Episodes

Facing major life changes can feel overwhelming, especially when the future is unclear and the stakes are high. How do you move forward when fear, finances, and identity are all shifting at once? In this episode, I chat with Claudia Porter, CFP®, CDFA®, Wealth Advisor at RFG Advisory, about navigating divorce, financial uncertainty, and rebuilding life with purpose. She shares her personal journey from feeling financially powerless to taking control, the mindset shifts that helped her move forwa...

What happens when retirement stops being a finish line and starts being a choice? What if the biggest barrier between you and financial freedom isn’t the math, it’s the mindset? In this episode, I sit down with Bernadette Joy, author and CEO of CRUSH Your Money Goals®, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to take control of your finances, redefine what retirement means to you, and finally stop waiting for the “right” time to live the life you actually want. We talk about the mome...

One hundred episodes in. More than a milestone, this is a window into the heart behind the work. In this episode, I reflect on what it means to reach Episode 100 of the Simply Retirement Podcast, alongside the people who know me best, my family, Dawn Blake, Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot, and Eric L. Blake. We talk about why helping women feel confident around money matters so deeply, how communication and compassion shape our work, and what it means to build a business rooted in trust. This conversation...

When divorce puts the future of your home into question, the biggest risk is making decisions before you fully understand your options. In this episode, I sit down with Stacey Ellison, Certified Divorce Lending Professional and Divorce Mortgage Planner at Divorce Mortgage Solutions, to walk through how mortgage planning, settlement language, and income rules can shape what is actually possible when it comes to keeping a home. We talk through how assets, support payments, and loan strategies fact...

When life feels noisy, the real issue is not always a lack of time; it is often a lack of clarity. The biggest decisions in life rarely get solved by doing more. They get solved by cutting through the clutter, focusing on what matters most, and taking one small step at a time. In this episode, I talk with Jill Beck, founder of Go Long, about why so many women stay stuck during major life transitions and how accountability, clarity, and small actions can help them move forward. Jill shares her ow...

Many women approaching retirement worry that Social Security may not be there when they need it most. That uncertainty can make retirement planning feel overwhelming. But what do the numbers actually say? In this episode, I break down the real projections behind Social Security and what they mean for women approaching retirement. I explain why benefits are not expected to disappear, how potential reductions could work, and how to plan conservatively without making decisions based on fear. Most i...

Many people ask whether retiring early will help them live longer. The real conversation is much bigger than that. Statistics and social media posts often push simple conclusions, but retirement decisions are rarely simple. Health, caregiving responsibilities, longevity, and financial readiness all play a role. In this episode, I explore a study about retirement timing and longevity and explain why statistics alone should never guide your retirement decisions. I walk through how planning, financ...

Many women enter retirement assuming life insurance is no longer necessary, only to discover that the real issue is not coverage, but access to cash when it matters most. In this episode, I walk through how the purpose of life insurance changes as you approach and enter retirement. I explain why the real question is not whether you should keep a policy, but what risks still exist in your plan. I share practical examples involving pensions, Social Security, mortgages, estate taxes, and the desire...

Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you approach retirement, especially if you’re navigating it on your own. Yet many women don’t realize how much clarity and confidence can come from simply asking the right questions before committing to a long-term relationship. In this episode, I walk through seven essential questions every woman should consider before hiring or changing a financial advisor. We discuss why so many women change advisors after losi...

Many retirees unknowingly walk away from life insurance policies without realizing they may still hold value. For women navigating retirement, widowhood, or major life changes, understanding every available option can make a meaningful difference. In this episode, I talk with Lisa Rehburg, President of Rehburg Life Insurance Settlements, about how life insurance settlements work and why they are often misunderstood or overlooked. We explore when this strategy may be appropriate, how it fits into...

RMDs are one of those retirement rules that feel simple on the surface, until the tax consequences show up years later. In this episode, I walk through what required minimum distributions are, when they start, and why missing or mismanaging them can quietly raise taxes, Medicare costs, and long-term financial stress. I explain how planning early creates flexibility, especially for women navigating retirement transitions, widowhood, or income changes. We also cover practical strategies that can h...

Most people know they should be saving for retirement, but fewer understand how contribution rules, taxes, and prioritization actually work together. Small decisions, like where you save first or how you respond to changing tax brackets, can shape long-term outcomes far more than people realize. In this episode, I walk through the 2026 retirement contribution limits and explain how to prioritize different retirement accounts when you cannot fund everything at once. I break down common misconcept...

