The Retirement Trainer

For most Americans, the Federal Reserve feels like a distant, complicated institution—but the decisions made behind those closed doors have a direct impact on our everyday lives. From rising mortgage rates to job market shifts and retirement income security, the Fed’s influence is everywhere. Yet few people fully understand its purpose, history, and the real stakes in the policy debates shaping today’s economy.

That’s why I’m excited to welcome Danielle DiMartino Booth back to the podcast. As a former advisor to the President of the Dallas Federal Reserve during the Great Financial Crisis, and bestselling author of Fed Up: An Insider’s Take on Why the Federal Reserve is Bad for America, Danielle is now a leading voice on central banking and monetary policy.

In our conversation, we outline the origins of the Federal Reserve, its evolving role, and why its independence is now at the center of one of the most consequential debates in modern history. Danielle explains the significance of upcoming Fed decisions, the controversies surrounding key policymakers, and how revisions to job market data reveal a very different economic picture than many Americans have been led to believe.

And you won’t want to miss Danielle’s candid forecasts about where interest rates may go, what the Fed’s choices mean for retirees and investors, and her take on factors that could shape the U.S. economy for years ahead.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: 

How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? 

We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

In today’s financial landscape, the biggest challenges facing investors aren’t always market volatility or economic uncertainty—they’re the hidden behavioral biases that derail good intentions and sound advice. From overconfidence to fear-driven decisions, many retirees and pre-retirees find that their emotions and habits are their greatest obstacles to long-term financial security.

I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Daniel Crosby to the show. As a psychologist turned behavioral finance expert, Daniel’s career has focused on translating academic research into practical advice for everyday investors. He is a bestselling author, a renowned speaker, and one of the leading voices in behavioral finance. Through his work, Daniel helps people understand the psychology behind their money decisions—and how aligning finances with purpose can lead to better outcomes and a more meaningful life.

In this conversation, we explored the four biggest mistakes people make with money, why simple rules often outperform complexity, and how tying financial decisions to personal purpose can transform both wealth and well-being. 

You won’t want to miss Daniel’s simple, yet powerful framework for creating a meaningful life and how it applies to retirement planning, investing, and living with intention.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: 

How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? 

We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

With the approval of the One Big Beautiful Bill—also known as the Big Beautiful Tax Bill—many Americans are wondering what it means for their future. Will it benefit retirees and working families? What’s temporary and what’s permanent? And how should you respond before the window of opportunity closes?

In this episode, Ed shares why the extension of the 2017 tax cuts is a welcome relief, even though the bill’s additional government spending raises valid concerns. He unpacks how the bill affects everything from Social Security taxation and senior deductions to Roth conversions and small business tax relief. With layers of misinformation surrounding the new legislation, Ed and LeAnne clarify what’s real—and what retirees and pre-retirees need to prioritize right now.

Whether you’re confused about IRMAA thresholds, looking to optimize your Roth strategy, or wondering how estate taxes will be affected in the coming years, this episode will provide you with the clarity and context you need to make informed decisions.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: 

How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? 

We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

As the national debt spirals out of control and trust in fiat currency dwindles, Americans are waking up to the reality that the financial system is built on unsustainable promises. With inflation rising and the U.S. dollar’s purchasing power shrinking, retirees and investors are seeking solutions that offer lasting value, peace of mind, and protection.

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Robert Kiyosaki back on the podcast. Robert is an entrepreneur, investor, and best-selling author of several books, including Rich Dad Poor Dad. He’s back for a sobering yet important conversation about the state of the economy and the direction of the country. He also weighs in on the value of hard assets, such as gold and silver, as well as the USD and Bitcoin. Fun fact: He was bang on with his predictions late last year. 

In this conversation, Robert uncovers the truth behind the rising prices of gold, silver, and Bitcoin, as well as the diminishing faith and trust in U.S. institutions and the devastating consequences of the ever-growing national debt. Most importantly, Robert delivers straightforward advice: buy and own tangible assets that can’t be printed and improve your fundamental understanding of finance so you can stop relying on a broken system.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: 

How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? 

We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

In a world where chronic illness is skyrocketing and faith in the healthcare system is fading, Americans are searching for ways to improve their physical and mental health without sacrificing their financial freedom.

