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Published by Brian Herriot, Kirby Denison
Work hard, save more, retire someday—right? What if you could live fully now? The Time Freedom Podcast with Brian Herriot and Kirby Denison shows you how to blend flexible work and smart investing to cover your lifestyle, build security, and create more time for what matters—often in just three years. Learn the Time Freedom Formula, design your ideal life, and join the growing freetimer community. It’s not about work-life balance. It’s about a whole new way to live. Subscribe to The Time Freedom Podcast and start your journey to more freedom, more control, and more life—today.
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Today on the podcast, Brian and Kirby kick off Season 3 by tackling money that's technically yours but functionally out of reach, because it's locked in a 401k, a business, or your home equity. First, the story of a client who had six figures saved but still felt stuck and needing permission as much as a plan to access it. And then, some tactics for how to handle this "good" problem to have. This episode is for those of you who have built some wealth but feel like you can't spend a dollar of it. ➡️ Get the Early Withdrawal Strategies Guide: http://timefreedom.life/resources ➡️ Buy the Time Freedom Book: https://amzn.to/4qP14rE In this episode... Brian and Kirby dig into how to access money that's trapped in the places you've built wealth (your business, your home, and especially your retirement accounts) before you're 59½. Brian walks through the mindset behind early withdrawals, then breaks down four ways to actually pull money out of an IRA or 401k, from tax-free Roth withdrawals to just paying the 10% penalty and moving on. They close out with how much you can safely withdraw once you do, from Bill Bengen's original 4% rule to more flexible modern approaches. Top 5 Takeaways: Sometimes the penalty is worth paying. Brian's client Shelby paid the 10% to leave her career and buy land in rural Colorado. Two years later, she's running the business she couldn't have started otherwise. Net worth isn't cash on hand. You can have real wealth and almost nothing you can actually spend — money trapped in a retirement account, a business, or your home equity doesn't help you take the leap until you get it flowing. There are four ways to access retirement money before 59½. Roth contribution withdrawals, a Roth conversion plus the five-year rule, SEPP/72(t) payments, and a straight withdrawal with the penalty — each trades speed for cost differently. The 4% rule is a starting point, not gospel. Bill Bengen's original 1994 research holds up, but modern versions run closer to 3.5–4.5%, and methods like Vanguard's floor-and-ceiling approach flex your withdrawal with the market instead of locking it in. Flexible income is the real safety net. The more you can dial your work up or down, the less you have to lean on a fixed withdrawal rate in a down market year. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode and main themes 02:14 Kirby shares about completing 75 Hard and its lessons 03:16 Overview of season three plans and focus on living with time freedom 08:24 Introduction to early withdrawal strategies and mindset 16:10 Accessing retirement funds early: mindset and options 20:07 Different methods to withdraw from retirement accounts 30:31 The 4% rule and safe withdrawal rates 35:07 Flexibility and strategies for sustainable withdrawals 36:17 Upcoming topics and closing remarks 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Time freedom doesn't have to come at the end. Listener stories: Audrey dancing ballet in Mexico, Matthew working 15 hours a week from Canada, show people designing the life now rather than waiting for some finish line. Your voice is part of the message. When a book weaves personal stories in with the frameworks, narrating the audiobook yourself builds trust and rapport faster than a hired reader or an AI voice ever could. New skills take reps before they take off. Brian's first keynote went blank mid-speech, and he walked away more committed, not less. Mastery lives on the other side of looking bad in public. Get specific about your path. Season 3 trades general advice for six listener avatars—from the DIY money person to the near-retiree—each getting a three-episode series that maps out exactly how they'd reach time freedom. You don't have to do it alone. Big life changes are where support matters most. The Time Freedom Community (launching October) turns the book into group coaching, shared accountability, and relationships with others on the same path. Chapters: 00:00 Season Two Reflections and Lessons Learned 02:49 Growing the Time Freedom Community 05:13 Behind the Scenes of the Book and Audiobook Launch 10:05 Listener Feedback and the Impact of Shared Stories 17:01 Looking Ahead to Season Three 20:03 Understanding the Different Paths to Time Freedom 26:28 Building Connection, Community, and Support 32:36 Brian's Speaking Journey and Future Vision 37:07 Special Offers, Giving Back, and What's Next Summer Offer: Get More, Give More For 60 days only (June 15–August 15) get six months in the Time Freedom Community 25 copies of the book (one signed, the rest to share or to have Brian and Kirby place with ideal readers) A one-hour webinar Brian will deliver for your clients Most of the cost goes to the books, and Brian's proceeds (about $100) are donated in your name to Donate Life America, supporting registerme.org and donor families. Claim it at timefreedom.life/summeroffer . 