By the time most of us were figuring out high school, Dr. Ik-Whan G. Kwon was completely alone in a war torn country, facing a choice that would define the rest of his life.

He chose the harder road. Fast forward to today he plays golf in the early mornings, stays in touch with hundreds of former students and gathers his entire family together every other Thanksgiving. From the outside, it looks peaceful.

But when you hear where he started you'll understand just how much that peace cost him.

Winters were cold. There were days he went without food so he could afford something more important. There were moments when, if you had seen him walking down the street, you would never have guessed that this young man was on his way to becoming a top Professor with two PhDs.

He eventually made it to America with $50 in his pocket and a dream that most people around him didn't believe could be possible. What happened next? The strangers who showed up at exactly the right moment, the doors that opened because of one simple yet radical decision he made about people and the family he built h in a country that wasn't his own.

In this episode, Tony Kalinowski and David Alexander sit down with Dr. Kwon for part one of a two part conversation that covers faith, family, friendship, fitness, finance and what it truly means to live a fun and enriching life.

Dr. Kwon's Book: Purchase Here

Connect: Tony Kalinowski

View Podcast Website: Here

Podcast Producer: David Alexander

The Retirement Insiders closes out 2025 with a Best Of episode built around the core theme of life stewardship.

David Alexander and Tony Kalinowski revisit the moments that stayed with them long after recording, including Skip Vaccarello’s call to pursue “calling” over performance, the Brewers’ honest reflections on caregiving and why support matters, and Eric Camfield’s leadership lesson from Altar Fly Fishing on rhythm, burnout and surrender.

They also return to Dr. Leanne Clark-Shirley’s big picture challenge to reframe aging as opportunity and contribution, not decline. The result is a year end conversation that is less about retirement planning and more about purpose and what it means to lead well in every season of life.

If you are heading toward retirement, already in it or simply trying to live with more clarity and intention, this episode is a reset on what success should look like going forward.

Connect: Tony Kalinowski

View Podcast Website: Here

Podcast Producer: David Alexander

In this continuation of The Retirement Insiders generosity series, David Alexander interviews Tony Kalinowski and shifts the conversation from philosophy to practice. Part II explores how retirees can build a disciplined, repeatable operating system for giving, one that sustains impact year after year.

Tony shares how he uses sponsorships strategically, why he treats generosity like a structured financial process, and how he evaluates organizations using three essential filters: alignment, leadership and measurable results. He also discusses when board service makes sense, why he maintains a dedicated giving account, and how purpose-driven engagement strengthens wellbeing in retirement.

Listeners will hear Tony’s straightforward insights, including:

• How he reviews and reallocates his giving annually
• The key ratio he watches: “How much of your dollar actually goes to the person we’re trying to help?”
• Why update meetings with leaders he supports often create breakthrough opportunities
• How purposeful generosity can “invigorate” retirement and protect against isolation

Part II is a practical, systems-driven roadmap for anyone who wants to turn generosity into long-term, measurable impact.

Connect: Tony Kalinowski

View Podcast Website: Here

Podcast Producer: David Alexander