92 episodes

You’re a woman on the cusp of “retirement” naturally feeling some anxiety. We are two financial planners who take this subject seriously (but ourselves less so). We will help you feel more confident about your choices by cutting through the myths and mysteries. Through conversations and interviews with both subject-experts and women who have gone through what you are approaching, you will have the correct information and motivation to be in control of your future.

Take Back Retirement Stephanie McCullough & Kevin Gaines

    • Education

You’re a woman on the cusp of “retirement” naturally feeling some anxiety. We are two financial planners who take this subject seriously (but ourselves less so). We will help you feel more confident about your choices by cutting through the myths and mysteries. Through conversations and interviews with both subject-experts and women who have gone through what you are approaching, you will have the correct information and motivation to be in control of your future.

    91: Securing Your Retirement: Key Insights and Strategies

    91: Securing Your Retirement: Key Insights and Strategies

    “If the average life expectancy for a woman is around 86, 87, fully 50% of women live longer than that. So, you can't plan just to age 87.”
     
    Can a simple quiz change the way you think about retirement? Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines uncover the hidden gems (and not-so-shiny stones) within retirement planning quizzes and surveys, especially a revealing retirement income literacy quiz from the American College of Financial Services. Our hosts dismantle common myths, like the idea that Medicaid will seamlessly cover long-term care costs, and arm you with the knowledge to navigate these complex waters.
     
    Have you ever considered how rising long-term care costs and inflation might impact your golden years? This discussion, inspired by findings from the National Institute for Retirement Security, paints a vivid picture of these pressing issues. From Medicare and Social Security to life insurance, 401k plans, and annuities, Stephanie and Kevin dissect the tools at your disposal. By highlighting the importance of basic investing principles and the balance of risks, they aim to help you safeguard your savings against inflation and elongate your nest egg for a potentially longer retirement.
     
    In a climate where up to 80% of women sense a looming retirement crisis, how can you alleviate your retirement anxiety? Our hosts explore the shift from employer-provided pension plans to self-funded retirements, and why Social Security remains a lifeline for many. Rising living, healthcare, and long-term care costs are at the forefront of concerns, making financial planning more crucial than ever.
     
     
    Key Topics:
    Why Did Stephanie and Kevin Take a Retirement Income “Literacy” Quiz? (02:11) Long-term Care, Medicare vs Medicaid, and More (04:10) What Women Think about Retirement (07:49) Life Expectancy Beyond 65 and its Impact on Retirement Finances (14:37) Looking Beyond Investments in Retirement Planning (19:08) Women's Outlook on Retirement (Crisis) (21:40) Longevity “Literacy” (27:32) Wrap-Up (32:26)  
     
    Resources:
    Take Back Retirement Episodes:
    82: Getting the Most from Social Security: Smart Strategies for Women with Heather Schreiber 15: What Women Need to Know About Social Security 21: Simplifying Medicare: What’s Important For You To Know with Susan Sloan 60: What Women Need to Know About Annuities  
     
     
    If you like what you’ve been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
     
    Find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
     
    Follow Stephanie: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 
    Follow Kevin: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

    • 34 min
    90: Guiding Women to a Richer, More Fulfilling Retirement with Dan Haylett

    90: Guiding Women to a Richer, More Fulfilling Retirement with Dan Haylett

    “Human beings going into retirement will find every excuse to not spend their money” - Dan Haylett
     
    Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines sit down with financial advisor Dan Haylett. As the host of the “Humans Vs Retirement” podcast, Dan tells us how he inspires retirees to grab life by the horns and experience true wealth in their later years.
     
    Listen in as Dan breaks down the five Fs of retirement, how to find meaning in a post-career life, the importance of asking what it is you’re retiring to rather than simply what you’re retiring from, and how to overcome the fear of spending your savings once you finally cross that threshold into retirement.
     
    He also addresses the all-too-common fear of running out of your hard-earned money after stepping away from your career life. Dan teaches us to shatter that paradigm by putting our money to work and reframing the idea of “leaving a legacy” to our children.
     
