The Runway Decade Podcast

Episode Summary

Bill and Pete get personal about a shared health detour—early-detected prostate cancer—and how “health meets wealth” shows up in real life. They unpack the emotional and practical steps (baselines, deltas, options, decisions), then pivot to Pete’s new niche venture: Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) work and the launch of The Confident Exit podcast for business owners.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

00:00 – Welcome & context Bill opens the show and explains they’ve been on a brief hiatus; Pete joins remotely from San Francisco (actual hotel room, not a virtual background).

00:43 – Where’s Pete? Pete’s calling in from San Francisco, CA; quick banter about travel and being “alongside on screen.”

01:13 – Why the hiatus It’s “been a minute.” They tee up a candid health conversation and a new podcast announcement.

01:30 – Health Meets Wealth (Chapter call-back) Bill frames the pause through the lens of the book’s “health meets wealth” theme.

01:39 – Pete’s health journey (early detection) A year-long series of tests escalates from “yellow flag” to “red flags.” Diagnosis: prostate cancer, caught early. Pete opts for surgery (early May), good recovery, and gratitude for proactive care and skilled medical teams.

03:18 – Bill’s parallel path Family history heightens vigilance. Bill tracks PSA trend (delta) even while within “normal,” leading to MRI → biopsy. 04:34 – Valentine’s Day twist: both brothers end up getting biopsies the same day—unknowingly.

04:45 – Diagnosis details & options Bill’s Gleason score is a bit lower; he explores alternatives (incl. TULSA-PRO) and clinical trials comparing it to standard surgery. Randomized to surgery; undergoes laparoscopic removal at end of July. Two months post-op at recording—healing well.

06:32 – The headspace & decision process Choosing among credible options; balancing personal values, family impact, and medical clarity. Pete’s approach: execute step-by-step (don’t over-project), while noting loved ones may process differently.

10:24 – September awareness It’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month; heightened appreciation this year. 10:36 – Community support: Blue Ribbon Soirée involvement becomes part of their ongoing advocacy.

10:51 – “Snakes on the runway” Bill’s milestone moments: heart scare at 50; prostate surgery at 60. The “snake in the grass” metaphor from the book—find it, step over it, deal with it—and the humor (what happens at 70/80?).

11:35 – The big takeaway: baselines Be proactive: get baseline labs and track the delta annually. You owe it to yourself and your tribe (family, partners, employees). Tie-in to CYA360 themes: key-person health risk to a business.

12:54 – Bites & Insights + “Glimpse of the Future” At Horizon lunches, they use the handout to project yourself—and your tribe—forward in 5-year increments. Planning for your future self is easier when you visualize loved ones aging too.

15:28 – Cognitive risk in later years Stats awareness (e.g., dementia/Alzheimer’s prevalence in the 80s) reminds listeners to pre-plan for wealth protection as cognition can decline—even for once-meticulous stewards.

16:26 – Making the future “feel real” Bill’s example of projecting his daughter’s milestones to make his future tangible (weddings, timing, costs).

17:16 – Time flies 59½ used to feel far away; now it’s in view or in the rear-view. Keep thinking ahead; stay systematic about savings, investing, and health check-ups.

18:02 – Programming note: Pete’s new focus This is Pete’s last regular Runway Decade episode for a while. He’s leaning into exit planning (CEPA) with a new podcast: The Confident Exit.

18:29 – Why exit planning now Background: client exits, Horizon’s own acquisitions, and a maturing ecosystem (valuation, legal, tax). Show format returns to guests—experts surrounding business owners.

20:08 – Where to find it HorizonFG.com → Business Exit Planning page; podcast hosted there and on Apple/Libsyn. Three episodes recorded and rolling out.

20:34 – The niche Just like Runway Decade targets 50-somethings, The Confident Exit targets owners with most of their wealth locked in one illiquid asset—the business. Goal: help monetize and design “what’s next.”

21:36 – Wrap & contacts Bill: bbush@horizonfg.com, RunwayDecade.com contact box, or HorizonFG.com. Pete: pbush@horizonfg.com; follow his exit-planning articles and podcast clips on LinkedIn and Horizon’s site. Safe travels & sign-off.

Key Takeaways

Early detection saves futures: Get annual baselines and watch the trend (delta), not just “normal ranges.”
Decisions are personal: Multiple credible pathways (surgery, radiation, ablation/TULSA-PRO, etc.); choose with your values, facts, and family in mind.
Health ↔ wealth: Your wellbeing is a key-person risk to your family and business; plan accordingly.
Future-you planning: Use “glimpse of the future” to make timelines, costs, and care needs real.
New resource for owners: Check out Pete’s The Confident Exit for valuation, legal, tax, and deal-prep insights.

Pull Quotes / Sound Bites

“Get a baseline on everything—and track the delta.”
“Step over the snake: find the problem, choose the path, execute.”
“Life goes fast—think ahead: health and wealth both reward early action.”

Resources & Links

Runway Decade site & contact: RunwayDecade.com
Horizon Financial Group: HorizonFG.com → Business Exit Planning
The Confident Exit podcast (Pete) — also on Apple/Libsyn
Email: Bill — bbush@horizonfg.com | Pete — pbush@horizonfg.com

Disclosure

The views depicted in this material are for information purposes only and are not necessarily those of Cetera Advisors LLC. They should not be considered specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Neither Cetera Advisors LLC nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice.

Bill Bush, Andy Bush, and Pete Bush are registered representatives offering securities and advisory services through Cetera Advisors LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, a broker-dealer, and registered investment advisor. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

15015 Jamestown Boulevard, Suite 100, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70810.

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In this episode of The Runway Decade Podcast, Bill and Pete Bush dive into the vital subject of exit planning for business owners, particularly those in their fifties. Pete shares insights from earning his Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation and outlines how business owners can start planning for a successful exit—years in advance. They walk through the three-legged stool of readiness, the impact of intangible capital, the structure of a successful exit team, and the value acceleration methodology that helps business owners be always ready, not just at retirement. Whether you're just starting or thinking about selling in a few years, this episode provides a roadmap to begin preparing now.

Chapters:

00:20 – Introduction to Exit PlanningBill and Pete catch up and introduce the topic: exit planning for business owners, especially during their runway decade.

00:45 – CEPA Designation and ExperiencePete explains his journey to becoming a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and how it’s deepened his ability to help business owners prepare for transition.

03:03 – The Three-Legged Stool of ReadinessThey break down the three aspects of readiness:

Business readiness
Personal readiness (often overlooked)
Financial readiness

05:29 – The Risk of Staying Too LongPete discusses how lack of personal planning can derail transitions and why some owners resist exiting due to uncertainty about the next chapter of life.

06:50 – Staying On as a Transition StrategyThey explore when it makes sense for an owner to stay on post-sale to de-risk the transition for a buyer.

07:35 – Understanding Intangible CapitalPete details the four types of intangible capital that can drive 75–80% of a business’s value:

Human Capital
Structural Capital
Customer Capital
Social (Cultural) Capital

12:31 – Building Your Exit Planning TeamPete outlines the key players in an exit planning team:

Attorney
CPA/Tax specialist
M&A advisor
Value growth expert
Insurance specialist
Financial advisor/SEPA He emphasizes the importance of collaboration among them.

16:00 – Diversifying Outside the BusinessThey discuss why it’s crucial for business owners to build wealth outside the business to reduce personal concentration risk.

18:23 – Exit Planning = Business PlanningPete explains how treating the business as an investment and preparing for transferability is just good business sense.

19:34 – When Should Exit Planning Start?Answer: Now. Pete introduces the Value Acceleration Methodology:

Discover
Prepare
Decide And references the Nick Saban motto: “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”

21:46 – How to Find a CEPA & What They OfferResources for finding a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, including:

Exit Planning Institute
Value gap analysis, profit gap, and wealth gap assessments
Process-oriented planning and scorecards

24:55 – Final Thoughts & Contact InfoBusiness owners can contact Pete Bush at pbush@horizonfg.com for free resources, checklists, or a discussion about their exit goals. Website: HorizonFG.com

Key Takeaways:

Start exit planning early—not when you're ready to sell.
Understand the three-legged stool: business, personal, and financial readiness.
Intangible capital drives most of your company’s value.
A cohesive planning team is essential.
Treat your business like an investment and plan for transferability.
Exit planning is good business planning.

Sound Bites:

“The three-legged stool of readiness.” “What do you want to do with your time?” “Get in touch with a CEPA for guidance.” “Exit planning is now, not later.”

Contact Info:

Pete Bush: pbush@horizonfg.com

Bill Bush: bbush@horizonfg.com

www.horizonfg.com

www.runwaydecdade.com

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collection of quotes—from their book and beyond—that offer meaningful lessons about personal responsibility, discipline, investing, and long-term planning. Each quote sparks discussion on how these timeless insights apply to real financial life, especially for those in their 50s preparing for retirement. From Yogi Berra to Warren Buffett, the conversation is packed with wisdom and motivation to take action and shape your future today.

⏱ Time-Stamped Show Notes & Chapters:

00:00 – Preflight Announcement & Intro to the Theme The brothers set the tone with a fun “tray tables up” nod and explain that this episode will explore favorite quotes from The Runway Decade book and others that speak to sound financial behavior and mindset.

01:12 – Take Action: The Best Time to Start is Now 📌 "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today." This Chinese proverb kicks off the episode’s recurring theme: It’s never too late to start improving your financial future.

01:42 – Vivid Vision and Belief Drive Results 📌 "Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass." – Paul J. Meyer Pete shares how this quote shaped his mindset as a young athlete and business owner.

02:23 – Personal Responsibility: Your Future is Up to You 📌 "If it is to be, it is up to me." – William Johnson This quote reinforces the importance of ownership and self-leadership in financial planning.

03:03 – Direction Matters: Avoid Aimlessness 📌 "If you don't know where you're going, you'll probably end up someplace else." – Yogi Berra A light-hearted quote with a serious message about setting goals.

03:26 – Discipline Over Regret 📌 "You either pay the price of discipline or the price of regret." – Dr. Kevin Elko The brothers break down the concept that time is spent either way—so make it count.

03:58 – Momentum Begins with One Step 📌 "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Get moving—even small steps build confidence and create forward motion.

04:34 – Don’t Be Fooled: It’s Not Different This Time 📌 "The four most dangerous words in investing are: 'It’s different this time.'” – Sir John Templeton A reality check on emotional decision-making during market turbulence.

05:38 – Fear as a Liar 📌 "I've lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened." – Mark Twain A discussion on how fear can distort financial decisions and what to do about it.

06:39 – Volatility Is a Fee, Not a Fine 📌 "Volatility is not a fine, it’s a fee." – Morgan Housel Reframing volatility as a normal, expected part of long-term investing.

07:38 – How You Think About the Problem Matters 📌 "The problem is never the problem. The problem is how you think about the problem." – Dan Sullivan Strategies exist—but mindset is the real differentiator in financial success.

08:18 – Flexibility Is Essential: Plans Go Awry 📌 "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." – Robert Burns Pete and Bill discuss risk, adaptability, and the unknowns that lie beyond your plan.

09:20 – The Value of Trusted Guides 📌 "If we are lucky, we get a few trusted guides." – B. Barton Retirement is a one-time event—having someone who's guided many through it is invaluable.

10:50 – Why Quotes Matter The brothers reflect on why they included quotes in every chapter of their book and how they simplify complex ideas into digestible insights.

11:30 – Bonus Quotes That Didn't Make the Book A series of impactful financial quotes outside of The Runway Decade begins here.

11:40 – Warren Buffett: Planting for the Future 📌 "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." A deeper take on long-term investing and legacy building.

12:31 – Small Leaks Can Sink Ships 📌 "Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship." – Benjamin Franklin Watch out for everyday budget erosion—it adds up quickly.

13:25 – Know What You Own 📌 "Know what you own and know why you own it." – Peter Lynch A reminder to be intentional and informed, especially with complex investments.

