Too often, retirement planning focuses only on documents, but what happens when you don’t have the right people to rely on?

In this episode, I sit down with elder law attorney and founder of Solo Allies, Kathy McNair, to talk about the unique needs of solo seniors and why legal paperwork alone isn’t enough. We explore how to choose the right people for critical roles, when to consider professional support, and how to build a community for peace of mind in retirement.

Kathy discusses:

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Kathy McNair: 

About our Guest: 

Kathy McNair is an elder law attorney with over 25 years of experience serving seniors. She is the founder of Senior Solutions LLC in Boston and the national resource platform Solo Allies, dedicated to helping solo agers—those without reliable family support—plan for their legal, financial, and personal well-being.

Kathy is also the creator of the Aging Allies Club, a small-group planning program designed to provide both legal tools and meaningful connections. She frequently speaks to community groups and has written The Solo Senior’s Guide to Thrive, a practical guide to aging with independence and security.

Appointed by Governor Deval Patrick in 2008, she served 15 years as a Public Administrator of Suffolk County, managing estates with no known heirs. She also serves on the Board of Directors at McNamara House, an affordable senior housing community in Boston.

Kathy earned her J.D. from Boston College Law School and her bachelor’s in psychology from St. Lawrence University.

The first year after losing a spouse brings overwhelming emotions alongside important decisions. Knowing what needs immediate attention versus what can wait can make the difference between added stress and thoughtful progress.

In Part 3 of our Navigating Life After Loss series, I share how to approach both urgent and long-term planning after the loss of a spouse. I explain which financial and lifestyle choices deserve early focus, how tax planning can protect your future, and why building a supportive foundation is essential. Together, we look at practical ways to move forward with clarity and confidence.

Key takeaways include:

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

In Part 2 of our Navigating Life After Loss series, I share compassionate, practical advice for the critical first weeks after losing a spouse. I walk through the legal, financial, and everyday matters that can feel overwhelming, offering clear action steps to bring order during a difficult time. From meeting with an estate attorney and understanding probate versus living trusts to retitling property, updating beneficiary designations, and addressing debts, we help you focus on what matters most. 

You’ll also learn how to protect against fraud, safeguard your privacy, and manage your loved one’s digital and social media presence. This conversation is about more than tasks; it’s about helping you prepare, prioritize, and protect your well-being while working through one of life’s hardest chapters.

Key takeaways:

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Grieving the loss of a spouse is devastating. During that fog, there’s still paperwork, decisions, and urgent tasks demanding attention.

In this episode, we open up a three-part series called “Life After Loss.”  I start by focusing on the first few days after losing a spouse, sharing essential steps to help with emotional healing and practical planning.

Key takeaways:

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Losing a spouse is heartbreaking, but it can also trigger financial challenges that many women aren’t prepared for. 

The Widow’s Penalty is real, and it can have long-term consequences on income, taxes, and retirement.

In this episode, I walk through the Widow’s Penalty, what it is, why it disproportionately affects women, and what proactive steps can be taken to protect your financial future. We share real client stories, clear up tax myths, and offer strategies to navigate the road ahead with more confidence and clarity.

Key points:

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Roth IRA earnings grow tax-free, and qualified withdrawals are also tax-free, provided certain conditions are met (e.g., the account has been open for at least 5 years and you are age 59½ or older, or meet another qualifying condition). Eligibility to contribute to a Roth IRA phases out at higher income levels. For 2025, contributions begin to phase out at a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of approximately $146,000 for single filers and $230,000 for married couples filing jointly. Non-qualified withdrawals of earnings may be subject to income taxes and a 10% early withdrawal penalty. Converting a traditional IRA or other tax-deferred account to a Roth IRA is a taxable event and may increase your current-year tax liability. Roth conversions cannot be undone

Tax law changes might not sound exciting, but these updates could have a powerful impact on your retirement plans.

In this episode, I unpack the top provisions from the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act and how they may affect retirees, especially women planning for long-term income.

I break down tax deductions, clarify what’s changing (and what’s not), and offer timely planning strategies you can apply before 2028.

Key points:

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Converting a traditional IRA or other tax-deferred account to a Roth IRA is a taxable event and may increase your current-year tax liability. Roth conversions cannot be undone.

Changing careers or returning to the workforce after a long break can feel overwhelming. But what if the process could feel empowering instead?

