Sage Pathways

Sage Pathways

By Sage Lifestyle ConciergeEducationSelf-Improvement
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Sage Pathways episodes

  • Special Episode: Planning Ahead Young

    with My Daughter Sou Lynn


    Sou Lynn Beneteau on Sage Pathways, Early Awareness, and Empowering Refugee Youth


    In this special episode, my daughter Sou Lynn Beneteau, a Northwestern University sophomore studying economics and international studies, joins me in the studio for her first behind-the-scenes look at Sage Pathways. She shares why the work of Sage Lifestyle Concierge and this podcast matters for younger people, helping her generation think earlier about aging, long-term planning, and financial empowerment as they become independent. She also introduces the National Student Refugee Coalition (formerly the Chicago Student Refugee Coalition), the student-led nonprofit she founded to empower refugee youth nationwide through social connection.


    Chapters

    00:00 Meet Sou Lynn

    00:32 Behind the Mic

    01:06 Why Sage Pathways Matters

    01:58 Planning Ahead Young

    03:01 Refugee Coalition Mission

    03:43 Proud Mom Moment


    About the guest

    Sou Lynn Beneteau is a sophomore at Northwestern University studying economics and international studies, and the founder of the National Student Refugee Coalition.

    Learn more: https://nationalsrc.org


    About Sage Pathways

    Sage Pathways is an educational podcast that helps families navigate aging and caregiving with clarity and confidence. New episodes every two weeks. Hosted by Sun-Hee Yoon, founder of Sage Lifestyle Concierge LLC, an independent navigation firm serving Chicagoland families.

    sagelifestyleconcierge.com/sage-pathways-podcast


    Recorded at Narratent Studio, South Loop, Chicago. Production support: Allen C. Shelton and Desmon Walker.

    5 min
  • Estate Planning Is for the Living

    — with Tim O'Brien, O'Brien Estate Law

    When most people hear "estate planning," they think of one thing: the end. Documents for after we're gone. A task for someday.

    But what if we've been thinking about it backwards?

    In this episode of Sage Pathways, host Sun-Hee Yoon sits down with Tim O'Brien, founder and managing partner of O'Brien Estate Law, for a conversation that reframes estate planning entirely — as preparation for living longer, more complex lives with independence, clarity, and far less worry about what happens if we can no longer decide for ourselves.

    Tim earned his law degree from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and his MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, and he is known for practical advice and plain-language clarity. As a husband and father of three, he understands that protecting a family's future is about far more than documents — it's about the confidence that the people you love will be cared for at every stage of life.

    In this episode, you'll learn:
    • Why estate planning is not just documents — and not only about death — but a holistic, evolving plan built around your assets, family, wishes, and communication
    • How planning preserves control while you're living, including for incapacity and long-term care
    • The common mistakes that drive families into probate: missing beneficiary designations, unfunded or outdated trusts, and unclear decision-makers
    • What Illinois probate really takes in time and cost — especially in Cook County — and how to avoid it
    • How to prevent family conflict by choosing decision-makers wisely and aligning everyone early
    • Why planning works best as a team effort with your financial and tax professionals — including awareness of Illinois' estate tax threshold
    • When to review your plan: after every major life event, and every three to five years regardless
    • The one first step to take this week

    Whether you're thinking about your own future or helping a parent put their affairs in order, this conversation will leave you with less "what if" — and more peace of mind. Because as Tim puts it: the greatest gift of estate planning is peace of mind.

    ⏱️ CHAPTERS
    00:00 Welcome to Sage Pathways
    01:20 Estate Planning Reframed
    02:45 Meet Tim O'Brien
    04:29 Beyond Just Documents
    06:29 Control While Living
    08:07 When to Start Planning
    09:14 Probate Lessons Learned
    11:27 Common Planning Mistakes
    14:36 What Probate Really Takes
    18:59 Preventing Family Conflict
    21:38 Choosing Decision-Makers
    26:18 Team-Based Planning
    29:54 Long-Term Care Planning
    32:26 Review and Update Your Plan
    34:57 Tim's Family Approach
    37:14 Your First Step
    38:33 Disclaimer and Farewell

    🎙️ Guest: Tim O'Brien, Founder & Managing Partner, O'Brien Estate Law, LLC
    🌐 obrienestateplanning.com
    💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/o-brien-estate-law-llc

    Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listening to this episode does not create an attorney-client relationship. Estate planning laws vary by state and every situation is unique — please consult a qualified attorney about your specific circumstances before making any legal decisions.

