The Retirement Insiders

In Part II of Navigating Senior Care, the focus shifts from helping our parents to preparing for our own future care. Host Tony Kalinowski and co-host David Alexander are joined again by Brad and Christy Brewer, co-authors of Home to Home: The Step-by-Step Senior Housing Guide, to discuss how early planning can help prevent stress and confusion later in life.

Brad, a Residential Assisted Living Specialist and Vice President of Aspen Valley Senior Homes, and Christy, a Licensed Administrator and geriatric Speech-Language Pathologist with 27 years of experience, offer a practical look at what it means to age with a plan. From financial considerations and government programs to facility tours and family conversations, they walk listeners through what to know and where to start.

Tony opens up about his father’s struggle with burnout while caring for his mother, and the toll it took on their family. That story frames a broader question many are starting to ask in their fifties and sixties: How do we make thoughtful choices today so our children won’t carry the same burden tomorrow?

Brad and Christy share insights from their work at Aspen Valley, including the value of purpose, social connection, and small daily routines that support dignity and well-being.

Whether you are supporting loved ones now or thinking about what your own later years should look like, this episode offers timely and useful guidance to start the conversation and take action with care.

Connect: Tony Kalinowski
View Podcast Website: Here
Learn More About Brad & Christy:  www.aspenvalleyseniorhomes.com

Book: Home to Home Local Edition: The Step by Step Senior Housing Guide 

Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

When caring for aging parents, the heart often wrestles with the head, and the weight of those decisions can feel overwhelming. In this deeply personal episode of The Retirement Insiders, host Tony Kalinowski and co-host David Alexander open the door to a conversation many families are quietly navigating behind closed doors.

Joining them are Brad and Christy Brewer, a husband and wife team bringing decades of expertise to senior care. Christy, a Licensed Residential Care Administrator and Speech-Language Pathologist with 27 years of experience specializing in geriatrics, and Brad, a Residential Assisted Living Specialist with a background in hospital administration and real estate investment, co-founded Aspen Valley Senior Homes to offer a more personal, compassionate alternative for aging adults. Together, they co-authored Home to Home: The Step-by-Step Senior Housing Guide to help families plan with clarity and confidence.

Tony shares his own experience walking alongside his mother through Alzheimer’s and the toll it took on his family, raising questions many listeners may find all too familiar: How do we help our parents navigate this season with dignity? And how do we spare our own children from carrying the same emotional burden someday?

Through powerful stories, practical steps, and honest conversation, Brad and Christy guide listeners through the first stages of senior care planning, showing that with the right support, families can approach these transitions with wisdom, strength, and grace.

This is Part I of a two-part conversation. In Part II, we will shift the focus to preparing for our own future care, ensuring that the decisions we make today can lift the burden from the next generation tomorrow.

Connect: Tony Kalinowski
View Podcast Website: Here
Learn More About Brad & Christy:  www.aspenvalleyseniorhomes.com

Book: Home to Home Local Edition: The Step by Step Senior Housing Guide 

Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

Finding the right financial adviser can make all the difference in securing a successful retirement. But with so many options, how do you know who to trust? In this Key Insights Today (KIT) episode, Co-Host and Producer David Alexander sits down with Tony Kalinowski, a seasoned financial expert with over 30 years of experience, to uncover the essential steps to choosing the right adviser and building a solid retirement strategy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What to look for in a fiduciary financial adviser and why it matters
- The biggest financial mistakes people make in their 50s and how to avoid them
- How to create a realistic retirement plan that aligns with your goals and lifestyle
- The best tools and strategies to track your financial health over time
- Why some retirees choose to work part-time, not for money, but for purpose

Tony shares real-world examples to help you assess your financial situation, make informed decisions, and confidently prepare for retirement. Whether you’re just starting your financial journey in your 30s, navigating mid-life planning in your 50s, or fine-tuning your retirement strategy in your 60s and beyond, this episode is packed with expert guidance for every stage of life.

