The Retire Happy Podcast

Kicking off the first episode of 2026, John and Tom welcome back their favorite guest and friend, Dean Zayed,  CEO and founder of Brookstone Capital Management. Celebrating Brookstone’s 20th anniversary, Dean joins the show to reflect on the firm’s growth, innovation, and advisor-first culture. The conversation dives into the golden age of wealth management, cutting-edge income strategies like BAM...

We're excited to welcome back Joe Casey, CEO and co-founder of Catalyst Wealth Coaching and a mentor to financial advisors nationwide, to wrap up the 2025 season! Joe joins the show to dig into the realities of market manipulation, trend analysis, and why most investors- and even many advisors- misread what the market is actually telling them. He breaks down how algorithms, dark pools, and institu...

In this episode, John and Tom sit down with fitness expert and Air Force veteran Nichole Van Cliff to explore why taking care of your health is one of the most important parts of a successful retirement. Nichole shares powerful insights from her work with seniors, veterans, and personal training clients- showing how strength, mobility, and small daily habits can transform your quality of life at a...

In this episode, John and Tom are joined by Jared Trexler, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at The American College of Financial Services, to discuss why education and specialization matter more than ever in the financial world. They explore how a well-educated advisor can deliver deeper, more personalized planning- especially in areas like tax, estate, and retireme...

This episode, John and Tom are joined once again by Mark DiOrio - Chief Investment Officer at Brookstone Capital Management - to unpack the fast-moving markets of 2025. They discuss volatility, tariffs, interest rates, and the role of alternative investments like gold, crypto, and structured notes. Mark also shares insights on inflation, the bond market, and the long-term impact of AI and semicond...

We're joined once again by America's IRA expert, Ed Slott, to unpack the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and the new opportunities it offers for tax-savvy retirees. Ed breaks down how temporary expansions in SALT deductions, strategic use of Roth conversions, and thoughtful estate planning- including tools like permanent life insurance and qualified charitable distributions- can help reduce your tax burd...

In this episode of the Retire Happy Podcast, John and Tom sit down with Matt Burklund, CEO of Vault Insurance & Investments, for a timely conversation about what’s really happening in the world of property and casualty insurance. As rates skyrocket and carriers pull out of key markets like California and Florida, Matt breaks down why the industry is under so much pressure and what that means f...

It's hard to believe we're celebrating the 100th episode of the Retire Happy Podcast today! As we reflect on the great memories we've made, we also look ahead to the future. Joining us in celebration is a third-time returning guest, Dean Zayed, JD, LLM, CFP®, an expert in retirement planning and the CEO and founder of Brookstone Capital Management himself. We're thrilled to have him on the show to...

In this special episode of The Retire Happy Podcast, we’re joined by Joe Casey, CEO and co-founder of Catalyst Wealth Coaching and host of the 6-Figure Trader Podcast. Joe is a remarkable investment mentor whose expertise has transformed the lives of countless advisors and their clients. Having studied blockchain and crypto investing at MIT and dedicated years to understanding institutional strate...

In this episode, John and Thomas sit down with Matt Lovett, Chief Compliance Officer at Brookstone Capital Management, to explore the crucial role compliance plays in financial advising. With over 30 years of experience, Matt shares how fiduciary advisors prioritize transparency, rigorous product evaluation, and regulatory adherence to protect clients' interests. Get a behind-the-scenes look at th...

In this episode of the Retire Happy Podcast, we’re joined by Bruce Wehner, Chief Cash Flow Strategist and lead advisor for e3 Wealth, to explore the high-level considerations of oil and gas investments as a potential tax mitigation strategy. While these investments carry a significant degree of risk, Bruce offers insights into how they can fit into broader tax planning and financial management str...

In this episode, John and Thomas welcome Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink Intel and author of Why I Bought Indexed Annuities. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Sheryl specializes in annuities and insurance products. She discusses the various types of annuities available, debunks common myths, and helps us understand their role in a comprehensive retirement plan.   Get y...

In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of AI in investment strategies with David Marra, co-founder and CIO of Markin Asset Management. With over three decades in the financial industry and two decades specifically focused on AI, David brings a unique perspective on how this technology is transforming investment landscapes. Join us as we explore the future of AI in investing and gain insig...

