In episode two of It’s 4 O’Clock Somewhere, Marc Shaffer and I are back

with another happy hour conversation that technically starts at 8:37 a.m., because details are overrated.

This month, we cover everything from Fourth of July plans, Taylor and Travis wedding rumors, and Marc’s possible Patrick Mahomes sighting at T-ball, to the surprisingly deep life lessons you can learn from watching four-year-olds run to third base after hitting the ball.

We also talk about getting the reps in: on stage, in leadership, in networking, in fitness, and in life. Marc shares upcoming speaking engagements with Kansas State and Collab Culture, while I talk about getting back on stage with a job-search talk for the Kansas City International Association of Business Communicators.

Along the way, we discuss walking for mental clarity, swimming muscles Marc forgot he had, Beegles “Beags” Milford’s incredible leadership journey, Searcy Financial’s hiring plans, and a few upcoming Corporate Couch guests.

It’s part career advice, part parenting survival guide, part leadership conversation, and part “did we just start happy hour before breakfast?”

Pull up a chair. It’s 4 o’clock somewhere.

Searcy Financial is gearing up to celebrate 50 years of service. Don’t miss out on any of the excitement! To sign up for information on Marc’s book, “One for All,” including where to buy and exclusive website content, or to sign up for the Searcy Financial Wealth Matters email newsletter, use the links below:

- Marc's Book "One for All": Keep Me Updated!

- "Wealth Matters" newsletter: Sign Me Up!

The opinions expressed herein are those of certain Searcy Financial Services, Inc. personnel and are subject to change without notice. The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication and are subject to revision due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Any opinions, promotion, endorsement, projections, or forward-looking statements expressed herein are solely those of the author, may differ from the views or opinions expressed by other areas of the firm, and are only for general informational purposes as of the date indicated. Searcy Financial Services, Inc. was not compensated, nor are there material conflicts of interest that would affect the given statement.

This episode was originally released under The Corporate Couch podcast series in June 2025

Marc Shaffer returns for round four of It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere, the recurring happy hour-style Special Edition of The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends. It’s the kind of conversation that flows between business, family, books, and community, with a splash of margarita-shirt energy.

Marc opens up about how becoming a dad to two young children has transformed the way he works, delegates, and protects his time. He also shares reflections from The Five Regrets of the Dying and how that book is shaping both his life and leadership philosophy.

Jeff talks about Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be, a powerful little book by Steven Pressfield (author of The War of Art, Do the Work, and The Legend of Bagger Vance, and many others). Jeff also shares what it meant to be a guest on Rounding the Bases, the long-running podcast hosted by Kansas City’s own "Podfather," Joel Goldberg.

This episode covers the generational challenges facing today’s leaders, the value of scheduling emails, and the importance of showing up for yourself and your community. Whether you're tuning in from your desk, your deck, or the “water gym,” one thing’s for sure: it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere.

This was originally released in May 2025 as a Special Edition of The Corporate Couch Podcast.

In this third Special Edition of It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere, Marc Shaffer and I enhance our usual conversation by doing what any good happy hour calls for: sipping a cold beer. From deep work strategies and smart calendar hacks to journaling habits and our favorite recent reads, this episode is packed with personal insights and practical takeaways.

We also swap stories about standout people we’ve recently met, the power of connecting others, and the local causes we’re proud to support. It’s a relaxed and real look at what’s working in our lives—and how sharing ideas over a beer can lead to better thinking, better planning, and better community.

The opinions expressed herein are those of certain Searcy Financial Services, Inc. personnel and are subject to change without notice. The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication and are subject to revision due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Any opinions, promotion, endorsement, projections, or forward-looking statements expressed herein are solely those of the author, may differ from the views or opinions expressed by other areas of the firm, and are only for general informational purposes as of the date indicated. Searcy Financial Services, Inc. was not compensated, nor are there material conflicts of interest that would affect the given statement.

This episode was originally released under The Corporate Couch podcast series in April 2025

In this second installment of our It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere series, Marc Shaffer and I kick back for another happy hour-style conversation—no scripts, no slides—just two friends swapping stories, ideas, and what’s working for us in business and life.

We cover everything from the value of connecting people and respecting your time to why your calendar system might be secretly ruining your productivity. We discuss the benefits of using ChatGPT compared to Claude AI. Also, Marc shares how he’s automating meeting notes with AI and how it’s changed how he shows up for clients, board meetings, and his 1:1 coffees (Hint: It's either at Pilgrim Coffee or McLain's :-).

We also talk:

The power of saying “yes” (without burning out)

How connecting the right people can open the biggest doors

National Infertility Week and Marc’s personal journey with IVF

Whether a downtown Royals stadium might actually get us to more games

The HEMP (https://www.hempkc.org/) Super Connector Lunch – What we learned, who we met, and why KC's entrepreneurial scene is on fire.

If you’ve ever felt stretched thin but still want to make a meaningful impact, this episode is for you. It’s part insight, part therapy, and part “why didn’t I think of that?”, all in the spirit of helping others while enjoying the journey.

Grab a drink, hit play, and eavesdrop on a conversation that might change how you approach time, tech, and your next connection.

