Best Retire Repurposed Podcasts (2025)

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Not Retired, Repurposed: With Jim Burneka 40:02

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1d ago40:02

40:02

You’ve heard from experts who teach the tools. Now meet the guy who had to use every damn one of them to save his own life. Jim Burneka, retired Dayton firefighter/paramedic, wellness coordinator, and co-author of Overcoming Tuesday, joins Erin to talk about what happens when the helper finally admits he needs help too. From hiding behind the optic…

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Flying by Instruments: The Power of Truth as Your Life Compass 25:00

9d ago25:00

25:00

Drawing from a powerful sermon about a pilot forced to rely entirely on ground control to land his plane, Ben Taatjes explores the critical importance of having a reliable compass in life. Just as the pilot needed external guidance when he couldn't see clearly, we all need something to guide us when we inevitably drift off-course in our lives and r…

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Mental Firepower Monday: September 29, 2025 10:53

22h ago10:53

10:53

It’s the final stretch of September, and Erin is fired up. This week’s Mental Firepower Monday calls out the noise, the clout-chasing, the fake advocacy, the people pretending to care while responders keep suffering. The mission is too important to be contaminated by egos. But here’s the other truth: a lot of resistance isn’t really about “them.” I…

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Stillness Feels Like Failure 11:37

5d ago11:37

11:37

You finally get a day off. No tones. No chaos. No one needing you every second. And instead of enjoying it, you’re climbing the damn walls. The silence feels suspicious. The stillness feels like failure. Your nervous system is screaming at you to get moving, fix something, do something. Anything. Here’s the truth: you don’t suck at rest. You’ve jus…

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Mental Firepower Monday: September 22, 2025 12:29

8d ago12:29

12:29

Some Mondays hit harder than others. This week, Erin comes in raw and unfiltered hoodie, blanket, coffee in hand, to talk about overwhelm, self-neglect, and the lies we tell ourselves about rest. Between missed school buses, traffic meltdowns, late-night rabbit holes, and showing up for peers when support systems fail, it’s easy to believe the stor…

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Truth and Hope: A Raw Look at America's Need for Healing 25:00

16d ago25:00

25:00

In this unfiltered episode, Ben Taatjes and Jerrid Sebesta engage in a raw, honest conversation about recent American tragedies and what our country desperately needs. Through Jerrid's deeply personal story about his mother's death, they explore how Americans - particularly retirees with wisdom and perspective - should respond to our nation's curre…

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The Responder Allies Playbook: With Expert David Dachinger 35:47

14d ago35:47

35:47

He’s been inside burning buildings and inside the cancer ward. He’s worn the helmet, the badge, and now he’s leading the charge to support the people who hold the line. Retired fire lieutenant David Dachinger joins Erin to talk about what happens after the call: the grief, the gaps in leadership, and the lack of culturally competent care for first …

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Mental Firepower Monday: September 15, 2025 9:09

15d ago9:09

9:09

Breathe, Perception, and Choosing Gratitude This week’s check-in starts with something simple but vital: remembering to breathe. After a heavy week full of fear, anger, and sadness, Erin reminds us that when our nervous systems are in overdrive, even basic breathing can bring us back to center. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why stress puts our brai…

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Fertile Soil: Creating Conditions for Miracles in Retirement 25:00

18d ago25:00

25:00

In this deeply personal episode, Ben Taatjes explores the profound topic of miracles and how to cultivate 'fertile soil' for God's supernatural work in our lives. Inspired by a conversation with friend and global minister Ryan Skoog, Ben shares practical insights on connecting with God in powerful ways that open us to experiencing the unexplainable…

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The Sh*t Show Plot Twist 17:14

19d ago17:14

17:14

Ever caught yourself saying, “This is the WORST thing that could’ve happened”? Yeah, same here. But what if it wasn’t? What if the very thing you’re cursing today is setting you up for something you don’t even see yet? In this episode, Erin tackles the deeply wired human tendency to label everything as good or bad and shows you how to reframe that …

