The Humans vs Retirement Podcast

Summary In this episode I get to have a brilliant conversation with bestselling author, New York Times columnist and founder of The Behaviour Gap Carl Richards. Carl is internationally renowned for his ability to explain complex financial concepts in an easy-to-understand manner through his sketches and books. We discuss the importance of real financial planning, and the challenges people face in retirement. Carl shares his insights and experiences on how to overcome the behavioural, emotional, and financial challenges of life after work. This episode provides valuable advice and inspiration for anyone navigating retirement planning. What You'll Learn The idea of retirement as a man-made invention that may not be suitable for everyone, especially those engaged in knowledge work. Retirement may not align with our values and that we may miss out on opportunities to contribute to society and rebuild relationships with loved ones if we retire too early. Retirement is not just a financial problem to be solved with numbers, but a human problem that requires exploration of fears, anxieties, dreams, and aspirations. Many people are unprepared for the emotional and behavioural challenges that come with retirement. The importance of aligning one's values and interests with their retirement plans and finding activities or hobbies that bring joy and fulfilment. About My Guest Carl Richards is a Certified Financial Planner™ and creator of the Sketch Guy column, which appeared weekly for a decade in The New York Times. Carl has also been featured on Marketplace Money, Oprah.com, and Forbes.com. In addition, Carl has become a frequent keynote speaker at financial planning conferences and visual learning events around the world. Through his simple sketches, Carl makes complex financial concepts easy to understand. His sketches also serve as the foundation for his two books, The One-Page Financial Plan: A Simple Way to Be Smart About Your Money and The Behaviour Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money (Portfolio/Penguin). His sketches have appeared in a solo show at the Kimball Art Centre in Park City, Utah, as well as other showings at Parsons School of Design in New York City, The Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California, and an exhibit at the Mansion House in London. His commissioned work is on display in businesses and educational institutions across the globe.

Celia Dodd, a journalist and author specializing in retirement transitions, shares insights from her book, Not Fade Away: How to Thrive in Retirement. She discusses the emotional hurdles of retiring, emphasizing the importance of finding new purpose and experimentation in this phase. Celia encourages embracing adaptability, pursuing mastery in new interests, and engaging in volunteer work that feels rewarding. She highlights the benefits of social diversity and suggests planning retirement activities thoughtfully to maintain fulfillment and joy.

Summary In this episode of the Humans vs Retirement podcast, I get to have a great conversation with licensed marriage and family therapist and financial behavioural specialist, Ashley Quamme, about the challenges of communicating effectively with your spouse during retirement. We discuss how the changing relationship dynamic can affect retirement planning and offer tips for maintaining a healthy relationship during this new phase of life. Ashley also gives a brief rundown of her career and how she transitioned from marriage and family therapy to financial behavioural specialist. What You'll Learn The listener will learn about: The importance of communication and planning in relationships leading up to and during retirement The challenges that couples face and the need for ongoing dialogue and flexibility. Why both partners must be involved in financial planning. Being vulnerable and seeking help when needed. The value of travel and adventure in retirement. The importance of flexibility and adaptability in response to change. About My Guest Ashley Quamme is a licensed marriage and family therapist, financial behavioural specialist with extensive experience in couples relational work and founder of BAM Financial Consulting As well as being a couple's therapist, Ashley is married to a Financial Planner! Which means she gets to hear a lot about money, money management practices, and financial planning. Ashley believes the root of many financial issues are emotions, biases, problematic thinking patterns, and beliefs. If left unchecked, these modes for operating can wreak havoc on our lives. Taking what she knows about emotions, thoughts, behaviours, and relationships in the clinical space and applying them in the financial sector is the work that she has come to be passionate about. Find out more at www.humansvsretirement.com

Summary In this episode of the Humans vs Retirement podcast, I have a great conversation with Dr Thomas Mather, Head of the Centre for Behavioural Research for Aegon UK, about the emotional and behavioural challenges retirees face. Tom shares his expertise and research into the specifics around connecting and empathising with your future self and how we must challenge the narrative that retirement is the natural last phase of life. Dan & Tom discuss the importance of research in understanding these challenges and strategies to help individuals live a happy, healthy & wealthy retirement. What You'll Learn The listener will learn about: The emotional and behavioural challenges of retirement. How to make confident and informed decisions about retirement planning. The importance of connecting with and empathising with one's future self. Having a strong and meaningful connection to the future. Spending money on things that bring joy and purpose. The societal expectation of retirement as the natural last phase of life. Encouraging a more open and adaptable approach to aging. The importance of self-knowledge and having a flexible mindset and playbook to adapt to unforeseen risks in retirement planning. About My Guest Tom heads up the Centre for Behavioural Research, at Aegon UK, a small team of behavioural scientists and psychologists who work in the space where Behavioural Finance and Financial Wellbeing meet. He has a PhD in Social Anthropology from Berlin and later completed further training in Behavioural Economics at LSE. He lives in Edinburgh with my wife and 6-year-old twins (who're non identical twins and hence useless for experimental purposes). Find out more at www.humansvsretirement.com

