When markets turn volatile, clients often start calling with questions and seeking answers. How you handle these conversations often determines whether clients stay the course or make emotional decisions that can hurt their long-term outcomes. Join host Kalem Mackey, CFP®, BPC, Executive Vice President and Partner at C2P, as he sits down with Stoyan Petev, Senior Vice President of Advanced Markets at C2P, and Mark Peterson, Director of BlackRock's Market and Portfolio Insights team, for an honest conversation about what's really driving market turbulence and how to navigate it effectively. From reading market signals that others miss to capitalizing on new income opportunities, listen to learn how to help guide your clients through uncertainty while positioning their portfolios for future success.

Resources:

• BlackRock Publication by Mark Peterson: Student of the Market
• Financial planning process mentioned: The Bucket Plan®

Statistics:

• Stocks have been up two years in a row
• The market experienced a 10% decline in two days in early April, followed by a 9.5% rebound on April 9th
• Interest rates on the 10-year US Treasury bond exceeded 4% for the first time since 2007, marking almost 15 years
• Inflation peaked at 9+% in June 2022 and recently dropped to 2.3%, the lowest level since February 2021
• There were 14 consecutive months when both stocks and bonds lost money - unprecedented in investing history 

The retirement tax landscape has fundamentally shifted, and what once served as powerful wealth-building tools have now become potential financial landmines. Discover why America's IRA expert Ed Slott calls traditional retirement accounts "the worst assets on Earth" and learn the strategic moves advisors need to make before it's too late. Join host Dave Alison as he sits down with Ed Slott, CPA and founder of Ed Slott and Company, to explore how the SECURE Act transformed retirement planning and why the strategies that worked for decades no longer apply. From understanding the true cost of "fake deductions" to leveraging historically low tax rates, you’ll learn how to protect your clients' retirement wealth and build exceptional value in your practice.

Resources:

• Exclusive organization and membership for financial advisors: Ed Slott and Company Elite IRA Advisor Group
• IRA training: Ed Slott and Company’s 2-Day IRA Workshop

Statistics:

• Traditional IRAs now face a 10-year distribution window for most non-spouse beneficiaries under the SECURE Act
• Current tax rates represent historically low levels, with the 24% bracket significantly lower than historical norms
• The SECURE Act eliminated the stretch IRA provision that previously allowed distributions over 30-70 years

Women are living longer than ever with women outliving men by an average of five years, and half of all widows over 65 outliving their husbands by an additional 15 years.* This longevity creates unique planning challenges, as women face extended healthcare costs and a widening health-span gap. Join host Kirsten Schlumbohm, Vice President and Head of Annuity Sales at C2P, and panelists Ashley Ilardo, Regional Director and Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors, and Tiya Stanley, VP of National Accounts at F&G, to explore comprehensive approaches to women's longevity planning. Discover strategies for addressing women's unique retirement needs, from investment considerations to insurance solutions that provide both protection and independence. Learn how advisors can have meaningful conversations about lifestyle goals, aging in place, and creating financial security that lasts through a woman's entire retirement journey.

*Statistics:

• Women on average outlive men by five years, with half of all widows over age 65 outliving their husbands by an additional 15 years.
• The health-span gap for women is 13.73 years versus 11.08 years for men.
• Women need long-term care for an average of 3.7 years versus 2.2 years for men.
• 70% of nursing home residents are women.

The Bucket Plan® strategy — a time-segmented approach that organizes assets into Now, Soon, and Later buckets — can provide both financial security and psychological confidence for clients, especially when in a volatile market environment. Join guest host Kalem Mackey, CFP®, BPC, Executive VP at C2P, as he interviews Dave Alison, Founding Partner of C2P and CEO of Alison Wealth Management, to discover how to create "Bucket Plans of Steel" that withstand major market uncertainty. Whether you're already implementing The Bucket Plan® or new to this methodology, you’ll learn practical strategies for streamlining your planning process, improving client deliverables, and effectively communicating with clients during turbulent markets.

Advisors are encouraged to consult with their firm's compliance department prior to using or distributing consolidated reports like the ones mentioned in the episode, as such reports may present risks related to accuracy, custody, and client communication under SEC rules.

Resources:

• Philosophy discussed: The Bucket Plan®  
• Advisor Trainings: The Bucket Plan® 1.0, The Teamwork Movement Live Training
• Portfolio analytics tool: Kwanti
• Planning software: eMoney, Orion
• AI Notetaker: Zocks
• Video tool: Loom (for client communications)

Life insurance is often misunderstood, mismanaged, and mis-sold, yet it remains one of the most powerful tools in comprehensive financial planning. Join host Dave Alison as he interviews Dave Buckwald, founder and CEO of OneTeam Financial and partner at C2P, who shares his deeply personal journey shaped by the tragic events of 9/11. With over 30 years of experience guiding individuals, families, and business owners through comprehensive financial planning, Dave Buckwald reveals how to overcome client inaction and effectively position life insurance as a strategic asset class within holistic wealth management. Discover the innovative "love and greed" approach to life insurance, learn how to reframe the conversation around taxes rather than mortality, and understand why even the wealthiest clients should consider life insurance as part of their legacy and estate planning.

