

Don't Retire...Graduate!
Eric Brotman
Don’t Retire… Graduate! is the podcast that invites you to rethink what retirement really means. Hosted by Certified Financial Planner Practitioner Eric Brotman, we’re here to guide you in transforming the traditional concept of retirement into an exciting and enriching graduation—a time to embark on new adventures, embrace lifelong passions, and define what success and happiness look like in this new chapter of life.
Retirement isn’t just about stepping away from a career; it’s about stepping into a life filled with purpose, joy, and fulfillment. Whether you're on the brink of retirement or just starting to think about it, this podcast will help you discover what it takes to not just survive, but thrive in your post-career years. We’ll explore how to live a fun, productive, and meaningful life by setting new goals, pursuing passions that light you up, and building a legacy that truly reflects who you are.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with a diverse range of guests—from award-winning authors and financial experts to influencers and everyday people with remarkable money stories. Together, we’ll uncover strategies for reaching financial independence, managing your wealth, and making informed decisions that support your dreams. You’ll learn practical tips on everything from saving money and paying down debt to raising financially literate children and growing your wealth at any age.
From personal finance and investing to retirement readiness, taxes, and more, we’re here to provide the knowledge and tools you need to confidently step into this exciting new phase of life. Topics include everything from budgeting, credit, and debt to health savings accounts, insurance, social security, the FIRE movement, and the latest in fintech and finance apps.
But we don’t stop at finances. Don’t Retire… Graduate! also dives deep into the emotional and psychological aspects of retirement. We’ll discuss how to maintain your mental and physical health, nurture relationships, and stay connected to your community. You’ll gain insights on how to design a lifestyle that keeps you engaged, curious, and excited about the future.
Our mission is to help you figure out what you want to be when you grow up—even if you’re already grown. We believe that work should become optional, not just because you've reached a certain age, but because you’ve achieved the freedom to choose how you spend your time and energy. Whether it’s volunteering, starting a new hobby, traveling the world, or launching a second career, this podcast is your guide to creating a retirement that’s anything but retiring.
In addition to full episodes, we offer bonus content every other week where you get to meet the team of financial advisors at BFG Financial Advisors and hear their real stories from the frontlines of financial planning.
Retirement is not the absence of work, but the absence of needing to work. So why not graduate into a life of purpose, passion, and financial freedom? Tune in to Don’t Retire… Graduate! and let’s make your retirement the best years of your life.
Retirement isn’t just about stepping away from a career; it’s about stepping into a life filled with purpose, joy, and fulfillment. Whether you're on the brink of retirement or just starting to think about it, this podcast will help you discover what it takes to not just survive, but thrive in your post-career years. We’ll explore how to live a fun, productive, and meaningful life by setting new goals, pursuing passions that light you up, and building a legacy that truly reflects who you are.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with a diverse range of guests—from award-winning authors and financial experts to influencers and everyday people with remarkable money stories. Together, we’ll uncover strategies for reaching financial independence, managing your wealth, and making informed decisions that support your dreams. You’ll learn practical tips on everything from saving money and paying down debt to raising financially literate children and growing your wealth at any age.
From personal finance and investing to retirement readiness, taxes, and more, we’re here to provide the knowledge and tools you need to confidently step into this exciting new phase of life. Topics include everything from budgeting, credit, and debt to health savings accounts, insurance, social security, the FIRE movement, and the latest in fintech and finance apps.
But we don’t stop at finances. Don’t Retire… Graduate! also dives deep into the emotional and psychological aspects of retirement. We’ll discuss how to maintain your mental and physical health, nurture relationships, and stay connected to your community. You’ll gain insights on how to design a lifestyle that keeps you engaged, curious, and excited about the future.
Our mission is to help you figure out what you want to be when you grow up—even if you’re already grown. We believe that work should become optional, not just because you've reached a certain age, but because you’ve achieved the freedom to choose how you spend your time and energy. Whether it’s volunteering, starting a new hobby, traveling the world, or launching a second career, this podcast is your guide to creating a retirement that’s anything but retiring.
In addition to full episodes, we offer bonus content every other week where you get to meet the team of financial advisors at BFG Financial Advisors and hear their real stories from the frontlines of financial planning.
Retirement is not the absence of work, but the absence of needing to work. So why not graduate into a life of purpose, passion, and financial freedom? Tune in to Don’t Retire… Graduate! and let’s make your retirement the best years of your life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 30, 2020 • 6min
Home Equity Loans for College Tuition
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Keegan's question: Is it a good idea to borrow against the equity in my house to finance college for my kids? Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning and it may be answered in a future episode of Office Hours! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 23, 2020 • 33min
Retire Before Mom and Dad: Making Smart Decisions Early to Reach Financial Freedom
Rob Berger, host of the Financial Freedom Show, is on a mission to equip young adults with the tools for financial independence. He stresses the power of compounding as a key strategy for financial growth. The conversation navigates the psychological shift from earning income to living off investments. They also tackle the complexities of retirement strategies, like the bucket approach, and emphasize the importance of understanding fees in financial planning. Rob offers insightful guidance on making early, smart decisions for a secure financial future.

Dec 17, 2020 • 6min
Investment Strategies for Roth vs. Traditional IRAs
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Jay’s question: Should there be any difference in strategy for investing in a Roth IRA versus a pre-tax IRA? Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning and it may be answered in a future episode of Office Hours! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 10, 2020 • 35min
Your Travel Bucket List: Planning Ahead for a Lifetime of Travel
Eric is joined by travel advisor Estee Gubbay to talk about building a bucket list that not only satisfies your wanderlust but creates the memories and experiences that mean the most to you. What is covered during the episode: Building your travel bucket list—using your passions and goals to map out your life of travel Balancing fulfilling your travel goals and fulfilling your financial goals How a travel portfolio can turn your dreams into plans Planning for multigenerational celebration travel For show notes & more: https://brotmanmedia.com/podcasts/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 3, 2020 • 7min
Saving Too Much for Retirement
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Jason's question: If a person has a retirement account with seven figures in it, could they be saving too much for retirement? Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning and it may be answered in a future episode of Office Hours! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 26, 2020 • 31min
Changing Your Story: Separating Your Identity from Your Job in Order to Be More You
Eric is joined by Doc Green, a prior internal medicine physician, to discuss how he broke the chain that held him to his job in order to pursue a new identity, passion, and life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 19, 2020 • 8min
What is Single-Premium Life Insurance?
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Amy's question: What is the best way to figure out if a single-premium life insurance policy is a good idea? Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning and it may be answered in a future episode of Office Hours! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 12, 2020 • 35min
Becoming You: How to Stop Existing and Start Living
Eric is joined by Mesha Mebane, founder of Infrared Vision, to discuss resiliency, faith, tragedy, and digging yourself out of debt to stop simply existing and start living. What is covered during the episode: Evaluating yourself personally and professionally—defining your identity outside of your job. Turning a vision into a redefinition of your life. Navigating life and change after devastating loss. Reorganizing your life through debt and unemployment. How Infrared Vision addresses the needs of the aging community. For show notes & more: https://brotmanmedia.com/podcasts/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 5, 2020 • 8min
How to Build Your Wealth
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Steven's question: What are the steps to wealth-building and how do I get started and determine what's best for me? Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning and it may be answered in a future episode of Office Hours! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 29, 2020 • 33min
Combating Dementia: The Financial and Emotional Effects of Alzheimer’s
Eric is joined by Ellen Torres of the Alzheimer’s Association to talk about the emotional and financial toll diseases like Alzheimer’s take on families and the resources available to support them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices