Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Ramsey Show Highlights
Episode: I’m Coming Off Of Social Security After 25 Years And I’m Scared
Date: December 6, 2025
Hosts: George Kamel & Steve (Ramsey Network)
Guest: Dan

Episode Overview

This episode presents a heartfelt coaching conversation between Ramsey Network hosts and their caller, Dan, who is confronting the challenge of leaving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) after 25 years. Feeling both hopeful and scared about his journey beyond poverty and government assistance, Dan seeks advice on practical steps and encouragement to move forward, upskill, and regain self-trust. The hosts respond with actionable guidance, empathy, and powerful affirmations of Dan’s resilience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dan’s Background & Current Situation

• Lifelong Poverty and SSDI Dependence
  • Dan opens up about a life lived in poverty, rooted in both financial hardship and childhood trauma.
  • Quote: “I've been suffering in poverty for all my life, pretty much. And I have a plan and there's some details around that, but that's my question. How do I get out of this poverty?” (Dan, 00:06–00:17)
• Current Income & Work
  • Receives ~$1,400/month from SSDI and earns $100/week as a grocery store courtesy clerk.
  • Discloses inability to survive on last year’s income of just under $21,000.
  • Sees work as a way to brighten people's days:
    • Quote: “I try to make people feel good and have a blessing on the last face they see before they walk out.” (Dan, 00:54–01:07)
• Disability Challenges
  • Diagnosed with psychiatric issues stemming from trauma and 28 years in recovery from alcoholism.
  • Quote: “There's a lot of these underlying issues and problems which have really prevented me from thinking clearly about money, making clear good choices...” (Dan, 01:55–02:27)

Therapy, Progress, and Upskilling

• Therapeutic Breakthroughs
  • Dan credits EMDR trauma therapy for recent improvements—helping him move from “staring at the wall” to working and learning.
  • Recently earned a Google Data Analytics certificate, aiming to transition into technology.
  • Quote: “I started doing a special therapy for trauma called EMDR in March. And it took me from staring at the wall for a year and a half to working, feeling good, and...got a certificate in Google data analytics from March until now.” (Dan, 02:35–02:51)
• Facing the Fear of Leaving SSDI
  • Ready but anxious about leaving Social Security after so long.
  • Quote: “I get to get off Social Security for the first time since 2000, which is somewhat terrifying.” (Dan, 02:52–03:00)

Strategic and Emotional Guidance

• Career Shift and Mental Well-being
  • Hosts suggest seeking professional (therapist) advice about moving to full-time work, taking baby steps.
  • Recognize value of psychological safety at his current job but encourage exploring similar roles elsewhere (e.g., Target, Walmart) for full-time hours and benefits.
    • Quote: “If the grocery store won't move you to full time, what about Target? What about Walmart? What about any other big box stores who need somebody like you?” (George, 05:06–05:28)
• Building Confidence and Self-Worth
  • George delivers an uplifting message about Dan’s capacity to give joy and overcome adversity:
    • Quote: “I wish I could reach through the phone and give you a hug and say that I think you're stronger than you think you are...I got goosebumps when you described you want to be the last face they see as they go to their car.” (George, 04:12–05:06)
  • Affirm self-trust and surround Dan with belief:
    • Quote: “I'm big bear hug, and we're gonna have the whole lobby just cheer. Dan, Dan, Dan. Let me tell you something. The Dan we're talking to today…has got enough strength to be the Dan that you want to be. You better believe that, my man.” (George, 08:34–08:57)

Practical Next Steps & Budgeting

• Concrete Action Steps for Dan
  • Look for full-time roles—especially in big box retail—while continuing to build tech skills.
  • Use connections and embrace his story as a strength (not a weakness) in job applications.
• Financial Planning: Life After SSDI
  • Steve walks Dan through visualizing a post-SSDI budget:
    • List income and expenses; experience the flexibility and peace of surplus income.
    • Focus on stability, saving, giving, and building confidence as earnings increase.
    • Quote: “Can you imagine having an extra thousand or two thousand bucks left over after your bills are covered? ... The key is you're worth more than, than 100 bucks a week. Can we agree on that?” (Steve, 07:23–08:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dan’s Generosity & Impact:
  • “There's a guy who's been through so much pain and has made it through just enough to be able to give joy when you've had very little joy.” (George, 05:06–05:21)
• On Embracing Brokenness:
  • “There's nobody among us today that doesn't have some brokenness.” (George, 06:49–06:54)
• On Building Self-Trust:
  • “You've lost trust in Dan and we're telling you he's worth trusting in again. It's worth betting on yourself.” (Steve, 06:35–06:41)
• On Facing the Future:
  • “The way out of this is income. And the good news is if you make so much working that you lose SSDI—Good. That's exactly what you wanted, isn't it?” (Steve, 06:58–07:05)
• Dan’s Hopeful Vision:
  • “I've been on disability since 2000. If I got a $6,000 take home check, I'd be on my knees, I'd be walking around.” (Dan, 08:21–08:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |---|---| | 00:06 | Dan introduces his decades-long poverty and SSDI reliance | | 00:26–00:42 | Breakdown of income and work | | 01:55–02:27 | Discussion of psychiatric disability and barriers | | 02:35–02:51 | How EMDR therapy changed Dan’s outlook & capabilities | | 03:00–03:26 | The fear and significance of leaving SSDI | | 04:12–05:06 | George’s motivational affirmation about Dan’s strength | | 05:06–05:28 | Exploring full-time retail or new opportunities | | 06:35–06:41 | Building back Dan’s self-trust | | 07:23–08:13 | Budgeting for post-SSDI life and self-worth |

Tone & Style

The tone of the conversation is candid, compassionate, and empowering. George and Steve balance realism—laying out actionable steps and budget scenarios—with heartfelt encouragement and belief in Dan’s ability to rise above adversity.

Conclusion

The episode offers a microcosm of the Ramsey philosophy: mixing personal finance coaching with the emotional fuel needed to change one’s life. Dan’s vulnerability and persistence are met with practical advice, a roadmap out of poverty, and repeated affirmations of his worth. Whether Dan’s future is in tech, retail, or another people-facing field, the hosts rally behind him—and, by extension, anyone facing a daunting leap from survival to thriving.

Memorable closing:
“The Dan we're talking to today...has got enough strength to be the Dan that you want to be. You better believe that, my man.” (George, 08:34–08:57)