The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast

Giving Yourself Permission to Experience Joy in Retirement with Michelle Dickinson

Ep 075: The Huffington Post republished an article from Collective Evolution entitled, “The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying”, delving further into how these regrets exist in our lives today but are suppressed until the promise of living no longer exists. The #5 regret on the list is, “I wish I had let myself be happier.” It’s the one with the most opportunity for introspection and growth that can lead to greater joy and fulfillment in our lives. Although it is the last regret on this list, this is the one that rings true as we hear from retirees and pre-retirees on the precipice of taking more control of their time and life. That’s what this episode is about ~ giving yourself permission to experience joy in retirement!
Our next guest is a Resilience Coach, Workplace Mental Health Strategist, TEDx speaker, and published author! She goes first and sees herself as the bridge that helps people get comfortable with their mental health so that they reach out and get the support they need before they hit a crisis. She makes it ok to not be ok and thrives on making a real difference in the lives of others. In her practice, she works with people to help them reclaim balance, their power, and create better structures and routines that help them feel better and in control of their overall emotional well-being. Let's welcome Michelle Dickinson to The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast!
Chapters
Welcome, Michelle Dickinson! [3:39]
How can we measure how happy we actually are? [10:34]
Why don’t we live more for today?  [20:32]
How do we break through the fear of having a perfect retirement? [31:34]
How is Michelle going to find her personal Retirement Success? [41:47]
Ben and Curtis conclude the episode. [44:40]

How to Take Care of a Special Needs Child in Retirement Using Special Needs Trusts with Kristy Hapworth

Ep 074: Over the past few years, we've had several clients that have kids with special needs. They’ve been taking care of them over their lifetimes, and they wonder how they can continue to provide support for their adult children (or other family members) with special needs when they’re physically unable to as they age, or after they pass away. Many of us may have heard about Special Needs Trusts but what should we know about them and some of the pros and cons of using them in these sorts of cases? That’s what this episode is all about!
Today's guest focuses her legal practice at Rudman Winchell on estate planning and probate litigation. She assists individuals and families with estate planning, wealth transfers, trust and estate administration, guardianship and conservatorship, and other probate matters. She is dedicated to developing creative plans and finding practical solutions to her client's legal issues, and she’s here today to help us better understand Special Needs Trusts. Please welcome Kristy Hapworth to the Retirement Success in Maine Podcast!
Chapters:
Welcome, Kristy Hapworth! [2:32]
What is a Special Needs Trust and how does one work? [9:55]
What is the process to set up a Special Needs Trust? What are some good things to know when setting up a Special Needs Trust? [21:21]
What are some ways that people may use a Special Needs Trust incorrectly? [41:19]
What is Kristy’s definition of a Successful Retirement? [48:20]
Ben and Curtis conclude the episode. [50:44]

How to Unleash Your Inner Stand-Up Comic In Retirement with Scott Edwards

Ep 073: From our client base as Fiduciary Financial Advisors, we have some really awesome clients and many that get us roaring with laughter from their stories and jokes. That got us to wonder: what if they were able to take their natural talents of humor and make some money from it? What would it take to be a comedian? For those of you out there that want to learn some tidbits about unleashing your inner comic, this episode is for you!
Our guest is a serial entrepreneur who created over a dozen companies in his lifetime. His lifelong love of comedy led to producing Live Comedy Shows, TV Series, and Concerts; and in no time he opened his first comedy club, Laughs Unlimited - just the 12th full-time comedy club in the entire United States. He built this into a chain of successful comedy clubs in Northern California. He has worked with some of the most famous names in comedy: Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Saget, and Dana Carvey while also helping to develop talents such as Paula Poundstone, Brian Posehn, and Tim Bedore. He hosts a podcast called “Standup Comedy - Your Host & MC” and has written several books. Please welcome Scott Edwards to The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast!
Chapters:
Welcome, Scott Edwards! [2:56]
How does someone start in the world of staged comedy? [17:26]
How do we find out what area of comedy we are best at? [25:20]
Are we all going to bomb the first time we go on stage? [34:47]
How can we make sure we are really speaking or joking with our audience? [46:22]
How does Scott define Retirement Success? [1:00:05]
Ben and Curtis conclude the episode. [1:03:55]

Finding a Side Hustle in Retirement with Nick Loper

Ep 072: We've had clients in the past say to us, "I love being busy and I have a lot to offer – why not get paid while I do it?". The discussions of consulting, part-time jobs, and side hustles then come up as ways to make some money while retiring from our full-time careers. According to an article at Zapier, 40% of Americans have a side hustle in 2022, up from 34% in December 2020. So it’s getting popular, but what do we need to know about side hustles and how to get the right side hustle FOR ME? That's what this episode is about!
Our next guest's entrepreneurial journey began at an early age. In 2013, he started Side Hustle Nation and The Side Hustle Show podcast to begin spreading the gospel of this lower-risk brand of entrepreneurship. Through the blog and podcast, he's helped thousands of readers and listeners earn more money and start businesses of their own. The site is read by 2.2 million visitors a year, and 30,000 listeners tune into The Side Hustle Show each week. (WOW!) Please welcome Nick Loper to The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast!
Chapters:
Welcome, Nick Loper! [3:11]
What is a side hustle and what are some popular side hustles out there today? [13:16]
How can someone figure out what they want to do as a side hustle? [18:39]
Looking at side hustle failures, what is it that causes the failure(s)? [25:51]
How can someone build a successful side hustle, but still retain control of their time? [33:12]
How will Nick define a Successful Retirement? [41:45]
Ben and Curtis conclude the episode. [43:23]

