The Fiscal Physical Retirement Podcast

Hosted by Ryan Nelson & Aaron Hoisington

Business Investing EducationInterviews guests

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Episodes

129

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Smart Retirement Planning. Straightforward Advice. Welcome to The Fiscal Physical Retirement Podcast , the show built for professionals and pre-retirees who want clarity, confidence, and control over their financial future. Hosted by Aaron Hoisington and retirement planner Ryan Nelson, founder of Alchemy Wealth Management and author of Your Fiscal Physical , this podcast delivers practical advice, expert insights, and real conversations about retirement readiness, tax-efficient investing, and long-term wealth strategies. Whether you're five years from retirement or just starting to get serious about your financial goals, each episode simplifies complex financial topics into clear, actionable steps. No jargon. No fear. Just the guidance you need from a trusted financial advisor serving Nevada and beyond. If you’re looking for a retirement podcast that’s approachable, insightful, and worth your time, this is it. Subscribe now and get your Fiscal Physical. Your retirement health depends on it.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 12921 min

Money Myths Debunked: 3 Common Beliefs That Hold You Back

Some of the most common money beliefs are flat wrong, and they quietly hold people back. In this episode, Ryan and Aaron break down three of the biggest: that investing is just gambling, that you should always pay off debt as fast as possible, and that budgeting means restriction.For each one, Ryan explains the kernel of truth, where the myth goes off the rails, and how to think about it more clearly. Investing and gambling are not the same thing. The fastest debt payoff is not always the smartest one. And a good budget is about freedom, not punishment. A myth-busting episode that can change how you handle your money.Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on AmazonIf you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.comAnd, as always, Stay the Course!

June 9, 2026Episode 12822 min

How to Prepare Financially for a Layoff Before It Happens

The best time to prepare for a layoff is before it ever happens. In this episode, Ryan walks through a step-by-step plan to get financially ready, starting with your survival number, the bare-minimum amount your household needs to cover each month.From there he covers building an emergency fund that fits that number, trimming fixed costs ahead of time, and knowing your options for health coverage like COBRA and what to do with a 401(k) when you leave a job. The point is to replace fear with a plan, so a job loss becomes a setback you are ready for instead of a crisis. This is education, not personal advice, so tailor the steps to your own situation.Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on AmazonIf you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.comAnd, as always, Stay the Course!

June 2, 2026Episode 12724 min

Money in Your 20s: What I'd Do Differently If I Started Over

If you could restart your financial life at 22, what would you do differently? In this episode, Ryan answers that honestly, and the takeaways work for anyone who wants to build wealth, not just recent grads.His list is refreshingly simple: start investing early so time does the heavy lifting, automate your savings so good habits run on autopilot, always capture your full employer match, keep lifestyle creep in check as your income grows, and lean on Roth accounts while your tax rate is low. Aaron adds his own take, and the two keep it practical. This is education, not personal advice, so build your own plan around your situation.Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on AmazonIf you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.comAnd, as always, Stay the Course!

May 26, 2026Episode 12624 min

Is the Middle Class Getting Squeezed? Wages vs. the Cost of Living

Is the middle class really getting squeezed, or is that just a headline? In this episode, Ryan looks at what has actually happened to middle-class buying power over the past few decades and why housing has become the single biggest pressure on most family budgets.He and Aaron separate the real strain from the noise, including why your personal inflation rate can look very different from the number you see on the news. The goal here is perspective, not panic. Understanding where the squeeze is real, and where it is overstated, helps you focus your budget and your plan on the things that actually move the needle for your household.Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on AmazonIf you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.comAnd, as always, Stay the Course!

May 19, 2026Episode 12521 min

The Paper Ceiling: Why Degree Requirements Are Changing in Hiring

The paper ceiling is the invisible barrier that keeps qualified workers without a college degree from being considered for jobs they are fully capable of doing. Ryan explains how it compares to the glass ceiling, which typically involves race or gender bias, and why degree inflation, the practice of adding degree requirements to roles that do not actually need one, has made the problem worse over time.Ryan and Aaron look at the issue from both sides. From the candidate's perspective, it is a filter that removes you before you get a shot at the interview. From the employer's perspective, it is a practical screening tool that may be cutting out the best person for the job. Skills-based hiring is the alternative gaining traction. Ryan notes that some roles genuinely require formal credentials, but many others do not, and employers who screen by skills rather than degrees tend to build stronger teams.Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on AmazonIf you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.comAnd, as always, Stay the Course!

