Best Three Act Structure Podcasts (2025)

1
S17:E29: The Best Books I Read in 2025: My Top Fiction and Nonfiction Picks 10:06

Play Pause

18m ago10:06

10:06

It's that time again—my annual roundup of the best books I read this year! In this episode, I'm sharing the top 10 reads that made my 2025 unforgettablem, from romantasy and magical realism that were some of my best reads of the decade to thought-provoking nonfiction that challenged how I think about life, creativity, and the world around us. This …

1
#182 - "Hot topics" edition...Andy and Kevin Thompson talk about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the markets, IRMAA, senior exploitation and MORE! 1:08:40

22h ago1:08:40

1:08:40

Andy and Kevin Thompson from 9i Capital Group share their thoughts on a handful of current events and "hot topics" relating to retirement planning. Specifically, they talk about: Thoughts on how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act complicates 2025 tax planning. And in particular whether people 65 or older should try to keep their income low to get some …

1
#181 - Q&A edition...understanding Roth IRA income limits, deciding between pension payment options, when to Roth convert vs distribute from an IRA and MORE! 1:01:20

9d ago1:01:20

1:01:20

Listener Q&A where Andy talks about: A correction on something incorrect I said last week regarding deciding which spouse's pre-tax account to distribute or convert from ( 3:28 ) Pros and cons of using a single total global stock market fund vs multiple other funds such as just US and just international ( 8:17 ) What's in the calculation for Modifi…

1
#180 - Q&A edition...Social Security spousal and survivor benefits, finding an advisor who doesn't require investment management, how a decedent's income is taxed and MORE! 56:05

14d ago56:05

56:05

Listener Q&A where Andy talks about: Starting Social Security benefits early so your minor children can claim dependent benefits, and how the earnings test can come into play if you're still working ( 5:53 ) Social Security spousal benefits, and what happens when the lower earning spouse starts their own benefit early at a reduced amount, then late…

1
#179 – "Real" person chat with Beth Pinsker about her new book, My Mother's Money, A Guide to Financial Caregiving 1:13:40

15d ago1:13:40

1:13:40

Andy chats with a real person (not an advisor), Beth Pinsker, a columnist for MarketWatch, about her new book, My Mother's Money, A Guide to Financial Caregiving. In the book, Beth details her personal experience in becoming her mother's financial caregiver, both during her mother's end of life and health decline, and beyond her mother's death and …

1
#178 - "Hot topics" edition...Andy and Ben Brandt talk about Monte Carlo, Donor Advised Funds, paying taxes on Roth conversions, how advisors dress and MORE! 1:12:16

22d ago1:12:16

1:12:16

Andy and Ben Brandt from Retirement Starts Today share their thoughts on a handful of current events and "hot topics" relating to retirement planning. Specifically, they talk about: Thoughts on Monte Carlo analysis; the good, the bad, the ugly ( 9:10 ) Why all retirement plans are ultimately wrong as soon as they're made, and need to be agile and a…

1
S17:E28: Reflections on Turning 40 (+40 Things You Might Not Know About Me) 23:53

25d ago23:53

23:53

Today, I'm turning forty and taking a quiet moment to reflect on the decade that brought me here. My thirties were a season of transformation, challenge, and deep awakening. They changed me utterly, teaching me about pain as a portal, creativity as a life force, and story as the map that guides us home to ourselves. In this episode, I'm sharing 40 …

1
#177 - 2025 year-end tax planning tips and items to consider 54:02

29d ago54:02

54:02

Andy shares some year-end tax planning tips, deadlines and things to consider around the following topics: contributions to qualified accounts Roth conversions distributions from qualified accounts Required Minimum Distributions ("RMDs") charitable donations Qualified Charitable Distributions ("QCDs") from IRAs gifting tax loss and tax gain harvest…

1
S17:E27: 5 Ways to Keep the Story Moving Between the Big Moments 25:42

1M ago25:42

25:42

Do you ever feel stuck in the "in-between" sections of your story that come after one major plot point but before the next? You're not alone. Many writers can identify the big beats of their story's structure, but find the real challenge is connecting those plot points in a way that feels organic and alive. In this episode, K.M. Weiland shares a po…

