Take Back Retirement

Stephanie McCullough & Kevin Gaines
Take Back Retirement

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.

  1. 15 OCT.

    100: What GenX Women Need to Know About Retirement

    “We’re nothing if not resourceful. That’s our generation’s superpower.” -Kevin   In celebration of the 100th episode of Take Back Retirement, our hosts Stephanie and Kevin Gaines reflect on the defining characteristics of their very own generation–Gen X–and key lessons that women in this age bracket can put into practice today in preparing for retirement.   From the seismic shift from pensions to 401(k) plans, to navigating the rollercoaster of financial events like the 1987 Black Monday and the dot-com bubble at the turn of the century, today’s conversation explores the pivotal moments that molded an entire generation's approach to financial planning.   Our hosts shed light on the realities of midlife day-to-days in the 2020s, from dealing with the fallout of being the “Sandwich Generation” to considerations around financially supporting family members amid shaky times.   At the same time, Stephanie and Kevin celebrate the unique brand of resourcefulness that defines GenX, emphasizing their quest to find “balance, flexibility, and self-determination.”   Key Topics: The Defining Characteristics of GenXers (5:14) Why GenXers are More Cautious with Money (10:11) The “Sandwich Generation” (12:41) “How Do We Deal With All This Crap?” (18:05) Accepting That You Can’t Control Everything (22:28) Financially Supporting Family (32:02) Key Takeaways (34:12)     Resources: Leave a Voice Memo for Take Back Retirement Personal Financial Inventory Downloadable Resource Take Back Retirement Ep 15: What Women Need to Know About Social Security Take Back Retirement Ep 82: Getting the Most from Social Security: Smart Strategies for Women with Heather Schreiber Take Back Retirement Ep 21: Simplifying Medicare: What’s Important For You To Know with Susan Sloan Take Back Retirement Ep 14: What Women Need to Know About Caregiving and Elder Law with Cathy Sikorski     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.

    35 min
  2. 1 OCT.

    99: The Challenges and Opportunities of Defining Your Identity in Retirement with Elizabeth Parsons

    “Suddenly you've got to create the content of your life, and that's a completely new enterprise for most people we work with, and it's scary until you can get your hands in the clay and feel confident about having a process.” -Elizabeth Parsons   How do you deal with the massive shift that comes with stepping away from a high-powered career and into retirement?   Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines chat with Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons, founder of Encoraco, who has dedicated her life to guiding high achievers through the emotional and psychological challenges of retirement.   After leaving behind a prestigious legal career, Elizabeth was left feeling listless and incomplete. It was her relentless drive to rekindle that sense of purpose that led her to found a company that helps men and women just like her experience a “positive and empowered transition” into their post-career life.   Listen in as Elizabeth teaches us how to overcome the loss of identity and structural void that often accompany retirement. She discusses the art of designing a Life Mosaic, ways to recognize what's missing from your day-to-day, the importance of grieving the end of a career, and why it’s time for all of us to redefine the traditional notion of retirement!   Key Topics: Elizabeth’s Career and Post-Career Journey (3:47)  Elizabeth’s Typical Client (09:16)  Finding New Ways to Channel Your Professional Skills (19:03)  Why it’s Important to “Grieve” The Loss Of Your Career (20:39)  Existential versus Categorical Identity (28:00)  Consider Navigating Retirement with a Buddy! (32:22)  Metrics for Success (37:06)  Key Takeaways (41:50)   Resources: Learn more about Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons and Encoraco at www.encoraco.com Pre-order Elizabeth’s Book “Encore: A High Achiever’s Guide to Thriving in 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.

    45 min
  3. 16 SEPT.

    98: Conquering Internalized Ageism and Living Your Best Life after 65 with Ande Lyons

    “Age is just another journey that we need to learn to love and embrace, and see as the gift it is!”   Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines are joined by Ande Lyons, host of the Don't Be Caged by Your Age podcast. She’s redefining what it means to thrive after 65, and teaches us how to combat ageism at every level—whether it's institutional, societal, or internalized.   Finding and maintaining confidence and a sense of purpose in retirement is seldom easy. Ande gives us tips to stay engaged in later life, as well as essential steps for financial and mental wellness, all in order to ensure a life in retirement that’s worth the journey.   Our hosts and Ande also dive deep into the mindset shift that allows us to "age out loud.” Learn how platforms like Meetup.com can help build communities that bridge age gaps, and hear inspiring personal anecdotes about overcoming self-imposed limitations to pursue new passions after 65.   As Ande says, by embracing and reframing how we see those golden years, we open ourselves up to the possibility of new beginnings, renewed health and vigor, and exciting adventures that we never would have dreamed of pursuing in pre-retirement!   Key Topics: Internalized Ageism… What the Heck Does that Mean? (3:30) Overcoming Internalized Ageism (11:08) Managing your Energy Portfolio and “Aging Out Loud” (21:55) Finding Interest Groups with Meetup.com (27:37) “Ambition is Ageless!” (34:12) Key Takeaways (42:40)   Resources: Ande Lyons on LinkedIn Don’t Be Caged By Your Age (podcast) Take Back Retirement Ep 83: Combatting Fraud and Protecting Your Financial Future with AARP’s Kathy Stokes Thelma (movie)     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
  4. 30 AOÛT

    97: Why Do We Avoid Retirement Planning?

