Find out what you can do to achieve a more reliable retirement outcome than most traditional stock market-based plans can offer. At the Retirement Income Show, we R-E-A-L-L-Y believe: Stable RENEWABLE streams of income in retirement are possible…REALLY. Wall Street’s traditional investment advice is helpful in the accumulation stage and DANGEROUS in the decumulation stage…REALLY. Variable Annuities can be HELPFUL in the accumulation stage but detrimental in the decumulation stage…REALLY. The ...
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Dave Stearns Podcasts
Smart People Podcast is a biweekly, interview-based podcast that features today's most well respected thought leaders engaging in authentic, insightful conversation for the benefit of the listener. The host, Chris Stemp, and his co-host/producer Jon Rojas, utilize their insatiable curiosity and relatable charm to provoke their guests into giving the interview of a lifetime. Every single guest has achieved a high level of recognition within their arena and in doing so has collected a wealth o ...
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How do you know when it’s truly time to retire? It might sound like a simple question, but the reality is far more complex—and the wrong decision could have lasting consequences. In this episode of The Retirement Income Show, we break down the essential factors you need to consider before making the leap. From managing debt and planning for inflati…
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Is your financial advisor fully engaged—or just coasting on autopilot? When it comes to your retirement, having someone “asleep at the switch” could put your savings and future at risk. In this episode of The Retirement Income Show, we uncover the red flags that signal your advisor may be snoozing on the job—from cookie-cutter portfolios and lack o…
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How AI Is Forcing Us to Rethink Who We Are and the Future We Want with Jeff Burningham
47:49
47:49
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47:49What if the biggest challenge with AI isn’t the technology, but what it’s revealing about us? Jeff Burningham has built companies, invested in hundreds of startups, and even run for governor — but his most urgent message comes in his new book The Last Book Written by a Human: Becoming Wise in the Age of AI. He believes AI is a mirror, reflecting ou…
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A new 1,200-page law just rewrote key retirement rules. President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill is packed with changes that may impact your taxes, Social Security, and healthcare. In this episode of The Retirement Income Show, we cut through the noise and break down what matters most for retirees and pre-retirees, plus how you can prepare to take …
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With so many moving parts in retirement planning—like Social Security, Roth conversions, long-term care, and estate planning—it’s easy to lose focus. In this episode of The Retirement Income Show, we cut through the noise to identify what truly matters: income investing. We’ll explain why retirement is really about replacing your paycheck, not just…
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What If DMT Isn’t a Hallucination But a Message From Our Creator: A Neuroscientist Makes His Case - Dr. Andrew Gallimore
1:01:27
1:01:27
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1:01:27What if the most powerful psychedelic on Earth isn’t just a hallucination—but a message? Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Gallimore joins us to explore the mind-bending world of DMT, a molecule found in both nature and the human body that seems to reliably transport users to an alien-like realm filled with intelligent beings. In this episode, we dive into…
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Why Normal People Do Horrific Things: The Neuroscience of Revenge with James Kimmel Jr.
59:50
59:50
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59:50What if the desire for revenge wasn’t just emotional—but biological? In this gripping conversation, Yale-trained lawyer and researcher James Kimmel Jr. explains how the brain processes revenge, why it feels so satisfying in the moment, and why it rarely brings the peace we expect. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and his own powerful personal…
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Decumulation: Turning Savings into Income
24:51
24:51
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24:51You’ve spent your life saving and preparing for retirement, but now comes the hard part: spending it wisely. In this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns, we tackle one of the most overlooked and anxiety-inducing parts of retirement planning: decumulation. We explore why it's so difficult to shift from saving to spending, walk th…
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In this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns, we shine a spotlight on the newest and most dangerous financial scams targeting retirees today. From fake Medicare calls and AI-powered voice impersonations to romance scams and phishing emails, scammers are using sophisticated technology and sneaky tactics to steal your money and per…
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In this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns, we tackle some of the most pressing concerns facing retirees and pre-retirees today — from inflation, interest rates, and Social Security uncertainty to scam prevention, housing decisions, and geopolitical instability. We also unpack the risks of outdated investment strategies and exp…
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Why You Can’t Heal Until Your Body Feels Safe… and How To Get There with Dr. David Rabin
54:31
54:31
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54:31If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things—the workouts, the healthy food, the meditation app, the supplements—but your body still isn’t responding the way it should… this episode is for you. Because here’s the truth: You can’t heal until your body feels safe. Not calm. Not relaxed. Safe. And that’s not just a mindset—it’s a biologi…
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The Four Quarters of a Complete Retirement Plan