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Mental Firepower Monday: September 8, 2025 11:27

22d ago11:27

11:27

Boundaries, Connection, and Choosing Your Perspective The seasons are shifting, and sometimes so is our energy. In this week’s Mental Firepower Monday check-in, Erin shares how she’s been feeling drained and what she’s learning about listening to her body, honoring her limits, and protecting her energy. This episode dives into: Why boundaries aren’…

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EP13-What Grace Sounds Like: With Expert Erin Nugent 1:08:21

26d ago1:08:21

1:08:21

Some lives sound like a movie, but real transformation never fits into a highlight reel. In this raw and powerful conversation, former Australian detective turned American firewife, coach, and podcast host Erin "Jane" Nugent sits down with Erin Maccabee to talk about grief, identity, love, and the kind of post-traumatic growth that doesn’t get glam…

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Mental Firepower Monday: September 1, 2025 8:04

29d ago8:04

8:04

It wasn’t the call. It wasn’t the trauma. It was a dropped plate in a restaurant, and suddenly, your whole system went on red alert. Sound familiar? In today’s Mental Firepower Monday, Erin digs into the real-life impact of chronic stress, adrenaline overload, and neuroplasticity on the first responder brain. If you’ve ever felt overstimulated in a…

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The Gateway to Expansion: Individual Giving in Retirement (Part 1) 25:00

1M ago25:00

25:00

In this first installment of our giving and generosity series, Ben Taatjes explores how individual acts of generosity can become the gateway to a more expansive life and retirement. Discover the 'technology of giving' - understanding both the heart and mindset behind meaningful generosity. Learn why giving might be your next-level ticket in retirem…

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EP12-Your Brain Didn't Get the Memo 12:17

1M ago12:17

12:17

Irritable. On edge. Shut down. One minute you’re ready to react, the next you’re unreachable. You might be wondering: “What the hell is wrong with me?” The answer: nothing. In this episode, Erin breaks down why so many first responders and their partners get stuck in emotional overdrive, even when the threat is gone. You’ll learn why your nervous s…

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Mental Firepower Monday: August 25, 2025 7:06

1M ago7:06

7:06

In this short Mental Firepower Monday check-in, Erin reflects on recovery, adrenaline, and emotional reactivity through the lens of both daily life and her recent visit to the Columbus Air Show. We begin with a pause for self-awareness: How did you show up this weekend Did you decompress or stay stuck in survival autopilot Are you practicing gratit…

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Divine Connections: The Magic of Openness in Retirement 25:00

1M ago25:00

25:00

Building on our discussion of growth in retirement, Ben Taatjes shares insights from a recent California experience about the transformative power of being open to new connections. Discover how divine appointments can unfold when you embrace opportunities to add value through relationships with others. Learn why staying open to unexpected connectio…

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EP11-No Ultimatum, Just an Invitation: With Expert Doug White 1:03:33

1M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

He was the leader everyone looked up to. A top-performing commander. A protector. A provider. But when the badge came off, Doug White was falling apart in silence and nearly lost his marriage in the process. In this raw and honest conversation, Doug shares how his 30+ years in military and law enforcement service took a slow, steady toll on his rel…

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Mental Firepower Monday: August 18, 2025 7:40

1M ago7:40

7:40

Resentment has a sneaky way of building walls between us and the people we love most. Left unchecked, it eats away at connection, fuels scorekeeping, and convinces us we have to protect ourselves at all costs. In this Mental Firepower Monday, Erin breaks down a simple but powerful tool called “Show Your Hand.” It is designed to create a neutral spa…

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The Crossroads: Existence vs Growth in Retirement 25:00

2M ago25:00

25:00

In this pivotal episode, Ben Taatjes addresses the fundamental crossroads every retiree faces - choosing between mere existence and purposeful growth. Discover the stark difference between filling time and pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone. Learn how the fear and discomfort that accompany growth can be transformed into belief and faith, l…

