Pulaski Planner Podcast: Your Retirement Lookout

Catherine Kirchner
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I'm your host, Catherine Kirchner. Join me as I sit down with seasoned USFS, NPS, BLM, and public lands professionals to capture their invaluable career stories and wisdom. We also dig into the financial toolkit—mastering your TSP, maximizing your FERS pension, and building a tax-efficient retirement plan. This is your guide to building a retirement that's as adventurous and meaningful as your career. Hosted by Catherine Kirchner, Financial Planner. For educational and entertainment purposes only.

Episodes

  1. 23 May

    Supporting Wellbeing in the Forest Service with Dr. Kalim Wigfall

    Forest Service Chief Wellbeing Officer Kalim Wigfall on EAP, Mental Health Month, and Supporting Wildland FirefightersIn this episode, host Catherine Kirchner speaks with Kalim Wigfall, Chief Wellbeing Officer for the U.S. Forest Service, about how he observes Mental Health Month by “doubling down” on routine check-ins and asking people how they’re really doing. Wigfall shares his background in behavioral health, military service in the Coast Guard and Navy, and how a suicide-ideation incident while serving as a Command Drug and Alcohol Representative led him into employee wellbeing work. He discusses moving beyond “checking the box” by listening at the “deck plate” level, improving trust and education around EAP confidentiality, and reframing mental health as a spectrum distinct from mental illness. The conversation covers financial stress as a workplace issue, EAP’s work-life services (including financial counseling and tax prep), typical low EAP utilization (4–7%), counseling wait times (about 4–7 days), wildfire-season demands, off-season challenges, and the importance of self-care and taking leave.00:00 Mental Health Month Check In01:02 Meet Kalim Wigfall02:10 Becoming Wellbeing Officer04:15 Beyond Checking Boxes06:33 EAP Trust And Stigma08:34 Financial Stress At Work10:09 EAP Financial Help Details13:37 Forest Service Responder Reality15:13 Wildfire Season And Off Season18:31 Self Care As A Tool20:13 Closing Thanks And ResourcesAbout Catherine Kirchner & The Pulaski PlannerHi, I'm Catherine Kirchner, a financial planner and the creator behind the Pulaski Planner. Based in Montana, I specialize in providing financial guidance for career professionals in the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, NPS, and other public lands agencies. I am a registered Investment Adviser Representative, having passed the Series 65 examination and am currently pursuing my CFP® designation. Our firm, Donalies Financial Planning, is a Fee-Only financial planning and investment management practice.Let's Connect:Schedule a Call: Ready to build your own retirement roadmap? Schedule a complimentary "Retirement Lookout Session" here: ⁠www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner⁠Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get bi-weekly financial insights via my LinkedIn Newsletter,⁠ "Pulaski Planner: Your Retirement Lookout"⁠ Connect on LinkedIn.

