Episodes

  • Retirement Right Now: Net Worth, Costs, Stress
    Mar 28 2026

    On this week’s episode of More Than Money, Leanna Wachniak and Dave Popowich break down some of the most talked-about retirement statistics right now, from how much Canadians think they need to retire to what the average Canadian is actually worth.

    Next, they’re joined by Erin Bury, Co-Founder and CEO of Willful, to discuss why women are more often named as estate executors than men, and what that says about trust, responsibility, and planning.

    Then, Leanna and Dave sit down with Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for Affordable Energy, to look at why gas prices have surged amid the recent conflict in Iran, and whether relief at the pumps is likely anytime soon.

    To close the show, Leanna and Dave talk about how stress is showing up in retirement. From headlines and market volatility to ongoing uncertainty, they explore how these pressures are affecting the retirement experience for many Canadians.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    39 mins
  • Retirement in a Changing World: Markets, Costs, and Big Decisions
    Mar 21 2026

    On this week’s episode of More Than Money, Leanna Wachniak and Rob Gerrie discuss the economic fallout from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, including rising oil prices, higher travel costs, and what it could mean for your retirement plan.

    Next, they are joined by Brian D’Costa, Founding Partner and Chief Strategy & Risk Officer at Algonquin Capital, to examine why markets are becoming more cautious about growth and why investors are increasingly turning to the relative safety of bonds.

    Then, Leanna and Rob sit down with Duane Bratt, Professor of Political Science in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University, to discuss how CUSMA negotiations may seem distant but can quietly affect your retirement through taxes, travel, currency, and even real estate.

    To close the show, Leanna and Rob break down the financial implications of moving to another province in retirement and the key factors you need to consider before making that decision.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    37 mins
  • What Markets and Taxes Are Really Doing to Retirement
    Mar 14 2026

    On this week’s episode of More Than Money, Leanna Wachniak and Rob Gerrie discuss today’s global headlines and what market history can teach us during times of uncertainty.

    Next, they explore why tax season can be especially challenging for solo retirees compared to couples. Elizabeth Brown, Director of Single Seniors for Tax Fairness, joins the conversation to explain the issues single seniors face and what her organization is doing to push for change.

    Then, Leanna and Rob discuss the role pets can play in retirement. While pets can offer companionship and support well-being, they also come with costs and long-term responsibilities. Philip Tedeschi, Founder and Director of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection and professor at the University of Denver, joins the show to explore both sides.

    To close the show, Leanna and Rob share personal family experiences with retirement, from Rob’s mother navigating retirement on her own to Leanna’s grandfather facing retirement without financial security.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    37 mins
  • How Market Volatility Affects Retirement Planning
    Mar 7 2026

    On this week’s episode of More Than Money, Dave Popowich and Rob Gerrie unpack one of the biggest stories shaping retirement today: the geopolitical uncertainty dominating the headlines and what it could mean for your financial future.

    Next, they look at how government cuts are pushing some Canadians into retirement earlier than expected and ask the important question: if retirement is forced on you, are you really ready?

    Then, Dave and Rob turn to the Alberta budget and rising property taxes in Calgary. What is driving the increase, and what does it mean for retirees? They are joined by Trevor Tombe, economist at the University of Calgary, to break it down.

    To close the show, with tax season fast approaching, Dave and Rob discuss the three most common tax issues retirees face and how to solve them.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    37 mins
  • Why Even Wealthy Retirees Feel Financially Insecure?
    Feb 28 2026

    On this week’s episode of More Than Money, Leanna Wachniak and Dave Popowich tackle one of the biggest retirement questions Canadians are asking right now: how much money do you actually need to retire today?

    They’re then joined by Dr. Michelle Maroto, Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Alberta, to explore why financial insecurity can persist even for affluent retirees, including those who look financially “set” on paper.

    Next, Tony Chapman, marketing and branding expert and founder of Chatter That Matters. Joins the conversation to discuss a common gap in retirement planning: many people prepare financially, but few prepare for what day-to-day life and identity look like once work ends.

    To close, Leanna and Dave break down a timely debate: “Divided Over Dividends.” Dividends can feel predictable, but if you rely on them too heavily, could they end up splitting your retirement plan in the wrong direction?

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    38 mins
  • Retirement planning at 50 in Canada
    Feb 21 2026

    On this week's episode of More Than Money, Dave Popowich and Rob Gerrie break down rising inflation in Canada and what it could mean for families and retirees in 2026.

    Next, economist Moshe Lander joins the show to discuss the Alberta separation conversation and the potential implications for CPP, pensions, and retirement planning.

    Then, Shaun Cathcart, Senior Economist at the Canadian Real Estate Association, shares the Calgary and Canada housing market forecast for 2026, including key trends impacting homeowners and future retirees.

    To close, Dave and Rob answer a big Gen X question: what should a retirement plan look like at age 50 in Canada?

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    39 mins
  • Elon Musk Says You Won’t Need to Save for Retirement. Is He Right?
    Feb 14 2026

    On this week’s episode of More Than Money, Leanna Wachniak and Rob Gerrie break down a recent Globe and Mail article, “Here’s Exactly How to Retire a Millionaire on a Typical Worker’s Salary,” and ask the big question: is $1 million actually enough to retire?

    Next, wealth management professional Preet Banerjee joins the show to weigh in on Elon Musk’s claim that in 10–20 years, saving for retirement won’t matter because AI and robots will create so much abundance that everyone will be wealthy and why betting your future on that idea could be a dangerous assumption.

    Then, Leanna and Rob tackle one of the most common tension points in relationships: money… and share how couples can have healthier, more productive financial conversations before small issues turn into bigger problems.

    To close out the show, they zoom out and answer some of the most common retirement questions they hear from Canadians as they get closer to making the leap.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    38 mins
  • Why Retirement Feels More Uncertain for Canadians
    Feb 7 2026

    On this week’s episode of More Than Money, Leanna Wachniak and Rob Gerrie break down the key issues shaping retirement in Canada today, starting with stock market volatility and what this week’s market ups and downs mean for long-term investors and retirees.

    Next, they’re joined by Dr. Dallas Seitz, Chief of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, to discuss the rise in mood disorders among seniors, exploring why mental health challenges are becoming more common in older adults and why emotional wellbeing is a critical and often overlooked part of retirement planning.

    Then, Leanna and Rob examine why so many Canadians don’t have access to a workplace pension, particularly in the private sector. They unpack the structural barriers facing employers and workers, and explore potential policy ideas aimed at expanding pension coverage in Canada.

    To close out the show, they tackle a growing concern for families of all ages: why saving for retirement is getting harder, and why future generations of Canadians may be worse off without changes to how retirement savings, pensions, and long-term planning are approached.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    38 mins