Don't Retire...Graduate!
Eric Brotman
Don’t Retire… Graduate! is the podcast that invites you to rethink what retirement really means. Hosted by Certified Financial Planner Practitioner Eric Brotman, we’re here to guide you in transforming the traditional concept of retirement into an exciting and enriching graduation—a time to embark on new adventures, embrace lifelong passions, and define what success and happiness look like in this new chapter of life.
Retirement isn’t just about stepping away from a career; it’s about stepping into a life filled with purpose, joy, and fulfillment. Whether you're on the brink of retirement or just starting to think about it, this podcast will help you discover what it takes to not just survive, but thrive in your post-career years. We’ll explore how to live a fun, productive, and meaningful life by setting new goals, pursuing passions that light you up, and building a legacy that truly reflects who you are.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with a diverse range of guests—from award-winning authors and financial experts to influencers and everyday people with remarkable money stories. Together, we’ll uncover strategies for reaching financial independence, managing your wealth, and making informed decisions that support your dreams. You’ll learn practical tips on everything from saving money and paying down debt to raising financially literate children and growing your wealth at any age.
From personal finance and investing to retirement readiness, taxes, and more, we’re here to provide the knowledge and tools you need to confidently step into this exciting new phase of life. Topics include everything from budgeting, credit, and debt to health savings accounts, insurance, social security, the FIRE movement, and the latest in fintech and finance apps.
But we don’t stop at finances. Don’t Retire… Graduate! also dives deep into the emotional and psychological aspects of retirement. We’ll discuss how to maintain your mental and physical health, nurture relationships, and stay connected to your community. You’ll gain insights on how to design a lifestyle that keeps you engaged, curious, and excited about the future.
Our mission is to help you figure out what you want to be when you grow up—even if you’re already grown. We believe that work should become optional, not just because you've reached a certain age, but because you’ve achieved the freedom to choose how you spend your time and energy. Whether it’s volunteering, starting a new hobby, traveling the world, or launching a second career, this podcast is your guide to creating a retirement that’s anything but retiring.
In addition to full episodes, we offer bonus content every other week where you get to meet the team of financial advisors at BFG Financial Advisors and hear their real stories from the frontlines of financial planning.
Retirement is not the absence of work, but the absence of needing to work. So why not graduate into a life of purpose, passion, and financial freedom? Tune in to Don’t Retire… Graduate! and let’s make your retirement the best years of your life.
Retirement isn’t just about stepping away from a career; it’s about stepping into a life filled with purpose, joy, and fulfillment. Whether you're on the brink of retirement or just starting to think about it, this podcast will help you discover what it takes to not just survive, but thrive in your post-career years. We’ll explore how to live a fun, productive, and meaningful life by setting new goals, pursuing passions that light you up, and building a legacy that truly reflects who you are.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with a diverse range of guests—from award-winning authors and financial experts to influencers and everyday people with remarkable money stories. Together, we’ll uncover strategies for reaching financial independence, managing your wealth, and making informed decisions that support your dreams. You’ll learn practical tips on everything from saving money and paying down debt to raising financially literate children and growing your wealth at any age.
From personal finance and investing to retirement readiness, taxes, and more, we’re here to provide the knowledge and tools you need to confidently step into this exciting new phase of life. Topics include everything from budgeting, credit, and debt to health savings accounts, insurance, social security, the FIRE movement, and the latest in fintech and finance apps.
But we don’t stop at finances. Don’t Retire… Graduate! also dives deep into the emotional and psychological aspects of retirement. We’ll discuss how to maintain your mental and physical health, nurture relationships, and stay connected to your community. You’ll gain insights on how to design a lifestyle that keeps you engaged, curious, and excited about the future.
Our mission is to help you figure out what you want to be when you grow up—even if you’re already grown. We believe that work should become optional, not just because you've reached a certain age, but because you’ve achieved the freedom to choose how you spend your time and energy. Whether it’s volunteering, starting a new hobby, traveling the world, or launching a second career, this podcast is your guide to creating a retirement that’s anything but retiring.
In addition to full episodes, we offer bonus content every other week where you get to meet the team of financial advisors at BFG Financial Advisors and hear their real stories from the frontlines of financial planning.
