About Don Gleason: Don Gleason, CEO and President of Achieve New Heights, leverages his passion to 'help people find the career that energizes them and the life that fulfills them.' He discovered early on his passion to 'clean America’s waters' and later to 'lead teams to new heights.' After 42 years in military and corporate leadership positions, he now helps others find their passion, as many know the destination but not the path.

In this episode, Shawn and Don Gleason discuss:

• The importance of early retirement planning and financial readiness
• Balancing personal health and financial strategies in retirement
• Personal growth through self-assessment and accountability practices
• Mitigating risks in retirement and protecting against market volatility

Key Takeaways:

• Starting retirement planning by age 40 allows for the benefits of compounding and lowers the risk of financial strain, as waiting until later years significantly limits financial growth potential.
• Balancing a financial retirement plan with healthcare preparation is crucial, as both health maintenance and potential rising healthcare costs become essential factors in financial stability.
• Regular self-assessment, including identifying personal successes and gaps, enables individuals to make better life and career adjustments, which ultimately supports more fulfilling retirements.
• Establishing multiple income sources—such as pensions, Social Security, savings, and personal investments—adds resilience to a retirement plan and helps ensure that financial goals can be met despite market fluctuations.

"You don't wander into success. Success comes from planning—figuring out where I want to go, what I want to do, and how to get there." — Don Gleason

Connect with Don Gleason:

Website: https://achievenewheights.com/

Email: dgleason2009@hotmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-gleason/

Get a free copy of Shawn’s book “The Priority of Retirement” here- https://www.retirewisepro.com/the-priority-of-retirement

Contact Shawn:

Website- https://www.retirewisepro.com/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIMGdosN-snkV5gFt7FRSg

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-maloney-retire-wise

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/retirewise_llc/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ShawnMaloney.RetirementPlanning/

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Ben Tuscai: Ben Tuscai is the Vice President of Financial Planning and a Wealth Advisor at Sunpointe Investments, where he focuses on helping Family Office and Wealth Management clients create personalized financial plans. He believes that understanding each individual involved is essential to successful planning. Ben holds an undergraduate degree from Immaculata University and a Master’s in Public Administration from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Before joining Sunpointe, he spent seven years at The Vanguard Group, coaching advisors on financial planning, investments, and business management, and he is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional.

In this episode, Shawn and Ben Tuscai discuss:

• Personalization in financial planning
• The evolving role of technology in financial advising
• Generational wealth and family office complexities
• Changing landscape of retirement planning

Key Takeaways:

• Tailoring financial advice requires a balance of structured questions and allowing conversations to develop naturally, ensuring each client’s unique emotional and financial concerns are addressed.
• Financial advisors today are expected to handle a wider range of services, from traditional investment advice to more complex issues like student loan forgiveness or tax planning, due to the increased expectations from clients.
• Managing wealth in family offices involves addressing concerns about wealth transfer across generations, ensuring that education and financial discipline are imparted to younger family members to avoid entitlement.
• The financial planning profession now requires constant adaptation and learning, with changes in tax laws, retirement account regulations, and technology shaping how advisors provide value to clients.

"As technology continues to progress, we're going to see ourselves continue to branch into other areas." — Ben Tuscai

Connect with Ben Tuscai:

Website: https://sunpointeinvestments.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bentuscai/

Get a free copy of Shawn’s book “The Priority of Retirement” here- https://www.retirewisepro.com/the-priority-of-retirement

Contact Shawn:

Website- https://www.retirewisepro.com/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIMGdosN-snkV5gFt7FRSg

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-maloney-retire-wise

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/retirewise_llc/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ShawnMaloney.RetirementPlanning/

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Ron Blue: Ron Blue is the founder of the Ron Blue Institute and several other organizations, including Ronald Blue Trust, Kingdom Advisors (KA), and the National Christian Foundation (NCF). KA trains Christian financial professionals to integrate biblical wisdom, and NCF helps people develop biblically-based strategies for faithful and generous living. Ron has authored over twenty books on personal finance from a Biblical perspective. The Ron Blue Institute supports Christian universities, churches, schools, and financial professionals globally, sharing Ron’s decades of expertise through publications, curriculum development, courses, and consultations.

In this episode, Shawn and Ron Blue discuss:

• Integrating biblical principles into financial decisions
• The role of generosity and financial stewardship in personal and spiritual growth
• Viewing financial decisions as spiritual choices
• Collaborating with educational and religious institutions

Key Takeaways:

• Biblical financial literacy is essential, with over 2,300 Bible verses on money, illustrating the importance of understanding and applying scriptural principles in making sound financial decisions.
• Achieving contentment and generosity requires intentional limits, such as setting a "finish line" on lifestyle and accumulation, which allows individuals to focus more on giving and less on personal wealth.
• Viewing financial decisions as spiritual choices encourages individuals to see actions like tithing, spending, or saving as reflections of their faith and values, aligning their money management with biblical teachings.
• The Ron Blue Institute's partnerships with universities and churches are key in expanding access to financial education, using biblical principles to teach individuals how to manage money wisely while integrating faith-based wisdom into their financial lives.

