Retirement isn’t just about finances. It’s about creating the calm, joy, and fulfillment you want in your later years.

In this episode, David Koren shares how inner peace, gratitude, and purpose shape a more meaningful retirement. Through meditation, spirituality, and focusing on lifestyle before money, David explains how to create a life filled with clarity and joy. He also shares personal experiences that shaped his approach to helping others live with intention.

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Could your reaction to the market be a bigger risk to your retirement than the market itself?

In this episode, David speaks with Rick Wedell, Chief Investment Officer at RFG Advisory, about the fundamentals of managing money for retirement. They explore the importance of understanding risk capacity versus risk tolerance, the difference between public and private markets, and how to tune out sensational media noise when making long-term investment decisions. 

Rick also shares why liquidity matters and how his updates are designed to provide clarity, not fear.

Rick discusses:

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About our Guest: 

Rick Wedell joined RFG Advisory as Partner and Chief Investment Officer (CIO) in 2016. As CIO and leader of RFG’s Investment Team, Rick manages multiasset portfolios and provides strategic insights on asset allocation and portfolio construction. Rick also leads the design and enhancements of RFG’s custombuilt, institutional-caliber, client-focused investment platform known as “Bluemonte”, currently managing over $3 billion of assets under management.

Rick’s guiding principle is simple, straightforward analysis coupled with a consistent, rigorous investment process. Recognizing that foundations and family offices often enjoy a significantly higher level of access and sophistication around portfolio management, Rick designed an innovative investment experience focused on bringing that level of service and direct accessibility to financial advisors at RFG Advisory.

Before joining RFG, Rick spent 12 years at Bain Capital Credit, where he rose through the ranks to become Executive Vice President, Head of Fixed Income Consumer Investments, and Assistant Portfolio Manager. Rick played an instrumental role in helping Bain grow to become a global investment powerhouse, serving client assets in excess of $30 billion. Managing portfolios through the volatile markets of 2001 and 2008, Rick experienced firsthand the importance of portfolio diversification and the tradeoffs between risk and portfolio return. He applies those same lessons today to managing client and institutional portfolios at RFG Advisory.

What does pickleball have to do with retirement? 

More than you’d think! Join David Koren from RVA Wealth Management as he dives into the vibrant community of pickleball, a growing sport that’s perfect for retirees. Special guest Jon Laaser, COO & Co-Founder of Performance Pickleball, shares why this sport is taking off and how it nurtures social connections and physical health for retirees.

Explore why pickleball could be your new favorite retirement hobby and how it’s impacting communities:

Find out how pickleball is more than just a game; it’s an exciting way to enrich your retirement life. Ready to unleash your retirement? Dive into this episode for a fun and insightful conversation!

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About our Guest: 

Jon Laaser is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner of Performance Pickleball, a company he co-founded with Lee Warfield in 2023. In that role he oversees the operation of Performance Pickleball RVA, Performance Pickleball ROA and Performance Productions. He is also the host of “The Stack” podcast and serves as “The Voice of Collegiate Pickleball” for DUPR.

Prior to founding Performance Pickleball, Laaser was the President & Founder of Laaser’s Ladybug Society and spent 22 years in sports broadcasting and athletic promotions. His diverse background includes stints as “The Voice of the Virginia Tech Hokies,” “The Voice of the Richmond Flying Squirrels” and “The Voice of the Charleston Southern Buccaneers.” The 45-year-old has also served stints in the broadcast booth for affiliates of the Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks. Additionally, he could be heard on the call of both men’s and women’s basketball for the VCU Rams and for multiple sports on The ACC Network. His previous stops also include MASN, NBC Sports Washington and The Hampton Roads Sports Network. 

A native of Minneapolis, MN, Laaser began his career at KFAN Radio in his hometown. He currently resides in Short Pump with his wife, Renée, and their beloved pug Steve.

What happens when staying at home isn’t the safest option anymore? How do you navigate elder care and senior living decisions?

Join David Koren, Founder and Wealth Manager, MBA, ChFC®, CLU®, as he chats with Jen Dowda from Dowda Senior Consultants. Jen’s firm in Richmond offers all-encompassing support for seniors and their families, from aging in place to transitioning into senior living communities. Learn how they tackle everything from listening to personal stories with empathy to managing logistics like property downsizing and senior living arrangements. Discover why RVA Wealth Management considers this a major part of retirement planning.