23:52
23:52
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23:52Have you ever unpacked a new item to assemble it, only to realize a crucial part was missing? It’s frustrating, and it can make the whole thing useless or at least sub-optimal. The same is true in many areas of life, especially retirement planning. If even one piece of your retirement plan is missing, the whole strategy can be incomplete, and that …
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Feel Stressed? Why That Might Not Be a Bad Thing with Dr. Sharon Bergquist
1:05:08
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1:05:08We’ve been taught to fear stress, avoid it, and manage it like a toxin. But what if that belief is actually making us weaker? Dr. Sharon Bergquist has spent decades studying the relationship between stress, cellular health, and chronic disease—and what she’s discovered turns the conventional wisdom upside down. We dig into what that means at the bi…
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The Real Cost of Dismantling Public Eduction with former U.S. Secretary of Education, John B. King
48:08
48:08
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48:08What if the federal government walked away from public education? That’s not a hypothetical—it’s part of a real plan gaining traction right now. In this episode, we break down what it actually means to defund and dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, and why it could upend the future for millions of students. Former Secretary of Education Joh…
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If retirement had a middle name, it would be "Income," just like our show: The Retirement Income Show. You have to have income to replace the salary that you earned every week when you were working. It's important to realize that income is one of the primary elements of a successful and stress-free retirement. Too many people think of income as tak…
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Retirement can bring about lots of questions, whether you're preparing to retire soon or have been retired for years! Over the last 20+ years at Stearns Retirement Group, we’ve heard them all. On this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns, we’re digging into the mailbag to answer some of the top questions retirees ask us. Don't mi…
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Rethinking Purpose: Why Chasing Big Goals Might Be Making You Miserable with Jordan Grumet
1:03:13
1:03:13
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1:03:13What if the relentless chase for big goals is actually what’s making you feel unfulfilled? In this episode, hospice physician and author Jordan Grumet shares what he’s learned from those at the end of life—and why our culture’s definition of purpose may be all wrong. Instead of striving for impact, Jordan invites us to focus on the simple, joyful a…
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Retirement Investing Is Not as Difficult as Wall Street Has Made It!
23:43
23:43
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23:43There aren't many things that can happen economically, geopolitically, or socially that the stock market is not familiar with. If there were a way to invest in retirement that was effective in all market environments, would you want to know about it? Of course you would, so don't miss this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns!…
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Many people don’t even think about their 401(k) when they change employers. In fact, some people don’t even know the options for their employer plans. On this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns, we’ll help you sort it all out so that you know the next steps to take. We're covering the purpose of a 401(k), pensions, investment o…
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What Advisors Should Not Do in Retirement Planning
24:15
24:15
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24:15In some ways, we could call this episode the "bloopers" of what advisors do in retirement planning. In a lot of cases, many advisors don't know what they don't know. If you apply the same strategies in retirement that you used when you were in the savings years, you could be in for financial ruin when it comes to living out retirement. If you want …
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What AI Can’t Replace - and Why That Matters with WSJ Bestselling Author, Faisal Hoque
1:00:10
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1:00:10This isn’t another hype-filled tech episode or a doomsday warning about robots taking over. It’s a grounded, human conversation about what we lose when we hand over too much to AI—and how to hold onto what matters most. In this episode, author and technologist Faisal Hoque blends decades of innovation experience with Eastern philosophy to explore s…
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When you think about retirement, having a strong outline of the primary elements can put you way ahead of the game when you reach that milestone. Join us for this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns as we focus on the outline so that you can fill in the blanks to your retirement!By Dave Stearns
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As human beings, we're all biased, and it's important that we know that about ourselves. If you're working with a financial advisor, it's critical that you understand his/her bias as they're helping you in your retirement. If you want to learn more about the potential bias of your financial advisor, don't miss this episode of The Retirement Income …
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Retirement can be challenging and brings up lots of questions, regardless of how much money you have. We know these questions can weigh heavily on you, and it's our job to help you get answers. Join us for this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns as we address some common retiree questions!…
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Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyper-Persuasion with Harvard Professor, Rebecca Lemov
36:24
36:24
