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Empowering Families in Need: The Story of Christopher’s Kitchen (Ep. 25)

Empowering Families in Need: The Story of Christopher’s Kitchen (Ep. 25)

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When you’re in the hospital, the last thing you want to worry about is where your next meal is coming from. That’s the philosophy Christopher’s Kitchen bloomed from. 

In this episode, Josh Leonard is joined by Leonard Advisory Group’s very own client and good friend, Carol Hesz. As an ambassador for Christopher’s Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that provides food to families with children in the hospital, Carol shares how she got involved with the organization and her role in organizing food drives and fundraising events. She offers her experience with the need for access to food 24/7 in hospitals and how Christopher’s Kitchen fills that need. Carol shares heartwarming stories of how the organization has helped individual families and talks about the annual events they host. 

Carol discusses: 

  • The story of how Christopher’s Kitchen started
  • Aspects that Christopher’s Kitchen helps with such as access to food, saving money on eating out, and saving time
  • Services provided by Christopher’s Kitchen to families in need
  • What to expect at the annual Christopher’s Kitchen event including previous costume winners and the creativity of attendees 
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

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How to Choose the Best Place to Retire (Ep. 24)

How to Choose the Best Place to Retire (Ep. 24)

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Are you questioning whether you want to retire in your home state or venture into a different area during your golden years? 

Josh Leonard explores the topic of the best places to retire, depending on an individual’s savings and personal preferences. He explains the important factors to consider when making the decision to relocate such as thinking about the taxes, the cost of living, the proximity to family and friends and more.

In this episode, Josh covers: 

  • How to research the cost of living for the place you desire to relocate to
  • Getting to know the climate or seasonal changes in certain retirement locations
  • Considering the travel time to visit your loved ones, especially any kids or grandkids in your family
  • Looking for areas where it’s not going to be difficult to stay active and make new friends 
  • Thinking about healthcare needs before making a move in retirement
  • Considerations for living overseas in retirement
  • And more

Resources:

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How Can You Prepare for the Rising Cost of College? with Dan Cieniewicz (Ep. 23)

How Can You Prepare for the Rising Cost of College? with Dan Cieniewicz (Ep. 23)

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As your children get closer and closer to graduation, that education cheque is slowly becoming your reality. 

In this episode, Josh Leonard is joined by Dan Cieniewicz aka The College Dude, to discuss all things saving for college. They emphasize the need for parents to come up with a budget and consider sources of funding for college including the FAFSA process and recent changes to it. 

Dan and Josh discuss: 

  • Retirement benefits grandparents can receive through paying for their grandchildren’s education 
  • The challenge of integrating grandparents into the conversation about college funding
  • The importance of scholarships, grants, and choosing the right school for each student
  • The FAFSA Simplification Act and its implications for grandparent-owned 529 plans
  • The four fits and factors you need to consider before choosing a college 
  • And more

Resources:

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About our Guest: 

Dan Cieniewicz works with parents of teenage children as they find themselves in a position to strategize to pay for college while also staying on track for retirement. Dan’s goal when working with clients is to explain the complexities of the financial aid & college application process and to strategize to make sure that both parents and children are set up for long-term success. 

Dan was born & raised in Berks County. He attended Albright College, majoring in Economics & Political Science and played on the football team.  Dan has obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. 

Dan is the head girls basketball coach at Warwick High School in Lititz, PA and loves working out and playing basketball. He resides in Lititz with his wife, Carly.  He also became a father in March of 2022, to a beautiful daughter, Stella.

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Practical Tips for Traveling (Ep. 22)

Practical Tips for Traveling (Ep. 22)

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Dreaming of world travel but unsure how to do it safely?

In this episode, Josh Leonard dives into how you can transition into a retirement life filled with safe, intentional travel. Learn how to embrace the excitement of exploring new places while also ensuring your safety, health, and financial well-being.

