Broadcast Retirement Network

America is heading toward a nursing home crisis: as the 80+ population surges, the number of nursing homes keeps shrinking—driven by staffing shortages, low wages, high turnover, immigration pressures, and looming Medicaid cuts. In this conversation, we sit down with Dr. Mark Aaron Unruh, Associate Professor of Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine and a leading expert on the economics and policy of long-term care, whose research has informed the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and the White House.

Sarah Van Giezen of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how inflation is measured. She explains why secondhand apparel and thrifting were added to the Consumer Price Index in early 2025, how data collectors gather prices from stores across the country, and the rigorous multi-step review process that ensures accuracy before each monthly CPI release.

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Richard Kreider, Texas A&M professor who has spent over 35 years researching creatine to separate fact from fiction on one of the most studied supplements in the world. Backed by more than 800 studies, creatine isn't just for athletes—it may play a powerful role in brain health, cognitive function, and healthy aging.

Dr. Paul Robbins of the University of Minnesota joins us to examine the science of healthy aging and the practical choices that support a longer health span, including regular physical activity, nutritious food, restorative sleep, and maintaining social connection.

Phillip Snyder, CLU, The Warner Companies, addresses a critical challenge facing the life insurance industry: client retention. According to recent LIMRA research, 40% of policyholders rarely or never hear from their insurer after purchase.

College costs are rising and federal student loan rules are changing. Join us as Cathy Mueller from Mapping Your Future breaks down new loan policies, parent loan caps, and alternative funding strategies to help your family afford education without overwhelming debt. Whether you're planning for your children or grandchildren, this conversation will give you the clarity and tools you need to make smart financial decisions.

Should you wait to book Thanksgiving or Christmas travel? Don't. In this interview, Nick Ewan, Editor-in-Chief of The Points Guy, breaks down why holiday airfares are already spiking — up 13% for Thanksgiving and nearly 20% for Christmas and New Year's — and shares insider strategies to score the best deals, track prices even after you book, and get money back when fares drop (he personally saved $95 on a family flight to Denver!).

In this expert interview, Jessica Calabrese, Head of Retirement Product Strategy at FIS Global, explains how AI is improving participant experiences, streamlining retirement plan operations, and helping financial institutions deliver smarter, more personalized retirement solutions. She also discusses cloud technology, digital transformation, automation, strategic partnerships, and the future of retirement platforms.

Could the key to understanding Alzheimer's disease be hiding in your gut? In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Barbara Bendlin, PhD — Professor of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a member of the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute — breaks down more than a decade of groundbreaking research on the gut-brain connection.

Struggling to get a good night's rest? In this interview, Rebecca Kaplan, a primary care provider with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group, explains why quality sleep is essential — it's when your body heals, resets, and supports your brain and immune system — and shares six affordable, easy-to-find products that can genuinely improve your rest.