It's All Money

"The women have taken over It's All Money!" - Jackie Egidio, 2026
On a special episode of It's All Money, Sonoma Wealth COO Jackie Egidio and Financial Advisor Shelby Wirick dive deep on supporting critical needs in the Sonoma Valley with Leslie Blankenship and Cristine McMillan of Impact100 Sonoma. Impact100 Sonoma is a women's giving circle that started in 2009 with a simple idea: 100 women give $1,000 each to fund one $100,000 grant. Sixteen years later the group has 330 members and has granted close to $5 million back directly to the area, from Schellville to Kenwood. In this episode you'll discover:
• The feedback from local nonprofits after COVID that changed the whole grant model, and got the chapter recognized nationally.
• The question men keep asking about women's giving circles, and what the research says women do differently when they give.
• How Donor Advised Funds, a charitable account many people have never heard of, can turn one big tax year into years of giving. (Full whitepaper here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/resources/whitepapers/article/2026/10/dafs)

Whether you're thinking about joining, giving, or just want to see what a few hundred neighbors can do together, this episode of It's All Money highlights the power of local giving up close.

See it in person: Impact100 Sonoma's Grant Recipients Update Meeting is open to the public for the first time this year. It's on Thursday, October 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Sebastiani Theatre in Sonoma. You'll hear the 16 most recently funded nonprofits share what their grants made possible. Walk-ins are welcome, but they'd appreciate it if you register: https://www.impact100sonoma.org/event-6584995
Learn more about Impact100 Sonoma: https://impact100sonoma.org

Thanks to Matt and Brooke Sevenau for the hospitality in their new recording space.

Full video available on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/vUxrKajlQj8
Book your Wealth Analysis right here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/book-your-wealth-analysis

CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold Open: The Women Take Over
1:33 What Is Impact100 Sonoma?
2:55 How Impact100 Picks Its Grant Recipients
5:10 Part Of A Global Giving Network
6:26 Why Shelby Joined
7:17 The Biggest Needs In Sonoma Valley Right Now
8:46 How Women's Giving Is Different
11:39 Women Uplifting Women
12:29 The COVID Pivot That Changed The Grant Model
16:53 The Encore Grant: Two Years Of Funding
18:59 Donor Advised Funds And Charitable Giving
21:04 Why Legacy Giving Matters To Impact100
23:12 How To Get Involved
23:43 The "Wealthy Women In Hats" Myth
26:37 Events, Committees And Patio Parties
30:06 The Grant Recipients Update Meeting
32:02 Closing Thoughts
32:51 Credits & Outro

References: https://impact100sonoma.org/About https://impact100sonoma.org/Apply-for-a-Grant https://members.sonomachamber.org/news/Details/impact100-sonoma-increases-2027-maximum-grant-about-for-non-profits-358369 https://www.sonomanews.com/2025/10/08/impact100-grants-nonprofits/ https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/donor-advised-funds https://impact100sonoma.org/page-18402 https://www.impact100sonoma.org/event-6584995

Would you take $20 now or $40 in a week? Deciding when to claim Social Security can feel like the same test, with far more money on the line. Sonoma Wealth Managing Principal Daren Blonski CFP® and Marketing Director Dano Weir are joined on It's All Money by Certified National Social Security Advisor Clay Dunkle CFP® to unpack when claiming may make sense and when waiting might cost you.

In this episode:
• Why a shrinking trust fund isn't the same as Social Security disappearing.
• The go-go, slow-go and no-go years, and why they could matter for your claiming age.
• A hypothetical example comparing claiming at 62, 67 and 70.
• Three claiming mistakes Clay has seen leave money on the table.

Full video available on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/7TqbtJwMo_k
Book your Wealth Analysis right here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/book-your-wealth-analysis

CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold Open: $20 Now Or $40 Later?
0:56 Welcome: When To Claim Social Security
1:47 What Social Security Is Designed To Do
2:35 The $40 Trillion Debt And Social Security Worries
3:52 Claiming At 62, Full Retirement Age, Or 70
4:27 Clay's National Social Security Advisor Certification
6:12 The Forgotten Part Of Retirement Planning
7:30 How Your Portfolio Affects When You Claim
8:59 Your Portfolio's Dependency Factor
12:26 What's Underneath Social Security And Pensions
15:41 How The Trust Fund Shortfall Might Be Covered
18:28 Why CPI Adjustments Matter
19:32 Tax Planning And The Golden Window
22:44 Tinfoil Hat Time: RMD Ages And Social Security
24:29 Does Anyone Regret Claiming Early?
26:51 Health, Longevity, And Break-Even Age
30:18 The Go-Go, Slow-Go, And No-Go Years
32:39 Can AI Plan Your Retirement?
33:44 A Hypothetical Example: Claiming At 62, 67, Or 70
36:12 3 Things To Know Before You Claim
37:17 3 Common Claiming Mistakes
39:08 Tips For Meeting With Social Security
40:10 Closing Thoughts
40:29 Credits & Outro

