Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Take Back Retirement
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 126: Retiring Gen X Style: From Anxiety to Action with Kerry Hannon and Janna Herron | 15 Dec 2025 | 00:43:44 | |
"This is a generation that is incredibly scrappy. This is a generation that gets it done. We actually know how to find the resources when we need to." – Kerry Hannon Our hosts, Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines, welcome Kerry Hannon and Janna Herron, co-authors of "Retirement Bites: A Gen X Guide to Securing Your Financial Future," for a candid conversation about why this overlooked generation faces unique retirement challenges, and why there's still plenty of time to turn things around! The timing couldn't be better. With the oldest Gen Xers turning 60 this year, this generation of approximately 64-65 million Americans born between 1965 and 1980 finds itself squeezed between caring for aging parents and supporting adult children while confronting their own retirement reality. "We were kind of the Guinea pig generation when it came to the 401(k)s," Janna explains. Gen X caught the worst of both worlds: pensions were disappearing while 401(k)s were arriving without proper education about their importance. Early contribution limits were low, automatic enrollment didn't exist, and many default investment options were conservative money markets rather than growth-oriented funds. But Kerry and Janna reject the doom-and-gloom narrative. "This is a generation that is incredibly scrappy," Kerry insists. "This is a generation that gets it done." They believe in starting with vision before worrying about numbers. If you don't know what you're saving for, it's super hard to get excited about doing it. Kerry encourages vision boards and refrigerator lists of life experiences you don't want to miss. Janna shares how she and her husband hold quarterly "financial summits" and maintain a separate savings account for their dream teardrop camper. "It's fun to look at our little savings fund and go, look how much closer we are." Retirement doesn't mean stopping work entirely, but reimagining what it means to work! Knowledge workers can transition to consulting, pursue deferred dreams, or explore new fields. The key is planning ahead and continuing to learn. Perhaps most importantly, they stress addressing health now. Retirement is the time when you can get your health together so that you have better health outcomes when you get older, and save money at the same time. Gen X's cynicism might be legendary, but channeling that scrappy, resilient spirit could be exactly what secures their financial future!
Key Topics: · Why a Book for Gen X Now (1:40) · The 401(k) Guinea Pig Generation (4:39) · Home Equity as a Bright Spot (12:05) · Creating Your Retirement Vision (15:07) · Working Longer as Strategy (21:43) · AI and the Future of Work (28:29) · Finding the Right Financial Advisor (30:47) · Healthcare: The Hidden Retirement Cost (37:21) · Stephanie and Kevin's Wrap Up (38:44)
Resources: · Retirement Bites: A Gen X Guide to Securing Your Financial Future (book) · Kerry Hannon (website) · Janna Herron (LinkedIn)
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
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| 125: Incremental Steps, Lasting Impact: How Small Changes Lead to Financial Success with Meg Wheeler, CPA | 01 Dec 2025 | 00:41:06 | |
"Creating safe spaces for people to talk about money is one of the most powerful things we can do right now to make the world better for change." -Meg Wheeler Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines sit down with Meg Wheeler, CPA and founder of the Equitable Money Project, who's on a mission to demolish the shame surrounding money conversations through accessible financial education. Her approach shows us that the path to financial confidence isn't about becoming an expert. It's about learning to simply talk about money without judgment. "Why should we know this when we've never been taught it in school?" Meg challenges the pervasive shame many people feel about their financial knowledge gaps. After all, we don't feel ashamed about not knowing brain surgery or environmental science because we were never taught those subjects either! The real problem isn't lack of knowledge, but the absence of safe spaces to discuss money openly. Meg's work centers on creating a community where people can share their financial stories without fear. She emphasizes that most people's situations aren't unique. Whether it's medical debt from our broken healthcare system or struggling with inconsistent business income, the factors contributing to financial challenges are systemic rather than personal failures. She suggests going for incremental progress rather than perfection. "Every quarter we want you to pick just one thing within one of those buckets to focus on," she explains, referring to her three-pillar framework: set up foundations, stabilize, and grow. This approach makes wealth-building feel achievable rather than overwhelming. Perhaps most powerfully, Meg advocates for teaching children about money early. Her eight-year-old has a debit card and checks his bank balance before purchases. Not because he's learning to become a financial professional, but because money should not be feared but normalized. Financial empowerment begins not with expertise, but with conversation, community, and compassion toward ourselves and others navigating the same challenges. Key Topics ● Meg's Path to Financial Education (02:26) ● The Problem with "Financial Literacy" (04:28) ● Why We Feel Shame About Money (05:21) ● Information vs. Quality Education (05:56) ● Creating Safe Spaces for Money Talk (14:07) ● Teaching Kids About Money (16:13) ● Learning the Language of Money (17:43) ● The Three Pillars of Wealth Building (25:51) ● Overcoming Emergency Fund Shame (26:54) ● Business Owner Tips and Avoidance (33:00)
Resources:
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. | |||
| 116: Reimagining Your Next Chapter: Longevity, Intention, and the Power of Yes with Allison Davis | 15 Jul 2025 | 00:41:38 | |
"Body work, brain work, and world work - all longevity habits fit into those three categories." -Allison Davis When author and naturopath Allison Davis turned 60, she didn't accept it as the "gateway to old age"—she saw it as a turning point. Our hosts, Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines, talk with Allison about her transformative journey and her new book, Sixty Is a Good Start: A Powerful Body, A Purposeful Life, and a Plan to Make It Happen. Allison recounts a yearlong period of reflection that led to saying "yes" to new challenges, most notably, the intense 75 Hard program. But her real insight lies in making change sustainable through what she calls the "self-perpetuating circle of purpose": small, habit-based practices in three categories—Body Work, Brain Work, and World Work. Drawing on research from Blue Zones and longevity science, she outlines a holistic strategy grounded in baby steps, accountability, and environment. Whether it's putting fruit at eye level in the fridge or walking with a group of friends every (or nearly every) morning, Allison makes the case that aging well isn't about an overhaul, but intention. Allison's ultimate goal is to help us reimagine our next chapter—not as a slow fade, but as a season of vitality, purpose, and community.
Key Topics:
Resources:
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. | |||
| 26: The Importance of Negotiating with Kathleen Burns Kingsbury | 15 Sep 2021 | 00:41:50 | |
Today, we sit down with Kathleen Burns Kingsbury, a wealth psychology expert, founder of KBK Wealth Connection, and host of the Breaking Money Silence® Podcast.
Kathleen is a highly sought-after speaker for financial industry conferences and is the author of five books, her latest being Breaking Money Silence®: How to Shatter Money Taboos, Talk More Openly about Finances, and Live a Richer Life.
Listen in as Stephanie, Kevin, and Kathleen dive into the rather sticky topics related to women, money, and power, from dealing with unconscious bias in the workplace, to gathering the courage to ask for a raise, to considerations around money and power dynamics within couples.
Key Topics: What does money and power for women mean to Kathleen? (2:41) Our thoughts on how women seek financial advice versus men. (4:47) Cultural barriers to women's empowerment around their finances. (10:00) The power of building a support system. (11:29) Dealing with unconscious bias and gaining the courage - and skills - to ask for a raise. (13:29) Psychologically, what gets in the way of women charging what we're really worth? (17:18) "I don't want to ask for more because it's greedy to do so." (22:55) Kathleen's advice to spouses around power and money dynamics. (27:43) Shared goals versus independent goals. (32:15) Kathleen's upcoming courses and programs. (33:45) About Kathleen's Creating Wealth From The Inside Out Workbook. (35:05) Stephanie and Kevin's closing thoughts. (38:00)
Resources Mentioned:
https://courses.breakingmoneysilence.com/ http://www.breakingmoneysilence.com/negotiating-masterclass/ https://breakingmoneysilence.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1026985
https://breakingmoneysilence.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1023642 https://www.breakingmoneysilence.com/books/ https://www.breakingmoneysilence.com/books/ https://www.breakingmoneysilence.com/books/
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. | |||
| 25: What's Your Number? | 30 Aug 2021 | 00:24:34 | |
A lot of folks believe that there is a magic number that they need to work towards in order to be able to retire.
There is a myth out there that there is some perfect number of dollars you need to accumulate so that you can retire. That it's really all just one mathematical equation with one distinct, perfect answer.
…Except this belief is completely, utterly unfounded.
Listen in as Stephanie and Kevin dismantle the notion that hitting your "magic number" is the key to your retirement success.
They explain why coming up with a specific dollar amount for that next chapter in your life may not be as simple as you think, the psychological dangers of focusing solely on such a number, and how to really diversify your assets to maximize your freedom in your retirement years.
Key Topics:
Resources Mentioned:
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. | |||
| 24: She Did It! Real Retirement Stories w/ KT | 15 Aug 2021 | 00:37:44 | |
Today's guest is KT, who speaks on how she was able to retire at the age of 54.
She was inspired to retire early only a decade prior. It wasn't an easy road, but it was absolutely worth it.
Listen in as KT describes her unique retirement journey and the money mindset transformation that she had to undergo to reach her goals. She shares her favorite books and other resources that armed her with valuable knowledge along the way, as well as how her efforts to increase her financial intelligence impacted her own kids' view toward money for the better.
Key Topics:
Resources mentioned:
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. | |||
| 23: A League Of Their Own: Retirement Planning Lessons From A Baseball Contract | 30 Jul 2021 | 00:28:47 | |
What nuggets of wisdom can we take away about retirement planning from a famous baseball contract?
It turns out, quite a few!
Listen in as Stephanie and Kevin unpack Bobby Bonilla Day and the circumstances that led to the former MLB player receiving a $1.19 million paycheck every year for 25 years—and the lessons you can extract from this story to better prepare you for those golden years.
Key Topics: The story behind Bobby Bonilla Day (2:25) "Why are we talking about some baseball contract?" (5:00) Lesson #1: Understand your goals (5:57) Lesson #2: Embrace the magic of deferred gratification (8:39) Lesson #3: Build more wealth in the long run via compound interest (11:04) Lesson #4: Know your risk-reward tradeoff (13:02) Lesson #5: Note down historical returns (16:20) Lesson #6: Take inflation into account (20:51) Lesson #7: Know the value of working with experts (22:53) "The key is to make an informed decision." (25:44)
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. | |||
| 22: Why You Spend The Way That You Do With Maggie Klokkenga | 15 Jul 2021 | 00:48:48 | |
We're naturally spenders and not savers. It's just how we're wired. By the time we realize we may have a problem with how we're managing and spending our money, we've already built up intense feelings of overwhelm and shame that are difficult to overcome.
How can we begin to change our negative money scripts and move from a mindset of scarcity to a mindset of abundance starting today?
Today's guest is Maggie Klokkenga, a financial coach with dual credentials as accountant and financial planner. After 20+ years in the financial industry, Maggie recently started her own firm in Illinois and works with clients all over the country, focusing in particular on financial coaching for couples and families planning for college. She views it all through the lens of the psychology of money.
Listen in as Maggie shares how she "reduces overwhelm and shame around money by helping her clients get out of the red and into the black."
She gives us a mini history lesson and science lesson to help us all understand why we've made past spending choices, which can empower us to change our current spending patterns and achieve those financial goals. Key Topics: What Maggie does for a living (1:37) Why we develop "overwhelm and shame" around money (2:21) Changing your money script (6:16) Becoming aware of our fight-or-flight response with money (15:33) Going from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset (27:30) George Kinder's three questions to change your perspective on money for the better (32:22) The four categories of money scripts (38:35) Reach out to Maggie to learn how you can transform your view around money at maggie@makeamoneymindshift.com. Visit her website at www.makeamoneymindshift.com.
You can also find her on her socials:
https://www.facebook.com/makeamoneymindshift/ https://www.instagram.com/makeamoneymindshift/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/make-a-money-mindshift-llc/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJeDCaRI3Aw7I7W1Xvqq-Kw If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. | |||
| 21: Simplifying Medicare: What's Important For You To Know with Susan Sloan | 30 Jun 2021 | 00:50:20 | |
Medicare is a huge part of your retirement. Whether you're looking to arm yourself with the information you need in preparation for the next stage of your life, or you're already there and simply want to learn how you can do better with what you currently have, this is the episode for you.
Susan Sloan, a licensed agent and longtime friend, joins us to do a deep dive into everything women need to know about Medicare.
Her passion for her field came about when she noticed that there was a lack of understanding about the ins-and-outs of health insurance not just among patients, but among their doctors, too.
As Susan herself says, "Doctors and hospitals, and insurance companies live on two separate planets."
This drove her to become not just an insurance salesperson, but an insurance advocate.
Listen in as Susan defines the business of the hospitals and insurance companies; exactly when and how to apply for Medicare; what's covered by Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D; the difference between supplemental plans and Medicare Advantage plans; and how insurance agents can represent you.
Key Topics: How does Susan know so much about Medicare and health insurance? (1:54) When it comes to Medicare, what exactly do you need? (6:57) "If you have a retiree program, sometimes you have to take everything or you get nothing." (16:00) The difference between Medicare Part A and Part B. (17:01) Always ask your provider what services are covered under your Medicare plan. (23:10) How Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) work differently. (24:30) Can you switch Advantage Plans? (31:16) What if you have health issues heading into retirement at 65? (36:18) About Medicare Part D. (38:30) "It costs you nothing to use an agent." (42:15) Our closing thoughts. (45:54)
Reach out to Susan to learn how to take the frustration out of health insurance. Get in touch with her at www.realhealthquotes.com. Our favorite video from her library covers the strict rules around the marketing of Medicare insurance plans http://www.realhealthquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Susan-Sloan-talking-about-Fraudulent-Medicare-Solicitors.mp4.
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. Stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. | |||
| 20: Women + Roth IRA's - What Should You Be Aware Of? | 15 Jun 2021 | 00:42:40 | |
In the United States, we can't talk finances without talking taxes. It shouldn't come as a surprise that taxes are an inevitable part of our reality and are inescapable. The best (and only) way to go about navigating taxes is to, as Stephanie and Kevin like to say, "be smart about it, know what's going on, then make your decisions."
A Roth IRA is a tool that falls under the category of tax planning. So, it's vital to be aware of exactly what it is and how best to make use of it depending on your circumstances and goals.
"What's a Roth IRA, anyway?" you may ask. Basically, it's a special retirement account that was created in 1997 by Senator William Roth as part of one of the tax reform acts that get passed periodically. One of the primary differences between the Roth and the traditional IRA is that, unlike the traditional IRA, you are not taxed on the dividends you earn from the Roth.
Listen in and learn other notable differences between the traditional IRA and the Roth IRA, the rules around taking money out of a Roth, three scenarios in which one would want to open a Roth IRA; and how to prepare your Roth savings for your next of kin.
Key Topics: "What the heck is a Roth IRA, anyway?" (3:06) Differences between the traditional IRA and the Roth IRA (5:35) Can you really take money out of a Roth IRA whenever you want? (14:49) The five-year clock for IRA accounts (18:40) Why even open a Roth IRA? (23:05) Leaving a legacy: Passing on your Roth money to the next generation (32:47) What is the "deathbed Roth conversion" strategy? (35:22) Ultimately, what are your priorities? (37:24)
Check out Kevin's video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lloGStTwFdw Check out our previous episodes for more information on this topic. 12: What Women Need to Know About IRAs with Sarah Brenner 15: What Women Need to Know About Social Security
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com. | |||
| 19: You Want to Retire Before Age 65? Here's What You Need to Know | 30 May 2021 | 00:32:47 | |
Retiring "early" is a process that contains many more moving pieces than most people think. In this episode, we tackle these factors one-by-one and offer some advice on how to cover all your bases before taking the plunge into retirement.
The first question we have to address is, why 65? It's true that, historically, Social Security kicked in once you turned 65 and so did a number of pension plans (you know, the ones your grandparents might have had). But today's realities are different to what they were decades ago.
Listen in and learn how to determine what your lifestyle is going to cost upon retiring and what you need to understand about Medicare, Social Security, and other programs going into retirement. We also touch on the three key assets and how to prepare them in covering your short- and long-term goals: your retirement accounts, your non-retirement assets, and your illiquid assets.