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EP10-Show Your Hand, Release Resentment 13:44

2M ago13:44

13:44

You’re tired, pissed, and over it, and that doesn’t mean love is gone. It means resentment has moved in. In this episode, Erin breaks down one of the most common and dangerous threats to first responder relationships: the slow buildup of unspoken frustrations that silently stack until your connection flatlines. She calls out the patterns both first…

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The Keys to Contentment: Lessons from a Health Scare 25:00

2M ago25:00

25:00

In this personal and profound episode, Ben Taatjes shares insights gained from a recent health scare that confirmed key ingredients for living a content life in retirement. Discover how gratitude profoundly impacts mental and spiritual health, and learn why eliminating pride is essential for experiencing the fullness and peace retirees seek. Drawin…

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EP09-He Understands the Assignment: With Expert Rich Creamer 1:10:47

2M ago1:10:47

1:10:47

He’s not just a retired Norfolk Police Sergeant with 24 years in gangs, homicide, and the psychological meat grinder of frontline duty. He’s a walking masterclass in what happens when you stop chasing survival and start chasing impact. Rich Creamer joins Erin for a raw, real talk about thinking traps, peer accountability, and how the new “low” isn’…

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The Art of Contentment: Finding Balance Beyond More and Less 25:00

2M ago25:00

25:00

Building on last week's discussion, Ben Taatjes dives deeper into one of the foundational concepts from his book 'Repurposed' - true contentment in retirement. Discover the delicate balance between avoiding the constant pursuit of more while also rejecting a life of lack and limitation. Learn practical strategies for achieving genuine contentment t…

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EP08-Why Your Bedroom Feels like a Boardroom 22:19

2M ago22:19

22:19

Ever wonder why your relationship feels magnetic some days and totally flat the next? You love each other, but the spark feels… gone. This episode dives into the Arc of Polarity. The hidden energy dynamic that fuels attraction, intimacy, and connection. For first responder couples, the stress, hypervigilance, and command mode that the job demands o…

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Mental Firepower Monday: July 28, 2025 7:42

2M ago7:42

7:42

Today’s Mental Firepower Monday is all about giving first responder couples a tactical edge against conflict and disconnection. After last week’s powerful conversation with AK Dozanti, bestselling author of Beat the Burnout, Erin shares quick tools you can deploy right now to de-escalate arguments and reconnect with your partner under pressure. IN …

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Contentment and Peace: The Twin Pillars of Repurposed Retirement 25:00

2M ago25:00

25:00

In this foundational episode, Ben Taatjes explores two massively important concepts for a fulfilling retirement - contentment and peace. Discover what these qualities truly mean, who possesses them, and whether they're simply two sides of the same coin. Learn why both contentment and peace are essential pillars for a Repurposed retirement and how t…

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EP07-Put Down Your Sword: With Guest AK Dozanti 38:35

2M ago38:35

38:35

Burnout doesn’t always look like collapse. Sometimes it looks like perfection. Control. Numbness. Or pushing away the person who loves you most. In this raw and grounded conversation, Erin sits down with bestselling author and speaker AK Dozanti, whose own story of walking away from law enforcement reveals what adrenal fatigue, identity loss, and n…

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Mental Firepower Monday: July 21, 2025 10:03

2M ago10:03

10:03

Let’s get real: it’s not always the dramatic call that wrecks you, it’s the slow drip of cumulative trauma. The shift fatigue. The emotional load you bring home but never unpack. This week’s Mental Firepower Monday is about interrupting that pattern and starting your week with clarity. Erin walks you through a simple but powerful practice to help f…

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Breaking Through Mediocrity: Reigniting Your Desire for Growth in Retirement 25:00

3M ago25:00

25:00

In this candid episode, Ben Taatjes addresses one of the most frustrating challenges in retirement coaching: convincing retirees to pursue growth instead of settling for mediocrity. Discover the common barriers that keep retirees from thriving and learn practical strategies to reignite your desire for life and purpose. This conversation challenges …