References: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/agereduction.html https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/delayret.html https://www.ssa.gov/oact/trsum/index.html https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-02471.html https://www.ssa.gov/survivor/amount https://www.ssa.gov/blog/en/posts/2025-05-29.html https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-01741.html

The global bond market is nearly three times the size of the US stock market, yet many don't know how it actually works. Sonoma Wealth Managing Principal Chris Sipes joins Marketing Director Dano Weir this week on It's All Money to explain the major types of bonds, how prices and yields move together, and why the current rate environment matters for mortgages, 401(k)s, and retirement income.

In this episode:
• Defining what a bond actually is and detailing the massive size of the total market.
• Detailing the 4 types of bonds available and what scenarios they apply to.
• Detailed explanation of how bonds actually work.
• Where could bonds fit in a portfolio, and why do some investors consider them "boring"?


Full video available on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/ifRh7uh9xUI

Book your Wealth Analysis right here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/book-your-wealth-analysis

CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold Open: Don't Turn Off The Bonds Episode Yet
0:36 Welcome To It's All Money: Why Bonds Feel Boring
1:22 What Is A Bond, And Why Does The Bond Market Exist?
2:30 How Big Is The Bond Market, Really?
6:03 Do You Already Own Bonds Without Knowing It?
7:53 The Different Types Of Bonds
11:35 Which Bond Type Fits Your Tax Bracket
14:24 What Is A Junk Bond?
16:26 How A Bond Actually Works: Coupons Explained
21:04 Why Bond Prices Move Opposite Interest Rates
24:50 Bonds Vs. Stocks: Predictability And Risk
26:52 Why Advisors Use Bonds For Diversification
29:39 Reading The Yield Curve
36:23 Closing Thoughts
38:23 Credits & Outro

References:
https://www.sec.gov/data-research/statistics-data-visualizations/us-households-participation-capital-markets
https://smartasset.com/retirement/size-of-stock-market-vs-bond-market
https://www.thenationaldebt.us/basics

Roth Conversion vs RMD: What Every High Earner Needs to Know Before Age 73
Your RMD isn't just a withdrawal — it's the IRS setting off a chain reaction that can spike your Medicare premiums, tax your Social Security, and wipe out the charitable giving move you didn't even know you had. In the latest episode of It's All Money, Sonoma Wealth Managing Principal Daren Blonski CFP® and Marketing Director Dano Weir walk through:
• The four traps hiding inside that required distribution.
• Why the window to get ahead of them closes before you turn 73.
• The three moves you can take as a retiree to optimize or adjust to these conditions.

If you'd rather protect your heirs or portfolio than just write the check, check out this episode.

Full video available on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/irgfSKpQgo0
Book your Wealth Analysis right here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/book-your-wealth-analysis

CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold Open: The Reddit Post That Started This Episode
1:26 What Is A Required Minimum Distribution?
2:39 Today's Scenario: Four Traps Hiding In A $1 Million IRA
3:02 Trap 1: The Ordinary Income Spike
6:06 Trap 2: The IRMAA Ambush
9:43 Trap 3: The Social Security Taxation Cliff
12:57 Trap 4: The Inherited IRA 10-Year Rule
18:41 Move 1: The Bracket Fill Strategy
20:07 Move 2: Qualified Charitable Distributions
21:37 Move 3: Protecting Your Heirs
22:43 Finding Your Conversion Window
24:09 Closing: Book Your Wealth Analysis

References:
https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmds
https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/medicare/medicare-premiums-2026-irmaa-brackets-and-surcharges-for-parts-b-and-d
https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-02471.html
https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/reducing-rmds-with-qcds
https://investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/retirement/rmd-rules-for-inherited-iras
https://baumanwealth.com/tax_planning_and_pre/roth-conversion-before-rmd-planning-the-low-income-window/

If you had $55,000 cash, buying 10 unopened boxes of used video games probably wouldn't be the first investment you'd choose. But when you're Jason and Rebecca Moorhouse of Petaluma, you have a system in place to turn those games into a potential 20%, 30% or even 40% return.
This week on It's All Money, Sonoma Wealth Marketing Director Dano Weir breaks down the fascinating business and investment story of Nostalgia Alley, a retro video game store in Petaluma. Watch the episode and learn:

• Why a 40 year old Nintendo game that should be worth $4 is actually worth $20,000 (and rising).
• The secret to becoming one of the busiest storefronts in all of downtown Petaluma.
• How owning a game store led Jason to become a character in a game!
• How their retail video game business has expanded into a video game event space (and even hosted a wedding).
• The customer service secrets to build a dedicated, expanding fanbase.