This episode is brought to you by Searcy Financial. Your financial future begins with a simple question: Where do you want to be? At Searcy Financial, we help successful individuals and families through our mission to simplify your financial journey, empowering you to enjoy life and wealth on your terms. The question sparks a conversation that goes beyond numbers, helping us understand what truly matters to you and the kind of financial plan that aligns with your life goals. It also allows us to identify potential challenges and opportunities so we can proactively address them. The outcome is a plan that empowers you to acquire, grow, and preserve your wealth.

Searcy Financial is gearing up to celebrate 50 years of service. Don’t miss out on any of the excitement! To sign up for information on Marc’s book, “One for All,” including where to buy and exclusive website content, or to sign up for the Searcy Financial Wealth Matters email newsletter, use the links below:

- Marc's Book "One for All": Keep Me Updated!

- "Wealth Matters" newsletter: Sign Me Up!

The opinions expressed herein are those of certain Searcy Financial Services, Inc. personnel and are subject to change without notice. The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication and are subject to revision due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Any opinions, promotion, endorsement, projections, or forward-looking statements expressed herein are solely those of the author, may differ from the views or opinions expressed by other areas of the firm, and are only for general informational purposes as of the date indicated. Searcy Financial Services, Inc. was not compensated, nor are there material conflicts of interest that would affect the given statement.

This is the pilot episode originally released on March 26, 2025, as part of The Corporate Couch podcast.

Welcome to the first-ever The Corporate Couch Special Edition of It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere—a monthly happy hour-style conversation where Marc Shaffer and I talk about random stuff that actually matters. Think of it as eavesdropping on our usual drinks-and-deep-thoughts sessions, now with a microphone involved :-)

In this episode, we tackle:

Whether you’re job searching, hiring, growing a business, or just looking for some entertaining banter with real takeaways, this episode is for you. Grab a drink (or coffee—no judgment), kick back, and join us for a conversation that’s equal parts insightful and irreverent. 

Tune in now, and don’t forget—it's always 5 o’clock somewhere :-)

This episode is brought to you by Searcy Financial. Your financial future begins with a simple question: Where do you want to be? At Searcy Financial, we help successful individuals and families through our mission to simplify your financial journey, empowering you to enjoy life and wealth on your terms. The question sparks a conversation that goes beyond numbers, helping us understand what truly matters to you and the kind of financial plan that aligns with your life goals. It also allows us to identify potential challenges and opportunities so we can proactively address them. The outcome is a plan that empowers you to acquire, grow, and preserve your wealth.

Searcy Financial is gearing up to celebrate 50 years of service. Don’t miss out on any of the excitement! To sign up for information on Marc’s book, “One for All,” including where to buy and exclusive website content, or to sign up for the Searcy Financial Wealth Matters email newsletter, use the links below:

- Marc's Book "One for All": Keep Me Updated!

- "Wealth Matters" newsletter: Sign Me Up!

The opinions expressed herein are those of certain Searcy Financial Services, Inc. personnel and are subject to change without notice. The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication and are subject to revision due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Any opinions, promotion, endorsement, projections, or forward-looking statements expressed herein are solely those of the author, may differ from the views or opinions expressed by other areas of the firm, and are only for general informational purposes as of the date indicated. Searcy Financial Services, Inc. was not compensated, nor are there material conflicts of interest that would affect the given statement.

Welcome to the first official episode of It’s 4 O’Clock Somewhere, the newly rebranded happy hour conversation with my friend Marc Shaffer. Same spirit. Earlier start time. Sunglasses still strongly encouraged.

In this kickoff episode, Marc and I talk about the move from It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere to It’s 4 O’Clock Somewhere: Work, Life, and the Stories We Shouldn’t Tell, which feels right because, let’s be honest, happy hour starts earlier now.

From there, we cover a little bit of everything:

• Yankees vs. Royals and the joy of live baseball

It’s business, life, community, sports, and a little “did we just say that out loud?” energy.

Pull up a chair. It’s 4 o’clock somewhere.

This episode is brought to you by Searcy Financial. Your financial future begins with a simple question: Where do you want to be? At Searcy Financial, we help successful individuals and families through our mission to simplify your financial journey, empowering you to enjoy life and wealth on your terms. The question sparks a conversation that goes beyond numbers, helping us understand what truly matters to you and the kind of financial plan that aligns with your life goals. It also allows us to identify potential challenges and opportunities so we can proactively address them. The outcome is a plan that empowers you to acquire, grow, and preserve your wealth.

Searcy Financial is gearing up to celebrate 50 years of service. Don’t miss out on any of the excitement! To sign up for information on Marc’s book, “One for All,” including where to buy and exclusive website content, or to sign up for the Searcy Financial Wealth Matters email newsletter, use the links below:

- Marc's Book "One for All": Keep Me Updated!

- "Wealth Matters" newsletter: Sign Me Up!

The opinions expressed herein are those of certain Searcy Financial Services, Inc. personnel and are subject to change without notice. The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication and are subject to revision due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Any opinions, promotion, endorsement, projections, or forward-looking statements expressed herein are solely those of the author, may differ from the views or opinions expressed by other areas of the firm, and are only for general informational purposes as of the date indicated. Searcy Financial Services, Inc. was not compensated, nor are there material conflicts of interest that would affect the given statement. ccccc