    “Most pre-retirees and retirees need and want help with the critical retirement decisions they face, but they’re not always certain where to find it.”   Is your retirement plan only scratching the surface? Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines uncover the common pitfalls that have kept retirees unprepared for the realities of their post-work years.   Drawing from the groundbreaking Stanford Center on Longevity study entitled Disconnected: Reality Versus Perception in Retirement Planning, Stephanie and Kevin talk about why it’s imperative to envision and plan for all aspects of retirement—beyond just your finances.   Learn how to overcome the natural human instincts that cause us to overlook important retirement considerations, and how to find advice specific to your unique life circumstances.   Our hosts also explain why retirement is a process rather than a destination, and how embracing flexibility can reduce financial stress and increase peace of mind. They explore how personal stories and periodic reminders can keep you on track, and why working with a real financial planner can provide invaluable holistic guidance.     Key Topics: Envisioning Your Later Years (4:56) “Human Beings Are Bad at Money.” (11:02) Overcoming Our Self-Imposed Planning Barriers (12:57) Just Yank the Bandaid Off! (15:20) Implementation Costs (19:30) Finding Advice Specific to You and Minimizing Uncertainty About Your Future (21:30) Which Of These Sentences Makes You Most Inspired to do Retirement Planning? (24:25) Financial Advisor vs “Stock Jockey” (28:45) Planning for Contingencies (30:02)   Resources: The study by Stanford Center on Longevity entitled Disconnected: Reality Versus Perception in Retirement Planning Take Back Retirement Episode 7: Here’s a Secret: We’re Guessing, and That’s OK Take Back Retirement Episode 95: Ready to Retire? Here are Five Crucial Questions to Ask Yourself     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.

    35 min
  5. 15 AOÛT

    96: Surviving Financial Infidelity with Jess Bost

    "Financial infidelity is in the category of infidelity and the root of it is a hiding and a lying about the truth."   Join our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines as they chat with Jess Bost, CFP at Lake Avenue Financial. She’s spent over 15 years coaching people to get from where they are to where they want to be. It’s a passion that finds its roots in her inspiring journey to overcome her own financial struggles.   For Jess, those struggles revolved around one of the toughest periods in her life: dealing with financial infidelity. Listen in as she opens up about the moment she discovered that her partner had been living a financial double-life–hiding mounting credit card debts, separate bank accounts, and loans that eventually led to their separation.   Jess reflects on how the shock of that revelation compelled her to take ownership of her finances, leading her down a path into the world of financial services and, thankfully, eventual reconciliation with her partner.   Through Jess’s experiences, you’ll learn why it’s so important to get clear about your strengths and weaknesses around financial management, as well as, if applicable, those of your partner. Jess is a staunch advocate for no-nonsense, transparent dialogue between spouses, especially early on in the relationship.   By getting clear about each other’s money management roles in marriage, you’ll be able to nip financial infidelity in the bud!   Key Topics: Jess’s Journey to Financial Services (3:56) Dealing with Her Partner’s Financial Infidelity (12:36) What Makes a Great Financial Advisor? (19:01) Defining Financial Infidelity (24:17) Figuring Out Your Own and Your Partner’s Ability to Manage Finances (35:20) Changing Mindsets and Beliefs Around Money through Financial Therapy (41:04) How to Deal with Financial Infidelity (44:07) Stephanie’s and Kevin’s Wrap-Up (49:26)   Resources: JessBost.com Jess Bost on LinkedIn Take Back Retirement #66: Transform Your Relationship with Money: Lessons from Bari Tessler   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
  6. 31 JUIL.

    95: Ready to Retire? Here are Five Crucial Questions to Ask Yourself

    “We believe that a simpler financial life, a less fraught financial life is one where you align your dollars with what's most important to you, with the life you want to lead, with your values.” - Stephanie Have you ever found yourself asking if the perfect moment to retire will ever come? Or whether you’ll even have enough to live on when that moment arrives?   These are tough questions that countless people grapple with. Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines talk ‘purposeful retirement’ and how you can set goals and navigate your post-work life with flexibility and a foolproof strategy!   They introduce five essential questions to help align your financial resources with your desired retirement lifestyle. By understanding why you are retiring, what you want to do, who you are retiring for, where you want to spend your later years, and how things can change going forward, you forge a path that is both fulfilling and financially stable!   Stephanie and Kevin show how meaningful planning can prevent the pitfalls of an aimless life in retirement. They introduce the concept of "time bucketing," which helps in making the most of your newly available hours.   You’ll also learn how to navigate common obstacles around our limited medical infrastructure and how to find the perfect retirement community. Find out how to pivot with grace and realign your priorities when you’re (inevitably) faced with changes along your retirement journey!   Key Topics: Why are you retiring? (4:47) What do you want to do? (11:10) Who are you doing this for? (13:45) Where do you want to do this? (19:07) How can things change? (24:09) Overcoming reluctance to spend your savings (31:18)   Resources: Take Back Retirement #74: Taking Charge: Carol Marak's Strategy for Solo Aging and Retirement Planning   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.