Whether you enjoy the business lessons or the fun of gaming, we invite you to check out this in-depth look at a true gem in downtown Petaluma, Nostalgia Alley.

Learn about the store, how to liquidate old games and booking their event space for parties here:
https://www.nostalgiaalleygames.com/
Full video available on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/P0cvCIQpwy4
Book your Wealth Analysis right here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/book-your-wealth-analysis

CHAPTERS
0:00 A Riddle: Apple Stock Or A Rare Video Game?
0:49 Welcome To It's All Money
1:26 A $200 Billion Industry Hiding In Plain Sight
2:53 Why This Episode Is About Entrepreneurship
3:57 Inside The Store On Petaluma Boulevard
5:44 The First Purchase: Day One Of A Five-Year Plan
6:12 March 2013: $100 To His Name
7:43 The Yard Sale Flip: $30 Into $80
8:28 Time Versus Money In The Early Years
9:43 Pitching The Idea To Rebecca
10:52 Market Cycles: Retro Games And Fad Investing
12:20 2007 To 2018: Building A Collection Before The Store Existed
15:11 Where The Name Nostalgia Alley Comes From
15:40 One Of The Busiest Spots In Downtown Petaluma
16:35 Opening Day: A Line Down The Street
17:54 Entrepreneur Advice: Track Your Cogs And Set Smart Goals
18:43 Building A Customer Service Philosophy
22:30 The Customer Nobody Else Acknowledged
23:46 Petaluma's Hidden Video Game Industry History
24:39 Meeting Game Developers Who Became Regulars
26:29 Jasper The Store Mascot
29:48 The $20,000 Stadium Events Cartridge
32:29 The Priceless Item That Isn't For Sale
35:00 Touring The Party Room Upstairs
35:48 The Wedding Held Among The Retro Games
36:43 A Mario Kart Grand Prix, Interview Continues
38:21 The $55,000 Trade-In
39:30 Making Big Purchase Decisions As Business Partners
42:24 Refurbishing Hardware The Right Way
43:12 Cutting Back From 80-Hour Weeks
45:03 GameCube Capacitors And Disc Resurfacing
46:54 Why Old Cartridges Need New Batteries
50:06 Favorite Games: Tetris, Legend Of Dragoon, And More
52:34 PC Game Nostalgia And A Word From Our Sponsor
56:51 Closing Out At Nostalgia Alley
59:13 Disclosure

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadium_Events
https://www.storyboard18.com/gaming-news/global-video-gaming-to-hit-300-billion-by-2029-outpaces-film-and-music-combined-pwc-76725.htm

Protecting millions in luxury automobiles and millions in real estate takes two qualities- precision and trust. We are excited to share the entrepreneurial stories of Ivan Jimenez of Sonoma Auto Spa and Alison Pulido of Green Casa Cleaning in the latest episode of our podcast It's All Money. In this episode you'll discover:

• How Ivan took his business from sedans to supercars.
• The importance of non-toxic ingredients to Green Casa's mission.
• How diligence and execution led them both to work with Rolls Royce, Sonoma Raceway and more.
• The challenges and benefits of owning multiple businesses as husband and wife.

Learn more about how Ivan and Allison help clients stay on point here: https://sonomautospa.com/ https://greencasacleaning.com/
Shot on location at Sonoma Raceway – Radical Northwest shop: https://www.radicalnorthwest.com/
Full video available on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/zJUYiFR8Yig
Book your Wealth Analysis right here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/book-your-wealth-analysis

CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold Open: A Sneak Peek At The Cars
0:44 Welcome To Sonoma Raceway
1:16 What Is Sonoma Auto Spa?
3:02 Ivan's Origin Story: From Restaurants To Washing Cars
6:29 Allison's Reaction And Starting Ivan's Business During COVID
7:47 Earning Trust With A Multi-Million-Dollar Car Collection
9:48 How Green Casa Cleaning Started
12:41 The Biggest Curveballs In Both Businesses
15:44 Ceramic Coatings, PPF, And Protecting A Car's Value
18:32 Life At The Racetrack With Radical Northwest
21:51 Car Week And Working With Rolls-Royce
23:34 The Challenges Of Running Two Businesses As A Married Couple
26:59 Who Taught Them To Work Hard
30:32 Serving The Sonoma Community
33:07 Closing Thoughts And Where To Find Them