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36:24What if brainwashing isn’t just a Cold War relic, but something we’re all quietly experiencing every day? In this episode, Harvard professor and author Rebecca Lemov joins us to unpack the hidden mechanics of mind control—from historical POW camps to the subtle pull of your social media feed. We talk about the concept of “ungrounding,” how it sets …
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Feed Drop! Money For Couples - 192- We spend 98% of what we make—Where is it all going
18:09
18:09
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18:09We're sharing a new show we think you'll enjoy! If you ever wonder, “Where is all our money going?”—you’re not alone. In episode 192 of Money For Couples titled, “We spend 98% of what we make—Where is it all going?”, you’ll hear real stories and practical strategies to help you align on finances, stop money fights, and build a shared financial visi…
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How to Invest No Matter What Happens to the Economy with Trump 2.0
24:20
24:20
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24:20What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase "Trump 2.0?" Maybe you feel positive emotions, perhaps you are scared, or maybe you worry that the stock market seems uncertain about him right now. No matter what comes to your mind, if you want to learn how to invest no matter what happens to the economy with Trump 2.0, then this episode of The Ret…
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Don't Let Your Doctor Kill You: How to Beat Physician Arrogance, Corporate Greed and a Broken System with Dr. Erika Schwartz
54:45
54:45
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54:45Ever wonder why a routine checkup can leave you more anxious than assured? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Erika Schwartz—author of Don’t Let Your Doctor Kill You—who’s on a mission to dismantle the fear culture in modern medicine. If you’re tired of endless tests and pill-pushing, get ready for real talk about where to draw the line.Think yo…
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Reflections - The Truth About The Nature of Sex and Gender
14:41
14:41
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14:41Introducing 'Reflections,' a new twist on our classic podcast format. In this special new series, I'm flipping the script - instead of interviewing an expert, I'm sharing my personal takeaways, insights, and action items from our previous conversation. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how our expert's wisdom is impacting my life, and discove…
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Have you ever wondered what it might be like to have Elon Musk take a look at your monthly expenses? Do you think he might find some pork if he rummaged through your checkbook? Join us for this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns as we discuss what it might be like if you were "DOGE'd."…
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The Truth About Sex and Gender: What Nature Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are with Dr. Nathan Lents
1:10:28
1:10:28
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1:10:28Sex and gender are at the center of heated debates—but what if much of what we believe isn’t rooted in biological truth? In this episode, Dr. Nathan Lents, author of The Sexual Evolution, reveals what nature and evolution really tell us about sex, gender, and human relationships. You’ll discover why diversity in biology—whether in sex, gender, or m…
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What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase "The Big Five?" Is it the five widely known personality traits or perhaps the big five animals from Africa? If you want to learn about the Big Five investments that we use to create stable and renewable income in retirement, then don't miss this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns…
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Why AI Could Be the Key to Better, Faster, and Cheaper Healthcare with Dean of Stanford Medicine, Dr. Lloyd Minor
51:23
51:23
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51:23🚨 AI is changing healthcare—are we ready? 🚨 In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lloyd Minor, Dean of the Stanford School of Medicine, to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing medicine—from diagnosing diseases faster to improving patient care and even reshaping drug development. But with all the promise, there are major challenges…
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Avoiding Extremes in Your Retirement Plan
24:44
24:44
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24:44Are you the kind of person that tends toward extremes in your life, or do you prefer to keep it in the middle of the road? Regardless of which type of person you are, you must avoid extremes in your retirement plans. If you want to learn more about retirement planning extremes and how to avoid them, don't miss this episode of The Retirement Income …
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Reflections - Three Tips for Inspiring Others (Adam Galinsky episode)
14:22
14:22
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14:22Introducing 'Reflections,' a new twist on our classic podcast format. In this special new series, I'm flipping the script - instead of interviewing an expert, I'm sharing my personal takeaways, insights, and action items from our previous conversation. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how our expert's wisdom is impacting my life, and discove…
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How Understanding Social Hierarchies Can Help You Inspire Others and Get What You Want with Adam Galinksy
47:48
47:48
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47:48In this episode, Adam Galinsky, acclaimed professor and TED speaker, dives into the fascinating world of social hierarchy, influence, and inspiration. From his role as an expert witness in high-profile cases like Dominion vs. Fox News to his groundbreaking research on human dynamics, Adam shares how understanding social structures can empower us to…
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How much money can you comfortably take from your investments when you retire? This is a common question that we often get in our office. If you don't have a good answer, you could run into lots of troubles in retirement, so tune into this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns as we tackle this topic!…