We’ll cover:

  • Blending in and maintaining a low profile while traveling
  • The importance of having an emergency plan and what it should include
  • The essentials of a travel first aid kit
  • The need for short-term travel insurance and its implications
  • Why digital copies of your important documents are vital and how to securely manage them
  • The pros and cons of solo travel and maintaining connections back home
  • Strategies to stay sharp, alert, and aware, minimizing risks during your travels
  • The significance of an emergency cash stash and how it can be a lifesaver
  • And more!

Resources:

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Are You Thinking About Un-Retiring? (Ep. 21)

Are You Thinking About Un-Retiring? (Ep. 21)

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Retirement just isn’t what it used to be.  

In this episode, Josh Leonard discusses the concept of “unretirement” and finding a mission in the next phase of life. They challenge the conventional understanding of retirement, discussing the potential pitfalls, tax implications, and the emotional aspects of stepping away from a lifelong career.

Josh unpacks:

  • The future of retirement and how individuals are seeking purpose beyond the paycheck
  • Caution against claiming social security too early due to potential repayments
  • Reasons why individuals return to the workforce post-retirement
  • The emotional aspects of work: finding a mission, purpose, and social connection
  • How work can serve as a gateway to community involvement
  • Tax implications of relocating during retirement
  • And more!

Resources:

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Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Goals (Ep. 20)

Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Goals (Ep. 20)

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We’ve got our very own IRONMAN 70.3 Steelhead accomplisher in the studio! 

In this episode, Josh Leonard shares his experience completing a half ironman race. Despite facing thunderstorms and a delayed start, Josh was able to swim comfortably and exceed his expectations on the bike leg. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on what you’re good at and enjoy, both in the race and in retirement. Despite setbacks, including a shelter-in-place order, Josh remained determined to complete the race.

Josh discusses: 

  • The key takeaways from his training
  • Reflections on the value of accepting unexpected challenges
  • The importance of the loving support he received from his wife and the community around him
  • The importance of setting goals and staying motivated
  • How this relates to achieving the goals that you set for yourself in retirement
  • And more

Resources:

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5 Reasons to Ignore the Market When You Retire (Ep. 19)

5 Reasons to Ignore the Market When You Retire (Ep. 19)

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Are you worried about the market affecting your retirement plans?

In this episode, Josh Leonard talks about five reasons to ignore the market when you retire. He explains each reason and emphasizes the importance of the corresponding retirement planning steps. But ultimately, it’s all about sticking to a long-term plan. Just like climbing a mountain, reaching the peak doesn’t mean you’re done. Your investments need time to grow. So, relax and tune in to learn more about creating a solid financial plan so you can ignore the market.

The 5 reasons Josh discusses: 

  • You still have a long timeline
  • You have planned for your retirement income
  • You can reduce market risk with a proper tax plan
  • Planning for market corrections
  • You have an ample emergency fund

Resources:

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Important Life Lessons Learned: Father’s Day Edition With Bill Leonard (Ep. 18)

Important Life Lessons Learned: Father’s Day Edition With Bill Leonard (Ep. 18)

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Father’s Day is a great time of the year to reflect on some of the most important life lessons and skills you have learned over the years.

In this episode, Josh Leonard invites a VERY special guest on the show, his father, Bill Leonard! Together they discuss some of the unforgettable life lessons and mindset-altering moments that made them into the fathers, professionals, and family men they are today.

