The Bucket Plan® On-Demand Series

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

Discover how simplifying your language can lead to better client outcomes and practice growth. In this episode, host Dave Alison, is joined by Greg Hammer, President and CEO of Hammer Financial Group, who shares his expertise in client communication developed over his 20+ years in the industry. Hear how Hammer uses The Bucket Plan® to translate complex financial concepts into clear, relatable language that resonates with his clients. Tune in to learn practical language techniques that will help you connect with prospects and address client concerns. Plus, learn examples of powerful analogies to start simplifying the planning process for your clients.

Resources:

• Financial planning process: The Bucket Plan® philosophy
• Book Referenced: The Bucket Plan®: Protecting and Growing Your Assets for a Worry-Free Retirement
• Training Referenced: The Bucket Plan® 1.0

Discover how to help your clients navigate the complex world of equity compensation and stock options with guidance from Greg Dillon, Principal and founding partner at OneTeam Financial and C2P Partner. Host Dave Alison explores critical strategies for leveraging stock options, managing tax implications, and avoiding common pitfalls that can cost clients millions in unnecessary taxes. Learn to distinguish between Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), Incentive Stock Options (ISOs), Non-Qualified Stock Options (NSOs), and Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs), while developing actionable plans that balance tax efficiency with your clients’ investment goals. Whether your clients are approaching retirement or building wealth through equity compensation, this episode delivers valuable insights to enhance your advisory practice and client outcomes.

Discover the crucial role of life insurance in financial planning, especially for high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals. In this episode, our guest host, Kirsten Schlumbohm, Vice President, Head of Annuity Sales at C2P, sits down with Stoyan Petev, CFA, CFP®, CLU, ChFc, Senior Vice President of Advanced Markets at C2P, and Walter C. Young III, national speaker and author. While Petev discusses life insurance as an asset class, estate equalization strategies, and premium financing, Young highlights the various living benefits and income sources life insurance can provide. The episode also covers the latest innovations in life insurance products, particularly in underwriting and long-term care benefits. From estate planning strategies for high-net-worth clients to practical living benefits for everyday families — listen in to learn the multifaceted benefits of life insurance beyond the traditional death benefit.

Resources:

• Book: The 5th Option: Why Your Retirement Plan Won’t Work the Way You Think It Will by Walter C. Young III
• Tax Management Concepts: The Tax Trilogy
• Training: The Tax Management Journey®

Statistics:

• Ernst & Young and Morningstar studies show having 25-30% of assets in life insurance at retirement can nearly double the probability of financial success

Divorce made simple sounds like an oxymoron but it’s possible with financial and emotional guidance! Host Kirsten Schlumbohm lets special guest, Amy Colton, MBA, CDFA, financial advisor and CEO and founder of Your Divorce Made Simple, explain how in this comprehensive episode. Amy shares her journey from the technology and aesthetics industries to becoming a financial advisor and divorce mediator. Passionate about advocating for women, she discusses the unique challenges women face during major life transitions such as divorce, and how her innovative approach helps them navigate these changes efficiently and amicably. Tune into this compelling conversation that also covers the importance of financial planning, tax implications, and emotional support during a divorce. 

Resources: 

• Your Divorce Made Simple 

As a financial advisor, planning for your clients' futures is second nature—but what about the future of your own business? Join guest host Kirsten Schlumbohm, Vice President, Head of Annuity Sales at C2P, as she welcomes father-daughter financial advisory duo Tim Bogart, CLU, CHFC, LIC, AIF®, and, Betsy Larson, WMCP®, BPC of Comprehensive Planning Strategies. Together, they discuss their real-world experience in multi-generational succession planning. They share the lessons learned, the steps taken to ensure continuity, and the benefits of integrating specialized services, like special needs planning, into a financial practice. Whether you’re considering a family successor or looking to transition your business to the next generation, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you create a smooth, client-centered succession plan. 

Resources: 

• Succession planning training: The Teamwork Movement Live Training 
• Personality test: Kolbe A™ Index  

C2P Advisors only: 

• C2P Portal: C2P Mentor Connect  

Statistics: 

• 16% of the population in the Detroit area has a family member with a disability or special needs 
• 65% of financial advisors lack a formal succession plan 

Discover how to transform Social Security planning from a basic retirement checkbox into a powerful strategic asset for your clients. Join host Dave Alison, CFP®, EA, BPC, President of Prosperity Capital Advisors and Alison Wealth Management, as he sits down with Ash Ahluwalia, CFP®, MBA, NSSA®, CSSCS, head of Social Security planning at OneTeam Financial, for a discussion on advanced Social Security optimization techniques. Learn why maximization isn't always the answer and how to integrate Social Security decisions with comprehensive retirement planning for your clients across the wealth spectrum. Whether you're serving mass affluent retirees or ultra-high-net-worth families, this episode reveals actionable strategies to enhance your Social Security planning expertise and deliver more value to your clients.

Resources:

• Recommended Planning Software: Social Security Solutions
• Social Security Training Program NSSA® Certification (available with C2P discount)
• Retirement Planning Philosophy: The Bucket Plan®
• Retirement Planning Training: The Bucket Plan® 1.0

Statistics:

• Over 60 million Americans currently receive Social Security benefits
• 20% of Social Security recipients rely on benefits as their sole income source
• Trust fund projections indicate 80% benefit sustainability even without reforms

As technology continues to evolve faster than we can keep up with, cyber-fraud threats evolve with it. Join host Matt Seitz, Chief Marketing Officer at C2P for an insightful discussion with Carrie Kerskie, author, and president of Kerskie Group LLC, on protecting sensitive client data and preventing digital fraud. As a licensed private investigator providing identity fraud and cyber threat risk management services, Carrie shares practical strategies for safeguarding client information and identifying sophisticated scams. Learn actionable steps to protect your practice and clients from emerging threats, including AI-powered schemes and business email compromise attacks.

Resources:

• Password Manager:1Password
• Government Service: IRS IP PIN registration system, USPS Informed Delivery service
• Educational Resource: Kerskie Group LLC Identity Theft Tip Sheet
• Books by Carrie Kerskie: Your Public Identity and Protect Your Identity: A Step-by-Step Guide and Workbook
• Podcast: JL Smith Holistic Wealth and Health Podcast (episode featuring Carrie Kerskie)

Statistics:

• Multiple financial institutions have reported remote access fraud resulting in seven-figure losses
• Naples, FL ranks among the top locations for reported identity theft cases
• College-age dependents represent a significant portion of fraudulent tax return cases