    36 min
  7. 15 JUIL.

    94: Practicing for Retirement: Balancing Creative Pursuits and Financial Planning with Mary Jo Hoffman

    “Think about practicing for retirement long before you get there.” -Mary Jo Hoffman   Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines sit down with aeronautical engineer-turned-artist Mary Jo Hoffman. Renowned for her captivating photography project, Still, Mary Jo shares her extraordinary journey from a 17-year career as a scientist into becoming a renowned essayist and found nature photographer!   Discover the pivotal moment when Mary Jo and her husband decided to switch roles in their professional lives, allowing her to fully embrace her creative passions. She talks about her spur-of-the-moment family move to France, which offered a cultural immersion for their children and a glimpse into what retirement could look like for her.   Balancing family life with a burgeoning creative career is no small feat. Mary Jo explains how she was able to integrate her newfound passion into her daily routine, and her secrets to staying productive as a creative while also being a stay-at-home parent.   They also delve into the practicalities of sustaining a creative career without compromising financial stability. Learn how living below your means can create the space needed for artistic endeavors.   Stephanie, Kevin, and Mary Jo touch on the importance of exploring various interests in preparation for retirement. According to Mary Jo, adaptability and thoughtful planning are non-negotiables on the road to a rewarding post-career life!   Key Topics: Practicing Retirement (0:03:38)  Diving Headfirst into the Arts in Retirement (0:14:56)  Being a Creative and Raising Kids (0:19:25)  “Start Now and Start Soon!” (0:25:27)  Monetizing Her Art and Writing Her First Book (0:31:24)  “Taking a Picture a Day” (0:44:28)  Why Mary Jo Had to Retire Before Becoming a Found Nature Photographer (0:48:27)  What Most Retirees Love to Do (0:53:29)  Our Closing Thoughts (0:56:58)   Resources: Mary Jo on Instagram STILL (blog) STILL: The Art of Noticing (book) Take Back Retirement Episode 87: Cultivating Creative Connections for Lifelong Wellness with Claire Waite Brown Take Back Retirement Episode 16: She Did It! Real Retirement Stories with Lori Osterberg     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.

    55 min
  8. 1 JUIL.

    93: She Did It! Real Retirement Stories with Sharon Johnson

    “It wasn't nearly as traumatic for me as I was expecting it to be. I was a little concerned about how I would transition from having to get up and having that routine to creating a new one.” - Sharon   Welcome to another edition of Real Retirement Stories - a series of Take Back Retirement. Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines chat with Sharon Johnson. After an illustrious 22-year career as an executive assistant at ABC Television, Sharon didn't slow down—instead, she switched gears and found a new calling co-hosting the 80s TV Ladies Podcast. Join in to hear her incredible journey from the bustling world of television execs to the equally dynamic realm of podcasting, where she revisits iconic 80s TV shows with a modern feminist perspective. Sharon’s story is a testament to the transformative power of embracing change and finding joy in unexpected places.   Sharon originally envisioned her retirement as a time for travel and catching up on missed TV series, but life had other plans. Through her podcast, she rekindled her love for classic 80s shows like "A Different World," gaining fresh insights into the progressive roles women played both in front and behind the camera. Sharon also shares her serendipitous entry into the television industry in the mid-90s, working for an independent production company, and how those experiences shaped her understanding of TV production and storytelling.   Whether you’re intrigued by the behind-the-scenes workings of TV production or the fresh perspectives that come with retirement, Sharon’s story is a celebration of staying active, engaged, and ever-curious. Don’t miss this inspiring episode filled with nostalgia, wisdom, and the boundless opportunities that come with retirement.     Key Topics: Sharon’s Original Plan for Retirement (04:07) 80s TV Shows and their Portrayal of Women (06:29) TV Industry Changes and Experiences of Women Behind the Camera (11:35) Retirement Concerns and Health Insurance Planning (17:27) Retirement and Transition from Office to Remote Work During COVID-19 (22:01) Analyzing Programs such as Grey’s Anatomy and Remington Steele (25:56) Retirement Planning, Identity, and Transition (37:37) Stephanie and Kevin’s Wrap-Up (43:13)     Resources: 80s TV Ladies 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.

    50 min
4,9
sur 5
16 notes

À propos

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.

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