What is delight, really? Not just happiness, not quite joy, but something sparkier and more surprising.

In this episode, I talk with writer and yoga therapist Alex Lovell, whose essay “Delight: A Radical Invitation” caught me at just the right time. We explore what makes delight feel different from other emotions, how we can (maybe?) invite more of it into our lives, and why it matters, especially when the world feels heavy.

This is a conversation about delight, yes — but also about presence, burnout, bittersweet memories, emotional vocabulary, and squirrels. (Really.)

ABOUT MY GUEST:

Alex Lovell, Ph.D., is a Yoga Therapist, a Political Psychologist, and the Writer of the Substack publication, Life as I See It. Alex helps you reclaim that hidden space so that you can navigate life feeling anchored, renewed, and at peace.

IN THIS EPISODE:

- The difference between joy, happiness, and delight

- Why slowing down might actually start with noticing

- Presence as more than just “being in the moment”

- Emotional memory and why your body sometimes cries before your brain knows why

- The limits of control and the quiet power of choosing where our energy goes

- Delight as an act of resistance — and a path back to ourselves

Check out the full show notes for this episode here: https://loublaser.substack.com/p/236-alex-lovell

• • • • •

Subscribe to We're All Getting Older — it’s like sitting at the kitchen table with strong coffee and real good questions: https://loublaser.substack.com

Connect with Lou Blaser on Substack: https://substack.com/@loublaser

Connect with Lou Blaser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loublaser/

Matthew Long, retired Navy officer and writer at Beyond the Bookshelf, joins me in this conversation about planning for a major life change.

Too often, we drift into the next thing simply because it’s familiar. In this conversation, Matthew explains how he avoided this drift and planned his post-retirement life after a long career in the Navy.

ABOUT MY GUEST:

Matthew Long spent 24 years on active duty in the Navy before retiring in 2024. His civilian life is all about being a reader, a writer, and spending a lot of time with his dog, Lola. He resides in Tennessee with Jannette, his wife of 22 years, and their 17-year-old daughter, while their eldest son is off to college.

IN THIS EPISODE:

- The challenges of transitioning from a structured career to an open-ended future

- How Matthew approached his retirement beyond just the financial side

- The blueprint process he used to get clear on his next steps

- Changes in family dynamics and household roles post-retirement

- How Matthew is putting his blueprint into action—and what his next chapter looks like

Check out the full show notes for this episode here: https://loublaser.substack.com/p/235-matthew-long

• • • • •

Subscribe to We're All Getting Older, a newsletter about living a vibrant & fulfilling life so we can die happy later: https://loublaser.substack.com

Connect with Lou Blaser on Substack: https://substack.com/@loublaser

Connect with Lou Blaser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loublaser/

I am joined by Yvonne Marchese, whose boundless energy and fearless approach to trying new things always inspire me. In this lively conversation, Yvonne shares her secrets to staying energized, curious, and playful in midlife (and beyond).

ABOUT MY GUEST:

Yvonne Marchese is a former actress turned photographer, podcaster, author, age-agitator, and person who encourages us all to live and age playfully. On Instagram, you will often find her posting clips of her rollerskating or doing fun, playful things and just celebrating her midlife.

IN THIS EPISODE:

- How Yvonne’s “beginner’s mindset” keeps her excited about life

- Her leap into photography, roller skating, and even writing a book

- Overcoming fear, self-doubt, and the little voice that says, “You can’t”

- Why surrounding yourself with inspiring people is a game-changer

- And her plans to lean into playfulness in 2025

Check out the full show notes for this episode here: https://loublaser.substack.com/p/234-yvonne-marchese

• • • • •

Subscribe to We're All Getting Older, a newsletter about how to live now so we can die happy later: https://loublaser.substack.com

Connect with Lou Blaser on Substack: https://substack.com/@loublaser

Connect with Lou Blaser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loublaser/