The Manumit Podcast with Glenn Johnson

What if staying ahead of inflation has less to do with earning more and more to do with protecting what you've already built? Glenn Johnson explores why inflation continues to pressure retirees, even when headline numbers appear to improve. The conversation breaks down what drives inflation, how market downturns can magnify financial stress, and why preserving assets may be just as important as pu...

What happens to your retirement plan when caring for a loved one suddenly becomes your responsibility? This episode examines the financial and emotional realities of family caregiving, from reduced income and unexpected expenses to difficult decisions about work and retirement. Through a personal family story, Glenn discusses why early conversations, emergency reserves, available assistance progra...

What if the biggest retirement risk isn't market volatility, but a lack of financial education? In this episode of The Manumit Podcast, Glenn Johnson discusses why financial literacy is often missing from traditional education and how the skills needed in retirement differ from those used during the saving years. He explores sustainable retirement income, tax-efficient planning, avoiding costly fi...

Are you building your retirement plan like a gold miner chasing a lucky strike, or like Levi Strauss creating something built to last? Glenn Johnson explores the "telescope and microscope" approach to retirement planning, balancing long-term goals with day-to-day financial decisions. Using lessons from the Gold Rush, he explains why chasing hot stocks, AI trends, and market fads can lead investors...

What if inflation has less to do with prices and more to do with the amount of debt in the system? Glenn Johnson breaks down his view of what drives inflation, why Federal Reserve rate decisions may not fully address rising costs, and how retirees can prepare for higher everyday expenses. The conversation explores the connection between borrowing, the money supply, and long-term financial planning...

What if the biggest threat to your portfolio isn’t missing gains, but taking on more risk than you realize? In this episode, Glenn Johnson sits down with Brad Jenkins, Chief Investment Officer of MarketGuard, to discuss building portfolios designed for long-term growth with less volatility. They explore why strong markets can be the best time to review your strategy, how tax-efficient invest...

Waiting for the perfect time to start retirement planning might be the very thing holding you back. In this episode of The Manumit Podcast, Glenn Johnson explores why so many people delay financial planning, from feeling unprepared and financially comfortable to past negative experiences with advisors. They discuss the hidden cost of procrastination, the difference between comfort and long-term se...

What happens if AI changes your career plans before you're ready to retire? In this episode of The Manumit Podcast, Glenn Johnson explores how rapid technological change is reshaping the workforce and why adaptability matters more than ever. He discusses preparing for unexpected career shifts, developing new skills, and maintaining control over retirement decisions. Glenn also outlines the five-st...

What if the opportunity you're chasing is actually the risk you should avoid? Glenn Johnson explores how fear of missing out (FOMO) can influence investment decisions, especially for those nearing or in retirement. He discusses why emotions like greed and fear can cloud judgment, how market euphoria can create unnecessary risk, and why "missing out" isn't always a bad thing. The conversation highl...

What happens when a lifetime of hard work is passed down to someone who isn’t prepared to manage it? Glenn Johnson explores the growing Great Wealth Transfer and why passing along money is only part of the equation. He discusses the importance of financial education, family conversations, and preparing heirs for the responsibilities that come with an inheritance. Along the way, Glenn shares...

What if the biggest threat to your retirement isn’t running out of money—but running out of healthy years to enjoy it? Glenn Johnson discusses the difference between retiring on your own terms versus being forced into retirement by circumstances, stress, or health challenges. He explores why preparation creates options, how quality of life becomes a bigger priority as people age, and w...

What if financial stress isn’t the problem but a warning worth paying attention to? Retirement advisor Glenn Johnson explores why retirement is more than a financial milestone and how stress can reveal hidden risks before they become costly mistakes. Using the analogy of a “financial check engine light,” he explains how market gains, retirement uncertainty, and emotional attachme...

