In this episode of The Blockchain Breakdown: Understanding Cryptocurrency, we explore the importance of understanding digital assets and cryptocurrency as they become mainstream. Digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, are emerging as a new asset class with unique risks and opportunities for diversification. Tune in as we discuss key terms such as Bitcoin, tokens, NFTs, and share our insights on how to incorporate digital assets into a well-diversified portfolio While investing in digital as...
Feb 27, 2025•47 min
Today, we’re joined by Starla Hendricks, Vice President of Intermediary Sales at KEEP by Stone Castle. With over 30 years in financial services, Starla works closely with RIAs and wealth managers to help them navigate the cash and deposit landscape, providing solutions like KEEP—a high-yield, FDIC-insured cash account that offers protection and a better rate than typical savings accounts at local banks. We’re excited to dive into how KEEP can provide clients with a secure, higher-yield alternati...
Feb 04, 2025•30 min
The conversation continues with guest, Samantha Tiller who focuses on eight key areas where retirees need to be intentional in order to achieve peace of mind during their retirement. If you missed the last episode, be sure to go back and watch & listen to the first three areas of the “Retire Wellthy Framework” – financial wellness, occupational wellness, and social wellness. Continue watching or listening this episode and learn the final 5 dimensions of the Retire Wellthy Framework: Emotional We...
Jan 17, 2025•30 min
In this podcast conversation, our guest is Samantha Tiller, the owner and founder of Lumina Coaching. She is a life transition coach specializing in helping people navigate significant life changes, particularly retirement. With her expertise, she helps clients find meaning, purpose, and direction after they retire, addressing the common fear of becoming aimless or disconnected. She emphasizes the importance of not only filling time with activities but also exploring deeper questions about ident...
Jan 16, 2025•35 min
Dec 23, 2024•31 min
“Every client deserves the right to invest according to their values.” This is a quote from one of our guests, Mark Reifer. He's a financial advisor, and certified kingdom advisor (CKA), with a long history of managing portfolios and experience in biblically responsible investing. He emphasizes the importance of asset allocation, strategy, and moral screening in portfolio management. Along with Mark, we are joined by Ben Malick: A chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified kingdom advisor (...
Nov 27, 2024•33 min
In this special edition of the Simplify Your Retirement Podcast, Stephen Stricklin, CFP® President of Wise Wealth, and Vice President Paul Brock discuss the recent 2024 U.S. election and its immediate impact on the stock market. The episode focuses on three key questions people have about investing during election years and the broader economic outlook. 1. Why did the stock market respond favorably to Donald Trump's second-term win? 2. Why didn’t the advisors change investment strategies before ...
Nov 08, 2024•24 min
In this episode, Stephen Stricklin and Paul Brock discuss the importance of providing clients with a balanced approach to investing, focusing on portfolio construction that aligns with both financial goals and values. Guests Ben Malik and Mark Riefer offer their experience and expertise. Ben Malik: A chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified kingdom advisor (CKA), Ben focuses on buildingbiblically responsible portfolios under Bright Portfolios, which balance good returns with ethical inves...
Oct 24, 2024
Many people dismiss reverse mortgages based on misconceptions. Watch & listen to this episode to learn more about the benefits of using a reverse mortgage as a part of your overall financial plan. Meet our guest: HARLAN ACCOLA, National Reverse Mortgage Director, Author of the book, Home Equity and Reverse Mortgages. Harlan Accola has been in the mortgage industry for more than 20 years and is widely recognized as an authority on reverse mortgage loans and retirement finance issues. The most rew...
Oct 10, 2024•38 min
Guest Phil Graham | CEO @ The Beneficiary Liquidity Plan® Phil Graham is the driving force behind the development and innovation of The Beneficiary Liquidity Plan®. Phil brings more than 25 years of financial services experience, with a focus on designing and distributing products through financial advisors. With the Beneficiary Liquidity Plan®, you can help ensure your loved ones have quick, easy access to the funds they need to settle your estate. Many people have faced the burden of paying fo...
Sep 26, 2024•36 min
People often research financial products after hearing about them through various channels, but they may be swayed by either overly positive or negative information. This can lead to risky decisions, as news often highlights sensational or negative stories to attract readers and sell ads. Algorithms amplify confirmation bias by continuously showing users articles that align with their previous clicks, which is why we advocate for principles-based financial planning—principles remain constant eve...