Key Topics: First of all, why 65? (1:26) The first question we ask any of our clients who want to retire at 65 (2:38) What to know about Medicare eligibility and retirement (04:22) Why 65 is no longer the magic age for claiming Social Security benefits (6:33) Know your assets and expenses (8:24) "What is the least amount that I have to do until I can figure out what I can do?" (10:08) Why you shouldn't rely on your savings or Social Security checks (11:58) What people often miss when it comes to their retirement assets (14:24) Utilizing your taxable savings (17:48) What to do to retire before 59 1/2 (19:04) Addressing your short- and long-term needs around with your investments (21:05) Are your savings enough for what you want to do upon retirement? (24:36) What could go wrong with your plan? (28:18)
Read the article on the EBRI study mentioned by Stephanie. "Retirees are overly optimistic about their financial future" on MarketWatch
Learn what is considered the full retirement age by birth year at https://www.ssa.gov/oact/progdata/nra.html
Check out our previous episodes for more information on this topic.
Thinking Beyond Retirement: 04: Give Yourself Permission to Plan Your Next Chapter, with Randi Levin 08: Retirement is More than Money with Autumn Nessler Retirement Spending: 05: A Simple Framework for Thinking About Retirement Expenses Social Security Basics: 15: What Women Need to Know About Social Security
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
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| 18: How Do We Prepare for the Worst? with Mary Beth Simón | 15 May 2021 | 00:44:43 | |
"Most of us do not do enough to prepare for the unexpected." How sure are you that you, your family, and your business are ready in times of emergency?
Our guest today is Mary Beth Simón. She founded Niche Partnership Consulting "to solve real-world problems faced by individuals and entrepreneurs" with particular emphasis on helping them create their contingency plan to keep business and life running smoothly in an emergency.
Listen in and learn why most people's "contingency plans" are seldom robust enough when challenging times arrive and the most common things that they overlook when it comes to having their plan ready for deployment. Mary Beth also explains why contingency plans are not just for the elderly or sickly and why it is, in fact, never too early for anybody to start preparing theirs.
Key Topics: What does Mary Beth do, exactly? (1:52) Optimizing our processes to be ready in times of emergency (4:45) Why Mary Beth has her clients create a paper plan as opposed to a digital plan (07:00) What most people don't realize when it comes to having a contingency plan ready (8:02) How a leader and their second-in-command can best prepare for the unexpected (10:32) The process that Mary Beth uses when working with business owners (14:32) "There aren't that many people that you can pay to figure it out in an emergency." (15:55) Why do people avoid preparing for the inevitable? (18:07) Why everybody needs a contingency plan (21:50) How Mary Beth works with different kinds of clients on their plans (26:30) Three things that anybody can do to be more prepared right now (31:26) Mary Beth's group program (34:23) Why the time to have tough conversations is now (36:35) "I don't need it. My life is simple." (37:36) "It's easier to plan when you're not in the middle of a storm." (38:56)
Reach out to Mary Beth to learn how to be prepared in times of emergency. Download her free contingency plan kit at www.nichepartnershipconsulting.net/kit.
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 17: What Women Need to Know About Long-term Care | 30 Apr 2021 | 00:29:19 | |
What the heck is long-term care and why should we care?
Only 12% of women feel highly knowledgeable about long-term care and only 27% have a plan to fund it despite the fact that 50% of women expect to require it.
The first thing to note is that, when we talk about long-term care, we're not talking about medical care or health insurance. Long-term care (also known as custodial or even unskilled care) is about having assistance with personal tasks and what's referred to as "activities of daily living" (ADLs)—the stuff you need to do to just exist.
The six primary ADLs are: bathing, dressing, eating, transferring (i.e., getting out of bed onto a chair), toileting, and continence. There is also an additional seventh item that is often brought up: cognitive decline.
40% of individuals aged 65 and up will need long-term care at some point in their lives. That number is 60% for 75-year-olds and up. Statistics also show that, for several reasons, women tend to need long-term care more than men.
Listen in and learn actionable strategies that you can use today to start preparing for the possibility that you or your loved ones will need long-term care.
Key Topics: The common long-term care story (1:12) What long-term care is not and what it really encompasses (4:20) The six (plus one) ADLs (6:22) Startling statistics regarding long-term care (7:49) "Doesn't the government take care of this? Doesn't Medicare cover it?" (9:17) How should you prepare for long-term care? (13:47) What are the costs? (17:05) A primer on long-term care insurance (21:13) The three types of people when it comes to long-term care (26:28)
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 115: Financial Therapy: The Intersection of Money and Emotions with Wendy Wright | 30 Jun 2025 | 00:41:22 | |
"There is not good or bad with money"
Rather than focusing on dollars and cents alone, Wendy helps her clients understand why they avoid budgeting, overspend in emotional moments, or feel incapable of managing money. Her mantra? "Abundant, compassionate curiosity and zero judgment." Wendy discusses common patterns like the belief of being "bad with money," the influence of childhood messages, and the emotional burden of debt. She advocates for intentionality, self-awareness, and sustainability over perfection, as well as financial journaling and identifying emotional triggers to help people rewrite their "money stories" and build healthier, more resilient habits. "Nothing's going to work for you if it's not sustainable." Healing your relationship with money begins with something as small as a $10 weekly savings goal. It's totally unhelpful to label yourself as "good" or "bad" with money. Personal finance is a deeply personal journey that benefits from reflection, not just spreadsheets. Whether you're confronting debt, struggling with avoidance, or simply seeking a more peaceful relationship with money, give yourself permission to start exactly where you are—with grace.
Key Topics:
Resources:
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 16: She Did It! Real Retirement Stories with Lori Osterberg | 15 Apr 2021 | 00:42:02 | |
Today's guest is Lori Osterberg. She is an author, content creator, educator, and, in her own words, a "Gen-Xer who has been setting the online world on fire for the past 20 years."
Currently in a little town outside Portland, OR, Lori is living what she recently realized to be her dream life. She writes up to three books a year and just recently published her ninth novel.
Lori recalls how at the start of their careers she and her husband lived through several rounds of corporate downsizing. They got to a point where they decided enough was enough—it was time to take control.
Since then, Lori and her husband have been in business for themselves, bringing together their interest in computers with their artistic skills in photography. Then when their daughter was looking at colleges she first heard of the "gap year" concept. Inspired, they decided to truly maximize their freedom and explore new possibilities. As it turns out, their gap year turned into a gap rest-of-their-lives!
Listen in and learn how Lori achieved the freedom to do what she loves, and how she helps other women over 40 do the same.
Key Topics: How Lori's doing right now (2:06) Lori's journey from corporate to business owner to globe-trotting romance novelist (4:05) Navigating big challenges in 2020 and those lingering in 2021 (9:25) How Lori got to the point where she could semi-retire (11:16) What Lori knows now that she wishes she knew then (15:33) Meeting fellow "gap year lifestyle" folks (17:15) "There's something freeing in letting stuff go." (18:54) Keeping in touch with friends and family while living a mobile life (21:14) Has this lifestyle impacted Lori's writing? (22:11) Lori's tips for people who want to have a lifestyle like hers (24:00) How Lori got her husband, family, and friends onboard with her gap life plan (26:36) The pros and cons of moving to or retiring in Mexico (29:42) "It's never been about retirement. It's about freedom." (33:35) How to get in touch with Lori (36:02) "Don't think about your current situation. Think about where you want to go." (36:32)
Find out more about Lori at www.visionofsuccess.com and her books at www.loriosterberg.com.
