Welcome to Financial Flight Academy with Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly from Soar Wealth Strategies. In this podcast, we focus on inspiring families and business owners to build a foundation for their financial future. We do this by listening and building trust with our clients. Join us for this journey where we explore ways to protect your nest, and live out your dreams, as Jon and Brent draw from years of experience and guest experts to help you take that leap of faith.
From growing up on a farm in India to cooking in five-star hotels in the Middle East and now running his own restaurant in the U.S., Chef Ashish Sathyan’s story is truly inspirational.
In this episode, Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly interview Ashish Sathyan, owner of Kinaara Indian Cuisine, about his global culinary journey, the challenges he faced along the way, and how he finally managed to live the American dream.
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About Our Guest:
Chef Ashish Sathyan loves eating homemade food, especially fish curry. His favorite thing to do when he is not working is playing cricket. He is one of the best bowlers in Omaha Cricket, which he described as his extended family. Kimberly was born and raised in Omaha. Eating, traveling, watching movies, and reading have been her favorite things for most of her life. She has been a hairstylist for 11 years. This allowed her to travel all over the world and throughout the United States. While doing this she also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the UNO College of Business.
Her studies took her to India, where she fell in love with the culture. A few months after she got back, she and Ashish met. With both of their experiences in customer service and Kimberly’s business degree, they want to bring you the best Indian food and the best experience. With Omaha having the most restaurants per capita, they know you have many choices when deciding where to eat. They want to show that they will always respect your money, and will give you high-quality food at a reasonable rate. It will always be true that you are only as good as the last dish you served.
Ever wondered what a career in sportscasting, public relations, and media communications looks like?
This isn’t just about what you see on TV or online, but what happens behind the scenes.
In this episode, Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly interview Jeff Grayson, an award-winning sportscaster and the owner of Keller Grayson Communications. Jeff and Jon start with a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about their time as sportscasters at WBAY in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They end the episode with fun TV trivia!
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Grayson is a sports reporter who covers the Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers for Bally Sports Wisconsin as the pre-game and post-game host.
Grayson was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the fourth of five children. In high school, Grayson served as a sports announcer for local high school events. After graduating high school, Grayson attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee where he majored in mass communications. At age 21, Grayson’s father died; before his death, he had told Grayson that if he wanted to do sports on television, he needed to get his foot in the door. Grayson contacted WBAY, and they offered him a position. His position wasn’t dramatic. He received $4 an hour and 20 hours a week for getting coffee for the other employees. However his diligence led WBAY to promote him. Eventually Grayson became the producer for WBAY interviews with the Packers, Bucks, and Brewers before moving on to KSMP.
Grayson grew up a Green Bay Packers fan and is still, from time to time, a Packers fan. Grayson won the Associated Press 1992 “Best Sports Story” Award and the Milwaukee Press Club’s 1993 “Best Sports Program” Award for co-hosting Monday Night Kickoff. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and three children, and they often visit with his family. In addition to his work for Bally Sports Wisconsin, Grayson does public relations work for McDonald’s.
Looking for ways to not only create but foster client relationships?
Join Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly as they chat with their Senior Client Relationship Manager, Penny Kreikemeier to find out how she does that.
Penny shares her upbringing in a small town in Nebraska and her introduction to the financial world through her parents. They discuss the transition from banking to the financial industry, the importance of follow-up in client service, and Penny’s excitement about advancing her career and studying to be a licensed financial advisor.
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About Our Guest:
Penny Kreikemeier is a Client Relationship Manager for Soar Wealth Strategies. Penny strives to provide the highest level of service possible. She is very knowledgeable in all the administrative and operational duties of running an office. Whenever clients have needs or questions, she follows through in an accurate and timely manner.
Prior to Soar Wealth Strategies, Penny was Senior Branch Office Administrator for Jon Schuetz for more than 10 years. Together they built long-lasting client relationships and helped clients reach their financial goals. Penny’s love for numbers originally led her to a career in banking, but helping people reach their financial goals in retirement has become her passion.
Penny and her husband Adam have four children: Grace, Isaac, Eli and Chloe. They spend a lot of time running to various activities and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
If you think the American dream is dead, this episode is probably going to change your mind!
In this episode, Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly interview Karim Khayati, the Director of Architecture and DevOps at Aya Healthcare, who shares his journey of immigrating from Tunisia to the US and his career in technology.