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Time freedom doesn't have to come at the end. Tim and Darran built it into Point B from the very beginning, designing work around their lives rather than the other way around. Company culture is like a bank. If everyone makes deposits, it scales infinitely. If people only make withdrawals, it quietly collapses. The CEO isn't the keeper of culture, because everyone is. Partnerships survive when you commit to them like a marriage. Tim, Darran, and their third co-founder Jim Hodge made a five-year no-exit pact and stayed unified through it all. You have time capital and financial capital, and the ratio shifts throughout your life. Managing both intentionally is the real game. Retirement is a myth. Work isn't the opposite of freedom. When you get the work right, it's what sustains you. The goal isn't to stop, but to find work worth doing until you can't anymore. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Everyday Leadership 07:35 The Origins and Vision Behind Point B 12:15 Building an Intentional Company Culture 16:23 Rethinking Consulting and Flexible Work 22:31 Time Freedom vs. Financial Freedom 30:07 The Power of Partnerships and Collaboration 38:13 Culture, Leadership, and Employee Well-Being 40:38 Redefining Retirement and Work-Life Balance 45:17 Career Transitions, Contribution, and Community 54:22 Introduction to Time Freedom Book Promotion TIM JENKINS is the co-founder and former co-CEO of Point B, Inc., a national management consulting firm he built from three partners in 1995 to a 100% employee-owned firm with over a thousand professionals. In 2010 he was named Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year in Services for the Pacific Northwest. Today he is President of Colchuck, a purposeful private investment company based in Leavenworth, Washington, where he focuses on backing founders who are doing well and doing good at the same time. You can connect with Tim on LinkedIn. DARRAN LITTLEFIELD is the co-founder and former co-CEO of Point B, Inc., where he helped build one of the most admired people-first cultures in the consulting industry. He served alongside Tim for nearly two decades before the founders transitioned full ownership to their employees through an ESOP. Darran now lives in Dallas, Texas, where he relocated to be closer to family, and continues to collaborate with Tim on new work. You can connect with Darran on LinkedIn. 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: The basics never die. In fitness, it's squat, hinge, push, pull, carry, and power. In finance, it's consistent saving and investing over time. Mastering the fundamentals, and doing them well, beats chasing trends in both. Choose your hard. You can do the hard work of investing in your health now, proactively, or you can face the harder consequences of neglect later. There's no avoiding hard–only choosing which kind. Health and wealth both require progression. Just as fitness requires increasing difficulty over time to keep producing results, your financial plan needs to evolve. Doing the same thing forever eventually stops working. Identity drives sustainability. Doing something to get ready for a deadline is not a habit. Real, lasting change requires becoming the kind of person who does the thing and not just someone who's temporarily trying. There is no finish line. Health, fitness, and financial wellbeing aren't problems you solve and move on from. They require ongoing commitment which only feels sustainable if they become part of who you are. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Health, Freedom, and Reinvention 03:58 Sam’s Journey from Exercise Physiology to Entrepreneurship 09:18 Why Coaching and Accountability Matter 14:55 Navigating Pain, Injury, and Recovery 17:32 Building a Flexible Health and Wellness Business 22:46 Life Pivots, Setbacks, and Growth 25:53 The Parallels Between Fitness and Finance 27:49 Consistency Over Complexity 33:28 Creating Personalized Health Freedom 36:39 Time Freedom Book Promotion DR. SAM CHENKIN Dr. Sam Chenkin is a chiropractor, exercise physiologist, and personal trainer based in Alameda, California. She holds a Bachelor's in Exercise Physiology from the University of Miami, a Master's in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition from LIU Brooklyn, and a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida. Dr. Chenkin recently launched her own training and rehab business, Pivot 2 Health, offering virtual and in-person services built around personalized, long-term health. Her motto: Move, Heal, Thrive. You can connect with Sam at pivot2health.net . 