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 15: What Women Need to Know About Social Security | 30 Mar 2021 | 00:32:17 | |
Social Security is the foundation for every retirement income plan, and it seems really simple: you hit retirement age then turn around and start getting your money. In fact, the benefits you can reap are actually much more powerful than most people think; however, it's also a more complicated topic than many of us realize. In this episode, we highlight several important points that women specifically need to know about Social Security (while going down a rabbit hole or two along the way!). Listen in and learn the factors that make the Social Security experience different for men and women, and what to know if you're not working for pay, are divorced, or a widow. Finally, we answer the question: Is it true that Social Security is going bankrupt? Key Topics: Breaking down the complications of Social Security (2:36) How the Social Security experience is different for men and women (3:59) Why is it important to check your earnings record? (07:11) Must-knows about Social Security taxes (9:28) What do you get from your Social Security if you don't work outside the home? (11:40) What about divorced women? (13:17) What about widows? (15:51) Three important dates to note down (17:08) Considerations around claiming benefits before full retirement age (18:15) Why the government may withhold some of your benefits (22:30) Paying income tax on your Social Security (24:14) Addressing concerns around Social Security solvency (27:58)
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com. Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. | |||
| 14: What Women Need to Know About Caregiving and Elder Law with Cathy Sikorski | 15 Mar 2021 | 00:43:00 | |
Today's guest is Cathy Sikorski. She is a practicing attorney in elder law. At the same time, she has personal experience being a caregiver for elders and not-so-elders. Her bestselling book, Who Moved My Teeth?: Preparing for Self, Loved Ones and Caregiving, combines her 25-plus years of legal and practical experience into a guide for preparing yourself or your loved ones for the complicated future of healthcare and caregiving. Initially a small-town general practice attorney, Cathy was initially driven to hone her skills just as a person taking care of the elderly, but quickly realized that elder law is legal practice unto itself. Her work as a caregiver, then, led her to embrace elder law as a profession. Elder law is a relatively young legal practice that was established only in 1994 because "the issues" surrounding the practice "are becoming so much more prevalent in everyone's life. How do we take care of Mom and Dad as they get older? What are their choices?" Listen in and learn how having an elder law attorney can help you, alongside your other lawyers (i.e. estate), a financial advisor, to plan and prepare for retirement. Cathy also offers some best practices and hard truths about being a caregiver. Key Topics: An introduction to Cathy and her eight separate experiences as a caregiver (2:01) What's elder law all about and how did it shape Cathy's other work as a caregiver? (4:08) What areas does an elder law attorney cover? (06:03) How these attorneys also aid their clients' spouses, especially on the financial side (8:56) The difference between elder lawyers and estate lawyers and what to know about wills (10:53) Why your different lawyers, financial advisor, and accountant all need to collaborate (14:15) What conversations do you need to have with aging family members today? (15:47) "Please check every darn beneficiary designation that you have." (18:58) Considerations around of your spouse's IRAs, 401(k), and other retirement accounts (22:07) Cathy on her life as a caregiver (26:03) Visit takebackretirement.com for a free caregiver contract. Who can become a paid caregiver? (31:12) The importance of having a support group as a caregiver (33:13) How to contact Cathy (35:06) Three action steps to take today (36:06)
You can reach out to Cathy at https://cathysikorski.com or send her an email at cathy.sikorski@gmail.com
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 13: What Happens When The Plan Goes Wrong? | 28 Feb 2021 | 00:23:40 | |
About eight years ago, we had a client—let's call her Alison. She was in her late 30s and doing great in her career. Her income was picking up. We had thought about the best way for her to save her money for the things she wanted to do, among which was to leave her high-stress job before the age of 65. One day I got a text. Her husband had died. Her whole plan had gone sideways. In financial planning, we focus on planning for your future. We talk a lot about what you want to do, what you enjoy, and what you dream about. But we also have to talk about what to do if things go wrong. Given that we've all just lived through 2020, we know that things can go terribly wrong, and we know people (perhaps ourselves included) who have suffered horrible tragedies. Listen in and learn the four steps to take in case your financial plan goes wrong, and why it literally pays to redefine how we view change.
Key Topics: What should you actually do when the plan blows up? (3:24) Step One: Do nothing (5:25) Step Two: Find a support group or other people to talk to (08:36) Step Three: Preserve your flexibility (11:53) Step Four: Address the life decisions before the money decisions (13:45) Remember, we don't create financial plans; we do financial planning (16:30) "In the midst of these changes, disruptions, and upsets, be at peace with your finances." (18:12) The real purpose of the emergency fund (20:58)
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Linkedin. | |||
| 12: What Women Need to Know About IRA's, with Sarah Brenner | 15 Feb 2021 | 00:47:28 | |
Today's guest is Sarah Brenner. Sarah is the Director of Retirement Education at Ed Slott and Company. She truly is an expert in IRAs—Individual Retirement Accounts—which for so many of us form the crux of our plan to save for retirement. But best – she knows how to explain the complicated stuff clearly. Listen in and learn the key things women need to know, especially after widowhood and divorce. We're talking best practices, long-term benefits, and common pitfalls regarding both traditional and Roth IRAs. Most of us think IRAs are pretty simple: you put money in and take money out. But in reality, the rules are very detailed and it's easy to mess up. And the problem with IRAs is that if you get it wrong, the penalties can be steep. Key Topics: An introduction to Sarah and her work (3:34) Why IRAs are an "overlooked tool" and "a great strategy for saving for retirement" (5:05) The next step once you understand the type of account you have (09:40) Traditional versus Roth IRA (14:03) Clearing misconceptions around Required Minimum Distributions (21:01) How does a beneficiary IRA work? (25:27) Differences between a "transfer" and a "rollover" (31:36) What you need to know regarding IRAs and divorce (33:31) A real-life case of an IRA-related mishap (38:16) You can reach follow Sarah and read her wisdom on IRAs at www.irahelp.com.
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. = | |||
| 11: Why You Shouldn't Aim for Perfection in Investing | 29 Jan 2021 | 00:35:38 | |
In this episode we speak of the issues and fears people, especially women, tend to have around investing and how often times that fear or uncertainty leads to a late or complete lack of action taken in investing. We believe that there's no "perfect" time to enter the market and that "time in the market is more important than timing the market." It's important to look at investing as a long-game and know that even substantial dips in the market recover and yield overall great gains in the long run. This is apparent when looking back at the previous 20+ years of the S&P 500 and noting the early-2000s Dotcom crash followed by an even bigger stock market crash 7-8 years later, followed by COVID years later. In spite of these crashes and dips in the stock market, the overall trend is growth over time. Despite the natural human tendency to avoid uncertainty and risk, the best time to enter the stock market is usually now. Tune in for all the nitty gritty details. Key Topics: "Joe from Jersey" was hesitant to invest because he was always waiting for that "perfect moment" that may have never came. (4:14) The professional investors know that nobody will get every call right in this "game of numbers." (5:42) "Time in the market is better than timing the market." Money invested should be long term money. (7:15) Jeff Gundlach considers 70% a high success rate, even with an entire staff of researchers. (10:43) Even professionals know that it is impossible to call investments correct all the time. (13:00) The biggest barrier to being a good investor are the thoughts in our heads. (13:55) "Being right early, feels an awful lot like being wrong." Leaving the stock market. (16:10) It is really almost impossible to time when to get out of the stock market. (17:10) Explaining the charts of the past years of the S&P 500. (18:39) CLICK HERE for a supplementary video explaining the charts. Just because you know something, it doesn't mean that the investments are going in that direction. (20:38) DALBAR tracks investment performance including the average return of mutual funds, stocks, bonds, cash, hedge funds, and more. (21:14) Choosing the "right" investment. How fear of making the wrong choices causes people, especially women, to make no investment decision at all. (25:05) No matter how good or bad the decisions are that people make, there will always be a small segment of return that simply depends on luck. (28:12) Look at the expenses of the investments that you are in and focus on diversification. (31:42) If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com. Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Linkedin. | |||
| 10: She Did It! Real Retirement Stories with Sheila Netti | 15 Jan 2021 | 00:51:47 | |
Today's guest is Wealth Empowerment Coach Sheila Netti. Sheila is an amazing source of knowledge on all things money management and financial education. In this conversation, she goes down memory lane to talk about her personal retirement journey. Having grown up in the projects in 1960s Harlem, the environment where Sheila spent her childhood was far from the safest and most prestigious. Couple that with a father who, despite toiling day after day to provide for his family, was unable to move the needle on his family's socioeconomic status. Sheila realized, from the ripe young age of eight, that something had to change. She recounts her path to retirement, from her initial dream of becoming a nuclear physicist as a child, to joining the Navy in order to pay for college, to making the decision that she would retire by the age of 55. Listen in and learn how Sheila changed her behaviors and beliefs to achieve financial freedom and, later on, how she found a passion for helping other women do the same. Key Topics: Sheila's journey to retirement (1:49) I retired at 55! ...Now what? (7:30) Setting up the business (12:22) Sheila's plan for putting away money over time (16:44) How Sheila approached investing (22:19) "Money and emotions don't mix." (25:36) "I didn't need to pay myself with things. I shifted to experiences." (29:18) What was harder: saving or not spending? (31:29) Why Sheila became a wealth coach (35:43) Teaching your kids how to manage money (38:07) How investing in real estate played a role in Sheila's plan (40:09) The biggest challenge that Sheila's coaching clients are facing around money mindset (45:18) "Be confident in your ability to be powerful with money." (47:20) Reach out to Sheila to learn how to take control of your financial destiny. Visit her website at www.sheilanetti.com. If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com. Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Linkedin. | |||
| 09: New Year's Money Resolutions | 29 Dec 2020 | 00:27:12 | |
A common topic for this time of year is New Year's Resolutions. From what we've seen, a lot of people's New Year's Resolutions often involve money, and the stuff regarding our finances that we know we should do and feels simple. But it never really is easy, is it? The sad thing is, it's not so much the resolutions themselves that are hard, but keeping our mindset on track to follow through with them as the months go by. It's easy to say, "Starting January 1, I'm going to spend less money." You might be able to fight against that first shiny object, and maybe even the second and third one. But eventually, as it happens, life catches up and we let our temptations get the best of us. One great way to start gaining a sense of control around your spending is to do an analysis of your credit card statements and find out which "holes" you need to plug. Don't begin with a prescribed budget or a spending regimen—simply find out how you're spending your money. Then control the flow. Almost done with a car payment? Plan to redirect that money in the future to your savings to avoid wasted funds down the road. Control your environment as well. For example, clean out your email inbox and unsubscribe from sale alerts; or set up a new email entirely dedicated to communications involving said sales and offers. When it comes to eliminating debt, start small and don't make things too rigid. Don't underestimate the psychology of small wins. For this (and any money-related resolutions, for that matter), it helps to give yourself visual goal posts or even an accountability partner as you pay down your debts. You're more likely to stay motivated if you can see your progress in real time.
