The Broadcast Retirement Network

On this episode, we're joined by Betsy Mayotte, Founder and President of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors (TISLA), to break down the latest federal student loan data and what it means for millions of borrowers. With defaults climbing to more than 9 million and nearly one in four recent graduates already falling behind, Betsy explains why student debt is no longer just a young person's concern, how borrowers of every age can avoid the steep costs of default, and what steps to take right now to protect yourself, from forbearance and income-driven repayment to loan rehabilitation.

Dr. Li Li of Georgia Southern University explains “movement span,” the often-overlooked third dimension of longevity alongside lifespan and healthspan. He discusses how strength, balance, mobility and regular activity can help reduce fall risk, preserve independence and improve quality of life as we age. Learn why movement should be treated as a lifelong priority rather than something addressed only after physical limitations appear.

America is heading toward a nursing home crisis: as the 80+ population surges, the number of nursing homes keeps shrinking—driven by staffing shortages, low wages, high turnover, immigration pressures, and looming Medicaid cuts. In this conversation, we sit down with Dr. Mark Aaron Unruh, Associate Professor of Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine and a leading expert on the economics and policy of long-term care, whose research has informed the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and the White House.

Sarah Van Giezen of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how inflation is measured. She explains why secondhand apparel and thrifting were added to the Consumer Price Index in early 2025, how data collectors gather prices from stores across the country, and the rigorous multi-step review process that ensures accuracy before each monthly CPI release.

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Richard Kreider, Texas A&M professor who has spent over 35 years researching creatine to separate fact from fiction on one of the most studied supplements in the world. Backed by more than 800 studies, creatine isn't just for athletes—it may play a powerful role in brain health, cognitive function, and healthy aging.

Dr. Paul Robbins of the University of Minnesota joins us to examine the science of healthy aging and the practical choices that support a longer health span, including regular physical activity, nutritious food, restorative sleep, and maintaining social connection.

Phillip Snyder, CLU, The Warner Companies, addresses a critical challenge facing the life insurance industry: client retention. According to recent LIMRA research, 40% of policyholders rarely or never hear from their insurer after purchase.

College costs are rising and federal student loan rules are changing. Join us as Cathy Mueller from Mapping Your Future breaks down new loan policies, parent loan caps, and alternative funding strategies to help your family afford education without overwhelming debt. Whether you're planning for your children or grandchildren, this conversation will give you the clarity and tools you need to make smart financial decisions.

Should you wait to book Thanksgiving or Christmas travel? Don't. In this interview, Nick Ewan, Editor-in-Chief of The Points Guy, breaks down why holiday airfares are already spiking — up 13% for Thanksgiving and nearly 20% for Christmas and New Year's — and shares insider strategies to score the best deals, track prices even after you book, and get money back when fares drop (he personally saved $95 on a family flight to Denver!).

In this expert interview, Jessica Calabrese, Head of Retirement Product Strategy at FIS Global, explains how AI is improving participant experiences, streamlining retirement plan operations, and helping financial institutions deliver smarter, more personalized retirement solutions. She also discusses cloud technology, digital transformation, automation, strategic partnerships, and the future of retirement platforms.

Could the key to understanding Alzheimer's disease be hiding in your gut? In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Barbara Bendlin, PhD — Professor of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a member of the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute — breaks down more than a decade of groundbreaking research on the gut-brain connection.

Struggling to get a good night's rest? In this interview, Rebecca Kaplan, a primary care provider with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group, explains why quality sleep is essential — it's when your body heals, resets, and supports your brain and immune system — and shares six affordable, easy-to-find products that can genuinely improve your rest.

In this episode, we sit down with Toby Smithson, M.S., RDN, LD, CDCES, FAND — a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who has personally lived with type 1 diabetes for over five decades.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Cristian Pavel, DDS of Smile First Dental Wellness in Chicago to explore the human side of dentistry—and why it matters more than ever. A UIC-trained dentist, Chicago Dental Society member, and certified yoga instructor, Dr. Pavel shares his holistic take on care that connects oral health to overall wellness. As the industry grows more corporate, he makes the case that empathy and genuine connection are what set great dentistry apart.

Debbie Carlson, Contributor to the Wall Street Journal, joins us to unpack a subtle but costly source of confusion for investors: the difference between "international," "world," and "global" funds and ETFs. These terms may sound interchangeable, but they can signal very different holdings, and because broad labels like these aren't tightly regulated by the SEC's naming rules, what's inside can vary significantly from one fund family to the next.

