Welcome to a milestone episode of Retire With Style! In this celebratory 200th installment, Wade and Alex take a break from the usual deep dives into retirement planning to reflect on their journey so far, from a hesitant start to a full-blown podcast and lifestyle brand. They revisit some of the most popular episodes, listener feedback (the good, the bad, and the hilarious), and the evolving purpose behind the podcast. They also share future plans, new content arcs, and maybe even a little pickleball-inspired merch talk. Whether you’re a longtime listener or brand new to the show, this episode offers a fun, personal look behind the mic.

Takeaways:

200 episodes deep... and still talking: Wade and Alex never expected the show to grow into a pillar of their content strategy, but batching episodes, a sprinkle of consistency, and a lot of community support helped them get here.
YouTube is growing fast: While most listeners tune in via audio, the YouTube channel is becoming a hub for retirement planning visuals and deeper engagement.
Pickleball paddles and lifestyle branding: Retire With Style is now more than just a podcast — it's a vibe. From merch to community giveaways, the show is embracing its role as the lighter side of serious retirement talk.
Top-performing content = tax planning: Episodes focused on Roth conversions, sustainable withdrawal strategies, and RMDs continue to dominate in views and downloads.
Most-loved guests: Bill Bengen (with a whopping 83% in the listener poll) and Mary Beth Franklin top the charts. Both brought serious knowledge and fresh perspectives to the show.
Feedback is fuel (and comedy): The hosts share some of the most memorable — and brutally honest — listener reviews. Spoiler: Alex laughs too much, Wade doesn’t talk enough... and they're fine with that.
What’s next? Upcoming episodes will feature deep dives into retirement tax law changes, a fresh look at the RISA framework, and possibly another arc on emotional and behavioral aspects of retirement planning.

Chapters

0:00: Welcome to Episode 200! A Sitcom-style Celebration
2:00: The Reluctant Start: How the Podcast Was Born
5:00: From Podcast to Lifestyle Brand (Merch + Pickleball Paddles!)
11:00: Why the Laid-back Format Works
14:00: Retire With Style: The Unexpected Centerpiece
17:00: Most Watched Episodes of the Year
20:00: Tax Planning Still Reigns Supreme
25:00: Standout Guest Appearances: Bengen, Franklin & More
35:00: Listener Comments: The Roast of Alex (with Wade’s Glee)
44:00: Positive Feedback... Yes, It Exists
47:30: What the Podcast Has Meant to the Hosts
53:00: Poll Results: What Do Listeners Want?
55:00: Merch Giveaway Winners Announced
58:00: What’s Coming in the Next 200 Episodes

Links

Free Retirement Researcher Webinar – Happening This Week!
Don’t miss this special opportunity to join Wade Pfau for a free live webinar: "Getting Started Now: Crucial Steps to Take When Retiring"

You’ll learn how to avoid common pitfalls, make smarter decisions with Social Security, taxes, and investments, and get clarity on what really matters as you transition into retirement.
Choose the date that works best for you:

Wednesday, October 15th
Thursday, October 16th

Spots are limited, so be sure to register now at retirewithstyle.com/podcast

The Retire With Style Merch Store Is Live!
You asked (probably), and we delivered! The official Retire With Style merch store is now open for business!

Check out the gear featured in this episode and grab your own swag at retirewithstyle.com/shop. From mugs to mindset, we've got what every stylish retiree needs.

🎾 And yes… pickleball paddles are coming soon. Stay tuned.

Explore the New RetireWithStyle.com! We’ve launched a brand-new home for the podcast! Visit RetireWithStyle.com to catch up on all our latest episodes, explore topics by category, and send us your questions or ideas for future episodes. If there’s something you’ve been wondering about retirement, we want to hear it!

The Retirement Planning Guidebook: 2nd Edition has just been updated for 2025! Visit your preferred book retailer or simply click here to order your copy today: https://www.wadepfau.com/books/

This episode is sponsored by Retirement Researcher https://retirementresearcher.com/. Download their free eBook, 8 Tips to Becoming A Retirement Income Investor at retirementresearcher.com/8tips

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