Sep 13, 2024•35 min
It's often said that people spend more time planning vacations than they do for retirement. But just as you wouldn't wing a vacation, retirement planning requires careful consideration. With potential decades ahead, the time invested in planning is relatively short. Therefore, it's crucial to approach retirement seriously, laying out all your desires to ensure they align with your vision. A common mistake is solely focusing on the day you can stop working. While reaching this milestone is signif...
Feb 28, 2024•34 min
In the pursuit of financial freedom, retirement planning often revolves around achieving a specific nest egg or net worth target. However, true fulfillment in retirement extends beyond mere financial security. It encompasses a holistic approach that addresses uncertainties, unforeseen circumstances, and the desire to leave a lasting legacy. In this episode, we discuss the multifaceted aspects of retirement planning, highlighting the importance of proactive decision-making, essential documents, a...
Feb 14, 2024•43 min
Tax Planning: A Lifetime Approach to Minimize Your Taxes In today's episode, we dive into the topic of taxes, drawing inspiration from Benjamin Franklin's famous quote: "There are only two things certain in life, death and taxes." Considering the uncertainty surrounding taxes and the fear it can evoke, we emphasize the importance of having a plan in case of tax increases. While your current tax rate forms the basis of our strategy, we also incorporate a contingency for potential future tax rate ...
Feb 01, 2024•40 min
In this insightful conversation, Stephen Stricklin discusses the complexities of financial planning, focusing on the contrasting viewpoints regarding investments in the stock market and insurance planning. Leveraging his extensive industry experience, Stricklin underscores the significance of crafting a comprehensive plan that seamlessly integrates both aspects. There is an imperative need for objective advice, especially from a firm like Wise Wealth which can objectively navigate the intricacie...
Jan 04, 2024•37 min
Investment Planning: The 2 Key Ingredients to Success Ever wondered what it takes to be a successful stock market investor? In this episode, Stephen Stricklin from Wise Wealth breaks down the two essential ingredients for success: time and discipline. 🔍 Key Takeaways: • Time & Discipline: The foundation of successful stock market investing. • The Three-Bucket Approach: Learn how to allocate your assets strategically. • #GSEL Mission: Discover Wise Wealth's mission—Give, Serve, Enjoy Life. • Sev...
Dec 28, 2023•30 min
Income Planning: Smart Investment Allocations for Maximum Peace of Mind We understand that when retirees have a well-thought-out plan, they are more likely to experience true freedom. The ultimate goal of our retirement planning efforts is to achieve this freedom, enabling individuals to give, serve, and enjoy life without constraints. Once a plan is established for each of these six areas: liquidity, income, growth, tax, legacy, and insurance, true freedom becomes attainable. Our concept of fre...
Dec 06, 2023•40 min
In planning for retirement, creating a budget is crucial for ensuring financial security and making work optional. The simplified approach involves dividing assets into three buckets: one for liquid expenses, another for income, and the third for growth. The budget, a formal plan for managing monthly income, helps avoid overspending and provides the freedom to enjoy retirement. Key points on budgeting for retirement: Living Expenses vs. Lifestyle Expenses: Distinguish between essential living ex...
Nov 22, 2023•34 min
Liquidity Planning: How to Plan for Short-Term Needs and Where to Invest Liquidity is important for everyone, no matter what phase of investing you are in. If you anticipate needing your money within the next five years, it should be readily accessible. The primary objective is to ensure the protection of your income stream and have assets at your disposal. It’s impossible to grow your income, draw an income stream, and keep it liquid all in one portfolio. In our 3-bucket approach, funds are dis...
Nov 08, 2023•42 min
In this episode, we take a big-picture view of what planning is, and what a retirement plan should include. Products are not a plan. Someone may think they have a plan because they have a 401(k), pension, or insurance policy in place. Or they plan to get a little more conservative over time with their portfolio. Each of those things may be part of a plan, but they are actually products, they are not a plan. Hope is not a plan. When you go to a traditional financial planning firm that is not a sp...
Oct 25, 2023•33 min
A Retirement Plan That Leads to Confidence If you have a plan that’s simple and easy to understand, implement, and follow, you will feel better about your retirement plan. This, after all, is the overarching goal of everything we do: to instill confidence in your financial future. In a landscape where many financial advisors tend to make things needlessly complex, it's essential for everyone to be able to understand their retirement plan. To be successful in retirement you have to take action, a...