Karim emphasizes the importance of education, setting goals, and having a support system. The conversation also touches on the Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha, which promotes unity among different faiths.
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As a seasoned technologist with diverse skills, Karim has established himself as a thought leader and mentor in the tech industry. With expertise in strategic planning, systems architecture, data engineering, and agile transformation leadership, he has a track record of delivering large-scale cloud-based solutions that address mission-critical business needs.
Karim’s ability to navigate complex change management processes and develop solutions architecture has made him a valuable asset to organizations seeking to innovate and stay ahead of the curve. Whether working on product development or leading teams to deliver cutting-edge solutions, he brings a passion for excellence to everything he does.
With a focus on mentorship and collaboration, Karim is committed to helping others grow and develop their skills. By leveraging his experience and expertise, he aims to inspire the next generation of leaders to tackle complex challenges and drive innovation in the tech industry.
Could childhood memories and family recipes shape a successful business venture?
In this episode, Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly welcome Chef Bob Haney as their guest. He shares his journey from being a former model to pursuing his passion for cooking and starting his company, Heavenly Waffles®.
Chef Bob talks about the inspiration behind the waffles, the unique ingredients used, and how they differ from regular pancakes and waffles. Bob also shares his story of being in the modeling industry, his encounters with famous personalities, his struggles with addiction, and ultimately finding a turning point in his life.
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Chef Bob Haney is a chef instructor, and menu development consultant, now Founder and Executive Chef, of Heavenly Waffles®.
Haney started cooking with his grandma Glady when he was 4 years old.
Glady taught Chef Bob, or Bobby, as she called him, how to develop flavors, and taught him about flavor profiles. Glady was a meat and potatoes kind of cook, basics, with outstanding flavor, while Bob’s mom, Joanne, who also helped cultivate Chef Bob’s taste buds, was also an amazing cook. Mom Joanne, was more creative, and took more risks in the kitchen, helping Chef Bob think more outside the box.
Chef Bob cooked for friends and family but didn’t start working in restaurants until his early 20’s in Kansas City, then in Chicago.
While modeling all over the world, Chef Bob would always cook for people he met, giving away recipes he had created over the years, but never gave out his pancake recipe he had created, combining 3 ingredients of a recipe Glady made, and 2 ingredients of a recipe Joanne made. One morning, in Glady’s kitchen, making his famous pancakes there wasn’t enough of one of the ingredients, which was sour cream, but there was yogurt in the fridge, Haney though, “oh that will work” and years later Heavenly Waffles® were born.
Who doesn’t love a good business success story? In this podcast episode, Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly invite Shandy Thorell, owner of Shandy’s Swedish Bakery onto the show. Shandy shares her journey of starting her bakery business, facing financial hardships, and finding success through determination and unique offerings. They even discuss Shandy’s popular Scandinavian almond … Continue reading The Sweet Success Story of Shandy Thorell’s “Shandy’s Swedish Bakery” (Ep. 20) →
By turning complexity into clarity, we empower clients to make better financial decisions that align with their goals. In this episode, co-hosts Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly invite Andrew Muska, the newest member of the Soar Wealth Strategies team, to share his intriguing journey. Andrew’s story, from his humble beginnings working at a local pharmacy … Continue reading The Unexpected Path from Pharmacy to Financial Advising with Andrew Muska (Ep. 19) →
Rising real estate prices and interest rates have been a topic of conversation for quite some time now. Our guest is here to get the facts straight and help you navigate this tough market! In this podcast episode, Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly invite Ben Kugler, Owner of Freedom Lending, onto the show to discuss … Continue reading Navigating the Current Real Estate Market with Ben Kugler (Ep. 18) →
Join Jim Gregory, Executive Vice President of Hawkins Construction, as he shares his personal journey, from early struggles in high school to the transformative moments that shaped his life. In this episode, Jim reflects on the profound impact of mentors and the remarkable power of seizing opportunities. Listen in as Jim candidly recounts his early … Continue reading Keeping Your Eye on the End Goal with Jim Gregory (Ep. 17) →
Join Jon and Brent as they take you on an extraordinary adventure, where they talk about what their process is if you want to take flight with the team from Soar Wealth Strategies. Gain invaluable insights into what it’s like to work with the team at Soar Wealth Strategies, and the different steps in their … Continue reading The Flight to Financial Success: Our Process (Ep. 16) →
Have you ever wondered how the recent debt ceiling debate affects your financial goals and long-term plans? Join Jon and Brent as they unravel the complex web of personal and public debt, providing essential insights and thought-provoking perspectives. The duo explores proposed solutions to address the alarming levels of debt and offers valuable insights into … Continue reading Understanding the Debt Ceiling Debate (Ep. 15) →
ESG investing is becoming increasingly popular, and this episode explores why.
