How Did We Get Here?

In this episode, Mark and Jess talk to Sam Rook, a Canadian financial advisor who went from studying physical education to becoming a go-to expert in cross-border and founder of Bird’s Eye Wealth. How did that happen? A $10,000 investment, and an inspiring mentor who changed his path forever.

In this episode:

- Sam’s career switch from teaching to wealth management 

- Why he left a big firm to start his own business 

- What U.S. advisors must know about Canadian clients

- Why hiring outside the industry creates more impactful marketing

Sometimes, the best opportunities come when you take a risk. Listen now! 

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Sam Rook on LinkedIn

Bird’s Eye Wealth Planners

Jess Bost on LinkedIn

Lake Avenue Financial

Mark Newfield on LinkedIn

Journey Strategic Wealth

Kathi Balasek shares her remarkable journey from flunking college, becoming a physical education teacher and then eventually, a grief expert. Kathi demonstrates how seemingly unrelated skills create a unique path for helping others navigate loss.

Key Takeaways:

• Grief is not a competition – "the only loss that matters is your loss"

• Focusing on emotions rather than comparing experiences creates connection

• How financial professionals can support grieving clients

Whether you're navigating personal grief or supporting someone through loss, this conversation offers practical wisdom for showing up when life gets messy.

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Kathi Balasek on LinkedIn

Kathi’s Website

Jess Bost on LinkedIn

Lake Avenue Financial

Mark Newfield on LinkedIn

Journey Strategic Wealth

Matt Zeigler’s journey shows the power of curiosity and adaptability in navigating one's career through uncertainties. From his unexpected pivots during the global financial crisis to initiating his podcast "Just Press Record," Matt emphasizes the importance of embracing chaos as a path to growth.

Key takeaways:

• Resilience during the global financial crisis

• Turning career challenges into opportunities

• The power of curiosity

• The value of non-traditional networking

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Matt Zeigler on LinkedIn

Sunpointe Investments

Cultish Creative

Jess Bost on LinkedIn

Lake Avenue Financial

Mark Newfield on LinkedIn

Journey Strategic Wealth

Matt Zeigler started out as a guitarist, hustling to make it in the music industry. Then, the dawn of the internet sent him along a different path, to financial services. He talks about how he was able to see his ADHD as a strength, and inspires listeners to embrace setbacks and not be afraid to pivot towards finding their passions.

Key Takeaways:

• Matt's transition from music to finance

• Happiness in the workplace as a catalyst for change

• Overcoming career setbacks and rejections

• Harnessing ADHD as a unique strength

• Lessons learned on resilience 

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Matt Zeigler on LinkedIn

Sunpointe Investments

Cultish Creative

Jess Bost on LinkedIn

Lake Avenue Financial

Mark Newfield on LinkedIn

Journey Strategic Wealth

Cris Wallace shares his remarkable journey from being a plant manager to becoming a dedicated financial planner. We discuss his motivations, the challenges he faced, and how relationships and understanding emotions around money can lead to success in financial advising.

Key Takeaways:

• Cris’s shift from plant management to financial planning

• The inspiration behind helping others financially

• Challenges and fulfillment in making career transitions

• Importance of relationships and trust in financial advising

• Addressing retirement fears and spending strategies

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Cris Wallace on LinkedIn

WG Financial Group

Jess Bost on LinkedIn

Lake Avenue Financial

Mark Newfield on LinkedIn

Journey Strategic Wealth

Justin Carbonneau’s journey from track and field to military service to the world of finance is a powerful example of turning challenges into opportunities. Justin has had to navigate tough transitions, from a demanding New York City internship to managing financial crises. Whether it’s finding encouragement online or the power of teamwork, his story shows how resilience and the right relationships can shape a rewarding career path. 

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Justin Carbonneau on LinkedIn

Validea

Validea Capital Management

Justin’s Blog

Jess Bost on LinkedIn

Lake Avenue Financial

Mark Newfield on LinkedIn

Journey Strategic Wealth

In this episode, we chat with Ryan Krueger about how discomfort can lead to real growth. Ryan shares his thoughts on staying positive, finding joy in your work, and creating success that aligns with your values. We also talk about how challenges can teach us important lessons and why discomfort is often the key to becoming stronger and more resilient. It's a warm and inspiring conversation filled with practical insights for navigating life and work.

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Ryan Krueger on LinkedIn

Ryan Krueger on X

Freedom Day Solutions

Jess Bost on LinkedIn

Lake Avenue Financial

Mark Newfield on LinkedIn

Journey Strategic Wealth

Referenced in our conversation:

Ryan Krueger’s letter to his daughter

Today we chat with Julie Johnson, a financial advisor turned mentor, as she shares her journey of helping families and advisors navigate the challenges of wealth transfer. Julie blends empathy and expertise, shaped by her own personal experiences, in a fresh perspective to managing finances across generations.

We also explore the growing role of women in finance, the importance of mental health, and the concept of "funded contentment"—a balance between financial security and living a fulfilled life. 

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Julie Johnson on LinkedIn

XY Communication

Jess Bost on LinkedIn

Lake Avenue Financial

Mark Newfield on LinkedIn

Journey Strategic Wealth

Referenced in our conversation:

Warren Buffett's Shareholder Letter 

What makes someone trade academia for financial advising during a recession? In this episode, we sit down with Morgan Ranstrom as he takes us through his remarkable journey from theology to finance. Combining technical skills with a deep understanding of human behavior, Morgan proves that financial planning is about more than numbers—it’s about people.

From navigating life transitions to balancing risk and reward, Morgan shares insights that go beyond investments, inspiring advisors and clients alike.

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Morgan Ranstrom on LinkedIn

Trailhead Planners

Jess Bost on LinkedIn

Lake Avenue Financial

Mark Newfield on LinkedIn

Journey Strategic Wealth

Imagine starting a law firm with just a laptop and an iPhone. That’s exactly what Van Smith did! In this episode, Van shares how he grew his Virginia-based firm from scratch into a team of 30. His background wasn’t entrepreneurial at all, but after tackling challenges like undergrad during 9/11, a stint in Baghdad, and the 2008 financial crisis after law school—Van dug in and simply got to work. 

In this episode we talk about:

• Turning life’s chaos into growth.
• Smart financial habits that build long-term success.
• The power of starting small and staying consistent.

Whether you’re dreaming of starting something new or just want to make better decisions, Van’s story is full of practical tips and inspiration.

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Van Smith on LinkedIn

Smith | Strong, PLC

Jess Bost on LinkedIn

Lake Avenue Financial

Mark Newfield on LinkedIn

Journey Strategic Wealth