Kickin' with The Rickens: Redefining Retirement

Ever wondered how tax laws could reshape your retirement dreams? This episode of Kickin’ with the Rickens dives into the latest changes in tax strategy, revealing how new rules impact retirees and families. Join Gerry Ricken and Heidi Ricken Provost as they blend real-life stories, expert insights, and practical tips to help you retire with purpose and joy. From celebrating family milestones...

What if the hardest conversation you ever have could save your family heartache—and money? This episode dives into the real-life challenges of sudden illness, long-term care, and why planning ahead is the greatest gift you can give your loved ones. Gerry Ricken and Heidi Ricken Provost share personal stories and practical steps to help you take control of your future, your care, and your leg...

What if a single conversation could change your entire approach to retirement? In this episode, Gerry Ricken and Heidi Ricken Provost share real-life lessons on why DIY retirement planning can be risky, the power of tough financial conversations, and how unexpected life events can reshape your future. Discover why having a plan—and a backup—matters more than ever, and how to prepare fo...

Could a scammer steal your retirement in minutes? This episode exposes real-life fraud stories, reveals simple steps to protect your money, and explains why purposeful planning is the key to a joyful retirement. Discover how to safeguard your legacy, manage risk, and prepare for long-term care—so you can retire with confidence and live with meaning. Get your complimentary meeting with Heidi...

What do bats, backup plans, and billion-dollar dreams have in common? In this episode of Kickin’ with the Rickens, Heidi Ricken Provost dives into hybrid retirement, financial self-care, and the importance of planning for the unexpected—from Social Security uncertainty to surprise inheritances. With personal stories, laughs, and practical advice, Heidi shows how a purpose-driven financ...

What if your retirement income could outpace your working years? In this episode, Gerry Ricken and Heidi Ricken Provost unpack the “purpose approach” to retirement planning—from replacing your paycheck to navigating Social Security, taxes, and long-term care. Learn how to build income buckets, protect your assets, and prepare for the unexpected with powers of attorney and concier...

You’ve clocked out for the last time—now what? In this episode of  Kickin’ with the Rickens , Gerry Ricken and Heidi Ricken Provost explore the emotional and financial realities of retirement. From building a purpose-driven lifestyle to managing long-term care, estate planning, and risk tolerance, they share heartfelt stories and practical strategies to help you thrive in th...

What if your retirement plan is missing the most critical steps? In this episode, Gerry Ricken and Heidi Ricken Provost break down the retirement timeline—from 15 years out to just months away. Learn why Roth conversions, HSA strategies, and risk tolerance alignment are essential, and how procrastination can derail your future. Whether you're decades from retirement or ready to clock out, th...

What if your retirement portfolio is riskier than you think? In this episode of  Kickin' with the Rickens , Heidi Ricken Provost and Gerry Ricken unpack the hidden risks in common retirement strategies—from stock overlap to misunderstood bond safety. They explore how structured investments and fixed indexed annuities can offer protection and growth, even in volatile markets. With real-l...

What happens when your retirement plans collide with life’s unexpected turns? In this episode, Gerry Ricken shares heartfelt stories—from trivia nights for kids with cancer to the financial fallout of sudden medical emergencies. Learn why long-term care planning, powers of attorney, and modern life insurance strategies are essential for protecting your future. Plus, discover how Camp R...

Caught between aging parents and adult children? You’re not alone. In this episode of  Kickin’ with the Rickens , Gerry Ricken and Heidi Ricken Provost tackle the emotional and financial toll of the sandwich generation. From managing student loan debt to caregiving burnout, they explore how this growing reality is reshaping retirement. With compassion and clarity, they offer pract...

What happens when every day becomes Saturday? In this episode of  Kickin’ with the Rickens , Gerry Ricken and Heidi Ricken Provost unpack the emotional and financial shifts that come with retirement. From the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to the power of Roth conversions, they explore how to plan with purpose and joy. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at their new office, their...

This week on Kickin' with the Rickens, Gerry Ricken and Heidi Ricken Provost discuss the importance of seeking professional help in both health and financial planning. Heidi shares her personal journey of overcoming health challenges with the aid of professionals, emphasizing that just as one shouldn't attempt to manage their health alone, the same applies to financial planning. Get your complimen...

This week on Kickin' with the Rickens, Gerry Ricken and Heidi Ricken Provost discuss various tax strategies that can help individuals and families optimize their financial planning. They emphasize the importance of proactive tax planning, creative solutions like installment sales, and the role of life insurance in building generational wealth. The conversation also covers qualified charitable dist...

In this episode of Kickin' with the Rickens, Gerry Ricken and Heidi Ricken-Provost discuss the importance of purpose-driven financial planning, the impact of SIBS Camp, and strategies for navigating retirement and taxation. They emphasize the need for a holistic approach to financial planning that aligns with personal values and goals, while also addressing the complexities of future taxation and...

In this episode of Kickin' with the Rickens, Gerry and Heidi share their journey in the financial planning industry, emphasizing the importance of family, community service, and understanding clients' needs. They discuss the challenges of retirement planning, the significance of income security, and the unique dynamics of a father-daughter partnership in a male-dominated field. The conversation hi...

Gerry Ricken and Heidi Ricken-Provost of Ricken Financial talk about the growth of this podcast and their big move to bring “Kickin’ With the Rickens: Redefining Retirement” to St. Louis’ 97.1 KFTK-FM every Sunday at 1 p.m., starting on June 22nd. Gerry and Heidi joke about Gerry’s radio voice and then they also reveal that the podcast’s previous host, Mark Owen...

Gerry Ricken and Heidi Ricken-Provost of Ricken Financial discuss their week volunteering at SIBS camp and the very personal reasons why they have done this for the past eight years. They share how siblings of children with cancer often feel overlooked, how Camp Rainbow’s SIBS camp helps them feel loved, and the need for volunteers. Then they relate this to how retirees can satisfy their RMD...

Heidi Ricken-Provost talks about her recent birthday that saw a car crash and a tornado and the storm damage in her neighborhood. Then she and Gerry discuss a big mishap someone made on a major delivery to their new office, which eventually leads to a discussion about planning for the worst – just in case. And they break some news about Heidi and Pope Leo XIV. Get your complimentary meeting...

Heidi Ricken-Provost discusses legacy planning and how it can be a complicated process. Heidi shares a story about someone she knew who handled a trust the wrong way and their heirs ended up paying nearly 40% in taxes. Heidi lays out what funding a trust properly means, steps to take, and how Ricken Financial works with attorneys and tries to get clients’ affairs in order. This organization...

With Gerry away, Heidi Ricken-Provost has a laugh about Heidi’s grandpa Willy and his moonshine still. She shares how her grandpa actually supplied Al Capone’s crew with moonshine during Prohibition and the tax trouble it led to. Then Heidi turns that around to explain how people can easily be scammed by fake IRS communications. She details how getting an IRS letter in the mail does no...

Heidi Ricken-Provost talks about the difference between money managers and money planners. Gerry and Heidi share how planners earn their fees by not just taking care of money, but buy helping craft goals and the plan to try and achieve them. They also share how planners help people make the proper adjustments along the way to reaching their financial goals and how financial advisors help with inve...

Heidi Ricken-Provost discusses how people can handle market volatility and how the right plan can help keep people from obsessing over the daily gloomy headlines. She talks about diverse plans that help preserve funds, an income plan that is not market-dependent, and the importance of tax planning. And Heidi talks about the people she networked with at a recent women’s financial seminar in B...

Gerry Ricken talks about the transition from April to May and how taxes are always in-season. He also explains how tax strategizing goes hand-in-hand with healthcare planning and the financial factors people should consider when deciding to switch to Medicare. Gerry shares how a financial advisor can distill many numbers and factors into simpler, straighter lines to help people make better financi...

With Heidi away, Gerry Ricken discusses her speaking appearance at the Investing in Women conference in Boston. Gerry then talks about the recent financial volatility and how an approach to that can be like his family’s approach to gardening. He compares the precision of tomato farming to that of a fixed index annuity: harvesting at the right time and the right ways to preserve. Gerry explai...