Your Life, Simplified

If you’ve always wanted to give back to the community where you live and work, but wonder how to get started, learn strategies from Katie Dunn Fitzgerald, principal and senior wealth consultant at Mariner Wealth Advisors, who joined us to talk about how to find an organization to volunteer your time for that’s fits your interests, aligns with your values and operates with integrity.

We’ve all seen the automotive industry headlines lately; chip shortages and used car scarcities, to name a few. In this episode, we invited back John M. Vincent, an automotive consumer advice writer with U.S. News & World Report, to discuss challenges manufacturers face, how to take advantage of the current car market and his thoughts on electric vehicles.

When it comes to multi-generational wealth planning and how prepared children and grandchildren are to receive an inheritance, there are a few key concepts to keep in mind. We invite Chad Hamilton of our practice management team to discuss setting up a goals-based, comprehensive foundation of education. Included in this groundwork discussion are building blocks of debt, cash flow management, investment 101 and insurance.

If you or someone you know is just getting started on the financial paths of life, there are many routes to choose and potholes to avoid. We invite a group of our advisors to sit down and share some tips on how to thoughtfully build wealth based on conversations they’ve had with their clients and experiences in their own lives. From recognizing the difference between good debt and bad debt, to best practices for budgeting, this conversation offers five actionable steps that can be taken to begin building wealth today.

When looking for ways to improve success within an organization or business, individuals may consider reaching out to a consultant for recommendations. Another avenue for this goal, that employs a more collaborative approach, is leadership coaching. We invite Teresa Carey, CEO  and president of PerformancePointe, to discuss the key differences between consulting and coaching, describes methods she uses to work alongside executives and offer some general advice for business success.

Blockchain, cryptocurrency, Digital Ledger Technology. These terms are becoming commonplace in the news cycle, on social media and even in casual conversation, but digital assets can be a very complex topic. So, we invited Scott Duba, portfolio manager and director of our investments team, to give us an introduction to the realm of digital assets and what to think about when considering investing in this asset class.

The ongoing pandemic has changed the way we travel and many are changing their approach to transportation, like driving or taking the train. Before you book your next trip, tune in as we invite Erika Richter, with the American society of Travel Advisors to share travel tips like planning ahead and hiring a travel agent who can help you navigate COVID restrictions that vary by state and internationally.

There are currently nine states that have no income tax, which can be an enticing reason to move to one of them – especially for retirees. But are tax advantages on their own a good reason for you to move to Alaska? On this episode, we invited Patrick Kimbrough, managing director of our Dallas, Texas office, to share a more comprehensive view of considerations before packing up for another state.

In the realm of managing finances, there are some key issues that are unique to women. Whether that be considerations around the fact that they statistically live longer than men or why it's important women are empowered to take control of their financial future. Recently, several of our wealth advisors joined together to discuss how women can address these challenges and take control of their finances.  

As students are preparing for their final year of high school and where life may take them after that, many turn their eyes toward going to college. Getting accepted into the school of their dreams can be stressful enough, but then you have to think about how – and who – is going to pay for it. We invite Cozy Wittman, of College Inside Track, to share best practices on financing college, including what scholarships to seek, tips for filling out the FAFSA and how to make your student a more compelling applicant. She also shares her own personal experience of sending 5 of her own children off to college.  

Proper hydration is essential to our overall well-being, especially after being physically active. Whether a professional athlete or a weekend warrior in your local gym, your body needs to rehydrate in order to recover. We invite Anthony Wolfe MS, a senior scientist at Gatorade Sports Science Institute, to share how hydration – whether water or a sports drink – is essential in staying healthy and keeping your muscles, including your brain, in top shape. Plus, he explores the science behind what a sports drink provides over water.   

If you own a business, planning for the transfer of ownership is something that you’ll eventually need to consider. While giving up that ownership may not be an easy consideration, our guest, Rochelle Clarke, Business Transition specialist and CEO of Succession Strength, offers guidance on things you should be considering and how to make the transfer of your business go more smoothly. In this episode, we discuss examining the strengths of potential successors, preparing them for the position and other factors of the process.

Have you ever wanted to ask a professional vintner what, regardless of cost, makes a good wine or what effect the winemaking process has on the overall taste? On this episode, we invite Kelly Trevethan, co-founder of AXR Napa Valley, to talk about his experience and history with wine that goes back to his Italian grandfather who was also a winemaker. Whether your current preference is red, white or rosé, Kelly encourages us to continue exploring regions and varietals as he shares his passion for wine with us.

Social Security is something we see taken out of each paycheck, but what does that mean exactly? And, will there be any money left in the Social Security coffer when you’re ready to retire? For many, the benefits, and when to take them, can be confusing. On this episode, we invite Joe Hendrix, of Mariner Wealth Advisors, to simplify this topic for us and offer considerations on your personal plan.

Many individuals who invest would like to know how their dollar is being put to work while in the market. Is it supporting a company who’s values align with their own? We turned a recent socially responsible investing webinar into our latest Your Life, Simplified podcast. Our host, George Fernandez along with the panel of Brad Rollins, vice president of investment operations, Ken Powell, senior equities portfolio manager and Andy Garrison, senior wealth advisor, discuss how you can align your values with your investing strategies, what opportunities are available and how you can take action. 

Even before the pandemic, working from home has become a norm in our society. Whether you do your job from a home office full-time, or have a temporary setup during an unexpected shift in your routine, there are impacts to your overall health that you should consider. We invite Samantha Cooper Cauthon, facility manager & physical therapist at Athletico, to join us in a discussion about ways to improve your workspace, routines to employ and other tips for working from home in a health-conscious manner.

Could stress and environmental factors be derailing our desire to lead a healthy life? On this episode, we invite Sheri Stinson, registered dietician, to discuss societal influences on our health and how nutritional needs ebb and flow based on outside stressors we face on a day-to-day basis. She also explores common errors made when setting weight loss goals, dieting fads, tips for success and how a healthy diet is only part of the puzzle when constructing a healthy lifestyle.

We live in a digital age where constantly sharing photos with friends and family over social media is the norm. Who else, besides friends and family, is seeing your posts? On this episode, Leah Plunkett, law professor and author of Sharenthood, speaks about the impact sharing information about your children online could have down the road. From privacy settings to location services and user agreements, Leah shares examples of the ways we may be over-sharenting and not know it. 

As we approach the holidays and gather with family, feelings of gratitude and sharing often arise. In thinking about ways to give back, we’ve invited Andy Garrison, of Mariner Wealth Advisors, to talk about how he’s helped his clients with impact investing. For those who are investing already but would like to make a difference while doing so, Andy shares how to think about putting dollars to work in a way that shapes the community and is socially responsible.

Most of us know at least the basics of softball, volleyball and lacrosse and that the team with the most points wins. Athletes Unlimited has introduced a new scoring model for professional athletes that goes beyond the points on the scoreboard. In this episode, Scott Sturgeon invites Haylie Wagner, a professional softball player with Athletes Unlimited, to share how they play differs from a typical softball game, her journey to becoming a professional athlete and what she’s learned along the way.