What if the most important part of your retirement plan had nothing to do with your 401(k), IRA, or stock portfolio? In this episode of The Stacking Benjamins Show, Joe Saul-Sehy and OG are joined by filmmakers Pete Davis and Rebecca Davis, creators of the thought-provoking documentary Join or Die. They explore how community connection, not cash, may be the ultimate retirement strategy.

Drawing inspiration from the late political scientist Robert Putnam (Bowling Alone), the Davises reveal why joining groups—book clubs, church choirs, rec leagues, neighborhood associations—might be more essential to your long-term well-being than your asset allocation.

Together with Joe and OG, they unpack the data behind social decline, the healing power of showing up, and what the film Join or Die teaches us about leading a richer life beyond the numbers. Of course, Mom’s Neighbor Doug pops in with trivia that proves he belongs (at least to this show).

Whether you’re on the path to retirement or simply looking for deeper purpose, this episode will make you think differently about how you stack your most valuable resource: time.

Why joining a club may be just as critical to retirement as saving for it
What Join or Die reveals about America’s shrinking social networks
How loneliness affects physical and financial health—and how to fight it
Why your “portfolio of community” might be the highest-yield investment you ever make
Ways to build meaningful connections now—even if you don’t feel like a “joiner”

Pete and Rebecca Davis share behind-the-scenes stories from making Join or Die
Joe and OG reflect on what gives life meaning after the 9-to-5 ends
Surprising data on the link between social capital and financial confidence
Doug delivers a trivia challenge about famous clubs (and less-famous neighbors)

📚 Resources & Mentions:

🎥 Join or Die documentary by Pete and Rebecca Davis
📘 Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam
🎙️ Pete Davis’s book: Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing

👟 Your Challenge This Week:
Sign up. Show up. Speak up. Whether it's your local book club, PTA, pickleball team, or town council meeting—belonging starts with one yes.

💬 “Retirement planning isn’t just about money—it’s about meaning.”
Tune in and learn how to build a life you won’t want to retire from.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https:;//stackingbenjamins.com/join-or-die-documentary-pete-rebecca-davis-1697

Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201

Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spectator Out Loud: Max Jeffery, David Shipley, Patrick Kidd, Cindy Yu, and Hugh Thomson