Blake Wealth Management

05/20/2026

What happens when the life you expected changes, and you’re left asking what comes next?

In this episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast, Eric Blake, CFP sits down with Oona Metz, LICSW, CGP, licensed clinical social worker and certified group psychotherapist, to talk about the emotional journey women face during divorce and how it connects to retirement planning.

We explore the role of shame in financial decision-making, the power of community through support groups, and how women can begin to rebuild their identity.

Oona also shares practical ways to reduce overwhelm, reconnect with purpose, and move forward with clarity.

There are moments in life when everything shifts at once: your identity, your roles, and your plans for the future.

05/16/2026

05/13/2026

How do you make clear decisions when everything feels uncertain? And how can the right guidance help you avoid costly mistakes along the way?

In this episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast, Eric Blake, CFP sits down with Carolyn Daly, Managing Partner at Cohen Seglias, to talk through how women can approach divorce with clarity and structure.

We cover the importance of understanding your assets, avoiding emotional decisions, and working with the right professionals early.

Carolyn also shares how alternative processes like mediation can reduce stress and costs, along with practical ways to move forward with confidence and protect your financial future.

Divorce can feel overwhelming, especially when emotions and financial uncertainty collide.

04/29/2026

Especially when the future is unclear, and the stakes are high.

How do you move forward when fear, finances, and identity are all shifting at once?

In this episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast, Blake, CFP, chats with Claudia Porter, CFP®, CDFA®, Wealth Advisor at RFG Advisory, about navigating divorce, financial uncertainty, and rebuilding life with purpose. She shares her personal journey from feeling financially powerless to taking control, the mindset shifts that helped her move forward, and how small steps can create momentum.

Claudia also explores the importance of support systems, journaling for clarity, and empowering women to take an active role in their financial lives.

Facing major life changes can feel overwhelming, especially when the future is unclear and the stakes are high.

04/22/2026

What happens when retirement stops being a finish line and starts being a choice?

What if the biggest barrier between you and financial freedom isn't the math, it's the mindset?

In this episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast, Eric Blake, CFP sits down with Bernadette Joy, author and CEO of CRUSH Your Money Goals®, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to take control of your finances, redefine what retirement means to you, and finally stop waiting for the "right" time to live the life you actually want.

We talk about the moment Bernadette discovered she had $72,000 in student loan debt she didn't know was growing, how she paid off $300,000 in debt and reached financial independence, and why she believes financial fluency matters far more than financial literacy.

This conversation will challenge how you think about money, work, and what retirement could actually look like for you.

What happens when retirement stops being a finish line and starts being a choice?

04/15/2026

One hundred episodes in.

More than a milestone, this is a window into the heart behind the work.
In this episode, Blake, CFP reflects on what it means to reach Episode 100 of The Simply Retirement Podcast, alongside the people who know him best, my family, Dawn Husson Blake, Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot, and Eric Blake.

We talk about why helping women feel confident around money matters so deeply, how communication and compassion shape our work, and what it means to build a business rooted in trust.

This conversation also pulls back the curtain on the personal side of Blake Wealth Management, from client relationships to family legacy. More than anything, this episode highlights the values that have carried us this far and the purpose that continues to guide what comes next.

One hundred episodes in. More than a milestone, this is a window into the heart behind the work.

04/08/2026

When divorce puts the future of your home into question, the biggest risk is making decisions before you fully understand your options.

In this episode, Eric Blake, CFP sits down with Stacey Ellison, Certified Divorce Lending Professional and Divorce Mortgage Planner at Divorce Mortgage Solutions, to walk through how mortgage planning, settlement language, and income rules can shape what is actually possible when it comes to keeping a home.

We talk through how assets, support payments, and loan strategies factor into qualification, especially for women navigating this transition later in life. We also address the emotional pull of the family home and how to balance that with long-term financial stability.

When divorce puts the future of your home into question, the biggest risk is making decisions before you fully understand your options.

03/25/2026

Many women approaching retirement worry that Social Security may not be there when they need it most.

That uncertainty can make retirement planning feel overwhelming.

But what do the numbers actually say?

In this episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast, Eric Blake, CFP breaks down the real projections behind Social Security and what they mean for women approaching retirement.

We explain why benefits are not expected to disappear, how potential reductions could work, and how to plan conservatively without making decisions based on fear.

Most importantly, I walk through how Social Security fits into the broader retirement income puzzle.

Many women approaching retirement worry that Social Security may not be there when they need it most.

03/11/2026

Many women enter retirement assuming life insurance is no longer necessary, only to discover that the real issue is not coverage, but access to cash when it matters most.

In this episode, Eric Blake, CFP walks through how the purpose of life insurance changes as you approach and enter retirement.

We explain why the real question is not whether you should keep a policy, but what risks still exist in your plan.

We share practical examples involving pensions, Social Security, mortgages, estate taxes, and the desire not to burden your children.

We also outline how to evaluate existing policies and determine whether term or permanent coverage fits your situation.

Many women enter retirement assuming life insurance is no longer necessary, only to discover that the real issue is not coverage, but access to cash when it matters most.

03/04/2026

Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you approach retirement.

Especially if you’re navigating it on your own.
Yet many women don’t realize how much clarity and confidence can come from simply asking the right questions before committing to a long-term relationship.

In this episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast, Eric Blake, CFP walks through seven essential questions every woman should consider before hiring or changing a financial advisor.

We discuss why so many women change advisors after losing a spouse, how to evaluate an advisor’s process, and what to listen for when recommendations are presented.

We also explain why retirement income planning, Social Security strategy, and tax coordination require a different level of focus than simply saving for retirement, and how to think about value beyond just the fee.

Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you approach retirement, especially if you’re navigating it on your own.