Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! In today’s special episode, we’re closing the chapter on our beloved “Diary of a Financial Advisor” segment as part of this podcast. It’s a bittersweet milestone, but I’m excited to have a fantastic guest to help us celebrate and reflect. Joining me is Kobe Bolanos, a rising star at BFG Financial Advisors whose journey from Operations Associate to budding financial advisor is both inspiring and insightful.

I kicked off our conversation by sharing how Kobe Bolanos has been with BFG for just over four years and is rounding out our five-year apprenticeship program, well on his way to leading clients into brighter financial futures. We talked about his academic background—hailing from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and earning his degree at Stevenson University before taking on the rigorous Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Beyond the office, Kobe Bolanos finds joy in reading and taking on unique fitness challenges—a testament to his discipline both personally and professionally.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Growth Beyond the Textbook: Kobe Bolanos emphasizes that real financial advising isn’t just about technical knowledge; it’s about understanding clients’ emotions and unique situations—skills you only build through experience.
2. Importance of Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence is crucial, especially when guiding clients through transitions, losses, or fears. Effective advisors translate technical concepts into language clients can relate to, tailoring advice on a client-by-client basis.
3. Early Advocacy for Estate Planning: Kobe Bolanos is committed to bringing estate planning awareness to younger generations, having witnessed firsthand the financial and emotional impact of being prepared—or not.
4. Building Young Professional Networks: By connecting with the Young Lawyers Group and leading professional organizations, Kobe Bolanos is fostering relationships that will shape the future of the industry, proving the value of starting early in building a professional community.
5. Learning from Mistakes: Neither career nor personal growth happens without a few stumbles. Kobe Bolanos’s ability to laugh at himself, learn, and roll with mistakes demonstrates resilience—an invaluable trait for any professional.

Join us as we continue to inspire and educate you on your journey toward financial freedom and purpose. Thank you for supporting “Diary of a Financial Advisor.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode, and stay tuned for exciting updates with BFG University. As always, don’t retire—graduate!

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! In today’s episode, we’re taking the mystery out of one of the most overlooked financial assets: life insurance. I’m joined by Jamie Mendelsohn, Executive Vice President of the Ashar Group, a nationally licensed life settlement broker dedicated to helping families, business owners, and institutions maximize the value of their existing life insurance policies. Jamie’s family business has been leading the way in educating advisors and policyholders since 2003, and she’s recognized as a go-to resource for anyone seeking a profitable exit solution for their policies.

In our conversation, Jamie and I dive deep into the world of life insurance—far beyond the “death benefit” stereotype. We unpack the concept of treating life insurance as an asset, not just a checkbox or a forgotten document in a drawer. Jamie shares how the Ashar Group acts as an “auctioneer” for policies, helping clients leverage the secondary market for life insurance—often unlocking significant liquidity for retirement, long-term care, business needs, or philanthropic goals. We also discuss the importance of insurability, the little-known benefits of buying insurance early (especially for kids and grandkids), and how life settlements can empower policyholders to give while living, creating immediate impact for charities and loved ones. Throughout the episode, Jamie brings relatable stories and real-life scenarios that illustrate the life-changing potential of managing—rather than discarding—your life insurance policies.

We wrap up with Jamie’s personal story and her authentic, heartfelt perspective on what she wants to be when she grows up, sprinkling in a few laughs, some Orioles nostalgia, and a reminder to see the value in assets you might be overlooking.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Life Insurance Is an Asset: Life insurance isn’t just “death insurance”—it’s a buy-and-manage asset that can be valued, sold, and leveraged for retirement, business liquidity, or charitable giving.
2. The Life Settlement Market: Many policyholders don’t realize they can sell their policies in a regulated secondary market, often for more than the surrender value. This liquidity can solve long-term care needs, support philanthropy, or keep a business afloat.
3. Insurability Matters: Buying life insurance for children or grandchildren can preserve their insurability for life, opening doors for future financial planning—even if health challenges arise later.
4. Charitable Solutions and Giving While Living: Life settlements can fund significant charitable gifts, allowing donors to witness the impact of their generosity now rather than waiting for a bequest after passing.
5. Don’t Throw Away Your Policy—Value It First: Before surrendering or lapsing a policy, policyholders should explore its market value. Life insurance can be worth tens, hundreds of thousands, or even millions—and could change the trajectory of a family, business, or community.

Join us as we build purpose, passion, and financial wisdom for every stage of life. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with anyone curious about the real value of their life insurance policy!