Key Topics: The typical half-life of New Year's Resolutions (1:16) "Personal finance is more personal than it is finance." (4:33) Make strong decisions around where you want your money to flow (7:58) Set up your environment for success (9:37) Paying down debt (11:28) What's different now that you're going to actually accomplish this resolution? (17:19) Why are you avoiding what you know you ought to do? (20:20) Making sure your financial advisor is the right fit for you (22:05) Happy New Year! (25:07)
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com. Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Linkedin. | |||
| 08: Retirement is More than Money with Autumn Nessler | 15 Dec 2020 | 00:35:25 | |
"Who are you going to be without your business card? When everybody else is working Monday through Friday, what the heck is going to be taking up your time? How are you going to use your skills and talents?" There are millions of women, right now, who are wondering what their life could look like after leaving behind their successful and hard-won career. They know they want to retire, but with decades of life left to live, the fundamental question that's ever-present as they get closer to that last day of work is, "What's next?" In this episode, we cover how to navigate this crucial transition and design an exciting and purposeful post-career life. Today's guest is Retirement Options Coach Autumn Nessler. She is the founder of An Intentional Life, LLC, which assists women in the creation of a lifestyle plan through educational workshops, research-based assessments, and one-to-one coaching. Autumn works with her clients to create a non-financial retirement plan by helping women in hard-won careers deal with what she calls the "choice overload" that comes when they leave that job, so that they have the full confidence to forge their path going forward and live life on their own terms. Key Topics: What Autumn does for work and who she works with (1:38) Autumn's own "ah-hah" moment that led her down her current path (5:07) Answering "What lies ahead?" for high-powered women thinking of retirement (10:45) "Why does it have to be a crisis for us to take care of ourselves?" (16:12) How to be intentional (18:51) Why we're living in one of the best periods of history (21:56) Rethinking retirement (26:58) An example of a client's success story (28:28) The idea of a post-pandemic world should inspire you to be creative about your future (32:02) Reach out to Autumn for a "clarity session" on your potential post-career life via autumn@designretirement.org. Visit her website at www.designretirement.org. If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com. Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Linkedin. | |||
| 07: Here's a Secret: We're Guessing, and That's OK | 30 Nov 2020 | 00:20:28 | |
As human beings, we crave certainty. We want to know what's going to happen and to know that we're going to be okay. When looking into the financial future, we have to realize that a key ingredient of any analysis is assumptions or, to be blunt, guesses. Stephanie and Kevin tell us, however, that guessing isn't wrong. It serves a purpose. It's an ongoing exercise that narrows down the cone of uncertainty from experience to experience, week after month after year. Planning is a living, breathing, ongoing thing. Do yourself a favor and relax, even if the path ahead is still a little foggy. An imperfect execution is better than waiting for the "perfect" plan to come together (hint: Don't count on it!). Key Topics: Dealing with uncertainty while working with your financial planner (3:42) What planning a trip to Disney World can teach us about the value of making guesses (7:40) Thinking like a weatherman to narrow the cone of uncertainty (11:36) "Relax! Give yourself some latitude to change your mind." (14:30) Overcoming paralysis by analysis (17:12) Lighten up, Francis (18:56) If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Linkedin. | |||
| 114: Child-free Estate Planning: Picking the Right People for Key Roles - and What to do if You are Picked! with Patricia De Fonte | 15 Jun 2025 | 00:54:40 | |
"Usually, people are not trying to kill you or keep you alive for nefarious reasons, unless you're very old and very rich and very mean." -Patricia De Fonte When most people think of estate planning, they imagine dividing assets among children or a spouse—but Patricia De Fonte, founder of De Fonte Law, offers a broader and deeper perspective. Our hosts, Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines, sit down with Patricia to explore what "estate planning with heart" really means, especially for those without children or partners. People often name child-free individuals as caretakers without their consent, adding invisible burdens. To anybody in this situation, Patricia urges taking ownership: ask questions, know what's expected, and ensure fair compensation. Far from dry legal jargon, Patricia's approach to estate planning is a refreshing blending of emotional realism with practical wisdom. The stories she shares—from hospital disputes to posthumous family rifts—tell us just how crucial it is to name the right people, update our documents, and make our values explicit. She encourages everyone to assemble a personal and professional support team, use tools like detailed healthcare directives, and even consider gifts for healthcare proxies as acts of compassion. Plan not just for assets, but for relationships and peace of mind.
Key Topics:
Resources:
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 06: Crucial Questions to Ask about Senior Living Options, with Lindsey Poeth | 15 Nov 2020 | 00:37:45 | |
Many of us are fortunate enough to have parents who are living. That means that someday, they may need care. What are the impacts of a parent's need for care on our lives? Today we welcome Certified Senior Advisor Lindsey Poeth to Take Back Retirement. Lindsey shares great information on the types of care, but more importantly how to start to talk about it with your family members. The most important advice is to start early. Have the conversation and start to do some research long before you are forced to do it. Key Topics:
Find our guest Lindsey Poeth, Certified Senior Advisor, at www.OasisSeniorAdvisors.com/Mainline LPoeth@YourOasisAdvisor.com 484.947.4266 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-poeth-350288140/ https://www.facebook.com/OasisMainline/
Resources mentioned:
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Linkedin. | |||
| 05: A Simple Framework for Thinking About Retirement Expenses | 29 Oct 2020 | 00:35:23 | |
What do we need our money to do for us in "retirement?" Yes, pay our regular bills and hopefully some fun along the way. But there's more to it, and important pieces that people often overlook. Stephanie and Kevin share a helpful framework for thinking about financial needs, and what type of assets are best suited to provide each out. Note The Four L's is borrowed from renowned retirement researcher Dr. Wade Pfau.
Key topics discussed:
List of resources mentioned in episode, suggested reading & social media handles, contact information for guests: ● Forbes article, "Giving While Living, Not Just for Billionaires"
If you like what you've been hearing on this podcast, we invite you to go to wherever you're listening to this episode subscribe and leave us a comment or review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. Email us at stephanie@sofiafinancial.com.