1
#176 - Guest host Brian Tegtmeyer from Truly Prosper Financial Planning talks about the non-financial aspects of planning a great retirement 35:51

1M ago35:51

35:51

In this special guest host episode, Brian Tegtmeyer from Truly Prosper Financial Planning talks about how to address and plan for the non-financial aspects of retirement such as intellectual engagement, purposeful activities, health and fitness, relationships and more. And he also shares a quick exercise to do to see how you can measure your satisf…

1
S17:E26: The Real Purpose of the Second Act (And Why You Can't Skip It) 20:05

2M ago20:05

20:05

What would stories be without their long, uncertain middles? In this episode, we explore the real purpose of the Second Act in story structure. The Secodn is the heart of every story, where transformation happens. You'll learn why this "middle" isn't just filler, but the symbolic journey that tests your characters, deepens your theme, and gives you…

1
#175 - Q&A edition...The CAPE ratio and US stock market valuation, good enough vs optimization in retirement planning, tax on foreign stock dividends and MORE! 1:02:27

1M ago1:02:27

1:02:27

Listener Q&A where Andy talks about: The CAPE (Cyclically Adjusted Price to Earnings) Ratio as a measure of whether the US stock market is overvalued or undervalued, and drawbacks with the CAPE Ratio ( 4:32 ) The meaning of Benjamin Graham's quote "In the short run, the stock market is a voting machine, but in the long run it's a weighing machine" …

1
S17:E25: "Who Am I?" The Midpoint as Self-Recognition in Story Structure 19:30

2M ago19:30

19:30

Discover how the Midpoint in story structure is more than a Moment of Truth. It's self-recognition in which characters remember who they are.By K.M. Weiland

1
#174 – Retirement planning chat with a "real" person, Jackie Cummings Koski 1:57:32

2M ago1:57:32

1:57:32

Andy chats with a real person (not an advisor) doing their own retirement planning. In this episode, Andy talks with Jackie Cummings Koski. But Jackie isn't just the typical "real" person doing her own retirement planning. She went the F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence Retire Early) route and left her corporate job in her late-40s. She's since expan…

1
#173 – Retirement planner chat, with Allen Mueller from 7 Saturdays Financial 1:16:33

2M ago1:16:33

1:16:33

Andy chats with fellow retirement planner Allen Mueller, CFA, CFP® from 7 Saturdays Financial. In this episode they talk about a wide array of retirement planning topics such as tax planning, distribution strategies, investing, annuities, long-term care insurance, how to know when people have enough to retire, what consumers often overlook in retir…

1
#172 - The conflicts, pros, cons and use cases of the different advisory fee structures 1:16:57

2M ago1:16:57

1:16:57

Andy shares his views on the few different ways in which people in the financial services/financial advisory industry can receive revenue: Commission-only Fee-only Hybrid or fee-based Links in this episode: My article in Rethinking65 - How Much Are Your Services Worth? Tenon Financial monthly e-newsletter - Retirement Planning Insights Facebook gro…

1
#171 - Q&A edition...how much you can spend in retirement, Roth IRA 5-year rule, RMDs, accounts for grandchildren and MORE! 1:06:07

2M ago1:06:07

1:06:07

Listener Q&A where Andy talks about: How to calculate how much money you can gift or donate in retirement without running out ( 8:47 ) Does the five-year rule met by a previous Roth IRA carry over to a new Roth IRA ( 17:03 ) Is it better to draw down an inherited IRA and delay starting Social Security, or vice versa ( 19:39 ) Can distributions from…

1
S17:S24: Big vs. Small Character Arcs: Understanding the Degrees of Change in Storytelling 26:22

3M ago26:22

26:22

Not every story needs a protagonist who undergoes a massive, life-altering transformation. Some of the most memorable tales hinge on smaller, quieter shifts, or even on characters who remain steadfast throughout. In this episode, we'll explore the full spectrum of character arcs: Big arcs that redefine a protagonist's worldview Small arcs that mirr…

