Episodes

  • Steady Steps and Sunny Skies: Navigating Retirement in a Changing Economy

    Steady Steps and Sunny Skies: Navigating Retirement in a Changing Economy
    Feb 7 2026
    What’s the real impact of the Fed pausing interest rates—and what does it mean for your hard-earned nest egg? This week on C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement, Ben Heisler and Brad Jones dive into the latest moves shaking up the financial world and what those headlines could mean for your future. Should you rethink your investments, or is it better to stay the course? Brad shares surprising stories (including some unconventional home remedies!) and explains how smart planning transforms retirement from a source of anxiety into your dream vacation.

    Feeling uncertain about inflation, market volatility, or even how to manage your cash reserves? You’re not alone. This episode is packed with actionable insights, candid conversation, and a rapid-fire Q&A that tackles burning listener questions—plus a few personal tidbits about Brad’s favorite vacations and guilty pleasures. Discover why climbing through retirement isn’t just a metaphor—it’s your ticket to enjoying every week like a holiday. Listen now to find out what you might be missing!


    Join Brad Jones for another insightful episode of C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement, where he dives into practical strategies for tackling the challenges and opportunities of retirement. Today’s show covers important subjects like taxes, Social Security, long-term care, and navigating unpredictable markets—giving you the expert knowledge you need to make confident decisions for your future.

    Tune in and take the next step on your path to a fulfilling retirement.
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    30 mins
  • The Inheritance Conversation: Turning Taboos into Triumphs

    The Inheritance Conversation: Turning Taboos into Triumphs
    Jan 31 2026
    Are you dodging “the inheritance talk” with your family? You’re not alone—most families do, even though everyone knows it’s important. On this episode of C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement, Ben Heisler and financial advisor Brad Jones pull back the curtain on one of the most avoided topics in retirement planning. What happens if something goes unsaid, or if your loved ones are left with confusion instead of clarity? From tear-jerker sports triumphs to real-life retirement wins, Brad and Ben share why right now is the best time to start—and how bringing everyone to the table can change your legacy.

    But don’t expect dry financial jargon! This conversation covers everything from how family dynamics can shift in unexpected ways to the surprising risks of keeping your heirs in the dark. Whether you’ve saved a few thousand, or your retirement dreams are measured in encore vacations, you’ll learn why your wealth is only part of your legacy. Ready to swap anxiety for action? Press play for actionable insights, candid stories, and a few laughs along the way.


    Join Brad Jones for another insightful episode of C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement, where he dives into practical strategies for tackling the challenges and opportunities of retirement. Today’s show covers important subjects like taxes, Social Security, long-term care, and navigating unpredictable markets—giving you the expert knowledge you need to make confident decisions for your future.

    Tune in and take the next step on your path to a fulfilling retirement.
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    30 mins
  • Are You Really Ready to Retire?

    Are You Really Ready to Retire?
    Jan 24 2026
    Ready to swap the morning commute for coffee on the porch, grandkid giggles, and endless vacations? Not so fast—Brad Jones and Ben Heisler dive deep into the real signs you’re truly ready to retire, and spoiler alert: It’s about much more than just your numbers. This episode of “C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement” uncovers the surprising mix of financial planning, emotional readiness, and even hidden costs you might be forgetting. You’ll hear about the questions most people never ask, and get a taste of why readiness is a whole lot more than a savings account and countdown clock.

    Curious if your plan is airtight? Listen in as Brad shares some of the biggest retirement hurdles—and the secrets to getting over them. The duo also tackle listener questions, from avoiding taxes on your nest egg to making charitable giving work for you, plus tips on making income after hanging up your work hat. If you’re thinking about retirement or already planning your escape, this episode will have you rethinking your next move. Hit play to find out just how ready you really are!


    Join Brad Jones for another insightful episode of C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement, where he dives into practical strategies for tackling the challenges and opportunities of retirement. Today’s show covers important subjects like taxes, Social Security, long-term care, and navigating unpredictable markets—giving you the expert knowledge you need to make confident decisions for your future.

    Tune in and take the next step on your path to a fulfilling retirement.
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    30 mins
  • Charting Your Course: 2026's Retirement Rules and Realities

    Charting Your Course: 2026's Retirement Rules and Realities
    Jan 17 2026
    A new year means new opportunities, fresh challenges, and—let’s face it—a few surprises. In this episode of "C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement," Ben Heisler and Brad Jones dig into the changes that 2026 brings for retirees and those gearing up for their golden years. From bigger savings limits to Social Security tweaks and that mysterious new tax deduction for seniors, the landscape is shifting. Wondering how these updates might affect your plans? You’re not alone—and we have answers.

    But that’s just for starters. Brad and Ben tackle listener questions on everything from estate planning (trust vs. will, anyone?) to running out of money if you live long—and even passing your small business on to the next generation. Inflation worries? We hear you. Tune in and discover why simply “setting and forgetting” your retirement strategy won’t cut it this year, and get the inside scoop on planning moves that could make all the difference. Press play and get ready to climb higher in 2026!


    Join Brad Jones for another insightful episode of C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement, where he dives into practical strategies for tackling the challenges and opportunities of retirement. Today’s show covers important subjects like taxes, Social Security, long-term care, and navigating unpredictable markets—giving you the expert knowledge you need to make confident decisions for your future.