Connect: Tony Kalinowski
View Podcast Website: Here
Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

Discover how Skip Vaccarello, Silicon Valley pioneer and author of Finding God in Silicon Valley, integrates faith and innovation into a purposeful retirement. Host Tony Kalinowski and Co-Host David Alexander explore Skip’s journey from VisiCorp to founding the Silicon Valley Prayer Breakfast and mentoring the next generation. Learn his actionable advice for transitioning from career success to a fulfilling retirement centered on faith, family, and community. Don’t miss this episode packed with insights to inspire your next chapter!

Guest: Skip Vaccarello
View Book:  Finding God in Silicon Valley
Connect: Tony Kalinowski
View Podcast Website: Here
Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

Happy New Year! Join The Retirement Insiders as we celebrate the most inspiring moments of the show in 2024. This special episode takes you through some of the year’s highlights, starting with Jeff Chosid’s story of wandering the streets of Paris and embracing a life of curiosity and intention. Later, we heard from leaders at Road Scholar, who shared how group travel fosters connection and transforms retirement into a time of growth and exploration.

From Tony Kalinowski’s heartfelt reflections on family values from his father to Brad Budde's journey from NFL star to empowering seniors as a Physical Therapist, this year has been a treasure trove of wisdom and practical advice. As we look back, we’re reminded that retirement isn’t an end, it’s the start of a meaningful new chapter filled with purpose and adventure!

Connect: Tony Kalinowski

View Podcast Website: Here

Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

Welcome back to The Retirement Insiders, where we uncover the secrets to a vibrant and purposeful retirement. In this special Part II episode, we continue our insightful discussion with Dr. Daniel Zimmerman, Senior Vice President and Chief Science Advisor at Reinsurance Group of America (RGA) and Managing Director of the Longer Life Foundation.

Building on Part I, where we explored life expectancy and the state of healthcare, Part II dives deeper into the mental and social aspects of longevity, the lasting effects of COVID-19, and practical ways to enhance both healthspan and quality of life. Dr. Zimmerman draws on his extensive experience as a board-certified physician and his leadership in insurance medicine to provide a comprehensive look at the connections between physical health, mental wellness, and social engagement.

Dr. Zimmerman shares compelling insights on topics such as how social connections impact our longevity, the growing understanding of long COVID, and the role of lifestyle factors—like exercise, diet, and even hobbies like pickleball—in promoting a longer, healthier life. He also discusses groundbreaking research supported by the Longer Life Foundation, offering practical strategies for retirees to take control of their health and well-being.

Whether you’re nearing retirement or fully embracing it, this episode provides actionable guidance to help you maximize your years in good health. Listen now to discover how to make retirement the beginning of a fulfilling and dynamic phase of life. 

Resources & Research Mentioned: 

The Path to Longevity: How to Reach 100 with the Health and Stamina of a 40-Year-Old by Dr. Luigi Fontana. 

For listeners interested in learning more, Dr. Zimmerman referenced The Path to Longevity: How to Reach 100 with the Health and Stamina of a 40-Year-Old by Dr. Luigi Fontana. This book discusses the research conducted on caloric restriction and its potential health benefits. The work was supported by the Longer Life Foundation at Washington University.

Purchase book here. 

Learn more about Longer Life Foundation at www.longerlife.org

Connect: Tony Kalinowski

View Podcast Website: Here

Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

Welcome to The Retirement Insiders, where we uncover the secrets of living a vibrant, purposeful retirement. In this special episode, we’re thrilled to have Dr. Daniel Zimmerman, Senior Vice President and Chief Science Advisor at Reinsurance Group of America (RGA) and Managing Director of the Longer Life Foundation, share his expertise on longevity and healthspan.

Dr. Zimmerman’s extensive experience as a board-certified physician and his leadership in insurance medicine position him as a trailblazer in understanding how advancements in healthcare and modern science can extend not only lifespan but also healthspan—the number of years lived in good health. Through his work with RGA and the Longer Life Foundation, Dr. Zimmerman has contributed to groundbreaking research that shapes the way we think about aging and how retirees can make the most of this exciting phase of life.