Retirement is not the absence of work, but the absence of needing to work. So why not graduate into a life of purpose, passion, and financial freedom? Tune in to Don’t Retire… Graduate! and let’s make your retirement the best years of your life.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 1, 2022 • 7min
Advice for Future Financial Advisors
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Jesse's question: "What advice do you have for someone interested in a career in finance or as an advisor?” The career path for a financial advisor is not well-defined, but there are several ways to get into the industry for a successful career. Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning or post it on our Facebook and it may be used in a future episode of Office Hours! Visit dontretiregraduate.com for a full transcript of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 25, 2022 • 31min
A Life Well Lived: Embracing Life by Doing Things You’ve Never Tried Before (Rerelease)
Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! As part of our summer throwback series, we’re bringing back some of our favorite episodes from seasons passed. This episode, originally released in season 3, features Heidi Herman, author of On with the Butter: Spread More Living onto Everyday Life. At 93 years old, Heidi’s mother made a list of 93 new experiences she wanted to try before she turned 94—from paragliding in Iceland to visiting the Great Barrier Reef to ziplining through the Mall of America. Now, Heidi joins us on the show to talk about the experiences her and her mother tried together and how they are inspiring others to embrace life fully. In this episode we’ll talk about: Heidi’s mother and her secret to embracing life Ideas for exciting new experiences and ways to find something new you can try regardless of age or ability Thinking about what you want to be when you grow up and what you want to do when you’re no longer tied to a career The icelandic saying of Áfram með Smjörið and how it inspired Heidi and her mother Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 18, 2022 • 7min
How Much Do You Need to Save for Retirement?
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Ryan's question: “When and how do you come with a hard figure goal for your retirement savings?” Setting a savings goal for retirement is trying to hit a moving target, so you should be revisiting this question regularly. But if you're trying to do the math, this episode can help. Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning or post it on our Facebook and it may be used in a future episode of Office Hours! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 11, 2022 • 30min
Why Are You Happy?: Finding Joy and Strength in the Wake of Tragedy (Rerelease)
Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! As part of our summer throwback series, we’re bringing back some of our favorite episodes from seasons passed. Today, we’re welcoming back Kristy Schiano, Yogi and owner of the Mindful Movement Center, to tell her story of tragedy, loss, strength, and resilience. While training for a triathlon, Kristy was hit by a truck and suffered severe physical and mental injuries, causing her to lose nearly everything—including the ability to walk and talk—but she held strong to hope and joy. Her recovery has centered around helping others manage their chronic pain through yoga and meditation. Listen to her story and take her extra credit assignment seriously (even if it won’t be graded)! *Please note this episode is rereleased from season 1, and we will NOT be taking a break. Come back next week for another episode of Office Hours!* In this episode we’ll talk about: Kristy’s story of being hit by a truck while training for a triathlon and needing to relearn everything we take for granted Financial, physical, and spiritual wellness and how they interact in our daily lives Using meditation and breathing techniques in times of stress and anxiety Pivot points we experience throughout our lives, both expected and unexpected Financial wellness, paying yourself first, and having a plan for the future Spirituality, religion, and the spiritual journey Kristy experienced through yoga The power of empathy and compassion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 4, 2022 • 8min
Why Do Financial Advisors Have Asset Minimums?
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Brianna's question: “What is the real reason that financial advisors have asset minimums?” Take a look under the hood to understand how financial advisors generate revenue, what asset minimums are for, and how BFG is doing things differently with Financial Planning for All. Have a question? Post it in the comments, tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning, or post it on our Facebook and it may be used in a future episode of Office Hours! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 28, 2022 • 29min
Generation Wars: How Millennials, Gen Xers, and Boomers are Planning for Financial Independence Differently (Rerelease)
Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! As part of our summer throwback series, we’re bringing back some of our favorite episodes from seasons passed. Today, we’re welcoming back our very own Yanni Niebuhr, CFP®, Chief Investment Officer here at BFG Financial Advisors. Originally released way back in our first season, this episode is still as relevant as ever and covers the financial planning from the perspectives of the Millennial and Gen X generations, and how people are planning differently about the next chapter of their lives. And please join us in congratulating our guest, who, in the time since this episode was recorded, welcomed his second baby boy! In this episode we’ll talk about: How retirement planning is a marathon, not a sprint, and why planning should start early How Yanni, a Towson University grad, got his start in financial planning and what he wants to be when he grows up The sandwich generation and multigenerational financial planning How millennials and adults in their twenties or thirties can be doing to prepare for retirement The average debt and student loans for recent grads and how it can hurt your financial independence Deciding what your financial priority should be Legacy planning and leaving behind things more important than money – freedom, independence, vision, values Talking about money within families and how views can vary with your parents, spouse, or grandparents Side hustles and how they’re impacting the idea of FIRE (financially independent retire early) Entrepreneurship and small business self-employment and how it can help you pursue your passions Social awareness and the importance it holds with younger generations Pensions, three-legged stools, social security and other antiquated retirement ideas being replaced by “you’re on your own” Living in two-income society vs older generations able to live on a single income Transferring wealth between generations, to children and grandchildren, in tax-efficient ways through life insurance, trusts, and 529 College Savings Plans without creating a Billy Madison situation Unemployment and underemployment, and the shrinking value of college degrees Visit dontretiregraduate.com for a full transcript of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 21, 2022 • 8min
Spending Your Assets: Understanding Safe Withdrawal Rates
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers April's question: “Why do some advisors say that taking 5% or more of your retirement nestegg out every year is dangerous?” Determining a reasonable withdrawal rate depends on factors including your asset level, retirement timeline, and age. Eric explains three different asset structuring strategies that can help you avoid outliving your money. Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning or post it on our Facebook and it may be used in a future episode of Office Hours! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 14, 2022 • 35min
Marrying Your Finances: Navigating Engagements, Marriages, and Divorces as a Couple (Rerelease)
Welcome back to Don’t Retire... Graduate! As part of our summer throwback series, we’re bringing back our very own Lena Nebel, CFP®, Chief Operating Officer here at BFG Financial Advisors. This episode, originally released in Season 3, dives into the topics around marriage that people don’t necessarily want to talk about, like how much to spend on the engagement ring, how to ask for a prenup, and what to do when you and your partner don’t agree on money topics. In this episode we’ll talk about: The major purchase of engagement rings and best practices for budgeting, choosing a ring, and getting it insured When to talk about finances with your partner and what you should be talking about Who should be considering a prenuptial agreement and how do you address it Roles and responsibilities in the relationship and how to merge them as a couple Combining finances and determining which account should be separate and who is financially responsible for what Finding the happy medium when a spender marries a saver How to handle inheritances after marriage and determining if it’s a marital asset Estate planning as a married couple Looking at benefits and beneficiaries with the possibility of widowhood in mind Visit dontretiregraduate.com for a full transcript of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 7, 2022 • 7min
What You Need to Know About Student Loans
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Shelby's question: “what do you think every student should know before taking out student loans?” Student loans can be confusing and there is a lot to know. We're talking about a few different factors including return on investment and whether or not the loan is subsidized. Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning or post it on our Facebook and it may be used in a future episode of Office Hours! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 30, 2022 • 33min
Making it Work: Discovering New Opportunities to Build a Business at Any Age (Rerelease)
Summer is in session but we’re not taking off! Throughout the season, we’ll be bringing back listeners’ favorite episodes from past seasons and answering brand new Office Hours questions! Today’s episode from season 2 (originally released at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic) features Cait Lockwood (formerly Caitlin Pyle), founder of Work-at-Home School and Proofread Anywhere, talking about how she went from being fired from a job to building a seven-figure company she could run from home. Listen to this great conversation about how you can build your own business without leaving the house—even if you’re already retired. In this episode we’ll talk about: Remote work and unemployment during and after the COVID-19 pandemic Cait’s journey from being fired to building two businesses Discovering the viability of full-time freelance work What it takes to be entrepreneurial and create your own company Advice for someone looking to change careers or generate additional income The three-step system for success as a freelancer Identifying the lies we’re programmed to believe that can keep us from reaching our full potential Breaking past the self-doubt that can hold you back and replacing them with truths Abundance mindset vs scarcity mindset Leveling up by identifying existing skills and learning new ones The importance of confidence in successfully launching as a freelancer Changing the way we see retirement and throwing out conventional idea of retirement The reality of fixed income and how you can un-fix it Thinking outside—or breaking out of—the box you’re in to make more money and reach financial independence Inflation rate and how it affects retirees and seniors more than the rest of us The main things seniors spend money on – leisure, health care, education for grandkids, and scratch-off lotto tickets The investment of online courses for building new skills Millennials, participation trophies, and accepting failure as a lesson Vetting online courses and creators and filtering out scams Understanding affiliate marketing and how you can use it to make commission income Using social media and your existing networks for market research and finding clients Visit dontretiregraduate.com for a full transcript of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
