Broadcast Retirement Network

Set in San Francisco's iconic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, this video follows three small business voices — Dave McLean, the self-described "godfather of craft beer in San Francisco," and Kristen Evans and Camden of The Booksmith, a beloved independent bookstore founded in 1976. Each shares their personal journey of building a life and livelihood in a neighborhood steeped in counterculture history, while grappling with the very real pressures of rising costs, razor-thin margins, and the challenge of taking care of their employees.

In Roads to Retirement: Act I – The Journey Begins, Jeff Snyder sets the stage for a thoughtful exploration of what retirement really means by introducing two people whose lives could not look more different. One is an artist in Marin who has chosen a simple, creative life living on a sailboat and staying grounded in what matters most. The other is a Northern California firefighter working hard to build stability and opportunity for his growing family.

Can owning a pet actually lead to a happier, more fulfilling retirement? In this episode, we sit down with David Blanchett, Ph.D., CFA®, CFP®, Head of Retirement Research at Prudential Financial and Portfolio Manager at PGIM, to unpack fascinating new research on how dogs, cats, and other family pets impact life in retirement.

The U.S. spends 2–3 times more on healthcare than any other developed nation — but a groundbreaking new study shows some states are finally starting to slow the bleeding. In this episode, we sit down with John N. Mafi, MD, MPH, of UCLA Health, whose research reveals how five pioneering states implemented cost growth benchmark programs to bend the healthcare spending curve.

Most people think they understand Medicare — but a recent eHealth survey reveals a shocking knowledge gap that could cost you thousands of dollars. In this eye-opening conversation, Derrick Duke, CEO of eHealth, breaks down everything you need to know before turning 65, including the permanent 10% late enrollment penalty most people don't discover until it's too late, why skipping Part D prescription drug coverage is a costly mistake, and how Medicare plans change every year making an annual review essential.

AI is transforming the labor market — but what happens to the federal government's revenue when jobs disappear? In this interview, RAND's Carter Price, breaks down a new report he co-authored with colleague Akshaya Suresh examining how AI-driven labor disruptions could threaten the roughly two-thirds of federal revenue that comes from taxes on wages and payroll.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Lawrence Quill, co-director of the Loneliness Project at San Jose State University dives deep into the modern loneliness epidemic and the surprising role technology plays as both the cause and potential cure. Drawing on ancient philosophy and cutting-edge insights, we explore why so many people—from the "feral generation" to Gen Z—feel more isolated than ever, how our phones and social media may be quietly rewiring our relationships, and whether AI companions and chatbots could genuinely ease loneliness or make it worse.

What is your child's school app really doing with their data? BYU Information Systems Professor Justin Giboney breaks down a groundbreaking study—conducted with Mark Keith and the Utah State Board of Education—that compared what EdTech apps promised against their actual network traffic, uncovering student data flowing to advertisers, data brokers, and identity-resolution firms, often without app makers realizing it. policymaker.

A clear, practical look at the largest farmland transfer in generations and what it means for you. President of Farmers National Company Paul Schadegg explains how America's farmers are doing today, breaks down the scale of the coming generational wealth transfer, and reveals whether landowners are truly prepared to pass down their land. You'll learn how to assemble the right team of professionals, why location and state-specific rules can dramatically affect your outcome, and what really happens when an owner dies without an estate plan. Plus, you'll walk away with actionable advice for younger farmers and a reminder of why revisiting your plan regularly is essential to protecting your land, your legacy, and your family's future.

What happens when the tools you built start to outpace you? Astronomer J. Xavier Prochaska, Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz, reveals how artificial intelligence is transforming science at breathtaking speed — writing code, drafting research proposals, and uncovering exoplanets in decades-old data — pushing him to work "100 times" faster than ever before.

In this interview, Andrew G. Biggs, PhD., Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, explains why the number of workers without a 401(k) or other formal retirement plan doesn’t tell the whole story. He discusses how age, income, student loans, homeownership, inflation, and other financial priorities influence when people save.

Can AI accurately measure America's retirement readiness? In this episode, we put Claude Opus 4.8 to the test on key questions about the U.S. workforce and retirement coverage, then had one of the nation's leading retirement economists fact-check every number. Our guest, Andrew G. Biggs, PhD, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, breaks down where the AI got it right, where it fell short, and what the real data actually reveals about how prepared Americans truly are for retirement.

Are you prepared for what happens if you stop paying your student loans? In this eye-opening interview, college finance expert Mark Kantrowitz breaks down the serious consequences of default—including wage garnishment, seized tax refunds, and how the government can take up to 15% of your Social Security benefits at any age.

Are your credit cards actually working for you—or just draining your wallet with sky-high annual fees? In this episode, Nick Ewen, Editor-in-Chief of The Points Guy, breaks down everything you need to know about navigating today's increasingly complex credit card landscape. From the eye-popping $895 Amex Platinum annual fee to the smart way to negotiate a downgrade (and score a retention offer), Nick shares insider strategies for getting real value out of your cards.

Should you wait to book Thanksgiving or Christmas travel? Don't. In this interview, Nick Ewan, Editor-in-Chief of The Points Guy, breaks down why holiday airfares are already spiking — up 13% for Thanksgiving and nearly 20% for Christmas and New Year's — and shares insider strategies to score the best deals, track prices even after you book, and get money back when fares drop (he personally saved $95 on a family flight to Denver!).

Dr. Daniel W. Jones, M.D., FAHA — Professor Emeritus and former Dean of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine — joins us to break down the American Heart Association's new high blood pressure guidelines. As chair of the committee that wrote them, he explains why 130/80 is the new target, the surprising link between blood pressure control and lower dementia risk, why an arm cuff beats your smartwatch, and the simple lifestyle changes that make a difference. Informational only — always consult your clinician.

Daniel Kline, Co-Editor-in-Chief of TheStreet and TravelHost, reveals why travel insurance is a must-have for anyone booking a cruise. Daniel breaks down how a single medical emergency at sea can cost $30,000–$50,000, what happens if you miss your ship's departure, and how the right coverage can save your trip—and your wallet. From real-life stories to insider pro tips on filing claims and finding the best value, this video gives you the essential knowledge to cruise with confidence and avoid costly mistakes before you ever step aboard.

In this episode Chris Tobe, CFA, CAIA breaks down how AI-driven misinformation and “fake signals” can end up creating real fiduciary risk in retirement planning. Chris explains what makes retirement information vulnerable in the age of AI—how false or misleading inputs can distort the way people (and systems) interpret plan details—and why that matters for compliance and decision-making. He also shares practical guidance on how consumers can use AI tools more wisely: verifying claims, stress-testing recommendations, and looking for trustworthy signals before acting on retirement-related information.

Are your grocery bills finally getting some relief — or is more price pressure on the way? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. David Anderson, economist and professor at Texas A&M University, to break down what's really happening with food prices in America.

Philip Snyder, Senior Vice President at The Warner Companies, breaks down one of retirement's most overlooked needs: long-term care. With roughly 70% of retirees expected to need care, Philip explains why a pension or Thrift Savings Plan alone won't cover it, why nursing home costs rising above inflation make early planning essential, and how today's hybrid life insurance policies build cash value and pass unused benefits to beneficiaries. Practical guidance for federal employees and everyday Americans on how—and when—to fund the care they may one day need.