Prime Life

Deciding when to claim Social Security can be confusing, especially when a spouse's benefits are part of the picture. Mary Beth Franklin, a Certified Financial Planner and host of public television's Social Security & You, joins Prime Life Podcast hosts Mary Crean and Frank Corbo to explain claiming options, how couples can coordinate benefits and how Medicare premiums affect monthly Social Security payments.

Links from show notes:

Website

LinkedIn

Insurance is built around understanding and managing risk. But how do you know when taking a risk yourself could lead to something new?

Brian Stricker joins Prime Life Podcast host Mary Crean and co-host Frank Corbo for a conversation about resilience, leadership and a career in the insurance industry. From lessons learned running marathons to mentorship and innovation, Brian shares what has helped him through challenges, shaped his approach to leadership, and, at this stage of his career, inspired him to take a risk of his own and build something new.

It's a conversation about perseverance, purpose, and continuing to grow, both personally and professionally.

Links from show notes:

LinkedIn

Website

Medicare Supplement applications can raise questions about underwriting requirements, documentation and the review process. Understanding what happens behind the scenes can help insurance agents better prepare for each step.

In this episode of Prime Life Podcast, Mary Crean and Frank Corbo welcome R.J. Hyson and Nick Scarfo from Nassau Financial Group to discuss underwriting considerations, application procedures and how Nassau works with agents throughout the process. Learn more about what goes into reviewing an application and the information agents can provide to support the process.

Links from show notes:

R.J. Hyson-LinkedIn

Nick Scarfo-LinkedIn

Nassau Financial Group

Setbacks, self-doubt, career transitions, and unexpected life changes can make it difficult to see what's next. Host Mary Crean sits down with Tiffany Young, speaker and leadership advocate, to discuss resilience, self-validation, and why challenges don't have to define the rest of the story. Their conversation explores finding purpose through change, overcoming imposter syndrome, and stepping into new opportunities with confidence. Links from show notes: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Medicare is changing, and those changes can affect healthcare costs and retirement planning.

Matt Feret joins Prime Life Podcast host Mary Crean and co-host Frank Corbo to discuss what's changing in Medicare, why healthcare costs are part of the retirement conversation and why Medicare can require attention beyond enrollment. They also discuss the value and transfer of a Medicare book of business and why succession planning matters for agents and agency owners.

It's a practical conversation about Medicare, retirement and planning for what comes next.

Links from show notes:

Medicare Book-of-Business & Succession Resource / Protect the Book You Built

Prepare for Medicare

LinkedIn

Money can be personal, and understanding the financial world isn't always easy.

Long-time financial journalist Ellen Sheng joins Mary Crean to share insights from her career writing for The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Forbes, Fast Company and other publications. Today, she consults with asset managers and wealth managers, helping firms communicate more clearly with the people they serve.

Ellen and Mary talk about markets, investing and financial literacy, why trust and clear communication matter, and the value of asking questions when financial topics can get complicated.

It's a candid conversation about money and making complex financial topics easier to understand.

Links from show notes:

Website

LinkedIn

Every generation can face a different set of financial and life challenges when thinking about retirement. How can those differences shape the way Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z approach retirement?

In this episode of Prime Life, host Mary Crean is joined by Brittney McKenzie, Virginia Harvey and Brynn Peters for a multi-generational conversation about retirement. They explore how factors like housing and education costs, technology, social media, caregiving and multi-generational households can influence the way different generations think about their financial futures.

The discussion looks beyond generational stereotypes to explore what each generation can learn from the others and how different perspectives may broaden the conversation about retirement.

Listen where you get your podcasts and at primelifepodcast.com

What if aging is less about the number of years we've lived and more about how we approach the years ahead?

In this episode of Prime Life Podcast, host Mary Crean talks with Mesha Mebane, CEO of Infrared Vision, about the role mindset can play in healthy aging, resilience and personal growth.

Mesha shares her 3 R's framework: Redefine, Rebuild and Restore, and explores how shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset may help us move through change, overcome adversity and think differently about what is possible at any age.

From self-reflection and vision boards to authenticity, faith and finding purpose, the conversation offers a different way to think about longevity: not simply living longer, but considering how we want to live.

What can years of experience teach us about business, relationships, and what keeps us moving forward?

In this episode of Prime Life, host Mary Crean talks with entrepreneur, and marketing expert Brian Snider about the lessons he has learned through building businesses, overcoming challenges, and adapting over time. They discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, the value of listening and relationships, and how purpose and persistence can shape growth in business and life at any age.

Listen where you get your podcasts and learn more at www.primelifepodcast.com

Retirement income planning continues to evolve as people live longer and traditional withdrawal strategies may face new challenges.

In this episode, host Mary Crean sits down with Sheryl O'Connor, CEO of Income Conductor, to discuss how technology, retirement income strategies, and annuity planning may help advisors navigate an increasingly complex retirement landscape.

Listen for perspectives on the trends and considerations shaping retirement income planning today.

Links from show notes:

Income Conductor LinkedIn

Sheryl O'Connor LinkedIn

Source: J.D. Power, 2025 U.S. Individual Annuity Study, "Customer Satisfaction with Individual Annuities Strained by New-Client Experience and Digital Limitations," Oct. 2025.