

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

May 28, 2020 • 33min
Making it Work: Discovering New Opportunities to Build a Business at Any Age
In this episode, Eric is joined by Caitlin Pyle, founder of Work-At-Home School and Proofread Anywhere, to discuss how you can start your own business right from home, regardless of age. What is covered during the episode: The steps to starting a freelance business. How fixed incomes can be unfixed. Affiliate marketing and how it can make you money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 21, 2020 • 7min
The Danger of Panic-Selling Investments
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Sara's question: What does panic-selling really do to your long-term savings and ability to retire? 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

May 14, 2020 • 35min
Tax Engineering: Finding Ways to Defer Capital Gains Tax to Save Money
In this episode, Eric is joined by Brett Swarts, founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, to discuss strategies for deferring capital gains taxes when passing assets between generations. What is covered during the episode How debt is worsening during the coronavirus outbreak. Getting out of debt and staying tax deferred. How coronavirus will change the landscape of corporate real estate. How deferred sales trusts help high net worth individuals create and preserve more wealth. Guest Bio Brett Swarts is an entrepreneur, cre investor, podcaster, deferred sales trust expert, and Nor. CA multifamily broker. His leadership roles include serving as the Founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions podcast, Founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, and Founder of Commercial Realty Apartment Advisors. brotmanmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 7, 2020 • 6min
The Financial Pros and Cons of Returning to Work
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Madelyn's question: I'm thinking of returning to work, but I'm worried my husband and I will jump into the next tax bracket. What does this mean for us? 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

Apr 30, 2020 • 31min
Retirement in the Wake of COVID-19: Finding Opportunities in the Changing Global Landscape
In this episode, Eric is joined by fellow BFG advisor and registered millennial Zack Scott to discuss the changes we’re seeing now and what others we should expect in the wake of the coronavirus. Bullet points of what is covered during the episode Financial opportunities for millennials while stock values are low and retirement is decades away. Avenues for tax-free wealth growth. The psychology of long-term investing. The shift to teleworking and remote employment. Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 23, 2020 • 6min
So What's the Good News?
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers the question that everyone has been thinking: So what's the good news? 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

Apr 16, 2020 • 30min
Building Your Bridge to Retirement: Figuring Out Where You Want to Go and How to Get There
In this episode, Eric talks to Dana Hagstrom about how she and her husband help their students build their bridge to retirement—from figuring out what they want to do when they grow up to making a plan to do it. What is covered during the episode: Determining your retirement goals and setting the path to reach them. Monetizing what you’re good at in retirement. Asking yourself what you want to be when you grow up. You know what you’re retiring from, but you need to figure out what you’re retiring to. Guest Bio David and Dana Hagstrom retired from their respective positions as a pastor and paralegal. They moved abroad in 2016 and are now servants of a different kind. As online business strategy coaches, David and Dana work with others in the industry providing effective breakthrough strategies to boost their home business success. Their clients soon uncover their own goldmine of passions and experience and how best to monetize and market. They are also helping folks imagine the future they want to retire to someday. In this process, they challenge you to start thinking about how soon your “someday” might be. You can find them inside their online coaching community offering a clarity building retirement program, “Your Bridge to Retirement,” a premium 12-week strategy coaching experience, “Your Pathway to Profit.” Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 10, 2020 • 7min
Unemployment Due to COVID-19
In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Jennifer's question: I was laid off. Will I still be able to retire? 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

Apr 2, 2020 • 29min
Finding Your Why: The Financial Resources that Fit Your Lifestyle
In this special, two-guest episode, Eric talks to Brent Weiss and Holly Grosvenor about the different levels of financial advising available to clients and which one is right for which person. Bullet points of what is covered during the episode: Financial coaching versus financial advising What are the levels of financial assistance available and which is right for each type of client Understanding what you’re trying to achieve financially and why Show Notes Here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 26, 2020 • 6min
Roth Contributions When in a High Tax Bracket
In today's Office Hours, Eric answers Timothy's question: Should I contribute to a Roth IRA if I'm in my mid-thirties and in a high tax bracket? 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