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Find the one idea you can make synonymous with yourself. Lee built his entire career around explanation, and that single thread connected Common Craft, two books, a Google partnership, and a new Substack. You get to define what shareholder value means. If you're the only stakeholder, you can choose to maximize time instead of money. Just because you design your business around your lifestyle doesn't mean you can't still have ambition. Stepping back gives you the brain space to make creative connections. A monetorium is a temporary, purposeful season of reduced spending that builds anticipation and reveals what you actually need. Happiness lives in anticipation. Design your life around quality, not quantity. You don't need a mansion to show off. The better option is having a home worth spending time in, right down to the perfect plants in your office. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction to Lee LeFever & Common Craft 1:40 – Personal Background & Designing an Intentional Life 7:05 – Moving to Orcas Island & Lifestyle Design 12:39 – The Birth of Common Craft & Explainer Videos 17:55 – The Science of Explanation 23:09 – The Internet, Niche Markets & Opportunity 25:49 – Authenticity in Communication 27:08 – The “Monitorium” & Values-Based Spending 31:29 – Craftsmanship, Creativity & Personal Projects 36:17 – AI, Human Connection & the Future of Communication LEE LEFEVER Lee LeFever is the co-founder of Common Craft, the company behind some of the internet's earliest and most recognizable explainer videos. His "in Plain English" video series helped millions of people understand emerging technologies like RSS, Twitter, and wikis, and landed Common Craft a partnership with Google. Lee is the author of The Art of Explanation and Big Enough , a book about designing a business around your life. You can connect with Lee at leelefever.com , commoncraft.com , and scienceofexplanation.com . 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Variation creates appreciation. Doing different things in life, like working then resting or traveling then staying put, makes you appreciate what you did before and what might come next. The contrast is the point. Consider a career break in the first part of Year 2. If you're following the No-Hustle Transition to entrepreneur, don't just flip from employee to business owner. Take a real break first. Even just three months to decompress. You'll be more productive in the nine months that follow than if you white-knuckled through all twelve. A career break "cracks people open" to living differently. Many of Katrina's clients are corporate 9-to-5ers who return from their breaks realizing they can design life on their own terms, not just go back to the way things were. Plans are cute. It's good to have goals, but always take advantage of the random opportunities that come your way. Digital nomad life has pros and cons, just like traditional living. After eight years of location independence, Katrina is considering settling down for easier dating, fitness routines, and mental space to grow her business. Every lifestyle has its trade-offs. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction to Katrina McGhee 1:21 – The Digital Nomad Lifestyle Explained 4:09 – The Power of Career Breaks 6:51 – Transitioning into Remote Work & Coaching 9:39 – From Nomadic Living to a Home Base 12:27 – Building a Flexible Coaching Business 15:10 – The “No Hustle” Transition Approach 17:44 – Planning for the Future with Flexibility 32:24 – Navigating Career Transitions & Uncertainty 36:37 – Building a Brand Around Career Breaks KATRINA MCGHEE Katrina McGhee is a career break and sabbatical coach, digital nomad, and author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies . During her first career break, she traveled the world for 20 months. In her next, she left her corporate job a second time to build her coaching business. Katrina is the co-founder of BreakSpace, the membership community for career breakers and sabbatical takers. You can connect with Katrina at kmcgheecoaching.com or listen to her podcast, Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee. 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: "I don't have time" really means "it's not a priority." Changing that language reminds you that time is a choice. Saying yes to things that intrigue you, even small or unfamiliar ones, is how new opportunities find you. Active patience means doing your part so time can do its part. "Not yet" doesn't mean never. Complexity is not the same as chaos. A well-run life can have a lot going on and still feel orchestrated. You have 8,760 hours in a year. When you track them, you start to see space where you thought there was none. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction to Laura Vanderkam & Time Management 10:34 – What Time Abundance Really Means 15:25 – Active Patience & Long-Term Thinking 23:37 – The Role of Feedback in Growth 26:24 – Life as a “Circus” (and Why That’s Okay) 28:10 – The One-Year View on Time 31:02 – Prioritizing What Truly Matters 32:41 – Time, Kids, and Accountability 34:33 – Key Reflections & Final Insights 37:07 – Time Freedom Book Promotion LAURA VANDERKAM Laura Vanderkam is a bestselling author, speaker, and one of the leading voices on time management and productivity. She's the author of seven books on time, including 168 Hours, Tranquility by Tuesday, Off the Clock , and her newest, Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance . Laura’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Fortune. She's a Princeton grad and lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and five children. You can connect with Laura at lauravanderkam.com . 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: A job is just a job, not a career. When you're good at what you do, leaving a role is far less risky than most people think. You don't have to be an entrepreneur to live with time freedom. Les achieved it through a traditional career by making intentional choices over time. Post-adventure depression is real. Finishing a big, consuming goal can leave a hole that catches you off guard. Retire into something, not away from something. The four phases of transition (vacation, loss of purpose, exploration, new purpose) explain why so many retirees go back to work. There are things you can only do at certain times in life. Waiting for the “right time” can mean the window closes entirely. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction and Les Sherry’s Background 2:19 – The Desire for Time Freedom 5:02 – Planning a Year-Long Family Adventure 7:36 – What It’s Really Like Traveling as a Family 10:07 – Coming Home and Reintegrating 12:30 – Transitioning Away from Traditional Work 14:57 – Finding Purpose After the Journey 17:15 – Key Lessons from a Year Abroad 37:30 – The Four Phases of Transition Explained 49:36 – Coaching, Independence, and What’s Next LES SHERRY Les Sherry is an ICF certified executive coach with over 30 years of leadership experience across consulting, healthcare, and technology. He spent 11 years at Accenture before joining Kaiser Permanente, where he worked for nearly two decades. In 2012, smack in the middle of his Kaiser career, Les and his family packed their backpacks (100 pounds total) and spent a year traveling to 23 countries across six continents. Since retiring, he's picked up fly fishing, fly tying, piano, Muay Thai kickboxing, and is training to teach yoga. You can connect with Les on LinkedIn . 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Happiness is fleeting and external. Joy is self-sourced. Only 10% of our experience comes from external circumstances. The other 90% is up to us. More time doesn't equal more success. You can get there faster by working fewer hours with a refreshed attitude than by grinding it out. Follow the breadcrumbs. Seema left dentistry with no plan and let opportunities show up as she aligned with her values. Perspective changes everything. Seema's husband comes home from losing patients and sees their own chaos as a gift, not a problem. Privilege is a gift when used responsibly. The question isn't whether you have it, but whether you're using it to serve others or just yourself. Chapters: 0:00 – Welcome and Introduction to the Episode 2:25 – What Time Freedom Really Means 4:59 – Personal Transformations and Influences 7:35 – Life Choices and Career Direction 10:13 – Cultural Background and Early Challenges 12:35 – The Path to Coaching and Self-Discovery 15:08 – Midlife Reflections and Redefining Happiness 17:39 – Priorities, Alignment, and Intentional Living 23:48 – Happiness vs. Joy: What’s the Difference? 32:22 – Privilege, Responsibility, and Living with Purpose DR. SEEMA DESAI Dr. Seema Desai is a leadership coach, speaker, and author who helps high-achieving professionals stop chasing happiness and start building joy. A former dentist, Seema walked away from her practice to pursue a more aligned life, guided by the belief that joy is the strategy for creating your next competitive edge. She holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and is a graduate of Heroic Public Speaking. Seema lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two children. You can connect with Seema at drseemadesai.com 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Give each day a single focus. Instead of cramming work, family, self-care, and social time into every day, Ruby picks one theme per day. It stopped her from feeling like she was failing at everything. Accept the seasons of "time broke." With young kids, certain hours of the day are just spoken for. Accepting that (instead of resenting it) frees up the hours you do control. You don't have to be with someone all the time to love them. Ruby and her husband travel without their kids regularly, and she's normalizing it for her family. The guilt fades when you see how good it is for everyone. Fill the vacuum. Removing scrolling from your life forces a question most people avoid: what do you actually want to do with your time? That's what makes the change stick. Design over willpower. You can meet a friend at the bakery and resist the croissant, or you can meet them at the smoothie place and skip the battle entirely. The same principle applies to your phone. Chatpers: 0:00 – Welcome and Early Personal Insights 1:16 – From High School Math Teacher to Author 5:36 – Generational Perspectives on Time Freedom 10:26 – Freedom, Autonomy, and Designing Your Life 13:40 – Entrepreneurship and Intentional Life Choices 17:19 – Time Freedom Across Different Life Stages 25:30 – The Story Behind Writing How to Stop Scrolling 30:00 – Understanding the Reader and the Problem of Phone Use 31:14 – Reclaiming Time and Attention in a Digital World 34:27 – Building Meaningful Connections and Adult Friendships RUBY RYBA Ruby Ryba is a former high school math teacher turned screen time strategist and the author of How to Stop Scrolling , out March 30th. After teaching algebra and AP statistics for years, Ruby pivoted during COVID to pursue writing and coaching, blending her analytical background with a passion for helping people be more intentional with their time and attention. She hosts a weekly writing circle through the Write Useful Books community and publishes The Scroll Shift , a weekly newsletter with actionable advice on redesigning your relationship with your phone. You can connect with Ruby at howtostopscrolling.com and rubyrybawrites.com . 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Aim for more than enough. John Bogle preached "enough." Paul respectfully disagrees. Most people never reach their goal, and bad things happen. A cushion of more than enough is what actually lets you relax. The “two funds for life” strategy is powerful in its simplicity: a target date fund plus a small cap value index fund. That's it. It came from John Bogle shaking his finger at Paul and saying, "You cannot ask investors to manage 10 different funds." Staying the course is the whole game. Paul managed billions in other people's money but won't manage his own because he knows the emotional pull is too strong. If he can't trust himself to stay rational, the rest of us should take that seriously. The best first step is invisible. Auto-enroll in a 401k, put it in a target date fund, and never look at it. Boring is the strategy. It's also the one that actually works over 40 years. Find work you'd do forever and you'll never need to fully retire. Paul started his firm from a set of affirmations at age 40. At 82, he's up before 4 AM reading and creating content. His whole life now "feels like weekends." Chapters: 0:00 – Meet Paul Merriman 3:04 – Early Influences and Background in Investing 8:21 – Paul’s Journey from Investor to Educator 13:38 – Why He Shifted from Managing Money to Teaching 17:07 – Selling the Firm and Redefining Purpose 24:00 – The “2 Funds for Life” Strategy Explained 29:59 – Why Staying the Course Matters 34:06 – Emotional Challenges in Modern Investing 36:54 – The Power of Compound Interest and Long-Term Thinking 41:05 – Defining “More Than Enough” and Building a Legacy PAUL MERRIMAN Paul Merriman is a financial educator, author, and the founder of the Merriman Financial Education Foundation, where he’s devoted himself full-time to free financial education for do-it-yourself investors. Paul is the author of We're Talking Millions: 12 Simple Ways to Supercharge Your Retirement , which he gives away for free. You can connect with Paul at paulmerriman.com and download his free books at paulmerriman.com/free-books . 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Your buffers aren't just financial. Vickie identifies four: financial, health, paperwork and plans, and skills. When life goes sideways, it's the combination that determines how fast you recover. Selling the house and the stuff bought her something more valuable than equity. It bought her time and space to pivot without the weight of debt and maintenance pulling her under. You can turn down more money if the cost is your time and energy. Vickie walked away from six-figure contract offers because the real price wasn't worth it. Switching off autopilot requires six neurological components: buy-in, stimulation, intervention, reflection, sleep, and repetition. You can't just want to change; you have to create the conditions for it. Living big doesn't require a specific income level. Vickie works about half the year, makes a fraction of her old salary, and is currently living in Albania for two months because she designed her life to allow it. Chapters: 0:00 – How Major Life Events Shape Personal Growth 3:38 – Career Challenges and the Path Toward Financial Freedom 6:11 – Minimalism and the Pursuit of Time Freedom 14:53 – Navigating Life’s Difficult Moments with Support 17:53 – Discovering New Opportunities Through Time Freedom 21:02 – The Power of Life Buffers: Money, Health, Skills, and Systems 24:37 – What It Means to Be a High Agency Human 27:11 – Breaking Out of Autopilot and Living Intentionally 34:59 – Writing a Book to Create Impact 36:37 – Building Community and Sharing the Message VICKIE LANTHIER Vickie Lanthier is a decorated Canadian military veteran, registered nurse, author, and the founder of High Agency Human. Now a registered nurse, she started a hiking resource business that has donated over $27,000 to mental health and conservation charities since 2020, and is currently racing a friend to visit 50 countries. Her new book, High Agency Human: Navigate Adversity and Live Big , comes out March 24, 2025. Connect with Vickie at highagencyhuman.com , or find her on Instagram and LinkedIn at Vickie Lanthier. 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Financial independence (FI) doesn't mean your life is figured out. Rebecca reached FI at 32 and says it’s taken years to design a life she loves. Moving from a low cost of living city back to a high cost one was the right call for Rebecca's family, even though it technically moved her further from “full FI.” Life design matters more than the number. Time freedom with toddlers is real, but it looks different. It's not about open calendars. It's about having the option to be present and sharing the load with your partner. You don't have to be a billionaire to make a meaningful charitable impact. Rebecca's philanthropy pledge starts at just 1% of income, and the math works out to about $100 a month for many people. Proactive giving feels better and has more impact than reactive giving. Rebecca recommends a three-bucket framework: family, emotional connection, and measurable impact. Chapters: 0:00 – Welcome and Personal Connections 1:12 – Meet Rebecca Herbst and Her Financial Independence Journey 4:25 – Early Career and the Path to FI 6:17 – Achieving Financial Independence at 32 8:35 – Parenthood and the Realities of Financial Independence 13:54 – How Time Freedom Changes with Life Stages 21:10 – Balancing Family Life and Time Freedom 23:09 – The 1% Pledge and the Power of Charitable Giving 32:53 – How to Give More Effectively and Measure Impact 40:53 – Using Finance as a Force for Good REBECCA HERBST Rebecca Herbst is the founder of Yield and Spread, a nonprofit on a mission to promote finance as a force for good. A former competitive rower turned early retiree, Rebecca left her career in commercial real estate in her early 30s after reaching financial independence alongside her husband Joe. She lives in Salt Lake City with her husband, their two-year-old son, and a baby girl arriving very soon! You can connect with Rebecca at yieldandspread.org. 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Running the numbers creates relief. Both Veena and Trevor describe the same feeling: once you see it on paper, fear turns into confidence. You don't have to prove your value. Veena's biggest mindset shift was letting go of the belief that she had to constantly earn her worth. Money personalities can improve relationships. Trevor and his wife had better conversations once they understood their different styles. Working longer can be more freeing than retiring early. If you love your work, extending it beats sacrificing now for some future number. Some of the best people you meet come later in life. Trevor reminds us that new friendships can be just as meaningful as old ones. Chapters: 0:00 – Why the Time Freedom Calculator Brings Relief 1:07 – Meet Trevor + Veena (Background + What They Do) 2:43 – Welcome + How They Know Brian (AJ Harper Writing Community) 3:13 – Beliefs That Changed (Time, Identity, and Proving Yourself) 9:20 – Life Stage Snapshot: Work, Marriage, Kids, Entrepreneurship 10:39 – What Time Freedom Means (Choices, Impact, and Agency) 11:55 – The Calculator Effect: Seeing a 6-Month Dip as a “Small Blip” 12:18 – Real-Life Optionality: Being Present for Family When It Matters 18:23 – Money Styles + Better Money Conversations With Partners 24:42 – The Books They’re Writing + Designing Life 10 Years Out VEENA HARBAUGH Veena Harbaugh is a sustainability strategist based in the Bay Area. She spent over a decade helping Fortune 500 companies build environmental and social programs that actually work. Veena is currently writing her first book, Meet the Moment , a guide for change-makers who want to stay effective without burning out. You can connect with Veena at veenaharbaugh.com. TREVOR BLONDEEL Trevor Blondeel spent 25 years leading manufacturing operations before launching his own consulting and coaching business. He helps leaders in manufacturing, logistics, and construction get better results by building trust and accountability through real conversations. Trevor hosts the Manufacturing Greatness podcast and is writing a book by the same name. You can connect with Trevor at trevorblondeel.com. 