Kevin Warsh is the new Fed chair, and real estate buyers (and sellers) want to know what that means for mortgage rates. In his first Fed Meeting this week, rates held, with 9 governors indicating a potential increase this year. Sonoma Wealth Marketing Director Dan Weir and Advisor Clay Dunkle sit down with Linda Zaiss, VP of Mortgage Lending at Rate in Napa with 26 years at the closing table for a deep dive on interest rate scenarios:
• How the bond market, not just the Fed, drives what you pay on your home loan.
• The tricky pickle that the Fed currently finds itself in between rates and inflation.
• The counterintuitive reason high interest rates can actually help buyers.

Full video available on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/mAJJ_qDi4Fc
Learn more about Sonoma Wealth here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/

Learn more about Linda Zaiss here: https://www.rate.com/loan-officers/linda-zaiss-8991
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindazaiss/

Book your Wealth Analysis right here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/book-your-wealth-analysis

CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold Open: History Repeats Itself
1:20 The Last Four Years Of Unpredictable Mortgage Rates
3:00 What's Happening In The Housing Market Right Now
3:42 How The Fed Funds Rate Actually Flows Through To Your Mortgage
6:06 Why Interest Rates Matter Beyond Just Your Mortgage
7:44 Meet Kevin Warsh: The New Fed Chair
8:30 Could Higher Mortgage Rates Actually Help Home Buyers?
10:26 Will Rates Go Up Or Down? Nobody Really Knows
12:29 Helping First-Time Buyers Get Into A Home
14:49 Tools For Homeowners Who Are "Cash Poor"
15:50 From First Call To Closing: What Working With A Lender Looks Like
17:20 What Makes Napa's Real Estate Market Unique
18:30 28 Years In Mortgage Lending: How Rates Have Changed
20:05 Why A Fiduciary Approach To Lending Matters
21:00 Final Takeaways And Where To Find Linda
22:12 Closing Thoughts

References:
https://www.npr.org/2026/06/17/nx-s1-5860084/fed-chief-warsh-first-fomc-meeting

Last summer Congress created a brand new savings vehicle for minors called the “Trump Account” or 530A account. For families building generational wealth, the rules might not be what you'd expect. In the latest episode of our podcast It's All Money, we're stacking it head-to-head against 529 accounts and the Custodial Roths to show you which one could win for your grandkids, your estate plan, and your tax bill.  Marketing Director Dano Weir and Managing Principal Daren Blonski examine:

• The functional steps needed for your grandkids to potentially receive a one-time investment $1000 from the fed or $250 from the Dell Family.
• Why gift tax, Roth conversions and state tax could cause headaches for high-net worth families with Trump Accounts.
• The overall benefits of teaching investing to kids at an early age and potential downstream upside for their future in retirement.

As with all our podcasts, we approach these real-life finance topics (that can cross in to politics) with practicality.  We assess the financial aspects and share our perspective on how they may or may not fit in a client's life.  We hope you enjoy the episode.

Full video available on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/5QFZ47FGNDQ
Learn more about Sonoma Wealth here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/
Book your Wealth Analysis right here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/book-your-wealth-analysis

CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold Open: $1,000 For Your Grandkid, Courtesy Of Uncle Sam
0:49 Where Trump Accounts Came From
5:31 How A Trump Account Actually Works
8:26 The Case For Trump Accounts
16:39 The Case Against Trump Accounts
21:24 Trump Account Vs. 529 Vs. Custodial Roth (Mistake #1: The Gift Tax Trap)
24:05 Mistake #2: The Kiddie Tax Trap On A Roth Conversion
25:26 Mistake #3: The State Tax Trap
29:03 How To Register And Get Started

References:
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48910
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/treasury-irs-issue-guidance-on-trump-accounts-established-under-the-working-families-tax-cuts-notice-announces-upcoming-regulations
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/09/2026-04533/trump-accounts
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title26-section530A&num=0&edition=prelim
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Trump-Accounts-Give-the-Next-Generation-a-Jump-Start-on-Saving.pdf
https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/investment-accounts/tax-advantaged-accounts/trump-accounts
https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/trump-accounts
https://corporate.vanguard.com/content/corporatesite/us/en/corp/articles/what-to-know-about-new-trump-accounts-for-kids.html
https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/trump-accounts-big-beautiful-bill
https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/trump-accounts-vs-529-utma-ugma-roth-IRA
https://www.psca.org/news/psca-news/2026/3/trump-accounts-vs.-529s-for-college-saving

