The Retire Happy Podcast
Financial and retirement guidance San Diego‘s John Iammarino of Securus Financial and Thomas O‘Connell of International Financial Advisory Group, Inc. in Rockaway, New Jersey. John is a veteran of the financial services industry, a Certified Medicaid Planner, and a National Social Security Advisor. He founded Securus Financial to help retirees and soon-to-be retirees ensure that their retirements provide them with financial peace of mind and the security they need to enjoy their golden years. Thomas has spent 30+ years assisting families with retirement planning, college planning and wealth management. He specializes in working with high net worth individuals, families and business owners. John & Thomas are longtime friends and will use the podcast to help make sure they‘re keeping retirement happy from coast-to-coast.
Listen on:
Episodes
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
We're excited to welcome back Joe Casey, CEO and co-founder of Catalyst Wealth Coaching and a mentor to financial advisors nationwide, to wrap up the 2025 season! Joe joins the show to dig into the realities of market manipulation, trend analysis, and why most investors- and even many advisors- misread what the market is actually telling them. He breaks down how algorithms, dark pools, and institutional behavior shape price movements, and explains the disciplined framework he teaches advisors to help them stay on the right side of trends.
Episode Links:
Catalyst Wealth Coaching
https://www.catalystwealthcoaching.com/
Important Info:
Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/
International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/
Call John: (858) 758-9889
Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623
Wednesday Dec 03, 2025
Wednesday Dec 03, 2025
In this episode, John and Tom sit down with fitness expert and Air Force veteran Nichole Van Cliff to explore why taking care of your health is one of the most important parts of a successful retirement. Nichole shares powerful insights from her work with seniors, veterans, and personal training clients- showing how strength, mobility, and small daily habits can transform your quality of life at any age. From breaking old patterns to building confidence through movement and nutrition, she explains how anyone can start improving their health right now, no matter their limitations.
Learn more about Fit Fin Wellness:
https://fitfinwellness.com/
Important Info:
Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/
International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/
Call John: (858) 758-9889
Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
In this episode, John and Tom are joined by Jared Trexler, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at The American College of Financial Services, to discuss why education and specialization matter more than ever in the financial world. They explore how a well-educated advisor can deliver deeper, more personalized planning- especially in areas like tax, estate, and retirement income strategy- and why consumers should understand the difference between generalists and true specialists. Jared also shares insights into The American College’s mission to elevate the profession through lifelong learning, new certifications such as the Tax Planning Certified Professional program, and a growing public campaign to help consumers identify qualified advisors.
Important Info:
Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/
International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/
Call John: (858) 758-9889
Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
This episode, John and Tom are joined once again by Mark DiOrio - Chief Investment Officer at Brookstone Capital Management - to unpack the fast-moving markets of 2025. They discuss volatility, tariffs, interest rates, and the role of alternative investments like gold, crypto, and structured notes. Mark also shares insights on inflation, the bond market, and the long-term impact of AI and semiconductors on the economy. Plus, you'll hear his outlook for the markets over the next year!
Important Info:
Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/
International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/
Call John: (858) 758-9889
Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623
Wednesday Jul 23, 2025
Wednesday Jul 23, 2025
We're joined once again by America's IRA expert, Ed Slott, to unpack the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and the new opportunities it offers for tax-savvy retirees. Ed breaks down how temporary expansions in SALT deductions, strategic use of Roth conversions, and thoughtful estate planning- including tools like permanent life insurance and qualified charitable distributions- can help reduce your tax burden and protect your legacy. We also cover common retirement tax myths and how to prepare for rising tax rates with smart, forward-looking planning.
About Ed Slott & Company
Ed Slott and Company, LLC is the nation’s leading provider of retirement tax education for financial advisors, CPAs, and attorneys. Backed by a team of nationally recognized experts—including CPAs, attorneys, and retirement specialists—the firm delivers ongoing, in-depth training on the latest tax laws, IRA planning strategies, and retirement distribution rules. Its flagship program, Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor GroupSM, is comprised of 500 of the nation’s top financial professionals who receive semiannual live training, monthly updates, and case law analysis to help clients keep more of their retirement savings. Visit https://irahelp.com/ for more information.
Important Info:
Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/
International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/
Call John: (858) 758-9889
Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
In this episode of the Retire Happy Podcast, John and Tom sit down with Matt Burklund, CEO of Vault Insurance & Investments, for a timely conversation about what’s really happening in the world of property and casualty insurance. As rates skyrocket and carriers pull out of key markets like California and Florida, Matt breaks down why the industry is under so much pressure and what that means for everyday homeowners. Matt also shares practical, actionable tips you can use today to reduce your risk, shop smart, and better protect your wealth.
Learn more about Matt:
https://www.choosevault.com/team/MattBurklund
Important Info:
Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/
International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/
Call John: (858) 758-9889
Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623
Thursday Jan 16, 2025
Thursday Jan 16, 2025
It's hard to believe we're celebrating the 100th episode of the Retire Happy Podcast today! As we reflect on the great memories we've made, we also look ahead to the future. Joining us in celebration is a third-time returning guest, Dean Zayed, JD, LLM, CFP®, an expert in retirement planning and the CEO and founder of Brookstone Capital Management himself. We're thrilled to have him on the show today to celebrate Brookstone's journey and discuss the culture that drives its success.
Important Info:
Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/
International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/
Call John: (858) 758-9889
Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
In this special episode of The Retire Happy Podcast, we’re joined by Joe Casey, CEO and co-founder of Catalyst Wealth Coaching and host of the 6-Figure Trader Podcast. Joe is a remarkable investment mentor whose expertise has transformed the lives of countless advisors and their clients. Having studied blockchain and crypto investing at MIT and dedicated years to understanding institutional strategies, we're excited to hear some of his market insights today.
We would also like to dedicate this episode to our mentor and friend, David Gaylor, whose wisdom and impact on the financial planning community will never be forgotten.
Episode Links:
Catalyst Wealth Coaching
https://www.catalystwealthcoaching.com/
6 Figure Trader Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/6-figure-trader-podcast/id1778529840
Important Info:
Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/
International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/
Call John: (858) 758-9889
Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
In this episode, John and Thomas sit down with Matt Lovett, Chief Compliance Officer at Brookstone Capital Management, to explore the crucial role compliance plays in financial advising. With over 30 years of experience, Matt shares how fiduciary advisors prioritize transparency, rigorous product evaluation, and regulatory adherence to protect clients' interests. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the processes that keep your investments secure and aligned with your financial goals!
Important Info:
Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/
International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/
Call John: (858) 758-9889
Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
In this episode of the Retire Happy Podcast, we’re joined by Bruce Wehner, Chief Cash Flow Strategist and lead advisor for e3 Wealth, to explore the high-level considerations of oil and gas investments as a potential tax mitigation strategy. While these investments carry a significant degree of risk, Bruce offers insights into how they can fit into broader tax planning and financial management strategies. Tune in for a great overview of the benefits, risks, and key questions to discuss with your financial team before considering this area of investing.
e3 Wealth
https://e3wealth.com/
Important Info:
Securus Financial: https://www.gosecurus.com/
International Financial Advisory Group: https://www.internationalfinancial.com/
Call John: (858) 758-9889
Call Thomas: (973) 394-0623