Follow Stephanie: Twitter: twitter.com/SofiaFinancial Facebook: facebook.com/SofiaFinancial YouTube: youtube.com Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/StephanieMcCullough
Follow Kevin: Twitter: twitter.com/2ndHalfPlan Facebook: facebook.com/afmgplanning YouTube: youtube.com Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/KevinmGaines | |||
| 04: Give Yourself Permission to Plan Your Next Chapter, with Randi Levin | 15 Oct 2020 | 00:34:49 | |
Many people picture moving into retirement as: One day you're working and the next day you're retired. As we learn from life transition expert Randi Levin, CEO & founder of Randi Levin Coaching,moving into retirement is best done with preparation. It does not have to be an overnight event. In this episode of Take Back Retirement we walk through different ways to approach this major life transition as well as various things to consider that may not immediately come to mind. Most important we understand that this about you and not following a cookie-cutter process that everyone else is doing.
Key topics discussed:
You can find Randi at https://randilevincoaching.com/, and her FaceBook group The Recalibration Network at https://www.facebook.com/groups/recalibration/. __________ If you like what you've been hearing on this podcast, we invite you to go to wherever you're listening to this episode subscribe and leave us a comment or review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. Email us at stephanie@sofiafinancial.com.
You can find the transcript and all of the information about this episode at sofiafinancial.com/podcast
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Linkedin.
| |||
| 03: Turning Your Retirement Savings into Retirement Income | 03 Oct 2020 | 00:19:56 | |
Building your retirement income plan can become complex. There's a lot to put together. You know what assets you have, but how do you organize all of these tools to work together to create sustainable income?
It's kind of like a jigsaw puzzle. The first step is to separate the pieces into categories. Even though everyone's pieces will look a little different, Stephanie and Kevin help you see how you can use different vehicles as retirement income.
Key topics discussed:
Resources mentioned:
_____________ If you like what you've been hearing on this podcast, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and all of the information about this episode at sofiafinancial.com/podcast
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Linkedin. | |||
| 02: Retire on Your Own Terms - Or Don't! | 02 Oct 2020 | 00:17:08 | |
There is no right way to retire. Even if you don't do everything you had hoped to do, you can still build a plan so that you can do more of the things you want and less of the stuff you don't. In this episode we're Taking Back Retirement by redefining the old image and definition of this phase of life.
Key topics discussed:
__________ If you like what you've been hearing on this podcast, we invite you to go to wherever you're listening to this episode subscribe and leave us a comment or review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. Email us at stephanie@sofiafinancial.com.
You can find the transcript and all of the information about this episode at sofiafinancial.com/podcast
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Linkedin. | |||
| 01: What the Heck is Retirement Income Planning? | 01 Oct 2020 | 00:20:05 | |
When you were young, you wanted to do everything! You had the time but not the money to do it all. When you started working and maybe raising a family, you had more money, but not the time. Now that you're nearing "retirement," whatever that means, you ideally have the money AND time to do what you want. But now what? How do you turn savings into income that is going to support everything you want to do?
In this episode Stephanie and Kevin want to help you Take Back Retirement by discussing these key topics:
__________
If this is your first time tuning in we encourage you to subscribe to the show so you can hear all of the other fun episodes that we have coming up in the next few weeks. We would also love to hear your thoughts. What are the stresses that you're facing when you think about the financial side of retirement? Email us at stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and all of the information about this episode at sofiafinancial.com/podcast
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Linkedin. | |||
| Trailer: Are You Ready to Take Back Retirement? | 30 Sep 2020 | 00:12:09 | |
Welcome to the Take Back Retirement podcast! Where two financial planners help women age 50 and better break down the myths and mysteries of retirement so they can gain clarity and take action around their next chapter.
The show will be a combination of conversations between hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines, interviews with subject-matter experts, and conversations with women who have been there and have stories to share.
While it's a serious topic, we're also going to have fun with it. We believe the best learning happens when we are able to relax and enjoy.
We don't give cookie-cutter advice. Everyone's experience, situation, and priorities are unique. We're here to empower you to ask the right questions so you can gather the information you need to make wise decisions.
Because when women feel smart about money, they are able to control their future!
The show launches in September 2020 with two episodes per month.
___________________ Please subscribe and share with your friends who are in the same situation!
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Linkedin. | |||
| 113: Side Hustle or Second Career? Navigating Midlife Entrepreneurship with Shannon Russell | 30 May 2025 | 00:46:53 | |
"Do your research. Do your planning yourself until you get that confidence to project it to the world, and whatever they say will bounce off your armor because you know you're doing the right thing." -Shannon Russell
Thinking about trading your day job for a business of your own? You're not alone—and you're not crazy.
Our hosts, Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines, talk with Shannon Russell, a career transition coach who specializes in helping women reinvent themselves through entrepreneurship. Shannon shares her journey from TV producer to franchise owner to business coach, along with insights from her new book, Start Your Second Act.
They dive into everything from identifying whether your passion project can really become a business to managing financial risks, exploring different business models, and handling the emotional side of career reinvention. Shannon emphasizes the importance of doing your homework—researching the market, testing ideas on a small scale, and being honest about your needs and goals.
Whether you're chasing flexibility, meaning, or a new income stream in your second act, Shannon's here to offer your encouragement and practical advice for building something that truly fits your next chapter!
Key Topics:
Resources:
If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. | |||
| 112: Navigating Family Wealth Transfers: Emotional Intelligence and Effective Communication with Jill and Sean Maher | 15 May 2025 | 00:51:37 | |
"We're talking about giving space to practice. Not only practice the relationships but also practice managing money." -Sean Maher
Most people plan their estate down to the last dollar, but forget to prepare for the emotional fallout that almost always comes from a lack of proper communication between family members.
Our hosts, Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines, sit down with husband and wife team Sean and Jill Maher to talk about their book The Greatest Gift: 9 Principles for the Transfer of Your Legacy Along with Your Wealth, which journeys into the emotional side of passing down wealth and family legacy.
The idea for the book came after Sean, a financial advisor, saw a well-planned inheritance fall apart when a family started fighting after their parents passed. He brought the issue home to Jill, a mental health counselor, who pointed out that what he was really seeing wasn't a planning problem—it was grief. Together, they've come up with nine key principles that help families avoid drama and stay connected regarding inheritance.
The big takeaway? It's not just about the money. No matter how much (or little) you're passing on, what matters most is communication, shared values, and emotional safety.
Jill and Sean suggest families start having small, low-pressure meetings early, while everyone's still around to talk things through. It's about creating space for honest conversations, building trust, and setting expectations. Their advice blends practical planning with emotional wisdom, encouraging people to treat legacy as a relationship, not just a transaction.
At the heart of it all, their message is simple: don't avoid the tough conversations—have them, and carry them out with love.
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 111: From My Way to Our Way: Financial Planning for Blended Families with Donna Kendrick | 30 Apr 2025 | 00:42:36 | |
"In a blended family, fairness and mutual understanding are key, especially when navigating the complexities of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements." -Donna Kendrick
Navigating love after loss or divorce comes with a host of emotional and financial complexities, especially when blending families.
Our hosts, Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines, speak with Donna Kendrick, a financial planner who has lived through these transitions herself. After losing her husband unexpectedly, Donna rebuilt her life and career with a mission to help families in flux—widows, divorcées, and newly blended households.
She shares how combining lives means combining financial baggage too, from income disparities and home equity dilemmas to prenups, life insurance, and estate planning. Donna's candid story highlights the power of transparency and empathy in financial conversations, especially when trust has been tested.
Her advice? Begin with individual clarity—define your needs, wants, and non-negotiables—then collaborate with your partner.
Donna emphasizes the importance of communication, fairness, and ongoing adjustment as life evolves. Her blend of financial savvy and emotional wisdom offers a powerful reminder: managing money in remarriage is less about spreadsheets and more about mutual understanding.
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 110: Navigating the Complexities of Aging: Proactive Planning for Seniors and Families with Jill and Steve Marshall | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:54:01 | |
Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines sit down with Steve and Jill Marshall of Silver Path Consulting to discuss all things future care, from housing, to finance, to family support.
Jill and Steve lament the current lack of societal preparedness for a growing senior population, often referred to as a "silver tsunami" that's growing bigger each year.
They stress the importance of starting early discussions about aging within families, the benefits and drawbacks of different living arrangements, and an effective way to handle comprehensive information and resource management between the adult children of aging parents.
