Tag Archives: Jason L Smith

Episode 32: What is Functional Medicine? Holistic Healing Explained



Do you want to learn how an approach to health not solely reliant on pharmaceuticals can improve your longevity and quality of life? In this episode, Jason sits down with Dr. Robert Saper, holder of the Nancy J. and Michael F. Roizen Chair of Wellness and the Chair of Preventive Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Saper, a specialist in integrative medicine, shares his vast knowledge on the intersection of functional medicine, wellness, and preventive care. With over 80 peer-reviewed papers and more than 200 lectures globally, Dr. Saper explains how functional medicine addresses chronic conditions by focusing on the root causes rather than just symptoms.  

 

Key Topics Discussed: 

  • Defining Wellness and Functional Medicine: Understand the role of wellness in all aspects of life and how functional medicine addresses systematic imbalances to resolve chronic health issues 
  • The Role of Lifestyle Changes in Health: Learn how making intentional lifestyle adjustments can significantly improve chronic conditions and overall health 
  • The Power of Purpose and Meaning: Find your “why” to enhance health outcomes and longevity 
  • Integration of Medicine: How the Cleveland Clinic combines functional and wellness medicine with traditional Western practices to provide a holistic approach 
  • Evidence-Based Research: Learn through Dr. Saper’s research the importance of yoga to a growing body 

Episode 31: Investment Fundamentals – Understanding Market Dynamics and Portfolio Diversification with Apollo Lupescu



Are you worried about making the right investment choices for your retirement? Join host Jason L Smith, and special guest Apollo Lupescu from Dimensional Fund Advisors, for a conversation that takes the mystery out of investing.  

Whether you’re already enjoying retirement or planning for it in the next few years, this episode breaks down what you really need to know about protecting and growing your nest egg in today’s complex market environment. 

Key Topics Discussed: 

  • Investment Fundamentals: Learn why having a comprehensive financial plan is crucial before selecting specific investments 
  • Risk Management: Understand the difference between “smart risks” and “dumb risks” in investing 
  • Global Diversification: Discover why international exposure matters, with the U.S. representing 61% of global market value 
  • Market Timing: Why “time in the market” beats “timing the market” – supported by 50 years of market data 
  • The Bucket Plan® Strategy: How The Bucket Plan® philosophy of separating investments into Now, Soon, and Later buckets helps create peace of mind for retirement 

Episode 30: Meditation, Breathwork & Living Life Fully: Insights & Advice from Aneta Kuzma



Join host Jason L Smith and special guest, Aneta Kuzma, a meditation and wellness coach, and CEO and Founder of Ardelian Kuzma Group, LLC.

With her transformative approach to mindfulness and breathwork, Kuzma shares how creating moments of stillness can protect your wealth by improving decision-making, reducing stress, and enhancing your overall wellbeing.

Key Topics Discussed:

  • Morning Routine Success: Learn how to build a sustainable meditation practice using the Atomic Habits framework, starting with just 3 minutes a day and simple steps like “feet on the floor.”
  • Breathwork Benefits: Discover how specific breathing techniques can release stored trauma, reduce stress, and create profound transformative experiences comparable to therapeutic breakthroughs.
  • Meditation Myths: Understand why you don’t need to “quiet your mind” to meditate successfully, and how even busy professionals can incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives.
  • Gratitude Practice: Find out how starting each day with gratitude, including sending one meaningful text to someone you appreciate, can transform your mindset and relationships.
  • Community Support: Learn about free virtual meditation sessions available every weekday at 7am and Saturdays at 9am, perfect for establishing a consistent practice with guidance.

Episode 22: Grasping your Financial Needs, Step 3: Deliver



Join hosts Jason L Smith and Bryan Bibbo with special guest, Dave Alison, as they continue breaking down The Bucket Plan® financial planning process. 

This episode covers step three of The Bucket Plan® process, the “Deliver” phase, where we present and deliver the personalized, holistic financial plan we’ve developed for you.  

Key Topics Discussed: 

  • Your Family Estate Organizer: Discover how we’ll help you organize all your financial information in one place, making it easily accessible for you and your loved ones. 
  • Understanding Your Risk Tolerance: Learn about our Volatility Tolerance Analysis, which will help assess your comfort with risk across different time horizons. 
  • Creating Your Custom Plan: We’ll explain how we take all the information from our previous meetings to engineer a financial plan tailored just for you. 
  • Presenting Your Financial Blueprint: Find out how we’ll walk you through your comprehensive plan, addressing your specific concerns and priorities for retirement. 
  • Planning for Your Retirement Phases: Understand the three phases of retirement – your “go years,” “slow go years,” and “no go years” – and how we’ll help you plan for each. 
  • Maximizing Your Retirement Income: Learn about our strategies for tax-efficient distribution planning to help you keep more of your hard-earned money. 
  • The Power of Tax Planning: Discover how proper tax planning could potentially save you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. 
  • Optimizing Your Savings and Withdrawals: We’ll introduce you to our “funnel” concept for managing your money tax-efficiently during both your saving and spending years.

