The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast

Ep 126: What happens when the people who helped build a company become its owners? In this episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, we welcome Thomas Flynn to discuss the growing role of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), particularly here in Maine. Thomas explains how ESOPs work, why more business owners are choosing employee ownership over private equity or third-party sales, and...

Ep 125: What does the Arctic have to do with Maine? More than most people realize. In this episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, we sit down with Darryl Lyon to explore why a changing Arctic could have major implications for Maine’s economy, security, trade, and future growth. From Cold War history and Arctic shipping routes to Greenland, climate change, indigenous communities, and i...

Ep 124: What does it really mean to be a trusted adult in a young person’s life? In this episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, we welcome back a favorite guest of ours, Chris McLaughlin, MSW, LCSW, for a powerful conversation about connection across generations. Together, we explore why today’s youth are facing unprecedented levels of pressure, isolation, comparison, and mental healt...

Ep 123: What good is retirement if your body won’t let you enjoy it? In this episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, we sit down with Travis Deabay, founder of Deabay Physical Therapy, to discuss how physical therapy can help retirees stay active, independent, and doing the things they love most. From chronic back pain and arthritis to balance issues, mobility limitations, and recovery...

Ep 122: What happens when the titles fade… but you’re still searching for meaning? In this episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, we welcome back AmyK Hutchens to explore one of the biggest transitions successful professionals face: moving from a life driven by achievement and status to one guided by purpose, connection, and authenticity. Together, we unpack why so many retirees strug...

Ep 121: In Episode 121 of the Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, Ben Smith and Curtis Worcester revisit the evolving world of cryptocurrency and digital finance with returning guest Tyler Frederick. Since their last conversation, crypto has moved further into the mainstream with ETFs, institutional adoption, and new innovations like stablecoins and tokenization. Tyler breaks down what’s changed,...

Ep 120: In this episode of the Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, we revisit one of the most important decisions retirees face: Medicare. Our guest, Ann Shea, Medicare Supervisor at the Eastern Area Agency on Aging, shares practical insights about how Medicare works in 2026 and beyond, including changes to prescription drug costs, Medicare Advantage plans, and rising premiums. Our conversation b...

Ep 119: For many retirees, the question of who will serve as a power of attorney or executor is often answered by naming their children, but there is a growing population of "solo agers" who don’t have that traditional safety net. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Sara Zeff Geber and Dr. Jay Zigmont to explore how those without children can navigate the complexities of aging, from managing hea...

Ep 118: Are you feeling stuck in your career but not ready to retire — and definitely not ready to start from scratch? In this episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, Ben and Curtis sit down with career strategist Mike Dwyer, founder of Emplana Career, to reveal how professionals in their 50s, 60s, and beyond can pivot into their next chapter without losing all the progress they’ve alr...

Ep 117: In this episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, Ben and Curtis explore how the principles of improv can help retirees strengthen relationships and find new ways to connect. Their guest, Chip Brewer, has performed and taught improv for more than 20 years, working with Fortune 100 executives, educators, and students, as well as authoring his debut thriller novel. Chip shares how...

Ep 116: In this episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, Ben and Curtis welcome Jenna Biehn, Senior Sales Director at Dirigo Pines, to dive into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of senior living. Jenna shares her path into the industry and the powerful lessons she’s learned helping families make decisions about retirement living. From the growing shortage of units and...

Ep 115: In this episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, Ben and Curtis sit down with Princella Seymour—known as America’s Solutionist for the Aging Community and CEO of Complete Elder Solutions—to tackle one of the biggest threats facing retirees today: financial scams. Drawing on over 30 years of experience, Princella shares real stories of fraud targeting older adults, why shame ofte...

Ep 114: Retirement doesn’t always mean slowing down. For some, it means stepping up to support a loved one with autism. In this episode, Ben and Curtis talk with Dr. Alexandra Rogers, a retired psychologist and autism advocate, about the unique role many grandparents and retirees play as caregivers. With warmth and deep experience, Dr. Rogers explores how to better understand autism from the persp...