    —

    Sage Pathways is your compass for intentional longevity — where professional expertise meets the enduring human legacy. Hosted by Sun-Hee Yoon, Founder & CEO of Sage Lifestyle Concierge LLC.

    New episodes every two weeks. Follow and subscribe so you never miss a conversation.
    🌐 www.sagelifestyleconcierge.com
    📧 [email protected]

    40 min
  • Think Like a Pharmacist: Better Questions, Safer Decisions, Longer Life

    — with Dr. Dan Gonzalez, ClarityRx Advisory

    We live in an age of infinite health information. Every day brings a new headline, a new supplement, a new protocol promising a longer, better life. And for older adults and families managing multiple medications and complex conditions, that flood can feel less like a gift — and more like a source of confusion, and even fear.

    What if one of the most powerful tools for living longer and healthier isn't a new treatment at all — but simply clarity?

    In this episode of Sage Pathways, host Sun-Hee Yoon sits down with Dr. Dan Gonzalez, a clinical pharmacist, healthcare advisor, and founder of ClarityRx Advisory, who helps individuals and families separate evidence-based guidance from noise — and who also provides education and support to Spanish-speaking communities.

    Dr. Gonzalez makes a compelling case: longevity often begins not with a pill, but with curiosity, engagement, and the courage to ask. His approach — "think like a pharmacist" — means questioning claims, verifying sources, and knowing the red flags before you act.

    In this episode, you'll learn:
    • Why the most overlooked pathway to longevity has nothing to do with a new drug or supplement
    • How to "think like a pharmacist" — questioning claims, verifying sources, and watching for red flags like proprietary "secret blends"
    • Why pharmacists are one of the most accessible safety nets in healthcare — and how to actually use your community pharmacist
    • How to prepare for medication side effects before they surprise you
    • Why there's no such thing as a dumb question — and a story that proves the power of simply being heard
    • Practical tools for caregivers: journals, appointment preparation, and trusted advocates
    • The cultural barriers that keep some families from asking — and how to overcome them
    • The three questions every one of us should ask at our next doctor or pharmacy visit
    • Why health is never cookie-cutter — and why grace and kindness belong in every care conversation

    ⏱️ CHAPTERS
    00:00 Welcome to Sage Pathways
    01:09 Clarity as a Longevity Tool
    02:33 Meet Dr. Dan Gonzalez
    04:10 Curiosity Over Pills
    05:16 Why We Fear Asking Questions
    06:26 Think Like a Pharmacist
    08:21 Spotting Red Flags Fast
    09:39 Pharmacist Questions That Matter
    12:35 Medication Tracking and the Safety Net
    15:05 Use Your Community Pharmacist
    17:15 The "No Dumb Questions" Story
    21:52 Why Pharmacists Are Trusted
    23:27 Cultural Barriers to Asking
    25:37 Caregiver Tools and Resources
    29:11 Spotting Credible Health Information
    33:10 Three Questions to Ask
    37:07 Health Beliefs and Grace
    38:32 Final Wrap and Disclaimer

    Whether you're managing your own care or advocating for someone you love, this conversation will help you walk into your next appointment with confidence. Because as Dr. Gonzalez says: clarity is a longevity tool.

    🎙️ Guest: Dr. Dan Gonzalez, Clinical Pharmacist & Founder, ClarityRx Advisory
    🌐 clarityrxadvisory.com
    💼 LinkedIn (newsletter & insights): linkedin.com/in/rxdangonzalez

    Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, pharmacist, or qualified healthcare provider about your specific situation before making any changes to your medications or care.