David and Jen discuss: 

Check it out now for tips on navigating senior care that you’ll want to share with your loved ones.

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About our Guest: 

Jen Dowda, MA, is the Founder and CEO of Dowda Senior Consultants. Jen is blessed to work with seniors and their families daily – and to have been doing so for over 9 years. She is deeply passionate about coming alongside families during this uniquely challenging and often disorienting time in their lives. In order to truly be able to meet all the needs presented, and aware that she cannot personally be an expert in every field, Jen created the Dowda Senior Consultants team. As a person who loves nothing more than to be able to walk alongside of and serve others, this company is her dream come true – a culmination of all of her strongest gifts and longings. Jen currently lives in Mechanicsville, has four children, a ridiculously huge dog, and an incredibly blessed life.

Is it possible to financially help your adult children without jeopardizing your retirement? The short answer is yes, you can. But what financial boundaries need to be set?

In this episode, David is joined by guest Mike Smith to dive into the intricacies of supporting adult children financially. They discuss the impact on your retirement savings, when parental support may be beneficial, and how to set up clear financial boundaries. Plus, David and Mike offer practical steps to empower your children to take charge of their financial independence without compromising your own stability for retirement.

David and Mike discuss: 

Through this enlightening discussion, listen as they unfold valuable insights on maintaining financial stability while supporting the next generation.

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What does retirement really look like? Join us as we explore the various phases of retirement that people embark on, focusing on how to make those dreams a reality. 

In this episode, David Koren, Founder and Wealth Manager at RVA Wealth Management, dives into the “go-go,” “slow-go,” and “no-go” years of retirement, emphasizing the importance of planning at each stage to ensure a fulfilling and secure retirement journey. Listen as David shares real client experiences that highlight the diversity and individuality of retirement journeys, underscoring the need for a personalized approach.

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Embrace this opportunity to equip yourself with insights on retirement phases and effective financial planning strategies to maximize life’s different stages.

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Planning your distributions for retirement is essential to maximizing your retirement income and fulfilling your goals for this new phase of life. 

By planning properly, you can avoid any financial setbacks and ensure you live the life you desire. 

David and Mike cover the essentials of planning your retirement distributions. From deciding when to take Social Security benefits to understanding Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), they break it all down. Discover strategies for maximizing retirement assets by exploring the benefits of Roth conversions and managing multiple retirement accounts. Plus, they discuss common misconceptions and the psychological hurdles retirees face when dipping into their savings. 

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How can political shifts influence your investments?

In this episode, David welcomes back Mike Smith to navigate the murky waters of a post-election financial landscape and dissect the implications of the recent political power shift. With both the Presidency, Senate, and House now under one party’s control, the duo explores what this means for the markets, tax laws, and investors’ portfolios. David and Mike dive into a conversation that’s sure to enlighten retirees and investors alike, touching on critical topics such as market fluctuations, party control, and planning amidst policy changes. Tune in to understand the potential economic and market impacts of tariff changes, Trump tax cuts, and the ongoing AI and industrial infrastructure boom.

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What does the upcoming presidential election mean for your portfolio?

Join David Koren from RVA Wealth Management for Episode 25 of the Unleash Your Retirement podcast as he delves into the dynamics of the current election cycle and its potential impact on your investments. David provides a refreshing perspective, emphasizing why the broad market fundamentals and your risk tolerance should guide your investment decisions – not transient political events or election outcomes.

In this episode, David talks about:

Tune in and find out why politics may not be the main driver for market performance and why staying focused on your financial strategy might be the best choice in uncertain times.

For further advice and to get in touch with us, visit rvawealthmanagement.com.

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AI is transforming industries at a rapid pace—and it’s impacting your investments more than you might think.

Join David Koren as he sits down with colleague and seasoned portfolio manager Mike Smith to dissect the 2024 mid-year market update. With insights into the performance of the S&P 500, bond market, and the heavy influence of tech giants. Gain a better understanding of current market dynamics, the profound impact of burgeoning sectors like AI on future trends, and more!

David and Mike discuss: 

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