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Don't Retire...Graduate!

Don't Retire...Graduate!

By: Evergreen Podcasts
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About this listen

 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.All Rights Reserved 2022-25 Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Networking, Leadership, and Impact: Andrew Harrell’s Role in the Future of Financial Advice

    Networking, Leadership, and Impact: Andrew Harrell’s Role in the Future of Financial Advice
    May 22 2025
    Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! In today’s episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of the financial planning profession with our recurring segment, Diary of a Financial Advisor. I’m excited to welcome back Andrew Harrell—a second-time guest and a perfect example of what it looks like to excel and give back in the financial advisory field. Andrew’s journey is marked by involvement and leadership—not only within the firm but also as a newly minted board member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Maryland. He’s someone who truly believes in the collaborative spirit of financial planning, working to foster connections among advisors, drive awareness of legislative issues, and elevate the next generation of planners. In our discussion, Andrew and I dove into professional growth, the value of mentorship and collaboration amongst advisors, and the imperative of getting involved in advocacy through organizations like the FPA. We touched on why participating in these associations expands one’s perspective, and how collaboration trumps competition among advisors. Andrew shared his experience spearheading NextGen initiatives and explained how networking and community work not only benefit clients but enhance the profession as a whole. We also dove into the nuts and bolts of financial wellness, spotlighting BFG’s pioneering corporate financial wellness program—a benefit many don’t realize exists for employees at all levels, breaking the stereotype that financial advice is just for the wealthy. Andrew walked us through what it’s like to deliver hands-on guidance to folks navigating benefit packages, personal finances, and tough life decisions. And, of course, we chatted about the “wellness” aspect—what it means to equip clients with the tools and peace of mind they need to thrive not just financially, but holistically. Of course, I also had a little fun ribbing Andrew about his office nicknames, including “Young Protege” and “EJ” (Eric Junior), and we wrapped up with his vision for his future in the profession. 5 Key Takeaways: Collaboration Over Competition: Andrew emphasized that financial advisors can—and should—see each other as collaborators, not competitors. Networking with peers expands your perspective and helps everyone, including clients, succeed. The Value of Professional Associations: Being active in organizations like the Financial Planning Association provides community, advocacy, and professional development opportunities you won’t find working in a silo. Holistic Financial Wellness: Corporate financial wellness programs aren’t just about asset management; they’re about empowering employees of all levels to make informed decisions about their benefit plans, insurance, and other financial topics, bringing real peace of mind. Legislative Engagement Matters: The financial planning profession faces significant regulatory and legislative pressures. Advisors need to stay informed and get involved in advocacy to ensure their voices—and those of their clients—are heard. Impact Beyond the Numbers: Financial wellness means helping people feel good about their decisions, providing reassurance, and allowing them to focus on what matters most in life—without constantly worrying about money, assets, or benefits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 mins
  • Lessons from Gaming: Building a Career with YouTube Skills in the Financial World

