161R | Reignite

At the start of 2020, ChooseFI is pulling in nearly a million downloads a month. What began as two guys talking about financial independence has turned into something bigger—local meetups normalizing money conversations, a curriculum being taught in underserved communities, and enough momentum to build things the hosts never imagined. This episode covers what happens when a podcast becomes infrastructure: Jillian's Everyday Courage ranks in the top 200 shows globally within weeks, Steven Heptig explains how FI 101 was designed to teach financial independence without requiring prior knowledge, and the SECURE Act shifts retirement planning timelines. Between updates, there's also a discussion about why local meetups matter more than polished content. Timestamps & Topics [00:00:42] 2020 Roundup — Podcast growth and community impact [00:01:36] Everyday Courage Podcast Launch — Jillian's podcast debut and early success [00:10:00] Importance of Community — Local meetups and financial literacy connections [00:14:50] Launch of FI 101 — Steven Heptig on building a curriculum for financial independence [00:47:44] Updates on SECURE Act — Tax law changes affecting retirement accounts [01:07:40] Conclusion — Community engagement and available resources Key Quotes [00:10:22] "Realizing your options can be incredibly empowering." [00:15:11] "The FI community has evolved into a powerful movement." [00:15:43] "Recognizing our responsibility as a community is crucial." [00:16:20] "Financial literacy is the foundation for change." [00:36:08] "FI 101 is designed to create real change in lives." Resources Everyday Courage Workbook FI 101 Course Local ChooseFI Groups What is FI 101? FI 101 is a free course launched by ChooseFI to spread financial literacy. [00:14:05] How can I join a local ChooseFI group? Visit choosefi.com/local to find and join local groups where you live. [00:32:12] What updates were made to retirement accounts under the SECURE Act? The SECURE Act raises the age for required minimum distributions from 70.5 to 72. [00:49:07]