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: You can design your work around your ideal life. AJ built a studio that funds her dream lake home. Thinking in "seasons" beats rigid daily time blocks. Intense work periods are sustainable when you know they'll end. Writing is a learnable craft, not just a natural talent. Commitment to learning matters more than innate ability. The mindset "my art will sustain me" becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Limiting beliefs about creative work hold people back. If you want to become an author, start by reading, and get honest about what level of success you actually want. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction + Why Sustainable Authorship Matters 3:05 – AJ Harper’s Time Freedom Journey 8:11 – Inside the Publishing World: From Insider to Strategist 12:58 – Taking Risks & Choosing the Entrepreneurial Path 15:06 – Seasonal Living: New York & Madeleine Island 20:27 – Designing a Flexible, Intentional Life 24:59 – Transitioning Fully Into Authorship 29:52 – Craft, Mindset & the Making of a Sustainable Writer 43:14 – Building a Body of Work (Not Just One Book) 47:34 – Creative Freedom + Where to Find AJ AJ HARPER AJ Harper is an author, book coach, and collaborative writer behind multiple bestselling books, including her work with Mike Michalowicz on Profit First and the upcoming The Money Habit . She's the author of Write a Must-Read and creator of the Top Three Book Workshop, where she helps authors write books that actually deliver on their promise. AJ is also co-host of the Don't Write That Book podcast. You can connect with AJ at ajharper.com 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Time is the ultimate flex. Kelly took eight and a half weeks off in her first year of entrepreneurship. That was never possible in corporate. Increasing your income beats budgeting. Kelly tripled her income by investing in herself with an MBA, and it paid off faster than 8% in the stock market ever would. You don't have to marry rich or live in a tiny home to have time freedom. Kelly's realtor showed her that strategic choices make it possible for anyone. Sometimes it takes multiple pushes. Cancer didn't change her mindset, but her daughter's words did. Stability comes from self-belief, not your employer. When you believe in yourself more than you doubt yourself, everything changes. Chapters: 00:00Introduction and Initial Connections 01:58The Journey of Entrepreneurship 06:26Personal Stories and Vulnerability 07:55Shared Experiences of Generosity 09:04The Journey to Health and Time Freedom 10:09Defining Time Freedom and Personal Background 11:02Designing Your Ideal Life 14:35Facing Life's Challenges: A Personal Story 19:51The Transformation of Priorities 20:34Financial Strategies for Time Freedom 27:54Crafting a New Career and Life Purpose KELLY POQUIZ BURKE Kelly Poquiz Burke is a career and leadership coach and keynote speaker based in Dallas, Texas. She spent 14 years climbing the corporate ladder in advertising and marketing, including roles at Frito-Lay where she led the Doritos brand. After being diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy and navigating motherhood through the pandemic, Kelly left corporate America to help others overcome burnout and lead more authentic lives. She works primarily with marketing and advertising professionals in middle management. You can connect with Kelly at careerslay.com. 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Freedom is optionality. Hanna defines it as being able to say yes to things without financial constraint, not as never working again. Rest is productive. Your best breakthroughs often come from deliberate rest, not relentless doing. The "savings mountain" can paralyze people. Focusing on building skills and income streams may be more empowering than fixating on a number. You don't have to buy a house just because everyone else is. Flexibility and experiences might align better with your actual values. Comparison culture keeps people feeling behind. Much of what you see on social media is aspirational marketing or outright fake. Chapters: 0:00 – Meet Hannah Horvath + The Slash Career Life 3:49 – Rest, Productivity & Rethinking Hustle 6:32 – Influential Mentors & Early Money Experiences 11:59 – Money Psychology: How Your Past Shapes Your Financial Decisions 17:41 – Money Personalities & Defining “Enough” 20:25 – What Does Freedom Actually Mean? 21:11 – Home Ownership: Wealth Builder or Wealth Trap? 25:57 – Optionality: Savings Mountain vs Cash River 31:35 – Debt, Financial Anxiety & Psychological Burden 36:49 – Retirement, Autonomy & Building a Healthy Relationship with Money Hanna Horvath is a Certified Financial Planner and money psychology expert based in Brooklyn, New York. She writes the newsletter Your Brain on Money, exploring the hidden psychological forces behind our financial decisions. A Syracuse journalism grad with a master's from NYU, Hanna previously served as Managing Editor at Policygenius and held editor roles at J.P. Morgan Chase and Bankrate. Her work has appeared in NBC News, Business Insider, CNBC, and USA Today. You can connect with Hanna at yourbrainonmoney.com. 