    Key Topics:
    The Five Fs of Retiring Successfully (3:42) Helping Retirees Find Purpose in Retirement (8:45) Reframing the Structure of Your Life in Retirement (18:24) Overcoming Frugality (25:00) Embracing Future Adjustments (32:32) Getting Comfortable with Uncertainty (36:40) Asset Location, Asset Assignment (40:20) The New Retirement Mindset (48:11) Stephanie and Kevin’s Wrap-Up and Takeaways  (51:52)  
    Resources:
    www.humansvsretirement.com The Humans vs Retirement Podcast The Human Quirk of Relative & Absolute Outcomes  
     
    If you like what you’ve been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
     
    You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
     
    Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 
    Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

    • 52 min
    89: Navigating the Emotional and Practical Realms of Eldercare Management with Nancy May

    89: Navigating the Emotional and Practical Realms of Eldercare Management with Nancy May

    "Dad, you trusted me with everything. I'm trusting you with the truth.” -Nancy May
     
    Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines sit down with Nancy May, who drops some real truth bombs relating to eldercare and supporting aging parents and relatives. Nancy’s personal journey sheds light on the complexities and sacrifices involved in this critical role. This candid discussion unpacks the essentials, from establishing a durable power of attorney to assembling a dependable team of legal and financial advisors.
     
    When the care of loved ones falls into your hands, knowing how to navigate family dynamics and the challenges of coordinating care is crucial. This episode peels back the layers of emotion and responsibility that come with making critical decisions, whether it's choosing the right elder care facility or handling the financial burdens that come with it.
     
    The conversation turns to practical strategies for caregiver training, maintaining a cohesive care team, and ensuring the highest quality of life for our aging parents. Nancy's resources, such as her book "How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies," and her podcast, Eldercare Success, provide listeners with actionable advice and the essential conversations to have now for a better-prepared future. Listen in for a deeper understanding of the eldercare landscape, and the tools to confidently step into the role of caregiver.
     
     
    Key Topics:
    Welcome, Eldercare Expert, Nancy May (02:33) Financial and Emotional Impacts on Caregivers of Aging Parents (04:04) Caregiving Responsibilities and Decision-making for Aging Parents (07:50) End-of-life and Estate Planning (13:21) Aging Care Facilities, What to Know (23:42) The Importance of Understanding Contracts and Quality of Care (28:45) Finding and Managing Trusted Caregivers for Elderly Parents (38:27) Stephanie and Kevin’s Wrap-up and Takeaways (49:42)  
     
    Resources:
    HowToSurvive911.com How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies (book) Eldercare Success Podcast  
     
    If you like what you’ve been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
     
    You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
     
    Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 
    Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

    • 54 min
    88: Radical Self-Acceptance: A Path to Financial Wellness for Women with ADHD with Diann Wingert

    88: Radical Self-Acceptance: A Path to Financial Wellness for Women with ADHD with Diann Wingert

    “Every single thing in my life that has ever terrorized me and terrified me, and I avoided like nobody's business, when I finally either had no place else to run, or I chose to turn around and face it, it has never been as bad as I thought it would be. It has never been as shameful as continuing to avoid.”
     
    Our hosts Stephanie McCullough of Sofia Financial and Kevin Gaines of American Financial Management Group chat with Diann Wingert, a seasoned cognitive behavioral coach, about all things financial and mental well-being as a woman with ADHD.
     
    Ever wondered how ADHD plays out differently in women? This episode shatters misconceptions, revealing why so many women slip through the cracks of diagnosis. Our hosts and Diann dissect the subtypes of ADHD, emphasizing the often overlooked inattentive presentation common in women. Diann’s journey to diagnosis at 60 underscores the urgency for awareness and tailored support. They tackle the daily battles and the broader societal implications, like the struggle with impulse control that can drive compulsive shopping and the resulting financial and emotional toll.
     
    Finally, Stephanie, Kevin, and Diann wrap up with a powerful call to radical self-acceptance and the transformative effects of mindfulness in combating cognitive biases. Discover how embracing your unique ADHD traits can lead to more effective self-advocacy and stronger relationships. By adopting lifestyles that play to our strengths, women with ADHD can lead less stressful and more fulfilling lives. Tune in for a heart-to-heart that promises not only understanding but also actionable strategies for thriving with ADHD.
     