In this episode, we're focusing on the often misunderstood world of 1031 exchanges. To shed light on this topic, we’re joined by Kyle Connor, a Real Estate Exchange Specialist at Invesco Real Estate. Kyle will clarify the 1031 exchange process and explain how it can benefit those transitioning from managing rental properties to exploring new investment opportunities. We’ll also cover the advantage...

We’ve brought some great estate planning attorneys to the show to discuss the importance of having a trust, but we’ve never talked about settling the trust. That’s why we’re excited to have estate planning expert, Josh Yager, Esq., CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, with us to shed light on this important topic. Join us as we discuss the difference between probate and trust settlements, the importance of proper e...

While we love featuring guests on the show, John and Tom take a moment in this episode to touch on a topic close to their hearts: retirement planning regrets. Drawing from their years of experience, they discuss common pitfalls and missed opportunities that clients often face in the retirement planning process. From procrastinating on tax planning to overlooking key strategies, they explore the ar...

We're excited to have Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® , back on the podcast with us this week. Andy is an IRA analyst at ED Slott and Company LLC. He joins us to talk about avoiding costly mistakes with your retirement funds. Tune in as we talk about Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) opportunities, Roth conversions, the age 55 exemption, and much more!   Important Info: Securus Financial:  https://www.gosec...

In today's episode, we're going to focus on relocating in retirement. In hot real estate markets like California, New Jersey, and New York, we've witnessed a significant trend of homeowners making moves to more affordable and tax-friendly states, or simply looking to downsize. To help us tackle this topic, we've invited a seasoned realtor and good friend, Melissa Bevacqua, to join the conversation...

In today's episode, we're shifting gears to focus on the often misunderstood realm of 401(k) management. Joining us is Mr. John Blamphin , the Director of Operations and Research at Retirement Management Systems . John, a seasoned CFP® and AIF® with over 31 years of industry experience, is here to talk about the complexities of 401(k) taxation, target date funds, asset allocation, and more. We'll...

In today's episode, we're excited to chat with Dean Zayed, the CEO and founder of Brookstone Capital Management. Our partnership with Dean has significantly influenced our careers and benefited our clients. Tune in as we discuss the unique financial strategies that distinguish Brookstone in the industry and talk about the power of collaboration and advisor education, while looking ahead to the fut...

We're kicking off 2024 with none other than Brookstone Capital Management's Chief Investment Officer, Mark DiOrio, CFA. With the new year unfolding and market speculations flying high, everyone's ears are tuned in to the diverse predictions echoing across the financial landscape. Having steered Brookstone's investment ship for the better part of a decade, Mark is here to share his insights on the...

The consequences of misunderstanding Social Security can be dramatic. That's why we're bringing in the best of the best to help you understand its complexities. Bill Rainaldi, the Senior Financial Services Consultant for Security Mutual Life Insurance Company, stands as the leading authority on all things Social Security. Join us as we demystify Social Security, uncover strategies to maximize your...

Bob Shalongo is the Vice President of Sales at Coastal Financial Group. The open enrollment period for Medicare is once again upon us, so we thought it would be a perfect time to invite Bob to the show. Bob will discuss the different types of Medicare plans that are out there and what criteria to look out for when selecting a plan.   Episode Links Coastal Financial: https://www.coastalfinancialgro...

Navigating the vast realm of health advice can be daunting. Enter Rachel Fox, a Certified Health Coach and the visionary behind Rachel Fox Health. Her mission is to help her clients simplify their health and show them how to live a sustainable, healthy lifestyle. John and Tom will talk to Rachel about how she approaches health and wellnesss in her coaching and some tips when building a macronutrie...

Dr. Chris Stepien is the Founder of Barefoot Rehabilitation Clinic. In his practice, Dr. Chris uses a variety of different techniques with the mission to permanently reduce his clients' pain. It is important that we take care of our bodies as we age so that we are able to continue to do the things we enjoy. John and Tom will talk to Dr. Chris about the best ways for people in retirement to stay ph...