In this episode, Brent Connelly and Jon Schuetz, delve into the complexities of ESG investing and discuss how investors can navigate the environmental, social, and governance landscape.
They explore how factors such as air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy management play into ESG investing. They also unpack the good, the bad, and the confusing parts of ESG investing.
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Socially responsible investing involves the exclusion of certain securities for nonfinancial reasons. This may result in the investor forgoing some market opportunities that may have been available to those not subject to such criteria. There is no guarantee that any investment goal will be met.
Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build a successful life full of happiness and purpose.
In this episode, we sit down with Denise Craft, founder of Craft Lifestyle Management, to discuss her incredible career journey. From waitressing and bartending to managing a truck repair shop, Denise’s story from humble beginnings to building a successful company can motivate you to strive for success no matter your situation.
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About Our Guest:
Denise Craft is President of Craft LifeStyle Management, a company she founded in 1988. Today, Craft LifeStyle Management is known for delivering exceptional services nationwide to clients and their families in times of transition.
She is a sought-after transitional expert. Denise and her team assist in transitioning veterans, special needs adults, aging adults and rehab patients into the correct level of care within a living environment or community and coordinate with all parties for best fit financially, physically and emotionally.
She is widely recognized as advocating for those in crisis because of age, injury or mental or physical disability. Craft LifeStyle Management thrives on assisting clients as they jointly navigate each step in the transition process.
She has a special place in her heart for those who collect excessive treasures through hoarding. Craft LifeStyle Management uses time-tested techniques to simplify the process with an understanding, compassionate approach.
Denise and her team exemplify expertise, care and kindness, always.
Are you or someone you know struggling to navigate the complexities of Medicare? Charisse Engels, Licensed Health Insurance Agent at Illuminate Insurance Solutions, LLC, joins us this week and shares her experience to help you make informed decisions and avoid costly penalties.
Charisse breaks down the different parts of Medicare and emphasizes the need for individuals to work with licensed agents to understand their options and make the right decisions. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of Medicare and its critical role in providing health coverage for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
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Charisse Engels is a licensed agent whose passion is helping others and being inclusive to all people. Encouraged to become a licensed agent by the founder, Wendy Salinas, Charisse stepped up to this challenge with full force. Today, Charisse runs Illuminate Insurance and is happy to answer any questions about your insurance coverage.
Get ready to be inspired by Liz’s incredible journey from homelessness to being a successful business owner!
Liz shares her story of being a homeless single mother, forced to leave with only one bag of belongings and no money. Despite facing tremendous hardship, Liz persevered, working at a steakhouse and eventually enrolling in cosmetology school. With the help of state programs and support from others, Liz was able to complete her degree and start her successful career.
In this week’s episode, we sit down with Liz Dein, the owner of Liz Henne Studios, to hear about her path to becoming a professional cosmetologist and why it is important for financial planners to understand the motivation behind what people want to do with their money.
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How do you navigate your career path while staying true to your passions and beliefs?
In this episode, we talk to Jason Hurt, President at Chariots4Hope, to discuss his journey from a job in sports marketing to founding a nonprofit organization. Jason attributes his success to the discipline he learned at GEICO and the support and guidance he received.
He highlights how his introduction to Christian Brothers Automotive led him to discover his passion for helping people in need, which eventually led him to start Chariots4Hope.
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Jason Hurt and his wife Michelle Hurt are the founders of Chariots4Hope. After living on Long Island, NY for several years, they felt called by God to move to Omaha, where they started a small business together. After leaving the fast paced corporate life in the Big Apple, it was a blessing to have several months of downtime while they waited for their business to be built. Originally from the St. Louis area, they were very excited to get back to the MidWest.
A few years after opening their small business, their hearts started exploding for single mothers without transportation. It was during this season that Chariots4Hope was born!
Given the potential harm of providing blanket advice that may not suit everyone, tailoring financial advice to an individual’s unique financial situation is crucial.
