How do you build a connection with your work colleagues? How has your work culture helped with personal and professional growth?
Listen in as Josh Leonard and his guest Eric Leathem, director of operations at Leonard Advisory, explore Eric’s career journey with Leonard Advisor – his entry, his exit and his return. They reveal the workplace culture built in Leonard Advisory and how it contributed to the personal growth and well-being of the employees.
Josh and Eric discuss:
What is Eric’s background and history of work with the firm
Personal anecdotes and experiences within the workplace culture
Why are office culture and team-building activities, such as ski trips, important
How have relationships and experiences contributed to shaping the office culture
Can current market predictions be as off the mark? How do long-term investment strategies and emotional management play into market unpredictability? How do unexpected market outcomes challenge current forecasts?
Listen in as Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro, Financial Planner at Leonard Advisory Group, dive into what the market’s been up to and look back at some of the surprises from last year. They tackle the whole issue of bank failures and what that means for our wallets.
Josh and Pete discuss:
Why are market predictions not always the most reliable
Where has the impact of bank failures been felt in the economy
What is the influence of interest rate changes on the economy
Why is it important to have a long-term investment plan and manage emotions during market fluctuations
About our Guest: Pete is a seasoned Financial Planning professional with over 15 years of diverse experience in financial, business, sales, and marketing domains. Presently, Pete serves as a financial planner, specializing in helping clients make decisions that align with their current and future financial requirements. His extensive career includes roles as an independent advisor, a registered assistant, and a licensed banker, providing him with a broad spectrum of financial expertise.
Pete’s belief in the value of a multifaceted background is rooted in his conviction that it enables him to offer clients a distinctive and ultimately more effective perspective when it comes to future planning and goal setting. He firmly believes that a comprehensive understanding, not just of financial matters but also of clients and their individual needs and desires, is the cornerstone of a robust financial plan. This holistic approach underscores his commitment to delivering the strongest financial solutions for his clients.
Did you add financial goals to your New Year’s resolutions? What happens when those goals aren’t the best option for your financial plan but you don’t want to change them? Sticking to those goals could do more harm than good.
Josh Leonard goes beyond the surface, addressing the intricacies of financial goal-setting and providing tangible examples of how lists can serve as a guiding force in achieving a secure and fulfilling retirement. Don’t miss out on this insightful discussion that can reshape your approach to financial planning in the New Year.
Josh discusses:
Why is using lists important to refine financial goals for retirement
What are some common misconceptions about money, taxes, and debt
How do emotions influence financial goals
How can financial goals be prioritized effectively
The New Year typically follows with New Year’s resolutions. What goals do you have for the New Year? And what strategies could help you to stay on track?
Gear up for a power-packed New Year as Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro from the Leonard Advisory team discuss their resolutions and success strategies! Dive into their reflections on the past year’s triumphs, including Pete’s career eureka moment and Josh conquering a half ironman. Uncover the secrets behind their goal-setting choices and the winning strategies that propelled them to achievement.
Get ready to be inspired and equipped with insights to conquer your resolutions.
Josh and Pete discuss:
Their personal goals over the past year
How their goals related to their personal and professional growth
Why is setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals important
Why is emphasizing commitment and perseverance important in goal achievement
About our Guest: Pete is a seasoned Financial Planning professional with over 15 years of diverse experience in financial, business, sales, and marketing domains. Presently, Pete serves as a financial planner, specializing in helping clients make decisions that align with their current and future financial requirements. His extensive career includes roles as an independent advisor, a registered assistant, and a licensed banker, providing him with a broad spectrum of financial expertise.
Pete’s belief in the value of a multifaceted background is rooted in his conviction that it enables him to offer clients a distinctive and ultimately more effective perspective when it comes to future planning and goal setting. He firmly believes that a comprehensive understanding, not just of financial matters but also of clients and their individual needs and desires, is the cornerstone of a robust financial plan. This holistic approach underscores his commitment to delivering the strongest financial solutions for his clients.
Do you take your personal safety seriously? What indicators could you be putting out, telling unsavory characters you are a vulnerable target?
Discover with Josh Leonard, Angela Ferrante and their guest Sam Rosenberg, founder of Live Ready and the author of “Live Ready: A Guide to Protecting Yourself in an Uncertain World.” Sam debunks some common myths about helplessness and randomness in violence, sharing valuable advice on personal security and self-defense techniques.
Sam discusses:
When does learned helplessness have an impact on society
Where can danger be recognized and managed
Why is it important to have a plan for personal safety
How can body language and threat indicators be read
Angela Ferrante is a 1987 graduate of Allegheny College with a degree in Economics and Finance. She started with Equitable Life as an insurance representative 2 weeks after graduation selling life and disability insurance to the medical community. By 2005 she was supervising 165 representatives in 4 states and running the brokerage side of the office which included the opening of accounts, research, trade placement, cashiering of upwards of $2 million per month, as well as her own client base. Angela became an Accredited Investment Fiduciary in 2015. Angela and Mark live in Somerset County where she enjoys skiing, hiking, biking and gardening.
Sam Rosenberg has been in the business of protecting people and organizations – and teaching them how to protect themselves – since 1996.
He is the Founder of Global Protective Services, Inc. (GPS) and Sam Rosenberg’s Academy of Personal Protection, both based in Pittsburgh, PA, which together provide comprehensive enterprise risk management, training, and executive protection services for clients globally.
Are you worried that technology could take over your job? You aren’t the first to feel this way. Whenever technology booms, fear of replacement creeps up. But have you considered the new jobs that this type of evolution opens up?
