Your Life Simplified: A Financial & Wealth Management Podcast

From experience to impact: A leader's journey | Your Life Simplified

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leadership isn't defined by a job title—it's shaped by the experiences, values and people who influence our path. In this episode, host and senior ...

Growing forward—insights on leadership and life

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this inspiring conversation, host Whitney Reagan talks with Mariner's Chief Operating Officer, Cheryl Bicknell, JD, LL.M, explore leadership, gr...

Think Mariner Is Just for Individuals? Think Again.

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Host and Senior Wealth Advisor Dan Sharkey sits down with Mike Welker, CFA®, head of Mariner Institutional, to explore how Mariner collaborates with ...

Concentrated Stock: Strategies to Protect Your Wealth

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When much of your wealth is tied to a single stock—especially your employer's—you face both opportunities and risks. In this episode, Senior Wealt...

Leading with Purpose

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to liberate greatness—and how can reflection, coaching and self-awareness help you get there? Whitney Reagan, senior wealth advis...

The Real Value of a Wealth Advisor

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Investment and tax strategies matter, but true wealth management goes beyond the spreadsheet. Cohosts Daniel Sharkey, senior wealth advisor, and Whitn...

Networking to Build Connections That Matter

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Networking isn't just for job fairs and LinkedIn—it's a part of everyday life. Whitney Reagan, senior wealth advisor, and Gaylyn McGregor, senior we...

Financial Foresight: Why Learning Before You Decide Matters

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Your Life Simplified, host Michael MacKelvie, senior wealth advisor, talks with Kurt Schindler, senior wealth advisor, about the be...

Estate Planning for Blended Families

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Your Life Simplified, host Whitney Reagan, senior wealth advisor, and Christina Lynn, director, wealth strategist, dive into the di...

Teach Your Child to be Financially Independent

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most parents' goal for their children is to be financially independent once they leave the nest. So, how do they get there? Whitney Reagan, senior we...

Raising Financially Savvy Children

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Want to raise children who are not just financially literate but are financially savvy? Whitney Reagan, senior wealth advisor, and Christina Lynn, Ph...

Navigating and Controlling the Sale of Your Business

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Your Life Simplified, Daniel Sharkey, senior wealth advisor, and Tom Tilley, managing director, mergers & acquisitions, discuss the...

Estate Planning on Your Level

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Daniel Sharkey, senior wealth advisor, is joined by Jessica Nelson, senior wealth consultant, to discuss esta...

Portfolio Income Buffer

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Daniel Sharkey, senior wealth advisor, sits down with Breanna Seech, senior wealth advisor, to explore the strategy of portfolio inco...

Direct Indexing

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join hosts Whitney Reagan, senior wealth advisor, and Daniel Sharkey, senior wealth advisor, as they discuss direct indexing. This episode unpacks how...

Behind the Scenes With a Chief Investment Strategist

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Whitney Reagan, senior wealth advisor, is joined by Jeff Krumpelman, chief investment strategist. He shares ...

Mitigating Concentration Risk

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, breaks down the potential dangers of an overly concentrated investment portfolio and shares actio...

Fixed Income Explained

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Daniel Sharkey, senior wealth advisor, is joined by Sandy Pourcillie, head of fixed income. They unpack commo...

Scary Financial Mistakes to Avoid

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do these financial mistakes have you spooked? They don't have to. Whitney Reagan, wealth advisor, and Daniel Sharkey, senior wealth advisor, share fou...

2025 Estate Tax Exemption

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Scott Luhnau, vice president of multi-generational wealth planning, joins Dan Sharkey, senior wealth advisor, on this episode of Your Life Simplified ...

Why the SECURE 2.0 Act Matters More Than Ever

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Your Life Simplified, host Daniel Sharkey, senior wealth advisor, is joined by Scott Luhnau, vice president of multi-generational w...

Set Your Family Up for a Successful Family Meeting

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Your Life Simplified, hosts Whitney Reagan, wealth advisor, and Daniel Sharkey, senior wealth advisor, continue their discussion on...

The Value of a Family Meeting

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Family meetings may sound daunting and challenging but they don't have to be. Hosts Whitney Reagan, wealth advisor, and Daniel Sharkey, senior wealth ...

Never Pay Full Price for College

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

College is expensive, so you should never pay full price. Hosts Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, and Daniel Sharkey, senior wealth advisor, discuss...

Building Wealth as a Young Professional

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Young Professionals: Now that you're past the basics of financial planning, what should you be thinking about as you continue building your wealth? Ho...

In 2024, Should You Rent or Buy Your Home?

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Should I rent or buy my home? On this episode, we'll dive into several studies and look at your return on investment, time, taxes, cost of home renova...

Year-Round Tax Planning

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tax season may be over, but that doesn't mean we're done tax planning. Jennifer Kohlbacher, director of wealth strategy, joins Michael MacKelvie, weal...

Cash Balance Plans Explained

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cash balance plans are often understood but can be a win-win for tax savings and retirement planning. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie...