Resources:

• Book referenced: The Retirement Savings Time Bomb Ticks Louder: How to Avoid Unnecessary Tax Landmines, Defuse the Latest Threats to Your Retirement Savings, and Ignite Your Financial Freedom by Ed Slott
• Planning process referenced: The Bucket Plan®
• Training referenced: The Tax Management Journey®

Upgrade your retirement planning with strategies built for longer lifespans. Join host Kirsten Schlumbohm, Vice President and head of Annuity Sales at C2P, as she interviews Jeannette Bajalia, a senior wealth manager at JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management with nearly two decades of experience specializing in elder care life transition planning. Learn how Jeannette adapted the traditional three-bucket approach of The Bucket Plan® to include a fourth bucket specifically allocated for healthcare planning, alternative care, and support services that extend beyond traditional retirement needs. Learn how this methodology particularly serves women's unique longevity challenges while helping advisors differentiate their practice through comprehensive planning.

Resources:

• Book referenced: Wi$e Up Women: A Guide to Total Fiscal and Physical Well-Being by Jeannette Bajalia
• Organization referenced: Women's Worth

Statistics:

• 80% of women are dying single
• The centenarian population is one of the fastest-growing segments worldwide
• Healthcare costs can reach $30,000 per month for certain medications without proper planning

Most financial advisory firm owners plan on an internal succession, but many delay the planning process, losing out on substantial profits and time saved both immediately and in the long run. Host Kirsten Schlumbohm, BPC, Vice President of Annuity Sales at C2P, and special guest, Kathryn, “Kem” Taylor, CBEC™, consultant at FP Transitions, team up to discuss the critical topic of timely succession planning. From G1 (founders) to G2 (next-generation owners) and even G3 advisors, they cover the challenges and opportunities of setting up a firm for lasting success. Taylor also highlights the importance of creating a clear career path and cultivating a culture that fosters growth and diversity in the industry. Tune in for practical advice and strategies for empowering the next generation of financial advisors and creating a thriving, inclusive industry for all.

How can advisors better support women in achieving financial confidence—especially during times of transition? Join host Kirsten Schlumbohm, Vice President and Head of Annuity Sales at C2P, for a heartfelt and tactical discussion with Grace Nicholson, founder of Akamai Advisors, and Lisa Chenet, financial fiduciary and advisor at CLP Financial Group. Together, they share practical strategies for guiding women through financial planning using The Bucket Plan®. From building clarity and confidence to giving women permission to spend, this episode is a must-listen for advisors committed to deepening client relationships and delivering greater impact for women.

Resources:

• Planning Concepts: The Bucket Plan®
• Financial Advisor Training: The Bucket Plan®

Statistics:

• 80% of widows switch financial advisors within a year of their spouse's death
• Women are expected to inherit over 50% of the $84 trillion wealth transfer through 2045
• Women live 5 years longer than men on average

Do your clients call in a panic when the market drops, ready to abandon their long-term strategy based on the day’s headlines? In this episode, hosts, Dave Alison and Jason L Smith, reveal their proven playbook for turning market volatility from a practice threat into a potential growth opportunity. Discover how The Bucket Plan® gives clients the confidence to stay the course during uncertain times while creating natural openings for referrals and new assets. Listen as Jason shares real-world examples from his own practice where this approach helped continue to bring in new assets despite market fluctuations. Whether you're dealing with client concerns about tariffs, inflation, or political uncertainty, this conversation delivers practical language, proactive outreach strategies, and tactical planning moves that can help showcase your value when clients need it most. 

Resources: 

• Books referenced: The Bucket Plan®: Protecting and Growing Your Assets for a Worry-Free Retirement and The Rainmaker Multiplier: How to Create a Self-Sustaining, Scalable Financial Planning Business by Jason L Smith 
• Training: The Bucket Plan® 1.0 
• Dave Alison contact information : [email protected]  

Statistics: 

• US News and World Report ranked The Bucket Plan® as a top 10 retirement planning book in 2023 
• Tesla is down 40% for 2025  
• Nasdaq is down 10% for 2025 
• S&P 500 is down 5% for the year as of April 2025 
• S&P 500 is only down 3.8% for the year (as of March 17) 

In this timely episode, host Dave Alison sits down with Dr. Apollo Lupescu, a 21-year veteran of Dimensional Fund Advisors, to address pressing investor concerns during periods of economic transition and policy change. From the potential impact of tariff policies to the concentration risk of tech giants, their conversation offers clear insights for financial advisors to help their clients navigate market volatility. Dr. Lupescu offers a balanced perspective on inflation expectations, global diversification benefits, and why historical market performance during periods of policy uncertainty suggests maintaining disciplined investment approaches. Discover practical strategies to address client concerns about market fluctuations while keeping their long-term financial plans on track, regardless of which administration is in office or what economic challenges emerge.

Statistics:

• The "Magnificent Seven" tech companies represented approximately 34% of the S&P 500 and 55% of NASDAQ at the time of recording
• Historically, tariffs generated up to 90% of federal revenue, compared to less than 2% in modern times
• Services account for approximately 80% of U.S. GDP, potentially limiting tariff impact on the overall economy
• Many consumer electronics contain components from dozens of countries despite final assembly in a single location
• Stock markets have historically doubled in value even during major global conflicts
• Since 1926, only 12 calendar years have seen market losses exceeding 10%
• During a previous administration with significant tariff policies, the U.S. stock market grew approximately 80% over four years
• Countries targeted by tariffs have often outperformed the U.S. market during the same period, with examples of China seeing 20% gains and Mexico posting positive returns while the U.S. experienced flat or negative performance
• U.S. Steel Corporation stock price fluctuated significantly around tariff announcements, falling from approximately $40 to $20 per share, then rising to almost $45 before falling again after implementation
• During the 2020 pandemic, markets dropped approximately 30% but ended the year up about 18%
• In a previous tariff implementation on washing machines, about 12% of a 20%

tariff was passed on to consumers