Living a Life of Significance: Joe Jordan’s Vision for Faith, Family, and Financial Purpose

Joe Jordan is not your average financial professional. A Fordham University Hall of Fame athlete, an author of Living a Life of Significance, a sought-after global speaker, and a man of profound conviction, Joe has spent the better part of five decades helping others see the deeper meaning behind financial services. But more than that—he’s on a mission to reconnect families, faith, and purpose in a world that’s rapidly losing touch with all three.

I've had the pleasure of knowing Joe for a few years now and we really got to talking at an event where we both were speakers and shared a cab back to the airport. We found we had a ton of shared interests--notably sports, financial literacy for women, and faith. As I've proceeded with my own discernment in my work with FCA, I think of Joe often and look over at my bookshelf to the signed copy of his work and think about what it is to live a life of significance.

Joe Jordan and his beloved mother during his football glory days.

I think every mother hopes that her son will one day reflect back on her sacrifices, like Joe does, and understand the blood, sweat, tears, and prayers that went into building a man like Joe. While Joe admits that he was pretty dense on many topics for many years, he notes that it really did all click in his 50's and he finally got the big picture of life---this is the hope of every mother and Joe has spent the next few decades making sure he is paying forward that gratitude and acknowledging the blessings bestowed upon him.

His conversation on the Boy Mom Podcast offers a moving look into the experiences that shaped his path and the wisdom he now offers to a world desperately in need of it.

From Tragedy to Transformation

Joe’s journey began with personal tragedy. At just six months old, his father—an advisor to President Harry Truman—was killed in a car accident. The loss was not only emotional, but financial: his father had canceled a $100,000 life insurance policy just before the accident to invest in real estate. As a result, Joe’s mother was left to raise four children alone, without the financial support they would have otherwise had.

Joe didn’t fully understand the gravity of that decision until much later in life. But it planted a seed. He would go on to become a champion of life insurance—not just for its financial utility, but for its ability to preserve dignity, create stability, and protect families from chaos.

The Power of a Mother’s Sacrifice

Joe credits much of his strength and success to the determination of his mother. Thrust into a world she wasn’t prepared for, she found a job as a secretary and made it her mission to support the family. She didn’t complain. She didn’t ask for sympathy. She simply did what needed to be done.

Joe reflects on how she made the impossible decisions—like sending her daughters to work so the boy could attend college—and how these sacrifices shaped his understanding of duty, family, and resilience. He now sees how these moments were pivotal, not just for him, but as a lesson for all who wrestle with legacy and long-term planning.

A Career, Reimagined

Though Joe began in the financial world with a capitalist mindset, focused on profit and performance, he eventually experienced what he calls a spiritual catharsis. While preparing to speak at the Million Dollar Round Table—a global summit of top financial professionals—he had a moment of realization: he was in the business for a reason bigger than himself.

He began to speak less about products and more about impact. He told stories of loss, protection, and the ripple effects of good planning. He began to see himself not just as an advisor, but as an advocate—especially for women, caregivers, and those left vulnerable in a rapidly aging society. This seemed to work out for Joe as he's gone on to receive every accolade possible in the financial services industry for his work and thought leadership.

Women, Longevity, and Financial Literacy

Joe is passionate about women’s financial literacy. Growing up in a female-led household made him sensitive to the fact that 80% of women die single, while 80% of men die married. Women live longer, often face financial challenges alone, and are rarely the focal point of financial conversations.

He believes life insurance is a women’s issue. Retirement is a women’s issue. Longevity is a women’s issue. And more women need to be both advisors and decision-makers in the financial space.

Joe's daughter's post about her daddy on Father's Day 2025 listing just some of his accolades.

The Crisis No One Talks About

Beyond his personal story, Joe raises a red flag that few are waving: the crisis of aging. Birth rates are plummeting. Populations are aging. And the number of people retiring each day is accelerating, while the number of younger workers needed to support social programs is shrinking.

He warns that many countries are heading toward a population cliff. Financial systems—especially Social Security and pension plans—are not designed for this reality. For Joe, this isn't a political issue, but a human one. He argues that financial advisors are on the front lines of a massive social transformation. They need to shift from selling to educating—from short-term sales to long-term impact.

Purpose-Driven Retirement

Joe introduces the idea of “purpose-driven retirement”—the belief that people should retire toward something, not just from something. He advocates for building a retirement not just with dollars, but with meaning. He urges individuals to ask themselves, “What will I do to positively impact others in this phase of life?”

Whether it's through volunteering, mentoring, or simply staying active in the community, Joe believes that longevity without purpose leads to despair. And he warns that today’s obsession with isolation—from social media addiction to the fear of being a burden—only makes things worse.

Joe Jordan is an avid participant in the American Irish Catholic world and went to school with/friends with retired four-star general Jack Keane (in fact, I often hear Jack on FoxNews and think it's Joe).

Advice Rooted in Reality

Joe doesn’t just offer lofty ideas; he gives practical advice. For example, he strongly urges people to delay taking Social Security until age 70, noting the significant financial advantage in doing so. He stresses the importance of planning long-term and incorporating annuities or other lifetime income strategies to safeguard against outliving one’s resources.

He also pushes for candid family conversations. Talking about money, caregiving, and retirement should not be taboo. Families should normalize financial planning the same way they talk about childcare or college.

Joe Jordan is an international speaker who is a legend in the insurance and financial services industry. He has told the story of his upbringing and the strength of his mother to thousands upon thousands of people.

Returning to What Matters Most

At the heart of Joe’s message is a call to return to what matters: family, faith, and personal responsibility. He believes the erosion of these values—along with the abandonment of religion and athletics—has weakened the societal fabric.

His solution? Reinvest in community. Teach kids to fail and rise. Honor your elders. Talk openly. Plan wisely. And above all, live a life not of affluence, but of significance.

Joe Jordan reminds us that while wealth may come and go, legacy is measured in lives touched. His story is not just about money—it’s about meaning. And in a time where both feel increasingly out of reach, his voice is a timely call back to center.

To learn more about Joe's work, watch his interview with (also legendary) Tom Hegna, renowned financial expert.