Could the newest 401(k) investment options be adding risk at the exact time retirement calls for caution? Glenn Johnson explains why offerings like Bitcoin, private equity, and IPOs may appeal to investors seeking growth, but can create challenges for those nearing or living in retirement. The conversation explores the original purpose of 401(k) plans, the difference between accumulation and incom...

Retirement can feel like a finish line, but what happens after you cross it? Drawing on a surprising comparison between prison escapes and retirement, Glenn Johnson explains why so many people focus on leaving work without fully preparing for what comes next. The conversation explores the importance of having a vision for retirement, building a financial plan in the right order, and finding purpos...

Is your retirement plan built on strategy, or a last-minute gamble? This episode compares Wendy’s search for a turnaround with the temptation many face nearing retirement: chasing a “big win” to catch up. Glenn Johnson unpacks why relying on a single investment, product, or high-risk move can backfire, sharing real-world examples involving REITs, family lending, and high-fee annu...

Is today’s market investing, or is it starting to feel like gambling? Glenn Johnson unpacks Warren Buffett’s “church and casino” analogy and what it means for retirees facing a high-stakes market environment. He explores how hype, overconfidence, and years of strong returns can blur the line between smart investing and risky bets. Glenn shares practical guardrails—fro...

Markets may look strong on the surface, but what happens when the bubble finally bursts? This episode explores the tension between short-term volatility and long-term economic growth, and why patience isn’t easy—especially for those nearing retirement. Glenn Johnson explains how current conditions may signal an overdue correction, even as long-term foundations strengthen. He shares a r...

Retirement can feel less like a finish line and more like stepping into a financial minefield without a map. Glenn Johnson shares how unclear expectations, market overconfidence, and family concerns can complicate one of life’s biggest transitions. Drawing on personal experience and lessons from past market downturns, he explains why early planning matters and how involving loved ones can re...

Inflation isn’t just rising—it’s quietly squeezing retirees until their plans crack under pressure. As inflation and market volatility collide, Glenn Johnson explains why retirees feel the impact first—and hardest. Drawing on lessons from the 2008 crash and today’s “everything bubble,” he breaks down how income risk, poor allocation, and emotional reaction...

Interest rates may be frozen, inflation still won’t budge, and retirement investors are stuck in the middle. Glenn Johnson unpacks why the Federal Reserve is holding firm, how market bubbles form, and why riding the market down near retirement can be costly. The conversation connects inflation, unemployment, government debt, and personal finances—using plain-language analogies that hit...

Waiting for the “perfect time” feels harmless—until it quietly becomes the biggest risk of all. In this episode of The Manumit Podcast , Glenn explores how hesitation shows up in retirement planning, especially for those approaching or already in retirement. He unpacks why many people delay moves like rolling over a 401(k), how fear and greed influence financial decisions, and wh...

Waiting for a bigger Social Security check can feel responsible—until lived experience tells a different story. A listener’s regret about delaying benefits until age 70 sparks a candid conversation about timing, trade-offs, and what retirement really looks like across decades. Glenn explores how health, lifestyle, taxes, and changing priorities all factor into when to claim Social Secu...

Most couples spend more time planning a grocery run than talking about their future together. On this episode of The Manumit Podcast , Glenn Johnson unpacks a surprising statistic about how little quality time couples actually share—and why that silence often shows up later in retirement. They explore what happens when important conversations get delayed, how couples slowly drift onto differ...

Why do we memorize the recorder but never learn how money actually works? Using a lighthearted comedy clip as a springboard, Glenn Johnson unpacks why basic financial education is missing from school—and how that gap creates unnecessary fear and embarrassment around money. Glenn explains why not knowing the “simple stuff” is common, why asking questions matters, and how breaking...

Trying to outsmart the market can quietly do the most damage when timing matters most. This episode explores why market timing becomes far riskier as retirement approaches, especially when withdrawals begin during volatile periods. The conversation breaks down how early losses can shrink long‑term income, why “time in the market” changes once paychecks stop, and how downturns affect re...