"Generosity and financial stewardship are outcomes of a transformed heart." — Ron Blue

Connect with Ron Blue:

Website: https://ronblueinstitute.com/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001IU0O5M

Get a free copy of Shawn’s book “The Priority of Retirement” here- https://www.retirewisepro.com/the-priority-of-retirement

Contact Shawn:

Website- https://www.retirewisepro.com/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIMGdosN-snkV5gFt7FRSg

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-maloney-retire-wise

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/retirewise_llc/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ShawnMaloney.RetirementPlanning/

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Stephen Kates: Stephen Kates is a Certified Financial Planner® with over 15 years of experience in wealth management and financial planning. As the Principal Financial Analyst for Annuity.org and RetireGuide.com, he offers strategic insights on market trends and investment strategies. Stephen is also the Founder of Clocktower Financial Consulting, LLC, and has previously served as Head of Financial Planning for Advisor.com. His expertise has been featured on major media platforms including Fox Business, CBS News, and Newsweek.

In this episode, Shawn and Stephen Kates discuss:

• The importance of risk management in retirement planning
• Balancing growth and stability in retirement income
• The growing role of annuities
• Financial literacy’s role in retirement success

Key Takeaways:

• Managing risk in financial planning is crucial, as retirees who are overly exposed to high-growth investments may face significant emotional and financial stress during market downturns, requiring careful reassessment of their portfolios.
• Essential expenses in retirement should be safeguarded by guaranteed income sources such as annuities or Social Security to reduce the reliance on volatile markets, allowing retirees more confidence in maintaining their financial security.
• Those who are approaching retirement should focus on adjusting their strategies by balancing growth with protection, ensuring that their retirement portfolios offer both flexibility and stability during uncertain economic times.
• Financial literacy is an indispensable tool for making informed financial decisions, as people must be able to identify reliable information and avoid the pitfalls of misleading advice or scams in an era of overwhelming digital content.

"Having some level of financial literacy... is going to allow younger people to not go down some road, get scammed, you know, do something silly." — Stephen Kates

Connect with Stephen Kates:

Website: www.Annuity.org & www.StephenKates.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kates-cfp

Get a free copy of Shawn’s book “The Priority of Retirement” here- https://www.retirewisepro.com/the-priority-of-retirement

Contact Shawn:

Website- https://www.retirewisepro.com/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIMGdosN-snkV5gFt7FRSg

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-maloney-retire-wise

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/retirewise_llc/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ShawnMaloney.RetirementPlanning/

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Shane Whybrew: Shane Whybrew is the Vice President of the Financial Wisdom Network at the Ron Blue Institute. With over 30 years of experience in development, fundraising, and pastoral roles, Shane has dedicated his career to helping others understand biblical financial wisdom and grow in their stewardship and generosity. His journey included pioneering financial principles at Grace Church in Noblesville, Indiana, and building a strong relationship with the Ron Blue Institute. Shane enjoys the sales process and takes pride in helping others impact their communities and the world through effective stewardship.

In this episode, Shawn and Shane Whybrew discuss:

• Biblical principles in financial decision-making
• The role of the church in financial stewardship
• Educational outreach by the Ron Blue Institute
• The 4H framework for financial wisdom

Key Takeaways:

• The Ron Blue Institute collaborates with eight large churches in the U.S. to pilot a financial discipleship program integrating biblical principles into church ministry, going beyond traditional stewardship sermons and financial classes.
• The 4H framework (Heart, Health, Habits, Hope) serves as a practical tool for individuals to make financial decisions that are aligned with their faith, using scriptural references to provide guidance and reinforce a biblically-informed approach to money management.
• Ron Blue advocates for five core principles of biblical financial management—spend less than you earn, avoid debt, build financial margin, set long-term goals, and give generously—that are universally applicable across all income levels and provide a solid foundation for achieving financial stability.
• Emphasizing the belief that all possessions are ultimately owned by God and that individuals are merely stewards of these resources, the Ron Blue Institute encourages a shift in financial behavior towards managing money wisely and aligning financial practices with Christian faith.

"All financial behavior follows a belief system... So what the 4H tool is represented to do is to take the way that we can talk about how you and I make financial decisions and align it with our faith." — Shane Whybrew

Connect with Shane Whybrew:

Website: www.ronblueinstitute.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanewhybrew/

The Four Hs of Financial Wisdom: https://ronblueinstitute.com/fourhtool/

Get a free copy of Shawn’s book “The Priority of Retirement” here- https://www.retirewisepro.com/the-priority-of-retirement

Contact Shawn:

Website- https://www.retirewisepro.com/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIMGdosN-snkV5gFt7FRSg

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-maloney-retire-wise

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/retirewise_llc/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ShawnMaloney.RetirementPlanning/

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.