In this episode, Dr. Zimmerman shares insights on the latest scientific discoveries in aging, how genetics and lifestyle choices impact our health, and practical strategies retirees can adopt to optimize their health and well-being. Whether you’re approaching retirement or already enjoying it, this episode will equip you with actionable guidance on how to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling years.

Listen now and learn what longevity research can teach retirees, straight from one of the leading experts in the field. The Retirement Insiders—because retirement isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning.

Resources & Research Mentioned:
For listeners interested in learning more, Dr. Zimmerman referenced The Path to Longevity: How to Reach 100 with the Health and Stamina of a 40-Year-Old by Dr. Luigi Fontana. This book discusses the research conducted on caloric restriction and its potential health benefits. The work was supported by the Longer Life Foundation at Washington University.
Purchase book here.

Learn more about Longer Life Foundation at www.longerlife.org

Connect: Tony Kalinowski

View Podcast Website: Here

Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

Today’s guest is Mike Smith, a pioneer whose career began during one of America’s most thrilling technological revolutions. Hosts Tony Kalinowski and David Alexander sit down with Mike to uncover his journey from a self-taught programmer to a leader in tech and marketing, with first-hand experiences that included listening to Gemini launches and working on flight simulations during the height of the space race.

Tune in to hear:

• Career Wisdom: Mike’s evolution from early programming days to becoming a product evangelist, helping shape the tech landscape by connecting innovative solutions to business needs.
• Family and Legacy: Mike’s approach to balancing a busy career with family life, and his thoughtful ways of staying connected with his grandkids in retirement.
• Purposeful Retirement Tips: Mike’s insights on building habits for a fulfilling retirement, including staying active, investing in special projects with his wife, and cultivating lifelong learning.

Discover the book that inspired Mike’s approach to life and legacy, Life Is Tremendous by Charlie“Tremendous” Jones, a guiding influence in his journey.

Connect: Tony Kalinowski

View Past Episodes: Here

Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

Welcome back to The Retirement Insiders! We’re thrilled to continue our conversation with Kyle McClellan, former MLB pitcher, 2011 World Series champion, and dedicated philanthropist. In Part I of “Stewarding Impact,” Kyle provides an inspiring update on how the $100,000 matching campaign, fueled by listener support, is creating meaningful change for families in North St. Louis. Today, Kyle reveals how thoughtful giving and trusted partnerships drive lasting community impact in part II of our discussion.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• What is Donor Fatigue?
• Finding and Vetting Strategic Partners
• The Power of Philanthropy in Community
• Inside the Annual Gala

Connect: Tony Kalinowski

View Past Episodes: Here

Get Involved: Brace for Impact 46’s Annual Gala is November 2nd. Join the cause and purchase tickets or bid on auction items at BraceforIMPACT46.com.

In this episode of The Retirement Insiders, we’re excited to welcome back Kyle McClellan, former MLB pitcher and 2011 World Series champion, who now champions a new field: philanthropy. Kyle discusses his nonprofit organization, Brace for Impact 46, which has made significant strides in Haiti and North St. Louis. Listeners will hear updates on how funds, including the $100,000 matching campaign raised by The Retirement Insiders community is making a difference in the lives of families in the St. Louis area. 

This conversation serves as a valuable guide for retirees looking to build a legacy of impact through well-stewarded contributions.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Impact in St. Louis: How contributions from the matching campaign have been applied to help local families.
• Kyle’s Journey: From professional baseball to leading philanthropic efforts.
• Sustainable Giving: How thoughtful contributions are creating long-term results.

Connect: Tony Kalinowski
View Past Episodes: Here.

Get Involved: Learn more and connect through Brace for Impact 46’s fundraiser on November 2nd. Tickets can be purchased at BraceforIMPACT46.com