Don't Retire...Graduate!

About Don't Retire...Graduate!

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.

Publisher

Eric Brotman

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Dec 2018

Latest episode

26 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 255 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   26 Mar 2026

   Reinventing Retirement: Jack Calhoun Shares Wisdom on Purpose, Identity, and Encore Careers

   Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! In today’s episode, we’re exploring one of the most critical and overlooked aspects of retirement: transitioning your identity, purpose, and fulfillment as you move into the next chapter of life. Joining me for this conversation is Jack Calhoun, the founder and president of Encore Career Lab. Jack isn’t just a seasoned entrepreneur after leading a wealth management firm from $50 million to over $1.5 billion in assets and selling the business in his early 50s, Jack faced the emotional and identity challenges that often come after a primary career ends. Through his own post-career journey of “wondering and wandering,” Jack discovered firsthand that financial planning alone is never enough. Jack and I dove into the parallels between our journeys, both as liberal arts majors and as people who built companies, stepped away from the top job, and then wondered “what’s next?” Together, we unwrapped the deeply personal and often daunting process of redefining yourself and finding meaning once the “what do you do?” The question no longer has a simple answer. Jack candidly shared the psychological hurdles many face upon retirement, especially for high achievers who tied their identity so closely to professional success. We discuss the pitfalls of thinking retirement is only about “doing the math,” and the dangers of the so-called Striver’s Curse where career-driven people lose their sense of purpose and can become rudderless once the striving ends. Jack’s experiences and research led him to develop Encore Career Lab, a program designed to help successful professionals regain their “rudder,” starting with “why,” then the “what,” and finally, the “how.” We explore his three-phase approach to post-career transformation, the importance of generativity (the drive to give back and pass on wisdom), and why building a roadmap for fulfillment, not just finances, is vital in modern retirement. 5 Key Takeaways: Identity Challenges After Retirement: Jack illustrated how even strong, career-driven individuals can underestimate the existential impact of leaving their professional roles, discovering that so much of our identity is tied to what we do and contribute. Purpose Is More Important Than Leisure: We debunked the myth that endless recreation leads to fulfillment, revealing that humans are wired for purpose, meaning, and generativity and that’s what produces happiness beyond financial freedom. Start with Why: Jack’s work with Encore Career Lab emphasizes discovering your “why” before choosing what you’ll do and how you’ll do it post-career; clarity on purpose leads to choices that align with your values and lead to true fulfillment. The Risk of Losing Your Rudder: Without intentional planning, retirees often become overwhelmed, dabble without direction, or feel paralyzed by too many options; a structured process is vital to avoid feeling rudderless or self-conscious about your next steps. Generativity as the Common Thread: As people mature, the drive to give back and share accumulated wisdom becomes a universal impulse. Jack observed that everyone drawn to his program feels a compulsion to help others and leave a legacy making mentorship, teaching, and service recurring encore themes. Join us for this inspiring conversation on redefining the very nature of retirement from a finish line to a commencement. If you or someone you know is approaching a new phase of life and seeking more than just financial security, this episode will open your eyes to the possibilities of true graduation. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with anyone eager for a purpose-filled future!

2. 

   20 Mar 2026

   Beyond Finance: How BFG Connects with Clients Nationwide Through Social Events

   Welcome back to Diary of a Financial Advisor! In today’s episode, I’m excited to welcome a very special guest: Jennifer Palumbo, our Client Relations Associate at BFG Financial Advisors. Since joining in 2015, Jen has become the beating heart of our client experience, often serving as the first point of contact and an ever-present champion for our clients across the country. In our conversation, Jen and I explore how BFG’s “Meet and Mingle” events have become a tradition—shaping our firm’s culture, deepening relationships with clients, and making financial services more personal and accessible. We delve into Jen’s journey with BFG, including her pivotal role in executing these events from behind the scenes and on the front lines. Together, we reflect on the firm’s rapid growth—from a tight-knit team of seven to a group of 25 professionals serving clients in 37 states—and how our commitment to building authentic client connections remains unwavering. Jen shares what makes these meet and mingles different from typical industry seminars: no presentations, no pressure, just authentic connections, great food, and fun. She talks about the logistics, personal touches that make each event unique, and offers insights into how our team ensures every client, regardless of location, feels valued. We also discuss how the BFG client relations team leverages technology and proactive staff growth to maintain a superior client experience as our community expands nationwide. If you’ve ever been curious about how we bring people together beyond the numbers, or want to know how you can get involved—or even host an event in your hometown—this episode is for you! 5 Key Takeaways: Meet and Mingles Foster Connection: Our “Meet and Mingle” events aren’t about formal lectures—they’re designed to break down barriers and allow clients, families, and friends to build relationships in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. Personalized Client Experiences Matter: Jen’s role showcases how knowing clients beyond transactional emails—face-to-face at events—deepens trust, builds rapport, and personalizes the BFG experience. Growth with Heart: BFG’s expansion from a local firm to serving 37 states is matched by an intentional, client-first culture—a testament to proactive staffing, strong leadership, and maintaining the “family” feel even as we grow. Adaptability and Tradition: While we innovate with technology and outreach, traditions like our Lutherville event and creative additions in cities like Frederick, Harlingen, and Northern Virginia demonstrate our commitment to keeping clients engaged and appreciated. Client Input Shapes the Future: Jen encourages clients remote from our event locations to reach out—if there’s interest in your area, we’re always open to new opportunities for gathering and connection. Join us as we celebrate the power of community in financial services, the people-first approach at BFG, and the value in making every client feel at home. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with those interested in transforming relationships with their financial team! 00:00 "Diary of a Financial Advisor" 06:37 "Meeting New Clients and Connections" 07:51 Event Planning & Client Outreach 12:25 "Financial Freedom Webinar Recap"

3. 

   12 Mar 2026

   Breaking Financial Overwhelm: Andrea Ewalefo's VIBES Framework for Neurodivergent Women

   Host [Host Name] interviews Andrea Ewalefo, JD, MBA, founder and CEO of Modern Lady Vibes, about her VIBES framework for neurodivergent women to overcome financial overwhelm and build wealth.

Inside a recent episode

It’s Time to Stop Complaining: Surviving and Thriving in a State of Collective Trauma

Published 21 Oct 2021 · Transcript excerpt

[…] So then as human beings, we have to protect our minds and our bodies and our spirit as well as our finances, which is where you come in, but it's to your point of watching what we read, what we listen to. I would say the average American is not even aware that so much of what they're watching and listening to is celebrity news intended to make millions and millions of dollars for the network or the individual, you know, person broadcasting. So to me, I listen to 20 minutes a day, that's all I need to know what's going on. I'm very careful what I read and I read and watch and I get my clients to be very conscious as well of, you know, how they're sleeping, how they're eating, just the basics to fortify themselves against what's coming at us because to your point, when you look at, you know, what happened in the past, we were not inundated with the constant news and negativity that we are today because of social media, you know, it's just overwhelming. […]

Who has been a guest on Don't Retire...Graduate!

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Andrea Ewalefo
• Linda Grizely
• Linda
• Neal Oates Jr
• Erin Voisin

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

57,665

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 67 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

99

Social presence

0

YouTube

85

Engagement

0

Contact Don't Retire...Graduate!

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Don't Retire...Graduate!