Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! On today’s episode, I’m joined by a truly inspiring guest whose personal journey offers hope, resilience, and valuable lessons about financial wellness: Matt Paradise. Matt is a financial wellness speaker for young professionals, an award-winning author, and a living example of perseverance—having gone from being a homeless teen to achieving financial independence and now dedicating himself to helping others beat financial stress and unlock their full potential.

In our conversation, Matt and I dive deep into his incredible story of transformation, moving from addiction and hopelessness to sobriety, stability, and success. He shares candid reflections on the intersection of addiction, mental health, and financial habits, reminding us that these struggles can affect anyone, and that there’s always hope—even in the darkest times. We talk about the ongoing commitment involved in both addiction recovery and financial wellness, as well as the pivotal role that mindset, mentors, and community play in helping us overcome adversity.

Matt draws on his decades of experience in credit counseling and financial coaching, sharing powerful insights into behavioral addictions like overspending and debt accumulation—and how these patterns often stem from deeper emotional or psychological challenges. He recounts his own family’s story of long-term financial planning, caring for aging parents, and the anxieties and transitions that come with giving up independence later in life. Together, we explore the importance of vision, purpose, and building support systems—whether for our children, our elders, or ourselves as we pursue wellness and growth at every stage.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Pain to Purpose: Matt’s journey shows that personal pain can be transformed into service and purpose—helping others find hope and resilience amid their own struggles.
2. Recovery Is Lifelong: Addiction recovery, whether chemical or behavioral (like debt or spending), is a lifelong process. Accountability, support, and “speaking the truth in love” are critical for lasting change.
3. Financial Wellness Is Holistic: True financial wellness goes beyond dollars and cents—it's deeply linked to mindset, emotional health, and the support systems we build. Financial anxiety can persist even after basic needs are met, especially when rooted in past trauma or scarcity.
4. Generational and Individual Challenges: Our experiences around money, independence, and mental health are shaped by generational patterns, cultural backgrounds, and personal histories. There’s no “one-size-fits-all”—every journey is unique.
5. The Importance of Vision and Purpose: Building a vision for our future—even if it feels difficult or intimidating—is essential. Whether planning for retirement, caregiving, or breaking out of survival mode, a clear purpose helps us create better present and future outcomes.

Join us for this powerful and motivating episode as we shine a light on overcoming adversity and creating financial and personal well-being through mindset, action, and community. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with anyone who might benefit from a message of hope and practical wisdom—on their journey to financial freedom and purpose-filled living!

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! In this special “Diary of a Financial Advisor” segment, I’m thrilled to welcome Andrew Harrell. Andrew’s journey is one of passion, commitment, and ongoing growth. He began at BFG as an associate in 2018, quickly advanced to lead advisor in 2023, and recently became a shareholder. Andrew graduated cum laude from Coastal Carolina University and was recognized with an Outstanding Alumnus Award from their Wall College of Business. He holds his CRPC (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor) and his CFP (Certified Financial Planner), already making an impressive mark in the field.

Andrew and I dove into his evolving role, the significance of financial wellness, and the value of professional networking through the Financial Planning Association (FPA). We traded familiar office banter—yes, his “Young Protege” and “EJ” nicknames are alive and well!—before unpacking how staying engaged with the FPA not only shapes the profession but also impacts legislative advocacy and community outreach. Andrew explained how collaboration with fellow advisors, not competition, best serves clients and the financial planning industry.

We then explored a pivotal initiative at BFG: our corporate financial wellness program with KCI and other organizations. Andrew shared how this program empowers employees at every level to make sound financial choices, alleviating stress and fostering peace of mind through holistic planning. We also talked about the importance of taking off the “planner hat” and embracing well-rounded wellness for clients and ourselves. To wrap up, Andrew reflected on his vision for the future—staying true to his own strengths while continuing to make a difference.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Professional Community: Andrew emphasized that working together with other financial advisors through the Financial Planning Association fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and positive impact—rather than rivalry.
2. Legislative Advocacy Matters: Involvement with the FPA and similar organizations keeps financial advisors aware of regulatory changes and provides a voice to influence legislation that affects both advisors and their clients.
3. Financial Wellness for All Levels: Our corporate wellness program brings personalized financial guidance directly to employees, helping them understand complex benefits packages and make informed decisions regardless of their asset level.
4. Holistic Wellness is Essential: True financial planning goes beyond numbers—it’s about providing peace of mind, making sure beneficiaries and wills are in place, and reducing stress for both advisors and their clients.
5. Never Stop Growing: Andrew’s journey reminds us that ongoing professional development, community engagement, and the desire to elevate those around us are keys to a fulfilling and impactful career in financial planning.

Thank you for joining us on this episode as we continue to inspire, educate, and guide you toward financial freedom with purpose. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with anyone looking to reshape their financial future!

1. The Rule of 72: Scott breaks down how money doubling every ten years—based on a 7.2% average annual return—can be a simple, empowering way to visualize long-term growth and motivate early action.
2. Harnessing the Power of 16: By shifting perspective, we realize that starting to invest early offers the unique ability to multiply money by sixteen over forty years, turning long-term discipline into an immediate “superpower.”
3. Loss Aversion as Motivation: Scott’s third epiphany highlights how our multiplying power halves every ten years after we begin investing—creating urgency and leveraging our innate drive to avoid loss for faster action.
4. Financial Literacy Is for Everyone: You don’t need to be a math whiz or have years of experience to succeed at personal finance; simple, practical habits and behavioral shifts make the greatest impact over time.
5. Generosity and Purpose: Financial mastery isn’t just for personal gain; Scott’s story about “becoming an Ernie” reminds us that wise stewardship leads to opportunities to make a difference and gives deeper meaning to financial success.

1. A Personal History Fuels Professional Passion: Claudia’s early exposure to her family’s disciplined financial management instilled in her a drive to enter the finance industry and help others achieve similar stability and success.
2. Diverse Industry Experience Matters: From trading desks to portfolio management, Claudia’s varied background equips her to navigate complex client needs and deliver thoughtful, informed advice.
3. Intimate Client Relationships Set BFG Apart: Transitioning from a large corporation to a boutique firm, Claudia emphasizes the ability to deeply understand clients' financial worlds and provide true financial planning.
4. Milestone Moments Motivate Advisors: The most rewarding aspect of the work, according to Claudia, is witnessing clients achieve significant life events—whether it’s retiring or finishing paying for a child’s education.
5. Accountability and Wellness Programs Enhance Growth: Regular check-ins with accountability partners and participation in BFG’s financial wellness programs not only help advisors stay focused but also expand the reach and impact of financial education.

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! In this episode, we’re diving deep into the emotional and creative side of life’s biggest transitions—especially retirement. My guest, Susan Hensley, is a transformational coach, speaker, and author whose mission is to help individuals navigate major life changes with joy, creativity, and resilience. With decades of experience as a corporate executive and leadership coach—and a background in HR and journalism—Susan brings a unique perspective on how we can move through uncertainty without losing ourselves, and, in fact, discover new meaning and color in our lives.

Susan and I explored not just the financial aspects of retirement, but the psychological transformation it brings. We talked about the loss of identity, the paradox of newfound time, and why many of us feel adrift or even terrified approaching this stage, despite years of planning. What sets Susan apart is her use of art journaling as a tool in her coaching practice—a process open to anyone, even self-professed non-artists like me! Susan described how creative expression helps process emotions, unlock inner wisdom, and rediscover the sense of play we all had as children. Together, we discussed letting go of the “big P” purpose that often defines our working years and embracing instead a series of “small p” purposes rooted in daily curiosity, microlearning, and the willingness to experiment and shed old identities.

The episode is both reassuring and invigorating, reminding us that the journey into retirement—or any major transition—isn’t a one-time molting, but an ongoing metamorphosis filled with opportunities to reinvent ourselves, explore new interests, and find joy, even in the messy middle. Susan shared practical advice for managing the daunting blank canvas of retirement, finding joy in both purpose and in play, and learning to balance optimism and fear as we take on the next chapter.

Key Takeaways:

1. Art Journaling as Transformational Coaching: You don’t have to be an artist to benefit from art journaling—it’s a tool for self-expression and emotional processing during uncertain times, accessible to anyone who can doodle, collage, or simply make marks on a page.
2. Reimagining Purpose in Retirement: Life after work isn’t about finding a new singular “big P” purpose, but rather about embracing a series of “small p” purposes that evolve, shift, and can be explored daily through curiosity and microlearning.
3. Managing the Identity Shift: The transition into retirement brings grief, loss of status, and uncertainty about who we are, but it also opens opportunities for shedding old identities and trying on new ones without long-term commitment.
4. Structuring the Blank Canvas: If you’re used to being busy, it helps to gently reintroduce structure post-retirement—but leave intentional space for creativity and exploration, embracing both boredom and talent for value creation in new forms.
5. Joy as a Guiding Principle: Purpose and joy are not mutually exclusive; in fact, real fulfillment comes when we allow them to intersect—by finding glimmers of excitement and allowing ourselves to pursue whatever sparks curiosity, even if it ends up being a brief detour.

Join us as we challenge assumptions, confront fears, and celebrate the potential for play, curiosity, and new beginnings at any stage. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with anyone ready to graduate into a more joyful, inventive future!

For more on Susan Hensley, including her book Art for Your Sanity and free downloadable resources for art journaling, visit susan-hensley.com. Let’s inspire each other to stay both terrified and optimistic—and above all, curious—about what comes next!

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1. Insurance as a Foundation of Risk Management: Insurance isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a foundational part of any risk management plan, alongside legal documents, tax considerations, and asset titling. It’s about protecting both assets and loved ones.
2. Life Insurance Myths Debunked: One of the biggest misconceptions is that young, healthy people don’t need life insurance. In reality, securing coverage early locks in better rates and preserves insurability before any health issues arise.
3. Determining the Right Amount of Coverage: There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but striving for 10 to 15 times your annual income—while factoring in debts, dependents, and future needs—can provide important protection for your family.
4. Take Inventory and Reassess Regularly: Don’t just rely on employer-provided policies or outdated coverage. Sit down, review what you have, and look for gaps or weaknesses in your protection. Life insurance is an asset to be managed, not forgotten.
5. Insurance and Legacy Planning: From debt and income replacement to estate planning and even tax strategies, insurance can be leveraged for more than just “what if I don’t wake up tomorrow?”—it’s a powerful tool for overall financial resilience.

1. Authenticity & Vulnerability Matter: Steve credits his success to embracing vulnerability about his background and challenges, which allows for real, human connections—especially in the digital era where authenticity stands out.
2. Serve First, Ask Second: The best way to build a meaningful network is to focus on helping others without expecting anything in return. Offering value, introductions, or support with no hidden agenda leads to stronger, more genuine relationships.
3. Break Out of Your Comfort Zone: Growth happens outside the comfort zone. Steve encourages stepping into new social situations, even when it feels awkward, because the rewards in terms of connection and confidence are tremendous.
4. Networking is a Follow-Up Game: The magic of networking happens after the initial introduction. Collect contact information and make a strong, positive impression, but focus on following up to build the relationship.
5. Find Your Why and Your Who: Rather than obsessing over “how” to do something new, get clear on your “why” (purpose) and look for the right people (“who”) who can help you on your journey—mentors, connectors, or new friends.

1. Strategic School Choice is Crucial: Tony emphasizes that picking the right school—one that not only fits academically and socially but also financially—can make all the difference. Shopping for the best net price, leveraging scholarships, and considering both public and private options is essential.
2. 529 College Savings Plans Provide a Head Start: Starting a 529 plan early, as Tony’s grandfather did, helped offset the costs of college and allowed Tony to graduate with little to no student debt—an advantage that influenced his final school decision.
3. Scholarships and Grants Are Out There—But You Must Apply: Many scholarships go unused because students aren’t aware of them or don’t take the initiative to apply. Proactively seeking out scholarships and working with advisors can meaningfully reduce college costs.
4. Debt-Free Graduation Sets You Up for Success: Graduating without significant student loans provides young professionals with greater flexibility, less stress, and a stronger foundation for achieving financial independence and future life goals.
5. Campus Involvement Opens Doors: Tony’s advice to get involved on campus (clubs, leadership, internships, and networking with professors) has led to scholarships, career opportunities, and a more fulfilling college experience. Waiting for opportunities isn’t enough—students should be proactive.