Episode 21: Grasping your Financial Needs, Step 2: Design



Join our hosts Jason L Smith and Bryan Bibbo with special guest, Dave Alison, CFP®, EA, BPC, President and Founding Partner of C2P and Alison Wealth Management, as they continue breaking down The Bucket Plan® financial planning process step by step.  

This episode covers step two of The Bucket Plan® process, known as the “Design” phase, where we analyze all your assets and how they come together to formulate your holistic plan.  

Key Topics Discussed: 

  • Overview of The Bucket Plan® Process: A recap of the previous episode on “Discovery,” phase and each step of the planning process: Discovery, Design, Deliver, Dedicated. 
  • Document Analysis: Carefully reviewing your financial documents to gain a complete understanding of your current situation. 
  • Organization: Helping you structure your financial information using our Family Estate Organizer, ensuring everything is accessible and clear to preserve your legacy.  
  • Risk Assessment: Using our proprietary Volatility Tolerance Analysis to determine your comfort level with risk across different time horizons. 
  • Asset Categorization: Introducing you to our Bucket Plan philosophy, showing you how to categorize your assets for Now, Soon, and Later needs. 
  • Investment Education: Guiding you through our Pyramid of Risk, helping you understand various investment types and reflect on your past experiences. 
  • Visual Planning: Creating a personalized sketch of your Bucket Plan, giving you a clear visual representation of your financial strategy. 

Discover how our Design phase creates the blueprint for your customized holistic plan and sets the stage for the next phase of the process.  


Episode 19: Managing Wealth Wisely: Insights from Tax & Estate Planning Whiz, Chris Woehrle



In this episode of the Holistic Wealth and Health Podcast, host Jason L Smith is joined by esteemed tax planning professional and professor, Christopher P. Woehrle, JD, LL.M (Tax).  

With a background in tax and estate planning and as a professor at Villanova Law School and former chair of the tax and estate planning department at the College of Financial Planning, Chris shares his expertise on holistic wealth management and the critical role of tax planning. 

Key Topics Discussed: 

  • Holistic Wealth Management: Understanding the comprehensive approach to financial planning that integrates all aspects of your financial life. 
  • Importance of Tax Planning: Exploring the critical role of tax strategies in holistic wealth management. 
  • Effective Tax Strategies: Discussion of specific tax planning techniques, including the 83(b) election, Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), and the benefits of gifting appreciated securities to charity. 
  • Navigating Retirement Planning: Strategies for ensuring a secure and comfortable retirement, including the importance of having a diversified income stream. 
  • Balancing Short-Term and Long-Term Goals: How to save for immediate needs while planning for future financial stability. 
  • Risk Management: Understanding and mitigating risks such as mortality, longevity, and disability. 
  • Behavioral Finance: The importance of behavior modification in investment decisions and financial planning. 
  • The Role of Financial Advisors: How professional guidance can help you stay on track and make informed financial decisions. 

Tune in to learn how to manage your wealth holistically, make informed tax decisions, and plan effectively for your future. Whether you are preparing for retirement or looking to optimize your current financial strategy, this episode offers valuable insights to help you achieve your goals. 


Episode 18: Safeguarding Your Wealth & Wellbeing: Carrie Kerskie’s Identity Theft, Fraud, & Cybersecurity Protection Tips



In this episode, host Jason L Smith interviews Carrie Kerskie, a certified identity fraud investigator, speaker, author, and consultant on identity theft, privacy, and cybersecurity. 

Carrie shares her expertise on protecting against identity theft, fraud, and cyber threats in the digital age. Jason also discusses the stress and financial impacts these crimes can have on victims. 

Key Topics Discussed: 

  • Common Mistakes Leading to Identity Theft: Not securing online accounts, failing to ask for help with technology, and believing one is safe from threats by avoiding the internet. 
  • Best Practices for Prevention: Getting credit freezes, using privacy-focused browsers/search engines, enabling two-factor authentication, and validating information from supposed official sources. 
  • Evolving Threat Landscape: How identity theft, fraud, and cyber threats have converged, with criminals using sophisticated tactics like remote access malware. 
  • Recognizing Scams: Red flags like unsolicited requests for sensitive data, urgency to transfer money, and implausible scenarios crafted with convincing details. 
  • Securing Mobile Devices: Using longer passwords/passcodes, being cautious about app installations, and adjusting privacy settings on smartphones. 
  • Approach to AI Tools: Maintaining prudence by fact-checking outputs, as AI models can perpetuate misinformation based on their training data. 