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EP06-Swallow It Now. Pay for It Later. 9:32

3M ago9:32

9:32

This episode isn’t about the call that wrecked you. It’s about the 500 that didn’t. The slow grind. The missed birthdays. The quiet unraveling. In this week’s Mental Firepower Monday, Erin breaks down one of the most common yet invisible stressors in public safety, cumulative trauma, and gives you a no-fluff, tactical way to offload what your nervo…

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Mental Firepower Monday: July 14, 2025 3:57

3M ago3:57

3:57

Welcome back to your Mental Firepower Monday check-in...because your brain deserves backup too. This week, Erin reflects on last Thursday’s episode with retired LEO and Marine Corps vet Brian Gillespie, whose story made one thing crystal clear: getting sober was just step one. The real transformation began when he finally said the thing he swore he…

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Where Planning Meets Purpose: Aligning Your Financial Plan 25:00

3M ago25:00

25:00

In this essential episode, Ben Taatjes explores how your retirement financial plan should reflect your deeper purpose and calling. Moving beyond investment logistics and portfolio specifics, discover three key elements your financial plan needs to truly connect your money with your mission. Learn how to ensure your retirement resources align with y…

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EP05-You Can't Outserve your Own Wounds: With Expert Brian Gillespie 31:34

3M ago31:34

31:34

You can wear the badge, get the medal, serve for decades and still never speak the truth that’s been eating you alive. In this episode, retired Marine Corps veteran and law enforcement officer Brian Gillespie joins Erin to talk about the moment everything changed. After 10 years of sobriety and a lifetime of showing up for everyone else, Brian fina…

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Mental Firepower Monday: July 7, 2025 8:11

3M ago8:11

8:11

Before the shift hits the fan check in with your mental firepower. In this kickoff Mental Firepower Monday, Erin recaps four field-tested tools pulled from last week’s episodes, built specifically for the first responder lifestyle. Whether you’re on duty, off shift, or somewhere in between, this is your moment to pause, refocus, and apply real stra…

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EP01-This is the Cost that No One Talks About 16:19

3M ago16:19

16:19

This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a turning point for anyone navigating first responder mental health, relationship strain, or the cost of holding it all in. In this raw and powerful debut, Erin Maccabee opens the vault. She shares the story of losing the love of her life to suicide, and how that loss set her on a path of trauma recovery, addiction h…

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EP02-From Shift to Sh*tstorm: Rewriting the First 10 Minutes Home 11:57

3M ago11:57

11:57

Let’s talk about a slow-burning crisis in responder households—connection debt. You’d never ghost your crew in a crisis. So why ghost the person who’s holding your life together at home? This episode breaks down the emotional drift that happens between shifts, resentment, and “I’m fine” responses. Whether you’re the one on duty or the one carrying …

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EP03-Stillness is a Power Move: With Expert Vance Row 25:54

3M ago25:54

25:54

You’ve been trained to storm scenes and lead under pressure. But who trained you to slow down, on purpose? This week, Erin sits down with Vance Row, a retired law enforcement officer who did the one thing most first responders are terrified to do: he got quiet. Vance shares his powerful story of reaching the end of his rope, ditching the booze, and…

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EP04-Feelings. The Other 'F' Word 8:41

3M ago8:41

8:41

You’ve cleared scenes most people wouldn’t survive. But the minute someone asks how you feel, you’re looking for the exit. In this episode, Erin takes aim at one of the most avoided (and most powerful) forces in the first responder world: feelings. No, this isn’t therapy. But it is your emotional fiber supplement. You’ll hear: Why “I’m just tired” …

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Finding Peace in Chaos: Three Strategies for Calm in Retirement 25:00

3M ago25:00

25:00

In a world of constant news cycles and overwhelming information, Ben Taatjes addresses how retirees can cultivate genuine peace amidst external chaos. From political upheaval to global crises, the barrage of negative news can create persistent unrest and anxiety. Discover three practical strategies for experiencing more peace in your retirement yea…