    Tune in and take the next step on your path to a fulfilling retirement.
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    30 mins
  • Balancing Act: Why Rebalancing May Just Save Your Retirement

    Balancing Act: Why Rebalancing May Just Save Your Retirement
    Jan 3 2026
    Ever feel like your retirement plan is a moving target? You’re not alone! This week on C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement, Ben Heisler and Brad Jones dig into one of the most misunderstood—but crucial—parts of smart investing: rebalancing your retirement portfolio. Find out why your 60/40 mix might not be what you think it is, why leaving things on autopilot could invite a world of risk, and how a simple adjustment can bring peace of mind when markets get rocky.

    But that’s not all—2026 is just around the corner, and with it comes a whole new set of tax rules that could impact your retirement dreams. Will you be ready, or will you be caught off guard? Tune in as Ben and Brad pull back the curtain on what’s changing, when to consider a Roth conversion, and why tax diversification might be your most powerful tool yet. If you’re determined to climb confidently through retirement, you won’t want to miss this lively, insightful episode!
















    Join Brad Jones for another insightful episode of C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement, where he dives into practical strategies for tackling the challenges and opportunities of retirement. Today’s show covers important subjects like taxes, Social Security, long-term care, and navigating unpredictable markets—giving you the expert knowledge you need to make confident decisions for your future.

    Tune in and take the next step on your path to a fulfilling retirement.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • The Holiday Mailbag: Unwrapping Retirement Strategies for a Festive Future

    The Holiday Mailbag: Unwrapping Retirement Strategies for a Festive Future
    Dec 27 2025
    The holidays are here, and retirement is on everyone’s wish list! In this festive edition of "C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement," hosts Ben Heisler and Brad Jones bring holiday cheer—and a gift bag full of smart strategies—to help you make the most of your golden years. From creative ways to maximize your retirement accounts before the year wraps up, to surprising tips on charitable giving and long-term care planning, this episode is all about setting yourself up for a future that shines brighter than Rudolph’s nose.

    But wait—there’s more in Santa’s retirement mailbag! Brad and Ben dive into listener questions that range from family vacation splurges to the mysteries of Social Security, and even how Michigan retirees can save big on taxes next year. If you’re curious which moves might help your finances last longer—or just want some laughs with financial pros who love a good cheesy holiday pun—don’t miss this episode. Grab your cookies, cue up the podcast, and get ready for insights that could make this the most wonderful retirement planning season of all!


    Join Brad Jones for another insightful episode of C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement, where he dives into practical strategies for tackling the challenges and opportunities of retirement. Today’s show covers important subjects like taxes, Social Security, long-term care, and navigating unpredictable markets—giving you the expert knowledge you need to make confident decisions for your future.

    Tune in and take the next step on your path to a fulfilling retirement.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • The Holiday Summit: Holiday Cheer, Smart Moves, and Retirement’s Three Ghosts

    The Holiday Summit: Holiday Cheer, Smart Moves, and Retirement’s Three Ghosts
    Dec 20 2025
    The holidays are here, and it’s the perfect time to unwrap not just presents, but your biggest retirement questions. Join Ben Heisler and Brad Jones as they sip on yuletide cheer and dig into the secrets that make a retirement plan as joyful as your Christmas morning—plus, they’ll reveal what most people get wrong, and why a little year-end diligence can pay off in big ways. Ready for a financial tune-up before the New Year? Don't miss out on their most festive show yet!

    But this isn’t just another seasonal special. Brad and Ben pull back the curtain and invite you on a spirited journey with the three “Ghosts of Retirement”—past, present, and future. It’s a candid conversation full of stories, laughs, and those “aha!” moments every retiree or aspiring retiree should hear. So, will you be ready to climb to the summit of your retirement dreams, or will you let those haunting worries sneak in like the Grinch? Hit play and find out!


    Join Brad Jones for another insightful episode of C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement, where he dives into practical strategies for tackling the challenges and opportunities of retirement. Today’s show covers important subjects like taxes, Social Security, long-term care, and navigating unpredictable markets—giving you the expert knowledge you need to make confident decisions for your future.

    Tune in and take the next step on your path to a fulfilling retirement.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Avoiding Retirement's Hidden Pitfalls: Don't Guess, Plan!

    Avoiding Retirement's Hidden Pitfalls: Don't Guess, Plan!
    Dec 13 2025
    Ready to trade the 9-to-5 for your dream retirement, but worried you might stumble on the climb up? In this episode, Brad Jones and Ben Heisler pull back the curtain on those sneaky mistakes that trip up even the savviest savers—and reveal why a solid plan (not just wishful thinking) is your best hiking partner as you journey into retirement. From common money missteps to the silent dangers of picking the wrong investment “mix,” Brad shares surprising stories, a few laughs, and his Sherpa-like guidance to help you navigate the retirement mountain with confidence.

    But that's not all—Brad and Ben tackle listener questions about balancing investments, managing the jump from a paycheck to savings, and the real scoop on property taxes (hint: downsizing isn’t always the money-saver you think!). Whether you’re days from retirement or just daring to dream, tune in to learn what most folks overlook—and why playing it safe can sometimes be the riskiest move of all. Your retirement summit starts right here; don’t miss out!


    Join Brad Jones for another insightful episode of C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement, where he dives into practical strategies for tackling the challenges and opportunities of retirement. Today’s show covers important subjects like taxes, Social Security, long-term care, and navigating unpredictable markets—giving you the expert knowledge you need to make confident decisions for your future.

    Tune in and take the next step on your path to a fulfilling retirement.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins