team Leader and CEO of one of the largest brokerages in the US, and founder of a private coaching company for realtors and entrepreneurs. She has spent more than a decade coaching women in business - and for the last several years, exclusively women. She knows exactly where we get stuck. Together, Juli and Kim explore what it actually looks like to stop apologizing for taking up space - in your business, in your family, and in your own life. This conversation covers: Why saying no feels like admitting weakness - and where that belief comes fromThe seven-day no-apology assignment Kim gives her coaching clientsThe "default daughter" - why one person in every family ends up carrying it allKim's story of her daughter Morgan at age three and what it taught her about whose comfort we are actually responsible forRaising daughters differently - and what it feels like to watch young women move through the world with a confidence we had to build the hard wayWhat reinvention looks like when it starts from the inside This is Part One of a two-part conversation. Part Two drops soon. Resources Mentioned The Ladder Collective with Kim Buckner — Social Media Mastery for realtors and entrepreneurs Starts April 20th → stan.store/kimbuckner/p/the-ladder-collective-social-media-mastery Connect with Kim https://www.kimbucknerrealtor.com/ Follow Kim on Instagram: @kimbucknerrealtor Resources from Juli Free Multi-Gen Living Guide and The Multi-Gen Family Toolkit → https://juliford.com/multi-gen Follow Juli on Instagram: @itsjuliford  Connect with Juli: https://juliford.com/

For years, the desire has been there. Families wondering if there was a better way to care for aging parents, support adult children, and design a home life that actually worked for everyone. The demand was real, but the barriers, the financing, the zoning, the cultural conversation, kept getting in the way. That is changing. And this year, it is changing fast. In this episode, Juli shares the data and the personal story behind why she believes 2026 is the threshold year for multi-generational living. This is not a trend. It is a movement. And if your family has been wondering whether it could work for you, this episode is the one to share. What we cover in this episode: The first baby boomers are turning 80 this year, and the senior housing system is not ready. Juli breaks down what that means for families and why the traditional model is misaligned with what today's older adults actually want. Why the ADU market is growing at 18.6% annually and what that number means for families thinking about adding a backyard bungalow, a basement apartment, or an attached addition. Brand new financing just announced in Massachusetts: MassHousing has launched a second mortgage product of up to $250,000 for a detached ADU and up to $150,000 for an attached ADU, designed specifically for low and moderate income homeowners who may not have significant equity. The values shift driving all of this. Today's 80-year-old may not want what senior housing has traditionally offered. She wants independence. She wants family proximity. She wants a life designed for who she actually is. Why the women in the sandwich generation are the ones leading this transformation and how Juli thinks about carrying that leadership role without carrying all of the weight. What Juli has learned in nearly 11 years of living in a multi-generational home and why this conversation went from a personal solution to a national media story in just one year. Resources mentioned in this episode: Free Multi-Generational Living Guide: download at juliford.com/multi-gen The MultiGen Family Toolkit: a seven-part guide to planning your multi-gen home, $47, available at juliford.com/multi-gen This episode is for you if: You are in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond and thinking about what the next chapter of home looks like for your whole family.  You have aging parents and you are trying to figure out how to keep everyone close without losing yourself in the process.  You have been curious about ADUs but did not know where to start. Or you are simply ready to stop seeing multi-generational living as a compromise and start seeing it as a choice. Connect with Juli: Website: juliford.com  Instagram: @itsjuliford Free Guide and the MultiGen Toolkit: juliford.com/multi-gen

In this Season 3 kickoff episode of Home After 50™, Juli Ford shares what she’s been hearing from families exploring multi-generational living and ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) as housing solutions. After taking a short break from the podcast, Juli reflects on the questions families are asking right now about financing, planning, and creating homes that support multiple generations. She also shares some behind-the-scenes updates from her work helping families across the country create successful plans for multi-generational living. This episode offers a look at the themes shaping the new season of the podcast and the evolving ways families are thinking about home, financial wellbeing, and life after 50. In this episode, Juli shares:• Why she took a short break from the podcast and what she learned from stepping back • The conversations she’s been hearing from families exploring multi-generational living • How living in a multi-generational home impacted her own family financially • Why more families are interested in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) • A new guide Juli is creating to help families vet ADU builders • Insights from families she works with across the country planning multi-gen homes • Her recent visit to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office for a housing creator briefing • New housing policy changes in Massachusetts that make ADUs easier to build • What listeners can expect in Season 3 of Home After 50 Coming up this seasonSeason 3 will explore many of the questions families are asking about housing, including: • Financing strategies for multi-generational homes • Creative ways families are using ADUs • Rethinking retirement and reinvention after 50 • How women in midlife are reimagining home, family, and work Juli will also be joined by several guests who bring new perspectives on retirement planning, housing strategy, and building meaning in the second half of life. Resources mentioned• Multi-Generational Living Guide • ADU Builder Interview Guide (coming soon) Work with JuliIf your family is exploring a multi-generational home, Juli helps families across the country develop thoughtful housing strategies and connect with experienced local real estate professionals. You can learn more or schedule a Multi-Gen Clarity Call at: www.juliford.com/consult Connect with JuliWebsite: www.juliford.com Instagram: @itsjuliford