Join Josh Leonard with his guest Michael Laughlin, head of the portfolio specialist team at Morningstar. They explore the potential of AI in various sectors such as finance, marketing, software development, and healthcare, emphasizing that AI will never fully replace the human element, which is crucial to decision-making and building relationships.
Michael discusses:
What are the potential business applications of AI
When and where is the role of AI in the financial advisory industry
How do established leaders and investors perceive AI
A subject matter expert in portfolio construction and trends in the wealth management community. Frequent conference speaker and thought leader. Collaborating with portfolio and sales management teams to design model solutions that help Wealth Management Advisors scale their practices. Experienced in multi-asset class portfolios including alternatives, ESG, and factor investing for UHNW clients.
The end of the year is the perfect time to take stock of your personal finances and make any adjustments that need to be made.
From catching up on retirement contributions to making charitable donations, you have a bit of time left to get everything in order before 2024.
In this episode, Josh Leonard explores end-of-year financial planning. He dives into assessing asset and debt issues, understanding tax implications, maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged accounts, and more. Josh also explains the benefits of gifting money to avoid estate taxes and the importance of financial aid planning for children or grandchildren attending college.
Josh discusses:
The need to look at taxable investment accounts and making end-of-year moves
The importance of taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) for individuals turning 73 this year
Tax planning strategies
The importance of maximizing contributions to accounts like HSAs and 401(k)s by the end of the year
The need to review insurance plans during open enrollment and update estate documents in light of any family changes or additions
The importance of considering financial aid planning strategies for college-bound kids
In this episode, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro, Financial Planner at Leonard Advisory Group, shine a light on a concerning topic that affects many retirees – identity theft and fraud.
Join them as they unveil practical advice that acts as your shield against these modern-day threats. Discover the power of freezing your credit, regularly monitoring your credit scores, and cultivating robust online security habits. Our experts leave no stone unturned to ensure you’re well-prepared for the challenges that may arise.
But it’s not just about digital defense. Josh and Pete emphasize the significance of maintaining financial discipline when using credit cards, ensuring your retirement nest egg remains secure.
Stay in the know about current fraud trends and outsmart the scammers at their own game.
Pete and Josh discuss:
Statistics on the prevalence of fraud among older adults
Protective measures individuals can take, such as monitoring credit scores and freezing credit
Importance of freezing credit to protect against unauthorized credit checks and potential identity theft
Practicing good online security habits, such as using strong passwords and utilizing features like face recognition or fingerprint scanning
Staying informed about current fraud trends, particularly phishing scams through emails
About our Guest: Pete is a seasoned Financial Planning professional with over 15 years of diverse experience in financial, business, sales, and marketing domains. Presently, Pete serves as a financial planner, specializing in helping clients make decisions that align with their current and future financial requirements. His extensive career includes roles as an independent advisor, a registered assistant, and a licensed banker, providing him with a broad spectrum of financial expertise.
Pete’s belief in the value of a multifaceted background is rooted in his conviction that it enables him to offer clients a distinctive and ultimately more effective perspective when it comes to future planning and goal setting. He firmly believes that a comprehensive understanding, not just of financial matters but also of clients and their individual needs and desires, is the cornerstone of a robust financial plan. This holistic approach underscores his commitment to delivering the strongest financial solutions for his clients.
Get to know another puzzle piece that intertwines perfectly in the Leonard Advisory Group’s growing team…
In this episode, Josh Leonard is joined by Pete Belcastro, Financial Planning Consultant at Leonard Advisory Group. Pete shares his journey from cold calling to becoming an investment banker and then a Certified Financial Planner. Pete also discusses his passion for outdoor activities and his dedication to community service.
Josh and Pete chat about:
Pete’s personal background, including being a Pittsburgh native and a sports fan
Pete’s career journey into the world of financial planning and investments
The importance of comprehensive financial planning
His other certified hat: a father and husband
His involvement in the Reading is Fundamental program, which promotes literacy among elementary school students in Pittsburgh
Pete is a seasoned Financial Planning professional with over 15 years of diverse experience in financial, business, sales, and marketing domains. Presently, Pete serves as a financial planner, specializing in helping clients make decisions that align with their current and future financial requirements. His extensive career includes roles as an independent advisor, a registered assistant, and a licensed banker, providing him with a broad spectrum of financial expertise.
Pete’s belief in the value of a multifaceted background is rooted in his conviction that it enables him to offer clients a distinctive and ultimately more effective perspective when it comes to future planning and goal setting. He firmly believes that a comprehensive understanding, not just of financial matters but also of clients and their individual needs and desires, is the cornerstone of a robust financial plan. This holistic approach underscores his commitment to delivering the strongest financial solutions for his clients.
Discover the secrets of wealth mastery as we unveil strategies that will work for you no matter what your portfolio looks like.
In this episode, Josh unravels essential strategies for navigating uncertain financial landscapes, drawing insights from the practices of the ultra-wealthy and astute investors. Starting with the importance of diversifying a portfolio to mitigate market fluctuations, exploring options like fixed income and advanced strategies. We then delve into the concept of “dry powder” and how it empowers investors to seize opportunities without unnecessary trading. Advanced tax planning steps are also unveiled, offering potential avenues to maximize tax advantages.
Josh discusses:
Three hidden opportunities to take advantage of and two costly mistakes to avoid when the market is volatile
Essential questions to ask yourself in the process
The importance of partnering with knowledgeable financial professionals as trusted resources due to the current online climate
Finding advanced tax strategies for wealth preservation
Importance of caution with investment trends and social media Influencers
