Take Pride in Retirement

Artificial intelligence is changing nearly every aspect of our lives—including our careers, earning potential, and ultimately, our retirement plans. This week, Josh is under the weather, so Matt flies solo with a fascinating conversation featuring Dr. Antoinette "Toni" Farmer-Thompson , President of Strayer University. Together they explore how AI is transforming higher education, why AI fluency i...

For decades, we've been told to save, save, save for retirement. But what happens when retirement finally arrives and it's time to start spending? In this episode, Josh and I explore one of retirement's biggest emotional challenges: learning how to enjoy the money you've worked so hard to save. We talk about why so many retirees become afraid to spend, how a thoughtful retirement income strategy c...

Is Social Security really running out of money? If you've seen alarming headlines about the Social Security trust fund being depleted by 2032, you're not alone—and you're probably wondering what it means for your retirement. In this episode, I sit down with Josh to separate fact from fear. We break down what the trust fund actually is, why Social Security isn't simply "going broke," what could hap...

New Medicaid work requirements are scheduled to take effect in 2027, and some healthcare experts are raising concerns about how they could affect cancer patients and survivors. Retirement. Radio's Matt McClure sits down with Dr. Julie Gralow, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), to discuss the potential consequences of these change...

What if one of the biggest keys to retirement success wasn't working harder—but working smarter? In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement , Josh and I discuss why automation can be one of the most powerful tools available when it comes to building long-term financial security. The truth is, most of us have good intentions when it comes to saving and investing, but life gets busy. That's why cre...

Have your financial goals slipped a little this year? If so, you're definitely not alone. A lot of people start the year feeling motivated and excited about saving more, paying down debt, or getting serious about retirement planning. But by the time summer rolls around, life happens. Vacations, unexpected expenses, busy schedules, and simple procrastination can make those goals feel a lot less urg...

June is Annuity Awareness Month, and in this follow-up episode, Matt and Josh focus on the questions every retiree should ask before investing in an annuity. Rather than starting with a product, Matt explains why it's critical to start with the problem you're trying to solve—and whether an annuity is actually the right solution. The conversation explores retirement income planning, longevity risk,...

June is Annuity Awareness Month, and that means it's time to tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in retirement planning. Matt and Josh dive into the world of annuities, breaking down common myths, explaining the different types available, and helping listeners understand how these products may fit into a retirement income strategy. Are annuities all the same? Do they lock up your money for...

In this second installment of our listener-inspired retirement Q&A series, Josh is back with another round of some of the most common questions I hear from LGBTQ+ individuals and couples preparing for retirement. We tackle important topics including the biggest retirement mistakes people make, how often you should really be checking your investment accounts, what happens if one partner handles...

What are the biggest retirement questions LGBTQ+ individuals and couples are asking right now? In this special Q&A episode of Take Pride in Retirement , Josh puts me in the hot seat as we tackle some of the most common retirement planning questions I hear from clients and listeners. We discuss Social Security claiming strategies for married couples, how marriage equality impacts retirement pla...

Retirement. Radio’s Matt McClure speaks with Dr. Ryan Potter about the growing issue of hearing loss among first responders and why protecting hearing health is so important in high-pressure emergency situations. Dr. Potter explains that long-term noise exposure impacts an estimated 80% of law enforcement officers, 40% of firefighters, and 45% of EMS providers, creating challenges that can affect...

On this episode of Take Pride in Retirement , Josh and I dive into a new study from Goldman Sachs that found something incredibly important: people with a written, personalized retirement plan tend to feel more confident, save more consistently, and experience better financial outcomes overall. We talk about the difference between simply having retirement accounts and actually having a strategy —...

May is Military appreciation month, a time to honor the men and women who serve and have served our great nation…And while we honor those associated with the military, members and veterans are fighting a different battle: finances, and purpose. Key Points Covered: Finding a purpose -  For many who leave the military, the biggest challenge isn’t just money — it’s finding purpose in a new civilian w...

There’s one fear that keeps coming up again and again when it comes to retirement—and it’s not what you might think. In fact, more Americans say they’re afraid of running out of money than they are of death itself. In this episode, Josh and I unpack why that fear is so widespread, why it’s getting worse, and what’s really driving it beneath the surface. We talk about everything from rising healthc...

Pensions used to be the gold standard for retirement—but for most of us today, they’re a thing of the past. In this episode, I’m breaking down how you can create your own personal pension using annuities and why that matters more than ever—especially for those of us in the LGBTQ+ community. Josh and I walk through what an annuity actually is (in plain English), the different types you should know...

What you don’t know about money can cost you—especially when it comes to retirement. In this episode, Josh and I take a Mythbusters-style approach to some of the most common (and costly) financial misconceptions out there. We’re talking about things like employer matches, annuities, Social Security, longevity, and Medicare—and separating fact from fiction. These myths don’t just lead to confusion…...

Inflation might be “cooling” according to the headlines—but if you’re like most people, it probably doesn’t feel that way. In this episode, Josh and I break down what’s really going on with inflation, why prices are still so high, and what it all means for your retirement plan. We talk about the disconnect between the numbers you hear in the news and the reality you feel every day at the gas pump,...

What are the biggest financial mistakes that can quietly derail your retirement? In this episode, Josh and I break down some of the most common bad money habits I see—and how you can avoid them before they cost you. We talk about why emotional investing—especially during market downturns—can do more harm than good, and what to do instead. I also walk through key decisions around Social Security, i...

How much do you really need to retire? You’ve probably heard the latest “magic number”—$1.46 million—but in this episode, I’m breaking down why that number might not matter as much as you think. Josh and I dive into what’s driving that number higher, including inflation, longer life expectancy, and uncertainty around Social Security. But more importantly, I explain why retirement planning shouldn’...

Financial Literacy Month continues, and in this episode, I’m focusing on something that doesn’t get talked about enough in retirement planning—fraud and scams. After dealing with a fraud situation myself recently, this topic hit close to home. Josh and I break down why fraud is one of the biggest threats to your retirement, how scammers operate, and what you can do to protect your hard-earned mone...

April is Financial Literacy Month, and in this episode, I’m breaking down some of the biggest retirement blind spots I see all the time when working with clients—especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Josh and I walk through the risks that often go unnoticed: living longer than expected, underestimating healthcare costs, misunderstanding taxes in retirement, and relying too heavily on savings wit...

If retirement is on your radar—even a little bit—this is one of the most important conversations you can hear. In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement, Josh and I are diving into what’s known as the retirement red zone—that critical 5 to 10-year window before you retire, plus those first few years after you leave the workforce. And let me tell you… what you do during this time can truly make o...

Happy "America Saves Week!" Guest : Shikha Narula, Head of Consumer Deposit Products at Bank of America Key Takeaways from the Interview Saving remains a priority—but it’s challenging: ~52% of Americans say saving is a top priority ~72% say inflation and cost of living are impacting finances Automation is one of the easiest wins: Tools like debit round-ups (e.g., “Keep the Change”) Recurring autom...

Market volatility is something we all hear about—but if you’re close to retirement or already there, it hits a whole lot differently. In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement, Josh and I break down what’s really going on when the markets get shaky—and more importantly, what you can actually do about it. Because this isn’t just about numbers on a screen… it’s about your income, your lifestyle, a...

April is National Financial Literacy Month. It started back in the early 2000s when Congress realized too many Americans were leaving school without the first clue about how to manage a paycheck, a credit card, or a financial future.  Fast-forward to 2026, and the problem hasn’t gone away. Nearly half of U.S. adults still give themselves a C-minus or worse on money knowledge… Key Points Covered: R...