Pre-funeral planning is an important part of a comprehensive financial plan, helping ensure your wishes are clearly documented and your loved ones are supported when the time comes. While these conversations can be difficult, planning ahead provides peace of mind, creates greater cost predictability, eases stress for family members during an emotional time, and helps protect estate assets.

In this episode of By Your Side Chats, Jessica Geary, Chief Planning Officer, is joined by Maria Graziano-Bickerstaff of Hartman-Graziano Funeral Home, Inc. to discuss the decisions and options available when preparing for final expenses and arrangements. Together, they explore ways to budget for these costs, funding strategies that can fit within a broader financial plan, and practical steps you can take to ensure your wishes are known and your family is cared for.

Whether your goal is to put a plan in place now or simply better understand the options available for the future, this conversation offers thoughtful guidance to help you move forward when the time feels right.

The excitement surrounding SpaceX’s IPO has reignited one of investing’s oldest questions: when does enthusiasm create opportunity—and when does it create risk? In this episode of By Your Side Chats, Chief Investment Officer, William Urbanik sits down with special guest Michael Arone, CFA, Chief Investment Strategist at State Street Global Advisors, one of the investment industry’s most respected market commentators and thought leaders, for an engaging discussion on IPOs, stock valuation, and the lessons market history can teach investors about chasing excitement.

Together, they explore why some of history’s most celebrated IPOs struggled before becoming long-term winners, how investors can evaluate whether a stock’s price reflects reality or optimism, and why patience is often one of the most valuable investment disciplines. Whether you've been following the SpaceX story—or wondering about future IPOs from companies like OpenAI and other innovators—this episode offers valuable perspective on separating excitement from sound investment decision-making.

For many investors, there comes a point when traditional stocks and bonds are no longer the only conversation worth having. On June 17, Jessica Geary, Chief Planning Officer, welcomed Chris Norris from T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc. for her live By Your Side Chat discussing accredited investor opportunities and where they may fit within a broader financial plan.

In this podcast episode, they explore how alternative investments may help address challenges such as concentrated wealth, portfolio customization, tax efficiency, and diversification—and why these conversations often arise as wealth grows and financial complexity increases.

The discussion also breaks down what it means to be an accredited investor, including income and net worth requirements, why qualification standards exist, and why certain investment conversations cannot happen until those requirements are met.From private investment opportunities and portfolio allocation considerations to liquidity, risk, and funding sources within an existing portfolio, Jessica and Chris unpack when alternative strategies may deserve consideration—and when they may not.

As always, the goal isn’t to chase complexity for complexity’s sake. It’s to understand the available tools and how thoughtful planning can create more options over time.

During his June 10th By Your Side Chat, Chief Investment Officer William Urbanik, MBA welcomed Trevor Yates of Global X ETFs for a conversation on emerging markets, commodities, and recent portfolio adjustments within select SHC strategies. From the copper mines of South America to the rapidly growing economies of Colombia, India, Vietnam, and Greece, they explore how global capital is flowing beyond traditional U.S. markets. They also discuss the investment case for areas such as copper, silver, and other critical resources, why these themes have earned a place in certain SHC portfolios, and how our team seeks to uncover opportunities wherever they may exist. As always, William connects headlines to disciplined portfolio decisions—not emotions. Because markets don’t reward optimism or pessimism. They reward preparation.

Chief Planning Officer Jessica Geary, CFP® invited guests John Yun and CaReece Norris from Capital Group (American Funds) on her May 19th By Your Side Chat to explore how 529 plans can do far more than simply save for college. From tax advantages and estate planning opportunities to Roth IRA rollovers and trade school flexibility, they discuss strategies families can use to build meaningful financial opportunities for future generations.

Please note, at minute mark 14:40, technically CollegeAmerica accounts do have a limited time period.  Account owners have 30 years from the later of 1) when the account was opened or 2) when the beneficiary graduates high school to either use the funds within the account or designate a new beneficiary.  The change of beneficiary restarts the 30 year time period.

During his May 5th By Your Side Chat, our Chief Investment Officer William Urbanik invited Dan Braz of State Street Investment Advisors for a compelling conversation on how shifting leadership is creating new opportunities, how sector trends are evolving and what it means for investors today. William took a deeper look at how we are identifying leadership, repositioning portfolios and staying adaptable in changing conditions.