In this short episode, Juli closes out Season 2 of Home After 50™ with reflection, gratitude, and a look ahead to Season 3. After two seasons and 24 conversations about multi-generational living, the Open Nest, caring for aging parents, reinventing life and business after 50, and reimagining what “home” really means, it feels important to pause intentionally before moving into the next season of the podcast. This podcast is structured in seasons to allow space to breathe, recalibrate, and thoughtfully curate what comes next. And this pause is part of that rhythm. Because after 50, home isn’t just where we live. It’s who we’re becoming. In This Episode• Why Season 2 is coming to a close • What this intentional break allows space for • Topics that will continue shaping future seasons • An invitation to suggest future guests • A heartfelt thank you to this growing community Help Shape Season 3If you know someone who would be a meaningful guest on Home After 50™, Juli would love to hear from you. Email: [email protected] Stay Connected✨ Follow Juli on Instagram @itsjuliford That’s where she shares behind-the-scenes ideas about multi-generational living, real estate, business after 50, and designing a next chapter you truly love. ✨ Download the Free Multi-Generational Living Guide https://juliford.com/multi-gen Support the PodcastIf this show has resonated with you, leaving a five-star review on Apple or Spotify or commenting on YouTube helps more women find these conversations. Thank you for being here. Season 3 is coming soon.

In this episode of Home After 50, Juli talks with Chris Lee, CEO and Founder of Backyard ADUs, about how Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are becoming one of the most practical solutions for multi-generational living, aging in place, and starter homes for adult children. Chris shares what families should understand before building a backyard home, including realistic costs, financing options, timelines, design considerations, and why family conversations need to happen early in the process. Whether you’re considering building an ADU for a parent, yourself, or a grown child, this episode offers a grounded look at what’s actually involved. In This Episode, We Cover:• What an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is • Typical ADU costs in New England and what affects pricing • Financing options, including second-lien and post-build value loans • Using home sale proceeds to fund an ADU • Why family alignment matters before design begins • Accessibility and aging-in-place design features • What the ADU process looks like from idea to move-in • What to expect during backyard construction About the GuestChris Lee is the CEO and Founder of Backyard ADUs, a company designing and building custom backyard homes across Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire. His philosophy: “If I wouldn’t have my own family live in it, no one should.” Helpful LinksBackyard ADUs website: https://backyardadus.com/ Find upcoming Backyard ADUs free webinars on their site, including one on March 18th where Juli will be a guest. Resources from Juli Free Multi-Gen Living Guide and The Multi-Gen Family Toolkit → juliford.com/multi-gen Follow Juli on Instagram: @itsjuliford Connect with Juli: https://juliford.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or family member exploring multi-generational living or aging in place, and subscribe to Home After 50 for more conversations about home and life after 50.

Thinking about a multi-generational home or adding an ADU but not sure where to start? In this episode, Juli shares why the most important first step isn’t design, permits, or construction - it’s having the right family conversations. Inspired by an email from a 73-year-old listener asking for help getting started with her family’s Multi-Gen Home, Juli walks through how to begin talking about multi-generational living with clarity and care, and shares practical conversation prompts around money, privacy, and boundaries. You’ll learn: Why uncertainty is a normal starting point How to begin multi-generational living conversations How to talk about money and shared expenses How to discuss privacy, independence, and boundaries What’s inside Juli’s Multi-Gen Family Toolkit Resources: Visit:  juliford.com/multi-gen To access: The Free Multi-Generational Living Guide: The  Multi-Gen Family Toolkit (PDF version) Monthly Multi-Gen Coffee Chat (included with toolkit) For the Print Edition of the Toolkit, visit: https://stan.store/juliford/p/the-multigen-toolkit-print-edition Next week: Juli talks with a backyard ADU builder about the physical side of creating a multi-generational home.

