Women and Money – The Simply Retirement Podcast

When Work Becomes Optional: Redefining Retirement with Bernadette Joy (Ep. 101)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | April 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, I sit 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.

Key takeaways:

How a shocking student loan balance became the turning point that led Bernadette to pay off $300,000 in debt
Why learning finances is more like learning a language than solving a math problem, and what that means for women approaching retirement
How the loss of a client changed Bernadette’s perspective on waiting for the “right time” to retire
What financial independence actually looks like when work becomes optional, not obligatory
Why women advocating for themselves in financial conversations is not just empowering, it is essential
And more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake:

Connect with Bernadette Joy:

About our Guest:

Bernadette isn’t your typical financial expert—she’s a powerhouse with real-world experience. With two business degrees and a background in psychology, Bernadette knows how to blend academic knowledge with street smarts. As a first-generation Filipino American and former corporate employee, she intimately understands the stress of financial uncertainty, even when the paycheck looks promising.

She’s a featured money expert on CNBC, CNET, Forbes, MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance and has taken the stage at FinCon, SXSW, NASDAQ and TEDxHouston (just like Brene Brown!)

But here’s where Bernadette truly shines: she’s walked the walk. In just three years, she obliterated $300,000 of debt. And by her thirties, she achieved a net worth of over $2 million—all while working part-time hours. That’s right—she clocks in just 20 hours a week.

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Investing in Retirement – Part 4: Putting the Pieces Together for a Successful Retirement (Ep. 83)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | December 17, 2025

Retirement planning doesn’t end once you stop working; it evolves.

In this episode, I wrap up my seven essential strategies for successful investing in retirement, focusing on two of the most pivotal: managing your tax burden and deciding whether to work with an advisor.

I share how to plan ahead for taxes, the importance of timing withdrawals, and why every woman deserves a seat at the financial table.

Key Takeaways:

Why emotional decisions during market downturns often lead to poor outcomes
How to manage your lifetime tax liability, not just your yearly one
Why your retirement income plan should start 2–5 years before retiring
The key questions to ask before hiring a financial advisor
The importance of involving both spouses, especially women, in financial conversations
And more!