Rooted in the South. Driven by Purpose. Built for Living.

After years of working with families as a wealth advisor, I began to notice something.

Most retirement conversations revolve around numbers.
Returns. Timelines. Withdrawal rates.

Retirement IQ.

But the questions that shape a life are different.

Who do you want to become?
Where do you feel most alive?
What are you still postponing?

Over time, I came to believe that meaning is our primary human drive. Even in hardship, purpose sustains us.

We are not sustained by pleasure alone.
We are not fulfilled by power alone.
We come alive through purpose.

Retire Southern exists for that Why.

Not to discuss investments.
Not to optimize spreadsheets.
But to elevate the often overlooked EQ side of living. Presence. Connection. Character. Experience.

Too often, the meaningful parts of life are deferred.

“I will do that when I retire.”

But life does not always wait.

Life is too short to wait for someday.

Through character driven stories, immersive travel, and conversations with remarkable Southern personalities, Retire Southern reconnects people to the Authentic South and to themselves.

Retirement IQ helps you accumulate.
Life EQ helps you live.

Meet the Team

James Lewis

Founder & Podcast Host
James Lewis is a Louisiana native and Georgia based wealth advisor who built his career helping families navigate complex financial decisions. With a background in engineering and finance, he understands the mechanics of accumulation.
Through Retire Southern, he focuses on what happens after the math works. The experiences, relationships, and places that give life its depth.
From chef driven travel features to long form conversations with Southern leaders, James documents the people and places that define the Authentic South.
Mallory Boggs

Partner, Chief of Operations, & Contributor
As Partner, Chief of Operations, and Contributor at Retire Southern, Mallory Boggs brings over a decade of experience in brand building and team leadership, along with a lifetime spent exploring and appreciating the South. Mallory began her career at Jamestown Properties, where she developed a passion for crafting memorable brands and experiences that bring people together. At Retire Southern, Mallory works closely with the team to turn ideas into reality, helping quarterback new projects and ensuring that every concept reflects the core values of intentional and purposeful living.
Personally, Mallory is passionate about discovering new travel destinations and revisiting familiar Southern gems. As a Level 6 Local Google Guide, she’s often found capturing her experiences at restaurants, bars, and hiking trails, making sure “the camera eats first.” Through her work at Retire Southern, Mallory is dedicated to helping others embrace the richness of Southern living with intention and purpose.
Andrea Rizk

Partner & Contributor
Andrea Holland Rizk is a contributing writer at Retire Southern, where she utilizes her extensive experience in public relations to shape the platforms' brand and outreach strategies. With over two decades in the field, starting her career on Nashville's Music Row, Rizk has honed her skills in creating impactful publicity campaigns. She is also the Founder & CEO of Rizk Public Relations and produces podcasts. A Nashville native living in Brentwood, Tennessee with her family, she enjoys her role as a 'boy mom' and maintains a deep appreciation for music.
Jerry Payne

Sound Producer & Editor
Jerry Payne, Producer and Editor for the Southern Character podcast, is a lifelong Georgia resident. Born and raised in Marietta, Jerry has almost two decades of experience in radio and podcasting. He graduated from Kennesaw State University where he studied communications with a concentration in media studies. Jerry has worked at just about every radio station in Atlanta doing almost every job in the building. When Jerry isn’t talking into microphones or chopping up audio, he enjoys all things outdoors, competing in endurance events, volunteering at animal rescue shelters, and consuming as much good food and live music as he can get in and around Woodstock, Georgia.
Barbara Pinyan

Copy Editor
Born and raised in Warner Robins, Georgia, Barbara Pinyan has always been connected to the South. A lifelong Georgia resident, she currently calls Acworth home, where she lives with her husband, Scott, and their three children. An avid traveler, Barbara loves nothing more than cruising the Caribbean or immersing herself in the local culture of Mexico. Her passion for exploring authentic places ties perfectly to the Retire Southern mission—celebrating purposeful living and meaningful experiences.

With a background in marketing and over a decade of experience as a client coordinator, Barbara’s sharp attention to detail ensures that every word and message reflects the heart of Retire Southern. When she’s not editing or planning her next adventure, you’ll find her crafting delicious Southern meals for her family and dreaming up new travel experiences.

Barbara brings a keen eye and a love for storytelling, ensuring that the essence of the Authentic South shines through in everything we do at Retire Southern.
Harris Lowe

Contributor
Born and raised in St. Pete, Harris Lowe has a passport full of stamps and a stomach full of stories. A graduate of the University of the South, he’s fished in far-flung waters, cooked in countless kitchens, and eaten just about everything in between. (He’s yet to meet an oyster he didn’t like.) For Harris, variety isn’t just the spice of life—it’s the main ingredient.
Whether he’s casting a line, stirring a pot or chasing down his next great meal, you can bet it’s going to be forking ridiculous. Follow along on Instagram @forkingridiculous
Lauren Noble

Content Booker & Producer
Lauren Noble is our Booker and Producer for the Southern Character podcast, and loves all things radio and podcasting. Lauren grew up in Norcross, GA listening to Star94 and 99X and graduated from Clemson University, where she hosted a weekly radio show on 88.1 WSBF-FM Clemson. She brings three years of podcast expertise in research, writing, marketing, and booking. She spends her free time at concerts, hanging with her tuxedo cat Meena, or reading in her hammock with a big ol’ cup of sweet tea.