What Women Don’t Say Out Loud About Retirement — Eric Blake on Loss, Identity, and Security

What does a man learn about security after watching the women in his life navigate loss?In this episode of The Sock Drawer Podcast, Lisa Begley sits down with Eric Blake, Certified Financial Planner®, founder of Blake Wealth Management, and host of The Simply Retirement Podcast. Eric shares the deeply personal story behind his mission, one shaped by five generations of women, a single mother, and a grandmother who became a widow at 62 and carried that grief forward for nearly three decades.Together, Lisa and Eric go beyond retirement accounts and into what most people don’t talk about: the emotional weight of major life transitions. They explore why retirement can feel like an identity shift, how women often find themselves carrying financial decisions alone after divorce or widowhood, and why “money” is rarely the real goal, security, freedom, and peace are.Eric also offers a powerful reminder for women of all ages: take a seat at the table. Ask the questions. Understand your options. Because the decisions you don’t make today can quietly shape your future for years to come.Helpful links shared in this episode:Blake Wealth Management: blakewealthmanagement.comSavvy Ladies: SavvyLadies.orgWings for Widows: WingsForWidows.orgRetirement tax + planning cheat sheet: thesimplyretirementpodcast.com/retirementcheatsheetWomen’s Social Security guide: womenssocialsecurityguide.com🔔 Stay Connected with The Sock Drawer PodcastIf this conversation resonated with you, don’t just listen; then stay with us.👉 Subscribe on YouTube:The Sock Drawer Podcast(New conversations every week.)If you’re navigating a pivot, a pause, or a reinvention season and need clarity, you can book a 30-minute Messiness Mentor session with Lisa here:https://www.thesockdrawerpodcast.comSometimes the bravest step is simply talking it through.