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! In today’s episode of our “Diary of a Financial Advisor” segment, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Hannah Dennis, who transitioned from teaching young children to becoming a client relations associate and our resident marketing guru at BFG Financial Advisors. Hannah’s journey is a compelling example of how diverse skills—like those honed in the classroom—can create an immediate impact in the financial services industry.

Hannah joined us after graduating from the University of Scranton and teaching for four years in the Baltimore area. Her background in education has been invaluable in shaping her communication style, her empathetic approach to clients, and her ability to keep all of us, especially me, in check! In addition to her client relations role, Hannah dove headfirst into the marketing aspect of our firm, helping to track and optimize our initiatives, including this very podcast.

In our discussion, Hannah and I explored her transition from education to finance, noting the shift from an “island” of classroom independence to a collaborative team environment. She explained how data-driven decision-making from her teaching days now influences our marketing strategies, emphasizing the importance of tracking what’s truly working—whether that’s a successful webinar or a standout podcast episode.

We also discussed the stressful yet rewarding reality of managing marketing in a busy firm and the value of slowing down to implement changes efficiently. Hannah shared what it’s like to be behind the scenes, wrangling not just the team, but also vendors, deadlines, and creative ideas. With the podcast and Diary segment both evolving—particularly with Diary moving to a webinar format through BFG University—Hannah’s skill set has never been more crucial.

For some lighter moments, we talked about our firm’s annual summit, our karaoke adventures (stay tuned for a possible duet reveal!), and what our listeners can look forward to as we launch new and improved educational content in the coming year. Hannah’s journey is not just about a career shift but about leveraging strengths, embracing change, and always striving for personal and professional growth.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Embracing Career Change: Hannah’s journey from teaching to finance demonstrates that transferable skills, like collaboration and data-driven thinking, are invaluable—even across vastly different industries.
2. Data-Driven Marketing: By applying her experience as a teacher, Hannah transformed our marketing approach—utilizing data to determine which initiatives, webinars, and podcast episodes best engage our audience.
3. The Power of Collaboration: Moving from a solo teaching role to a team environment at BFG allowed Hannah to learn from colleagues, share new ideas, and innovate more effectively than ever before.
4. Adapting to Growth and Change: Hannah’s advice to “slow down, trust the process, and implement change gradually” is a lesson for anyone stepping into a new role or industry.
5. Looking Ahead—Interactivity and Fresh Content: With “Diary of a Financial Advisor” moving to a webinar format on BFG University, our content will become more timely, interactive, and driven by what you—our listeners—want to see.

Join us as we share, learn, and grow together on the path to financial independence and a fulfilling, purpose-driven future. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment (especially if you want to see our karaoke duet!), and share this episode with friends and colleagues on the journey to “Don’t Retire… Graduate!”

1. Pain to Purpose: Matt’s journey shows that personal pain can be transformed into service and purpose—helping others find hope and resilience amid their own struggles.
2. Recovery Is Lifelong: Addiction recovery, whether chemical or behavioral (like debt or spending), is a lifelong process. Accountability, support, and “speaking the truth in love” are critical for lasting change.
3. Financial Wellness Is Holistic: True financial wellness goes beyond dollars and cents—it's deeply linked to mindset, emotional health, and the support systems we build. Financial anxiety can persist even after basic needs are met, especially when rooted in past trauma or scarcity.
4. Generational and Individual Challenges: Our experiences around money, independence, and mental health are shaped by generational patterns, cultural backgrounds, and personal histories. There’s no “one-size-fits-all”—every journey is unique.
5. The Importance of Vision and Purpose: Building a vision for our future—even if it feels difficult or intimidating—is essential. Whether planning for retirement, caregiving, or breaking out of survival mode, a clear purpose helps us create better present and future outcomes.

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! In this special “Diary of a Financial Advisor” segment, I’m thrilled to welcome Andrew Harrell. Andrew’s journey is one of passion, commitment, and ongoing growth. He began at BFG as an associate in 2018, quickly advanced to lead advisor in 2023, and recently became a shareholder. Andrew graduated cum laude from Coastal Carolina University and was recognized with an Outstanding Alumnus Award from their Wall College of Business. He holds his CRPC (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor) and his CFP (Certified Financial Planner), already making an impressive mark in the field.

Andrew and I dove into his evolving role, the significance of financial wellness, and the value of professional networking through the Financial Planning Association (FPA). We traded familiar office banter—yes, his “Young Protege” and “EJ” nicknames are alive and well!—before unpacking how staying engaged with the FPA not only shapes the profession but also impacts legislative advocacy and community outreach. Andrew explained how collaboration with fellow advisors, not competition, best serves clients and the financial planning industry.