    Lessons from Gaming: Building a Career with YouTube Skills in the Financial World
    May 15 2025
    Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! On today’s episode, we’re digging into the evolving world of content creation, self-directed IRAs, and the power of pivoting careers—especially when your passions and professional path take an unexpected but rewarding turn. I’m excited to introduce my guest, Jasmine Trocchia, former Marketing Manager for American IRA. Her journey is both fascinating and instructive—beginning as a YouTuber and content creator with over 200,000 subscribers as “Sally Green Gamer” and evolving into a digital marketing leader in the financial services sector. In our conversation, Jasmine walks us through her remarkable transition—how being a stay-at-home mom and playing Minecraft with her kids sparked a successful YouTube career and ultimately helped her acquire an impressive skill set. We discuss the nuances of building a personal brand, growing a social media following from scratch, and translating those hard-earned “YouTube skills” into a robust marketing toolkit. Jasmine shares what it took to monetize her online presence, the downsides and safeguards of being a family-friendly online creator, and what she learned about networking, SEO, and audience building. We then explore how Jasmine applied her grassroots expertise to American IRA, a self-directed IRA firm with over 20 years in the industry. She details the company’s growth, their new educational webinar series and podcast, and her passion for helping people invest in nontraditional assets like real estate through their retirement accounts. Jasmine’s candor about the challenges of marketing in a highly regulated financial services environment—especially compared to the creative freedom on her own channel—offers valuable insight for anyone navigating career pivots. Finally, Jasmine opens up about her vision for the future, her goals of becoming a Chief Marketing Officer, and her next creative adventure with a new lifestyle vlog channel that blends family, fun, and storytelling. Her story is an inspiring reminder that the skills and passions from one chapter of life are often the building blocks for the next. 5 Key Takeaways: Transferable Skills Are Invaluable: Jasmine’s experience as a YouTuber taught her everything from video editing and SEO to audience engagement, all of which she now leverages in her role as a marketing manager. No skill or job, no matter how unconventional, is ever wasted! Monetizing Your Passion Is Possible: Playing online games with her kids led to a profitable YouTube channel—proof that with consistency, strategy (and a little algorithm savvy), creative pursuits can become significant income streams. Community and Safety Matter: As a prominent family-friendly YouTuber, Jasmine implemented strict boundaries to protect herself and her audience, reminding us that digital success must be accompanied by careful online safety and ethics. Pivoting Is a Superpower: Jasmine’s transition from content creator to marketing leader underscores how adaptability and a willingness to learn can open unexpected doors—even in vastly different industries. The Financial World Needs Creative Thinkers: Jasmine’s marketing approach brings fresh energy to American IRA, leveraging social media, webinars, and podcasts to demystify self-directed IRAs and inspire broader financial education. Join us as Jasmine’s journey fires up your imagination about what’s possible in your own career. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with family, friends, and anyone who might be looking to turn their creative passions into meaningful work—or anyone curious about new frontiers in retirement planning! Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes as we help you graduate to your best financial future with purpose and passion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Building Financial Wellness and Community: Kobe Bolanos' Journey at BFG Financial Advisors

    Building Financial Wellness and Community: Kobe Bolanos' Journey at BFG Financial Advisors
    May 8 2025
    Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! In today’s episode, I’m delighted to bring you another entry in our “Diary of a Financial Advisor” segment, where we dive deep into the journeys, motivations, and unique perspectives of professionals in the financial planning world. Today, my guest is Kobe Bolanos, an Investment Operations Associate turned Financial Advisor at BFG Financial Advisors, and a dedicated advocate for financial literacy and community empowerment. I first met Kobe during his time at Stevenson University, and I’ve watched with pride as he’s grown from a recent graduate—overwhelmed by the complexities of investing—into a rising star at BFG. In our conversation, Kobe and I explore his transition from corporate finance to wealth management during the COVID era, and how an early reading of “Don’t Retire... Graduate!” first introduced him to the world of personal financial planning (even if it went way over his head at the time!). Kobe shares candidly about why he chose to join BFG over other opportunities, especially valuing our firm’s apprenticeship-style model that prioritizes education and mentorship over sales quotas. We discuss his hands-on experience with investment operations, associate work, and now advisory client meetings, and how this 360-degree perspective has deepened his appreciation for the emotional and behavioral elements of financial advice. We also talk about the importance of representation in the industry. Kobe recounts his experience attending his first large industry conference, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities that come with being an outlier in a room—and how that drives his passion for empowering others in his community. We dig into his specific interest in estate planning, the critical (and often overlooked) area he’s eager to champion for families and high earners alike. Throughout our conversation, Kobe emphasizes his holistic vision for the advisor role, blending financial guidance with conversations around wellness and life coaching. His ultimate goal? To help people become the best versions of themselves—financially, personally, and beyond. 5 Key Takeaways: The Power of Mentorship and Education: Kobe’s positive experience at BFG underscores the value of an apprenticeship model in building true advisory skills and prioritizing client relationships over sales targets. Financial Planning is Not One-Size-Fits-All: Every client’s goals and life situation are different, requiring truly personalized planning and a team-based approach for optimal outcomes. Emotional and Behavioral Finance Matter: Kobe notes that success in financial planning is about more than numbers—it’s about understanding the unique motivations and concerns of each client, and easing the emotional burden money often brings. The Neglected Importance of Estate Planning: Kobe is passionate about raising awareness for estate planning, pointing out that even high earners tend to overlook this crucial aspect of financial wellness—one that can have lasting generational impact. Representation and Community Impact: As a young advisor of color, Kobe is actively building his network through organizations like the Baltimore Estate Planning Council and QuadE. He sees himself as both an advocate and a role model, working to create a more inclusive and supportive industry for all. Join us on this episode as we celebrate the journey of a financial advisor who’s making a tangible difference—one client and one community at a time. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast with anyone looking to graduate into retirement with purpose, passion, and a solid plan! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    11 mins

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