Oct 18, 2023•31 min
In today’s episode, the last of Season 4, Stephen Stricklin, along with Paul Brock, answer FAQ’s surrounding retirement planning. In addition to their answers in this episode, we encourage you to look back through the seasons to gain more clarity! One listener asks, “Do you see value in splitting accounts over a few different advisors?” Stephen says with multiple advisors working with the same client, you can end up with similar portfolios, and that may not be as diversified as you’d think. In a...
Jun 20, 2022•40 min
Have you ever considered the views of the companies you’ve invested in? Do they align with yours? Join Stephen Stricklin and Paul Brock, along with guests Ben Malick and David Sandhu, as they discuss Biblically Responsible Investing. Ben and David have years of financial experience with Wise Wealth, and in this episode, offer clarity on how we can make good decisions when it comes to thinking biblically about our investments. As an investor, you must screen for companies that take into account t...
Jun 06, 2022•39 min
You may have heard the terms “fee” and “cost” used as synonyms, but there is a distinction that could make all the difference in the world of investing. In this episode, Stephen Stricklin and Paul Brock discuss three major misconceptions many people have about fees and costs. A fee is something you can “see,” usually in plain sight, and made known up front, sometimes deterring an individual from taking the plunge. A cost is something you can “feel,” usually not laid out clearly in a statement, b...
May 16, 2022•38 min
Are there better uses for your home equity? In today’s episode special guest Gabrielle Welter, along with host Stephen Stricklin, discuss everything reverse mortgages. Gabrielle is a reverse mortgage specialist in the Chicago area, and with 11 years experience in the financial industry, she has a lot to share. Gabrielle debunks the negative connotation that a reverse mortgage is the “loan of last resort.” She gives an in depth look into how a reverse mortgage can enhance your retirement portfoli...
May 02, 2022•34 min
Host Stephen Stricklin and Co-Host Paul Brock take on the topic of taxes in retirement in today’s episode, appropriately released on the tax filing deadline date of 2021. An exciting day for some, and dreaded for others, it’s a reality of our financial life we cannot avoid, and certainly a factor to consider when planning for retirement. Stephen and Paul take a deep dive into some tax lingo. They bring listeners through five topics pertaining to taxes and retirement: Tax Planning, Effective vs. ...
Apr 18, 2022•38 min
Retirement is not a cliff to jump off of, but an opportunity to build bridges grounded with your values and strengths. In this episode, Stephen Stricklin is joined by guest Samantha Lane, an Associate Certified Coach who most often works with men and women making the huge transition to retirement. Samantha is passionate about helping individuals through major life changes, and being a guiding light for clients to find balance and satisfaction in their life as retirees. Samantha walks us through ...
Apr 04, 2022•33 min
Joining host Stephen Stricklin is guest Mark Willis, financial advisor and owner of Late Growth Financial Services in Chicago IL, and Co-Host of his podcast Not Your Average Financial Podcast, on the topic of banking on yourself. Graduating college with an immense amount of debt, and starting a new job at a CPA firm during the 2008 stock market collapse, Mark wondered “Is there something better than just climbing out of this hole?” Knowing debt is important to move past, but not wanting to throw...
Mar 21, 2022•36 min
Joining Stephen Stricklin for another podcast episode is our guest, David Rosell, financial planner, president and founder of Rosell Wealth Management, author of Failure Is Not an Option, and avid traveler. They discuss common risks that you should consider when planning for retirement. Risks that occur in the distribution phase of retirement are inevitable. It’s up to us to be prepared with a plan when we meet these risks. The most common risks that people run into are inflation risk, interest ...
Mar 07, 2022•31 min
Stephen Stricklin is joined by guest David Rosell, financial planner, president and founder of Rosell Wealth Management, author of Failure Is Not an Option, and world-wide traveler, as they discuss the reality of planning for retirement. In his book, David combines his two passions, travel stories, and financial survival tips. He ties in his mountain climbing and travel adventures, with impactful advice about retirement. David says FEAR, False Evidence Appearing Real, is our worst enemy. Fear di...
Feb 21, 2022•30 min
