The Boldin Your Money Podcast

In this episode, host Steve Chen sits down with Mark Miller — journalist, author, and retirement expert behind RetirementRevised.com — to unpack the biggest changes hitting Social Security and Medicare right now. Mark shares his personal experience claiming both programs, explains why “later is better” for most Social Security claimants, and breaks down the trust fund depletion risk without the fear-mongering. The conversation covers the real-world impact of DOGE-driven SSA staffing cuts, why traditional Medicare beats Medicare Advantage for most people, the landmark $2,000 Part D out-of-pocket cap, and the quiet Medicare Savings Program rollback buried in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Mark’s no-nonsense take: understand the rules, claim strategically, and shop your Medicare coverage every single year.

In this episode of Boldin Your Money, host Steve Chen sits down with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and CalSavers Executive Director David Teykaerts to explore how California is tackling the retirement savings gap through the CalSavers program. Fiona shares her personal journey from the private sector into public service and explains the treasurer’s broader role as the state’s banker, overseeing investments, bonds, and multiple savings initiatives. Together, Fiona and David walk through why CalSavers was created, how automatic payroll savings can dramatically increase participation, and why default design, low fees, and simplicity matter most for workers who’ve historically lacked access to retirement plans. The conversation highlights the program’s scale and impact—hundreds of thousands of savers, billions saved, and growing along with lessons about behavioral finance, employer responsibility, and the power of “set it and forget it” systems to build long-term financial security for everyday Californians.

In this episode of Boldin Your Money, Steve Chen catches up with Paula Pant, founder of Afford Anything to explore how her work and thinking have evolved. Paula shares how earning a graduate degree in economic journalism deepened her approach to personal finance, why her audience is juggling more competing priorities than ever, and how rising uncertainty is shaping financial behavior. She and Steve discuss housing lock-in, geo-arbitrage, and the growing value of human soft skills in an AI-driven world. Paula also breaks down her “Double-I FIRE” framework and explains why real estate, entrepreneurship, and empowered decision-making matter more than ever.

Leslie and Thomas Martin share how years of consistent saving and do-it-yourself planning helped them confidently retire early and enjoy life on their own terms. Starting with the classic “save 10%” rule, they eventually built detailed retirement models using Boldin, holding regular “family finance” meetings to test scenarios and understand when and how they could retire. Those tools gave them peace of mind and what they call a “license to spend”—freedom to enjoy their go-go years without fear of running out of money. They stay invested, manage taxes carefully, and keep a cash cushion for market swings. Now traveling the country in their Winnebago Revel, they focus on experiences, community, and helping their kids learn smart money habits. Their advice: plan several years before you retire, keep learning, use planning tools, and make your money work for you so you can spend confidently and live fully. Big lessons: have a plan (even if it changes), invest (not just save), stress-test worst cases, and use community and coaching for confidence.

In this episode of Boldin Your Money, host Steve Chen talks with Andrea Solarz, a Boldin community member from Arlington, Virginia, about her lifelong journey to financial independence. Andrea shares how early lessons from her parents about saving and budgeting set her on the right path, later reinforced through self-education and following experts like Rob Berger, Christine Benz, and Andy Panko. She discusses using Boldin’s financial planning platform to confirm she was ready to retire and shift from saving to spending confidently. Andrea now relies on Social Security and TIAA-CREF annuities for guaranteed income, giving her the freedom to travel and support friends and causes she cares about. A single woman with no children, Andrea highlights the importance of independent financial planning and encourages others, especially women, to start saving early, invest consistently, and plan intentionally for retirement.

In this episode of Boldin Your Money, Steve Chen talks with Jillian Johnsrud, author of Retire Often, about how taking intentional career breaks, what she calls mini-retirements can lead to greater freedom, career clarity, and personal growth. Jillian shares her journey from debt at age 19 to financial independence by 32, and how sabbaticals became a core part of her life rhythm. They explore how mini-retirements can be used not just for rest, but for skill-building, career pivots, and even wealth creation. Jillian also introduces her four-step framework Dream, Career, Money, and Journey offering practical tools to help anyone take time off with purpose, not regret.

In this episode of Boldin Your Money, Steve Chen talks with Andy Hill, creator of Marriage, Kids and Money, about Andy’s journey from having a negative net worth to achieving financial independence through intentional saving, living on one income, and aligning money decisions with family goals. Andy shares how reaching “Coast FI” allowed his family to work less and enjoy life more, the importance of early financial conversations with a partner, and his strategies for teaching kids about money by making it a regular, open topic. He also reflects on how purposeful time use can lead to a happier, healthier life and discusses his upcoming book Own Your Time, which helps parents build financial security while prioritizing family.

In this episode of Boldin Your Money, Steve Chen sits down with Geoff Schmidt, the creator behind the wildly popular YouTube channel Holy Schmidt. Geoff shares his inspiring journey from Wall Street to YouTube, sparked by a mission to help his father and ultimately millions better understand retirement planning. With over 350 videos and 335K+ subscribers, Geoff offers powerful insights on financial literacy, Social Security, blind spots in retirement, and building wealth with clarity and intention. A must-listen for anyone navigating retirement planning or curious about becoming a trusted voice in personal finance.

In this episode, host Steve Chen reconnects with Dr. Jim Dahle, founder of The White Coat Investor, to reflect on life, money, and purpose five years after their first conversation. Jim shares the impact of a serious 2024 climbing accident, how it shaped his perspective on aging, balance, and living with intention. They dive into investing philosophy, simplifying wealth, estate planning for kids, and the challenges of being a content creator in the age of AI. The episode blends financial wisdom with personal insight, showing how resilience and purpose evolve with experience.

In this episode of Boldin Your Money, host Steve Chen welcomes Leisa Peterson, a financial coach, author of The Mindful Millionaire, and advocate for financial mindfulness. Leisa shares her personal journey from growing up in a financially unstable household to becoming a successful financial expert, entrepreneur, and coach. She discusses the impact of scarcity mindset, the importance of financial confidence, and how personal experiences—both triumphs and tragedies—shaped her path toward financial independence.

In this episode of Boldin Your Money, Steve Chen sits down with Jackie Cummings Koski, co-host of Catching Up to FI, to talk about her inspiring journey to financial independence after overcoming poverty, divorce, and single motherhood. Jackie shares practical advice for late starters, those in their 40s, 50s, and beyond who feel behind on saving for retirement. They cover the importance of mindset, overcoming the fear of investing, and how to build wealth even if you’re starting late. Whether you’re looking for guidance, motivation, or just the reassurance that it’s not too late, this episode has something for you.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Richardson, former SVP and CTO of Nationwide, who retired at 55 to embrace a fulfilling second act. Mike shares his inspiring journey of building a financial plan, navigating early retirement, and redefining purpose. Learn how he transitioned from leading large tech teams to mentoring others as a financial coach, volunteering, and pursuing personal passions. Whether you're planning your retirement or seeking insights on financial confidence, Mike’s story offers practical advice and inspiration. Tune in for strategies, reflections, and lessons for your own journey toward financial independence.

Steve Chen welcomes Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance at Morningstar, to discuss her book How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement. Christine shares practical strategies for retirement planning, including tax-efficient decumulation, dynamic spending, and the bucket approach for managing cash flow and investments. They also explore the importance of relationships, purpose, and staying socially engaged in retirement, along with tackling challenges like long-term care and financial fraud. Packed with actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone planning a secure and fulfilling retirement.