What if tweaking your hearing aid settings could actually improve your mood? In this video, Erin Picou, Au.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor and director of the Hearing and Affect Perception Interest Laboratory at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, shares groundbreaking research on how personalized hearing aid programming goes far beyond better sound—it transforms emotional wellbeing, confidence, and energy levels.

Tranchau (Kris) T. Nguyen of the U.S. Government Accountability Office explains how retirement plan providers may be collecting, using, and sharing participants' personal data in ways many workers do not expect.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Natalya Borakowski, Naturopathic Doctor and founder of Unveil, to demystify one of the most misunderstood phases of a woman's life — perimenopause.

Grocery prices aren't coming down anytime soon — but your bill can. In this episode, we sit down with Kristin McGrath, Senior Editor at The Krazy Coupon Lady, to break down exactly how everyday shoppers are slashing their grocery bills using a simple stacking strategy — combining store sales, manufacturer coupons, and cashback apps like Ibotta and Fetch all at once.

Beef prices are hitting record highs—ground beef at $6.88 a pound, steaks north of $13—and in this eye-opening conversation, agricultural economist Dr. Anderson breaks down exactly what's driving the surge and what it means for your grocery bill. From the recent tariff pause and its flood of imported beef, to the crushing squeeze ranchers face from relentless drought, soaring corn costs, and collapsing calf prices, we unpack the hidden forces behind America's beef crisis.

In this episode, social work ethics and data privacy expert Dr. Allan Barsky, MSW, Ph.D. of Florida Atlantic University breaks down what everyone should know about how artificial intelligence is reshaping healthcare and putting sensitive medical and mental health records at risk. We explore why HIPAA—written more than a decade ago—struggles to keep pace with modern AI tools, how patients can protect their personal information, and the critical questions to ask any provider before trusting their technology.

Should you move your aging parents across state lines for care? In this episode, certified elder law attorney Janet Colliton, Esquire of Colliton Law Associates, P.C. in West Chester, PA, breaks down the critical legal and financial factors families face when planning elder care. With over 38 years of experience, Janet explains how Medicaid rules, income limits, and trust requirements vary from state to state—and why even a single dollar over the threshold can jeopardize your benefits. Learn how tools like Miller Trusts (Qualified Income Trusts) can help, and get the practical guidance you need before making a life-changing move for a loved one.

Is your screen slowly damaging your eyes — and can your diet actually protect them? In this episode, we sit down with Yaw Buabeng, a doctoral candidate in the Cognitive Neuroscience Program at the University of Georgia and optometrist-turned-researcher originally trained in Ghana, to break down the real science behind blue light and your vision. Yaw shares what makes blue light uniquely harmful, how it penetrates deep into the eye, and its link to age-related macular degeneration.

Set in San Francisco's iconic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, this video follows three small business voices — Dave McLean, the self-described "godfather of craft beer in San Francisco," and Kristen Evans and Camden of The Booksmith, a beloved independent bookstore founded in 1976. Each shares their personal journey of building a life and livelihood in a neighborhood steeped in counterculture history, while grappling with the very real pressures of rising costs, razor-thin margins, and the challenge of taking care of their employees.

In Roads to Retirement: Act I – The Journey Begins, Jeff Snyder sets the stage for a thoughtful exploration of what retirement really means by introducing two people whose lives could not look more different. One is an artist in Marin who has chosen a simple, creative life living on a sailboat and staying grounded in what matters most. The other is a Northern California firefighter working hard to build stability and opportunity for his growing family.

Can owning a pet actually lead to a happier, more fulfilling retirement? In this episode, we sit down with David Blanchett, Ph.D., CFA®, CFP®, Head of Retirement Research at Prudential Financial and Portfolio Manager at PGIM, to unpack fascinating new research on how dogs, cats, and other family pets impact life in retirement.

The U.S. spends 2–3 times more on healthcare than any other developed nation — but a groundbreaking new study shows some states are finally starting to slow the bleeding. In this episode, we sit down with John N. Mafi, MD, MPH, of UCLA Health, whose research reveals how five pioneering states implemented cost growth benchmark programs to bend the healthcare spending curve.

Most people think they understand Medicare — but a recent eHealth survey reveals a shocking knowledge gap that could cost you thousands of dollars. In this eye-opening conversation, Derrick Duke, CEO of eHealth, breaks down everything you need to know before turning 65, including the permanent 10% late enrollment penalty most people don't discover until it's too late, why skipping Part D prescription drug coverage is a costly mistake, and how Medicare plans change every year making an annual review essential.