    —

    Sage Pathways is your compass for intentional longevity — where professional expertise meets the enduring human legacy. Hosted by Sun-Hee Yoon, Founder & CEO of Sage Lifestyle Concierge LLC.

    New episodes every two weeks. Follow and subscribe so you never miss a conversation.
    🌐 www.sagelifestyleconcierge.com
    📧 [email protected]

    40 min
  • Connecting Generations, One Chessboard at a Time

    — with Shaan Garg, Founder of Bishop Bridges

    Some of the most powerful medicine for healthy aging isn't found in a pharmacy. It's found in connection — in feeling seen, in sharing what you know with someone who genuinely wants to learn from you.

    In this episode of Sage Pathways, host Sun-Hee Yoon sits down with Shaan Garg, a student and the founder of Bishop Bridges — a student-led community service organization that brings student volunteers and senior residents together through chess, conversation, and shared experience.

    What began with Shaan's grandparents' move to Chicago and his own love of the game has grown into something remarkable: regular sessions where residents at Clarendale Six Corners are paired with young volunteers, learn or rediscover chess, and — most importantly — talk. About strategy, about life, about everything in between.

    In this episode, you'll learn:
    • The inspiration behind Bishop Bridges — and the meaning of its name
    • Why chess is such a powerful tool for mental engagement and connection across generations
    • What happens inside a session: accessible setup, thoughtful pairing, and conversations that unfold naturally
    • The surprising lessons student volunteers learn from the seniors they play with
    • The real challenges of building a service organization — from nonprofit logistics to resident turnout — and how a young founder pushed through them
    • Shaan's advice for other young changemakers: persistence, authenticity, and starting anyway
    • Where Bishop Bridges is headed next — and how you can get involved

    ⏱️ CHAPTERS
    00:00 Welcome to Sage Pathways
    01:18 Connection as Medicine
    02:26 Meet Shaan Garg
    04:09 The Origin of Bishop Bridges
    06:06 The Meaning Behind the Name
    06:52 Why Chess Matters
    07:58 Building the Team
    08:49 Inside a Session
    12:16 Conversations Across Generations
    13:50 Lessons From Seniors
    15:00 Challenges and Accessibility
    18:00 Partners and Supporters
    20:33 Advice for Young Changemakers
    23:01 Vision for the Future
    24:00 How to Get Involved
    25:45 Final Takeaway and Farewell
    26:35 Subscribe and Closing

    This conversation is a reminder that intergenerational connection enriches everyone at the table — and that the ideas that change communities can come from anyone, at any age.

    🎙️ Guest: Shaan Garg, Founder, Bishop Bridges
    ♟️ Learn more or volunteer: www.bishopbridgeschess.com

    —

    Sage Pathways is your compass for intentional longevity — where professional expertise meets the enduring human legacy. Hosted by Sun-Hee Yoon, Founder & CEO of Sage Lifestyle Concierge LLC.

    New episodes every two weeks. Follow and subscribe so you never miss a conversation.
    🌐 www.sagelifestyleconcierge.com
    📧 [email protected]

    28 min
  • Safe at Home, Private by Design

    -with Bruce Ross, Arqaios


    What if the safest place for a loved one to age wasn't a facility — but a smarter version of the home they already love?

    Most monitoring technology asks families to make an uncomfortable trade: safety in exchange for privacy. Cameras watching every room. Wearables that must be charged, remembered, and worn. For many older adults, it feels less like care — and more like surveillance.

    In this episode of Sage Pathways, host Sun-Hee Yoon sits down with Bruce Ross, Founder and CEO of Arqaios, an electrical engineer who spent more than two decades in Tech before turning his talents to one of the most meaningful challenges in aging: keeping people safe at home without sacrificing their dignity.

    Bruce's inspiration is personal — it began, in part, with his own grandmother's fall. Today, Arqaios embeds intelligent sensors into the ordinary fixtures of a home — light switches, outlets, vents — turning the house itself into an always-on system for safety, wellness, and independence. No cameras. No wearables. Nothing to remember to wear or charge.