  2. 22 Apr

    Beyond the Forest: Jose Noriega's New Path in Public Service

    From Forest Service District Ranger to County Commissioner: Jose Noriega’s Unexpected Retirement PivotHost Catherine Kirchner interviews Jose Noriega, an Ely, Nevada native who spent 34 years with the U.S. Forest Service, including about 10 years as a wildlife biologist and later as a district ranger, retiring earlier than planned after workplace struggles and an early retirement option. His retirement initially felt like a shock: he slept in, stayed busy on his small farm raising goats and chickens, and felt lost because his wife and friends still worked. During local county commission turmoil, community members submitted his name and Nevada’s governor appointed him as a White Pine County commissioner; he is now running for the seat. Noriega discusses transferring community-connection skills to county work, frustration with bureaucracy, highlights like handling a tranquilized wolverine and being redirected from transporting wolves due to armed opposition, and retirement planning success through disciplined TSP investing.00:00 No More Excuses00:08 Show Intro00:53 Meet Jose Noriega01:29 Retirement Plans Upended02:48 Appointed Commissioner03:40 First Weeks Retired04:46 Forest Service Family06:56 Community Connections07:52 From Ranger to Commissioner09:24 Fighting Bureaucracy12:30 Campaign Update13:31 Wild Career Stories16:43 Retirement Money Lessons20:02 Wrap Up and Farewell20:17 Final TakeawaysAbout Catherine Kirchner & The Pulaski PlannerHi, I'm Catherine Kirchner, a financial planner and the creator behind the Pulaski Planner. Based in Montana, I specialize in providing financial guidance for career professionals in the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and other public lands agencies. I am a registered Investment Adviser Representative, having passed the Series 65 examination and am currently pursuing my CFP® designation. Our firm, Donalies Financial Planning, is a Fee-Only financial planning and investment management practice.Let's Connect:Schedule a Call: Ready to build your own retirement roadmap? Schedule a complimentary "Retirement Lookout Session" here: ⁠www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner⁠Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get bi-weekly financial insights via my LinkedIn Newsletter,⁠ "Pulaski Planner: Your Retirement Lookout"⁠ Connect on LinkedIn.

  3. 2 Apr

    Navigating the USFS Reorganization: Financial Considerations

    Four Financial Rules to Consider During Agency ReorganizationCatherine Kirchner, the Pulaski Planner, addresses public land professionals processing news of an agency reorganization and shares four financial considerations for deciding next steps. She explains that refusing a geographic reassignment can be an involuntary separation that may qualify for OPM discontinued service retirement (DSR) with an immediate annuity and continued health insurance if eligibility requirements are met. She advises seeking voluntary programs before leaving, including VERA (early retirement) and VSIP (a buyout capped at $25,000). For mid-career employees considering a deferred FERS pension, she highlights the lack of COLA while waiting and illustrates how inflation can reduce purchasing power. Finally, she reviews retirement options that allow keeping FEHB coverage, notes the costs of temporary continuation coverage, and reminds viewers to prioritize self-care and run the numbers before making major decisions.00:00 Reorg News Overview01:02 Rule One DSR Basics02:18 Rule Two VERA VSIP03:33 Rule Three Deferred Pension04:52 Inflation Impact Demo06:27 Rule Four Keep FEHB08:49 Wrap Up Self Care To learn more about working with a Fee Only Financial Planner that specializes in public land professionals, check out our website. https://www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner Or subscribe to the Pulaski Planner newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7379626330017091584

  4. 30 Jan

    New for 2026: The TSP In-Plan Roth Conversion (And How to Use It)

    The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) just launched a feature that changes the game for tax planning. As of January 2026, you can now convert Traditional TSP funds to Roth TSP funds without ever leaving the plan. In this episode, Catherine breaks down the logistics of this new tool and explains why federal employees—specifically those with a FERS pension—might want to consider paying taxes today to avoid a "tax bomb" in retirement. We discuss: The "Old Way" vs. "New Way" of doing Roth conversions. The Pro-Rata Rule: Why you can't choose which funds to convert. The Danger Zone: The TSP will not withhold taxes for you—here is how to handle the bill without getting penalized. The W-4 Hack: A simple trick in MyEPP/Employee Express to automate your tax payments. Links & Resources: Book a Call: https://www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner Visit the Website: https://www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner Connect on LinkedIn: Subscribe to the Pulaski Planner newsletter. This episode is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice.

  5. 16/12/2025

    Protecting Public Skies: Wildlife Conservation in Military Spaces, Interview with Will Boss