May 12, 2026Episode 12420 min

BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street: Do They Really Own the Market?

BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street manage trillions of dollars, but they do not own the market. Ryan explains what asset managers actually are: intermediaries who run funds on behalf of investors. When you put money into a Vanguard index fund, Vanguard holds the underlying shares in trust for you. They charge a fee to do it; they do not own what is inside the fund.The more legitimate concern Ryan raises is not ownership but influence. Because these firms hold voting rights on behalf of massive pools of assets, they have significant say in corporate governance. Ryan and Aaron walk through why this matters, how it compares to how any advisory firm operates, and why low-cost, diversified investing in these funds is still a sound strategy for most people. A calm, clear response to something that often gets exaggerated online.Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on AmazonIf you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.comAnd, as always, Stay the Course!

May 5, 2026Episode 12334 min

Pre-Retirement Checklist: What to Do in the Year Before You Retire

A 64-year-old listener planning to retire in about a year asked Ryan for a practical checklist. Ryan's answer covers eight areas: gather all your data first, including pensions from multiple states and any old retirement accounts; get clear on your spending and goals; build your income plan; think through the tax and Social Security interplay; understand Medicare, IRMAA, and healthcare costs; review your insurance; make sure your estate documents are current; and keep enough cash on hand for the transition.Ryan is honest that 12 months goes fast, especially when tracking down old pension balances across multiple states and plan administrators. The consistent message throughout is that retirement is a beginning you will continue to manage, not a finish line. Talk to your financial advisor, CPA, and an estate attorney to work through the pieces most specific to your situation.Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on AmazonIf you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.comAnd, as always, Stay the Course!

April 28, 2026Episode 12220 min

Quarterly Earnings Reports Explained: What the Numbers Actually Mean

Every publicly traded company is required to release its financial results every quarter. Ryan explains the four numbers investors pay attention to: revenue (total sales), earnings (what is left after expenses), profit margins (a measure of efficiency), and guidance (management's forecast for the next period). Guidance is often just as market-moving as the results themselves.Ryan and Aaron discuss why there is real theater involved in these reports, with some companies treating them as polished presentations and others keeping it dry. The practical advice for long-term investors is not to overreact to a single quarter. One bad report from a company you hold in a diversified portfolio is rarely a reason to sell. Context and trend matter far more than any single data point.Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on AmazonIf you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.comAnd, as always, Stay the Course!

April 21, 2026Episode 12120 min

Financial Advisor Disclosures Explained: What the ADV Tells You

Every registered investment advisor is required to send clients an annual ADV and privacy policy. Ryan explains what these documents actually contain: how the firm charges fees, what services it provides, any conflicts of interest, background information on the advisors, disciplinary history, and how client data is handled. Aaron shares that reading Alchemy's ADV gave him a clearer picture of who was managing his money.Ryan describes these disclosures as the owner's manual for the relationship. They are written in legal language and most people skim them, but knowing where to find the fee structure and the material changes section is worth a few minutes. If you have a financial advisor, Ryan recommends pulling up the most recent ADV and checking those two sections at minimum. Talk to your advisor if anything raises questions.Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on AmazonIf you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.comAnd, as always, Stay the Course!

April 14, 2026Episode 12025 min

US Tax System Explained: How Progressive Tax Brackets Work

This episode revisits how the progressive tax system works and layers in the specific 2026 updates most relevant to retirement savers. Ryan explains progressive brackets using plain-language examples so listeners understand that earning more money does not mean getting taxed at a higher rate on every dollar, only on the dollars above each threshold.The 2026 updates Ryan covers include changes to the estate tax exemption, the annual gift exclusion, 401k and IRA contribution limits including catch-up contributions, the new mandatory Roth catch-up rule for higher earners, and a new non-itemized deduction. Ryan says several times throughout: talk to your CPA. Tax rules are complex and individual situations vary significantly. This episode is education, not personalized tax advice.Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on AmazonIf you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.comAnd, as always, Stay the Course!