    In this episode, you'll learn:
    • How smart fixtures detect occupancy and falls using privacy-first "point cloud" data — never video
    • Why the data stays local and encrypted, and how the system recognizes residents simply by their gait
    • How automated lighting quietly reduces fall risk — especially at night
    • How subtle changes in movement patterns can flag health risks early, before they become emergencies
    • How caregiver alerts work — with escalation, optional 911 dispatch, and guidance for first responders
    • Why wearables so often fail older adults — and what works instead
    • The future of the intelligent home: room-level climate control, energy savings, and living spaces that adapt to you.

    0:00 Welcome to Sage Pathways

    1:16 Why homes matter in the aging journey

    2:24 Meet Bruce Ross

    3:59 From Motorola to AgeTech

    5:16 His grandmother's fall

    7:20 The Arqaios origin story

    9:03 How smart fixtures work

    10:48 Privacy-first design — no cameras, no wearables

    13:37 Fall prevention through automation

    15:40 Local data and security

    16:52 Early health signals in movement patterns

    17:50 Alerts, escalation & emergency response

    19:29 Why wearables fail older adults

    21:57 The future of home automation

    24:23 The energy savings vision

    26:01 Key takeaway on aging well

    27:36 Closing & subscribe

    Whether you're planning to age in place yourself or supporting a parent who wants to stay home, this conversation will change how you look at every light switch in the house. Because as Bruce puts it: a smarter home can support a longer, safer life.

    🎙️ Guest: Bruce Ross, Founder & CEO, Arqaios, Inc.
    🌐 arqaios.com
    💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/arqaios

    —

    Sage Pathways is your compass for intentional longevity — where professional expertise meets the enduring human legacy. Hosted by Sun-Hee Yoon, Founder & CEO of Sage Lifestyle Concierge LLC.

    New episodes every two weeks. Follow and subscribe so you never miss a conversation.
    🌐 www.sagelifestyleconcierge.com
    📧 [email protected]

    29 min
  • Spot the Scam, Stay Independent

    — with Tony LaPalio, Senior Tech Support

    Technology has become a pathway to independence for older adults — it's how we see our grandchildren's faces, refill our prescriptions, manage our finances, and stay connected to the world. But there's another side to that connection: increasingly sophisticated scams that deliberately target seniors, and a sense of shame that too often keeps people from asking for help.

    In this episode of Sage Pathways, host Sun-Hee Yoon sits down with Tony LaPalio, Founder and CEO of Senior Tech Support, for a practical, compassionate conversation about staying safe — and confident — in the digital world.

    Tony has spent his career helping older adults navigate technology with patience and dignity. And in this conversation, he pulls back the curtain on exactly how today's scammers operate — including a chilling new evolution: AI-enabled voice cloning that makes the "grandchild in jail" scam sound terrifyingly real.

    In this episode, you'll learn:
    • Why scammers deliberately target older adults — and how social engineering, urgency, and fear actually work
    • The AI voice-cloning twist that's transforming familiar scams — and how to defend against it
    • Practical red flags anyone can spot: misspelled sender addresses, poor grammar, suspicious links and attachments
    • The golden rule of verification: never respond directly — go to the official account or a trusted phone number instead
    • Exactly what to do if you've been compromised: disconnect from the internet, file a police report, and tell a trusted person
    • How families can start compassionate, dignity-preserving conversations about online safety — before a crisis
    • Why the single best defense is free: slow down, and pay attention

    0:00 Welcome to Sage Pathways

    1:27 Why technology matters now

    2:48 Meet Tony LaPalio

    4:35 Why scammers target seniors

    6:44 The AI voice-cloning scam twist

    9:47 Email and text red flags

    13:32 IRS impersonation and fear tactics

    16:41 If you've been scammed — what to do now

    19:44 Talking with aging parents about safety

    23:42 Simple steps to take today

    26:00 Wrap-up and subscribe

    Whether you're protecting yourself or a loved one, this episode will replace fear with knowledge — because as Tony says, digital confidence is independence.

