The Penny & The Pint

In this episode of The Penny & The Pint, the "Old Irish Guys"—John and Brendan—launch their brand-new series: Net Worth & Mental Ills. While they usually enjoy some "podcast oil" (Guinness) during their chats, today they’re staying sharp to tackle the psychological hurdles of behavioral finance.

Recorded at their studio on Wheeling Street, the guys break down how our own brains can lead to expensive mistakes. From overconfident attempts to "Split the G" at Delia Foley’s to the dangerous comfort of the financial echo chamber, this episode explains why your ego might be your...

In this episode of The Penny & The Pint, the "Old Irish Guys"—John and Brendan—graduate from the basics to the heavy hitters of estate planning. They dive into the essential documents every adult needs to protect their assets and their loved ones, moving beyond "Adulting 101" tasks like paying rent to the critical world of Wills, Trusts, and Directives.

Whether you're just starting to build your "stack" or looking to protect what you’ve already grown, this episode provides a straightforward roadmap to ensuring your wishes are honored and your legacy is secure.

In this e...

In this episode of The Penny & The Pint, the "Old Irish Guys"—John and Brendan—pour a couple of pints of Guinness and dig deeper into the world of individual retirement accounts. Following their look at workplace plans, they break down the critical differences between Traditional and Roth IRAs, helping you decide whether to "pay the tax man" now or later.

From the history of the IRA to "backdoor" strategies for high earners, this episode is a deep dive into tax-sheltered growth and how to build a flexible, tax-efficient legacy.

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In this episode, the "Old Irish Guys"—John and Brendan—shake off the winter snow and welcome the signs of spring in South Baltimore. Inspired by the upcoming 70th anniversary of the South Baltimore Little League, they dive into the essentials of employer-sponsored retirement plans.

From the basic mechanics of a 401(k) to the "secret" benefits of the SECURE Act 2.0, the guys break down how to stop leaving free money on the table and start building real wealth.

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In this episode of The Penny & The Pint, the "Old Irish Guys" - John and Brendan discuss why it’s never too early (or too late) to start thinking about retirement. After a chance encounter with a local South Baltimore legend, the guys are inspired to break down the mechanics of 401(k)s, the power of company matches, and why "beer money" shouldn't stand in the way of your future wealth.

Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to maximize your current plan, this episode provides the roadmap to stop guessing and star...

In this episode of The Penny & The Pint, John Shea and Brendan O’Brien (the “Old Irish Guys”) continue their Net Worth & Chill series by tackling the "heavy" but essential topic of financial safety nets.

While discussing New Year’s resolutions and the creative "February solution," the guys dive into the building blocks that help you sleep at night: emergency funds, insurance policies, and protecting your family’s future.

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In this episode of the Penny & the Pint, John Shea and Brendan O’Brien (the "Old Irish Guys") take a break from the "Net Worth and Chill" series to host some absolute royalty in the world of finance. Using a little imagination and a lot of wisdom, the guys "bring in" investment legends Peter Lynch and John Bogle to discuss the best ways for regular families to build long-term wealth.

Before getting down to business, the guys share a "dad moment" from the South Baltimore home front. Brendan recounts a classic encounter with his "young Irish kid" re...

Pull Up a Stool for the Penny & the Pint, hosts John Shea and Brendan O’Brien—the "Old Irish Guys"—introduce a podcast designed to help you stop guessing about your finances and start stacking the building blocks of real wealth. Delivered in digestible, 10-minute "shots," this show brings over 60 years of combined financial services experience to the neighborhood.

A Neighborhood Resource

John and Brendan are here to let you know that you aren't alone when it comes to questions about your financial future. Whether you are in Canton, Federa...

In the third installment of Penny & the Pint, John Shea and Brendan O’Brien (the "Old Irish Guys") dive back into the "Net Worth and Chill" series to move from gathering data to taking action. This week is all about playing "defense" by tackling the debt that stands between you and your financial dreams.

Local Flavor: Civic Duty and Community Surprises

The hosts share a laugh about running into each other at a local community meeting—despite spending all day together at the office. Whether representing different civic organizations or presenting to neighbors, John and Bren...

In the second installment of Penny & the Pint, John Shea and Brendan O’Brien (the "Old Irish Guys") celebrate some big Baltimore news—the hiring of the Orioles' 42nd manager, Craig Albernaz. Taking a cue from the "ultimate answer to everything" in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the guys dive back into the "Net Worth and Chill" series to help you find the ultimate answers for your financial future.

Welcome to the Neighborhood, Craig!

The hosts give a warm South Baltimore welcome to new O's manager Craig Albernaz. As a fellow Massachusetts native...

In the inaugural episode of Penny & the Pint, John Shea and Brendan O’Brien (the "Old Irish Guys") introduce their mission: filling the gap in the financial podcast space with 60 years of combined expertise, delivered in digestible, 10-minute shots.

A Resource for Baltimore and Beyond

John and Brendan aim to be a neighborhood resource, serving folks from Canton to Federal Hill to Locust Point. Each episode consists of two segments: