Retire SMART Podcast

What’s with all the rumors of changes at the federal level to the rules governing Roth conversions and associated taxes? Do the recent Blue Owl struggles have an impact on investment strategies? And what’s to happen with tariffs and other economic policies after the Trump administration is gone? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

What does it take to deliver consistent, high-level financial advice? In this episode, David and Director of Wealth Management, Josh Cheatle, break down their unique training system, collaborative planning process, and why no single advisor works alone. The result: faster learning, smarter strategies, and a better experience for every client.

Kicking off with basketball tournament hype and Midwest momentum, the conversation quickly turns to bigger stakes—geopolitics, market swings, and investor behavior. As headlines around Iran and market corrections intensify, we break down what’s noise versus what actually matters for your portfolio. A must-listen for keeping perspective in unpredictable times.

We kick things off with a nod to Midwest grit—after Nebraska ranks among the top states for work ethic—and dive into why that reputation is attracting major investment, including massive new data center projects from companies like Google. But with growth comes big questions: energy demand, infrastructure, and whether taxpayers truly benefit.

Will the Federal Reserve be dissolved or absorbed into the treasury department? How concerned should we be about projections that social security and Medicare have less than a decade of solvency remaining? And is now a good time to buy a new car? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

Today, we welcome back Financial Advisor, Sean Swanson. From “travel” and “brackets” to “slam dunks” and “second-half adjustments,” we translate court-side concepts into real-world strategies for retirement, tax planning, and avoiding costly mistakes. It’s a fun, insightful conversation that shows how the right game plan—on or off the court—can make all the difference.

We start with a little plug-in for “Tax Madness”—a series of high octane videos, breaking down a bracket of 64 everyday taxes to determine which one Americans hate the most. Then we shift to the global stage, unpacking rising tensions in the Middle East, oil market volatility, and what it could mean for the economy here at home. Plus, we dive into inflation data, warning signs in credit markets, a...

In this episode, we tackle a major local headline as Omaha considers a new downtown stadium project—and what it could mean for taxpayers, businesses, and the future of the city. From there, we shift to national trends, breaking down interstate migration, tax policy shifts, and why high earners and major companies are relocating across the country. Plus, we explore new wealth-building opportunities...

During this time of geopolitical unrest and war, what is Retire SMART doing to prepare their clients’ portfolios? If China and Japan are selling American debt, how will that affect our investments? And how far will Nebraska go in the NCAA tournament? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

Today, we sit down with estate planning attorney Colin Kastrick to break down the critical decisions business owners can’t afford to get wrong—from entity selection to buying and selling a business the right way. We also dive into powerful tax strategies around charitable giving, including how donor-advised funds can maximize impact while minimizing tax liability. If you want to keep more of what...

David and Chip break down rising geopolitical tensions and what they really mean for global oil markets, from tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to the surprising signals coming out of futures pricing. Then, they zoom out to the big picture—exploring how AI, shifting labor trends, and demographics could reshape productivity and the future of work. Plus, a look at tax policy headlines and a cau...

In today’s episode, we explore several headlines highlighting how economic forces shape everyday decisions—from the decline of local newspapers to shifting consumer demand in the auto industry. We also examine broader economic trends, including population migration driven by taxes and the unintended consequences of raising minimum wages. Throughout the discussion, we connect current events back to...

What does David think of Tucker Carlson’s latest accusation concerning the gold industry? Is it a good idea for a financial firm to also offer banking services? And with all the uproar about the Omaha streetcar project, is economic development looking to still be its main justification? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

Today, David is joined by financial advisor Mike Schudel to discuss why the current tax environment may be one of the most powerful opportunities for estate planning in decades. They discuss how today’s historically high estate tax exemptions could change in the future—and why waiting to plan could cost families significantly. The conversation also covers practical strategies to help protect wealt...

This episode dives into the economic ripple effects of the latest Middle East tensions, including how oil flows, China’s energy dependence, and global strategy are shaping the bigger picture. David also breaks down why markets historically push forward even during wartime and what current tax cuts could mean for American households. Plus, a reality check on AI—cutting through the hype to explain w...

Today’s discussion covers several timely local and national business stories. David breaks down Omaha Steaks’ controversial decision to stop supplying local restaurants and its PR fallout, covers a regulatory overreach involving a barber-themed lounge, and celebrates Nebraska cities ranking high for work-life balance. The episode wraps with a sobering reminder from BlackRock CEO Larry Fink about r...

What is the difference between an exchange-traded fund and a mutual fund? With my husbands’ recent passing, me being 46, and having $450,000 saved, along with having to take withdrawals, I feel lost and don’t know where to start. How can I navigate this? And what does the acronym SMART stand for, in Retire SMART? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

David is joined by CFP Blake Grimm to break down the latest Medicare updates, including rising Part B premiums and changes to prescription drug costs. They walk through what Medicare actually covers — and what it doesn’t — from dental and vision to long-term care and ambulance rides. If you’re nearing retirement or already on Medicare, this is a must-listen to avoid costly surprises.

David breaks down the highlights from this year’s State of the Market Address, where people gathered to hear his take on the economy, inflation, and what’s really driving policy decisions. He dives into the Fed’s credibility, the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling, and whether AI is actually moving the needle on economic growth. If you want a no-nonsense perspective on markets and headlines, this one d...

Today, David unpacks Riston’s Law on a global scale — from the Dutch origins of Wall Street to modern wealth migration as countries experiment with taxing unrealized gains. The conversation explores how capital moves where it’s treated best, what that means for investors and retirees, and why proactive tax strategy matters more than ever. Plus, a powerful reminder that retirement isn’t just about...

Are tariffs partly to blame with all the rising prices? Where AI would be expected to reduce work, does it actually intensify it? And is President Trump doing too little, too slowly to address the housing situation? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

This episode features guest financial advisor Mark Rowlett with South Shore Retirement Services; he and David dive into why proactive tax planning is one of the most overlooked — yet most impactful — parts of retirement and wealth strategy. The conversation covers how taxes can erode retirement income, why location and policy matter, and how smart planning can help families keep more of what they’...

Today’s show opens with reflections on leadership, generosity, and community impact before diving into today’s financial news. David and Chip unpack positive inflation data, tax refund surprises, and federal workforce changes, along with a case study on how policy decisions affect businesses and workers. It’s a mix of perspective and practical economics you won’t want to miss.

This episode covers some surprising economic trends — including why Nebraska is outperforming much of the country when it comes to real income growth — and what that means for workers and business owners. We also dig into concerns about government spending, business incentives, and the challenges small businesses face navigating bureaucracy. Plus, an important conversation about retirement that go...

With long-term care being a complicated and expensive process for us, while we’re in our 60s and in good health, is it really worth the trouble going through? What am I supposed to do with an annuity I inherited after my mother’s passing? And what are David’s thoughts on me rolling over my 401(k) while I’m still working? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.