Learn how understanding your body and incorporating proactive holistic health habits can lead to a richer, more productive life.


Episode 16: Planning Your Financial Future, Step 1 – Discover Part 2



Join us for part two of our in-depth discussion on holistic planning with hosts Jason L Smith and Bryan Bibbo along with special guest Dave Alison, CFP®, EA, BPC, President and Founding Partner of C2P and Alison Wealth Management.

This episode continues the group’s discussion of step one of The Bucket Plan® planning process, known as the “Discovery” phase. You’ll learn how during this initial meeting we have with all our clients; we focus on identifying your concerns, priorities, and goals to determine what matters most to you before we can begin developing your personalized plan.

Key Topics Discussed:

  • Understanding Holistic Wealth Management: Discover the five pillars of holistic wealth management and how they work together to create a secure financial future for you and your family.
  • Client-Centric Approach: Learn what it means for your advisor to adopt a fiduciary role and the importance of focusing on client needs rather than representing the firm’s interests.
  • The Bucket Plan® Explained: Learn more about our unique Bucket Plan® strategy, which simplifies your financial landscape into manageable segments, ensuring immediate stability and long-term growth.
  • Enhancing Your Financial Strategy: Gain insights into how a holistic plan that includes advanced asset management, tax planning, and legacy planning can tailor your portfolio to meet your specific needs and goals.
  • Real-Life Benefits: Hear real-life examples of how integrated planning strategies have helped others secure their financial futures.
  • Your Path to Financial Confidence: Understand the importance of continuous education and expert guidance in maintaining and adapting your financial plan over time.

Whether you’re planning for retirement, managing assets, or setting long-term goals, tune in to see how holistic financial planning can help you navigate your financial journey with confidence.

Learn how understanding your body and incorporating proactive holistic health habits can lead to a richer, more productive life.


Episode 13: Welcome Seth Meisler! Get to Know our Newest Advisor



Join hosts, Jason L Smith and Bryan Bibbo, as they welcome the newest advisor to the JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management team, Seth Meisler, CFA, CFP®, CPA. The episode delves into Seth’s journey in the financial industry, highlighting the importance of the holistic approach, the Bucket Plan® philosophy, and the impact of philanthropy and community service on his career. Learn how Seth’s diverse expertise as a principal, chief investment officer, financial advisor, and auditor, makes him a valuable addition to the JL Smith family.

Key Topics Discussed:

  1. Introduction to Seth Meisler: Seth Meisler joins JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management, enhancing the firm’s financial planning and investment strategies with his diverse expertise.
  2. Seth’s Diverse Background: With a rich educational and professional background, including CPA, CFP®, and CFA credentials, Seth brings a multidisciplinary approach to wealth management.
  3. The Importance of a Holistic Approach: The episode underscores the necessity of a holistic wealth management strategy, integrating all financial aspects to support clients’ overarching goals.
  4. The Bucket Plan® in Retirement Planning: Seth and the hosts discuss the Bucket Plan® philosophy, a structured retirement planning approach that aligns assets with future needs and goals.
  5. Philanthropy and Community Service: Highlighting philanthropy’s role, Seth shares how community service and giving back are integral to his personal and professional ethos.

Learn how understanding your body and incorporating proactive holistic health habits can lead to a richer, more productive life.


Episode 12: Healing from Within: The Power of Pursuing Holistic Health



Join host, Jason L Smith and special guest, Kasia Hrecka, a functional medicine practitioner, as they discuss the transformative power of understanding and nurturing our bodies through functional medicine practices. Smith shares his health challenges and how incorporating functional medicine principles into his daily life under Kasia’s guidance helped him heal his gut, strengthen his immune system, and improve his day-to-day functioning and overall well-being. Tune in to learn how to incorporate these principles into your life, with a focus on nutrition, stress management, toxin reduction, and maintaining a healthy microbiome.

Key topics discussed:

1. Importance of Gut Health: Insights into the critical role of the microbiome in overall immunity and well-being, emphasizing dietary impact on gut health and its systemic effects on the body.

2. Jason’s Health Transformation: Jason shares his personal experience of overcoming health challenges through dietary changes and gut health optimization, showcasing the significant impact of functional medicine practices.

3. Holistic Health Defined: Exploration of holistic health as a state of vibrant physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, underscored by the necessity of a purposeful life for true health.

4. Incorporating Functional Medicine: Practical advice on how to integrate functional medicine principles into everyday life, focusing on good nutrition, stress reduction, minimizing toxin exposure, and supporting detoxification and mitochondrial health for overall vitality.

Learn how understanding your body and incorporating proactive holistic health habits can lead to a richer, more productive life.

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