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions most people will ever make - and yet many buyers are never taught how to assess risk beyond what’s visible in a listing or walkthrough. In this episode of Home After 50, host Juli Ford speaks with documentary filmmaker and former TV journalist George Siegal, creator of the film Built to Last: Buyer Beware. George has spent decades covering natural disasters and their aftermath, witnessing firsthand how housing decisions made years earlier can dramatically impact safety, financial stability, and recovery. While George’s film focuses heavily on hurricanes and homes in Florida, this conversation makes clear that the lessons apply anywhere. Flooding, wildfires, infrastructure failures, construction shortcuts, and insurance gaps affect homeowners across the country - often in ways buyers never anticipated. Rather than approaching the topic through fear, this episode centers on practical awareness and smarter decision-making. George shares how buyers can take a more investigative approach to home purchasing and why asking better questions before buying can significantly reduce long-term risk. In this episode, listeners will learn:Why “built to code” doesn’t always mean built to lastHow buyers can research a home and neighborhood beyond online listingsWhat to look for related to drainage, elevation, nearby development, and historical riskWhy walking a neighborhood and talking with residents can reveal critical informationWhat homeowners should understand about insurance coverage before a claim ever arisesThe role of public insurance adjusters and how they can support homeowners after lossWhy disaster recovery often takes years - financially, emotionally, and logisticallySimple preparedness steps that can improve recovery outcomes if the unexpected happens Throughout the conversation, George emphasizes that being an informed buyer doesn’t mean being alarmist - it means being curious, prepared, and proactive. A smarter home purchase begins with understanding not just what a home looks like today, but how it may perform under stress tomorrow. This episode is especially relevant for anyone considering a move, building a new home, or navigating a multi-generational housing decision. It offers grounded insights to help buyers reduce risk, make informed choices, and protect what matters most. Resources from George Download George’s Free PDF: Questions Every Buyer Must Ask Their Builder or Seller https://pro.speakerhub.com/speaker-feedback/?qr=0a8ee703-4eae-4879-9ad6-78f8c9a34f67 Rent the full length version of the Built to Last: Buyer Beware film: movetheworldfilms.gumroad.com/l/kaywco Resources from Juli Free Multi-Gen Living Guide and The Multi-Gen Family Toolkit → juliford.com/multi-gen Follow Juli on Instagram: @itsjuliford Connect with Juli: https://juliford.com/

In this episode, Juli Ford sits down with her dear friend and longtime collaborator Anjali Budreski for an honest, spacious conversation about grief, caregiving, and life transitions with aging parents. Anjali is a Certified Yoga Teacher and Life Coach specializing in grief, loss, and major life transitions. Since the unexpected death of her father in June 2024, followed closely by her mother’s Stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis, Anjali has been living inside grief - allowing it to teach her, shape her work, and deepen her capacity to hold others. Together, Juli and Anjali explore what grief actually looks like in real life - not just after a loss, but while caring for aging parents, navigating uncertainty, and continuing to live and work in the midst of it all. This conversation covers: The difference between sudden grief, anticipatory grief, cascading grief, and compound lossWhy grief often shows up months (or years) after a lossHow caregiving and self-care must coexistLetting go of control and learning to live inside the “I don’t know”Simple, grounding practices for meeting grief gentlyWhy continuing bonds and legacy matter in the grieving processRethinking multigenerational living and caregiving in midlife This episode is for anyone navigating grief and loss, caring for aging parents, or feeling called to move more slowly and tenderly through a season of change. Resources MentionedAnjali’s favorite grief books: Can Anyone Tell Me? by Meghan Riordan JarvisConscious Grieving by Claire Bidwell SmithThe Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller Connect with Anjali Website: https://anjalibudreski.com Upcoming In Person Offering: Holding Space for Grief on Cape Cod 📍 Yoga of Yarmouth Port 🗓️ Sunday, January 25 ⏰ 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM More information: https://www.yogaofyarmouthport.com/ Resources from Juli Free Multi-Gen Living Guide and The Multi-Gen Family Toolkit → juliford.com/multi-gen Follow Juli on Instagram: @itsjuliford Connect with Juli: https://juliford.com/

Is this really an empty nest - or are more of us living in an open nest? In this solo episode of Home After 50, Juli Ford reflects on life as Gen X in the sandwich generation, where adult children move in and out, aging parents need support, and the meaning of home is constantly evolving. With two adult children stepping into independence and an aging parent living at home, Juli shares honest reflections on multi-generational living, caregiving, shifting family roles, and the emotional complexity of midlife. This episode offers a grounded reframe of the traditional empty nest narrative and explores what home looks like for Gen X families today. If you’re navigating an open nest, supporting aging parents, or redefining home after 50, this conversation will resonate deeply. In This Episode, Juli Discusses: Open nest vs empty nest and why the old narrative no longer fits Gen XLife in the sandwich generationAdult children leaving, returning, and everything in betweenSupporting aging parents while building your own next chapterHow multi-generational living supports real life after 50Why this season is about expansion, not loss Resources Mentioned: Free Multi-Generational Living Guide: juliford.com/multi-genThe Complete Multi-Gen Family Toolkit: juliford.com/multi-genInstagram: @itsjulifordEmail: [email protected]