    Key Topics:
    Welcome, Diann Wingert (02:32) ADHD in Adults, and Differences in Presentation between Men and Women (04:26) ADHD Diagnosis and Management for Women and Implications of Different Subtypes (08:49) ADHD Challenges and Diann’s Experience with a 25-Year Gap in Diagnosis (13:54) The Challenges of Working from Home for Women with ADHD (18:43) ADHD, Impulsive Spending, and Other Financial Hurdles (22:45) Personal Finance, ADHD, and Mindfulness (27:11) Avoidance, Lack of Planning, and Other Financial Challenges (33:52) Overcoming Negative Self-Talk and Self-Doubt Through Mindfulness and Affirmations (39:01) Stephanie and Kevin’s Wrap-Up (52:46)  
     
    Resources:
    The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast DiannWingertCoaching.com  
     
    If you like what you’ve been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
     
    You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
     
    Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 
    Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

    • 56 min
    87: Cultivating Creative Connections for Lifelong Wellness with Claire Waite Brown

    87: Cultivating Creative Connections for Lifelong Wellness with Claire Waite Brown

    “It's not a line that you are either academic or creative, or you are either scientific or creative, or you are either mathematical…They're not separate.” -Claire Waite Brown
     
    Ever felt like your creative spark got lost in the shuffle of life? Our hosts Stephanie McCullough of Sofia Financial and Kevin Gaines of American Financial Management Group sit down with Claire Waite Brown, the host of the Creativity Found Podcast and founder of CreativityFound.co.uk
     
    Claire helps us break down the barriers that have kept us from embracing our inner artist, whether it's the false notion that creativity equals advanced skill or the stifling labels of our youth. Claire's stories of individuals who've rekindled their creative pursuits later in life are nothing short of inspiring, serving as a beacon for all of us looking to weave creativity back into our lives.
     
    Our hosts and Claire dive into the world of creative hobbies, not just as pastimes, but as vital social and physical lifelines that enrich our existence and connect us to others. They explore the personal and practical obstacles that often hold us back from our creative endeavors, from limited resources to internal doubts. But here's the kicker: embracing creativity isn't just about picking up a paintbrush or a microphone; it's a journey of self-discovery and growth that's waiting for us to take the first step, at any stage of life.
     
     
    Key Topics:
    Welcome Claire Waite Brown! (02:35) Creativity, Self-Expression, and Labeling (03:10) The Benefits of Creative Hobbies for Adults (08:17) Creativity and Personal Growth (18:24) Creative Pursuits and the Challenges of Monetizing Them (23:48) Creative Journeys and Overcoming Challenges (28:38) Where to Re-Spark Your Creative Flame (33:01) Stephanie and Kevin’s Wrap-Up (38:40)  
     
    Resources:
    CreativityFound.co.uk Creativity Found Podcast  
     
    If you like what you’ve been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
     
    You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
     
    Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 
    Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

    • 42 min
    86: The Success Number: Calculating What You Really Need to Earn with Ella Glasgow

    86: The Success Number: Calculating What You Really Need to Earn with Ella Glasgow

    “I first ask this question: What is the number to make you feel successful? You and no one else. It might be a scary number. There’s nothing wrong with fear.” -Ella Glasgow
     
    Ever felt the anxiety-inducing pressure of pinning a price tag on your brainchild? Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines break that down with guest Ella Glasgow, who's not only a virtual event maestro and vocalist but also a sage when it comes to the alchemy of pricing your services.
     
    Our hosts and Ella steer into the heart of the matter, unveiling the concept of a financial success number—a personalized number that varies wildly between individuals. The journey here is not just about the figures; it's a deep dive into the psyche, untangling the knotted threads of fear that often sway our financial direction. This episode guides you through the practical steps, almost like a financial recipe, to define, calculate, and strategize your way from your present financial landscape to your very own vision of success.
     
    The episode crescendos with an exploration into the intersection of self-assurance and the daunting task of pricing one's worth. Charging for services can often feel like a tightrope walk over a chasm of self-doubt. Yet, this chat reveals how to transform that trepidation into tenacity by pricing based on value and not the whispers of fear. With Ella's insights and personal stories of triumph, this episode isn't just a conversation—it's a confidence booster shot for entrepreneurs (current and potential!) ready to stand tall and claim their worth in the marketplace.
     
     
    Key Topics:
    Welcome, Ella Glasgow! (02:12) How Ella Arrived to this Work (05:00) Understanding Money and Business for Creatives (09:02) Success and Financial Goals through Personalized Equation (13:39) Budgeting and Financial Success (18:07) Personal Growth through Financial Literacy (22:10) Pricing Your Worth and Confidence in Business (27:48) Using AI Tools for Market Research and Understanding Audience Needs (38:25) Retirement Planning and Financial Goals (43:36) Stephanie and Kevin’s Takeaways (44:30)  
     
    Resources:
    Ella Glasgow on LinkedIn BeyondVirtualEvents.com Dream Ignition Bootcamp: Ella’s Course she’s offering for $97 for listeners of Take Back Retirement  
     
     
    If you like what you’ve been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
     
    You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
     
    Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 
    Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

    • 48 min

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