The Scariest Halloween Cost: $320 Million in Credit Card Swipe Fees

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. John Comisi, DDS, interim chair of the Department of General Dentistry at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, to explore the surprising connection between GLP-1 medications, sleep apnea, and your oral health.

Credit card debt can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to control your future. In this episode, Michael McAuliffe, President of Family Credit Management, shares practical strategies to lower your interest rates, reduce monthly payments, and build a realistic path to becoming debt-free.

Karen Kerrigan, President and CEO of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council), joins us to unpack one of the most important decisions a small business can make: how to offer health coverage.

Doug Kantor of the National Association of Convenience Stores examines how credit card swipe fees add nearly $320 million to Americans’ Halloween spending, increasing the cost of candy, costumes and decorations. He explains how interchange fees work, why retailers have limited alternatives to dominant payment networks, and how these expenses ultimately affect consumers regardless of how they pay.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., M.Div., Ph.D., career prosecutor, author, and media commentator, for a powerful conversation on reframing how we think about aging and retirement. Dr. Patrick challenges outdated beliefs about growing older, explaining why your career is not your identity, why the years ahead can be your most fulfilling, and how a shift in mindset can transform the next chapter of your life.

Dr. Caiti Peters of Colorado State University joins the Broadcast Retirement Network to discuss how horse-assisted therapy is linked to lower stress in children with autism. She explains why horses make uniquely effective therapy partners, shares published research showing reduced cortisol levels after equine-assisted sessions, and highlights how these services are becoming more accessible nationwide—including Colorado Medicaid's new coverage for horse-integrated therapies.

Michael Henaghan, Managing Editor at Wolters Kluwer, breaks down the projected 2027 federal tax brackets—how they're calculated, why "bracket creep" quietly pushes taxpayers higher even when real income hasn't grown, and what's changing with 2027 retirement contribution limits (including the 401(k) jump to $25,500).

Dr. Stephanie Zepeda, PhD, LMFT, founder of Financial Therapy Texas, joins Broadcast Retirement Network to reveal the hidden toll of financial anxiety. She explains how it differs from everyday money stress, why we often spend more when finances are tight, and how money becomes a leading source of conflict in relationships, plus why one-size-fits-all money advice can do more harm than good.

What can a 192-year-old tortoise teach us about living longer, healthier lives? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Stephen W. Clark, MD, PhD, MSCI from the Kallel Foundation to explore the science behind healthspan. From Jonathan the tortoise's remarkably young mitochondrial genetics to FDA-approved drugs that could reshape how we age, discover why adding years to your life means nothing without quality to match, and what cutting-edge research on cellular reprogramming means for the future of human longevity.

Tim Rouse, Executive Director of the SPARK Institute, Rachel Weker, Retirement Strategist at T. Rowe Price , and Chris Weirath, Head of Client Success at Morningstar Retirement, preview the 2026 SPARK Forum, the industry's final major gathering of the year, covering a member-built agenda that spans the full arc of retirement, from first dollar to last payout, including AI, alternative investments, regulation, and retirement income.