    An Interview with US Air Force Wildlife Biologist Will BossIn this episode of the Pulaski Planner, host Catherine Kirchner interviews Will Boss who is both a wildlife biologist and an active-duty member of the Air Force. He shares his journey from working with animals in Iraq to becoming a certified wildlife biologist in the Air Force. They delve into the importance of having clear goals and accountability partners, discuss current projects focused on mitigating bird and wildlife hazards to aircraft, and highlight the significance of combining military service with wildlife conservation. Additionally, Will shares crucial tools and equipment that aid in his work, emphasizing the importance of effective boots, GIS technology, and thermal vision for night surveys.00:00 Introduction and Bird Control Techniques00:17 Welcome to the Pulaski Planner00:41 Journey to Becoming a Wildlife Biologist03:49 The Importance of Setting Goals06:51 Current Projects and BASH Program13:24 Combining Passions: Military and Wildlife15:54 Essential Tools for a Wildlife Biologist19:43 Personal Stories and Final ThoughtsAbout Catherine Kirchner & The Pulaski PlannerHi, I'm Catherine Kirchner, a financial planner and the creator behind the Pulaski Planner. Based in Montana, I specialize in providing financial guidance for career professionals in the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and other public lands agencies. I hold a Series 65 license and am currently pursuing my CFP® designation.Let's Connect:Schedule a Call: Ready to build your own retirement roadmap? Schedule a complimentary "Retirement Lookout Session" here: ⁠www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner⁠Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get bi-weekly financial insights via my LinkedIn Newsletter,⁠ "Pulaski Planner: Your Retirement Lookout"⁠ Connect on LinkedIn.

  6. 21/11/2025

    Weathering the AI Storm: Forest Succession & Financial Bubbles

    Headlines are asking the same question: "Is the AI bubble about to burst?" It brings up painful memories of the Dot-com crash or 2008. But do these headlines actually matter to your personal financial plan? In this episode of the Financial Toolkit series, I give you a diagnostic tool to look under the hood of the market yourself: the P/E Ratio. Using a simple analogy involving a Skid Steer, we break down exactly how bubbles form (when price disconnects from earnings) and whether the current AI craze matches the dangerous bubbles of the past. In this episode, we cover: The Skid Steer Analogy: How to use the Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio to tell if an investment is a "fair deal" or "pure hype." Dot-Com vs. AI: Why the current "Mag 7" tech rally is fundamentally different from the bubbles of the early 2000s. Forest Succession Strategy: Why your portfolio needs both "Pioneer Species" (fast-growing, volatile tech stocks) and "Climax Species" (stable, established trees) to survive the storm. Lessons from History: What 17th-century Dutch Tulip Mania teaches us about human nature and market cycles. Whether the bubble pops, deflates, or keeps growing, the goal is to ensure your plan is resilient enough to handle the weather. About Catherine Kirchner & The Pulaski Planner I'm Catherine Kirchner, a financial planner and creator of the Pulaski Planner. Based in Montana, I specialize in financial guidance for career professionals in the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and public lands agencies. Let's Connect: Schedule a Call: Ready to build your own retirement roadmap? Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get bi-weekly financial insights via my LinkedIn Newsletter: The Pulaski Planner Connect on LinkedIn: Catherine on LinkedIn Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

  7. 20/11/2025

    Bridging Science, People, and Place: Interview with Scott Feldhausen

    What happens when you realize that managing the land is actually about managing people? In this episode of the "Community Wisdom" series, I sit down with Scott Feldhausen, a recently retired District Manager for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).Scott shares his compelling journey from early aspirations in aquaculture to a distinguished career stewarding diverse landscapes—from the rivers of Idaho to the deserts of Arizona.He dives deep into the reality of the job: that success in public lands isn't just about biology or ecology. It's about balancing scientific rigor with the complex human interactions that come with managing multiple-use lands.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:29 Career Beginnings and Early Experiences01:28 Transition to Habitat Management01:47 Joining BLM and Learning People Management02:39 Career Highlights and Challenges04:28 Moving to Arizona and Embracing the Desert06:20 Reflections on Career and Retirement07:22 Insights on Resource Management and Leadership20:22 Current Projects and Future Plans22:50 Final Thoughts and FarewellAbout Catherine Kirchner & The Pulaski PlannerHi, I'm Catherine Kirchner, a financial planner and the creator behind the Pulaski Planner. Based in Montana, I specialize in providing financial guidance for career professionals in the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and other public lands agencies. I hold a Series 65 license and am currently pursuing my CFP® designation.Let's Connect:Schedule a Call: Ready to build your own retirement roadmap? Schedule a complimentary "Retirement Lookout Session" here: www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-plannerSubscribe to the Newsletter: Get bi-weekly financial insights via my LinkedIn Newsletter, "Pulaski Planner: Your Retirement Lookout"Connect on LinkedIn.Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice.

