A fiery moment from the IT’S GOOD OVER HERE podcast has sparked a national conversation about how — and when — we choose to live our fullest lives.
In a now-viral Instagram clip, Stephanie Perry, co-founder of the ExodUS Summit, declares flatly: “Retirement is a scam.”
The bold statement struck a chord with thousands across social media platforms, especially among Black women seeking liberation from conventional work-life timelines. Perry, joined by writer-director and podcast host Felicia Pride and fellow ExodUS Summit co-founder Roshida Dowe, didn’t hold back.
“I saw my mom retire at 65 and then try to live her life in a 65-year-old body,” Perry says in the clip. “They want you to wait until your retirement age to start living. But you’re then in a retirement-age body — and things are different.”
Perry’s reflections echo a growing movement, particularly among Black women 40 and older, who are reimagining success, rest, and joy outside of capitalism’s traditional milestones. The podcast, produced by HONEY CHILE, aims to be a space where these women — lovingly called “Honeys” — share stories of travel, transformation, reinvention, and resistance.
“The whole country is designed for you to dedicate your best years to working… and then try to peel off a little piece of goodness at the end,” Perry added. “And I was like, no, no, no, not gonna do that.”
The IT’S GOOD OVER HERE podcast has steadily built a loyal following for its honest and uplifting exploration of life beyond 40 — career pivots, second acts, soft living, and audacious freedom included. But this latest episode struck a particularly deep nerve. The viral moment speaks to a cultural shift in how aging and ambition are viewed, especially by Black women historically excluded from rest, leisure, and early retirement.
The clip also reinforces the mission of ExodUS Summit, a digital community and annual event that helps Black women plan sabbaticals, embrace location independence, and achieve financial freedom through strategic planning and intentional living.
Commenters flooded the post with messages of gratitude, reflection, and solidarity. “I needed this reminder,” wrote one user. “I’m not waiting for 65 to live on my terms.”
While critics debate the feasibility of early retirement, especially amid rising living costs and systemic inequality, Perry’s message stands clear: the dream isn’t deferred — it’s redesigned.
And for women tuning into IT’S GOOD OVER HERE, the message is even sweeter: life doesn’t start at retirement. It starts whenever you choose yourself.