Summary In this episode of the Humans vs Retirement podcast, Dan is joined by author, workplace psychologist and founder of Retirement Life Plan, Pauline Johnson-Zielonka, to discuss our brain's battle with retirement. Polly, who has a PhD in human and organisational systems and a background in industrial psychology, shares her knowledge and approach to understanding retirement by drawing from positive psychology, social psychology, and industrial psychology. Together, Dan and Polly explore ways to help listeners overcome the behavioural, emotional, and financial challenges of life after work. What You'll Learn The listener will learn about the challenges of retirement and how to prepare for them, including social and psychological adjustments, finding new avenues for fulfilling experiences, and building strong social networks outside of work. The episode emphasises the importance of individualised retirement planning and the need to consider personal priorities and circumstances. The guest, Pauline Johnson-Zielonka, shares her knowledge and wisdom on the topic based on her background in psychology and research. The episode also recommends a book on retirement and suggests seeking out retirement couples therapy or counselling to create a shared vision for retirement. About My Guest Polly Johnson-Zielonka is the author of the book Retirement Life Plan and a highly qualified guest on the Humans vs Retirement podcast. She holds a PhD in human and organizational systems and has a background in industrial psychology. Polly's book is full of thoughtful research, relatable case studies, and actionable reflective questions, making it a valuable resource for those considering retirement. She emphasises the importance of individuality and personal values when planning for retirement, as well as considering the needs of any partners or relationships. Polly currently resides in Orange County, California. Find out more by going to www.humansvsretirement.com

Summary In this episode of the Human vs Retirement podcast, Dan interviews author and behavioural finance expert Brian Portnoy. Brian is an expert in simplifying the complex world of money, and they delve into his book "The Geometry of Wealth." Throughout the episode, Brian shares insights from his years of experience coaching and mentoring people on financial wellness, offering tips and wisdom on how to overcome the behavioural, emotional, and financial challenges of retirement and specifically delves into his contentment framework of the 4 C's. What You'll Learn The listener will learn about retirement planning, including the challenges of retirement, the importance of finding purpose beyond financial stability, and the four sources of contentment in life. The episode also discusses the relationship between money, work, contentment, and happiness, as well as the role of adaptation in retirement planning. Brian emphasises the need to question whose script you are living and to be an editor of one's own life narrative. The episode includes recommendations for resources and tools for retirement planning. About My Guest Brian Portnoy is the founder of Shaping Wealth, a financial wellness platform that engages with individuals and organisations to make better money decisions. In his two highly acclaimed books in the field of behavioural finance, The Investor's Paradox and The Geometry of Wealth, he tackles the challenges of making better financial decisions and figuring out how money fits into a joyful life. He has served as keynote speaker, seminar leader, and coach to thousands of investors on topics ranging from portfolio strategy to the connection between money and happiness. Brian has worked in the hedge fund and mutual fund industries for more than two decades. He is a CFA Charterholder, earned his doctorate at the University of Chicago, and serves on the advisory board for the Alliance for Decision Education. He lives in Chicago with his wife and three children. Find out more by going to www.humansvsretirement.com

Abraham Okusanya, founder and CEO of Timeline, shares insights on how retirees can spend confidently. He tackles the myth of overly cautious spending and encourages enjoying the 'go-go years' of retirement. Abraham also challenges the U-shaped spending pattern, advocating for a dynamic approach to withdrawals rather than sticking rigidly to the 4% rule. He emphasizes aligning financial goals with personal values and the importance of open discussions between couples about their retirement plans.

Dr. Joy Leary, a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of Shaping Wealth, dives deep into the psychology of money in retirement. She reveals how financial anxiety and past traumas can hinder spending, even when savings are plentiful. Joy discusses the emotional connections to money and homes, illustrating the challenges of transitioning from earning to spending. Her key advice? Embrace your 'go-go years' by prioritizing meaningful experiences, invest in relationships, and practice mindful spending to enhance your retirement joy.

Summary In this episode of the Human vs Retirement podcast, Dan is joined by Dr Daniel Crosby, Chief Behaviour Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions, a clinical psychologist, behavioural finance expert, and New York Times best-selling author. In their discussion, Dr Crosby shares his journey from clinical psychology to finance and the behavioural challenges individuals face in retirement. They delve into the power of habits, the role of social connections, and the importance of understanding one's values when planning for retirement. Tune in for this insightful conversation on overcoming the behavioural, emotional, and financial challenges of retirement. What You'll Learn The listener will learn about the intersection of psychology and finance regarding retirement, including the emotional and psychological challenges of life after work, the importance of maintaining identity and purpose, the need for flexibility in your retirement plans, and the impact of money on happiness. This episode provides tips, mental models and tools for successful retirement planning and developing a mindset for a happy, healthy, and wealthy retirement. More about us: www.humansvsretirement.com

In this episode of the Humans vs Retirement podcast, Dan is joined by Neil Bage, co-founder of Shaping Wealth, to discuss the subconscious behaviours that drive decision making in retirement. As a renowned expert in bridging scientific theory with real world understanding, Neil offers valuable insights into understanding and overcoming behavioural and emotional challenges of retirement. Together, Dan and Neil examine the intersection of the behavioural, emotional, and financial challenges that retirees often face and offer practical advice for achieving a happy, healthy, and wealthy retirement. What You'll Learn The listener will learn about the challenges of retirement, particularly the importance of understanding human behaviour and the need to maintain a sense of purpose and identity. The podcast emphasizes the importance of preparing early, identifying activities that bring happiness and fulfilment, and focusing on purpose and identity in retirement planning. Dan and Neil also discuss the cognitive changes that occur during retirement and the conflict between our present and future selves. More about us: www.humansvsretirement.co.uk