The Art of the Second Act: Podcasting and Personal Reinvention
For Kojo Nnamdi, reinvention is not merely a subject for conversation — it has been the defining theme of his life.
Kojo Nnamdi, the longtime Washington broadcaster, whose thoughtful voice became synonymous with public radio in the nation’s capital, is once again reshaping himself professionally through a new podcast series for WAMU 88.5, called Young at Heart with Kojo Nnamdi. This time, however, Nnamdi is focusing his attention on others who have discovered the transformative power of second acts after retirement.
The podcast explores retired individuals who refused to fade quietly into inactivity and instead pursued long-delayed dreams, hidden talents, and entirely new identities. The project grew out of a series of lunches between Nnamdi and longtime friend, donor, and Washington attorney Dick Kaufman, himself an embodiment of reinvention.
Formerly a furniture business owner and attorney, Kaufman has since transitioned into a new role as a lounge singer, leading his own musical group. Retirement served as a gateway to this fresh endeavor. While dining with Nnamdi at prominent local establishments such as Capitol Grill in D.C. and La Ferme in Montgomery County, Kaufman remarked on the lack of fulfillment he observed among peers who had retired. He noted with concern that without a clear sense of purpose or direction, many of his friends seemed to be struggling to navigate their post-career lives.
“He said a lot of his friends were just sitting at home doing nothing,” Nnamdi recalled. “They seemed to be losing their minds because they no longer had interaction, structure, or inspiration.”
The conversations sparked an idea: What if they could inspire retirees by spotlighting people who had reinvented themselves later in life?
That idea evolved into a six-part podcast series produced through WAMU. With the help of veteran producer Richard Paul and former Diane Rehm Show producer Alison Brody, the team searched nationwide for compelling stories of reinvention.
What they found surprised even Nnamdi.
One subject repaired telephone lines for decades before retiring and traveling to France to study shoe design — eventually launching a successful second career creating custom footwear. Another became a poet later in life. Another turned a lifelong fascination with seeds and gardening into a flourishing new endeavor.
Listen to Young at Heart with Kojo Nnamdi here.
“These were dreams people carried quietly in the back of their minds for years,” Nnamdi said. “Retirement gave them the time and freedom to explore them finally.”
For Nnamdi, the project also reflects the realities of a generation that is redefining retirement itself. Unlike previous generations, many retirees today are healthier, live longer, and seek purpose beyond traditional work.
“The generation we’re talking about was always active outside the narrow confines of work,” he observed. “They made music. They protested wars. They explored creativity. So when they retire, many begin thinking about things they always wanted to do.”
The podcast’s central message is not necessarily about fame or extraordinary achievement, but curiosity — the willingness to test oneself later in life.
“They are curious about their own abilities,” Nnamdi explained. “They reach a point where they decide there’s no harm in trying.”
That spirit of reinvention is deeply personal for Nnamdi himself.
Born in Guyana as Rex Orville Montague Paul, he first reinvented himself by adopting the name “Kojo,” meaning “born on Monday.” The surname “Nnamdi” was inspired by Nigerian independence leader Nnamdi Azikiwe.
Long before becoming one of public radio’s most respected interviewers, Nnamdi worked at Howard University’s pioneering radio station, where on-air personalities often created entirely new identities for themselves.
“That was my first realization that people could reinvent themselves,” he said.
His career followed a series of reinventions — from radio news editor to television host, then to one of the nation’s premier public radio interviewers.
Now, Nnamdi sees podcasting as yet another evolution.
Even with his departure from daily radio, he maintains an active presence by hosting political forums, generating digital media, and engaging new listeners via podcasts and social platforms. His upcoming memoir marks another potential pivot in his career, possibly leading to voice-over and narration projects.
“I began the process of reinvention at the age of 11,” he remarked playfully.
For listeners, Nnamdi’s newest role offers inspiration to those wondering whether life’s next chapter might still hold undiscovered possibilities.
As the series circulates through WAMU 88.5’s podcast platform, listeners — especially those who are retired or approaching retirement — are encouraged to download and listen. The conversations serve as a reminder that reinvention remains available to anyone willing to remain curious, engaged, and open to change.
