Retirement planning has a way of making capable, thoughtful people feel uncertain. One glance at a benefits sheet filled with numbers and acronyms can create the sense that everyone else understands something you somehow missed. The truth is, most people aren’t behind or uninformed—they’re just trying to make sense of options that were never explained in plain language.

In this episode of Compounding Change, host Shannon Davis puts her sister Jenna Stoliker, founder of the Center for Conscious Leadership, in the role of “host” for an honest, curiosity-driven conversation about deferred compensation and the many retirement plans people encounter through work. We’re talking about things like what deferred compensation actually means, why plans like 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 401(a)s, and 457(b)s exist, and how employer-sponsored plans can look similar on paper while functioning very differently in real life.

The episode also addresses the emotional side of money, acknowledging how difficult saving can feel when life is expensive and unpredictable.

It’s important to know that retirement isn’t a cliff. Rather, it’s a runway you build decision by decision. With the right guidance and a clearer understanding of your options, confidence replaces confusion, and progress becomes possible.

Key takeaways

“-Deferred compensation” simply means money you earn now and choose to receive later

-Not all employer-sponsored deferred comp plans work the same way

-Qualified plans (401k, 403b, 457b) differ significantly from non-qualified plans

-457(b) plans offer unique flexibility for public employees, including no early withdrawal penalty after separation

-Roth options flip the tax equation and can add long-term flexibility

-Small savings habits can reveal surprising opportunities when cash flow becomes visible

-Catch-up contributions after age 50 can meaningfully change retirement outcomes

-Liquidity often provides more flexibility than paying off every debt

T-he goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress with the right support

-A trusted advisor helps turn complexity into confidence

The Compounding Change Podcast is brought to you by Jenna Stoliker at https://jennastoliker.com/

Chapters:

00:58 – Why retirement feels confusing

03:03 – What deferred compensation really means

06:31 – When “employer-sponsored” isn’t a 401(k)

09:32 – The retirement plan family (401k, 403b, 457b)

11:38 – When saving feels out of reach

19:17–Proactive steps to course correct

22:53 – Retirement strategies closer to retirement

Helpful Links:

Jenna Stoliker: https://jennastoliker.com/

Shannon Davis: https://www.daviscompoundingchange.com/

---------

Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions.

Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a registered

Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Investment Advisory Services are offered through Retirement Plan Advisors, LLC, a Federally Registered Investment Adviser. Cambridge Investment Research and Retirement Planning Advisors are not related to DavisCompoundingChange.com or this podcast.

Please note that investment involves risk, and no statements made in this recording are indicative of future performance.

The Compounding Change Podcast is brought to you by Jenna Stoliker at https://jennastoliker.com/

Climbing more than a thousand stairs might sound a little extreme, until you realize it can also be a way to say, “Breathing matters.” From firefighters in heavy gear to families climbing in memory or in honor of someone they love, the Fight for Air Climb brings together courage, grief, hope, and determination around something we all share: the simple act of taking a breath. It’s about turning effort into meaning, one step at a time.

In this episode of Compounding Change, host Shannon Davis talks with Catherine Widemire, Development Manager for the American Lung Association in Northeast Ohio. Catherine shares her own story of living with asthma, how a friend convinced her to take on 1,268 steps at Key Tower for the first time, and how that experience eventually led her to the role she’s in today.

Together they unpack what the climb represents for families, lung cancer survivors, people living with COPD or asthma, and the many others who show up every year with names, faces, and stories in their hearts.

We hope that this episode inspires you to take one step forward, or maybe even take on the challenge of 1,268 steps on March 1, 2026 at Key Tower! Whether you’re climbing, volunteering, donating, or simply making one small change this week to help yourself or someone you love breathe a little easier, you’re making compounding change happen.