How Parents Can Teach Teens About Investing

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Want to teach your child about investing? It can be difficult to know where to start and even how to answer their questions. Hosts Michael MacKelvie a...

Why Working With a Wealth Advisor Is Important

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's not just about the numbers. There is value beyond the data that a wealth advisor can offer. They work to solve complex challenges and guide peopl...

Tax Implications of Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s are among the very basics of building a financial plan, and they apply to just about everybody. On this episode of Your Life ...

Estate Planning: Protect Your Legacy & Avoid These Mistakes

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

No one likes planning their mortality, but this is not time made but time spent. The challenges and financial strain without proper planning can, unfo...

Non-Financials of Retirement

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is it that people get wrong about retirement? On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, is joined by guest, Kei...

How to Prepare for Maternity Leave

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Having a new child can bring immense amounts of joy, but it can also bring stress, especially when it comes to being financially prepared. This week,...

Rebalancing Your Portfolio

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The one constant in life is change, and the markets are no exception to this, which leads to a familiar question for many investors. When should you ...

Money in the Movies

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Money is a topic of conversation in many movies. The question is the legitimacy of some of these movies and how they portray the financial industry. ...

Alternative Minimum Tax Explained

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our last episode, we started our discussion on Incentive Stock Options (ISOs). Now, we'll continue that discussion and dive deeper into Alternative...

Incentive Stock Options Explained

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of stock-based compensation, shedding light on how Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) work and the strategies...

6 End-of-Year Tax & Financial Planning Strategies

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we near the end of the year, what is it that you should be doing to minimize taxes and make sure that you've got your financial world organized? Va...

RSUs, Restricted Stock and Restricted Securities

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As an executive, you probably have some time of restricted stock or security in your compensation. But what is right for you and your portfolio? Stev...

Cybersecurity: How to Protect Your Finances from Cybercrime

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's digital age, cybersecurity has become more important than ever. With cybercrime on the rise, it's crucial to know how to protect yourself ...

Alternative Income From Structured Notes and Options

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, is joined by special guest, Brett Kunshek, head of options and structured ...

3 Things You Need to Know Before Moving Abroad

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With flexibility and connectivity in today's world, many are excited by the idea of moving abroad and traveling; however, with that comes complicatio...

2023 Tax Planning Strategies

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We may not be at the end of the year yet, but now is the time to start end-of-year tax planning. Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael ...

Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Jake Kern, managing director and senior wealth advisor, discuss t...

Eliminating Guilt From Spending

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For many, they've become wealthy because of their focus on saving. They've spent their entire lives being disciplined and saving money. Then, there co...

2023 Midyear Crystal Ball Outlook

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While we can't look into the future, each year, we feature a webinar that peers into a crystal ball and shares what we expect to see from the markets ...

Advanced Estate Planning Strategies

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With larger estates, often come more complicated estate plans. Ben Voelker, director of wealth strategy, is back on this episode of Your Life Simplifi...

Providing Financial Security for Loved Ones with Special Needs

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we discuss estate planning, it's a way to communicate our values and decide how we want our legacy to look. When you have a family member with sp...

What Young Adults Need to Know Before College

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Parents and Teens: Today we have creative hacks that could save you tens of thousands of dollars, regardless of if you qualify for financial aid. On t...

Considerations of Owning a Second Home

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The math behind owning a second home: does it make sense or should you just enjoy a vacation in your favorite destination? On this episode of Your Lif...

What is an Annuity and How Does it Work?

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, break down annuities. They cov...

Creating Your Estate Plan

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While estate planning can be overwhelming for a lot of families, having a thorough estate plan in place can make a significant impact on how your weal...

Picking the Right Trustee

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Being a trustee is something that requires knowledge, effort and liability, so when you're creating your estate plan, it's important to consider your ...

Money Markets: What You Need to Know

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is a money market? What is the difference between a money market and a money market fund? They are at their highest demand since 2008, but there'...

FDIC & SIPC Insurance

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With recent failures in the banking industry, many investors are worried about the safety of their accounts. Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, a...

Teaching Teens About Finances

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Starting early can make a significant impact on retirement savings, but how can you help teach your teen to start building wealth? Valerie Escobar, se...

How to Find Internships in Wealth Planning

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As college students, finding and accepting an internship can be a daunting task. Tracy Hutton, senior manager of recruiting, joins this episode of You...

Term vs. Permanent Insurance

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When looking at insurance, you're likely faced with two options—term or permanent insurance. Which one makes more sense for you and your situation? ...

Types of Life Insurance Explained

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With many insurance options available, it can be overwhelming and complicated to decide what is the right choice for you. This week, Jerry Clark, seni...

Cryptocurrency: Digital Assets and How They Fit in Your Portfolio

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Blockchain technology has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years for its potential to transform industries such as finance, supply chain, hea...

ABCs of Medicare Part 2

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Medicare is another cost to consider during retirement. How do you get the most value out of your Medicare package? On this episode of Your Life Simpl...

ABCs of Medicare Part 1

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There can be a lot to unpack when considering the different Medicare coverage components and understanding what may be right for you. On this episode ...

