You’ve been faithfully staking your Ada — but what if it’s snoozing instead of stacking rewards? In this episode, we talk about the max_epoch parameter -- the Cardano setting that quietly governs the timeline for retiring pools. You’ll learn how to spot a retiring pool, what happens if you miss the signs, and how a 2-minute check can save you months of lost rewards. Whether you're new to staking or just forgot to check your plants — er, pools — this one’s for you.