In this episode of the Life Matters Podcast, host Bill Bell, Vice President of Advanced Sales at Penn Mutual, is joined by Jason O’Dell, Managing Partner, and Carole Foos, Chief Financial Officer of OJM Group (now part of Earned), to explore why physicians are one of the most underserved client segments and how financial professionals can work with them more effectively.

You’ll hear practical insights on:

• Why doctors can feel intimidating to work with and how to overcome common challenges
• How an education-first approach helps attract and retain the right physician clients
• How healthcare consolidation impacts both practice and personal planning
• Balancing student loan debt, retirement savings, and long-term financial goals
• Where life insurance fits, from protection and tax-efficient income to asset protection and business planning

Have a question or comment for Bill? Drop him an email at: [email protected]

Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennMutual/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PennMutual/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/penn-mutual/

Presented by Penn Mutual: https://www.pennmutual.com/

This podcast is for informational purposes. Guests’ views, comments, and opinions on products, services, or strategies do not necessarily represent the views of or imply endorsement by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company or its affiliates. Product availability, benefits and provisions vary by state.

For federal income tax purposes, life insurance death benefits generally pay income tax-free to beneficiaries pursuant to IRC Sec. 101(a)(1). In certain situations, however, life insurance death benefits may be partially or wholly taxable. Situations include, but are not limited to: the transfer of a life insurance policy for valuable consideration unless the transfer qualifies for an exception under IRC Sec. 101(a)(2)(i.e. the transfer-for-value rule); arrangements that lack an insurable interest based on state law; and an employer-owned policy unless the policy qualifies for an exception under IRC Sec. 101(j).

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In this special year-end episode of the Life Matters Podcast, Bill Bell and co-host Jenna Washatka look back at their favorite moments of 2025, the topmost listened to episodes of 2025, and celebrate the show’s 25th episode milestone.

You’ll hear highlights from the year’s most valuable conversations, including:

• What the Accelerated MultiLife Platform (AMP) means for executive benefits and multilife market
• Essential insights on special needs planning, tax reform, and H.R. 1
• When Management Services Organizations (MSOs) make sense for business owners and where life insurance fits
• Modern estate and advanced planning strategies

Whether you focus on business owners, special needs families, or high-net-worth estate planning, this recap is packed with advanced sales insights you can use in client conversations right away.

Have a question or comment for Bill? Drop him an email at: [email protected]

Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennMutual/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PennMutual/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/penn-mutual/

Presented by Penn Mutual: https://www.pennmutual.com/

This podcast is for informational purposes. Guests’ views, comments, and opinions on products, services, or strategies do not necessarily represent the views of or imply endorsement by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company or its affiliates. Product availability, benefits and provisions vary by state.

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In this special episode of Life Matters Podcast, hosts Bill Bell, VP of Advanced Sales, and Jenna Washatka, Director of Advanced Sales, bring together the entire Penn Mutual Advanced Sales team for a unique financial professional driven conversation built mostly from questions submitted by financial professionals across the country.

Joining the discussion are Lindsay Cigler, Amy Bryant, George Bradley, Jay Perlman, and Bruce Guillemette, Directors of Advanced Sales, as they tackle the most timely and technical topics shaping today’s advanced planning landscape. From the effects of new legislation to evolving executive benefit strategies and emerging market opportunities in 2026, this roundtable offers expert perspectives from every angle.

Key Takeaways:

• How the Triple B and interest rate changes are influencing the advanced planning marketplace
• Why income tax and estate planning remain crucial for the middle affluent
• The evolving role of executive benefits, Restricted Executive Bonus Arrangements (REBAs), and premium financing in business-owner planning
• The story behind “Life Insurance as an Alternate Asset” and how it’s changing client conversations

Whether you’re a financial professional, or industry partner, this episode delivers expert insight and practical strategies straight from Penn Mutual’s Advanced Sales team.

Have a question or comment for Bill? Drop him an email at: [email protected]

Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennMutual/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PennMutual/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/penn-mutual/

Presented by Penn Mutual: https://www.pennmutual.com/

This podcast is for informational purposes. Guests’ views, comments, and opinions on products, services, or strategies do not necessarily represent the views of or imply endorsement by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company or its affiliates. Product availability, benefits and provisions vary by state.

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Tax planning is one of the most pressing challenges for business owners, and Penn Mutual is helping financial professionals uncover strategies that can preserve cash flow, protect assets, and strengthen succession planning. In this episode of The Life Matters Podcast, Bill Bell, VP of Advanced Sales at Penn Mutual, is joined by Alex Jones, Founder of Guardian Tax Consultants, to break down the role of Management Services Organizations (MSOs) in advanced planning.