Divorce later in life is not just a legal event; it is an emotional and financial turning point that reshapes identity, confidence, and long-term planning. In this episode, I sit down with Mardi Winder, a strategic divorce consultant and founder of Positive Communication Systems, to discuss what really happens before, during, and after a gray divorce. We explore why so many women feel stuck in fear, how financial uncertainty can drive costly decisions, and why clarity must come before action. I ...

Social Security decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to understand spousal and survivor benefits. What benefits are you entitled to based on your spouse’s record? When should you claim them? In this Q&A episode, I address two common Social Security questions that women face. I walk through the step-by-step process for determining spousal benefits for married couples and explore the strategic decisions widows face when choosing between their own retirement benefit and survivor ...

Major life transitions can leave you feeling lost and uncertain about your financial future. How do you move forward when everything feels overwhelming? What questions should you even be asking when you’re navigating divorce, widowhood, or any significant financial change? In this episode, I sit down with Tony Steuer, Author and Host of The Get Ready Podcast. Tony shares his perspective on why so many people freeze when facing financial decisions and how reframing your relationship with money, t...

That annual Social Security increase announcement can be confusing. Is it a bonus? Will it cover your rising costs? More importantly, how does it really affect your decisions about when to retire and when to claim your benefits? In this episode, I unpack the new 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026. We explore how Social Security benefits grow differently before and after age 62, why the inflation measure might not match your personal expenses, and how your early work years still count. We pr...

Divorce doesn’t have to be devastating. It can be empowering when approached with clarity and the right support. In this episode, I sit down with Karen Covy, divorce coach, attorney, and mediator, to explore how women can take control of the divorce process. We talk about choosing the right process for your situation, understanding your finances, and why preparation and strategy make all the difference in creating a smoother transition and stronger future. Key Takeaways: The importance of choos...

Understanding Social Security can feel complicated, especially when life events like divorce or widowhood come into play. In this episode, I join Karen Covy on her podcast, Off The Fence, to walk through the rules that often matter most for women. We discuss how full retirement age works, how spousal, ex-spousal, and survivor benefits are determined, and what to know about the 10-year marriage rule. Our conversation also covers the Social Security Fairness Act and how it affects certain workers ...

Many people nearing retirement are unsure how recent rule changes might affect what they can receive. What happens when long-standing limits disappear, and families finally gain access to benefits they were denied for years? In this special replay, we revisit one of our most crucial and widely discussed episodes of the year: the one focusing on the Social Security Fairness Act. I walk through the details of the Social Security Fairness Act and highlight its significant impact, especially on surv...

Retirement planning doesn’t end once you stop working; it evolves. In this episode, I wrap up my seven essential strategies for successful investing in retirement, focusing on two of the most pivotal: managing your tax burden and deciding whether to work with an advisor. I share how to plan ahead for taxes, the importance of timing withdrawals, and why every woman deserves a seat at the financial table. Key Takeaways: Why emotional decisions during market downturns often lead to poor outcomes H...

Investing in retirement requires a completely different mindset, one focused on income, not just preservation. In this episode, I continue our Seven Strategies for Successful Investing in Retirement series by explaining Strategy #4: Understanding the Role of Stocks in Retirement, and Strategy #5: The Value of Dividend Growth Investing. Together, these two approaches show how stocks can generate sustainable income and growth throughout your retirement years. Key Takeaways: Why stocks shouldn’t b...

What if the way you’ve been told to protect your money in retirement is actually putting your future at risk? In this episode, I continue our series on the seven essential strategies for successful investing in retirement. We tackle one of the most misunderstood aspects of retirement planning, defining the real purpose of your portfolio and reframing how you think about risk. This conversation is designed to shift your perspective from fear and preservation to growth and resilience. Key takeaway...

Retirement is shifting in ways that require new thinking, new planning, and new strategies. In this episode, I launch a new series on the seven essential strategies for successful investing in retirement. I explain how today’s retirement looks different than past generations, why the Great Wealth Transfer is so impactful for women, and why starting with a clear financial plan is more important than ever. In this conversation, we cover: How the retirement landscape has changed Why investing in r...

Retirement isn’t just about slowing down. It’s about stepping into a chapter that feels alive with meaning and joy. In this episode, I speak with Joy Levin, President of Gen X Exec Encore and Certified Professional Retirement Coach, about how Gen X women can reimagine retirement as an encore to life. Together, we explore how to shift from career identity to personal fulfillment, build meaningful relationships, and create a future that truly lights you up. Joy discusses: The challenges Gen X pro...