14:53 – Preparation + Opportunity = Good Fortune 📌 "Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning." – Thomas Edison Practice, plan, and be ready to seize your moment.

15:43 – Patience Wins 📌 "The big money is not in the buying or selling, but in the waiting." – Charlie Munger Ronald Read’s example is used to highlight how patience builds wealth.

16:15 – Impulse vs. Time 📌 "Time is your friend; impulse is your enemy." – John C. Bogle The father of index investing explains why behavior matters more than strategy.

16:42 – Play Long-Term Games with Long-Term People 📌 "Play long-term games with long-term people." – Naval Ravikant Success multiplies when you build with the right people over time.

17:45 – Spend with Intention 📌 "Spend extravagantly on the things you love, and cut costs mercilessly on the things you don’t." – Ramit Sethi Why budgeting with purpose leads to richer experiences.

18:10 – Know Where You Stand First 📌 "Knowing where you stand is the first step to getting where you want to go." Start with clarity. “You are here” is the first step on any map—including your retirement plan.

19:16 – Zoom Out: The Market Always Goes Up 📌 "The market always goes up—not every day, not every month, not every year—but always over time." – J.L. Collins Pete and Bill talk about optimism in American business and why perspective is everything.

21:30 – Prepare, Don’t Predict 📌 "You can't predict, but you can prepare." – Howard Marks There are no facts about the future—but there is power in preparation, goals, and adaptability.

22:57 – Final Thoughts & Call to Action The brothers recap the value of the quotes and invite listeners to reflect and take the next step.📬 Contact Bill at bbush@horizonfg.com or Pete at pbush@horizonfg.com.💻 Or visit TheRunwayDecade.com

🔑 Key Takeaways

Financial wisdom often comes in short, powerful phrases.
Start today—there's no perfect time, just the next right step.
Emotions like fear and impulse can derail good financial plans.
Long-term thinking, patience, and preparation are keys to success.
Know what you own, where you stand, and who’s guiding you.

🗣 Notable Sound Bites

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today."
"If it is to be, it is up to me."
"The problem is never the problem."
"Volatility is not a fine. It’s a fee."
"You can’t predict, but you can prepare."

📬 Resources & Contact:

Website: www.runwaydecade.com
Email Bill: bbush@horizonfg.com
Email Pete: pbush@horizonfg.com

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In this episode, Bill and Pete Bush take a deep dive into the various risks associated with retirement. Drawing from their ongoing studies for the RICP (Retirement Income Certified Professional) designation, they unpack key categories of risk that can derail even the most well-thought-out retirement plans. From longevity and health concerns to market volatility and public policy shifts, they emphasize the need for proactive planning, emergency buffers, and a realistic outlook. This is not about fear—it’s about readiness.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps & Topics:

00:00 – Intro: Fasten Your Seatbelts The episode takes off with a familiar aviation metaphor as the Bush brothers cue up a conversation rooted in both experience and education.

00:21 – Retirement Risks Overview & RICP Insight Bill mentions their RICP studies and how this inspired today’s topic. Risks discussed include longevity, inflation, and withdrawal rate risk.

01:45 – Longevity Risk & The Illusion of "My People Don't Live That Long" People often underestimate how long they’ll live. Life expectancy continues to rise, and the stat of a 65-year-old couple having a 50% chance that one spouse lives to 90+ is spotlighted.

02:53 – Longevity = More Time for Inflation to Hurt Longer life means more years for inflation to compound. Staying active longer also often means higher expenses.

04:14 – Aging & Health Expense Risks Health risks include long-term care, frailty, and even financial elder abuse. Health expenses are cited as the #1 cause of bankruptcy in retirement.

05:56 – Beyond Healthcare: Adapting Your Environment From needing a stair lift to remodeling a home for accessibility, aging has unexpected costs. Elder financial abuse often comes from trusted individuals—not just scammers.

07:34 – Investment Risks & The Sequence of Return Trap Sequence of return risk is explained in depth: how bad early market years can cause a retiree to “sell more shares” to generate income. Strategies like bucket planning and income “flooring” are discussed.

09:34 – Income Layers & The 7-Layer Dip Analogy Each retiree’s income is like a layered dip: Social Security, pensions, investments, etc. Building the right layers is essential for long-term sustainability.

10:50 – Work-Related Risks: Forced Retirement & Reemployment Many people plan to work longer than they actually do. COVID showed us that employer insolvency and sudden job loss can strike at any time.

11:50 – The Illusion of Control The idea that we control all outcomes is often false. Surprise is the “mother of all panic,” especially in investments. A strong buffer (emergency fund) is essential.

13:34 – Family-Related Risks: Loss of Spouse & Surprise Expenses Losing a spouse can lead to emotional devastation and a significant drop in income. Taxes change, Social Security benefits can decrease, and stress may impact health.

14:32 – The Goal is Awareness, Not Fear Planning for these risks is just like buying insurance. You hope you won’t need it—but you’re covered if something happens.

15:02 – Timing & Policy Risks Interest rate shifts can hurt lump sums from pensions. Laws change—like the SECURE Act—and future changes to taxes, Social Security, or Medicare could impact retirees.

17:29 – Planning for the Unknown You can’t control everything, but you can create buffers. “Risk is what’s left over after you think you’ve thought of everything.” – Morgan Housel

18:30 – Don’t Worry Alone: Seek Guidance The brothers encourage listeners to reach out if they feel uncertain. Asking the right questions—and having a trusted guide—can make all the difference.

💡 Key Takeaways:

Longevity Risk: Retirees must plan for 25–30 years of income.
Health Risk: Medical costs are a top threat to financial stability.
Investment Risk: Market downturns early in retirement can devastate income plans.
Work Risk: Job loss or forced retirement is more common than people think.
Family Risk: Losing a spouse can affect both emotions and money.
Policy Risk: Tax laws and benefit changes can throw a wrench into plans.
The Illusion of Control: Many risks are beyond our control—but buffers help.
Worrying Alone = Risky: Get help. Don’t plan in isolation.

🔊 Notable Sound Bites:

"You want to live a long life, but you don't want to outlive your money."
"The number one cause of bankruptcy is healthcare expenses in retirement."
"You have to sell more shares each month just to get the same check."
"Loss of spouse risk can affect you in multiple ways."
"Surprise is the mother of all panic."

📬 Resources & Contact:

Website: www.runwaydecade.com
Email Bill: bbush@horizonfg.com
Email Pete: pbush@horizonfg.com

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In this episode of The Runway Decade Podcast, Bill and Pete discuss the intersection of baseball and financial planning. They explore how teamwork, coaching, and early financial education shape success, drawing insightful parallels between the sport they love and the business they live in day-to-day. From the importance of visualization and mindset to the timeless principles that stand the test of time, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for both baseball enthusiasts and financial planners alike.

Key Topics:

00:01 – Introduction

Bill and Pete kick off the episode with the familiar pre-flight announcement.
Spring is around the corner, and baseball season is officially underway.

02:11 – Baseball Season & Personal Connections

Discussing LSU baseball’s strong start and high expectations.
The Bush brothers’ personal history with baseball, from childhood games to watching the Big Red Machine.
Baseball’s role in shaping their competitive mindset and teamwork skills.

06:15 – Teamwork in Baseball & Financial Planning

Success in baseball depends on specialized roles—just like in financial planning.
Every player has a position, just as financial professionals (advisors, tax professionals, attorneys) each play a key role.
Why building a solid financial team is crucial for long-term success.

09:35 – The Role of Coaching in Both Worlds

The best baseball teams have great coaches—so do successful investors.
A financial advisor acts as a coach, guiding clients through financial decisions.
"You can’t see the whole picture when you’re inside the frame"—how external coaching provides crucial perspective.

12:27 – The Impact of Early Financial Education

How childhood lessons about money shape financial habits.
The contrast between scarcity vs. abundance mindsets in financial upbringing.
Lessons learned from past generations, including those who lived through the Great Depression.

14:49 – Timeless Principles in Baseball & Finance

The game of baseball has remained largely the same for over a century—just like financial fundamentals.
Human behavior cycles through fear and greed, much like the ups and downs of the market.
The importance of having a long-term perspective and not reacting emotionally to short-term financial fluctuations.

17:27 – The Importance of Visualization & Mindset

Skip Bertman’s coaching philosophy and the power of mental rehearsal.
Envisioning financial success just as athletes visualize their victories.
The "retirement party" exercise from The Runway Decade book—defining what success looks like before it happens.

22:46 – Conclusion & Call to Action

"If it is to be, it’s up to me." – The importance of personal responsibility in financial success.
Encouragement for listeners to take proactive steps in their financial planning.
Connect with Bill and Pete at HorizonFG.com or TheRunwayDecade.com.

Sound Bites:

"Expectations are pretty high for the LSU Tigers."
"You can't hold up the mirror to yourself and see it."
"Money is talked about in terms of scarcity or abundance."
"If it is to be, it’s up to me."

Final Thoughts:

This episode highlights the deep connection between baseball and financial planning, demonstrating how teamwork, coaching, and strategic thinking apply to both. Whether you're a baseball fan, an investor, or someone navigating financial decisions, the lessons from this discussion will help you step up to the plate with confidence.

Contact:

bbush@horizonfg.com

pbush@horizonfg.com

www.runwaydecade.com

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Episode Highlights with Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction: Cleared for Takeoff

The episode begins with a friendly welcome from Bill and Pete Bush.
Reflecting on the transition into 2025: New beginnings, fresh plans, and the excitement (and challenges) of the New Year.

[02:00] Why New Year's Resolutions Fail

Pete discusses Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art and the concept of “Resistance,” the internal force that challenges personal growth and improvement.
How to recognize and overcome resistance to stay committed to your goals.

[04:00] Start the Year with a Financial Check-In

Bill shares his habit of tracking account balances in a spreadsheet to monitor progress over the years.
Key steps for an annual financial check-up:
Review account balances (emergency savings, retirement plans, etc.).
Evaluate progress year-over-year.
Adjust contributions to retirement plans, leveraging auto-escalation or increasing savings rates after raises.

[06:30] Chapter Spotlight: "Where Are You Now?"

Revisiting the book chapter that emphasizes the importance of reassessing your financial position regularly.
Discussion on adapting to changes, such as career shifts, family events, or market fluctuations, and their impact on financial planning.

[08:45] Health Goals: Making it to and Through Retirement

The importance of proactive healthcare and maintaining physical fitness.
Bill and Pete share personal habits, including annual physicals and regular checkups.
Insights into the connection between health span (active, healthy years) and financial planning.
Fun ways to stay active, including pickleball, which Pete is excited to pursue further.

[11:30] The Role of Relationships in Longevity

The hosts explore how building and maintaining healthy relationships can lead to a longer, happier life.
The importance of socialization: spending time with friends, family, and community members.
Encouraging listeners to connect with others and avoid the isolation often amplified by social media.

[13:45] Who Not How: Leveraging Your Network

Discussion on Dan Sullivan’s Who Not How and the value of enlisting the help of others to accomplish goals.
Using this approach to strengthen relationships while lightening your workload.

[15:30] Pickleball and Social Fitness

Bill and Pete share their experiences with pickleball and how it blends fitness with social interaction.
Pete jokes about his deceptive left-handed gameplay and encourages listeners to challenge them to a match.

[18:00] Three Years of Podcasting

Celebrating the upcoming three-year anniversary of The Runway Decade Podcast.
Encouraging listeners to revisit earlier episodes featuring unique and inspiring guests who shared insights into navigating their 50s.
Reflection on the commonalities and differences in experiences among people in their 50s.

[20:45] Looking Ahead to 2025

Bill and Pete express excitement for the year ahead, both for the podcast and their work at Horizon Financial Group.
Setting goals for the future and the importance of reassessing plans regularly.

Notable Quotes

“Resistance shows up when you're doing something meaningful. Recognize it, and push through.” – Pete Bush
“You’re saving for retirement, but are you going to make it there in good health? And when you do, will you have people to enjoy it with?” – Bill Bush
“Health span is about living an active, healthy life for as long as you can, not just extending a sick life.” – Pete Bush

Resources Mentioned

Books:
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
The Runway Decade: Building a Pre-retirement Flight Plan in Your Fifties – Buy the book
Tools and Strategies:
Auto-escalation for retirement contributions.
Setting phone reminders for periodic financial or health check-ins.

Call to Action

Explore Past Episodes: Visit TheRunwayDecade.com to listen to previous episodes featuring inspiring guests.

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In this episode of The Runway Decade Podcast, Bill Bush and Brother Pete focus on the importance of adopting the right mindset as the year ends. They emphasize actionable steps for financial planning, highlight key year-end deadlines, and discuss how proactive health and financial practices overlap. Reflecting on their personal experiences and the importance of gratitude, they guide listeners on how to approach 2025 with clarity and intention.

Key Discussion Points

00:00 – Introduction to the Runway Decade Podcast

Bill kicks off the episode with a signature aviation-themed welcome.
Reflection on the passage of time and its relevance to the “runway decade” (ages 50-59).
Pete and Bill share their perspectives on nearing the end of their own “runway decades.”

02:03 – Year-End Reflections and Planning for 2024

The year-end as a natural checkpoint for assessing financial and personal progress.
Breaking life into manageable segments—weeks, months, quarters—and using the calendar as a tool.
Highlighting year-end financial deadlines:
Retirement plan contributions (employee contributions must be made by December 31).
Donor-advised funds and charitable giving, with a suggested cutoff of December 15 to avoid processing delays.
Other key tax-related actions to complete before year-end.

08:00 – Mindset for Financial Success in the New Year

The value of reflection: asking “If I’m sitting here a year from now, what needs to happen for me to feel successful?”
How to break long-term goals into achievable quarterly milestones.
Emphasizing proactive and positive self-talk to overcome setbacks.
Tips for staying focused and avoiding the post-New Year’s slump:
Use quarterly planning to maintain momentum.
Start whenever you’re ready—even if it’s February!

14:03 – Health and Financial Well-Being

Bill shares personal experiences managing pre-diabetes and past heart health challenges.
The importance of annual physicals and “knowing your numbers” for both health and finances.
Parallels between financial and physical discipline:
Regular checkups and monitoring.
Seeking professional advice to stay on track.
Pete highlights the role of a financial advisor in providing clarity, much like a doctor does with health.

19:58 – Closing Thoughts and Holiday Wishes

Gratitude for listeners and their support throughout the podcast’s journey.
Encouragement to reflect on the year’s accomplishments and make thoughtful plans for the next.
Bill and Pete share personal holiday traditions, including family gatherings and planning sessions.
Pete’s tradition of attending a year-end strategic workshop in Santa Monica for goal-setting.
Holiday wishes to the audience, with a reminder to reach out for guidance or share feedback on podcast topics.

Takeaways

Reflection & Planning: The end of the year is a natural time for reassessing and planning.
Proactive Financial Steps:
Maximize opportunities such as catch-up contributions ($7,500 for those 50+) and donor-advised funds.
Plan ahead to avoid last-minute stress.
Health & Wealth Connection: Health is as critical as financial success; discipline in both areas leads to long-term well-being.
Curiosity and Positivity: Be curious about your numbers and stay optimistic in your approach to setbacks and challenges.
Gratitude & Connection: Use the holiday season to appreciate progress and connect with loved ones.

Sound Bites

“It’s unbelievable how fast they go nowadays.”
“If I’m sitting here a year from now, what needs to happen for me to feel successful?”
“Be curious and seek out information.”
“The man with his health has a thousand wishes; the man without it has one.”
“Happy holidays to everyone listening in.”

Resources Mentioned

The Runway Decade: Building a Pre-Retirement Flight Plan in Your 50s
RunwayDecade.com
Horizon Financial Group

Connect with Us

Visit our website: RunwayDecade.com
Email us: info@horizonfg.com

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Introduction Hosts Bill and Pete Bush dive into a thought-provoking discussion about a pivotal moment in every financial journey where "the road diverges." This episode explores the crucial choice people face when determining their financial future—one path leading to confidence, success, and security, while the other leads to regret and missed opportunities. Bill and Pete share insights on why some struggle to choose the more secure path and how to build momentum toward financial confidence.

Episode Highlights

· [00:22] The Diverging Path Bill and Pete explore the concept that, at some point in every financial journey, “the road diverges,” presenting two potential paths. One path leads to confidence, success, and financial security, while the other can result in regret, doubt, and missed opportunities. They reflect on how people often face this crossroads, and while most would choose the path toward security and fulfillment, various obstacles keep them from progressing. The hosts suggest that identifying these roadblocks and addressing them head-on is key to staying on the path toward financial well-being.

· [02:31] Taking the First Step Tackling financial goals can feel daunting, but Bill and Pete emphasize the importance of taking that first small step. They use the analogy of "eating an elephant one bite at a time" to illustrate how consistent, small actions over time create lasting results. They mention that inertia is a common issue; taking that initial step is often the hardest part, but once in motion, people tend to continue on the path. Pete highlights the incremental nature of retirement accounts like 401(k)s, where small, regular contributions accumulate into significant assets over time.

· [04:52] Future Self Visualization Bill and Pete dive into the psychology behind why people struggle to save for their future selves. Citing Dr. Hal Hershfield’s research on future self-visualization, they explain that many people see their future selves as strangers, making it harder to feel a connection and prioritize future financial needs. Pete shares his experience hearing Hershfield speak and recommends watching Hershfield’s TED Talk. By better visualizing their future selves, people can build empathy for their future needs, leading to more proactive financial planning.

· [07:16] The Do-It-Yourself Mentality vs. Seeking Guidance While self-management of finances may seem appealing, Bill and Pete discuss the pitfalls of a purely DIY approach. They share how the guidance of a financial advisor can help overcome cognitive and emotional barriers to financial success. Using examples like gym coaching, they highlight that just as fitness requires discipline and consistency, managing finances requires behavioral coaching to stay on track. Advisors provide accountability, expertise, and reassurance, especially during volatile market periods, ensuring that clients maintain a long-term view.

· [14:30] Too Much Plane for One Person to Fly Drawing from The Checklist Manifesto, Bill recounts the story of an early Boeing aircraft, too complex for one pilot to operate alone. This story serves as an analogy for complex financial lives that become too intricate for individuals to manage without assistance. Bill and Pete observe that, as people progress through life, they accumulate assets and liabilities, making their financial plans increasingly intricate. This is where financial advisors bring value—helping clients coordinate the many moving parts of their finances to ensure stability and direction,

· [16:56] Resource Highlight: 50 Ways an Advisor Can Help You Bill and Pete introduce their latest resource, a downloadable PDF titled 50 Ways Financial Advisors Can Help You. This guide outlines both common and unexpected ways an advisor can add value, from tax-efficient strategies and risk management to behavioral coaching and legacy planning. They focus on six key areas:

Behavioral Coaching – Helping clients avoid impulsive financial decisions, particularly in turbulent markets.
Investment Management – Ensuring proper asset allocation, rebalancing, and managing portfolios to align with financial goals.
Tax Strategies – Providing tax-efficient approaches to minimize liabilities and increase savings.
Risk Management – Addressing potential financial risks through planning and insurance, securing clients’ financial foundation.
Legacy Planning – Facilitating discussions about asset distribution, including wills, trusts, and the timing of inheritance.

Sound Bites

· "The road does separate, one path leads to confidence."

· "Successful people do things that others won't do."

· "Take that one first step, whatever that is for you."

Conclusion If the conversation resonates and you’re considering moving away from the "do-it-yourself" model to seeking professional guidance, Bill and Pete invite you to reach out. With resources at RunwayDecade.com and Horizon FG’s website, they offer various ways to connect, either in person or virtually, for anyone ready to take that first step.

Resources Mentioned

50 Ways Financial Advisors Can Help You (Downloadable PDF)

This link provides an in-depth look at the variety of ways advisors can add value, from practical strategies to behavioral insights, helping clients achieve their financial goals.

Dr. Hal Hershfield's Video on Future Self Visualization (available on YouTube)

Contact Information For more insights, connect with Bill and Pete through the runwaydecade.com or Horizon FG websites. They welcome questions and are ready to help listeners build clarity and direction toward financial security.

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In this episode of The Runway Decade, Bill and Pete dive into the crucial topic of taking action in financial planning. They emphasize the importance of creating an actionable checklist and how an accountability partner can help keep you on track. The discussion highlights the psychological concept of visualizing your future self and its impact on your current financial decisions. Throughout the episode, Bill and Pete stress that planning without implementation is meaningless and that financial progress comes from adapting your plans to life's changing circumstances. They encourage listeners to take the first step, no matter how small, to build momentum toward financial success.

Key Takeaways:

Taking action is critical for financial progress.
Implementation is the key to turning a plan into reality.
Action checklists help organize and clarify financial goals.
Starting with low-hanging fruit can create momentum.
Accountability partners can keep you committed to your financial objectives.
Visualizing your future self can motivate you to make better decisions today.
The most successful people actively seek advice and take steps.
Plans must be flexible to adapt to changes in life circumstances.
Re-dreaming is a valuable process to adjust and revise financial goals.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Financial Action Bill and Pete kick off the episode by emphasizing the need to move from financial planning to action, touching on the importance of putting plans into practice.
02:20 - The Financial Matrix and Asking the Right Questions The hosts discuss the financial matrix, a tool that helps assess where you stand financially by asking key questions. They highlight how the matrix can help you identify areas needing attention.
05:00 - Low-Hanging Fruit: Easy Wins for Financial Momentum Bill and Pete talk about common areas people overlook, like old 401(k)s or cash sitting in checking accounts, which could be working harder for you with minimal effort.
06:52 - How to Start: Tackling the Action Checklist The hosts break down the process of creating an action checklist, emphasizing that starting with small steps, such as calling HR about an old retirement account, can help build momentum.
09:09 - The Role of Accountability in Financial Success Bill and Pete explain how having an accountability partner—whether it’s an advisor, spouse, or friend—helps people stay committed and focused on their financial journey.
11:24 - Visualizing Your Future Self The discussion turns to the psychological impact of visualizing yourself in the future and how that can influence your financial decisions today, referencing studies from behavioral finance.
14:48 - Adapting Plans and Re-Dreaming The hosts wrap up by discussing how plans need to evolve as life changes, introducing the concept of "re-dreaming" to reflect shifts in financial circumstances and goals.

Memorable Quotes:

"The plan is nothing, the planning is everything."
"Answers are everywhere, but are you asking the right questions?"
"Low-hanging fruit can really start the momentum."

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.runwaydecade.com/#resources
www.horizonfg.com

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Summary: In this episode of The Runway Decade Podcast, Bill and Pete Bush of Horizon Financial Group and authors of the book The Runway Decade, discuss the various strategies and financial vehicles available to help you achieve your retirement goals. They dive into the importance of planning for a potentially lengthy retirement, managing risk versus volatility, and the significance of having the right tools to ensure financial success.

Key Topics Discussed:

[00:00] Planning for Retirement: Funding Your Desired Lifestyle
- Understanding where you are now and where you want to go.
- The importance of having a clear vision for your retirement lifestyle.
- How to fund your retirement goals with discretionary cash and investments.
- [03:04] Understanding Risk and Volatility in Investing
- Clarification of the difference between market risk and volatility.
- The importance of staying invested in equities to combat inflation.
- Reference to Sir John Templeton's quote on market behavior.
- [05:22] Investing in Large Companies as an Inflation Hedge
- Discussion on how big companies and the S&P 500 play a role in long-term growth.
- The impact of inflation on purchasing power and the importance of investing in equities.
- [07:46] Avoiding Common Investment Mistakes
- Discussion on different financial products like annuities, bonds, and equities.
- Avoiding common investment mistakes, particularly in tax planning.
- [09:42] The Importance of Personalized Financial Advice
- The significance of working with a financial advisor who can provide personalized guidance.
- Avoiding the "one-size-fits-all" approach to retirement planning.
- [17:30] Building a Diverse Portfolio with Different Investment Tools
- The importance of having a diversified investment strategy.
- Matching the right financial tools with your retirement goals and the role of various investment vehicles.

