Broadcast Retirement Network

In this episode Chris Tobe, CFA, CAIA breaks down how AI-driven misinformation and “fake signals” can end up creating real fiduciary risk in retirement planning.

Chris explains what makes retirement information vulnerable in the age of AI—how false or misleading inputs can distort the way people (and systems) interpret plan details—and why that matters for compliance and decision-making. He also shares practical guidance on how consumers can use AI tools more wisely: verifying claims, stress-testing recommendations, and looking for trustworthy signals before acting on retirement-related information.

Are your grocery bills finally getting some relief — or is more price pressure on the way? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. David Anderson, economist and professor at Texas A&M University, to break down what's really happening with food prices in America.

Philip Snyder, Senior Vice President at The Warner Companies, breaks down one of retirement's most overlooked needs: long-term care. With roughly 70% of retirees expected to need care, Philip explains why a pension or Thrift Savings Plan alone won't cover it, why nursing home costs rising above inflation make early planning essential, and how today's hybrid life insurance policies build cash value and pass unused benefits to beneficiaries. Practical guidance for federal employees and everyday Americans on how—and when—to fund the care they may one day need.

Professor Brad Humphreys of West Virginia University breaks down the explosive growth of legalized sports betting and its hidden dangers. Backed by Arnold Ventures, his research uses a rare dataset of millions of anonymized bets to study "loss chasing" — the risky behavior of placing bigger bets after a loss. This conversation covers why sports betting can't be beaten long-term, why Gen Z wrongly treats it as investing, and what it all means for your finances.

Dr. Megha Sata—registered dentist, American Dental Association council member, and dental educator—returns to the Broadcast Retirement Network to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming dentistry. From AI-powered cavity and bone-loss detection to HIPAA privacy concerns, clinical documentation, and the future of dental education, Dr. Sata offers an evidence-based perspective on balancing cutting-edge technology with the irreplaceable human touch. She also breaks down trending topics like fluoride alternatives, hydroxyapatite toothpastes, the rise of cosmetic dentistry, and practical tips for maintaining your oral health—even without dental insurance.

With roughly 19 million students heading to college, car insurance and coverage are among the most overlooked parts of the transition. In this conversation, Adrienne K. Woodland of AAA – The Auto Club Group breaks down what every parent and student should check before move-in day—from confirming whether an existing auto policy actually covers a student away at school, to understanding how each state's insurance rules can affect your coverage. Adrienne explains why sitting down with an agent to review your household policy is one of the smartest moves you can make when a major life change like college happens.

In this powerful conversation, autistic therapist and author Jessica Penot, LPC-S, opens up about masking, conformity, and what it really means to thrive as an autistic adult. Jessica Penot, LPC-S is the founder of Tree of Life Behavioral Health and the Neuroaffirmative Autism Resource Center, as well as the author of "The Unmasking Workbook for Autistic Adults." She breaks down the hidden "taxes of conformity" that autistic people pay every day, the serious mental health toll of masking, and the eye-opening "double empathy problem" that reframes how we think about autistic and neurotypical communication.

Social Security is heading toward a critical deadline: without action, the Trust Funds are projected to run dry by 2032, triggering an automatic 22% benefit cut that could cost a typical retired couple roughly $18,500 a year. In this conversation, Brett Loper, Executive Vice President for Policy at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, breaks down what's driving the shortfall—an aging population and a worker-to-retiree ratio falling from 4-to-1 to just over 2-to-1—and why the program's original design is under strain. Drawing on the successful 1983 Greenspan Commission fix, Loper explains how the challenge can be solved with practical, bipartisan solutions.

Is your bank account secretly damaging your brain? In this eye-opening interview, Dr. Jacques Wells breaks down groundbreaking research revealing that financial hardship isn't just stressful — it may be a direct driver of cognitive decline. We explore why the feeling of money worry can be more harmful than your actual income, how constant financial stress crowds out the mental "brain space" needed for protective activities, and why decades of accumulated hardship take a measurable toll on your mind. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by bills, this conversation will change how you think about the connection between money and your mental health.

Are your target date funds really working for you—or just running on autopilot? On this episode of Broadcast Retirement Network, we sit down with MarketWatch financial journalist Alisa Wolfson to unpack the "set it and forget it" mindset that millions of investors rely on. Alisa explains why these popular funds only account for one thing—your expected retirement year—while overlooking crucial personal factors like your pension, Social Security timing, and individual risk tolerance. If you have a 401(k), this conversation will change the way you think about your retirement savings.