    🎙️ Guest: Tony LaPalio, Founder & CEO, Senior Tech Support
    🌐 www.seniortechsupport.net
    💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tony-lapalio

    —

    Sage Pathways is your compass for intentional longevity — where professional expertise meets the enduring human legacy. Hosted by Sun-Hee Yoon, Founder & CEO of Sage Lifestyle Concierge LLC.

    New episodes every two weeks. Follow and subscribe so you never miss a conversation.
    🌐 www.sagelifestyleconcierge.com
    📧 [email protected]

    27 min
  • Rethink Your Brain: What the US POINTER Study Reveals About Protecting Your Mind — with Olivia Matongo (Alzheimer's Association) & Dr. Hyejin Kim (Rush University)

    For generations, we believed that brain health came down to luck and genetics — that cognitive decline was simply an inevitable part of aging. But the science is telling us a very different, and far more hopeful, story. What we eat, how we move, how we connect, and how we care for our minds may all shape how we age cognitively. And that means we have more power than we ever realized.

    In this episode of Sage Pathways, host Sun-Hee Yoon welcomes two remarkable guests for a conversation that is both scientifically groundbreaking and deeply human.

    Olivia Matongo, Vice President of Programs for the Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter, walks us through the landmark US POINTER Study — inspired by Finland's FINGER trial — which tested lifestyle interventions across diet (the MIND diet), physical activity, social and cognitive engagement, and regular medical monitoring. With more than 2,000 participants — 30% from diverse backgrounds — both groups improved, with the strongest results in the structured, higher-support group. It's some of the most encouraging brain health research of our time.

    Dr. Hyejin Kim of Rush University College of Nursing brings the side of this story we don't talk about enough — the family caregiver. She shares her culturally tailored stress-reduction work for Korean American dementia caregivers, illuminating the language and cultural barriers, the stigma around stress, and the real health impact on caregivers, who are so often older adults themselves.

    In this episode, you'll learn:
    • What the US POINTER Study is — and why its findings offer real hope
    • The "brain health recipe": diet, movement, social and cognitive engagement
    • Why healthy behaviors can benefit everyone — regardless of age, race, gender, or genetics
    • How culturally tailored outreach reaches communities too often left out of research
    • Why family caregivers are so often underserved — and how chronic stress affects their own health
    • A message of hope: it's never too early, or too late, to start

    Whether you're thinking about your own brain health or caring for someone you love, this conversation will leave you informed, encouraged, and ready to take the first step today.

    0:00 Welcome to Sage Pathways

    1:21 Why brain health matters

    2:09 Meet today's experts

    4:28 What is the US POINTER Study?

    7:26 Why culture matters in brain health

    8:14 The brain health recipe

    11:09 Korean American tailored outreach

    13:44 Caregivers and chronic stress

    17:22 What's next — and key resources

    19:30 Closing hope and takeaways

    21:45 Funding challenges ahead

    22:58 Final thanks & subscribe

    🧠 LEARN MORE & TAKE ACTION
    🌐 Alzheimer's Association: https://www.alz.org
    🌐 Rethink Your Brain: https://www.rethinkyourbrain.org

    🎙️ Guests:
    Olivia Matongo — VP of Programs, Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter
    Dr. Hyejin Kim — Assistant Professor, Rush University College of Nursing

    —

    Sage Pathways is your compass for intentional longevity — where professional expertise meets the enduring human legacy. Hosted by Sun-Hee Yoon, Founder & CEO of Sage Lifestyle Concierge LLC.

    New episodes every two weeks. Follow and subscribe so you never miss a conversation.
    🌐 www.sagelifestyleconcierge.com
    📧 [email protected]

    24 min
  • Aging Safely at Home: Compassionate Care, Dementia Support & Keeping Families Connected — with Katie & Ron Fielmann · Comfort Keepers of Chicagoland

    For most families, the wish is simple: to help the people we love stay safe, comfortable, and independent in the homes they cherish. But knowing how to make that happen — especially when dementia or declining health enters the picture — can feel overwhelming.