Quote of the Episode:

"Among the most dangerous words in investing are, 'It's different this time.'"

Closing Remarks:

Reminder: Your retirement plan should be as unique as you are. The right tools and strategies will vary based on individual circumstances.
Next Steps: Consider consulting with a financial advisor who can help you navigate your specific retirement journey with a tailored approach.

Resources Mentioned:

www.runwaydecade.com

www.horizonfg.com

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In this episode of the Runway Decade Podcast, hosts Bill Bush and Brother Pete delve into the intricacies of managing finances as you approach the later stages of your career, emphasizing the common financial planning mistakes and how to correct them. Through engaging discussions and a client story, they explore the importance of auditing your financial health, the role of a financial advisor, and practical strategies for maximizing retirement savings and investment performance.

Episode Highlights

· 00:00:02 - The episode kicks off with an exciting announcement that the Runway Decade podcast is ready for takeoff, setting the stage for an insightful discussion on financial planning and management.

· 00:00:20 - Hosts Bill Bush and Brother Pete introduce themselves and the episode's theme, discussing the tendency to follow conventional financial wisdom and how it may not always yield the expected outcomes. They stress the value of reassessing financial strategies that aren't working.

· 00:01:06 - They delve into the common issue of not utilizing financial advice properly and the metaphorical need for a "financial flashlight" to illuminate unseen opportunities or pitfalls in one's financial journey.

· 00:01:49 - A client story is shared to highlight the tangible impact of thorough financial auditing, demonstrating how uncovering overlooked details, like double taxation on stock options, can lead to significant savings.

· 00:02:41 - Further exploring the mismanagement of stock options due to a lack of understanding from tax professionals, this segment emphasizes the critical role of financial literacy and the benefits of seeking a second opinion on tax matters.

· 00:03:27 - The hosts discuss the discovery of a double taxation issue on stock options, showcasing the importance of reviewing past tax returns for potential errors that could lead to tax refunds.

· 00:04:11 - The conversation shifts to the broader implications of not understanding complex financial instruments like stock options, stressing the need for diligent review and professional consultation.

· 00:04:54 - Highlighting the quote from Will Rogers about the peril of knowing something that isn't true, the hosts underscore the importance of questioning financial assumptions and conducting regular financial audits.

· 00:05:40 - The hosts introduce the concept of a financial matrix as a tool for conducting comprehensive audits of personal finances, encouraging listeners to assess each aspect of their financial life systematically.

· 00:06:27 - They explore the key areas of focus during a financial audit, including cash flow, budget, investments, retirement planning, and insurance, to ensure all aspects of one's financial health are in order.

· 00:07:14 - The episode discusses the benefits of revisiting and updating one's financial plans regularly, using personal anecdotes to highlight how easy it is to overlook crucial financial updates.

· 00:08:02 - They address the importance of systematically rebalancing investment portfolios to capitalize on market fluctuations and maintain alignment with one's risk tolerance and investment goals.

· 00:08:49 - A detailed discussion on the significance of accurate contribution rates in retirement plans, illustrating how common misunderstandings about employer matches and contribution limits can affect long-term savings.

· 00:09:35 - Emphasizing rebalancing as an essential investment strategy, the segment clarifies how it helps investors buy low and sell high, a practice that is counterintuitive but fundamental to achieving investment success.

· 00:10:29 - The hosts talk about the long-term nature of retirement planning, highlighting the necessity for plans to extend through retirement and the common misconception about the duration of retirement savings.

· 00:11:26 - The narrative shifts to the importance of projecting future income needs and adjusting savings rates accordingly, to avoid financial shortfalls in retirement.

· 00:12:18 - Exploring the concept of the financial confidence quadrant as a self-assessment tool, the hosts suggest it can help individuals identify areas of their financial life that need attention.

· 00:13:10 - Continuation of the conversation on retirement planning, emphasizing the importance of ensuring savings and investment strategies are designed to support a potentially long retirement.

· 00:14:06 - Concluding thoughts on the need for ongoing financial education and literacy, urging listeners to be proactive about seeking advice and verifying the accuracy of their financial information.

· 00:15:05 - The hosts wrap up the episode by inviting listeners to reach out for advice or use the tools provided on their website to conduct their personal financial audit.

Key Takeaways

Regularly auditing your financial health can uncover overlooked opportunities or mistakes, potentially leading to significant improvements in your financial situation.
It’s all too easy to follow conventional financial wisdom without considering its applicability to your unique situation. This episode emphasizes the importance of questioning financial assumptions and seeking personalized advice.
Understanding complex financial instruments and their tax implications is crucial to avoid overpaying taxes and maximizing the value of your investments.
Tools like the financial matrix and the financial confidence quadrant can provide structured ways to assess and improve various aspects of your finances, from savings rates to investment strategies.
Retirement planning should account for a potentially long retirement period, necessitating a focus on strategies that ensure longevity and stability of retirement income.

Tweetable Quotes

"It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble; it's what we know that ain't so." - Will Rogers, as quoted in discussing financial assumptions and their impact.
"You can't read the label from inside the jar." - On the value of seeking outside perspectives to gain insights into your financial status and make necessary adjustments.

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.horizonfg.com/

www.runwaydecade.com

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In this insightful episode of The Runway Decade Podcast, hosts Bill and Pete delve into understanding your current financial situation as a foundational step towards achieving your future goals. They underscore the importance of awareness in financial planning, examining the significance of knowing where you are before you can determine where you're going. Through a candid discussion, they explore practical strategies for organizing financial documents, assessing financial health, and outlining a path for future financial success.

Episode Highlights:

00:07: The episode kicks off with an introduction to the podcast's central theme focused on the importance of building and maintaining confidence for those who are on the “runway” toward retirement.

00:31: Bill and Pete humorously explore the initial question of "where are you going?" highlighting the crucial first step in any journey, especially in financial planning. This lighthearted banter sets the tone for an episode dedicated to understanding one's current financial position as a precursor to any forward planning.

00:58: The discussion turns to the metaphor of needing to know your current location before embarking toward your destination, paralleling it with the necessity of understanding your present financial circumstance prior to setting future financial goals. This segment emphasizes the foundation of financial advising: Where are you, and where do you need to be?

01:39: The hosts reflect on a personal anecdote about finding "You are here" signs in theme parks, using this as an analogy for navigating through one's financial life. This part is essential for understanding the comparison between physical and financial navigation, reinforcing the episode's theme of situational awareness.

02:30: Hidden complexities in individuals' financial situations are discussed, highlighting the common issue of overlooked or forgotten assets. This part of the conversation emphasizes the importance of thoroughness in gathering financial data to ensure a comprehensive understanding of one's current standing.

03:08: Clarifying the current financial picture is defined as gathering and organizing all relevant financial documents. The hosts underline the initial steps necessary for financial advisors to assist clients in achieving clarity on their financial status, focusing on the importance of simplification and categorization.

03:44: Practical steps towards financial organization are outlined, including the categorization of different financial documents. This instruction provides listeners with actionable advice on beginning their journey toward financial clarity.

04:48: Discussion shifts to the significance of reviewing previous years' tax returns as part of understanding one's financial situation. The conversation delves into how past financial decisions reflect current financial health and potential future strategies.

06:08: The episode introduces a strategic organizer tool, facilitating listeners' financial organization efforts. This segment offers valuable resources to the audience, guiding them in the practical application of the episode's themes.

07:14: Bill and Pete explore the emotional barriers to financial organization and the psychological benefits of overcoming these hurdles. They delve into the human aspect of financial advising, discussing how emotions can impede or facilitate financial planning.

08:03: The importance of self-assessment in financial planning is emphasized, with a nod to Socrates' quote, "To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom." This philosophical reflection underpins the episode's message about the foundational role of self-awareness in financial planning.

09:29: The hosts conclude the episode by recapping the significance of understanding one's current financial situation as the steppingstone to achieving future financial goals. They remind listeners of the resources available for download to assist in the organization process.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding your current financial situation is paramount before planning for the future.
Simplification and categorization are essential steps in organizing one's financial landscape.
Emotional readiness plays a significant role in the process of financial organization and planning.
Utilizing tools like the strategic organizer can provide clarity and direction in navigating one's financial journey.

Tweetable Quotes:

"You can't know where you're going until you know where you are." - Bill
"Organizing your financial life is like finding the 'You are here' sign in life's theme park." - Pete
"To know thyself in terms of financial health is the beginning of all financial wisdom." - Paraphrase from Socrates by the hosts

Resources Mentioned:

-https://www.horizonfg.com

https://runwaydecade.com

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In this engaging episode of the Runway Decade Podcast, Bill Bush and Brother Pete delve into their journey since the release of their book, "The Runway Decade," reflecting on how quickly time has flown and the importance of planning for retirement. They explore the crucial first steps in retirement planning, emphasizing the power of envisioning a clear and compelling retirement vision, and offer practical advice on making this vision a reality. The dialogue is rich with anecdotes, insights, and a deep dive into the strategies for achieving a fulfilling retirement.

Episode Highlights:

00:00:23 Bill Bush introduces the podcast and their focus on the critical timeframe for retirement planning, utilizing the analogy of a runway to discuss the accelerated passage of time and its implications on planning for the future.
00:01:20 The dialogue shifts to the significance of the book's launch and the precious timeframe of a decade in the context of retirement planning. They recount personal reflections on aging and the rapidity of time, tying it back to the necessity of early and thoughtful retirement planning.
00:02:06 Bill and Pete pivot to the topic of developing a retirement vision, underscoring the invaluable exercise of picturing one's retirement party. This imaginative process aims to crystallize a detailed and aspirational vision of retirement, which lays the groundwork for targeted planning and goal setting.
00:03:30 The conversation delves deeper into the strategy of visualizing the future to escape the busyness of the present. They illustrate how stepping out of daily tasks and envisioning a blank canvas for the future can profoundly impact retirement planning efforts.
00:04:18 They engage in a thoughtful discussion around the details that shape a retirement vision, such as who is present in the envisioning exercise and the specifics that make the vision tangible and personal. This level of detail helps solidify the connection between current actions and future outcomes.
00:05:09 Reflecting on the concept of "writing the history of the future," the hosts encourage listeners to adopt a proactive stance toward retirement planning. By vividly imagining and planning for desired outcomes, individuals can significantly influence their future circumstances.
00:06:40 Bill shares a personal anecdote about planning for his daughter's education, illustrating how a long-term vision and incremental steps can lead to the realization of significant life goals, drawing a parallel with retirement planning.
00:08:04 The conversation turns to the philosophical and motivational underpinnings of retirement planning. They instill a sense of agency and responsibility, broaching the topic of public perceptions and personal accountability in securing one's own retirement future.
00:09:40 Bill and Pete discuss the modern retirement planning landscape, including the rise of defined contribution plans like 401(k)s, and the importance of actively managing these tools to ensure a secure retirement.
00:11:17 The hosts offer practical advice on how to begin creating a retirement vision, touching upon lifestyle preferences, financial goals, and the importance of dreaming big to achieve an ideal retirement.
00:12:04 Insights are shared on considering the practical aspects of retirement, such as housing, debt, and healthcare. They stress the significance of strategic planning in addressing these key areas to achieve a comfortable and secure retirement.
00:13:34 The episode highlights a success story of a couple entering retirement debt-free and emphasizes the profound impact of such achievements on the quality of retirement life.
00:15:04 Bill and Pete introduce resources available on their website to aid listeners in crafting their retirement vision. They champion the idea that tailored, introspective questions can lead individuals to articulate and pursue their unique retirement dreams and goals.
00:18:50 The episode concludes with a reminder of the foundational importance of planning in assuaging retirement-related worries and anxieties. Through planning, individuals can transform fear into confidence and anticipation.