Ep 113: What happens when a beloved teacher retires but still has more stories to tell? In this heartfelt episode, Ben and Curtis sit down with Jim Smith—retired social studies teacher, proud grandfather, and creator of the Kenduskeag History Tales Facebook group—to explore how retirement can spark a whole new chapter of community impact. After leaving the classroom, Jim found purpose by reconnect...

Ep 112: On today’s episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, Ben and Curtis sit down with Coach Andy Wary, founder of Silverback Strength Training, to break down the transformative power of strength training for older adults. Whether it's walking the dog, chasing grandkids, or just getting up and down stairs confidently, retirees want to stay active and independent, and Andy shows us exa...

Ep 111: Today’s episode is focused on one of the most complex and emotional decisions retirees and their families face: senior care. When the time comes to consider assisted living, home care, or long-term care, families often feel overwhelmed by industry jargon, pricing structures, and the uncertainty of choosing the right path. Many seniors accept the pricing presented to them by facilities with...

Ep 110: Many retirees are looking for ways to stay mentally engaged, prevent cognitive decline, and find meaningful ways to connect with others, especially during long, isolating winters here in New England. That’s where ​Bridge comes in. Studies have shown that playing Bridge regularly can improve memory, strengthen problem-solving skills, and even reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. But it’s not jus...

Ep 109: Today’s episode dives into a topic that is crucial as we age: how to balance medications, nutrition, and fitness to live healthier and age better. As we grow older, medications often become a regular part of our lives, helping us manage chronic conditions and improve our quality of life. But how do we know we’re using medications effectively—and not relying on them at the expense of health...

Ep 108: Today’s episode explores one of the most significant challenges we face as we age: loneliness. Loneliness doesn’t always stem from being alone; it often comes from feeling unseen or disconnected, even when surrounded by others. This is a topic that many of us struggle with in silence, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Our guest today, Brandon Lee, is no stranger to this conversation. He’...

Ep 107: Today’s episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast touches on a topic that impacts every single one of us but often doesn’t get the attention it deserves: sleep. As retirees seek to live healthier, more fulfilling lives, getting good-quality sleep is often overlooked as a critical key to success in aging well. In this episode, we’ll explore why improving sleep quality is one of the...

Ep 106: Today’s episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast explores a topic that’s both deeply personal and incredibly powerful: how to design your life with intention. As retirees, you’ve spent decades achieving goals and caring for others. But now, you have the opportunity to reflect on what brings you joy, pride, and meaning—and to ensure that your next chapter aligns with the legacy yo...

Ep 105: Today’s episode visits the theme of travel and the evolution of travel since our last travel-themed episode. As retirees look to make the most of their newfound freedom, travel becomes an essential way to explore the world and discover new experiences. But as travel trends evolve, how can retirees align their adventures with meaningful goals—whether that's staying active, bonding with fami...

Ep 104: A few weeks ago, we were talking with one of our listeners, and she shared something that struck us. After retiring from a long and successful career, she found herself feeling unfulfilled. She said, 'I spent years looking forward to retirement, but now that I’m here, I don’t know what to do with myself. I feel like I’ve lost my purpose.'​ It made us realize that many retirees, while they’...

Ep 103: Many of us imagine our retirement years filled with travel, relaxation, and time to pursue long-neglected hobbies. But for some, the reality of retirement brings new responsibilities, particularly in the form of caregiving for a loved one. While caring for a parent or a loved one can be rewarding, it can also be incredibly challenging—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Today, we’ll exp...

Ep 102: Today’s episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast is one that speaks to resilience in the face of overwhelming odds, and how we can find deeper meaning in life, especially after going through life-altering events. It’s a story that reminds us of the fragility of life, but also of the immense strength that can emerge from tragedy. Our guest today has an extraordinary story. In 2011...