In this episode, I sit down with Kristi Cline, Founder & CEO of We Write It Now Resumes & Career Resources, to discuss how women approaching or in retirement can pivot their careers with confidence and purpose. Kristi shares strategies for crafting impactful resumes, networking effectively, and regaining clarity on your career values.

Kristi discusses:

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Kristi Cline: 

About our Guest: 

Kristi Cline is a 3X certified résumé writer, interview prep coach, job search strategist, and LinkedIn expert who helps high-achieving professionals—from emerging leaders to C-suite executives—land roles they’re proud of. As the founder of We Write It Now, Kristi has helped over 1,000 clients secure interviews, negotiate offers, and command salary increases of up to $50K. After earning a Journalism degree from Texas A&M, Kristi built a career spanning corporate communications, training, and marketing with companies like Eastman Kodak, Zale Corporation, and JCPenney. But her most defining pivot came at 50, when she realized she would be more fulfilled leveraging her skills and expertise to help job seekers navigate the job search space. In 2019, We Write Now was founded, and she has never looked back.

Today, Kristi blends deep industry knowledge with a sharp writing instinct to deliver bold, modern, and highly personalized career documents that open doors. She’s especially passionate about helping senior professionals clarify their brand, show up with confidence, and navigate their next career transition with intention, strategy, and ease. And whether speaking on a virtual stage or working 1:1, her message is clear: job seekers deserve more than templates—they deserve strategy, clarity, and results. Her involvement with associations, including PARWCC, SERWC, the Dames, and the Thought Leadership Branding Club, has helped her skills remain sharp, keeping her at the top of her game.

Kristi is a proud Texas native, mother of two recent grads, lifelong music lover, and enjoys living life on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Divorce is difficult enough without letting confusion over Social Security take a toll on your future income.

In this episode, I explain the essential Social Security strategies every divorced woman should know, from the ten-year rule to remarriage traps. I highlight true stories of women who faced preventable financial setbacks and how proper planning could have saved them thousands. 

This episode discusses:

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Gray divorce can significantly impact your retirement plans and emotional well-being.

How do you protect your financial future when love fades later in life? What pitfalls should you avoid to stay financially sound?

In this episode, I sit down with Jill Lowe, Collaborative Divorce Attorney at J Lowe Law, LLC, to discuss the financial and emotional layers of gray divorce. Together, we explore why more women are choosing divorce later in life and how preparation and informed decisions can lead to financial confidence.

Jill discusses:

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Jill Lowe: 

About our Guest:

Jill Lowe is a Collaborative Divorce Attorney and founder of J Lowe Law, LLC. With over 20 years of legal experience—18 of those focused exclusively on family law—Jill brings a unique combination of legal expertise and personal insight to her work.

She is licensed to practice law in both Texas and Florida and has been representing clients in collaborative divorces for more than 15 years. She’s also a trained collaborative professional in both states and has spent the past three years speaking publicly on the collaborative process.

Jill’s commitment to peaceful resolution stems from her own experience as a child of divorced parents and her decision—after facing serious health challenges—to step away from litigation in favor of helping families resolve conflict with compassion. She believes divorce doesn’t have to be a battle, and her work focuses on healing and collaboration instead of confrontation.

What if money could buy happiness, but only if you knew how to spend it?

In this episode, I sit down with Brendan Frazier, Chief Behavioral Officer at RFG Advisory, to uncover five practical, research-backed ways to feel more joy and purpose in your retirement spending. We talk about how aligning spending with values can remove guilt and increase fulfillment, especially for women navigating major life transitions like divorce or widowhood.

Brendan discusses:

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Brendan Frazier: 

About our Guest: 

Brendan Frazier is the Chief Behavioral Officer at RFG, the host of The Human Side of Money podcast, and a nationally recognized voice on behavioral finance. After starting his career as a consultant to financial advisors around the country, he started his own financial advisory business and was twice named one of Investopedia’s Top 100 Financial Advisors in the U.S. Most recently, he built a global training platform to help financial advisors and their clients better understand the behavioral, psychological, and emotional sides of money. When he’s not diving into the latest behavior and psychology research, he is spending time with his wife Shannon and three kids, Brooks, Shepherd, and Merritt. And, he welcomes all unsolicited advice on how to successfully raise three kids.