Together, they explore how MSOs can reduce taxable income, provide creditor protection, and create liquidity that can be redirected into long-term growth and life insurance strategies. They also highlight the industries where MSOs are most effective, the process of establishing one, and how these tools fit into broader business planning conversations.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• What an MSO is and how it works in practice
• Why physicians, attorneys, and business owners are strong candidates
• How S corporations and C corporations work together to improve cash flow

• Where life insurance integrates into MSO strategies for risk transfer and wealth preservation

If you’re advising high-income business owners or looking to expand your tax-smart planning toolkit, this conversation offers actionable insights and proven strategies to better serve your clients with confidence.

Have a question or comment for Bill? Drop him an email at: [email protected]

Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennMutual/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PennMutual/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/penn-mutual/

Presented by Penn Mutual: https://www.pennmutual.com/

This podcast is for informational purposes. Guests’ views, comments, and opinions on products, services, or strategies do not necessarily represent the views of or imply endorsement by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company or its affiliates. Product availability, benefits and provisions vary by state.

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Special needs planning is one of the most important and often overlooked areas in financial services, and Penn Mutual is equipping financial professionals with the tools and expertise to make a meaningful impact. In this episode of The Life Matters Podcast, Bill Bell, VP of Advanced Sales at Penn Mutual, is joined by Jenna Washatka, Director of Advanced Sales at Penn Mutual, and special guest Pat Bergmaier, financial planner with 1847Financial, to explore how thoughtful planning can protect benefits, provide lifelong care, and bring peace of mind to families with loved ones who have special needs.

Together, they unpack why specialization matters, how to avoid costly mistakes, and the unique planning strategies that set this market apart. They also highlight resources like Penn Mutual’s Special Needs Planning Directory and tools available through Gateway to help financial professionals partner with experts when cases arise.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why special needs planning requires specialized knowledge

• The role of special needs trusts in protecting benefits and funding care

• How “three-person retirement” changes traditional planning conversations

• Where to find resources and credentialing to deepen your expertise

If you’re advising families or want to expand into this vital area of planning, this episode offers both inspiration and practical direction to better serve clients with confidence.

Have a question or comment for Bill? Drop him an email at: [email protected]

Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennMutual/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PennMutual/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/penn-mutual/  

Presented by Penn Mutual: https://www.pennmutual.com/  

This podcast is for informational purposes. Guests’ views, comments, and opinions on products, services, or strategies do not necessarily represent the views of or imply endorsement by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company or its affiliates. Product availability, benefits and provisions vary by state.

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Multilife sales are opening new doors for financial professionals and Penn Mutual is making it easier than ever to step in. In this episode of The Life Matters Podcast, Bill Bell, VP of Advanced Sales at Penn Mutual, sits down with Justin Gladieux and Michael Ori, co-founders of Institutional Architects, to explore how guaranteed and simplified issue life insurance can transform executive benefit strategies.

They unpack how multilife works, where the biggest opportunities are, and why industries from professional services to large corporations are turning to these solutions to fund long-term obligations, reward key talent, and strengthen succession plans.

Then, Bill is joined by Jennifer Ortel, VP of MultiLife Operations at Penn Mutual, for an inside look at AMP the new Accelerated MultiLife Platform delivering a fully digital, paperless experience from enrollment to policy issue.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How multilife sales differ from traditional life insurance

• Key markets and case types where multilife thrives

• Why guaranteed issue can be a game-changer for large groups

• How AMP streamlines implementation for cases from 10 to 2,500 lives

If you’re advising business owners, professional firms, or executive teams, this episode is your guide to tapping into a high-potential market with the tools to serve it effectively.

Have a question or comment for Bill? Drop him an email at: [email protected] 

Follow Us

• Twitter @pennmutual
• Facebook @PennMutual
• Instagram @pennmutual
• LinkedIn @Penn Mutual

Presented by Penn Mutual
www.PennMutual.com

This podcast is for informational purposes. Guests’ views, comments, and opinions on products, services, or strategies do not necessarily represent the views of or imply endorsement by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company or its affiliates. Product availability, benefits and provisions vary by state.

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The biggest tax reform in years has officially been signed into law and it brings sweeping changes that financial professionals can’t afford to ignore.

In this episode of The Life Matters Podcast by Penn Mutual, Bill Bell, VP of Advanced Sales, sits down with Jen Fox, VP of Government Affairs at Finseca, to break down what’s in the Triple B Tax Bill (H.R. 1) and how it impacts your clients.

