The Retire Happy Podcast

Ep 107: Celebrating 20 Years of Brookstone with Dean Zayed

Kicking off the first episode of 2026, John and Tom welcome back their favorite guest and friend, Dean Zayed,  [https://www.brookstonecm.com/team/dean-zayed]CEO and founder of Brookstone Capital Management. [https://www.brookstonecm.com/] Celebrating Brookstone’s 20th anniversary, Dean joins the show to reflect on the firm’s growth, innovation, and advisor-first culture. The conversation dives into the golden age of wealth management, cutting-edge income strategies like BAMIX, and why strong partnerships, outside-the-box thinking, and shared values matter more than ever in helping clients retire happy. Important Info: Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/ [https://www.gosecurus.com/] International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/ [https://www.internationalfinancial.com/] Call John: (858) 935-6210 Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623

Ep 106: The Missing Skill in Most Advisors’ Toolkits with Joe Casey

We're excited to welcome back Joe Casey, CEO and co-founder of Catalyst Wealth Coaching [https://www.catalystwealthcoaching.com/] and a mentor to financial advisors nationwide, to wrap up the 2025 season! Joe joins the show to dig into the realities of market manipulation, trend analysis, and why most investors- and even many advisors- misread what the market is actually telling them. He breaks down how algorithms, dark pools, and institutional behavior shape price movements, and explains the disciplined framework he teaches advisors to help them stay on the right side of trends. Episode Links: Catalyst Wealth Coaching https://www.catalystwealthcoaching.com/ [https://www.catalystwealthcoaching.com/] Important Info: Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/ [https://www.gosecurus.com/] International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/ [https://www.internationalfinancial.com/] Call John: (858) 758-9889 Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623

Ep 105: Health Is Wealth: Building Strength, Mobility & Confidence in Retirement with Nichole Van Cliff

In this episode, John and Tom sit down with fitness expert and Air Force veteran Nichole Van Cliff to explore why taking care of your health is one of the most important parts of a successful retirement. Nichole shares powerful insights from her work with seniors, veterans, and personal training clients- showing how strength, mobility, and small daily habits can transform your quality of life at any age. From breaking old patterns to building confidence through movement and nutrition, she explains how anyone can start improving their health right now, no matter their limitations.   Learn more about Fit Fin Wellness: https://fitfinwellness.com/ [https://fitfinwellness.com/]   Important Info: Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/ [https://www.gosecurus.com/] International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/ [https://www.internationalfinancial.com/] Call John: (858) 758-9889 Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623

Ep 104: The Power of a Well-Educated Advisor with Jared Trexler

In this episode, John and Tom are joined by Jared Trexler, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at The American College of Financial Services, [https://www.theamericancollege.edu/]to discuss why education and specialization matter more than ever in the financial world. They explore how a well-educated advisor can deliver deeper, more personalized planning- especially in areas like tax, estate, and retirement income strategy- and why consumers should understand the difference between generalists and true specialists. Jared also shares insights into The American College’s mission to elevate the profession through lifelong learning, new certifications such as the Tax Planning Certified Professional program, and a growing public campaign to help consumers identify qualified advisors.   Important Info: Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/ [https://www.gosecurus.com/] International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/ [https://www.internationalfinancial.com/] Call John: (858) 758-9889 Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623

Ep 103: Interest Rates, AI, and Alternative Investments with Mark DiOrio

This episode, John and Tom are joined once again by Mark DiOrio - Chief Investment Officer at Brookstone Capital Management - to unpack the fast-moving markets of 2025. They discuss volatility, tariffs, interest rates, and the role of alternative investments like gold, crypto, and structured notes. Mark also shares insights on inflation, the bond market, and the long-term impact of AI and semiconductors on the economy. Plus, you'll hear his outlook for the markets over the next year!   Important Info: Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/ [https://www.gosecurus.com/] International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/ [https://www.internationalfinancial.com/] Call John: (858) 758-9889 Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623