The Marshalls also discuss essential legal documents like wills, durable power of attorney, and healthcare power of attorney. Drawing from the recent tragic situation around the passing of Gene Hackman and his wife, they also discuss some technological solutions that adult children can use to facilitate elder care and the value of expert consultation to provide neutral, third-party advice that can ease family tensions.
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 109: Remarriage & Money: Janice Guinn Joins the Conversation on Love, Legalities, and Life Planning | 31 Mar 2025 | 00:46:41 | |
Congratulations on your remarriage! How do you ensure that your finances are in order as you step into this next phase of your life?
Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines explore the vital legal and financial considerations of remarriage, from beneficiary designations to tax implications, with guidance from fellow Financial Planner at Sofia Financial, Janice Guinn!
There are legal considerations aplenty when deciding between cohabitation and remarriage. Money talks can often be the elephant in the room, but they're essential for maintaining harmony in marriage. A partner's reluctance to engage in these conversations could be a red flag. Financial transparency is key to building a healthy and lasting partnership.
Our hosts also get into the nitty-gritty on taxes and retirement plans, trusts and long-term care, as well as pre and post-nuptial agreements!
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 108: Retire on Your Own Terms – Or Don't! (rerun) | 14 Mar 2025 | 00:18:40 | |
There is no one right way to retire. Even if you don't do everything you had hoped to do, you can still build a plan so that you can do more of the things you want and less of the stuff you don't. In this episode, we're Taking Back Retirement by redefining the old image and definition of this phase of life. Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines break it down in this rerun episode dating back to episode 2 from 2020.
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 107: Exploring the Psychology of Retirement with Dr. Meir Statman | 28 Feb 2025 | 00:56:37 | |
"It's nice to get millions when you're 65, but wouldn't it be better if you gave [your children], say, 10s of 1000s when they are in their 20s and 30s?" -Meir Statman
Our hosts, Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines, are joined by world-renowned behavioral finance expert Dr. Meir Statman to explore the intricate dance between human behavior and financial decision-making!
Dr. Statman is a pioneer in the world of behavioral finance, currently serving as a professor and researcher at Santa Clara University. He attempts to understand how people make financial choices and how those choices are reflected in financial markets.
Listen in as Dr. Statman unpacks the cognitive and emotional shortcuts we often take when making financial decisions, and challenges the traditional economic views that advocate for purely rational financial choices.
He also introduces his latest book, "A Wealth of Wellbeing," which offers a human-centered approach to finance, and shares his personal journey from traditional to behavioral research–complete with anecdotes that bring his theories to life!
"Spend money, don't waste it."
Dr. Statman explores the link between our money mindset and wellbeing, drawing insights from sociology, psychology, and economics. He explains how we can align our aspirations with present realities, encouraging thoughtful sacrifices today for financial independence tomorrow.
From pursuing your vocation, to engaging in meaningful philanthropy, to striking that elusive balance between saving and spending, Dr. Statman traces the path to a life well lived–not just in the quantity of years, but in their quality!
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 124: Leap Smart: Career Transitions and Financial Strategies for Midlife Women with Tabatha Jones | 15 Nov 2025 | 00:43:35 | |
"It is never too late to start something new and to put your energy into something that you've loved your whole life, but you've never had time to focus on." Our hosts, Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines, explore the strategic path to entrepreneurship in midlife with the Corporate Escape Sherpa herself, Tabatha Jones! After 30 years in corporate tech leadership, Tabatha made her leap at age 50 and now guides women through building profitable businesses before they leave their steady paychecks behind. "If it's not on your calendar, if it's not something you are focused on doing, it just becomes a someday, which becomes a never, which becomes regret." Tabatha's approach challenges the typical entrepreneurial narrative. Rather than dramatic leaps of faith, she advocates for methodical preparation while your corporate job finances your dream. She saved three years of expenses before leaving, far beyond the typical 6-12 months, and systematically eliminated debt, paid off her house, and even installed solar panels to reduce future living costs. Her "Freedom Framework" starts with the crucial question of "why", and she insists on going at least five layers deep. "When you stay at that surface level why... it's not enough to keep you going," Tabatha explains. From there, entrepreneurs identify their "what" (skills and gifts), "who" (ideal clients), and finally "how" (the business model). In that order! Chances are, you need a financial reality check as a prerequisite to creating your freedom plan. Tabatha has clients highlight every expense on their credit card statements, hunting for "money leaks" like forgotten subscriptions. One client discovered three gym memberships she'd forgotten about. Another realized her pricing meant she'd need 100 clients monthly just to break even! Most powerfully, Tabatha reminds us that midlife career changes require different strategies than younger transitions. While thirty-somethings can "dip their toe" in entrepreneurship and return to corporate easily, the job search for midlifers now takes 8-12 months. Building your business foundation while employed isn't just smart. It's essential!
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 106: What Women Need to Know About Bitcoin with Marianne Borneman | 15 Feb 2025 | 00:59:03 | |
Picture a world where your money isn't controlled by any government, but rather exists in the form of digital code. That's the idea behind Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, where freedom meets cryptography, and transactions are recorded transparently on a blockchain.
But we get it–to those looking to add cryptocurrency to their portfolio, the subject of decentralized finance can be pretty intimidating. Our hosts, Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines break it down with special guest Marianne Borneman, founder of Access Tax Solutions, the home of Real Clear Tax Advice.
They look into how Bitcoin differs from traditional money, dissecting its digital nature and the security measures you need to protect your assets. From choosing reputable digital wallets to setting up complex passwords, they guide us through safeguarding your investments in this new financial frontier.
Understanding the tax implications of your Bitcoin transactions is essential to avoid unwanted surprises. Our hosts and Marianne share practical scenarios illustrating the importance of documenting every purchase and sale, and how using Bitcoin as a gift or payment can impact your tax obligations. Whether you hold physical assets or prefer investing through ETFs, they explain how these choices affect your tax strategy and what to watch out for in terms of legal and security challenges.
Ever wondered what it takes to mine Bitcoin or why it's often compared to gold? They dive into all that, including where it actually derives value from. They explore the concept of scarcity and how collective belief underpins currency value, drawing parallels between Bitcoin and precious metals like gold. In wrapping, they discuss the most common frauds and scams to watch out for as you navigate the world of crypto!
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 105: Why Money Conversations are Crucial and How to Have Them, with Kathleen Burns Kingsbury | 15 Jan 2025 | 00:46:32 | |
"It really does cost us in terms of our ability to learn about money, embrace failure, the mistakes that we made and we learn from them, to actually get closer to the people in our lives, whether that is our adult children, whether that's a partner, whether that's a friend. So there's a lot of ways in which money silence kind of keeps us locked up in a way that I don't think is useful." - Kathleen Burns Kingsbury
Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines invite Kathleen Burns Kingsbury back to the show. She brings her invaluable expertise as a money mindset coach to discuss societal pressures women typically face regarding finances.
With the re-release of her book "Breaking Money Silence," Kathleen offers fresh insights, focused on empowering women to break their silence around money discussions both in the home and the workplace.
Kathleen kicks things off by exploring the psychological obstacles to financial empowerment. Roadblocks like guilt, fear of being seen as greedy, and imposter syndrome frequently obstruct the path to confidence for many women–and men.
She reminds us that it's important to surround yourself with mentors and peers who respect individual needs and foster an environment free of money shame. It all begins with open and authentic conversations.
Kathleen teaches that it's important to build your own "financial dream team" that prioritizes relationships over sales. She unpacks the art of leveraging each partner's strengths, in addition to open communication, in order to minimize money arguments and bring couples closer to their financial dreams!
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 104: How to Invest When the World Feels Dangerous | 16 Dec 2024 | 00:33:12 | |
Volatility and recession and crashes! Oh, my! Today, our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines give their best strategies for successful investing when the world's feeling dangerous.
They kick things off with some pointers on riding out market ups and downs. It all comes down to sticking to a long-term investment plan, no matter what's happening around you. Remember the 2008 financial crisis? Stephanie and Kevin talk about how markets always bounce back and why it's best not to fret over the dramatic headlines.
They also discuss ways to manage your wealth during short-term crises. It's important to keep a nice stash of cash for those "just in case" moments, such as being between jobs or moving to a new city. Knowing your expenses inside and out is a big confidence booster, making you feel more in control when life throws those curveballs.