Private Equity & Your Retirement - What Should You Know? with Rich Powers

Ep 071: Over the past few years, we've been hearing from our clients that they've heard about private equity and they wonder whether they should consider investing their own money into these sorts of strategies. So what is Private Equity? How does it work? WHO can invest in it? Private Equity is also impacting the state of Maine. During the past few years, we've talked to many business owners in the state and New England that are receiving (and sometimes accepting) offers from private equity funds to buy their businesses and combine them with other national, regional, and/or local businesses. Is this a good trend or should we be suspicious of these pools of money coming into the State? All of these things we'd like to cover in today's show!
Today's guest is the head of Private Equity in Vanguard's Portfolio Review Department. Our guest leads a team of experts responsible for the strategy, marketing, and investment support of Vanguard’s private equity offer. Please welcome Rich Powers to the Retirement Success in Maine Podcast!
Chapters:
Welcome, Rich Powers! [3:10]
What is Private Equity? [13:36]
Who can invest in Private Equity? Why do certain investors like Private Equity so much? [22:26]
What are the stages of how a Private Equity fund works? [30:30]
How is Private Equity changing today and what does the future look like? [41:06]
What is some of the (fair or unfair) criticism of Private Equity? [43:51]
How will Rich find his own Retirement Success? [50:00]
Ben and Curtis conclude the conversation. [51:22]

How has COVID-19 Changed our Retirement Travel Plans with Keri Forbringer Hetherman

Ep 070: We've been having a lot of client meetings lately to discuss how 2022's investment volatility is impacting financial plans. One of the things we're hearing routinely is that our set of retirees can't wait to get back out in the world exploring after being cooped up for a couple of years. Especially for the newly retired! But the world of travel is different with a variety of new wrinkles, roadblocks, and requirements to be aware of. So, what are some tips, tricks, and hacks that allow us to overcome more smoothly some of these roadblocks when they present themselves?
Today’s guest is a Maine transplant, originally from St Louis, Missouri. After studying to be a diplomat, and a brief career as a teacher in Salzburg, Austria, she fell in love with the travel industry and its ability to connect people across countries and cultures. She pursued a Master’s in Tourism Administration with a focus on Sustainable Destination Development. Please welcome BACK to the Retirement Success in Maine Podcast for a third time, Keri Forbringer Hetherman!
Chapters:
Welcome back, Keri Forbringer Hetherman! [3:28]
How has the world changed related to travel? [11:24]
What are some possible tips, tricks, and hacks to overcome travel challenges? [16:23]
What is the best way to negotiate airline travel right now? [26:36]
How has multi-generational travel grown as a theme? [31:00]
What are some things Keri’s clients have done to combat rising costs? [39:49]
How does Keri help her clients overcome their “fears” when traveling? [46:35]
How would Keri plan the perfect weekend in Maine for someone who has never been? [51:17]
Ben and Curtis conclude the episode. [54:23]

Reinventing Yourself After Being Forced to Retire Due to Illness with Kim ”Kid” Curry

Ep 069: Disability is something many Americans, especially younger people, think can only affect the lives of other people. Tragically, thousands of young people are seriously injured or killed, often as the result of traumatic events. Many serious medical conditions, such as cancer or mental illness, can affect the young as well as the elderly. What is life really like when something happens to us? How do we reinvent WHO we are and what provides us purpose now that our life has changed due to a change in health status?
At the height of popularity for radio stations and DJs in the 70s and 80s, our next guest blazed a trail for himself as “Kid” Curry. His iconic, “Bed Check” segment, helped propel him to star status in Miami and it followed him during his 20-plus year path to his dream job of Major Market Program Director. Life was on track, but, Multiple Sclerosis had other plans. Our guest dismissed the early signs of the disease and continued with his optimistic outlook until a fateful round of golf led to the diagnosis that halted a lifelong career and extinguished his dreams. Here to tell his story is Kim “Kid” Curry! 
Chapters:
Welcome, Kim “Kid” Curry! [3:00]
What was the progression of Kid’s career in radio? [11:37]
What led to Kid’s sudden retirement and how did Kid approach it? [22:45]
How did Kid and his wife work to recompose their roles in the relationship after Kid’s retirement? [35:14]
What was Kid’s pivot from radio to writing like? [51:00]
How is Kid defining and living his Successful Retirement? [1:00:34]
Ben and Curtis conclude the episode. [1:06:32]

How to Master Blending Your Family with Your Spouse’s Family with Nicole Odom-Hardnett

Ep 068: In its most basic sense, a blended family is one where the parents have children from previous relationships, but all the members come together as one unit.  Consider the statistics: Roughly 17% of people remarry after a divorce or the death of their first spouse, according to the Census Bureau. Adults who remarry later in life are more likely to bring significant assets to the new union, in the form of retirement savings, brokerage accounts, life insurance policies, and real estate. Understanding the basics of a blended family can be essential for ensuring your family can embrace its strengths and work through its differences. Many blended families successfully overcome these difficulties and become strong, supportive family units for every member. But how?
That's what our guest is here to share! She offers family and relationship coaching services as the founder of Talk To Nicole. Specializing in blended family dynamics, Talk To Nicole helps clients to achieve the life they want by building strong relationships and planning for a brighter future. She is the author of multiple books including Blended to Perfection, Dating Made Simple For Women, and the international best-sellers, Mom's Who Boss Up -Post Pandemic, and Cracking the Rich Code Vol 7. Please welcome Nicole Odom-Hardnett to the Retirement Success in Maine Podcast!
Chapters:
Welcome, Nicole Odom-Hardnett! [4:06]
Nicole’s own experience with a Blended Family. [7:50]
What to do, and not to do, in the early stages of blending families. [22:38]
When blending families, what should people keep in mind regarding their assets, both today and in the future (estate planning)? [39:39]
What is Nicole’s personal definition of Retirement Success? [51:54]
Ben and Curtis conclude the episode. [53:26]