Key Takeaways:

The speed of time's passage underscores the urgent need for retirement planning.
Visualization and detailed envision as critical strategies for designing a satisfying and meaningful retirement. Personal anecdotes and practical examples highlight the power of proactive, imaginative planning in achieving long-term goals.
Addressing financial, lifestyle, and healthcare considerations strategically is essential for a fulfilling retirement.

Tweetable Quotes:

"If you don't know where you're going, you'll probably end up someplace else." Reflecting on the importance of a clear retirement vision.
"Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come true." On the potency of visualization and action in planning for the future.

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.horizonfg.com/

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In this episode of the Runway Decade Podcast, co-hosts Bill Bush and Brother Pete embark on a deep dive into the common hurdles people face as they approach retirement, emphasizing the critical issues of procrastination, financial fears, and organizational challenges. They share personal stories, provide practical advice, and interview specialists to explore solutions for overcoming these obstacles and making progress towards secure retirement planning.

Episode Highlights

00:00:02: The podcast kicks off with a vivid flight-themed introduction, setting the stage for a conversation aimed at navigating the journey towards retirement. The hosts highlight the importance of preparation and anticipation, similar to pre-flight checks, as a metaphor for approaching retirement planning with careful consideration and readiness.
00:00:23: Bill Bush and Brother Pete share their excitement about an upcoming family trip to the Derby, using it as a springboard to discuss the importance of traditions and making memories, subtly likening it to the significance of building and maintaining a retirement plan that can support life's meaningful moments.
00:00:40: The mention of bringing their 81-year-old mother to her first Derby underscores the theme of seizing opportunities, regardless of age, and the joy of experiencing life's firsts. This anecdote serves as a motivational call to listeners to not delay their financial planning endeavors and to embrace new experiences.
00:01:08: The conversation transitions into the main topic of the episode: common barriers to financial progress as retirement approaches. The co-hosts point out that many people in their fifties experience a range of obstacles, from procrastination to a lack of organization, underlining that these challenges are both common and surmountable with the right approach.
00:02:17: Brother Pete emphasizes how procrastination stems from a deeper issue of inertia and discusses the psychological barriers that prevent people from taking the first step towards retirement planning. He suggests that self-reflection on the reasons behind procrastination can reveal actionable steps, thereby transforming a static state into progress.
00:03:18: The co-hosts discuss the tangible and intangible costs of procrastination, highlighting how delaying financial planning can have far-reaching consequences that outweigh the perceived immediate expenses of taking action. They encourage listeners to consider the broader implications of inaction.
00:04:22: Bill and Pete use a playful song reference to illustrate the concept of taking one step at a time. This lighthearted moment reinforces the message that small, consistent actions can lead to significant progress over time, especially when it comes to daunting tasks like retirement planning.
00:05:05: Financial fears are dissected as the co-hosts discuss how fear of the unknown and fear of making mistakes can paralyze decision-making. They use Mark Twain's quote to remind listeners that many of our fears never come to fruition, urging a proactive rather than fear-based approach to financial planning.
00:07:23: By addressing the challenge of organizational hurdles, Bill and Pete compare financial organization to sorting a junk drawer. This analogy brings humor and relatability to the discussion, making the point that organizing one's financial life is both necessary for clarity and less daunting than it may initially seem.

Key Takeaways

Procrastination and inertia are significant barriers to retirement planning, but they can be overcome by breaking the process down into manageable steps and focusing on the long-term benefits of taking action now.
Financial fears often stem from uncertainty and the unknown. Engaging in open discussions about finances and seeking professional advice can help alleviate these fears by providing clarity and paving the way for informed decision-making.
Organization is crucial for effective retirement planning. Comparing financial disorganization to a cluttered junk drawer, the co-hosts encourage listeners to tackle their financial clutter, suggesting that such organization can lead to a clearer path forward.

Tweetable Quotes

"The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Make that step towards your retirement planning today." - Lao Tzu, as referenced by Brother Pete.
"We've lived through a lot of terrible things in our life, some of which actually happened." - Mark Twain, quoted by BrotherPete, highlighting the unnecessary fear we often face when planning for the future.

Resources Mentioned: - https://www.horizonfg.com/

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In this episode of the Runway Decade Podcast, hosts Bill Bush and Brother Pete delve into a variety of intriguing topics ranging from personal anecdotes about their recent feature in Cigar Aficionado Magazine to detailed insights on investment strategies, particularly in the face of a presidential election year. Their discussion transcends the excitement surrounding the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, extending to the significance of maintaining a diversified investment portfolio and the impact of election cycles on market performance.

Episode Highlights:

00:00:02: Bill offers a lively introduction to the episode, emphasizing the podcast's theme with a metaphorical "cleared for takeoff" message that sets the tone for an engaging discussion on investments, personal experiences, and the anticipation surrounding the Kentucky Derby.

00:00:23: Brother Pete warmly greets listeners, expressing excitement for the year 2024 and the immediate event on their calendar - the 150th Kentucky Derby, setting the stage for a blend of personal experiences with broader economic and investment insights.

00:00:40: Pete shares anecdotes about receiving messages from friends who saw them in Cigar Aficionado Magazine, linking personal interests and public recognition with the traditions of the Kentucky Derby, creating a relatable entry point for listeners tuned into the episode.

00:01:16: A memorable moment with their mother is shared as they talk about taking her to the Kentucky Derby, which has been a long-held dream of hers. This personal story seamlessly transitions into discussing the Derby as a bucket list event, highlighting the familial and emotional significance behind their investment in the event.

00:02:39: The conversation pivots to investment themes, where humorously, the Derby is ruled out as a good investment theme but is recognized as a source of fun and a life experience worthy of one's bucket list, highlighting the balance between financial investments and investing in life experiences.

00:03:24: Bill and Pete tackle the concept of recency bias in investment psychology, emphasizing how investors' recent memories can disproportionately influence their expectations for the future, leading into a broader discussion on how to approach long-term investing with a level head.

00:04:15: Insights into market trends and the importance of staying diversified in one's investment portfolio are detailed. The Bush brothers discuss the fluctuating nature of investment returns and the importance of hedging bets across various asset classes.

00:06:01: They break down the statistical likelihood of experiencing positive vs. negative years in the stock market, reinforcing the value of patience and a long-term perspective in investing, supported by historical data to ease the concerns of jittery investors.

00:07:40: The episode then segues into discussing the anticipation and uncertainties surrounding the presidential

election year and its potential impacts on the investment landscape, injecting a timely thematic element linked to the

broader socio-political environment.

00:09:32: Importantly, they expound on how fear and uncertain events often lead investors to move towards safer assets, but remind listeners that historically, staying invested or continuing regular contributions has often yielded better outcomes than reacting to immediate uncertainties.

00:10:21: Interest rates and their influence on investment decisions, especially in a high-interest rate environment, are addressed, suggesting how current economic conditions might shape investment strategies differently than election anxieties alone.

00:12:09: The Bush brothers contemplate the uniqueness of the upcoming election, potentially seeing incumbent figures from both major political parties vying for the presidency, stressing the market's preference for certainty over uncertainty.

00:16:15: They conclude the investment discussion with a reflection on the minimal long-term impact of election results on solid investment strategies, reinforcing the importance of staying the course and adhering to one's investment plan regardless of political climates.

00:19:04: The episode wraps up with Bill providing contact information and encouraging listeners to explore more

resources, making a smooth transition into concluding remarks that books end the podcast with practical advice and ways to engage further with their content.

Key Takeaways:

Investing in life experiences like the Kentucky Derby can be just as valuable as financial investments, enriching one’s quality of life alongside a robust investment portfolio.
The concept of recency bias and its effect on investment decisions underscores the importance of maintaining a long-term perspective, staying diversified, and resisting the urge to make rash financial decisions based on recent events.
Historical market performance data reinforces the value of patience in investing, with positive market years outnumbering negative ones and the long-term trend favoring those who stay invested

Political climates and election cycles can introduce volatility and uncertainty in the short term, but they have minimal

impact on well-structured, long-term investment strategies.

Regardless of the socio-political environment, adhering to a carefully planned investment strategy based on one's financial goals and timelines remains the best course of action.

Tweetable Quotes:

"In our industry, fear is often equated with cash. But that much fear rarely serves well in the long run." - Bill Bush
"The market likes certainty. Uncertainty breeds volatility, but long-term investment strategies can weather the storm." – Brother Pete
"If your plan has not changed, there’s no need to overhaul your investment portfolio. Let your goals guide your investment decisions." - Bill Bush

Resources Mentioned:

● https://www.runwaydecade.com

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In February's episode of the Runway Decade Podcast, hosts Bill Bush and Brother Bill Bush delve into the intricate world of taxes, particularly focusing on the importance of tax planning for the upcoming season and strategic approaches to retirement. They discuss the timing and strategies for IRA and HSA contributions, the significance of Roth conversions, and the value of tax diversification in retirement accounts. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of tax-efficiency and retirement planning.

Episode Highlights:

· 00:00:02- The episode kicks off with a standard safety briefing metaphor suggesting the episode has been cleared for takeoff, signaling an in-depth journey into tax season and its implications.

· 00:00:23 - Bill Bush introduces himself and the podcast, highlighting the timing of the episode around tax season and the importance of preparing tax documents like the 1099s and W-2s. This sets the stage for a broader discussion on tax filing, extensions, and the various documents individuals and businesses need to gather for accurate tax reporting.

· 00:01:18- The hosts explore the idea of either receiving a large refund or opting for more consistent financial flow throughout the year. This segment unpacks the dilemma many face during tax season - whether to adjust withholdings to increase monthly income or to opt for a large tax refund, effectively loaning money to the government interest-free.

· 00:02:50 - They discuss actionable steps that can still impact your 2023 taxes, like contributing to IRAs or HSAs, highlighting the importance of deadlines and the benefits these contributions can bring, especially from a tax deduction perspective.

· 00:03:47- Bill emphasizes the significance of tax diversification for retirement, explaining how having a mix of taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts can provide financial flexibility in retirement. This strategy can help manage taxation on withdrawals and optimize the available funds.

· 00:04:40 - Illustrating the concept of having enough liquid savings to cover initial years of retirement to manage risks associated with a down market, the conversation shifts towards strategies that ensure financial stability during early retirement years without having to liquidate investments at inopportune times.

· 00:06:22 - The discussion moves to different investment accounts and strategies for tax efficiency and wealth growth, including Roth conversions and the strategic use of HSA accounts. They delve into the pros and cons of different approaches in preparation for retirement.

· 00:08:13 - Exploring the potential for higher tax rates in the future, the hosts share strategies for Roth conversions to lock in current lower rates, discussing the importance of evaluating one's individual tax scenario to make informed decisions.

· 00:09:54 - They touch on the generational differences in utilizing Roth accounts and the changing perspectives on retirement savings, emphasizing that Roth conversions and contributions are not just for younger people but can be part of a broader strategic plan at any age.

· 00:11:29 - Addressing the Secure Act's implications on retirement planning, particularly around Roth 401(k)s and traditional IRAs, they note the changing landscape of retirement account regulations and strategies to adjust for those planning their retirements.

· 00:13:08 - A personal story illustrates why it's crucial to have a clear vision of one's retirement goals, including where to live and expected lifestyle, to accurately plan for income needs and tax strategies.

· 00:14:36- The hosts tackle tax optimization strategies, suggesting real-time adjustments to withholdings or contributions to retirement accounts to better manage the following year's tax liabilities.

· 00:15:25 - Diving deeper into the psychology behind tax refunds, the discussion encourages listeners to aim for a neutral tax outcome, where neither a large debt nor a large refund is realized, emphasizing smarter money management across the year.

