In this episode of Act Three, I sit down with the brilliant and endlessly thoughtful Rishad Tobaccowala—author, futurist, speaker, and longtime global strategist—to talk about what it really takes to build a vibrant next chapter.

Rishad spent nearly four decades at Publicis Group, eventually becoming Chief Strategist and Chief Growth Officer. But his most interesting work, in many ways, began after he left corporate life and stepped into what he calls his "company of one."

We talk about:

🌟 How to prepare for the emotional side of leaving a big career
🌟 What people forget to plan for when they retire or reinvent
🌟 The four pillars every next chapter needs: identity, community, purpose, and growth
🌟 Why your zone of influence matters more than your zone of control
🌟 How to stay relevant in a world changing at high speed
🌟 The surprising truth about attention, status, and "popularity" at work
🌟 How writing, creating, and teaching shaped his Act Two (and soon, his Act Three)
🌟 The value of staying curious—and why it keeps you young
🌟 What he's building now across books, Substack, podcasting, and The Rethinking Work Show

This is a wise, funny, deeply grounded conversation with someone who has navigated big transitions with remarkable clarity. If you're thinking about your future, your identity, or the next stage of your work and life, this episode will give you a lot to consider.

📘 Books
• Restoring the Soul of Business
• Rethinking Work

📰 Weekly Thought Letter
The Future Does Not Fit Into the Containers of the Past – a widely read newsletter for leaders seeking clarity in a changing world.

🎙 Podcast
What's Next? – conversations about the forces shaping the future.

▶️ The Rethinking Work Show: https://rethinkingwork.io

🌐 Website: https://rishadtobaccowala.com

00:00 Welcome
01:00 Rishad on leadership and influence
03:00 The meaning of the Advertising Hall of Fame
06:00 How he planned his transition out of Publicis
10:00 The surprising emotional challenges of retirement
12:00 The four pillars: identity, community, purpose, growth
14:00 What people misunderstand about attention and status
16:00 How COVID reshaped the transition
17:00 Building a Substack and an audience
23:00 Why he never charges for his newsletter
26:00 His creative ecosystem: books, podcast, shows
29:00 Staying curious and "forever young"
31:00 Where to follow Rishad's work

If you're starting to think about your own Act Three—or you're already in it—explore my Third Act Blueprint and other resources at https://goodmorningfreedom.com

Subscribe for more conversations on longevity, identity, purpose, and designing a meaningful next chapter.