    In this episode of Sage Pathways, host Sun-Hee Yoon sits down with Katie and Ron Fielmann, the husband-and-wife team behind Comfort Keepers serving greater Chicagoland, for a warm and deeply personal conversation about what compassionate in-home care really looks like.

    Their story began with their own family. In 2002, after hiring care for Katie's developmentally disabled uncle — and watching it allow him to live independently and with dignity — the Fielmanns opened their first Comfort Keepers franchise. That personal beginning still shapes their mission today: to treat every client like family.

    In this episode, you'll learn:
    • The story behind Comfort Keepers — and why caring for their own family changed everything
    • "Interactive caregiving" and the powerful philosophy of doing things WITH clients, not FOR them — to preserve dignity and independence
    • How specialized dementia training, including the Positive Pathways program, supports families facing cognitive decline
    • How to build trust and genuine companionship between caregivers and the people they serve
    • Comfort 360 technology — wearables, in-home sensors, a wellness hub, and a family portal — that brings safety, proactive monitoring, and peace of mind
    • Why no family should navigate caregiving alone — and the resources available to help

    Katie was recognized in 2025 as the Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter's Professional Caregiver of the Year — and in this conversation, you'll hear exactly why. This is an episode full of heart, wisdom, and practical guidance for anyone caring for someone they love.

    0:00 Welcome to Sage Pathways

    1:22 Why aging at home matters

    2:14 Meet Katie and Ron Fielmann

    4:34 The family story behind Comfort Keepers

    7:23 The interactive caregiving model

    8:24 Dementia care training & Positive Pathways

    11:22 Personalized, one-on-one care

    13:49 Building trust and companionship

    15:07 "Doing with, not for"

    18:14 Beyond caregiving — connecting families to resources

    19:16 Comfort 360 technology tools

    25:04 The family portal and staying updated

    26:42 Final takeaways — and how to get help

    29:02 Closing & subscribe

    🎙️ Guests: Katie & Ron Fielmann, Comfort Keepers of Chicagoland
    🌐 ComfortKeepers.com
    📍 https://www.comfortkeepers.com/offices/illinois/elmhurst/, https://www.comfortkeepers.com/offices/illinois/arlington-heights/

    —

    Sage Pathways is your compass for intentional longevity — where professional expertise meets the enduring human legacy. Hosted by Sun-Hee Yoon, Founder & CEO of Sage Lifestyle Concierge LLC.

    New episodes every two weeks. Follow and subscribe so you never miss a conversation.
    🌐 www.sagelifestyleconcierge.com
    📧 [email protected]

    30 min
  • Rethinking Retirement: Purpose, Brain Health & the Power of Lifelong Contribution — with Dr. Andrew Barrer · Neuroscientist & Former White House Advisor

    What if retirement wasn't an ending — but a beginning?

    We're taught to think of retirement as rest. A finish line. A reward for decades of work. But the science of the brain tells a very different story: our minds thrive on engagement, purpose, and continued learning. And the most vibrant, fulfilled people in their later years are often the ones who never truly stopped contributing at all.

    In this episode of Sage Pathways, host Sun-Hee Yoon sits down with Dr. Andrew Barrer — neuroscientist, public servant, and global health educator — for one of the most remarkable life stories this show has ever shared.

    Dr. Barrer's journey is extraordinary:
    • He began working in healthcare at just 16, and went on to study neuroscience and neuropsychology
    • His clinical work focused on brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation — teaching him about life's fragility and the family impact of trauma
    • He served six years as a health policy advisor in the Clinton White House — working on the fight against AIDS, expanding the NIH budget, and advancing clean air and water
    • He led global medical education through Harvard in more than 100 countries, including directing a healthcare city program in Dubai
    • Today, back in Chicago and living with retinitis pigmentosa himself, he volunteers with the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind — where he helped establish a Family Resource Center and sensory clinic

    Throughout, Dr. Barrer makes a powerful, science-grounded case: that purpose, volunteerism, and mental engagement do far more for our brain health and longevity than any "quick-fix" supplement ever could.