In this episode, financial advisors Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly provide insights into some of the prevalent misconceptions in the financial community. They highlight the significance of personalized financial planning and offer tips on avoiding one-size-fits-all advice.
Jon and Brent discuss the risks associated with blanket advice, the purpose of annuities, the meaning of a fiduciary relationship, the debate surrounding gold investment, and the usage of scare tactics in stock commercials, among other topics.
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Are you considering moving into a career that would allow you to spend more time with your family and wondering if it’s the right thing to do?
Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly talk to Brandi Petersen Paul, a former successful television news anchor with KETV. She moved from a role that most people covet to become the director of communications for Westside Community Schools to spend more time with her family.
In this episode, Brandi discusses how she continues to pursue her passion for telling inspiring stories through everything she does. Additionally, she highlights the importance of having financial advisors guide you from a young age to achieve your long-term and retirement goals.
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Brandi (Petersen) Paul is a former television news anchor with KETV-Newswatch 7, who continues to promote positive people, events and opportunities through the world of communications. As an award-winning journalist, Brandi covered historic events across Nebraska and Iowa, secured high-profile interviews, and traveled throughout the United States and beyond to share powerful stories. That mission to share inspiring stories continued at Westside Community Schools where Brandi is currently the Director of Communications and Engagement, building public trust with valued stakeholders and providing transparency and understanding with all staff and families. Telling stories continues to be a personal as well as career passion; Brandi writes on her blog, Anchor’s Away, and cohosts the Question Marks podcast. She loves to read and is an avid baseball fan (always cheering for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Atlanta Braves!) Her most cherished moments are any spent with her husband, Brian, their two little boys, Easton and Evan, and their two bulldogs, Chester and Abe.
Get motivated and inspired as we welcome the remarkable Ingrid Geiseman, Professional Clothier with Tom James, to the show today.
In this episode, Ingrid joins Jon and Brent to discuss her journey from growing up on a farm in Nebraska to becoming a successful clothier.
Ingrid shares how she learned to run a business at a young age, her studies at the University of Nebraska, and how to master sales.
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Ingrid Geiseman is a seasoned clothier with over a decade of experience in the fashion industry. Ingrid started her journey with Tom James of Chicago in 2003 before transitioning to Tom James of Omaha in 2007. She is proud to have earned several accolades throughout her career, including membership in the President’s Merit Club, President’s Honor Club, President’s Club, and President’s Cabinet.
Ingrid holds a Bachelor of Journalism Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she honed her skills and received a solid education. Growing up in Leigh Community Schools and attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln allowed Ingrid to gain a well-rounded perspective and a passion for helping others.
Ingrid’s primary goal is to help simplify her clients’ lives by providing them with quality clothing and exceptional service.
Starting a business can be challenging, especially in a small town. But with the help of a financial advisor, you can achieve your goals.
Meet Vanessa Wieseler, a Doctor of Chiropractic, who is determined to make a difference. She understands the importance of professional guidance, inspiration, and what it takes to reach success.
In this episode, Dr. Vanessa shares her journey through entrepreneurship, what she’s learned along the way, how she overcame a dark place in her life, and the inspiration that got her into the position she is in today.
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Dr. Vanessa Wieseler is a small town Kansas girl who took a leap of faith to become a chiropractor. Growing up in Fredonia, Kansas, Vanessa had a typical small town upbringing. She had a variety of jobs throughout her childhood and teenage years, but she always had an interest in the medical field. Vanessa attended Kansas University, where she started out studying pharmacy but eventually pivoted to become a Chiropractor. After graduating from Cleveland Chiropractic College, Vanessa decided to start her practice in Omaha, Nebraska.
As her business and personal life were going well a few years ago, she received a devastating diagnosis of cancer. She is doing well now and continues to inspire others with her story of perseverance and determination.
If you want to ensure your assets are protected seamlessly, especially when it involves family, you should get an attorney involved.
In this episode, we are joined by Nick Montague, Attorney and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy CAP®, to talk about wills, living wills, powers of attorney and discuss why they’re essential for you and your family.
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About Nick Montague:
Nick Montague is a partner at Smith Pauley. He develops personalized estate planning solutions for individuals and families throughout Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri. He guides clients through a holistic approach to planning; identifying specific strategies and implementing plans to meet the needs of the client. He develops multigenerational relationships to ensure the legacy of the client and ensure continuity of planning.
