A lot of people spend years looking for the “secret” to better investment returns.

But in retirement, the better question is often this:

Do you need more complexity… or more clarity?

In Episode 27, we walk through why so many investors get pulled toward exclusivity, high-fee products, and active strategies — and why simple, disciplined investing often wins over time.

This is a conversation about:
• reducing unnecessary risk
• avoiding shiny object syndrome
• preparing the next generation well
• and creating the kind of confidence that lets you rest, not second-guess

Because the best retirement plan is not the one that sounds the most impressive.
It’s the one that helps you live with the most peace.

https://www.bigmoneyretirement.com/build-big-live-bigger-podcast/

A great pilot doesn’t skip the checklist.

A great retiree shouldn’t either.

Episode 26 is your “pre-flight” for retirement — because hoping it works is not a plan.

✅ Income plan

✅ Taxes

✅ Social Security timing

✅ Risk + safety

✅ What to pull from, and when

Text BOOK to 864-920-3155 or hit the link to get your free copy of Retire Right.

https://www.bigmoneyretirement.com/build-big-live-bigger-podcast/

Pain is inevitable in retirement. Suffering isn’t.

Episode 25 of the Build Big Live Bigger Podcast is a gut-check (in the best way) — because most people spend years preparing financially… and almost zero time preparing emotionally for what comes next.

✅ What happens when the paycheck stops and the “identity” shifts

✅ How to move from a saving mindset to a living mindset

✅ Why the best retirement plans don’t just manage money — they protect peace of mind

✅ The question that changes everything: “If money wasn’t the issue… what would your dream retirement look like?”

If you’re heading into retirement soon — or you’re already there and still feeling that quiet “something’s missing” — don’t wait until uncertainty turns into regret.

If retirement clarity matters, take action while you still have options.

Text BOOK to 864-920-3155 for a FREE copy of Retire Right by Johnathan Burgess!

https://www.bigmoneyretirement.com/build-big-live-bigger-podcast/

AI Bubble or AI Boom? 🤖

Clients keep asking: “Should we be worried about all this tech exposure?”
In Episode 24, Johnathan Burgess and Luke Maloney-Grimes break down AI adoption, what’s really driving the growth behind companies like the Magnificent Seven, and why this moment isn’t as simple as “it’s a bubble.”

But more importantly, we bring it back to what matters most in retirement:
You don’t need perfect predictions. You need the right plan and asset allocation.

You’ll hear a simple explanation of the AI ecosystem (chips, manufacturers, platforms, data centers), why “AI” doesn’t automatically equal a good investment, and how safe money + an income strategy can reduce worry—even if markets get volatile.

📩 Want more clarity? Text BOOK to 864-920-3155 to get a free copy of Retire Right.

When you retire, it’s not just you and your spouse at the table…You have a silent partner too — the IRS.

And if you don’t have a tax plan?The IRS does.

In Episode 23, Build Big Live Bigger Podcast we break down how to create tax-efficient income in retirement — so you can keep more of what you built, reduce unknowns, and protect the life you’ve worked so hard for.

✅ Why taxes may be your biggest long-term risk

✅ How Roth conversions can help you “get off the tracks”

✅ Why the first 10 years of retirement can change your lifetime tax outcome

✅ RMDs, IRMAA, Social Security taxation — what you need to understand

Because retirement isn’t just about growing money…It’s about building a plan that lets you Dream Big. Live Bigger. 🔥

Text BOOK to 864-920-3155 or click: https://www.bigmoneyretirement.com/build-big-live-bigger-podcast/

Money will only get you so far—relationships and real clarity are what protect your retirement.

Welcome to Episode 22 of the Build Big Live Bigger podcast. In this episode, Johnathan Burgess and Luke Maloney-Grimes break down a retirement threat most people don’t see coming: portfolio fees—the hidden costs that can quietly reduce returns, limit income, and delay the life you’re working so hard to enjoy.

You’ll learn:

-Why fees can be one of the largest “invisible expenses” in retirement

-How lower expected returns make fees more damaging over time

-Where high fees often hide (mutual funds, variable annuities, advisory fees, and more)

-The concept of “behavioral fees”—and how the wrong move in a downturn can cost far more than any expense ratio.

-Why dormant old 401(k)s/IRAs can lead to unnecessary costs and missed growth.

-How Big Money’s philosophy focuses on helping you keep more of your return—so your plan blesses your life instead of becoming it.

If retirement clarity matters to you, don’t wait.📩 Text BOOK to 864-920-3155 or click the link below to get a free copy of Johnathan’s book, Retire Right.

https://www.bigmoneyretirement.com/build-big-live-bigger-podcast/

Heading into 2026, here’s the question:
What do you really want this year to look like?

In Episode 21, we talk about getting intentional, staying consistent, and building a plan that supports your dreams — not your worries.

Clarity first. Confidence follows. 💛

In this first episode of the new year, we talk about what truly matters as you head into 2026 — not opinions, not hype, but real planning that replaces worry with confidence.We break down:• Why retirement planning is different than investing• Why losses matter more after you retire• What max drawdown really means for your life• Why the old 4% rule may not be enough• And why taxes — not the market — could be your biggest riskRetirement isn’t about guessing.It’s about building a plan that protects what you’ve built and supports the life you want to live.If 2026 is the year you want more clarity, more confidence, and fewer financial surprises — this episode is for you. ✨

In Episode 19 of the Build Big Live Bigger podcast, Johnathan & Luke walk through:

• How our clients (and our firm) grew nearly 80% this year—and what that means for your plan 📈

• A simple year-end reflection ritual to keep the good memories, release the hard ones, and repeat what worked 🔥

• How to pre-plan your travel calendar so you’re not just retired… you’re going somewhere ✈️🗓️

• Smart ways to gift to kids & grandkids (UGMAs, Roth IRAs, annual gifting limits) so you see your legacy while you’re here to enjoy it 🎁👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

• Critical year-end moves: RMDs, QCDs, Roth conversions, donor-advised funds, and why your 401(k) allocation might need a second look before the new year ⏰

If you’re 50+ and serious about making 2026 a year of clarity, confidence, and memorable moments, this one’s for you.

#BuildBigLiveBigger #RetireRight #RetirementPlanning #PreRetirement #LegacyPlanning #RetirementIncome #FinancialClarity #BigMoneyRetirement

Most people measure success in retirement with one question: “Did I beat the S&P?”

In Episode 18 of the Build Big Live Bigger podcast, Jonathan sits down with industry veteran Ryan Heath (who helped grow an advisory business from $0 to $22 billion) to reframe the benchmark that actually matters: your Retirement Success Score—how confidently your money can fund your best days, not just your next statement.

In this conversation, they unpack:

• Why the old “12% in, 8% out” rule only worked about 9% of the time

• How true Monte Carlo planning (your success score) helps you see if your plan passes or fails before it’s too late

• The power of blending safe income (your paycheck in retirement) with growth money (future lifestyle, legacy, and “best day” moments)

• A simple 4-question exercise to design the days you actually want your money to unlock

If you’re within 10–15 years of retirement or already retired, this episode is about more than just returns—it’s about creating a retirement worthy of the sacrifices it took to get here, so you can live your dreams, not your fears.