    This is a conversation about what it truly means to age with meaning — and why the question isn't when you'll retire, but whether you ever really should.


    0:00 Welcome to Sage Pathways — EP 09, Dr. Andrew Barrer

    1:21 Rethinking Retirement — why the brain thrives on purpose

    25:54 Going Blind & Giving Back: The Chicago Lighthouse


    🎙️ Guest: Dr. Andrew Barrer, Neuroscientist & Public Servant
    🌐 The Chicago Lighthouse: www.chicagolighthouse.org

    —

    Sage Pathways is your compass for intentional longevity — where professional expertise meets the enduring human legacy. Hosted by Sun-Hee Yoon, Founder & CEO of Sage Lifestyle Concierge LLC.

    New episodes every two weeks. Follow and subscribe so you never miss a conversation.
    🌐 www.sagelifestyleconcierge.com
    📧 [email protected]

    37 min
  • Retirement Confidence: Building Income That Lasts & Planning for the Real Costs of Aging with Chris Genzler, CFP® · Forum Financial Management

    You spent your whole life saving for retirement. But saving and spending are two completely different skills — and almost no one teaches you the second one.


    How do you turn decades of savings into income that lasts? How do you protect it from market downturns, taxes, and the rising costs of aging? And how do you find the confidence to actually enjoy what you've built?


    In this episode of Sage Pathways, host Sun-Hee Yoon sits down with Chris Genzler, a Certified Financial Planner® with more than 35 years of experience at Forum Financial Management, for a masterclass in retirement confidence.


    In this episode, you'll learn:

    • Why investing in retirement is fundamentally different from investing while you're building wealth

    • How to build a sustainable portfolio — with appropriate risk, global diversification beyond the S&P 500, low costs, and disciplined rebalancing

    • The "cash bucket" strategy for managing withdrawals during down markets — so you're never forced to sell at the wrong time

    • How to navigate Roth conversions, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and Medicare means testing

    • Why emotional discipline — staying the course — may be the single most important factor in retirement success

    • The essential estate documents every family needs — powers of attorney, trusts, wills, beneficiaries, and proper titling — to avoid probate

    • The real costs of aging: medical care, long-term care, where you'll live, and how to plan for all of it

    • How social connection, dementia risk reduction, and even digital asset protection fit into a complete plan


    Chris brings clarity, warmth, and 35 years of wisdom to the questions that keep pre-retirees up at night. Whether you're five years from retirement or already there, this conversation will help you move forward with confidence.


    🎙️ Guest: Chris Genzler, CFP®

    🏛️ Forum Financial Management: www.forumfinancial.com

    💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chrisgenzler


    ⚠️ Disclaimer: The content in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial advice. Investment decisions should be made based on your personal financial situation and objectives. Please consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions. Investments involve risk and may lose value. Any examples provided are for illustrative purposes only.


    Episode References:

    Fidelity Investments Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, 2025. Figures represent national median estimates and vary by geography, individual health status, and Medicare enrollment. Forum Financial Management, LP has not independently verified this data. Refer to Fidelity for complete methodology. Link here.

    Genworth Cost of Care Survey, 2025. Figures represent national median estimates. Costs vary significantly by state, facility type, and level of care required. Forum has not independently verified this data. Refer to Genworth for complete methodology. Link here.

    —

    Sage Pathways is your compass for intentional longevity — where professional expertise meets the enduring human legacy. Hosted by Sun-Hee Yoon, Founder & CEO of Sage Lifestyle Concierge LLC.


    New episodes every two weeks. Follow and subscribe so you never miss a conversation.

    🌐 www.sagelifestyleconcierge.com

    📧 [email protected]

    35 min

About Sage Pathways

From the publisher's feed

Sage Pathways is the executive briefing on intentional longevity and lifestyle design. Hosted by the founder of Sage Lifestyle Concierge, we move beyond the "what" of aging to explore the "how."