AI is transforming the labor market — but what happens to the federal government's revenue when jobs disappear? In this interview, RAND's Carter Price, breaks down a new report he co-authored with colleague Akshaya Suresh examining how AI-driven labor disruptions could threaten the roughly two-thirds of federal revenue that comes from taxes on wages and payroll.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Lawrence Quill, co-director of the Loneliness Project at San Jose State University dives deep into the modern loneliness epidemic and the surprising role technology plays as both the cause and potential cure. Drawing on ancient philosophy and cutting-edge insights, we explore why so many people—from the "feral generation" to Gen Z—feel more isolated than ever, how our phones and social media may be quietly rewiring our relationships, and whether AI companions and chatbots could genuinely ease loneliness or make it worse.

What is your child's school app really doing with their data? BYU Information Systems Professor Justin Giboney breaks down a groundbreaking study—conducted with Mark Keith and the Utah State Board of Education—that compared what EdTech apps promised against their actual network traffic, uncovering student data flowing to advertisers, data brokers, and identity-resolution firms, often without app makers realizing it. policymaker.

A clear, practical look at the largest farmland transfer in generations and what it means for you. President of Farmers National Company Paul Schadegg explains how America's farmers are doing today, breaks down the scale of the coming generational wealth transfer, and reveals whether landowners are truly prepared to pass down their land. You'll learn how to assemble the right team of professionals, why location and state-specific rules can dramatically affect your outcome, and what really happens when an owner dies without an estate plan. Plus, you'll walk away with actionable advice for younger farmers and a reminder of why revisiting your plan regularly is essential to protecting your land, your legacy, and your family's future.

What happens when the tools you built start to outpace you? Astronomer J. Xavier Prochaska, Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz, reveals how artificial intelligence is transforming science at breathtaking speed — writing code, drafting research proposals, and uncovering exoplanets in decades-old data — pushing him to work "100 times" faster than ever before.

In this interview, Andrew G. Biggs, PhD., Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, explains why the number of workers without a 401(k) or other formal retirement plan doesn't tell the whole story. He discusses how age, income, student loans, homeownership, inflation, and other financial priorities influence when people save.

Can AI accurately measure America's retirement readiness? In this episode, we put Claude Opus 4.8 to the test on key questions about the U.S. workforce and retirement coverage, then had one of the nation's leading retirement economists fact-check every number. Our guest, Andrew G. Biggs, PhD, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, breaks down where the AI got it right, where it fell short, and what the real data actually reveals about how prepared Americans truly are for retirement.

Are you prepared for what happens if you stop paying your student loans? In this eye-opening interview, college finance expert Mark Kantrowitz breaks down the serious consequences of default—including wage garnishment, seized tax refunds, and how the government can take up to 15% of your Social Security benefits at any age.

Are your credit cards actually working for you—or just draining your wallet with sky-high annual fees? In this episode, Nick Ewen, Editor-in-Chief of The Points Guy, breaks down everything you need to know about navigating today's increasingly complex credit card landscape. From the eye-popping $895 Amex Platinum annual fee to the smart way to negotiate a downgrade (and score a retention offer), Nick shares insider strategies for getting real value out of your cards.

Should you wait to book Thanksgiving or Christmas travel? Don't. In this interview, Nick Ewan, Editor-in-Chief of The Points Guy, breaks down why holiday airfares are already spiking — up 13% for Thanksgiving and nearly 20% for Christmas and New Year's — and shares insider strategies to score the best deals, track prices even after you book, and get money back when fares drop (he personally saved $95 on a family flight to Denver!).

Dr. Daniel W. Jones, M.D., FAHA — Professor Emeritus and former Dean of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine — joins us to break down the American Heart Association's new high blood pressure guidelines. As chair of the committee that wrote them, he explains why 130/80 is the new target, the surprising link between blood pressure control and lower dementia risk, why an arm cuff beats your smartwatch, and the simple lifestyle changes that make a difference. Informational only — always consult your clinician.

Daniel Kline, Co-Editor-in-Chief of TheStreet and TravelHost, reveals why travel insurance is a must-have for anyone booking a cruise. Daniel breaks down how a single medical emergency at sea can cost $30,000–$50,000, what happens if you miss your ship's departure, and how the right coverage can save your trip—and your wallet. From real-life stories to insider pro tips on filing claims and finding the best value, this video gives you the essential knowledge to cruise with confidence and avoid costly mistakes before you ever step aboard.

In this episode Chris Tobe, CFA, CAIA breaks down how AI-driven misinformation and “fake signals” can end up creating real fiduciary risk in retirement planning. Chris explains what makes retirement information vulnerable in the age of AI—how false or misleading inputs can distort the way people (and systems) interpret plan details—and why that matters for compliance and decision-making. He also shares practical guidance on how consumers can use AI tools more wisely: verifying claims, stress-testing recommendations, and looking for trustworthy signals before acting on retirement-related information.