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Reflections - How GLP-1s Changed My Thinking On Medicine (Dr. Alexandra Sowa episode)
14:45
14:45
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14:45Introducing 'Reflections,' a new twist on our classic podcast format. In this special new series, I'm flipping the script - instead of interviewing an expert, I'm sharing my personal takeaways, insights, and action items from our previous conversation. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how our expert's wisdom is impacting my life, and discove…
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Birthday surprises, surprise trips, financial surprises...Not all surprises are equal. Whether you love or despise them, we all have one thing in common: We don't like bad surprises, especially when it comes to our finances in retirement. If you want to learn how to minimize surprises in your retirement, don't miss this episode of The Retirement In…
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Weight Loss and Willpower: The Science of Metabolic Health and GLP-1s with Dr. Alexandra Sowa
55:18
55:18
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55:18In this episode of Smart People Podcast, Dr. Alexandra Sowa, an expert in obesity and metabolic health, reveals the groundbreaking science behind GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and their impact on weight loss and overall health. Dr. Sowa explains how hormones like insulin, GLP-1, and leptin influence hunger, satiety, and fat storage—and how these s…
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One of our favorite aspects of a new year is the fresh start! It provides an opportunity to reflect on the previous year and put new plans in place. Reviewing financial basics can help lay the foundation for a successful year, and the beginning of the year is the best time to do so. Join us for this special edition of The Retirement Income Show wit…
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Reflections - How Learning About Mysticism Has Changed the Way I Live (Simon Critchley Episode)
13:09
13:09
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13:09Introducing 'Reflections,' a new twist on our classic podcast format. In this special new series, I'm flipping the script - instead of interviewing an expert, I'm sharing my personal takeaways, insights, and action items from our previous conversation. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how our expert's wisdom is impacting my life, and discove…
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The election is behind us and the Red Sweep of the Presidency, House, and Senate is on everybody’s mind. If you’re wondering how the new administration can affect your retirement plans, you’ve come to the right place. We're breaking it all down for you on this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns!…
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What Mysticism Can Teach Us About Living Well, with Philosopher Simon Critchley
54:46
54:46
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54:46What if you could taste intensity, experience life fully, and connect deeply with existence? Join us for a fascinating conversation exploring the world of mysticism. We delve into the concept of mysticism as a mode of experience and way of life, beyond religious practice. Discover how embracing the unknown can transform your life. Our guest shares …
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The end of the year is the perfect time to create and review a year-end financial planning checklist, ideally with a financial advisor. The items included on your checklist may vary depending on your age and situation, but if you are actively saving for retirement (especially if you are already retired or within 15 years of retirement), listen to t…
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Reflections - My 4 Biggest Lessons from Richard Cytowic
13:52
13:52
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13:52Introducing 'Reflections,' a new twist on our classic podcast format. In this special episode, I'm flipping the script - instead of interviewing an expert, I'm sharing my personal takeaways, insights, and action items from our previous conversation. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how our expert's wisdom is impacting my life, and discover h…
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Stone Age Brain, Screen Age Problem - The Truth About Technology and Your Brain with Richard Cytowic
1:02:14
1:02:14
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1:02:14Join award-winning neurologist Richard Cytowic as he reveals the surprising reasons behind our screen addictions. Our brains, unchanged since the Stone Age, are woefully unprepared for the temptations of modern technology. Cytowic explains how ancient instincts like desire, reward and competition are hijacked by Big Tech, leading to unhealthy attac…
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We often talk about how to plan for and achieve a stress-free retirement as a couple, but many of our clients and listeners are single, divorced, or widowed. In our many years of working with retirees, we have found that there are some unique aspects of retiring single that get overlooked, and their neglect can have an even more significant impact.…
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Life in the Corporate Blender: Why Change is Making Work Worse with Ashley Goodall
50:11
50:11
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50:11For decades, “disruption” and “change” have been seen as essential to business growth and success. Whether it’s a merger or re-org or a new office layout, change has become the ultimate easy button for leaders, who pursue it with abandon, unleashing a torrent of disruption on employees. The result is what our guest calls “life in the blender”—a per…
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As we exit election season in the United States, did you know that you can have a vote in retirement? When you get to the retirement stage of life, you have the ability to make decisions about your investments, goals, and dreams; these are important aspects of building a stress-free retirement. If you want to learn how to cast your vote for a winni…
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