In this episode, Juli shares why the final weeks of December are a natural time to slow down, make space for family, and listen more deeply. She talks about what she’s been hearing from families exploring multi-generational living, how holiday gatherings often surface important conversations, and why families don’t need all the answers, just a calm and supportive way to begin. Juli also shares how her work is evolving in 2026 to better support multi-generational families through trusted agent connections and deeper mentorship for experienced real estate agents who want to serve this growing space with care, professionalism, and clarity. This episode is both a pause and a clear vision for what’s ahead. In This Episode, Juli Covers:Why slowing down during the holidays supports clarity and sustainability How family gatherings often open the door to multi-generational living conversations A real story of how the Multi-Gen Family Toolkit helped a family navigate boundaries, privacy, and finances Why families don’t need to solve everything, just start the conversation How Juli supports multi-gen families through tools, clarity calls, and agent referrals Why multi-generational living is accelerating nationwide How Juli plans to elevate the conversation and support both families and professionals in 2026 Resources MentionedFree Multi-Generational Living Guide: https://juliford.com/multi-gen Complete Multi-Gen Family Toolkit (PDF Bundle): https://juliford.com/multi-gen Clarity Calls with Juli: https://juliford.com/consult Agent Connector Hub (for families seeking trusted local agents): https://asstcrm.ai/f/284bc587-36e2-4894-80fd-b0102fcf6bac Agent Newsletter (for agents interested in multi-gen mentorship): https://juliford.myflodesk.com/uf7wetr81k Juli’s Home After 50™ Newsletter (year-end reflection and 2026 updates): https://juliford.com/ A Note from JuliThis episode marks a short holiday pause. Home After 50™  will return in the first full week of January with new conversations focused on helping families and professionals navigate multi-generational living and life and home after 50 with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a reverse mortgage is a smart option - or you’ve heard conflicting opinions from friends and neighbors - today’s episode is a must-listen. Juli is joined by Michael Pankow, Certified Senior Advisor, Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, and national expert on reverse mortgages. He’s also a Board Member with the National Aging in Place Council, licensed in all 50 states, and served 12 years in the U.S. Armed Forces. Michael and Juli dig into what a reverse mortgage actually is, who it’s best for, and the surprising ways families are leveraging home equity to age in place, plan for retirement, or create multi-generational homes that truly support their needs. They also address the biggest misconceptions and share the consumer protections that now make this one of the most secure loan products available. Whether you’re thinking ahead for yourself or helping aging parents navigate increasing costs and care needs, this episode will help you expand your options - and reduce the financial pressure so many seniors feel late in life. What they cover: • The simple explanation of what a reverse mortgage really is • Need, lifestyle, and financial planning benefits of accessing equity • Why today’s reverse mortgage protections are so different from decades ago • How to use a reverse mortgage to stay in your home longer • Solutions for multi-generational living + ADUs • Divorce scenarios and caregiver support options you may not know exist • How Social Security + Medicare eligibility factor in • When a reverse mortgage isn’t a good idea - and how to know • Michael’s personal story on why he cares so much about this work Listen now - and feel empowered to ask better questions in your own planning. Join Michael’s next FREE Reverse Mortgage Seminar on Wed. Dec 10, 2025 at 2 PM Pacific | 5 PM EST (Michael Pankow NMLS ID #220611  and Juli Ford Alhadeff NMLS ID #2728620) Register here: https://reversemortgageseminar.net/juli Stay connected: Get more info on Reverse Mortgages: juliford.com/reverse Follow Juli on Instagram @itsjuliford Download Juli's Multi-Gen Living Guide: juliford.com/multi-gen Join the “Home After 50” newsletter for weekly inspiration + resources: juliford.com

This week’s solo episode of Home After 50 is a deep exhale. If you’re tired of the “end the year strong!” push from every corner of social media - you’re not alone. Juli invites you to reimagine the end of the year through a more cyclical lens - one grounded in nature, seasons, and the real energetic rhythms of midlife. Inside the episode: ✨ Why January 1st may not be your New Year ✨ How cyclical living has helped Juli accomplish more with less force ✨ The real emotional work of reflecting on the year ✨ A better way to enter 2026 - with gentleness, courage + intention ✨ Why the dark days of winter are meant for rest, not reinvention Take this as your permission slip to slow down. To breathe. To choose your own pace. Mentioned in this episode: ▪️ The Aligned Life Edit - Instagram Subscription → Free 14-day trial: join the December Aligned Life Audit Follow Juli on Instagram: @itsjuliford ▪️ Free Multi-Gen Living Guide → juliford.com/multi-gen