We then explored a pivotal initiative at BFG: our corporate financial wellness program with KCI and other organizations. Andrew shared how this program empowers employees at every level to make sound financial choices, alleviating stress and fostering peace of mind through holistic planning. We also talked about the importance of taking off the “planner hat” and embracing well-rounded wellness for clients and ourselves. To wrap up, Andrew reflected on his vision for the future—staying true to his own strengths while continuing to make a difference.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Professional Community: Andrew emphasized that working together with other financial advisors through the Financial Planning Association fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and positive impact—rather than rivalry.
2. Legislative Advocacy Matters: Involvement with the FPA and similar organizations keeps financial advisors aware of regulatory changes and provides a voice to influence legislation that affects both advisors and their clients.
3. Financial Wellness for All Levels: Our corporate wellness program brings personalized financial guidance directly to employees, helping them understand complex benefits packages and make informed decisions regardless of their asset level.
4. Holistic Wellness is Essential: True financial planning goes beyond numbers—it’s about providing peace of mind, making sure beneficiaries and wills are in place, and reducing stress for both advisors and their clients.
5. Never Stop Growing: Andrew’s journey reminds us that ongoing professional development, community engagement, and the desire to elevate those around us are keys to a fulfilling and impactful career in financial planning.

Thank you for joining us on this episode as we continue to inspire, educate, and guide you toward financial freedom with purpose. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with anyone looking to reshape their financial future!

1. The Rule of 72: Scott breaks down how money doubling every ten years—based on a 7.2% average annual return—can be a simple, empowering way to visualize long-term growth and motivate early action.
2. Harnessing the Power of 16: By shifting perspective, we realize that starting to invest early offers the unique ability to multiply money by sixteen over forty years, turning long-term discipline into an immediate “superpower.”
3. Loss Aversion as Motivation: Scott’s third epiphany highlights how our multiplying power halves every ten years after we begin investing—creating urgency and leveraging our innate drive to avoid loss for faster action.
4. Financial Literacy Is for Everyone: You don’t need to be a math whiz or have years of experience to succeed at personal finance; simple, practical habits and behavioral shifts make the greatest impact over time.
5. Generosity and Purpose: Financial mastery isn’t just for personal gain; Scott’s story about “becoming an Ernie” reminds us that wise stewardship leads to opportunities to make a difference and gives deeper meaning to financial success.

1. A Personal History Fuels Professional Passion: Claudia’s early exposure to her family’s disciplined financial management instilled in her a drive to enter the finance industry and help others achieve similar stability and success.
2. Diverse Industry Experience Matters: From trading desks to portfolio management, Claudia’s varied background equips her to navigate complex client needs and deliver thoughtful, informed advice.
3. Intimate Client Relationships Set BFG Apart: Transitioning from a large corporation to a boutique firm, Claudia emphasizes the ability to deeply understand clients' financial worlds and provide true financial planning.
4. Milestone Moments Motivate Advisors: The most rewarding aspect of the work, according to Claudia, is witnessing clients achieve significant life events—whether it’s retiring or finishing paying for a child’s education.
5. Accountability and Wellness Programs Enhance Growth: Regular check-ins with accountability partners and participation in BFG’s financial wellness programs not only help advisors stay focused but also expand the reach and impact of financial education.

1. Art Journaling as Transformational Coaching: You don’t have to be an artist to benefit from art journaling—it’s a tool for self-expression and emotional processing during uncertain times, accessible to anyone who can doodle, collage, or simply make marks on a page.
2. Reimagining Purpose in Retirement: Life after work isn’t about finding a new singular “big P” purpose, but rather about embracing a series of “small p” purposes that evolve, shift, and can be explored daily through curiosity and microlearning.
3. Managing the Identity Shift: The transition into retirement brings grief, loss of status, and uncertainty about who we are, but it also opens opportunities for shedding old identities and trying on new ones without long-term commitment.
4. Structuring the Blank Canvas: If you’re used to being busy, it helps to gently reintroduce structure post-retirement—but leave intentional space for creativity and exploration, embracing both boredom and talent for value creation in new forms.
5. Joy as a Guiding Principle: Purpose and joy are not mutually exclusive; in fact, real fulfillment comes when we allow them to intersect—by finding glimmers of excitement and allowing ourselves to pursue whatever sparks curiosity, even if it ends up being a brief detour.