· 00:16:12 - They explore more sophisticated tax planning strategies for reducing taxable income in the coming year, including donor-advised funds and tax-deferred investments, urging listeners to begin planning early.

· 00:19:08 - The episode concludes with reflections on the tax conversation's value and a recap of strategies discussed, emphasizing proactive planning for tax efficiency and retirement readiness.

Key Takeaways:

Tax planning requires understanding and adjusting withholdings to avoid giving the government an interest-free loan.
Retirement planning should include tax diversification and understanding the benefits of different account types for a secure financial future.
. Roth conversions can be a strategic move for many, not just younger taxpayers, to lock in lower tax rates and ensure tax-free withdrawals in retirement.
Proactive and early planning can lead to significant tax savings and more efficient retirement income management.

Tweetable Quotes:

"Tax planning: It's about giving yourself more control over your finances throughout the year, not just at tax time." – Bill Bush
"Retirement is not just about saving; it's about planning for tax efficiency and securing your financial future." - Bill Bush

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On today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group discuss the new year, the excitement for growth at Horizon Financial, and the critical importance for individuals turning 50 to consider comprehensive financial planning.

Episode Highlights:

· 01:40: The discussion focuses on the positive outcomes for Horizon Financial Group and its clients in the previous year. They express anticipation for the growth and opportunities in the new year.

· 02:51: The hosts talk about to the move into a new building in 2023, where Bill reflects on the significance of this move and emphasizes the importance of having long-term goals and being prepared for unexpected opportunities.

· 04:19: The hosts talk about the challenges of resisting tempting treats during the holiday season, such as chocolates, candies, and Mardi Gras King Cakes in Louisiana.

· 05:31: Bill mentions turning 59 in August and reflects on the changes and milestones experienced during his 50s, such as moving back to Baton Rouge.

· 07:46: Pete poses a key question, asking whether this will be the year for individuals to make a financial plan. The hosts discuss the awakening that occurs in one's early 50s when the realization of retirement and financial planning becomes more apparent.

· 09:37: The conversation delves into the financial challenges faced by Gen Xers, including student debt and the shift from traditional pensions to 401(k) plans. The hosts mention the responsibilities of the "sandwich generation," dealing with both children and aging parents.

· 10:58: Pete emphasizes the importance of acting, making a plan, and seeking advice. He encourages listeners to make progress on their financial goals and use the matrix as a tool for self-assessment.

· 11:28: Bill and Pete discuss the concept of financial leaks, emphasizing the importance of stopping the leaks in one's financial life. They highlight the significance of assessing savings rates and managing unexpected expenses.

· 12:47: Pete introduces the concept of the retirement bill, comparing it to a mortgage. He encourages listeners to calculate how much they need for retirement and treat it like a bill to be paid down.

· 15:30: Pete and Bill emphasise the importance of seeking advice and taking action to avoid financial regret and anxiety.

Key Points:

The hosts express enthusiasm for Horizon Financials’ growth in the upcoming year and stress the essential role of thorough financial planning.
The conversation underscores the importance of financial planning for individuals hitting the milestone of turning 50, emphasizing the need to evaluate and address potential financial leaks.
Listeners are urged to proactively pursue their financial objectives, with an emphasis on seeking advice, crafting a plan, and taking tangible steps to sidestep regret and anxiety.

Tweetable Quotes:

· "Turning 50 is monumental, and as the older Gen Xers approach retirement, it's time to ask, 'Is this the year to create a solid financial plan?'" - Pete

· "In the runway decade, turning 50 is a pivotal point. Evaluate your financial matrix, address potential leaks, and set the stage for a confident retirement." - Pete

· "As we navigate through 2024, remember, political dynamics may change, but your financial goals remain. Seek advice, make a plan, and thrive!" - Bill

Resources Mentioned:

· https://www.runwaydecade.com/

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On today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group discuss their recent move to a new building and reflect on the 18 years spent in the previous one. They highlight the excitement of settling into a new studio and navigating the unfamiliar surroundings. As the year comes to a close, they emphasize the significance of the year-end financial planning webinar Bill conducted in November. Bill mentions a checklist from the webinar, available on the Runway Decade website and Horizon site, which covers crucial opportunities and considerations at the close of the year.

Episode Highlights:

· 01:58: Bill and Pete highlight the significance of harvesting gains and losses, considering the recent market fluctuations and the impact on capital gains tax.

· 02:24: Pete explains the process of offsetting gains with losses, illustrating how taxpayers can minimize their tax liability by strategically managing investment gains and losses.

· 03:10: The hosts mention the net investment income tax, its relevance for individuals with AGI over certain thresholds, and the importance of proactive planning with CPAs.

· 05:36: Bill mentions the potential impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, suggesting taxpayers project their income and consider the possibility of tax bracket changes.

· 07:32: The hosts delve into retirement planning, specifically emphasizing the importance of maximizing contributions to 401(k) plans before the end of the calendar year.

· 09:13: Bill and Pete discuss additional year-end financial planning considerations, including making IRA contributions, exploring Roth conversions, and opening retirement plans for self-employed individuals.

· 10:38: Bill emphasizes the importance of examining asset allocation, rebalancing portfolios, and considering tax-loss harvesting opportunities.

· 12:12: Pete addresses the impact of changing market conditions on different stock categories, encouraging investors to assess the tax implications of potential gains and losses.

· 14:06: The hosts discuss the tax implications of dividend distributions and the need for investors to anticipate taxable income from dividends.

· 15:23: Pete emphasizes the importance of having the right types of insurance coverage and being proactive in assessing coverage needs.

· 16:50: Bill introduces the topic of financial milestones, focusing on age-related events. The Rule of 55 allows penalty-free distributions from a 401(k) if you've left a job at age 55.

· 18:33: Pete mentions the significance of considering Medicare premiums, influenced by income. Changes related to moving, refinancing, marriage, ending a marriage, and updating beneficiaries are discussed.

· 20:26: The hosts highlight the benefits of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), especially for those in high deductible plans, and the triple tax advantages they offer.

· 22:49: Bill and Pete discuss gifting and the importance of tracking basis for gifts and inheritance. They also touch on state-specific considerations, like Louisiana's 529 plan deductions.

· 24:13: The hosts stress the importance of seeking professional assistance, including CPAs and insurance agents, and emphasize the "who not how" concept from a book they previously discussed.

Key Points:

Conduct a comprehensive review of your finances towards the end of the year, focusing on tax planning, investment strategies, and overall financial health.
Be mindful of age-related financial milestones, such as retirement plan contributions at age 50 and Medicare enrolment at 65, to adapt your financial plan accordingly.
Regularly reassess and rebalance your investment portfolio, considering market volatility. Explore tax-efficient strategies like tax-loss harvesting and Roth conversions for better financial outcomes.

Tweetable Quotes:

· "In the financial world, the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, taking away many opportunities. Time to seize the last chance for year-end financial planning”

· "Milestones matter! Age 50 brings catch-up contributions, 55 unlocks penalty-free 401(k) distributions, and 59½ marks the start of IRA withdrawals without penalties. Plan for these key financial checkpoints”

· "Change is constant, be ready! Did you move, get married, or refinance your house? Don't forget to update your financial details. Small actions now can prevent big surprises later”

Resources Mentioned:

2023 Last-Chance Financial Checklist

2023 Key Financial Data Chart

· https://www.runwaydecade.com/

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On today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group are typically co-located for the podcast, this episode finds them connecting remotely via Zoom. The reason for their remote setup is not due to the common reasons of the past few years, hinting at the global pandemic, but rather a disruption in their usual operations. The hosts discuss the real reason behind their remote work situation. Their regular recording location has been infested with termites, causing significant damage that was worse than initially anticipated.

Episode Highlights

· 01:55: The hosts share that they had already planned to move to a new building on November 3rd. The termite situation offered a somewhat timely opportunity to prepare the old building for sale while getting ready to transition to their new location.

· 02:09: The conversation shifts to the broader theme of disruptions in life, particularly when things seem to be running smoothly or "on the runway." Disruptions can manifest in various ways, from economic changes and job layoffs to health issues and family matters.

· 02:53: The hosts hint at their book, "The Runway Decade," which discusses potential obstacles and challenges young adults might face in their 20s. The book provides insights into planning and dealing with life's unpredictability.

· 03:16: The hosts emphasize that while disruptions are inevitable, having a plan can provide a foundational guide to navigate through such challenges. Even when things don't go according to plan, having a strategy to fall back on can help individuals determine their next steps.

· 03:45: Drawing on the adage that the only constant is change, the hosts reflect on their own experiences with disruptions, particularly the impact of the pandemic. They discuss how the world has adapted to new norms, such as remote working and using tools like Zoom.

· 05:26: The conversation shifts to financial disruptions, such as divorce, death, job changes, or health challenges. Bill and Pete emphasize the need for teamwork, especially among professional advisors, during these challenging times. They discuss the importance of restoring confidence when faced with such significant life changes.

· 07:15: As the team transitions to the new space, the host discusses the intricacies and numerous tasks involved, such as updating addresses on letterheads, websites, and other collateral.

· 09:28: Emphasizing the seemingly minor yet significant time-saving, Bill and Pete shares how they once calculated the three to four-minute difference in driving time, multiplied by the number of trips they made, and factored in two cars. They amusingly note that such minute savings could translate to about two weeks saved annually.

· 11:02: The conversation pivots to a thought-provoking article from the Wall Street Journal, which tackled the age at which individuals tend to make their most optimal financial decisions. As the host reveals, the age pinpointed by the article is around 53 or 54, fitting perfectly within the "runway decade" age range that the podcast focuses on.

· 13:07: Pete discusses the optimal age for making the best financial decisions, referencing an article from the Wall Street Journal which suggests that age is around 53 or 54. This age range is termed as the "runway decade sweet spot."

· 15:41: The conversation touches on a referenced Wall Street Journal article and the significance of asking the right financial questions.

Three Key Points

Bill and Pete discuss how economic recessions can lead to job disruptions and layoffs, affecting many people's livelihoods. They also mention other possible disruptions like health issues and family problems.
The discussion emphasizes the role of experience and wisdom in refining one's financial outlook. By the time one reaches the runway decade, many previously held misconceptions or unrealistic expectations about finances have been dispelled, either through personal experience or by observing the experiences of others.
Bill and Pete discuss the motivation and purpose behind their book, emphasizing the importance of financial awareness and preparation, particularly as individuals approach their 50s.

Tweetable Quotes

· “Disruptions are almost guaranteed in one's journey. The notable quote from their book is highlighted: "Plan on planning for your plan not to go as planned." This emphasizes the importance of flexibility and adaptability in the face of unforeseen challenges.” – Bill

· “Many retirees choose to downsize their homes to reduce maintenance and possibly transition into retirement communities. In contrast, the host's business is experiencing growth, leading to an "upsizing" of their office space.” – Pete

· Individuals in their early 50s become more proactive and serious about their financial futures.” - Bill

Resources Mentioned

· runwaydecade.com

· Podcast Editing

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On today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group talks about Pete's recent weekend, where he celebrated his 40th high school reunion at Bellaire High School. The reunion was a combination of the classes of 1981, 1982, and 1983 due to the pandemic.

Episode Highlights

· 02:08: Pete mentions how the past is also somewhat "made-up" because people select specific memories to keep and leave others behind. He notes that high school graduation is one of those monumental moments in life that leaves a significant mark.

· 03:17: Bill reflects on the significance of his 40-year high school reunion, highlighting that some people might be having their 30-year reunion, which places them in their late 40s and entering the "runway decade."

· 03:23: Pete mentions the "future glimpse" aspect of their planning process from the book, where they project how people's lives will unfold based on their current age, including significant others, parents, kids, and spouses.

· 04:52: Bill and Pete discusses the introductory theme of their book, which involves making educated guesses about people's lives based on their age and life stage. He emphasizes that these guesses are not one-size-fits-all, but they can provide a starting point for forward planning, considering factors like what people may be thinking, doing, or how their children might be developing within a general range.

· 06:11: Pete and Bill discuss how rapidly technology and society change over time. They speculate about what life will be like 20 years in the future, and Pete mentions that people tend to adapt quickly to new technologies.

· 07:26: Bill mentions that their high school reunion was held in a historic downtown building, likely built in the 1920s. He mentions some of the history of some of the surrounding buildings, including previous uses as the Louisiana National Bank building and a hotel.

· 09:43: Pete and Bill discuss the importance of minimizing expenses as one approaches retirement. They emphasize the concept of "health and wealth" in their book and how going into retirement healthy and without debt can significantly boost financial confidence.

· 11:29: Pete discusses the concept of the "future self" and how people tend to prioritize their present selves over their future selves.

· 13:23: Pete mentions watching a behind-the-scenes show about Linda Ronstadt and the book "Die with Zero," which deals with using your resources wisely.

· 14:50: Pete discusses the importance of finding a balance between time, money, and health during your "Runway Decade."

· 15:10: Pete mentions the book "Die with Zero" and its idea of finding a balance between these three elements. He talks about the heart of the "Runway Decade" chapter, emphasizing the need to consider time, money, and health as you age.

Three Key Points

Bill mentions a recent trip to Europe, where they saw a musical adaptation of "Back to the Future" in London's theater district. He notes that the musical is a time travel story, which ties into the theme of the "Runway Decade" podcast, where they focus on looking ahead to the future and planning for retirement.
Pete and Bill discuss the significance of minimizing expenses and being healthy as retirement approaches.
Pete discusses the importance of finding a balance between time, money, and health during a person’s "Runway Decade."

Tweetable Quotes

· “Health and financial stability can boost confidence and reduce stress in retirement.” – Bill

· “Thinking of the future self as someone you care about, like a long-distance friend or family member, can help foster a sense of responsibility and planning for that future self.” – Pete

· “People tend to prioritize helping their present selves over their future selves.” - Pete

Resources Mentioned

· runwaydecade.com

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On today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group have decided not to have a guest and instead engage in a conversation with each other, reflecting on their journey and possibly discussing future plans. They mention having gained publicity through national magazines, open houses, and book signings, which improved distribution.

Episode Highlights

· 01:29: Bill and Pete reflect on the past year and the amount of content they have produced. They express curiosity about where their endeavors will lead in the future.

· 01:48: They mention that a significant portion of their business involves working with business leaders, particularly in the context of retirement plan management and consulting. They emphasize that dealing with business leaders is a substantial part of their professional activities.

· 02:55: The hosts delve into the characteristics of business leaders in more detail. They highlight that many business leaders have been with their respective companies for a significant period, contributing to the company's growth.

· 03:01: Leaders often receive attractive compensation packages, including benefits and perks, and they tend to have substantial account balances in retirement plans like 401Ks.

· 05:41: Business leaders often have extra perks, including equity ownership or synthetic equity arrangements. They might be offered deferred compensation plans or non-qualified deferred compensation plans as part of their compensation packages.

· 06:25: The host highlights several obstacles that business leaders face, including lack of time, being scattered across multiple financial accounts, procrastination, lack of knowledge, and disinterest in financial planning.

· 08:20: The host discusses their book "The Runway Decade" and its purpose. They clarify that the book isn't meant to provide specific solutions or advice for individual situations, as everyone's financial circumstances are unique. Instead, the book guides readers on how to think about financial planning and retirement transition by posing the right questions.

· 10:27: By going through the matrix and checking off what they know or don't know, people can identify areas where they need assistance and guidance. This process prompts them to consider questions such as retirement income projections, account balances, benefits, and contingencies for unforeseen events.

· 13:32: Bill and Pete discuss an upcoming event called CYA 360 (Cover Your Assets 360), which focuses on addressing the various risks that business leaders and owners face, both in their businesses and their personal financial lives.

· 15:06: The host emphasizes the significance of the runway decade for business owners and how CYA 360 can be particularly valuable during this time.

· 18:20: The hosts reflect on the guests who have appeared on their podcast over the past year.

Three Key Points

For owners of the business, there is a direct link between their stake in the company's equity and the outcome of an exit or transition. However, business leaders who are professional managers, such as CFOs, HR officers, or operations leaders, might not have equity ownership, but they contribute significantly to the company's success and its equity value.
Many people initially focus on investment planning when they think about financial advisors, as it's a common perception. However, the matrix illustrates that financial planning encompasses various areas that impact an individual's financial life.
Bill and Pete emphasize that business owners are familiar with the industry-specific risks they encounter, as well as the economic factors affecting their businesses. However, they might not give the same level of attention to their personal wealth and the translation of their business success into their personal financial situation.

Tweetable Quotes

· "A business leader doesn't necessarily have to be the founder or owner; it could also refer to an executive responsible for leading and advancing the business." – Pete

· "Organizing your finances can provide a sense of control and understanding over your financial situation." – Pete

· "CYA 360 is an event that catches the attention of business leaders and owners because they're accustomed to considering risk management for their businesses." - Bill

Resources Mentioned

· runwaydecade.com

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On today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group are going to talk to David St. Romain. He reflects on how his current work with veterans was a result of a personal journey and a higher calling.

Episode Highlights

§ 01:06: David St. Romain's participated in the TV show "Nashville Star" in 2007, where he finished third and gained national attention.

§ 02:00: David talks about facing a financial setback due to a declined grant for his non-profit organization, which serves military veterans through song writing workshops.

§ 03:32: David St. Romain mentions his previous work in individual song writing with girls who had been trafficked and his involvement in children's advocacy.

§ 04:00: David discusses an operational grant that fell through but mentions upcoming events and another foundation that will provide a small grant to support their operations.

§ 04:32: Bill and Pete, highlights the importance of using music as a tool to cope with pain and trauma.

§ 05:05: David mentions one of his board members who was a veteran they worked with and served alongside him in the National Guard in Louisiana. This connection influenced his involvement in veteran work.

§ 06:00: David shares his background, being born in Alexandria, Louisiana, and living in multiple houses and cities due to his father's job in the car business. His family eventually settled in Florida for six years before he attended Menard, a Catholic school, in Alexandria.

§ 08:28: David talks about his fearless and go-getter attitude, sometimes leading to poor decision-making. He joined the National Guard in 1997, attended college, and then moved to Nashville a few years later while on Individual Ready Reserve status.

§ 09:45: Despite the exposure from "Nashville Star," David still struggled to secure a record deal and faced challenges in promoting his single in 2011. He spent the next few years trying to make ends meet in the music industry.

§ 10:39: David talks about owning five albums, assets, and intellectual properties (IP). He mentions owning his own publishing and the masters of his recordings. He emphasizes the value of his IP and the importance of making the right decisions regarding it.

§ 14:31: The conversation shifts to David's musical influences, ranging from Metallica to R&B and country music. He mentions being influenced by Garth Brooks and the emergence of country music in the late '80s and early '90s.

§ 15:29: David reflects on his wide-ranging musical interests and mentions enjoying singing songs by artists like Chris Stapleton, Metallica, and even Britney Spears.

§ 16:39: The conversation continues with David talking about his talent show experiences in school and how he gained popularity among his peers, particularly the girls. He mentions being in choir and playing outside in school, attracting attention and friendships.

§ 18:39: David discusses his mindset regarding retirement and financial preparation. He mentions owning DSR Entertainment, his music company, and how his non profit organization allows him to retain his publishing and intellectual property rights. While he acknowledges the need for retirement preparation, he is focused on continuing his music career for the next 20 years.

§ 20:53: David shares his plans for writing a book based on his life story called "Hole in Me." He explains that the book will address his personal experiences, including childhood trauma, and serve as a tool for sharing his story and building his speaking career.

§ 24:44: David talks about another influential person, Randy Owen from Alabama, who was a judge on Nashville Star and had a connection to Speaker 4's wife's family.

§ 28:20: David discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his music career and the support he received from unexpected sources.

Three Key Points

David talks about writing a positive song called "Papaw's Hat" with one of his board members, reframing experiences to create a more positive outcome.
David shares a powerful story about writing a song with a homeless veteran in a shelter. The song brought the veteran a sense of resolve and healing, which had a profound impact on him.
David mentions two significant mentors in his life: his father and Dan Tyler, who has been his mentor in the music industry since the beginning of his career. He credits Dan for his guidance and involvement in his music journey, including writing songs and publishing.

Tweetable Quotes

§ "From a young age, I knew that music was my passion. It has been a journey filled with memorable performances." - David

§ "During the pandemic, I received support from unexpected sources, reminding me to stay faithful." - David

§ "I had to make the difficult decision to stop playing gigs, but each time I pray about it, the Lord delivers." - David

§ "Grateful for the support and love of my wife and children. They inspire and motivate me every day." - David

Resources Mentioned

· runwaydecade.com

· https://davidstromain.com/

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On today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group are going to talk to Ray Castle, who has had one retirement already and is currently on the runway. They mention that Ray is known in the medical training world and has a diverse background that they were not aware of. Pete and Bill express their excitement about getting to know Ray's story better and believe that the listeners will enjoy it as well.

Episode Highlights

· 01:52: Ray Castle mentions that in addition to the revitalization of his hometown, there have been new restaurants opening up. He expresses his admiration for these restaurants, saying that they rival most restaurants in town.

· 02:38: Ray mentions that he learned to drive at a young age and had some mishaps with tractors, including running into trees. He also shares that his father had a heart attack when he was 49, which influenced their decision to go into the cattle business in the late 70s.

· 03.12: Despite the challenges, Ray stayed in the farming business for about six years. Pete and Bush relate to Ray's farming background, mentioning that their own family was involved in farming tobacco, corn and raising animals like pigs.

· 04:03: As a child, Ray Castle explains that he would mostly engage in activities on the farm. Ray mentions how his older brother and younger sister were simply immersed in farm life and its various tasks.

· 05.12: Ray Castle mentions that he attended Tensas Academy, a small private school, for his high school education. After high school, he came to LSU (Louisiana State University).

· 05:27: Ray confirms that he has always been interested in sports and participated in multiple sports during high school. However, he never initially realized that he wanted to pursue a career in healthcare.

· 05:48: Ray Castle explains that his parents never pressured him to choose a specific career path, but instead emphasized the importance of going to school and taking things step by step. They provided encouragement even when he was struggling academically or making mistakes.

· 06:53: Ray Castle shares his experience at LSU, where he initially pursued a major in geology but eventually realized that it wasn't the right fit for him.

· 08.42: Ray reflects on his interest in sports and decides to pursue a degree in kinesiology. He mentions considering a Med technology degree but ultimately opts for kinesiology, realizing that he can excel if he puts in the effort to balance work and study.

· 10.50: Ray Castle talks about a moment when he realized he needed to be more prepared for his kinesiology class.

· 12:32: Ray Castle talks about his experience as a student trainer at LSU. He mentions staying in Broussard Hall and working from 12:30 to 1, assisting the team. He mentions that the women's track team won their first back-to-back championships in Eugene, Oregon.

· 14:45: Ray Castle reflects on his experience working with different sports teams at LSU. He mentions the unique family atmosphere within athletics and how it felt to be part of that community.

· 15:24: Ray mentions working alongside Tammy Bianco, who was an athletic training student at the time. Ray describes the long to-do lists and tasks he had to complete, including budgeting, inventory management, and working during the summer. He notes that the current system has changed significantly compared to his time working with the teams.

· 17:40: Ray acknowledges the opportunity to work with great people throughout their 20-year tenure, and they mention that they retired in August.

· 19.07: Ray emphasizes the importance of having a solid foundation to build a successful career and personal life.

· 22:51: Ray talks about their experience working with various sports, including Olympic cycles. Pete and Bill mention working with Kathy Osborne and John Purdy, who worked at the Olympics. Kathy worked with USA women's basketball in Barcelona in 1992, and John worked at the Lillehammer Winter Olympics in 1993.