Josh and Bill discuss: 

  • The mindset each of them was taught about work early in life and how it influenced their work ethic
  • How they curated a lifestyle that allows them to be at most, if not all, their kids’ ball games (and how you can too!)
  • Some advice for new parents and how to discover your child’s unique skills and interests throughout their development
  • Strengthening your family’s structure 
  • And more

Resources:

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About Bill Leonard: 

William Leonard founded Leonard Advisory Group to fill in the gaps he saw when helping his mother plan for retirement. Bill focused much of his career on the insurance and annuity industry. As an independent advisor, he helped thousands of retirees and pre-retirees face the financial challenges that lie ahead with confidence. Since 1996, Bill has worked in a variety of capacities, gaining valuable experience with insurance. In 2007, he became an independent consultant, focusing on income protection and retirement planning. Bill was an honorary host of the “Protecting Your Profits” radio show on 94.5 3WS Pittsburgh and a weekly guest on the national broadcast “Financial Safari” radio show heard locally on NewsTalk 104.7 FM. He has also been featured on WISR 680 AM and WORD FM. In his free time, Bill enjoys traveling, boating, skiing, hiking, biking, restoring antique vehicles, and spending quality time with family, friends, and clients. He has been married to his wife, Cindy, for almost 40 years. They have three children: Zach, Josh, and Zoey, as well as a crazy border collie named Sweep. After over 25 years of assisting families transition into retirement Bill is excited to transition himself into retirement at the end of 2022.

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Transitioning into Retirement with Jerome Myers (Ep. 17)

Transitioning into Retirement with Jerome Myers (Ep. 17)

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Getting stuck doing the things that you’ve always done just because you’ve always done them is one of the biggest atrocities of life. We have an opportunity each day to make something new and you should make the most of it.

In this episode, Josh Leonard brings on Jerome Myers to talk about one of the biggest lifetime transitions, transitioning into retirement. Jerome goes over the key areas of finding your next chapter in life and explains the significance of an “and” instead of an “or” lifestyle, the importance of prioritizing authenticity, how you can find your next mission in life, and how silence can help you find clarity.

Jerome discusses: 

  • Why he started to help people with exit planning and transitioning into retirement
  • The key areas of finding your next chapter 
  • The significance of an “and” lifestyle instead of an “or” lifestyle
  • Why it’s important to prioritize being your true, authentic self in all aspects of your life
  • How he helps people discover their next mission in life
  • How finding silence and peace can help you find clarity
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Jerome Myers:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

About our Guest: 

Jerome Myers is an award-winning engineer, investor, mentor, and business strategist who helps founders navigate their Exit Paradox through his masterminds and coaching programs.  

Prior to leaving his corporate leadership position, Jerome built a $20 million, 175-person division of a Fortune 550 company from scratch.  He now uses his project management, engineering, and business expertise to advise business leaders on key areas such as leadership strategy, process improvement, sales and data analytics in real estate, financial services, business services, and health care to help his clients double their revenue, time off and charitable giving.

Jerome is also a general partner in a multifamily real estate portfolio and serves on the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. 

In 2022, Jerome won the prestigious alumni achievement award for the North Carolina A and T State University College of Engineering where a fully endowed scholarship has been created in his family’s name.  A noted media expert, Jerome has been featured in Business Insider, Black Enterprise, Entrepreneur, Biznow, CBS, ABC, and Fox.

Jerome has interviewed numerous newly exited operators (NEOs) on his top-ranked Dreamcatchers podcast which provides inspiration, education, and direction to his audience of founders who are building companies to sell after they exit the “Matrix”.

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Money Meets Machine: The Impact of AI in Financial Services (Ep. 16)

Money Meets Machine: The Impact of AI in Financial Services (Ep. 16)

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In a world where AI is slowly taking over our everyday lives, it is important to understand what exactly this technology is and how it may be beneficial to a number of different aspects of your life. 

In this episode, Josh discusses new AI ventures such as Chat GPT and how some of our everyday devices may not be so far from it. He shares the different ways this technology could be leveraged to serve our clients better.

Josh discusses: 

  • Some benefits AI might bring to your job and everyday life
  • The number of different AI vehicles you might not realize you are using on a day-to-day basis 
  • Ways we see it impacting the financial services industry 
  • How AI can be used to assist in data analysis and decision making
  • The benefits of using AI to personalize and enhance customer experience
  • The future of what these technologies could mean for us in a number of facets 
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

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