Are You Just a Number to Your Advisor?

Are you just a number to your financial advisor—or do they actually know your story? This episode explores how personalized advice can differ from large firm experiences, especially as you approach retirement. Brandon Bowen shares a real client example to highlight how service, communication, fees,…

Why Retirement Feels Scary—Even If You’re Ready

Why does retirement feel exciting for some—and overwhelming for others? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explores the emotional shift from earning a paycheck to relying on your savings for income. He discusses how identity, market uncertainty, and fear of running out of money can shape retirement dec…

Solo Retirement: Navigating Big Decisions on Your Own

What happens when you’re making retirement decisions on your own—and the market feels uncertain? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses the growing trend of solo aging and the financial challenges many individuals, particularly women, face when planning retirement independently. He shares how mar…

The Tax Problem Hiding Inside Your Retirement Accounts

Are you sitting on a retirement account that hasn’t been taxed yet—and wondering what to do with it? In this episode, Brandon Bowen breaks down the growing conversation around Roth conversions and why timing plays such a key role. He explains the concept of a “sweet spot” in the mid-to-late 60s, wa…

Why “Diversified” Portfolios Aren’t Always Diversified

Keeping the same investment strategy in retirement that worked during your working years can quietly increase risk and costs. In this episode, Brandon Bowen breaks down what diversification really means as retirement approaches—and why owning multiple funds doesn’t always equal balance. He discusse…

Why Your 401(k) Isn’t a Retirement Plan

Saving for retirement is one thing—turning those savings into reliable income is another challenge entirely. In this episode, Brandon Bowen explains why a 401(k) is not a retirement plan by itself and why many people struggle to transition from saving to spending. The conversation breaks down commo…

The Financial Baggage Couples Bring Into Retirement

When two lives come together, so does the financial baggage—and avoiding the conversation only makes it heavier. In this episode, Charleston’s Retirement Coach Brandon Bowen explores how relationships, communication, and money intersect, especially in second marriages and later‑in‑life transitions.…

The Scam That Almost Derailed a Retirement

One unsuspecting decision nearly unraveled a lifetime of saving. In this episode, Charleston’s Retirement Coach Brandon Bowen shares a real-world story of a retiree caught in a sophisticated financial scam—and the warning signs that appeared along the way. The conversation explores how scams target…

Does Retirement Still Matter in an AI-Driven Future?

What if the boldest voices in tech are wrong about retirement no longer mattering? In this episode of Charleston’s Retirement Coach, Brandon Bowen responds to eye‑catching headlines and big predictions about AI, wealth, and the future of retirement. The discussion brings the conversation back to re…

Are You Still Using Retirement Tools Built for a Different Time?

Retirement mistakes don’t always come from bad intentions—they often come from using the wrong tools at the wrong time. In this episode, Brandon Bowen uses relatable travel stories and real client scenarios to highlight common retirement planning missteps, including staying too aggressive with inve…