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Time freedom might accelerate financial freedom. Saying no to low-value obligations frees you to focus on what actually moves the needle. Test your retirement before committing. Bernadette's sabbatical was a trial run that made retirement feel possible. Confidence in your ability to make money is a backup plan. That skill matters as much as a nest egg. You do not owe everyone unlimited access to you. Protecting your calendar is not selfish, it's necessary. Book marketing is about building advocates, not just readers. Bernadette booked 50 collaborations at one conference by being intentional. Chapters: 0:00 – You Don’t Owe Everyone Unlimited Access to You (Cold Open) 0:49 – Welcome + Meet Bernadette Joy 2:46 – The Opening Question + Showing Up Without the “Mask” 7:53 – Bernadette’s Story: Corporate → Financial Freedom → “Retiring” at 40 10:26 – The Catalyst Moment: Loss, Perspective, and Choosing a Sabbatical 14:31 – What Retirement Looks Like Now: Intentional Living + Slowing Down 16:39 – Money vs Skill: What Actually Creates Freedom? 19:19 – Time Freedom vs Financial Freedom: What She’d Do Differently 24:12 – Trolls, Certifications, and Representation in Finance 32:50 – Book Launch Strategy + Where to Find Bernadette BERNADETTE JOY Bernadette Joy is a first-generation Filipino American money expert who paid off $300,000 of debt in three years and hit a net worth of over $2 million by 40. She's the author of Crush Your Money Goals and founder of the coaching program by the same name. Bernadette has been featured on CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, and Yahoo Finance, and has spoken at FinCon, South by Southwest, NASDAQ, and TEDxHouston. You can connect with Bernadette at crushyourmoneygoals.com. 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways: Mini retirements don't just help your personal life. They often accelerate your career and finances in unexpected ways. "Stuck at 6” is the hardest place to change from. When life is just OK, the upside feels small and the downside feels huge. You can fund mini retirements for life by saving just 6.5% more, or by landing one job switch with a modest raise. Experiments that go horribly wrong teach you more than ones that go fine. Failure is a goldmine of insight. The real cost of staying put might be a million dollars. Jillian's friend proved that not switching jobs and not taking breaks can leave serious money on the table. Chapters: 0:00 – Welcome + Introduction to Jillian Johnsrud 1:44 – Jillian’s Journey to Financial Independence 11:38 – What Are Mini Retirements? 14:45 – The “Stuck at Six” Problem 17:03 – The Courage to Step Away from the Grind 18:31 – Experimentation, Growth & Mini Retirements 20:05 – Learning from Failure and Career Missteps 21:50 – Mini Retirements as a Long-Term Lifestyle 25:55 – The 6.5% Rule Explained 31:52 – Career Shifts, Income Growth & Timing 36:08 – How the 6.5% Rule Funds Time Freedom 38:06 – Job Switching, Earning Potential & Flexibility 38:57 – Time Freedom Book Promotion + Closing Thoughts JILLIAN JOHNSRUD Jillian Johnsrud is an author, speaker, and financial independence advocate who achieved financial freedom at 32 while working low-earning jobs and raising five kids. She's the author of Retire Often and hosts the “Retire Often” podcast where she shares real stories of people who've taken mini retirements. Jillian's work has been featured on All the Hacks, ChooseFI, and at FinCon. You can connect with Jillian at retireoften.com . 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Top 5 Takeaways Time freedom is about working to live—not living to work. The 50–25–25 rule creates sustainable income and personal freedom. True freedom comes from the ability to create income on demand. Overcoming debt can build confidence and clarity in business decisions. Authority content works best after a solid business foundation is built. Chapters: 0:00 – Welcome + Introduction to Pia Silva 3:00 – Working to Live, Not Living to Work 7:45 – The 50–25–25 Rule Explained 13:30 – From Revenue to Real Profit 17:15 – Pia’s $40K Debt Wake-Up Call 21:30 – Skills Over Savings: The Real Definition of Freedom 25:45 – Designing a Business That Fits Your Life 29:30 – Writing Scale Solo : Process & Insights 34:45 – Authority, Referrals & Building a Profitable Business 39:45 – Long-Term Vision, Investing & Time Freedom 42:15 – Where to Find Pia + Final Thoughts Check out Pia's book at NoBSMastery.com/book 🎧 Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook FREE today. Normally it takes three copies to unlock the audiobook, but for podcast listeners, just one . 👉 timefreedombook.com | code: PODCAST Enter code PODCAST and you'll get instant access (your paper copy arrives in September). Pre-orders help the book land on more shelves on launch day, so thank you!
Ranking source
Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed September 18, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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