Best Daniel Otter Podcasts (2025)

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TPA Pushes Back on Single Vendor Plan (#399) 31:29

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2h ago31:29

31:29

Baltimore City Public Schools is going single vendor. Third-party administrator Omni-TSACG who oversees the current plan that features numerous red-rated vendors is sad. Current Baltiore City Public Schools vendor list Omni-TSACG letter Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothi…

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Why coexistence with wolves is vital with range-rider Daniel Curry 38:06

1d ago38:06

38:06

"They don't hate wolves, they just hate the idea of losing their livelihood. So for me, if we can prevent the conflict, and we can empower rural areas and rural land owners and ranchers to be the best stewards of the land that we can, that's the best way to keep conservation alive in the West." In the latest episode of Rewilding the World Ben Golds…

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4 Ghoulishly Good Stories (#398) 32:47

6d ago32:47

32:47

Tricks and Treats: Vanguard in a little hot water; Florida doing the right thing; NEA Member Benefits targeted; Equitable doing Equitable things. Vanguard Conflicted Florida Putting State 457(b) Out to Bid Congress Investigating NEA Member Benefits Equitable Doing Equitable Things Joey Running Tribute Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about…

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Her 401(k) Contributions Vanished—and Her Company Had No Answers (#397) 33:13

13d ago33:13

33:13

Dan's wife, Amanda, had more than $50,000 withheld from her 401(k) plan. This wasn't money that was a match. It was her money. She was recently featured in a Wall Street Journal story on 401(k) theft. Scott and Dan discuss the story. Her 401(k) Contributions Vanished—and Her Company Had No Answers (WSJ) Search 401(k) Form 5500 Filing Learned by Bei…

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Renaturing small spaces with James Canton 36:04

16d ago36:04

36:04

"Something like 27 million people in Britain consider themselves gardeners. If you can harness those people, if you can get them thinking about their relationship with the natural world; with wildlife, with invertebrates, with bugs, with biodiversity, you're getting quite a big chunk of Britain heading in the right direction." In this episode of Re…

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Flipping the Switch From 403(b) Saver to Post-Career Spender (#396) 55:41

20d ago55:41

55:41

Barb O'Neill, CFP®, AFC®, walks us through 403(b) withdrawal strategies in retirement. Transitioning From 403(b) Saver to Post-Career Spender (blog post w/resources) Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advic…

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He Makes His Young Kids Listen to Our Pod (#395) 48:38

27d ago48:38

48:38

We had a blast speaking with North Carolina educator/retirement plan advocate, Daniel Noles. Not only is he helping colleagues get wise to saving for retirement, he makes his own kids listen to our pod. But don't hold that against him! As he closes in on retirement he's considering a second act as a financial advisor. Gaston County Schools - D plan…

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Protecting the new forests of New England with Shelby Perry 35:09

30d ago35:09

35:09

By Ben Goldsmith

51
Stocks and Music Unscripted (#394) 1:02:57

1M ago1:02:57

1:02:57

Jeff Santoro is an educator from New Jersey and Jason Hall is a financial writer and analyst. Together they host the Investing Unscripted podcast. We talk about getting wise to saving, music, and even engage in a little stock picking. Investing Unscripted West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Learned by Being Burned (short pod series abo…

51
Remembering Jonathan Clements (#393) 19:36

1M ago19:36

19:36

We share our recollections of, and interactions with, the former Wall Street Journal columnist, founder of HumbleDollar.com, and friend of 403bwise. No Regrets Farewell Friends Thank You, Jonathan Podcast with Jonathan Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or di…

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Showcasing Otter-ly amazing aquatic engineers with Chanel Hason 34:48

1M ago34:48

34:48

By Ben Goldsmith

51
Teacher-Author Focused on Improving Educator Financial Outcomes (#392) 35:08

2M ago35:08

35:08

Our guest, Danny Kofke, is a jack-of-many-trades: elementary school teacher for 18 years, author of 6 books including Where to Spend. Where to Save. A Teachers Guide to Managing Your Finances, and Director of Training and Outreach for the Southern Education Retirement Consortium. Danny Kofke Where to Spend, Where to Save: A Teacher's Guide to Manag…

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Current State of Student Loans? More Chaos (#391) 1:09:59

2M ago1:09:59

1:09:59

Student loan guru and former teacher, David Gurley, who we have dubbed the "Loan Ranger," returns to update us on the ever-changing world of student loans. K-12 Planning studentaid.gov Student Loan Planner Student loan repayment plans have shifted — and more changes are ahead. Here's what borrowers need to know (CNBC) Student Loans Are About to Loo…

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The plight of Sweden's wolves with Staffan Widstrand 35:27

2M ago35:27

35:27

By Ben Goldsmith

51
Morningstar's Jeff Ptak (#390) 36:52

2M ago36:52

36:52

The managing director for Morningstar Research Services and the author of the Substack column Basis Pointing, Jeff Ptak, talks saving and investing. It's So Simple Substack: Basis Pointing Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as …