1
#170 – Retirement planning chat with a "real" person, Scott 1:01:48

3M ago1:01:48

1:01:48

Andy chats with a real person (not an advisor) doing their own retirement planning. In this episode, Andy talks with Scott. They talk about a wide array of retirement planning topics such as leaving the workforce early than planned during COVID and later reengaging in part-time work to have social interaction, managing income for purposes of Afford…

1
S17:E23: How a Character's Personality Shapes Arc, Voice, and Goals 22:06

3M ago22:06

22:06

What makes a character unforgettable? It's not just quirks or dialogue. It's personality. Your characters' personalities shape their arcs, influence their voices, drive their goals, and and connect plot and theme into a cohesive whole. In this episode, we'll explore why personality is the secret ingredient to compelling storytelling and how you can…

1
#169 - "Hot topics" edition...Andy and Justin Pritchard talk about target date funds, illiquid assets in 401(k) plans, firing an advisor and MORE! 1:09:15

3M ago1:09:15

1:09:15

Andy and Justin Pritchard from Approach Financial share their thoughts on a handful of current events and "hot topics" relating to retirement planning. Specifically, they talk about: The pros and cons of target date funds ( 11:05 ) Their thoughts on the recent presidential executive order allowing private and illiquid investments to be offered insi…

1
S17:E22: Why All Stories Are Myth—and How They Transform Us 21:17

3M ago21:17

21:17

Why All Stories Are Myth (and How They Transform the Psyche) What if every story you've ever loved—whether it's Spirited Away, The Lord of the Rings, or Pride & Prejudice—wasn't just entertainment or even "realistic" fiction, but myth in disguise? In this week's episode of the Helping Writers Become Authors podcast, we explore the mythic foundation…

1
#168 - Helpful tools and interesting information from the recent IRS Tax Forum 49:12

3M ago49:12

49:12

Andy summarizes some helpful IRS tools and interesting IRS and tax return-related information after his recent attendance at the annual IRS Tax Forum/conference Links in this episode: IRS Taxpayer Online Account - here ID.me - here IRS IP PINs - here IRS Document Upload Tool - here IRS Interactive Tax Assistant - here Tenon Financial monthly e-news…

1
#167 - Q&A edition...basis in inherited IRAs, Social Security break even analysis, coordinating RMDs and Roth conversions and MORE! 54:30

3M ago54:30

54:30

Listener Q&A where Andy talks about: How to account on your tax return for the basis in inherited IRAs ( 7:00 ) Is having large Required Minimum Distributions ("RMDs") really a bad thing ( 12:04 ) Is there any merit to using a break-even analysis to help decide when to start Social Security ( 15:59 ) When does it make sense for someone to consider …

1
S17:E21: What's Happened to Modern Storytelling? (+ 6 Ways Storytelling Can Find Its Soul Again) 24:34

4M ago24:34

24:34

Feeling bored at the movies? Learn what's happened to modern storytelling and what it will take to restore the magic and emotional impact.By K.M. Weiland

1
#166 - The most common retirement planning questions from "real" people 51:06

4M ago51:06

51:06

In this slight twist to the "real" person episode format, Andy doesn't interview a real person but instead addresses the most common retirement planning questions he gets from "real" people. The questions addressed are: Do I have enough to retire? When can I retire? How much cash should I have? When should I start my Social Security? How do I get m…

1
S17:E20: Writing Better Character Conflicts With the 5 Conflict Management Styles 21:59

4M ago21:59

21:59

Here's how writers can apply the five conflict management styles to create richer, more realistic character conflicts in your fiction.By K.M. Weiland

1
#165 - "Hot topics" edition...Andy and Mark Rosinski talk about different withdrawal strategies, rule of 55 distributions, allocating the stock portion of a portfolio and MORE! 1:22:45

4M ago1:22:45

1:22:45

Andy and Mark Rosinski from Dunes Financial share their thoughts on a handful of current events and "hot topics" relating to retirement planning. Specifically, they talk about: Thoughts on common withdrawal strategies and what they use in each of their firms ( 12:04 ) The level of impact of some of the changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ( 30…

1
#164 - Summary of the 2025 annual Social Security trustees report 48:07

4M ago48:07

48:07

Andy summarizes the recent 2025 annual Social Security trustees report, including what it would actually mean if the system's trust fund were to deplete, and what changes can be made to ensure that doesn't happen Links in this episode: The full 2025 Social Security trustees report - here My company's August 1 2025 newsletter summarizing the 2025 So…