Key Takeaways:

-Small, consistent movement can make a real difference for lung health over time

-The Fight for Air Climb at Key Tower is 1,268 steps and open to ages seven through 80+

-Firefighters and first responders climb to spotlight the lung risks they face on every shift

-Fundraising supports research, advocacy, and patient programs like Lung Health Navigators and Freedom From Smoking

-Many people first discover lung disease through a “simple” cough or symptom that doesn’t go away

-The American Lung Association is working to improve access to healthcare, vaccines, and lung cancer screenings

-You don’t have to climb to be involved, since volunteering and donating are meaningful ways to support the mission

-Everyday choices like hydration, movement, nutrition, and air quality all compound into better breathing

-Events like the Fight for Air Climb turn personal stories and community support into real-world impact

The Compounding Change Podcast is brought to you by Jenna Stoliker at https://jennastoliker.com/

Chapters:

00:57 Introduction

01:45 Catherine’s Story

04:51 Saying Yes to the Climb

06:12 Inside Climb Day

13:39 Fundraising and Priorities for Lungh Health

14:51 Warning Signs of Lung Disease

12:54 Where the Money Goes

21:16 Ways to Get Involved

Helpful Links:

Catherine Widemire, American Lung Association, Climb for Air Event: https://climbcleveland.org

Jenna Stoliker: https://jennastoliker.com/

Shannon Davis: https://www.daviscompoundingchange.com/

---------

Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions.

Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a registered

Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Investment Advisory Services are offered through Retirement Plan Advisors, LLC, a Federally Registered Investment Adviser. Cambridge Investment Research and Retirement Planning Advisors are not related to DavisCompoundingChange.com or this podcast.

Please note that investment involves risk, and no statements made in this recording are indicative of future performance.

The Compounding Change

Social Security can feel like one of those complicated systems that everyone pays into but few truly understand. Between rumors that it’s “running out,” confusion about when to start claiming, and mixed advice from every corner, it’s no wonder so many people feel uncertain.

In this episode of Compounding Change, host Shannon Davis switches seats with her sister, Jenna Stoliker, as Jenna takes over the host role for a candid discussion on what Social Security really is, who it helps, and how timing matters. Together, they walk through what determines the right age to claim, why “it depends” is the only honest answer, and how personal health, family needs, and other income sources all play a role.

They also dive into the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and what that means for firefighters and others in public service who once faced reduced benefits. Shannon outlines how working while receiving Social Security affects your checks, what happens when ex-spouses and survivors enter the picture, and how benefits can be paused, recalculated, or delayed to create more flexibility.

With practical examples and years of experience helping first responders plan their futures, Shannon shows how small, informed decisions today can compound into lasting financial stability.

Key Takeaways:

– Social Security isn’t just a bonus; it’s the foundation of retirement income for millions.

– Claiming early or waiting longer changes your benefit and long-term impact.

– The Windfall Elimination Provision repeal restores fairness for many public servants.

– Working while collecting doesn’t erase your benefit; it just affects timing.

– Spousal and ex-spousal benefits come with key eligibility details.

– Your top 35 earning years determine your Social Security calculation.

– Benefits can be paused or increased after full retirement age.

– Create your SSA account at ssa.gov to protect and understand your benefits.

– A thoughtful plan combines Social Security, pensions, and personal savings.

– Expert guidance can help turn confusion into clarity and confidence.

The Compounding Change Podcast is brought to you by Jenna Stoliker at https://jennastoliker.com/

Chapters

00:57– Introduction

02:00 - Personal Confusion

05:20 – What Social Security Really Is

08:09 – When to Start Claiming

11:01 – How Firefighters and Public Servants Are Affected

13:25 – The WEP Repeal

16:51 – Working While Receiving Benefits

20:45 – Mid-Year Retirement and Monthly Testing

21:59 – Is Social Security Going Broke?

23:28 – Spousal and Ex-Spousal Benefits

28:19– Can You Reverse Your Decision?

31:40– How Social Security Fits with Pensions and 457Bs

34:14 – Next Steps for Compounding Change

Helpful Links:

Social Security Website: https://www.ssa.gov/

Jenna Stoliker: https://jennastoliker.com/

Shannon Davis: https://www.daviscompoundingchange.com/

---------

Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always...