Retirement Ready Podcast

Bite-sized guidance to help you properly plan for your retirement and financial future.

The National Park Guide to Retirement Planning

July 16, 2026

Whether you’re visiting one of the 63 national parks this summer or just hitting a local trail, a lot of the best practices for a great hike apply just as well to your retirement plan. Today, Eric “walks” through a few.

Mailbag: Military Pension Mistakes & Retirement Decision Paralysis

July 9, 2026

What happens if you make a retirement decision you can’t undo? And how do you know when you’ve done enough research before making an important financial move? In this mailbag episode, Eric answers two listener questions—one from a military retiree looking to protect his spouse after declining a survivor pension benefit, and another from a listener who struggles with overthinking every financial decision.

Movie Quotes That Reveal the Truth About Retirement

July 2, 2026

Can classic movie quotes actually teach valuable retirement lessons? In this episode, Eric takes memorable lines from films like The Terminator, When Harry Met Sally, and The Wizard of Oz and uses them to explain key retirement-planning concepts. From preparing for inevitable market downturns to understanding why every retirement plan should be personalized, these famous quotes provide surprisingly practical financial insights.

Where Does Guaranteed Income in Retirement Really Come From?

June 18, 2026

What does “guaranteed income” really mean in retirement, and is it actually possible to create a paycheck you can count on for life? In this episode, Eric breaks down the different sources of retirement income, including Social Security, pensions, investments, rental properties, and insurance-based solutions. He explains the risks many retirees overlook when relying solely on portfolios, dividends, bonds, or rental income and discusses why predictable income streams can play an important role in a well-designed retirement strategy.

Mailbag: IRA Withdrawals, Whole Life Insurance & Cash on the Sidelines

June 11, 2026

In this mailbag episode, Eric tackles a variety of listener questions about retirement and financial planning.
He breaks down complex topics into clear, practical guidance to help you make more confident money decisions.

Retirement Lessons Hidden in Walt Disney Quotes

June 4, 2026

Sometimes the best financial lessons come from the most unexpected places. Walt Disney built one of the most recognizable brands in history, but some of his most memorable quotes offer lessons that extend far beyond theme parks and animated characters.

Mailbag: Working Forever, Safety Nets, and Target Date Funds

May 28, 2026

A lot of people think they’ll work forever, until life changes the plan. In this special mailbag episode, Eric answers listener questions about retirement timing, backup planning, target date funds, and how to think about risk as retirement gets closer.

The Financial Impact of Losing a Spouse

May 21, 2026

Losing a spouse is one of the hardest realities anyone can face, and it can create major financial changes that you may not see coming. In this episode, Eric walks through the potential financial impact of becoming suddenly single in retirement, including Social Security changes, tax surprises, IRA rules, beneficiary updates, and income planning challenges.

Good Intentions, Bad Advice: Well-Meaning Advice Can Cost You

May 7, 2026

Not all bad financial advice comes from bad sources. Sometimes it comes from the people you trust the most. Eric breaks down how well-meaning input from family, friends, professionals, and even the media can lead to the wrong decisions.

When Life Happens, Your Plan Needs to Change

April 30, 2026

Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and your finances need to be ready when things change. Eric walks through some of the biggest life events that can impact your financial future and why each one is a moment to revisit your plan. The goal isn’t to predict every twist and turn; it’s to be prepared when they happen. A solid plan gives you the flexibility to adjust without losing confidence.

Challenging What You “Know for Sure” About Retirement

April 23, 2026

Mark Twain once said, “It’s not what you don’t know that gets you into trouble, it’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” How can this wisdom apply to retirement planning?

Questions To Ask Your Advisor

April 16, 2026

Eric walks through the key questions that can reshape how you think about your plan and explains how the right questions can lead to better clarity, smarter decisions, and a more confident path into retirement.

How the 24/7 News Cycle Hurts Your Portfolio

April 9, 2026

In today’s 24/7 news cycle, financial headlines are designed to grab attention, not guide smart decisions. The result? Decisions driven more by noise than by strategy. In this episode, Eric explores how media influence, emotional reactions, and misunderstood risk tolerance can quietly derail a financial plan.

Why Most Of Your Financial Goals Fail

April 2, 2026

Many people talk about setting financial goals, but far fewer people know how to set the right ones, or how to turn them into something that actually works in real life. Eric walks through how to create financial goals that are both meaningful and achievable. It’s easy to aim high, but if your plan isn’t realistic, those goals often fall apart before they ever gain traction.

March Madness & Your Money: Don’t Bust Your Retirement Bracket

March 26, 2026

Filling out a March Madness bracket is fun, but when it comes to your retirement, you can’t afford to treat it like a bracket pool. Upsets, bold picks, and emotional calls make for a good time, but the same principles can wreck a financial plan if you play it the same way. In this episode, Eric connects the dots between tournament chaos and retirement strategy, and why your financial game plan needs more discipline than your Final Four.

What Mr. Rogers Can Teach Us About Retirement Readiness

March 19, 2026

Fred Rogers spent decades teaching life lessons through kindness, patience, and thoughtful reflection. While his words weren’t meant to be financial advice, many of his most memorable quotes offer surprising wisdom when applied to in-vesting and retirement planning. Today, Eric takes a few classic Mister Rogers quotes and connects them to the realities of retirement planning.

The Hidden Costs of Mutual Funds in Retirement

March 12, 2026

Retirement decisions aren’t made in spreadsheets alone. They’re shaped by mood, headlines, memories, and personal experiences, often more than we realize. Eric focuses on the emotional side of financial planning and why awareness matters just as much as strategy.

Retirement & Emotions: How Feelings Can Derail (or Improve) Your Plan

March 5, 2026

Retirement decisions aren’t made in spreadsheets alone. They’re shaped by mood, headlines, memories, and personal experiences, often more than we realize. Eric focuses on the emotional side of financial planning and why awareness matters just as much as strategy.

All shows are paid advertisements by Peterson Financial Group, Inc Investment advisory services are offered through Peterson Financial Group, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Discussions and answers to questions do not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but are limited to the dissemination of general information and may not be suitable for members of the listening audience. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies presented.
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