Stephanie and Kevin also detail the importance of having open money talks with your family. Talking through retirement savings and possible inheritances with your loved ones can keep future surprises at bay.
Our hosts wrap up by breaking down the difference between market sentiments vis à vis economic realities, hammering home the all-important lesson that investing is a marathon, not a sprint!
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 103: Essential Internal Money Healing with Meghan Dwyer | 30 Nov 2024 | 00:46:59 | |
Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines discuss the emotional side of money management with Meghan Dwyer, a Certified Financial Planner and the host of the "Money Isn't Scary" Podcast.
Meghan's vision-mission is all about challenging societal norms and empowering women to take charge of their finances with confidence. She helps us uncover the hidden emotional influences that shape our financial decisions and shares her insights on moving from a mindset of fear to one of abundance.
"How we earn our money is emotional," says Meghan. "How we spend our money is emotional. How and why we save our money is emotional."
Our hosts and Meghan explore how our feelings around money are often inherited from past generations. Meghan emphasizes the importance of gaining clarity around, and processing, these emotional roots to make more informed money choices. She discusses the societal pressures of consumerism and the lack of financial education that can leave many feeling anxious or ashamed about their financial literacy.
"Your relationship with money is parallel with your relationship with yourself."
Self-reflection helps us in aligning our financial decisions with personal values. Through practical exercises, Meghan teaches us how to identify our core values—whether it's family, adventure, or otherwise—and ensure our spending aligns with what truly matters to us.
Meghan also stresses the importance of self-compassion, especially when our financial choices don't perfectly align with our values. She encourages us to embrace emotional triggers as tools for growth and to focus on what money can achieve in terms of our values, rather than just its numeric worth.
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 102: What Women Need to Know about Avoiding IRA Nightmare Stories with Denise Appleby | 15 Nov 2024 | 00:56:02 | |
"Prevention is better than cure. Don't feel overwhelmed by all this. Would you remove your own kidney? You would go to a professional to get it done." -Denise Appleby
Renowned IRA and retirement plans expert Denise Appleby joins our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines for a crucial conversation on managing your retirement accounts effectively, especially as 2024 comes to a close.
Having trained thousands of financial, tax, and legal professionals, Denise shares her invaluable insights on year-end retirement planning strategies, covering the complexities of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and the potential pitfalls of rollovers.
They talk about the challenges family members face when inheriting IRAs and handling 401(k) withdrawals, including those aged 73 and older.
In addition to RMDs, they also cover Roth conversions and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), giving you much-needed clarity on suitability assessments and precise reporting needs.
Denise explains the differences between transfers and rollovers, providing real-life examples of costly mistakes and IRS penalties that typically come from common misunderstandings. By sharing these cautionary tales, Denise demonstrates the importance of consulting knowledgeable financial advisors to guide you through these often-daunting processes, ensuring your retirement plan remains on track!
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 101: What Women Need to Know (and Do) About Estate Planning with Your Friend the Lawyer, Pam Starsia | 30 Oct 2024 | 00:49:44 | |
Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines sit down with Pam Starsia, who swapped her corporate lawyer gig for the world of estate planning, and now runs a firm alongside her husband. Once a pro in high-stakes mergers and acquisitions, Pam's now all about creating personalized, relationship-focused estate plans. Listen in as she takes us through the sometimes-tricky and always-emotional landscape of family legacy planning.
"If you have the resources to pay for help, do so. You deserve it."
Pam unpacks the Personal Family Lawyer model she follows, which emphasizes the human side of legal advice to meet a family's evolving needs. Her insights help us balance the emotional and practical sides of family legacy planning, offering a new take on the whole process beyond just writing a will.
When dealing with clients, Pam's all-in on personal touch. Our hosts and Pam chat about the emotional twists that can pop up, like sibling dynamics and particularly sentimental items. She dishes out practical tips for navigating these situations, reducing conflicts, and making sure everyone in the family gets a say.
They also explore some unique aspects of estate planning, like the question of your furry friends, and Pam gives us the lowdown on setting up options like pet trusts to ensure they're cared for in the future. She reminds us that estate planning isn't just a one-time deal—it's an ongoing process that adapts to changing laws, relationships, and life situations.
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If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 100: What GenX Women Need to Know About Retirement | 15 Oct 2024 | 00:34:53 | |
"We're nothing if not resourceful. That's our generation's superpower." -Kevin
In celebration of the 100th episode of Take Back Retirement, our hosts Stephanie and Kevin Gaines reflect on the defining characteristics of their very own generation–Gen X–and key lessons that women in this age bracket can put into practice today in preparing for retirement.
From the seismic shift from pensions to 401(k) plans, to navigating the rollercoaster of financial events like the 1987 Black Monday and the dot-com bubble at the turn of the century, today's conversation explores the pivotal moments that molded an entire generation's approach to financial planning.
Our hosts shed light on the realities of midlife day-to-days in the 2020s, from dealing with the fallout of being the "Sandwich Generation" to considerations around financially supporting family members amid shaky times.
At the same time, Stephanie and Kevin celebrate the unique brand of resourcefulness that defines GenX, emphasizing their quest to find "balance, flexibility, and self-determination."
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 99: The Challenges and Opportunities of Defining Your Identity in Retirement with Elizabeth Parsons | 01 Oct 2024 | 00:45:23 | |
"Suddenly you've got to create the content of your life, and that's a completely new enterprise for most people we work with, and it's scary until you can get your hands in the clay and feel confident about having a process." -Elizabeth Parsons
How do you deal with the massive shift that comes with stepping away from a high-powered career and into retirement?
Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines chat with Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons, founder of Encoraco, who has dedicated her life to guiding high achievers through the emotional and psychological challenges of retirement.
After leaving behind a prestigious legal career, Elizabeth was left feeling listless and incomplete. It was her relentless drive to rekindle that sense of purpose that led her to found a company that helps men and women just like her experience a "positive and empowered transition" into their post-career life.
Listen in as Elizabeth teaches us how to overcome the loss of identity and structural void that often accompany retirement. She discusses the art of designing a Life Mosaic, ways to recognize what's missing from your day-to-day, the importance of grieving the end of a career, and why it's time for all of us to redefine the traditional notion of retirement!
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 98: Conquering Internalized Ageism and Living Your Best Life after 65 with Ande Lyons | 16 Sep 2024 | 00:47:41 | |
"Age is just another journey that we need to learn to love and embrace, and see as the gift it is!"
Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines are joined by Ande Lyons, host of the Don't Be Caged by Your Age podcast. She's redefining what it means to thrive after 65, and teaches us how to combat ageism at every level—whether it's institutional, societal, or internalized.
Finding and maintaining confidence and a sense of purpose in retirement is seldom easy. Ande gives us tips to stay engaged in later life, as well as essential steps for financial and mental wellness, all in order to ensure a life in retirement that's worth the journey.
Our hosts and Ande also dive deep into the mindset shift that allows us to "age out loud." Learn how platforms like Meetup.com can help build communities that bridge age gaps, and hear inspiring personal anecdotes about overcoming self-imposed limitations to pursue new passions after 65.
As Ande says, by embracing and reframing how we see those golden years, we open ourselves up to the possibility of new beginnings, renewed health and vigor, and exciting adventures that we never would have dreamed of pursuing in pre-retirement!
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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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| 97: Why Do We Avoid Retirement Planning? | 30 Aug 2024 | 00:34:59 | |
"Most pre-retirees and retirees need and want help with the critical retirement decisions they face, but they're not always certain where to find it."
Is your retirement plan only scratching the surface? Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines uncover the common pitfalls that have kept retirees unprepared for the realities of their post-work years.
Drawing from the groundbreaking Stanford Center on Longevity study entitled Disconnected: Reality Versus Perception in Retirement Planning, Stephanie and Kevin talk about why it's imperative to envision and plan for all aspects of retirement—beyond just your finances.
Learn how to overcome the natural human instincts that cause us to overlook important retirement considerations, and how to find advice specific to your unique life circumstances.
Our hosts also explain why retirement is a process rather than a destination, and how embracing flexibility can reduce financial stress and increase peace of mind. They explore how personal stories and periodic reminders can keep you on track, and why working with a real financial planner can provide invaluable holistic guidance.
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If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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