Are your grocery bills finally getting some relief — or is more price pressure on the way? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. David Anderson, economist and professor at Texas A&M University, to break down what's really happening with food prices in America.

Philip Snyder, Senior Vice President at The Warner Companies, breaks down one of retirement's most overlooked needs: long-term care. With roughly 70% of retirees expected to need care, Philip explains why a pension or Thrift Savings Plan alone won't cover it, why nursing home costs rising above inflation make early planning essential, and how today's hybrid life insurance policies build cash value and pass unused benefits to beneficiaries. Practical guidance for federal employees and everyday Americans on how—and when—to fund the care they may one day need.

Professor Brad Humphreys of West Virginia University breaks down the explosive growth of legalized sports betting and its hidden dangers. Backed by Arnold Ventures, his research uses a rare dataset of millions of anonymized bets to study "loss chasing" — the risky behavior of placing bigger bets after a loss. This conversation covers why sports betting can't be beaten long-term, why Gen Z wrongly treats it as investing, and what it all means for your finances.

Dr. Megha Sata—registered dentist, American Dental Association council member, and dental educator—returns to the Broadcast Retirement Network to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming dentistry. From AI-powered cavity and bone-loss detection to HIPAA privacy concerns, clinical documentation, and the future of dental education, Dr. Sata offers an evidence-based perspective on balancing cutting-edge technology with the irreplaceable human touch. She also breaks down trending topics like fluoride alternatives, hydroxyapatite toothpastes, the rise of cosmetic dentistry, and practical tips for maintaining your oral health—even without dental insurance.

With roughly 19 million students heading to college, car insurance and coverage are among the most overlooked parts of the transition. In this conversation, Adrienne K. Woodland of AAA – The Auto Club Group breaks down what every parent and student should check before move-in day—from confirming whether an existing auto policy actually covers a student away at school, to understanding how each state's insurance rules can affect your coverage. Adrienne explains why sitting down with an agent to review your household policy is one of the smartest moves you can make when a major life change like college happens.

In this powerful conversation, autistic therapist and author Jessica Penot, LPC-S, opens up about masking, conformity, and what it really means to thrive as an autistic adult. Jessica Penot, LPC-S is the founder of Tree of Life Behavioral Health and the Neuroaffirmative Autism Resource Center, as well as the author of "The Unmasking Workbook for Autistic Adults." She breaks down the hidden "taxes of conformity" that autistic people pay every day, the serious mental health toll of masking, and the eye-opening "double empathy problem" that reframes how we think about autistic and neurotypical communication.

Social Security is heading toward a critical deadline: without action, the Trust Funds are projected to run dry by 2032, triggering an automatic 22% benefit cut that could cost a typical retired couple roughly $18,500 a year. In this conversation, Brett Loper, Executive Vice President for Policy at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, breaks down what's driving the shortfall—an aging population and a worker-to-retiree ratio falling from 4-to-1 to just over 2-to-1—and why the program's original design is under strain. Drawing on the successful 1983 Greenspan Commission fix, Loper explains how the challenge can be solved with practical, bipartisan solutions.

Is your bank account secretly damaging your brain? In this eye-opening interview, Dr. Jacques Wells breaks down groundbreaking research revealing that financial hardship isn't just stressful — it may be a direct driver of cognitive decline. We explore why the feeling of money worry can be more harmful than your actual income, how constant financial stress crowds out the mental "brain space" needed for protective activities, and why decades of accumulated hardship take a measurable toll on your mind. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by bills, this conversation will change how you think about the connection between money and your mental health.

Are your target date funds really working for you—or just running on autopilot? On this episode of Broadcast Retirement Network, we sit down with MarketWatch financial journalist Alisa Wolfson to unpack the "set it and forget it" mindset that millions of investors rely on. Alisa explains why these popular funds only account for one thing—your expected retirement year—while overlooking crucial personal factors like your pension, Social Security timing, and individual risk tolerance. If you have a 401(k), this conversation will change the way you think about your retirement savings.

Financial journalist Jane King, founder of LilaMax Media, joins Broadcast Retirement Network to break down the latest jobs report—and why the numbers aren't as bad as they seem. The U.S. lost 23,000 jobs last month, but most cuts came from local government and education, while manufacturing added jobs and unemployment held at 4.1%. Jane explains why Wall Street sees this weaker report as a positive: it likely takes a September rate hike off the table.