Palisades Hudson VP Rebecca Pavese is an experienced financial planner, a CPA, and the mother of two daughters who have played sports at NCAA Division I schools. Her elder daughter earned a cross-country and track scholarship to the University of Tennessee; her younger daughter received a scholarship to play softball at Clemson, where she has kicked off her freshman season this spring. Rebecca sat down with “Something Personal” host Amy Laburda for a discussion about what it’s been like raising young athletes from the early days in recreational leagues through college competition. As both a parent and a financial professional, Rebecca offers advice to athletes’ family members, as well as to young athletes themselves, as they progress toward whatever their ultimate level of play may turn out to be.

Links:

• “Navigating College Admissions” (featuring Rick Clark, Georgia Tech)
• “Financial Foundations: Budgets And Credit Scores” (featuring Rebecca Pavese, CPA)
• “Name, Image And Likeness Tips For Student-Athletes” by Eric Meermann, CFP®, CVA, EA

Buying a home, especially a first home, is an exciting step. But the process can be daunting, especially when it’s unfamiliar. In this episode, private mortgage banker Doug Kenner and financial planner David Walters sit down to guide listeners through the process. How do you know you’re ready to buy? What’s the difference between prequalification and preapproval? Should you opt for an adjustable rate or a fixed rate mortgage? Doug and David explain the ins and outs, so homebuyers can proceed with confidence, whatever their situations may be.

• Doug Kenner on LinkedIn
• “Love, Marriage And Prenups” (featuring David Walters, CPA, CFP®)
• “Gifting Family Assets Creatively” (by Benjamin C. Sullivan, CFP®, CVA, EA)
• “Why Estate Planning Is For Everyone” (featuring David Walters, CPA, CFP®)

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act preserved some tax provisions, altered existing rules, and introduced entirely new ones. Now that it is income tax preparation season, how should you navigate the ins and outs? Eric Meermann, CFP®, CVA, EA, has decades of tax experience to draw on for the answer. In this episode, Eric walks listeners through the major tax provisions of last summer’s omnibus legislation. Beyond details on tips, overtime, state and local tax deductions and the many other changes in play, Eric offers some broader suggestions about staying ahead of deadlines and keeping things organized.

Links:

• “Tariffs, Taxes And ‘All That Government Stuff’” (featuring Larry Elkin, Paul Jacobs and Ben Sullivan)
• “Big, But How Beautiful?” by Eric Meermann
• “GOP frustrations grow over lackluster ‘big, beautiful bill’ sales pitch,” The Hill
• Occupations that customarily and regularly received tips on or before December 31, 2024 (IRS)
• “Why Estate Planning Is For Everyone” (featuring David Walters)
• Q&A about qualified expenses for 529 plans (IRS)
• “Building Community Around Mission” (featuring Ben Hall and Ben Sullivan)

In a special behind-the-scenes episode of “Something Personal,” host Amy Laburda chats with the show’s director, editor and mixer, Joseph Ranghelli. Joe offers listeners a window into what he does for this podcast, as well as his experiences on other podcasts and on television. Amy and Joe then dive into Joe’s film background and his experiences working for productions in New York City. To wrap up, Joe shares his opinions on the upcoming Academy Awards: what should have been nominated, why “Sinners” broke through despite its genre roots, how to predict which way best picture will break and more.

Links:

• Art Movez
• BRIC TV
• "Chill"
• National Board of Review (history)
• Billy Crystal's opening monologue, the Academy Awards (1998)
• “Aspect Ratios with Sinners Director Ryan Coogler”

Between entertainment services, meal kits, online storage and more, most of us pay for a host of subscriptions. But when you continue to pay for services you no longer use, “undead” subscriptions can take a nasty bite out of your budget. Kasey Radney, CFP®, sits down with host Amy Laburda to talk about why subscriptions are everywhere. They discuss how to fend off zombies before they multiply, strategies for keeping yourself honest about which subscriptions you choose to pay for, and how to make sure your subscriptions don’t sneak up on you in the future. Listen in to learn how to prevent your bank statement from becoming a home for the walking dead.

Links:

• “Attack of the Zombie Subscriptions!” by Kasey Radney, CFP®
• “Why One Man Is Fighting for Our Right to Control Our Garage Door Openers” (NYT, subscription required)
• “Financial Foundations: Budgets And Credit Scores,” featuring Rebecca Pavese, CPA

Executive and retirement coach Andrea Maizes prevents people from making terrible mistakes. Business founders, CEOs and executives may simply trust that they will figure out retirement when it arrives, but life’s transitions can easily blindside even the most capable among us. Andrea sat down with Eric Meermann, CFP®, CVA, EA and Paul Jacobs, CFP®, EA to talk about when someone is ready for retirement, the ways that modern retirement looks different from the cliched image many hold, and what to do if someone arrives in retirement only to discover that it isn’t what they thought it would be. Find out how Andrea helps her clients define retirement success and the steps she can help them can take to achieve it.

• Learn more about Andrea
• Andrea on LinkedIn
• “The Next Edit” on Substack
• “Your Next Edit” book cover reveal
• “Life Is in the Transitions” by Bruce Feiler
• RQ Assessment

Jonathan Stanley, the bestselling author of “Purposeful Performance: The Secret Mix of Connecting, Leading, and Succeeding,” unexpectedly went viral after connecting with a little girl and her mother at a book signing. But while TikTok success was a surprise, connection was already fundamental to Jonathan’s message for business leaders and employees alike. In a conversation with Paul Jacobs, CFP®, EA, and host Amy Laburda, Jonathan discusses his book at length. Discover why businesses need to identify their values and ensure they’re aligned with both employees and customers; why putting purpose ahead of profit leads to better long-term outcomes; how to help employees achieve and celebrate their successes, and much more.

Editor’s Note: Otto Frank’s name is accidentally transposed in passing as “Frank Otto” (at 38:12).

Links:

• Jonathan’s website
• Purposeful Performance (print or e-book)
• Purposeful Performance (audiobook)
• Taylor Mae’s TikTok
• Jonathan’s TikTok response
• "The Benefits Of Volunteering" ("Something Personal" S2E15, featuring Paul Jacobs)

Whether you’re buying a laptop, replacing a washing machine, or booking an international vacation, retailers are eager to sell you additional protection for your purchase. Whether it takes the form of a service plan, an extended warranty or trip disruption insurance, it can be hard to evaluate whether these add-ons are worth the price. Thomas Walsh, CFP®, joins host Amy Laburda for a deep dive into what these products involve, when they are and aren’t worthwhile, and alternative strategies for protecting your budget and your peace of mind. Learn how to think about your options like a financial planner, and why it’s important to avoid making decisions out of anxiety.

Links:

• “The Elusive Right-Sized Emergency Fund” by Benjamin C. Sullivan, CFP®, CVA, EA
• “Balancing Building Savings With Paying Off Debt” featuring Thomas Walsh, CFP®