Bond Market: Should You Invest in Bonds?

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Considering rising interest rates and inflation, should you invest in bonds? While bonds are a common investment, they can be complex. Michael MacKelv...

Planning for Long-Term Care with Your Parents

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

50% of adults will need long-term care at some point in their life, and this can have major impacts on your emotions and financial plan. Dr. Christina...

How to Discuss Prenups with Your Partner

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Before saying, "I do," it can be helpful to discuss finances with your fiancé and have a prenuptial agreement in place. On this episode, Valerie Esco...

What to Consider Before Signing a Prenup

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Oftentimes, getting a prenuptial agreement may feel unromantic, timely and expensive. But not having a prenup can end up causing more strife and costi...

Inherited IRA Strategies

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the passage of the SECURE Act & SECURE 2.0 Act, Stretch IRAs are no longer an option. So, how should investors with an IRA manage this and what s...

SECURE 2.0 Act: Retirement Saving Changes

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 2022, Congress passed SECURE 2.0 Act, and this new legislation has significant changes to the ways you save for retirement. On this episode of Your...

History of the Financial Markets: A Look Back at the Last 100 Years

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In celebration of Your Life Simplified's 100th episode, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, look back at th...

5 Costly Roth IRA Mistakes to Avoid

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A Roth IRA is an important component of your retirement portfolio. In this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, a...

Stock Options Explained

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, is joined by special guest, Brett Kunshek, head of options. They brea...

Reaching Your Financial Goals & New Year's Resolutions

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

To kick off the new year, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, share financial goals and new year's resolu...

End of Year Wealth Planning Checklist

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With only a few weeks left in the year, make sure you check everything off your financial list. On this episode, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth adviso...

Navigating Financial Conflicts Between Spouses Part 2

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Christina Lynn, practice management consultant, continue ...

Navigating Financial Conflicts Between Spouses Part 1

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Christina Lynn, practice management consultant, dive i...

What We're Grateful For

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In preparation for Thanksgiving, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, share what they are grateful for. Ea...

Health Savings Accounts

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Your Life Simplified, Mike MacKelvie wealth advisor, and special guest Kevin Ahern, Human Resources Manager, discuss Health ...

Getting the Most Out of Open Enrollment

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Your Life Simplified, Mike MacKelvie wealth advisor, and special guest Kevin Ahern, Human Resources Manager, discuss how to ...

Five Financial Decisions That Could Haunt You

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and special guest Joe Reynoldson, associate wealth advisor, ge...

Donor-Advised Funds

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Description: In this week's episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Mike MacKelvie, wealth advisor, discuss what ...

The Emotional Side of Financial Decision Making

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Mike MacKelvie, wealth advisor, discuss how financial deci...

Retirement Plan Rollover

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, discuss how retirement plan ro...

End of Year Tax Checklist

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, andMichael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, discuss the checklist you shoul...

Pension Planning

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, talk about pensions and how yo...

Tax-Loss Harvesting

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, discuss the ins and out of tax...

Executive Compensation

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Compensation for executives can come in different forms and be more complicated than simply earning a salary. In this episode of Your Life Simplified,...

Long-Term Care Insurance Explained

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Long-term care insurance can be complex and costly. With so many different plans available, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you and...

College Funding

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Mike MacKelvie, wealth advisor, discuss the complexity of college...

Cash Flow Management

18 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you, as an investor, sift through all these choices that you have when creating your wealth plan? What's the order of operations when building ...

ESG: Align investments with Values

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The one constant in life is change, and the investment world is certainly no exception. As the world changes, more investors seek to invest in a socia...

How Inflation Impacts Yields

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Inflation is unavoidable right now. You see it every where you look and on the news, but what can we do to combat this inflation? Is there anything yo...

5 Costly Estate Planning Errors

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An estate plan can play an important part in your overall wealth plan and can make a large impact on your spouse and children. Taking a few steps can ...

Don't Let Headlines Derail Your Investing Plans

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When keeping up with the, sometimes sensational, media coverage of the markets, things can seem bleak without proper context. In this week's episode, ...

5 Considerations for Early Retirement

14 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you thinking about retiring early? In this week's episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Mike MacKelvie, wea...

Bond Alternatives: Investing in a Down Market

07 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Your Life Simplified, Mike Mackelvie, wealth advisor, and Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, discuss bond alternatives and the...

Best Days in the Market - Embracing Volatility

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Your Life Simplified, Mike MacKelvie, wealth advisor, and Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, discuss volatility in the stock m...

Real Estate Investing Part 2: REITs & ETFs

23 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In part 2 of Your Life Simplified's real estate series, Mike MacKelvie, wealth advisor, and Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, discuss how REITs,...

Real Estate Investing Part 1: Holding Property & Interest Rates

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking to invest in real estate? In this week's episode of Your Life Simplified, Mike MacKelvie, wealth advisor, and Valerie Escobar, senior ...

The Real Cost of Owning a Pet

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Often times, we only look at the short-term cost of owning a pet such as adoption fees, toys, food and vaccinations. However, other costs, such as pet...