  8. 17/11/2025

    Navigating Tax Waters: Is a Roth Conversion Right For Your Retirement Plan?

    Welcome to The Pulaski Planner, your retirement lookout. In this episode, host Catherine Kirchner guides public land professionals through a powerful analogy that will change the way you think about retirement taxes: the river lock system. Discover how understanding tax brackets is like navigating a series of river locks, and why this simple analogy can help you make smarter decisions about your retirement income. We’ll break down: How progressive tax brackets really work (and common misconceptions)The impact of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) on your retirement incomeThe “tax flood” problem and how to avoid being caught off guardThe strategic benefits of Roth conversions—taking control of your tax futureWhy timing and planning can lead to long-term peace of mindCatherine shares practical tips and cautions, reminding listeners that every financial situation is unique and that consulting a qualified advisor is essential before making big decisions. Are you ready to take control of your financial future, or will you wait for the flood? Tune in for actionable insights and subscribe for more retirement wisdom tailored to public land professionals. Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.

  9. 06/11/2025

    The Man Who Draws The Lines: Interview with BLM Surveyor Monte King

    What's it like to find an original survey monument from the 1850s, knowing you're the first person to touch it in over 150 years? For Monte King, a Supervisory Land Surveyor for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), it's the "thrill" of the job. In the very first "Community Wisdom" episode of the Pulaski Planner podcast, I sit down with Monte for a fascinating look into the world of cadastral survey. As a second-generation federal employee, Monte shares what it's like to have a career that is a mix of being a historian, an investigator, and a technical expert. His passion for his work is infectious—he's a self-described "lifer" who plans to "continue surveying" long after he's eligible for retirement because he loves the work so much. In this conversation, Monte shares: The investigative "thrill" of tracing 1800s deeds and uncovering original corner markers. The vital, unsung role cadastral survey plays in our public lands—from enabling fire rehabilitation to providing the essential boundary data for the mapping apps we all use, like onX Maps. His non-traditional career path to becoming a licensed surveyor without a college degree. The "family sacrifice" and professional advantages of moving 5-6 times for career advancement. His passion for legacy, including co-authoring a BLM curriculum to inspire the next generation of surveyors. This conversation is a powerful reminder of what a career built on passion, mission, and stewardship truly looks like. About Our Guest Monte King is a second-generation federal employee and a Supervisory Land Surveyor for the BLM in Idaho. His career started in 1996 and has taken him to 17 states across 4 BLM State Offices. He is licensed in Alabama and Idaho. About Catherine Kirchner & The Pulaski Planner Hi, I'm Catherine Kirchner, a Financial Planner and the author of the Pulaski Planner. Based in Montana, I specialize in providing financial guidance for career professionals in the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and other public lands agencies. Let's Connect: Schedule a Call: Ready to build your own retirement roadmap? Schedule a complimentary "Retirement Lookout Session" here. Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get bi-weekly financial insights via my LinkedIn Newsletter, "Pulaski Planner: Your Retirement Lookout" Connect on LinkedIn: Catherine Kirchner on LinkedIn Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice.

  • 9 Episodes

About

I'm your host, Catherine Kirchner. Join me as I sit down with seasoned USFS, NPS, BLM, and public lands professionals to capture their invaluable career stories and wisdom. We also dig into the financial toolkit—mastering your TSP, maximizing your FERS pension, and building a tax-efficient retirement plan. This is your guide to building a retirement that's as adventurous and meaningful as your career. Hosted by Catherine Kirchner, Financial Planner. For educational and entertainment purposes only.

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