Ep 182 – Beyond the Exam Room: Why Your Health and Wealth Need a Joint Checkup

About This Episode

In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Patti Brennan sits down with Dr. Brian McDonough—family physician, media voice of medicine in Philadelphia, and deeply curious podcaster—to explore the surprising parallels between financial planning and healthcare. Together, they unpack what it means to thrive in retirement, why strength, balance, and flexibility matter just as much as savings and investments, and how the systems around us—whether in medicine or money—often miss the human element. You’ll hear stories from the front lines of both hospital rooms and boardrooms: how one resident saved a life by trusting their instincts, why patients feel most seen by the nurses, and what Patti’s own father did after retiring from IBM to follow his daughter’s Olympic dreams. Whether you're 35 or 65, this episode is packed with real-life advice, emotional insight, and reminders that retirement isn't just about numbers—it's about purpose, health, and the relationships that sustain us.