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Today I am interviewing a man who operated an advertising agency in New York City with his wife for many years before they sold the business and moved to Bradenton, Fla.
James Gregory may be 75 years old, but don’t call him retired. He said he tried golf for a while, but didn’t like it. So, at 63, he went back to school instead and completed a doctorate in statistics and analysis. In fact, he was the oldest cohort in his class, but younger in heart than many other students.
Professionally, James developed a way to calculate the rate of return on advertising campaigns. It attracted national attention and led to him writing a series of books on developing corporate image, marketing that image to the world, and leveraging it as a corporate brand.
James recently published a different kind of book. This one was fiction, but based on artificial intelligence and what could go wrong if AI systems developed minds of their own. Titled “Killer App,” it explores what happens when an app, which knows everything about a person, will not uninstall and eventually takes over someone’s life and an entire company.
It’s not just another doom-and-gloom book because it does have a happy ending by showing how man and machines can work together to do some incredible things.
His take on artificial intelligence was interesting and alarming at the same time, especially in how technology enables computers to learn far more about ourselves than we’d like to admit.
Going back to school in his 60s would be challenging enough, but to get a doctorate was really something. Yet, James was able to share his experience and unique insight with other students while they shared theirs with him. In the end, everyone benefited from the relationship and discussion.
James is working on a new project about games the over 50 generation played as children, which I think is truly insightful. Not only does it encourage children and teens to put down the screens and go outside, it encourages them to interact with people, form friendships, learn to negotiate and develop interpersonal skills – all of which are traits commonly lacking in children today.
James attributed keeping a young-at-heart spirit to staying active, maintaining a youthful outlook and always exploring new things, whether through books, travel or developing new skills.
More importantly, James always has a new project to work on and that propels him forward.
People can connect with James by visiting www.jamesRgregory-books.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. His books, especially his newest one titled “Killer App,” can be found on Amazon and in other bookstores.
That’s all I have for this week’s show. If you’d like help in identifying a purpose for your life or to get help planning your next steps, I’m offering a complimentary brainstorming session to members of the Forward From 50 Facebook community. For details, connect with me on Facebook or visit www.forwardfrom50.com.
I’ll have another inspirational interview on the next episode of the Forward From 50 podcast. Thanks for listening. If you like this show, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes.
If you buy one of James’ books from a link above, Forward From 50 may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.