1
How Beautiful is the OBBBA for Educators? (#389) 51:42

2M ago51:42

51:42

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has a lot of pieces, some of which affect educators. Barbara O'Neill gives us the 411 on this legislation. An OBBBA Summary for 403(b) Plan Participants Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed …

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Protecting endangered giant tortoises with Celina Chien 32:35

2M ago32:35

32:35

By Ben Goldsmith

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When to Take Social Security (#388) 54:15

3M ago54:15

54:15

Lucretia Ryan of FinancialFreedomforWomen.org walks you through the questions to ask to determine when to take Social Security. This is a recording of a 403bwise.org Event that occurred on August 19, 2025. FinancialFreedomforWomen.org Presentation Slides Most Americans Claim Social Security at the Wrong Time Podcast: Dirty Little Secrets of Medicar…

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The Wealth Ladder with Nick Maggiulli (#387) 54:41

3M ago54:41

54:41

Nick Maggiulli, Chief Operating Officer for Ritholz Wealth Management, discusses his blog Of Dollars And Data and his new book The Wealth Ladder: Proven Strategies for Every Step of Your Financial Life. The Wealth Ladder Of Dollars And Data Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management N…

1
Bringing nature restoration into the 21st Century with Natural England Chair, Tony Juniper 35:13

3M ago35:13

35:13

By Ben Goldsmith

1
Julius Prezelski Talks Teaching Fin Lit, Coaching, and Retirement (#386) 48:05

3M ago48:05

48:05

Long-time educator, basketball coach, and personal finance instructor, Julius Prezelski, discusses teaching, coaching and his recent retirement. Long Time Basketball Coach Fin Lit Educator Retires Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be const…

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403bwise to Get Wiser? (#385) 54:45

3M ago54:45

54:45

Dan and Scott drop hint about new project they are working on. They also talk about their recent vacations, and the importance of choosing the right teaching location. Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax adv…

1
Using AI to unlock animal communication with Katie Zacarian 31:51

3M ago31:51

31:51

By Ben Goldsmith

1
Look Back at Legislative Fight to Fix the California K-12 403(b) (#384) 54:40

3M ago54:40

54:40

More than 20 years ago legislation (AB2506) was proposed to allow California school districts who wanted to reform their 403(b) plan to be able to reform their 403(b) plan. The industry hated the proposal. It threatened their multi-vendor, high-cost, agent-driven model. We speak with former TIAA-CREF Regional Manager, Dick Shafer, whose company spe…

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Equitable Does the Right Thing; Delaware State 403(b) Plan (#383) 30:39

4M ago30:39

30:39

Equitable fires agent who threatened teacher. Delaware has an excellent low-cost, state-run 403(b) plan. We discuss. Equitable Agent Threatens Teacher (blog) Equitable Agent Threatens Educator (pod) Truth About SIOs (pod) 403bwise Facebook Group 403(b) & 457(b) Basics: How to start a 403(b) (pod) 403(b) & 457(b) Basics: Asset Allocation (pod) Nothi…

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Restoring Canada's iconic Bison with Tom Olson 37:53

4M ago37:53

37:53

By Ben Goldsmith

1
403(b)/457(b) Basics: How to Get Out of a Bad 403(b) 44:24

4M ago44:24

44:24

In episode three of our new pod series: 403(b) & 457(b) Basics, Scott and Dan explain how to get exit a bad 403(b). It's often difficult but very possible. Stuck in a Bad 403(b)? How to Get Out of Equitable/AXA Bad 403(b) Vendors w/Good Choices 403bwise Facebook Group 403(b) & 457(b) Basics: How to start a 403(b) (pod) 403(b) & 457(b) Basics: Asset…

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The Wealthy Custodian on Retirement and Hiring an Estate Fiduciary (#381) 39:36

4M ago39:36

39:36

We check in with Jeff York on how retirement's going and discuss his attempts to hire an estate fiduciary who would act as the trustee of his estate. The Wealthy Custodian (pod) The Wealthy Custodian in Retirement (pod) Questions to Ask a Professional Fiduciary Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridia…

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Bringing the ocean back to life with Enric Sala 35:34

4M ago35:34

35:34

By Ben Goldsmith

1
Summer Financial Moves + Dan Leases a Car (#380) 46:14

4M ago46:14

46:14

No doubt that summer is a great time to relax. It can also be a good time to make sure your financial house is in order. Dan & Scott discuss wise money moves, and Dan talks about taking out his first ever car lease. State of Student Loans? Chaos (pod) The Importance of Asset Allocation Tripit Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403…

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She Had the K-12 403(b) Solution 25 Years Ago (#379) 1:03:13

5M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

Plan consultant Barbara Healy, CFP® and her colleague Jackie Fabitore-Matheny, had the solution to what woes the K-12 403(b) more than 25 years ago. Imagine if districts had listened? We talk with Barbara about what could have been (and what might still be). Barbara Healy EGTRRA Industry Lobbyist Brian Graff Describes How Many Vendors His Retiremen…

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Fighting organised wildlife crime with Olivia Swaak-Goldman 37:44