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Three Things Holding Back Your Retirement Fullness 25:00

3M ago25:00

25:00

Inspired by a powerful encounter with a motivational speaker who lost a leg in the Iraq War yet chose to find meaning in his experience, Ben Taatjes explores the transformative power of choice in retirement. Drawing from insights gained during a recent advisor trip to Banff, Canada, Ben identifies three major barriers that prevent baby boomers from…

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Beyond Achievement: Work as Calling and Service in Retirement 25:00

4M ago25:00

25:00

Continuing his exploration of Tim Keller's 'Every Good Endeavor,' Ben Taatjes distinguishes between mere achievement and meaningful work, revealing how this understanding transforms retirement purpose. Discover how work becomes an expression of calling and service rather than just accomplishment. Ben shares personal insights about his recent busine…

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Welcome to The Flashpoint Podcast 2:47

4M ago2:47

2:47

Release Date: July 3rd, 2025 You’ve patched the bleeding. Made the calls. Held it together long after the scene cleared. But this next call? It’s for you. Welcome to The Flashpoint Podcast—a mindset and lifestyle show designed specifically for public safety professionals who are ready to stop just surviving the job and start living on purpose. Host…

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The Gift of Work- Rediscovering Purpose Through Labor (Throwback Episode) 25:00

4M ago25:00

25:00

In this special throwback to Episode #8, we revisit Ben Taatjes' passionate discussion about the positive aspects of work - a topic close to his heart. Discover the often-overlooked benefits of work and why you were created to be productive. Learn how true flourishing and fulfillment come through meaningful labor, not leisure. Ben provides thought-…

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Understanding Work as Divine Connection in Retirement 25:00

4M ago25:00

25:00

Drawing from Arthur Brooks' research on happiness, Ben Taatjes explores the four essential components of a fulfilling life: faith, family, friends, and work. Through candid reflections from an 18-hour car ride with his daughter returning from her first year of college, Ben illustrates how the absence or weakness of any of these elements can signifi…

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The Happiness Formula: Faith, Family, Friends & Work in Retirement 25:00

5M ago25:00

25:00

Drawing from Arthur Brooks' research on happiness, Ben Taatjes explores the four essential components of a fulfilling life: faith, family, friends, and work. Through candid reflections from an 18-hour car ride with his daughter returning from her first year of college, Ben illustrates how the absence or weakness of any of these elements can signifi…

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Alignment and Identity: When It's Time to Rebrand Your Purpose 25:00

5M ago25:00

25:00

In this personal episode, Ben Taatjes shares the journey behind a significant transition in his financial practice - a complete rebrand and name change that reflects deeper alignment with his mission of stewardship. Discover the powerful decision to remove his own name from his business and why this choice speaks to a fundamental principle every re…

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The Truth Within: Discovering Your Authentic Retirement 25:00

5M ago25:00

25:00

In this episode, Ben Taatjes examines why so many retirees fall into the trap of living someone else's retirement - filling their days with activities they don't truly enjoy simply because it's what others do. Drawing wisdom from Proverbs 23:7, 'For as a man thinks, so he is,' Ben reveals how your deepest beliefs about yourself shape your retiremen…

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The Essential Five: What to Amplify in Your Repurposed Retirement 25:00

5M ago25:00

25:00

Building on last week's discussion of 'less is more,' Ben Taatjes shifts focus to the vital question: what deserves more of your attention in retirement? Discover the five essential areas that truly merit your energy, intention, and focus as you build a purposeful retirement. From relationships to personal growth, these key domains represent the fo…

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The Power of Less: Creating Space for What Truly Matters in Retirement 25:00

5M ago25:00

25:00

Inspired by Greg McKeown's 'Essentialism,' Ben Taatjes explores how the principle of 'less is more' can transform your retirement experience. Discover the two sides of retirement simplification: clearing away the distractions and clutter that drain your energy while making intentional space for what truly matters. Learn practical strategies for sim…