Whether you're advising on estate planning, Qualified Business Income (QBI), State and Local Tax (SALT) deductions, or life insurance strategies, this episode is your roadmap to the new rules.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why H.R. 1 is a win for the life insurance profession
• Key tax changes every financial professional must understand
• How estate tax exemptions, QBI, and SALT rules are evolving
• What might be coming next in a second reconciliation bill

Keep your strategies sharp. Tune in to explore key insights that can help you navigate what’s next. 

Have a question or comment for Bill? Drop him an email at: [email protected] 

Follow Us

• Twitter @pennmutual
• Facebook @PennMutual
• Instagram @pennmutual
• LinkedIn @Penn Mutual

Presented by Penn Mutual
www.PennMutual.com

This podcast is for informational purposes. Guests’ views, comments, and opinions on products, services, or strategies do not necessarily represent the views of or imply endorsement by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company or its affiliates. Product availability, benefits and provisions vary by state.

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In this episode of Life Matters, a Penn Mutual podcast, Bill Bell, VP of Advanced Sales, sits down with Ruvin Levavi, former trust and estate attorney and now Founder of Power Forward Group to explore how financial professionals can effectively serve specialized niches, such as corporate attorneys, and address their unique planning needs. 

Ruvin shares firsthand insights into why many high-earning professionals feel financially stuck—and how strategic planning, including the use of life insurance as a non-correlated asset, can help unlock long-term financial freedom.

In this episode, you’ll gain perspective on:
• How to guide high-earning professionals in optimizing their benefits and 401(k) allocations
• Risk management strategies using both term and whole life coverage
• The role of non-correlated assets in a high-income client portfolio
• How to engage time-strapped professionals in long-term planning

Tune in now for actionable insights you can use to elevate your conversations with legal professionals and other high-income clients.

Have a question or comment for Bill? Drop him an email at: [email protected] 

Follow Us

• Twitter @pennmutual
• Facebook @PennMutual
• Instagram @pennmutual
• LinkedIn @Penn Mutual

Presented by Penn Mutual
www.PennMutual.com

This podcast is for informational purposes. Guests’ views, comments, and opinions on products, services, or strategies do not necessarily represent the views of or imply endorsement by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company or its affiliates. Product availability, benefits and provisions vary by state. 

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The way clients discover and choose financial professionals has evolved—and outdated marketing tactics just don’t cut it anymore.

In this episode of the Life Matters Podcast by Penn Mutual, Bill Bell, VP of Advanced Sales, sits down with Samantha Russell, Chief Evangelist at FMG, to discuss how modern marketing is reshaping the financial services industry. From the rise of short-form video to the importance of authenticity and consistency, Samantha shares practical strategies to help financial professionals stay relevant and build trust in today’s digital world.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why old-school marketing no longer works
• How short-form content builds visibility and trust
• The power of “done over perfect”
• Tips for growing your personal brand at scale

Tune in now to modernize your approach and future-proof your practice.

Have a question or comment for Bill?  Drop him an email at: [email protected] 

Follow Us

• Twitter @pennmutual
• Facebook @PennMutual
• Instagram @pennmutual
• LinkedIn @Penn Mutual

Presented by Penn Mutual
www.PennMutual.com

This podcast is for informational purposes. Guests’ views, comments, and opinions on products, services, or strategies do not necessarily represent the views of or imply endorsement by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company or its affiliates. Product availability, benefits and provisions vary by state.

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Premium financing is often pitched as a silver bullet for high-net-worth clients—but is it really that simple? In this episode of the Life Matters Podcast, we’re cutting through the industry noise and getting real about what works… and what doesn’t. 

Join Bill Bell, Penn Mutual’s VP of Advanced Sales, as he sits down with Marc Schechter, President of Schechter Wealth, for a candid conversation about the real-world mechanics of premium financing. With decades of experience and a second-generation firm behind him, Marc pulls back the curtain on the strategies, the risks, and the mindset needed to serve clients at the highest level. 

What you’ll learn:

• The biggest myths financial professionals still believe about premium financing 
• How to identify if it’s truly the right fit for your client 
• Why Marc scaled to a 75-person advisory team without sacrificing trust 
• What every financial professional should consider before offering financing 
• The long game: interest rates, returns, and the bigger picture 

If you're a financial professional who wants to separate hype from reality—and grow your practice with integrity—this episode is a must.

Have a question or comment for Bill?  Drop him an email at: [email protected]  

Follow Us

• Twitter @pennmutual
• Facebook @PennMutual
• Instagram @pennmutual
• LinkedIn @Penn Mutual

Presented by Penn Mutual
www.PennMutual.com

This podcast is for informational purposes. Guests’ views, comments, and opinions on products, services, or strategies do not necessarily represent the views of or imply endorsement by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company or its affiliates. Product availability, benefits and provisions vary by state. 

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