The Retirement Summit

Hosted by Summit Wealth Strategies

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Latest episode

May 2026

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About the show

You’ve worked your whole career to reach the top of the mountain, but now that you’re thinking about retirement, who will help guide you back down the trail? Every two weeks, Shawn O’Keefe of Summit Wealth Strategies™ in Denver, Colorado and Minnetonka, MN, discusses the different topics and challenges that retirees face in today’s world. Learn about different ways to help prepare for retirement with the team from Summit Wealth Strategies™. Visit us online! Investment advisory products and services made available through Summit Wealth Asset Management (SWAM), a Registered Investment Adviser doing business as Summit Wealth Strategies, LLC.

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49 recent

May 5, 202616 min

Where the Investment Puck Is Headed Next

The investment world is changing fast—and doing nothing may be a bigger risk than doing something.In part two of this Retirement Summit Podcast conversation, Shawn O’Keefe continues unpacking where the “investment puck” is headed next. He explores why traditional portfolio models are being challenged, how purchasing power erosion quietly impacts long‑term wealth, and what growing institutional adoption of digital assets could signal for investors. Shawn also discusses the role of education, planning, and second opinions when navigating uncertainty, headlines, and emerging technologies. This episode focuses on understanding why portfolios are structured the way they are—and how informed strategy matters in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.  If you have a million or more in investable assets and want to talk wealth and tax planning, risk-protected plans, or even crypto, book a complimentary meeting with Shawn O’Keefe and the Summit Wealth Strategies team: https://gosummitwealth.com/contact-us/ FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 21, 202618 min

Skating to Where the Money Is Going

What if the biggest risk to your retirement isn’t market swings—but standing still while the financial system changes around you? In this episode of the Retirement Summit Podcast, Shawn O’Keefe explores where the “investment puck” is headed next. Using a Wayne Gretzky analogy, he discusses currency debasement, inflation’s impact on purchasing power, and why traditional cash‑heavy strategies may quietly fall behind over time. The conversation also unpacks the evolving role of digital assets, regulation, and how forward‑looking investments fit into a broader retirement strategy without chasing speculation. This is a big‑picture look at preparing portfolios for a changing financial landscape. If you have a million or more in investable assets and want to talk wealth and tax planning, risk-protected plans, or even crypto, book a complimentary meeting with Shawn O’Keefe and the Summit Wealth Strategies team: https://gosummitwealth.com/contact-us/ Facebook     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 7, 202617 min

Inflation and Retirement: What Quietly Erodes Your Buying Power

Inflation doesn’t just show up at the grocery store—it quietly reshapes retirement outcomes. In this episode of the Retirement Summit Podcast, Shawn O’Keefe breaks down how persistent inflation affects income, purchasing power, and long-term planning for those nearing or living in retirement. The conversation explores why many retirees feel the impact more intensely, common misconceptions about shifting from growth to preservation, and why having a clear income strategy still matters after you stop working. Shawn also explains how inflation, money supply, and portfolio structure intersect—and why planning, not panic, plays a central role in navigating today’s economic environment. If you have a million or more in investable assets and want to talk wealth and tax planning, risk-protected plans, or even crypto, book a complimentary meeting with Shawn O’Keefe and the Summit Wealth Strategies team: https://gosummitwealth.com/contact-us/ Facebook  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 24, 202615 min

Is Market Volatility Really the Villain in Retirement?

Market swings can feel unsettling—but what if volatility isn’t the enemy retirees think it is? In this episode of the Retirement Summit Podcast, Shawn O’Keefe breaks down what today’s market volatility really means for those nearing or living in retirement. He explains the difference between risk and volatility, why emotional reactions often lead investors astray, and how portfolio structure matters even more once you’re in the distribution phase. The conversation also explores why cash and traditional bonds may fall short, how inflation and dollar dilution affect long-term buying power, and the importance of balancing offense and defense in a retirement income strategy. If you have a million or more in investable assets and want to talk wealth and tax planning, risk-protected plans, or even crypto, book a complimentary meeting with Shawn O’Keefe and the Summit Wealth Strategies team: https://gosummitwealth.com/contact-us/ FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 10, 202618 min

You Sold the Goose—Now Where Do the Golden Eggs Come From?

What happens after you sell the business or real estate that’s been funding your life for years? In part two of this tax‑strategy series, wealth advisor Shawn O’Keefe tackles the question every seller eventually faces: how to replace the “golden eggs” once the goose is gone. The conversation explores income creation after a liquidity event, the role of risk‑off and growth‑oriented assets, and why traditional stock‑and‑bond models may fall short for high‑net‑worth retirees. He also discusses the psychological shift from earning income at work to letting assets do the heavy lifting—and how intentional planning helps support both lifestyle and long‑term goals. If you have a million or more in investable assets and want to talk wealth and tax planning, risk-protected plans, or even crypto, book a complimentary meeting with Shawn O’Keefe and the Summit Wealth Strategies team: https://gosummitwealth.com/contact-us/ FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 5, 202614 min

Selling the Golden Goose Without Letting Taxes Eat the Eggs

What if the real threat to your wealth isn’t market risk—but taxes you never planned for? In this episode of the Retirement Summit Podcast, Shawn O’Keefe unpacks how taxes quietly shape the outcome of selling a highly appreciated asset. From businesses and real estate to collectibles, they explore why many owners hesitate to sell, how deferred tax strategies work under existing tax code, and why planning before a sale matters. The conversation highlights generational implications, state tax considerations, and the role thoughtful financial planning plays in turning a major liquidity event into a long-term advantage. If you have a million or more in investable assets and want to talk wealth and tax planning, risk-protected plans, or even crypto, book a complimentary meeting with Shawn O’Keefe and the Summit Wealth Strategies team: https://gosummitwealth.com/contact-us/ FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

February 11, 202616 min

Bitcoin, Digital Gold, and the Future of Your Wealth

What if the money you’re trusting to protect your future is quietly losing power every single year? In this episode, Shawn O’Keefe breaks down the shifting financial landscape as digital assets, blockchain, and Bitcoin move from fringe concepts to mainstream tools. He explains why Bitcoin is considered “digital hard money,” why traditional currency continues to lose value, and how emerging technologies are reshaping wealth planning. Shawn also addresses the psychology behind trusting something you can’t physically hold and how advisors can help bridge that gap. Whether you’re curious or cautious, this conversation offers a clear, grounded look at the forces influencing modern retirement planning. If you have a million or more in investable assets and want to talk wealth and tax planning, risk-protected plans, or even crypto, book a complimentary meeting with Shawn O’Keefe and the Summit Wealth Strategies team: https://gosummitwealth.com/contact-us/ Facebook     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

January 28, 202616 min

Is the Entire Financial System About to Change?

What if the biggest shift in money and finance is happening right now — and most people aren’t prepared for it? In this episode, Shawn O’Keefe breaks down how emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and Bitcoin are reshaping the financial world faster than many advisors realize. He explains why today’s banking system is becoming outdated, why Bitcoin is viewed as “digital gold,” and how tokenization and instant global settlement could redefine wealth management. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or simply trying to understand what’s coming, this conversation offers a clear, approachable look at the forces transforming the future of money. If you have a million or more in investable assets and want to talk wealth and tax planning, risk-protected plans, or even crypto, book a complimentary meeting with Shawn O’Keefe and the Summit Wealth Strategies team: https://gosummitwealth.com/contact-us/ Facebook     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

January 13, 202617 min

AI Boom or Bubble? Investing in the Next Big Wave

Is the AI boom a bubble—or the start of a new era for investors? In this episode of the Retirement Summit Podcast, host and wealth advisor Shawn O’Keefe breaks down the headlines, hype, and realities of artificial intelligence in today’s market. Shawn shares insights from leading tech analysts, explains why today’s innovation differs from past bubbles, and discusses how volatility creates opportunity for long-term growth. Discover how to balance risk and reward, adapt your portfolio, and navigate the evolving job landscape. Whether you’re risk-averse or ready to dive in, this conversation offers practical strategies for positioning your wealth in the age of AI.   If you have a million or more in investable assets and want to talk wealth and tax planning, risk-protected plans, or even crypto, book a complimentary meeting with Shawn O’Keefe and the Summit Wealth Strategies team: https://gosummitwealth.com/contact-us/ Facebook     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

December 30, 202517 min

Quantitative Easing: What Retirees Need to Know

What does “quantitative easing” really mean for your retirement and portfolio? In this episode of the Retirement Summit Podcast, host Shawn O’Keefe, founder of Summit Wealth Strategies, breaks down how central bank policies shape markets, interest rates, and asset values. Shawn explains the impact on housing, inflation, and technology stocks, and shares why having the right balance of risk-off and growth assets is crucial for investors with $1 million or more. Whether you’re planning for retirement or managing significant wealth, this conversation offers practical insights for navigating today’s economic landscape.   If you have a million or more in investable assets and want to talk wealth and tax planning, risk-protected plans, or even crypto, book a complimentary meeting with Shawn O’Keefe and the Summit Wealth Strategies team: https://gosummitwealth.com/contact-us/ Facebook     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.