How to Start Volunteering: Finding Purpose After Empty Nest

Описание: Feeling lost after the kids leave home or during a career transition? Stormy Bell, host of The Art of Volunteering podcast, shares how to find meaningful volunteer opportunities that match your passions—whether it's working with children, seniors, animals, or the arts. Learn why volunteers are worth $32/hour to nonprofits, how volunteering can boost your mental health and expand your network, and even lead to unexpected connections (yes, including dating!). Plus, crucial Social Security advice for stay-at-home parents. Perfect for empty nesters, retirees, career transitioners, and anyone looking to give back while finding purpose.

0:00 - Meet Stormy Bell: The Art of Volunteering
1:16 - How Paula got into volunteering (and why it took so long)
2:34 - Starting a podcast during COVID to build community
4:49 - Where to find volunteer opportunities in your area
5:55 - Board positions for professionals (lawyers, finance experts)
6:51 - The "soft glow" effect: what you get back from giving
8:36 - Networking benefits and career connections through volunteering
10:21 - Volunteering in the arts vs. other sectors
14:23 - Skills-based volunteering vs. hands-on work
18:55 - How to match your passions with volunteer opportunities
22:38 - FIRE ALARM INTERRUPTION (salmon cooking mishap!)
23:36 - Making volunteering easy: one-time vs. regular commitments
24:50 - Meal trains and community support as volunteering
25:55 - Unexpected dating advice: meet quality people through volunteering
27:37 - FINANCIAL TIP: Social Security advice for stay-at-home parents
29:17 - Final thoughts on the human condition and giving back

GUEST INFO:
Stormy Bell - Host, The Art of Volunteering Podcast
Background: Nonprofit development professional
Podcast: Nearly 75 episodes across 4 seasons, 5th year anniversary coming up

✓ Volunteer time is worth $32/hour on average to nonprofits
✓ Start by identifying what resonates: children, seniors, arts, animals
✓ Volunteering creates "soft glow" effect and helps find purpose
✓ Great for empty nesters, retirees, and those in job transitions
✓ Can be one-time (holiday soup kitchen) or regular (weekly library reading)
✓ Networking opportunity with like-minded people
✓ BONUS: Stay-at-home parents should work 10 hrs/week to maintain Social Security credits
✓ Men who volunteer tend to be "good people" (dating tip!)
#Volunteering #EmptyNest #PurposeDriven #GivingBack #CommunityService #RetirementLife #VolunteerWork #NonprofitWork #LifeAfter50 #FindingPurpose