Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Pulaski Planner Podcast: Your Retirement Lookout

Claim This Podcast

by Catherine Kirchner

9 episodes

Updated Daily

Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸

Podcast Overview

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.

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

11/6/2025

Visit Website View on Apple Podcasts RSS Feed

2 verified contact emails on file for Pulaski Planner Podcast: Your Retirement Lookout

Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.

See contact details

Recent Episodes

May 23, 2026

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: ⁠<a href="www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner</a>⁠Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get bi-weekly financial insights via my LinkedIn Newsletter,⁠ "<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7379626330017091584" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Pulaski Planner: Your Retirement Lookout</a>"⁠ Connect on LinkedIn.

April 22, 2026

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: <a href="⁠www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">⁠www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner</a>⁠Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get bi-weekly financial insights via my<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7379626330017091584" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"> LinkedIn Newsletter,⁠ "Pulaski Planner: Your Retirement Lookout</a>"⁠ Connect on LinkedIn.

April 2, 2026

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 CareTo learn more about working with a Fee Only Financial Planner that specializes in public land professionals, check out our website. <a href="https://www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner</a>Or subscribe to the Pulaski Planner newsletter on LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7379626330017091584" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7379626330017091584</a>

9 total episodes available

Deep-dive analytics for Pulaski Planner Podcast: Your Retirement Lookout

Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is Pulaski Planner Podcast: Your Retirement Lookout?: 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.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Legal Disclaimer

Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.

All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.

We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.

By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.