In today's episode, Dr. Ben Carson returns to the podcast to discuss some of the most pressing health and policy issues facing the country today, from the overuse of medications to the role of personal responsibility in overall health & wellness.

Dr. Carson is the former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and a renowned neurosurgeon. We're thrilled to have him share his insights and expertise on America's health crisis, the dangers of ultra-processed food, and why preventative care is key to reversing long-term systemic issues. Drawing from decades of medical experience and public service, he offers a perspective on how government and individual choices shape the future of healthcare.

In their conversation, they explore the issues contributing to the health crisis, the medical system, and the growing impact of the MAHA movement. They also discuss the popularity of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and how AI and Neuralink can improve Americans' health and lower healthcare costs. Dr. Carson shares thought-provoking ideas that challenge conventional thinking and advocate for a return to logic, transparency, and faith-based values in American society.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: 

How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? 

We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

One of the biggest issues on every American’s mind is the impact of a global trade war and how trade policies and  tariffs will impact their financial future—and rightfully so. Shifting economic alliances can have far-reaching effects on markets, inflation, and long-term investment strategies and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome today’s guest back on the podcast.

Dr. Arthur Laffer is a world-renowned economist, creator of the Laffer Curve and former economic advisor to President Reagan. He’s been a leading voice on the economy and trade policies and has helped reshape fiscal policy worldwide. 

In our conversation, Dr. Laffer shares his perspective by presenting facts and historical data on how trade agreements and tariffs have been successfully (and unsuccessfully) throughout American history, why China is actually not American’s enemy in manufacturing shortfalls and how reducing taxes, both on individuals and at municipal and state levels would lead to a boom in the U.S. economy.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: 

How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? 

We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

With today’s economic uncertainty—from inflation and interest rates to tax code changes and volatile markets—many people ask, “Can I afford to go it alone?” In this episode, Ed and LeAnne Siddell tackle the never-ending question, “Do I really need a financial advisor?” 

Ed draws from personal experience and decades of financial coaching to explore the real value of professional advice. Through real-life stories and insights from the families he serves, Ed explains how a financial advisor can help you move from simply accumulating wealth to creating a personalized distribution strategy, reducing taxes, and navigating complex healthcare and legacy planning.

If you’ve ever wondered whether managing your finances saves you money—or possibly costs you more in the long run—this episode will challenge your assumptions and help you see the bigger picture. Whether you’re nearing retirement or just starting to think more strategically about your future, this episode offers guidance to help you confidently make decisions.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: 

How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? 

We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

With the most recent developments on reciprocal tariffs and huge losses in the stock markets, the concerns are reaching a tipping point for Americans about what this means for their portfolio, retirement, and purchasing power.

In this episode, Ed and LeAnne Siddell take a smooth and steady approach to break down the economic realities behind tariffs and how these policies impact consumers, businesses, and the economy. 

Drawing from current events, economic data, and historical context, Ed sheds light on the reality of the current situation and why he feels the tariffs are necessary to combat trade deficits, even if he might not necessarily agree with the overall strategy at times.

If you're one of the many who are concerned about rising prices or the long-term direction of tariffs and the economy, this episode should provide reasons for some cautious optimism.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: 

How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? 

We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

Market uncertainty continues to dominate headlines in 2025. With inflation, rising debt, tariffs, and economic policies creating a ripple effect, how will these factors shape the financial future for investors and retirees?

In this episode, Ed and LeAnne Siddell break down the latest market trends, including the disconnect between Wall Street and Main Street, the impact of tariffs, and the role of interest rates in shaping economic stability. They also discuss what investors should expect for the rest of the year and how to prepare for potential volatility.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: 

How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? 

We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

Economic uncertainty, inflation, global instability, and tariffs are heavily weighing on the minds of investors. Which begs the question: How will rising debt, geopolitical tensions, and new monetary policies shape the future? Here to help provide some answers to these challenging questions is Dr. Marc Faber.

Dr. Faber is a legendary investor, economist, and publisher of The Gloom, Boom & Doom Report. He has spent decades analyzing global markets, uncovering trends before they become mainstream, and challenging conventional wisdom. 

In our conversation, Dr. Faber explains why capitalism and economic growth have stalled for the middle class and how government policies have fueled inflation. He also shares his candid take on tariffs, China’s role in the global economy, and the future of monetary policy under the next administration.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: 

How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? 

We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com