1
S17:E19: The 5 Types of Scene Endings Every Writer Must Master 21:44

4M ago21:44

21:44

Discover the 5 types of scene endings—Yes, No, No But, and No And—and why one of them might be weakening your story's momentum.By K.M. Weiland

1
#163 - Guest host Larry Pershing from Optimum Retirement Planning talks about managing and reducing concentrated stock holdings 46:30

4M ago46:30

46:30

In this special guest host episode, Larry Pershing from Optimum Retirement Planning talks about how to reduce and manage concentrated holdings in your investment portfolio. Particular emphasis is given to the tax implications and tax management of trying to reduce highly appreciated positions in normal brokerage accounts Links in this episode: Opti…

1
S17:E18: 7 Ways to Watch and Read More Intentionally 19:44

5M ago19:44

19:44

If writers don't consume stories with intention, who will? Here are 7 mindful habits to read more intentionally and get more from stories.By K.M. Weiland

1
#162 - Q&A edition...more about bonds, taking distributions from a 401(k), when tax rates might actually go up (and by how much) and MORE! 1:01:11

5M ago1:01:11

1:01:11

Listener Q&A where Andy talks about: Why you know the return you'll ultimately realize if you hold a bond to maturity, but can't know the return you'll eventually realize if you instead hold a bond fund ( 7:13 ) A commonsense intuitive answer why bond prices decrease (increase) when interest rates increase (decrease) ( 9:56 ) His thoughts on holdin…

1
S17:E17: What Makes a Story "Bad"? A Guide to Why Your Narrative Isn't Working 20:32

5M ago20:32

20:32

What makes a bad story? The answer may surprise you. Here's what really makes a story fail—and how to fix it.By K.M. Weiland

1
#161 – Retirement planning chat with a "real" person, Jan 59:37

5M ago59:37

59:37

Andy chats with a real person (not an advisor) doing their own retirement planning. In this episode, Andy talks with Jan. They talk about a wide array of retirement planning topics such as leaving the workforce early due to family caregiving needs, how health changes have impacted retirement, how to distribute money from an IRA particularly when lo…

1
#160 - "Hot topics" edition...Andy and Lauren Hunt talk about the Social Security annual trustees report, the ever-increasing stock market, whether to take out loans or pay for things outright and MORE ... 1:19:45

5M ago1:19:45

1:19:45

Andy and Lauren Hunt from Daybreak Wealth share their thoughts on a handful of current events and "hot topics" relating to retirement planning. Specifically, they talk about: Their thoughts on the takeaways from 2025 annual Social Security Trustees report ( 7:17 ) Some of provisions in the pending One Big Beautiful Bill Act that are likely to impac…

1
#159 - SPECIAL EDITION...Provisions of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" most likely to impact your tax return 45:34

5M ago45:34

45:34

In the SPECIAL EDITION episode, Andy summarizes the key provision of the recently signed into law One Big Beautiful Act that are most likely to impact you and your tax return. The topics summarized are: Permanency of the current federal tax rates Permanency, and a slight increase, to the current standard deduction amounts A new temporary personal e…

1
S17:E16: Why Intentional Storytelling Matters in an Era of AI and Algorithm-Driven Content 19:48

5M ago19:48

19:48

Intentional storytelling means making creative choices with purpose. Here's why that matters more than ever in an AI-driven content world.By K.M. Weiland

1
#158 - How investment custodians make money 58:07

5M ago58:07

58:07

Andy discusses the main ways in which investment custodians like Scwhab, Vanguard and Fidelity make money (even when you often don't outright directly pay them anything...) Links in this episode: Tenon Financial monthly e-newsletter - Retirement Planning Insights Facebook group - Retirement Planning Education (formerly Taxes in Retirement) YouTube …

1
#157 - Q&A edition...bonds and the bond market, paying estimated taxes, converting ALL pre-tax money to Roth and MORE! 1:01:52

