

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

Aug 13, 2020 • 7min
Finding Financial Resources Online
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Mark’s question: Where would you go online for good financial advice? 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

Aug 6, 2020 • 33min
We Could Be Doing This Instead: Living a Life That Ignites You
Eric is joined by the inspirational Jill-of-all-Trades Katie Marks to talk about what we could be doing instead—letting go of the negativity, building a career of side hustles, and figuring out exactly who we want to be when we grow up. Highlights: The power of networking in building a portfolio of opportunities Knowing not only what you want to be when you grow up, but who you want to be Using side hustles to create multiple streams of income, give you the power to negotiate, and keep you in the game What we could be doing instead The importance of financial literacy https://brotmanmedia.com/podcasts/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 30, 2020 • 5min
Responsible Financial Decisions for Seniors in Retirement
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Richard’s question: What is the responsible financial approach for a senior to live? How do you balance your own bucket list and protecting the financial futures of your kids and grandkids? 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

Jul 23, 2020 • 31min
Military Money: How Military Families Can Become Financially Savvy
Eric is joined by retired Navy veteran Doug Nordman to discuss how military families can take advantage of the financial resources provided for them and how you can raise a money-savvy family. Show notes & more: https://brotmanmedia.com/season-2-episode-14-military-money-how-military-families-can-become-financially-savvy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 16, 2020 • 6min
Talking to Your Parents About Money
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Richard's question: How do you engage your parents in a conversation about their financial future? 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

Jul 9, 2020 • 31min
Rocking Your Retirement: Creating a Retirement That Isn’t All About Money
Eric is joined by soon-to-be-retired financial advisor Kathe Kline to discuss rocking your retirement by focusing not only on the financial aspect of retirement, but the social, family, entertainment, and spiritual aspects, among others. Show notes & more: https://brotmanmedia.com/season-2-episode…-your-retirement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 2, 2020 • 7min
Future Changes to Real Estate Investing
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Steven's question: In the wake of COVID-19, how do you anticipate lending to change for real estate investors? 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

Jun 25, 2020 • 32min
Females and Finance: Being an Ally for Women in a Male-Dominated Field
Eric is joined by Sheryl Brown, an international speaker on social and digital marketing strategies for financial services, to discuss females working in a male-dominated field and the importance of diversity. For show notes and more: https://brotmanmedia.com/season-2-episode-12/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 11, 2020 • 30min
The Psychology of Finance
Eric is joined by two fellow BFG financial advisors, Lena Nebel and Zack Scott, to discuss a major trend they’ve seen throughout their careers: people tend to do exactly the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time. Bullet points of what is covered during the episode How fear and greed affect investors’ decision making Why people make the worst decisions at the worst time How biases like loss aversion and anchoring can control our decisions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 4, 2020 • 8min
The Future of Higher Education in the Wake of COVID-19
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Jill's question: In the wake of COVID-19, what is the future of higher education and how will that affect families' retirement plans? 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