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
Feb 20, 2020 • 34min
Managing Longevity Risk: How to Not Outlive Your Retirement Income with Dr. Wade Pfau.
Eric Brotman discusses ways to preserve your assets in retirement and which strategies you can use to create retirement income with Professor of Retirement Income, Wade Pfau, Ph.D. What is covered during the episode: Strategies for using and preserving retirement income. How reverse mortgages can be tools for retirement income. With pensions becoming more and more rare, different tools are needed to ensure financial independence in retirement. How annuities, Social Security, life insurance, and other financial tools should be managed in a financial plan. Managing longevity risk—making sure you don’t outlive your retirement income. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 6, 2020 • 29min
Finding Your Purpose in Retirement
Eric Brotman discusses ways to find purpose in your life, both before and during retirement, with the manager editor of the Money and Work & Purpose channels on NextAvenue.com, Richard Eisenberg. Bullet points of what is covered during the episode Relying on our careers to form our identities can cause identity crises during retirement. Boomers are redefining retirement in the way that millennials are redefining work. Financial literacy is lacking among all generations, but a solution is not as easy as it may seem. Financial advisement and planning becoming more accessible to the average, middle class person. Biases and gender differences when working with couples. Richard is the Managing Editor and Senior Editor of the Money and Work & Purpose Channels for NextAvenue.org. He has helped people manage their finances and careers as a writer and editor at major media outlets including Money, Yahoo!, CBS MoneyWatch, USA Today and Good Housekeeping. He has written two books, How to Avoid a Mid-Life Financial Crisis and The Money Book of Personal Finance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 23, 2020 • 31min
Financial Literacy Education with Certified Job and Career Development Coach Jayme Hayes
Eric Brotman discusses financial literacy education and how it impacts financial independence and retirement readiness with certified Job and Career Development Coach Jayme Hayes. In this episode: In a lot of cases, young adults and children are uneducated when it comes to financial literacy. It’s important to implement this education both at home and in classrooms. The cost of a college education and the big picture of the costs and alternative opportunities. Start saving now! Don’t just think about what you should do financially but start early and educate yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 19, 2019 • 30min
Overcoming Challenges and Inspiring Others to Thrive with Yogi Business Professional Kristy Schiano
Eric Brotman discusses Overcoming Challenges and Inspiring Others to Thrive with yogi business professional Kristy Schiano. In this episode: Moving your life through phases and coping with each phase. Mental, physical, emotional, spiritual healing through yoga therapy and integrating all forms of wellness including financial. Impact of gratitude and focusing on the present moments. Strategies for coping in a professional setting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 5, 2019 • 31min
Finding Happiness and Success in Retirement with retirement consultant Art Koff
Eric Brotman discusses finding happiness, success, and new careers in retirement with retirement consultant Art Koff. During the episode: Staying busy by doing things that make you happy in retirement. Finding unique ways to turn hobbies into careers. We are going to live longer than we ever expected and life will be more expensive than most have planned for are of great current interest. The cost of healthcare after retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 21, 2019 • 31min
Grooming your Children for the Family Business
Eric Brotman discusses retirement for one generation of a family business and transferring business responsibilities with family business expert Henry Hutcheson. In this episode: ● Retirement for one generation of a family business often hinges on the successful transfer of the business responsibility to the next generation - but this transition is tricky at best. ● What are the best practices from family businesses that survive the transfer? How to combine your purpose and profit to be successful. ● Mixing personal, family, and business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 24, 2019 • 33min
Repurposing your Lifelong Career
Eric Brotman discusses how profit and purpose can drive your success and repurpose your lifelong career with renowned author Marc Miller. In this episode: Career Pivots and the idea that logical incremental steps can take you anywhere career wise and otherwise. How to combine your purpose and profit to be successful. In today’s world, after education, we continue to work and morph every 10-15 years and our idea of being old changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 10, 2019 • 31min
Gender Differences in Financial Planning
Eric Brotman discusses how financial planning should differ between men and women and the benefits of a Health Savings Account with NBC’s TODAY Show’s Jean Chatzky. What you will learn on this episode: Financial planning issues that women face more than men. How to use an HSA to save and grow your money. Why financial literacy isn’t taught in schools. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 26, 2019 • 29min
Creating a Legacy Through Charitable Planning
Eric Brotman discusses different strategies to create a legacy that actually makes a difference in charitable planning, with CEO of Exponent Philanthropy, Henry Berman. “Giving is thoughtful and highly personal…It comes down to your values, what are your passions, what is important to YOU.” EB Everyone has the opportunity to be involved in philanthropy, it’s not just something for the Bill Gates and Warren Buffett’s of the world. All of us have opportunities to give and support people. Giving doesn’t always have to be complex. However, if you’re someone who gives over $10,000 a year, it might be time to find a company such as Exponent Philanthropy to help guide you. There are big changes in the way wealthier people group their deductions. ABOUT HENRY BERMAN As CEO since 2010, and a member since 2003, Henry leads Exponent Philanthropy, a vibrant membership organization that amplifies and celebrates the vital work of philanthropists who give big while keeping their operations lean. As co-trustee of a private foundation committed to supporting programs which foster the development of children with the intellectual, social and emotional skills necessary to achieve their full potential and become competent, happy and productive adults, he brings a firsthand understanding of the needs of philanthropists with few or no staff and a wealth of experience in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Neither Kestra IS nor Kestra AS provide legal or tax advice and are not Certified Public Accounting firms.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 12, 2019 • 30min
Income Strategies for Retirement Planning
Eric Brotman discusses understanding the roles of yields and dividends in retirement income planning with best-selling author Marc Litchenfeld. In this episode: The concept of retirement as graduating to the next stage of life “Rich” doesn’t always imply money but being able to live the life you want to live Marc’s 10,11,12 system (also covered in his book) this breaks down dividends, tax concepts, and long term investing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