6M ago1:01:52

1:01:52

Listener Q&A where Andy talks about: A short explanation of bonds and "the bond market" ( 2:48 ) Are actively managed bond funds better than passive bond funds ( 21:53 ) What are the pros and cons of making all of the year's estimated tax payments in the first quarter ( 30:30 ) Why insurers don't offer a long term care product with a 2-3 years elim…

1
#156 - Three "real" people discuss how they handled the emotional transition into retirement and how they now find fulfillment, meaning and satisfaction 1:25:30

6M ago1:25:30

1:25:30

Andy chats with three different "real" people to discuss how they handled the non-financial/emotional transition from working to retirement, and what they do now to provide a sense of fulfillment, meaning and purpose and in retirement Links in this episode: Tenon Financial monthly e-newsletter - Retirement Planning Insights Facebook group - Retirem…

1
S17:E15: How to Write Different Character Arcs for the Same Character (Part 2 of 2) 16:27

6M ago16:27

16:27

Discover how to honor your character's history while crafting different character arcs for the same character in new stories.By K.M. Weiland

1
#155 - "Hot topics" edition...Andy and Larry Pershing talk about the Big Beautiful (tax) Bill, US debt, concentration in the S&P 500 and MORE! 1:48:49

6M ago1:48:49

1:48:49

Andy and Larry Pershing from Optimum Retirement Planning share their thoughts on a handful of current events and "hot topics" relating to retirement planning. Specifically, they talk about: The pending "Big Beautiful Bill" tax bill that recently was approved by the House; what's in it, what's not in it, practical planning considerations around it, …

1
S17:E14: How to Write Different Character Arcs for the Same Character (Part 1 of 2) 17:11

6M ago17:11

17:11

Discover systems that can help you write different character arcs for the same character in your series. Keep stories interesting and unique!By K.M. Weiland

1
#154 - What retirement-focused financial and tax planning firms do for their fee, using my firm as an example 1:02:47

6M ago1:02:47

1:02:47

Andy discusses what financial firms do for their fee, using his own firm, Tenon Financial, as an example Links in this episode: Tenon Financial's website - https://tenonfinancial.com/ Tenon Financial's June 2025 newsletter - here Andy's article explaining how it's impossible to quantify the value of advisory services in - How Much Are Your Services…

1
#153 - Guest hosts Mike Powers and Kirsten Ashbaugh from Manuka Financial talk more about data and cybersecurity best practices 1:18:04

7M ago1:18:04

1:18:04

In this special guest host episode, Mike Powers and Kirsten Ashbaugh from Manuka Financial talk cybersecurity best practices. Links in this episode: Manuka Financial's website - https://www.manukafinancial.com/ Tenon Financial monthly e-newsletter - Retirement Planning Insights Facebook group - Retirement Planning Education (formerly Taxes in Retir…

1
S17:E13: Crafting Archetypal Arcs With Enneagram Insights 34:09

7M ago34:09

34:09

Discover the connection between archetypal arcs and Enneagram insights for transformative storytelling and character growth.By K.M. Weiland

1
#152 - Q&A edition...how to deal with market declines, Social Security spousal benefits, vacation home sale impacts on IRMAA and MORE! 53:35

7M ago53:35

53:35

Listener Q&A where Andy talks about: Why more fund managers don't offer mutual fund-to-ETF conversions ( 5:02 ) How my firm helps clients prepare for severe market declines, and how we communicate bad markets to them ( 8:48 ) Who's the voice of the intro and outro to this podcast ( 16:06 ) For spouses claiming Social Security, what's a good claimin…

1
S17:E12: Using the Enneagram for Character Development: Avoiding Repetition for Lies Each Type Might Believe 23:59

7M ago23:59

23:59

Discover the unique lies each Enneagram subtype believes and how these shape their fears, desires, and character development in storytelling.By K.M. Weiland

1
#151 – Retirement planning chat with a "real" person, Rob Berger 1:02:16

7M ago1:02:16

1:02:16

Andy chats with real people (not advisors) doing their own retirement planning. In this episode, Andy talks with Rob Berger, the creator of the Rob Berger YouTube channel, the founder of the former DoughRoller website, published author and more!. They talk about a wide array of retirement planning topics such as when he started getting serious abou…