His practice ranges from traditional estate planning (e.g. powers of attorney, wills and trusts) to asset protection and wealth transfer strategies. He has dedicated himself to continued learning and has attained the designation of Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy CAP® where he developed the skills necessary to help guide clients through strategic and intentional gifting.
Insurance is an essential part of financial planning, but when shopping around for insurance coverage you may come across various products that can be confusing. Understanding the different types of insurance can help you make the best coverage decision according to your needs.
At Soar Wealth Strategies we don’t do insurance coverage but it’s certainly a part of our comprehensive process to make sure our clients and listeners are informed.
In this episode, we are joined by Michael Gibbons, an insurance agent at Advantage Insurance Agency with over a decade of experience to share some important information about insurance coverage.
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Michael Gibbons has been a licensed agent with Advantage Insurance Agency since 2009.
Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, he graduated and played Baseball at the West Chester University of Pennsylvania (don’t ask him what his pitching record was.) He met his wife in Florida while working at Walt Disney World and soon followed her back to her home state of Nebraska in 2000. Although Michael is a huge Philly sports fan, he LOVES Husker football. He has a daughter and son and loves to watch them play any sport or activity they are in. Michael has extensive knowledge in the Real estate industry and loves to deal with real estate investors!
With the tax season around the corner, now is the best time to work with a tax professional to help you implement effective strategies that could help you reduce your taxes.
In this episode, Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly are joined by Aundrea Bricker, CPA and co-founder of Bricker Accounting and Tax Services, LLC. Aundrea shares the strategies you can use to reduce not only your current taxes but future taxes as well.
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Aundrea’s love for accounting started early in life. She was introduced to the ten key at the age of 12 while helping her father maintain the books for the family nursing home business. Despite this early childhood exposure to green bar paper, Aundrea chose accounting as the focus of her higher education. During her final year of education, Aundrea also worked as an intern for Blackman and Associates PC. She joined the firm full-time upon completion of her bachelor’s degree in 1996.
Aundrea continued to grow professionally at the same CPA firm for 18 years. In 2013, Aundrea formed Bricker Accounting and Tax Services, LLC. She continues to support her clients with the same exceptional service, dedication, and professionalism that she has demonstrated throughout her entire career.
Introducing – Brent Connelly, the other half of the dynamic duo on our podcast. Brent’s belief in helping people soar to their own success has made him the leader he is today.
In this episode, we pass the spotlight on to Brent and get to know him a little better.
Brent will share more about his upbringing, education, early experiences with investing and what he plans to bring to this podcast as Jon Schuetz interviews him.
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About Brent Connelly:
Brent Connelly is a Partner at Soar Wealth Strategies. He has over a decade of experience in the financial industry and over two decades of experience in business. As an advisor, Brent helps motivated, like-minded families confidently manage their wealth and confront financial uncertainty. He offers clear, straightforward advice through the implementation of actionable and trustworthy strategies.
Brent founded Soar Wealth Strategies with Jon Schuetz in 2022. Prior to going independent, Brent was a limited partner at Edward Jones, where he took pride in serving his clients and coaching new advisors to do the same. Brent’s passion for education and leadership is rooted in his upbringing.
We are preparing for take-off! No need to fasten your seatbelts.
In this introductory episode, Jon Schuetz, founding partner of Soar Wealth Strategies provides a little background about himself and reveals how he took the leap from television sportscaster to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®.
Interviewed by his co-pilot, founding partner Brent Connelly, Jon answers questions about his upbringing, the concept of this podcast, and Soar Wealth Strategies’s philosophy.
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About Jon Schuetz:
Jon Schuetz is a Partner at Soar Wealth Strategies. As an advisor, Jon provides clients with guidance so they can make informed financial decisions. He is dedicated to empowering his clients, helping them feel understood, informed, in control and secure with all aspects of their financial lives.
Inspired to embark on a career that makes an impact on others’ lives, Jon got his start in the financial industry in 2010 when he started a practice at Edward Jones after leaving a successful 24-year career in the broadcast industry.
Outside the office, Jon and his wife, Donna, enjoy riding their bicycles. They’ve ridden trails all over the world. They also like playing pickleball, and Jon attempts to play golf without much success.
Donna and Jon are excited to see their children begin their financial journeys. They have two sons that serve in the Air Force. Their daughter is a nurse, and they have been blessed with a grandson.