5M ago37:44

37:44

By Ben Goldsmith

1
The State of Student Loans? Chaos. (#378) 1:08:43

5M ago1:08:43

1:08:43

Student loan expert and financial planner David Gourley updates Dan and Scott on the volatile state of student loans (particularly PSLF loans) right now. K-12 Planning Public Service Loan Forgiveness Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be co…

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Tennessee Throws Teachers to the Wolves (#377) 27:26

5M ago27:26

27:26

Tennessee passes an anti-pubic employee law that will subject teachers and others to private company financial sales pitches. We break it down into three parts: 1) What it is 2) What we dislike about it 3) What teachers and state employees should do. Tennessee Throws Teachers to the Wolves (Blog Post) Tennessee Legislators Illegally Voting with Sti…

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Can rewilding and farming work together? With Toby Diggens 36:34

5M ago36:34

36:34

By Ben Goldsmith

1
457(b) Heaven (#376) 42:43

5M ago42:43

42:43

The Los Angeles Unified School District created its own 457(b) plan, and it's excellent. It has won not one, but two awards. We speak with two members of the LAUSD Retirement Investment Advisory Committee who were and are instrumental to its success. LAUSD 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Fund Lineup Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about…

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Tariff Talk with Cullen Roche (#375) 56:39

6M ago56:39

56:39

Who better to make sense of the tariff situation than one of our favorite guests, Cullen Roche, economist, and founder and chief investment officer of the Discipline Funds, a low-fee advisory firm. An Autopsy of American Exceptionalism Three Things - China Deal Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridia…

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Diving into New York’s Billion Oyster Project with Katie Mosher 31:15

6M ago31:15

31:15

By Ben Goldsmith

1
Equitable EQUI-VEST Commissions Revealed (#374) 25:03

6M ago25:03

25:03

Scott finds out just how much commission Equitable salespeople get for selling EQUI-VEST products. No wonder they fight reform so hard. No wonder they love to initiate exchanges. The Price of Enrollment Podcast on SIOs Plan Fee Disclosure Form for University of Jamestown Equitable Plan Fee Disclosure Brochure Learned by Being Burned (short pod seri…

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Market Volatility Wisdom (#373) 48:54

6M ago48:54

48:54

Who better than best-selling author Morgan Housel to help put April's market volatility in perspective? Well we couldn't get Morgan on the pod but we have the next best thing: Morgan Houselisms! Enjoy. 9 Charts on Trump's First 100 Days in the Markets Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth M…

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Brokering finance deals to fund nature restoration with Rob Gardner 37:02

6M ago37:02

37:02

By Ben Goldsmith

1
Retired Educator Turned Fiduciary Advisor (#372) 51:26

6M ago51:26

51:26

Retired Los Angeles Unified School District teacher, principal and district administrator, Mary Ann Sullivan, is now officially a CFP®! Not only that, she is opening an advice-only, fee-only firm. Note: Mary Ann meant to say that the number of experience hours needed for a CFP® is 4,000 for apprenticeship and 6,000 for standard pathway (not the 2,0…

1
403(b)/457(b) Basics: Asset Allocation 35:51

7M ago35:51

35:51

In episode two of our new pod series: 403(b) & 457(b) Basics Scott and Dan look at asset allocation. They describe what it is, why it's important and they go over several strategies for allocating a 403(b) and a 457(b). Importance of Asset Allocation by Barb O'Neill The Price of Peace: Why diversification is difficult, but necessary by Nick Maggiul…

1
Defending the world's oceans with Peter Hammarstedt 37:27

7M ago37:27

37:27

By Ben Goldsmith

1
Spring Cleaning Your Personal Finances (#370) 34:22

7M ago34:22

34:22

Barbara O'Neill, PhD, CFP, AFC, owner/CEO of Money Talk: Financial Planning Seminars and Publications, and a monthly columnist for 403bwise talks spring cleaning your personal finances. Spring cleaning is more than deep cleaning and decluttering. It is a great time to neaten up your finances. Spring Cleaning Your 403(b) and Personal Finances The Tr…

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Father & Daughter Educators: Partners in 403(b) Advocacy (#369) 48:12

7M ago48:12

48:12

Nicole and Larry Dubill, two Buffalo, NY area educators, share passion for education, music, and 403(b) advocacy. Cleveland Hill School District 403(b/457(b) Vendor List Hamburg Central School District 403(b)/457(b) Vendor List The Truth About So-Called "No Fee" Products Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to b…

1
‘Rogue rewilding’ - the illegal release of lynx with Pete Cairns 37:50

7M ago37:50

37:50

By Ben Goldsmith

1
Equitable Threatens Educator (#368) 33:05

7M ago33:05

33:05

Teacher who sought to educate colleagues about the 403(b) gets threatening email from Equitable. We read and discuss correspondence. Read the letter The Truth about Structured Investing Options (SIOs) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vet…

1
Captain America of Consumer Protection (#367) 46:45

7M ago46:45

46:45

Erin Witte, Director of Consumer Protection for the Consumer Federation of America, discusses the work she does protecting consumers in the face of a very anti-consumer climate. Erin Witte Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certifie…

1
Making history and nature work together with Rene Olivieri 37:54

8M ago37:54

37:54

By Ben Goldsmith