Our Sonoma Wealth Chief Operating Officer Jackie Egidio recently joined the Beyond the Vines podcast with Amy Ahlers, and we're sharing the audio here as a bonus for It's All Money listeners! What's it really like running a financial firm with 12 advisors, thousands of clients and $1 billion Assets Under Management? Listen and find out:
• The financial planning conversations every business owner and professional should be having.
• Why it's ok to feel overwhelmed if you've never worked with an advisor before.
• The importance of working with a fiduciary.
• How our team delivers comprehensive wealth management behind the scenes.


The full video episode is also available on the Beyond The Vines YouTube Page: https://youtu.be/2kFfAkhPIxI

Find more Beyond The Vines audio here:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-vines/id1710013894
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rrj3STpq5NMIBxQLBXEHK

Learn more about Amy Ahlers at LivXplore Real Estate in Petaluma here on amyahlersrealestate.com: https://amyahlersrealestate.com/about

We hope you enjoyed this bonus podcast episode.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Meet Sonoma Wealth COO Jackie Egidio
1:00 Welcome To The Beyond The Vines Podcast
2:14 From The Wine Industry To Wealth Management
3:08 Why Sonoma Wealth Is A One-Stop Shop
5:04 What Does It Mean To Be A Fiduciary
8:35 Why Going On Tax Extension Isn't A Bad Thing
11:34 Weaving Tax Strategy Into Your Financial Plan
13:45 Meet The 401(k) Retirement Team
16:22 The Exit Planning Gap: Why 70% Of Businesses Never Sell
17:51 A Growing Footprint: Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Chico And Auburn
20:15 How People Are Thinking About Money Differently Today
23:07 Behind The Scenes: What A COO Actually Does
26:47 Keeping Service Consistent As The Firm Grows
30:14 How To Get Started With Sonoma Wealth

References: https://youtu.be/2kFfAkhPIxI

Wine, blueberries and construction- chances are you’ve experienced Serres Ranch in the last 100 years in Sonoma County.  A Farm Bureau Farm Family Of The Year, the Serres family has become a pillar of the community, with decades of business successes and lessons along the way. 
On the latest episode of Sonoma Wealth's life and finance podcast, It’s All Money, Sonoma Wealth Advisor Shelby Wirick and host Dano Weir sit down with Serres Ranch and Serres Corporation company officer Taylor Serres Murnig to learn: 
• The origins of their family’s agricultural business, dating back to 1924 right here in the Valley of the Moon. 
• Why growing grapes and blueberries require completely different approaches. 
• How Taylor re-frames the current status of the wine industry, beyond the headlines to the business opportunity in front of them. 
• The unique relationship between Serres Ranch’s agriculture and Serres Corporation’s construction enterprise. 
• What is it really like working with family? 

Learn more about Serres Ranch: 
Book a private wine tasting: https://www.serresranchwine.com/land 
https://serresranchblueberries.com/
https://serrescorp.com/ 
 
Full video available on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/fuj-Qm-TvIc
Learn more about Sonoma Wealth here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/
Book your Wealth Analysis right here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/book-your-wealth-analysis

CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold Open: A House Built In 1875
0:32 Welcome To It's All Money: Inside A Century In The Ag Business With Serres Ranch
1:08 From General Hooker To The Serres Family: A Property's History
2:14 Two Verticals: Wine, Blueberries, And 100% Estate Grown
5:24 Why Full Vertical Integration Is Rare In The Wine Industry
8:08 The Ranch Tour Experience And A Diversified Portfolio Of Businesses
13:44 The Benefits And Challenges Of A Family Business
17:05 Meet John Serres: The Patriarch Behind The Ranch
18:32 How Blueberries Became A 25-Year, 150,000-Pound Business
23:51 Farm Family Of The Year And The Role Of The Farm Bureau
27:27 The Other Vertical: Serres Corporation And Construction
29:10 Treating Employees Like Family
31:18 A Passion Project: Sonoma Cryo And Modwella IV Therapy
35:41 Closing: Where To Find Serres Ranch
37:08 Outro & Credits

References:
https://sonomafb.org/serres-family-2023/