· 23:49: Ray shares how they have been involved in covering marathons and traveling to different locations for their work.

· 26:18: Ray describes their experience at a marathon where they were stationed at the medical tent. Ray then mentions being about 30-40 yards away from the first bomb site during the Boston Marathon bombing incident. They reflect on how, despite being taught not to take action in such situations, they found themselves instinctively responding and helping people in need.

· 29:33 Ray talks about the challenging transition to retirement and the painful process of leaving their previous career.

· 34:50: Bill mentions wearing an Apple Watch and the availability of data for monitoring human performance. Ray who is involved in the medical side of athlete training, talks about the changes and advancements in the field over the past 15 to 20 years.

· 36:51: Ray emphasizes the importance of exercise and mentions their personal experience with open heart surgery.

· 39:48: Ray discusses the importance of being aware of one's family history of cardiac events and how it can increase the risk of experiencing similar issues.

· 45:02: Pete, Bill and Ray expresses their appreciation for their partner, emphasizing the importance of enjoying each other's company and expressing love and affection every day.

· 49:02: Ray talks about his favourite music band. He also shares that their first pet was a Catahoula card Mix named Diamond, who had a small diamond-shaped marking on his forehead.

· 52:01: Ray shares about their best vacation, which took place in the Bahamas on an island called Spanish Wells.

· 54:02: Ray talks about their website, www.actionmed.co, where they offer services such as emergency care workshops, first aid and CPR certification training, and consulting in the field of emergency medicine.

Three Key Points

Ray Castle shares how timing of their transition into the cattle business was good because the farming industry was changing and it was difficult to sustain a small farming business during that time, particularly in the late 70s.
Ray talks about the coaches he worked with, including Pat Henry, Lauren Seagrave, and Dan Path, and how he learned a lot from them in terms of technical skills and understanding the body.
Bill, Pete and Ray discuss technology and hybrid learning, while pointing that younger generations learn faster than they did.

Tweetable Quotes

· "I remember when I was 8th or 9th grade, my dad came home, and my parents never pushed me in one direction." – Ray Castle

· "I am a firm believer that careers find you. You don't find them." - Ray Castle

· "It was a lot of that was an incredible experience just to work with folks and see that beforehand and I left the day before all the craziness." - Ray Castle

· "Just working on very simple things to be healthy doesn't take a lot to do that." - Ray Castle

Resources Mentioned

· runwaydecade.com

· https://www.actionmed.co/

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In today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group talk to Dr. Mike Davis; who is with CVT Surgical Center in Baton Rouge. He is a vascular surgeon. Dr. Davis talks about his craft, how he got into medicine, as well as his life in his 50s.

Episode Highlights

· 02:44: Mike talks about his childhood and from where he completed his education. He shares how he completed his general surgery and vascular training.

· 03:42: Mike reveals what happened that motivated him to gravitate towards the medical world.

· 05:39: Mike shares how is it being growing up a Bama fan, but now living in Baton Rouge

· 06:04: Back then if you got a magnifying glass down in one corner way down below somewhere, you would find the SEC scores, but absolutely nothing is written about it.

· 08:31: Pete has heard a lot of stories because people in the age group of 50 have started to have grandkids and they have a some of them name it and that's what sticks.

· 09:57: Dr. Mike is a classically trained vascular surgeon specializes in the treatment of peripheral vascular Disease…he’s Board certified.

· 10:52: The patient population shifted a little bit is what we refer to as either critical anesthesia or limb salvage.

· 11:03: There is a very large population of diabetics in town. That circulation drops to a point where it can become dangerous, and so Dr. Mike says that they have really embraced that and have treatments they are very proud of. What they do as far as saving rooms and preventing amputations, and it's been very successful.

· 13:27: Some people can die from some certain unexplained and not get an autopsy, and it just be written off as a heart attack.

· 14:54: Because of the complexity, medical management, wound care, imaging, all of this stuff is electrical to provide the kind of the whole care package for someone who may have or does have vascular disease.

· 16:17: Mike says that they feel that they do so much imaging and there are so much decision making made on the basis of those images that it has to be good.

· 17:41: Mike talks about his training and how they were trained with many different staff guys. There were times, particularly at night, when they would be in a situation to go do something as long as it was relatively minor, and the staff guy was comfortable that they could do it.

· 20:56: Bill shares how at a certain age he wasn't really thinking about retirement, but what he was trying to envision what if something happened to him.

· 22:22: As per Mike being on call is kind of getting a little old as he aged, but he really loves what he does, and he could foresee himself doing it for a long time as a God willing.

Three Key Points

Mike shares how they manage a lot of things medically. How they have embraced technology. What used to require open surgery and incisions is now done with the needle and a catheter.
Mike shares some of the things that somebody should be on the lookout for early detection.
There are multiple risk factors that are out there that place you at risk for vascular disease essentially the same as what places you for coronary disease. It's the same disease but affects different vascular beds.

Tweetable Quotes

· "I was about 8 years old when I decided I was going to be a doctor." - Mike

· "In Minnesota, when we are there, if you wanted the sports scores from the SEC. You were kind of out of luck, but you could get the local paper or the Minneapolis paper." – Mike

· "When we finally got to Baton Rouge, we were so excited to be back in to where we could watch SEC Sports." - Mike

· "In our practice we have 5 board certified, specially trained vascular docs." – Mike

· "I did five years of general surgery training, became a board-certified general surgeon before I could go on to my vascular training." - Mike

Resources Mentioned

· CVT Surgical Center

www.runwaydecade.com

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In today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group, are going to talk to each other. This is the part of the series where they tell more of their story.

Episode Highlights

· 00:49: Pete had no idea when he came out of LSU playing baseball that he’d be in this business. He met a guy in the investment business, and he talked about coming to work for him, and around 1991, that was his entrance into this financial services career.

· 02:11: People always ask Pete, why did you get into financial service or why did you choose this as your profession and the truth is when you're young, you don't really know where to go and what to select.

· 05:02: Year 1999 was inflection point in Pete's life, because he got married early that year, then they broke off, started Horizon business, signed a contract to build the original office building across the parking lot from where they are now and converted the business model from commission based prior to a fee-based model going forward and doing financial planning and fee-based asset management.

· 09:25: Once your child learns how to drive and then begins doing their own things, then pretty soon it’s like we are going to start looking at colleges and next things, and it continues rapidly, says Bill.

· 10:26: When we sat and met the first time, it really kind of pushed us out of our comfort zone a little bit because it was like financial advisors are known to be boring and stale and stoic, says Pete.

· 11:37: When we met first in Opelousas we worked on a couple of projects…then in the meantime you guys' side said, what would you think about coming over and working for us some more, maybe on a permanent basis… and I was like, I am kind of in a good position, says Bill.

· 15:42: Pete always wants to stay connected to Horizon firm in some fashion because he doesn't consider himself a retirement guy.

· 19:40: Just coming off the pandemic, people were a little more unsure about everything in general. And we came up with the idea for The Runway Decade…a book with the ideal age of 50-65.There is something about life in your 50s that resonates.

· 21:02: Pete recalls the first time he got paid any money was in the summer when they helped their dad build swimming pools, so the first pay check was working alongside Bill.

· 22:07: Earliest baseball memory that Pete remembers was playing with Bill, Joe, and Dad out at Thompson Lane and that love affair with baseball continues to this day.

· 24:02: Pete used to say the best money he ever spent was building the pool for his little ones at his house because when they were little, he wanted to have a house where their friends would come to their house, and instead of the kids went to somebody else's house.

Three Key Points

Pete says that coming initially into the financial businesses and getting the licenses was the best path for Bill because then you could be an advisor. We need support on the 401K and wealth management advisors that would give you a better insight into the creative side.
Pete always says, if you don't cut off the miracle of the compounding growth and you just keep trying to improve and get better and learn more and up your capabilities, the compounding effect works for you.
Pete wants to stay in a place where he continually adds value, and this is one thing that gives him comfort knowing that he is adding value to somebody, and that is something he doesn't ever want to retire from.

Tweetable Quotes

· "I fell in love with helping people, and that's what made me stay for almost 32 years in the business, and I still get that same dopamine button pushed when we're helping people." – Pete

· "It's great to see our children kind of gravitate towards their interest and do their things." – Bill

· "You have three kids, and we can see a little piece of you in all of them like your son Taylor, and Jacob got a lot of athleticism." – Bill

Resources Mentioned

· runwaydecade.com

· Podcast Editing

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In today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group, are going to talk to each other. For this episode, Bill and Pete thought it would be great for them to tell more of their story.

Episode Highlights

· 02:56: Pete was five years when then moved across the river, down across the Ohio River, down on the Indiana side, into a little farm town called Elizabeth IN.

· 03:35: It was a 40 acre farm, Pete and his family were living on, and it was kind of nestled up on a hill.

· 04:49 Pete says that they were five boys and a girl, so there was always a sporting event going on of some kind around their home.

· 05:49: The town we lived in was Elizabeth, Indiana, although they were not living in town, and it was a four-way stop at the grade school up the hill.

· 06:25: It was such a devastating blow to the economy when the Bush family moved to Louisiana because it was like 8% of the economy left, says Bill (haha!).

· 07:25: Growing tobacco, growing a lot of corn growing crops in general takes a lot of discipline and time and work.

· 08:46: Pete and Bill were into baseball and they loved playing the game.

· 09:45: It wasn't very profitable to be a small-time farmer. You have crops that used to be able to turn a profit on when that was very expensive to plant, grow, harvest and then livestock same way right, meaning the market turned against some of the stuff that Dad was doing at the time to make ancillary money.

· 11:52: Bill and Pete talk about their high school and how they shifted school.

· 12:28: Bill and Pete talk about their childhood and growing up in the country side.

· 14:28: Pete shares how he played baseball and what he learned from it.

· 16:03: Bill talks about a time when they were stuck in a snowstorm and how they were airlifted.

· 19:10: Bill and Pete talk about their college experience and how they met some wonderful people.

· 20:39: Bill made a 13-year career as a broadcaster, working in Lafayette and Alexandria, LA and doing shows for Northwestern St .(LA) in Natchitoches..

Three Key Points

Bill and Pete talk about their family history and where they come from.
Bill shares his experience of moving homes and the weird thing that happened when they shifted to Baton Rouge
Bill talks about an experience when he appeared on the news.

Tweetable Quotes

· "If you have six kids and six years because you know you got to get some sleep and there may or may not be the ability to control the noise level when you're a kid, especially a bunch of us running around at one time." – Pete

· "The population was a very rural community farming community, and the population was very small, but it wasn't more than 100 or 200 people." - Pete

· "Good blue-collar guys just loved to play, and they actually love to play together, and a lot of that carried over even in college." - Pete

Resources Mentioned

· runwaydecade.com

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In today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group are talking to Dr. Curtis Chastain. He runs the Our Lady of the Lake Executive Wellness Program, the Men’s Health Program there. Bill and Pete have appeared with him at some events. Dr. Chastain is very entrepreneurial for a person in medical practice, and he has an interesting side gig.

Episode Highlights

· 02:57: As per Pete, if you have your health, you have friends, and you have enough money to sustain basic living and or to live as you want, then that's the trifecta.

· 04:01: It's heart disease and cancer that could disrupt the best financial plan that you two guys could put on paper, says Curtis.

· 04:27: Bill shared a story in the book and in chapter four of the runway decade that Pete and Bush call the Curtis Chastain chapter.

· 05:18: There is so much reluctance for guys to go to the doctor for a couple of reasons. One, the traditional business model of medicine, is not designed for the busy guy. The other thing is that men are scared to be vulnerable.

· 06:43: When Bill turned 50, he started feeling what he thought were innocuous symptoms. He was in the process of moving and in that process started getting some arm pain on the right side, which is kind of a typical understanding when it comes to heart problems. But he didn't want to believe that it was anything.

· 09:04: As per Curtis, don't overlook for symptoms; the symptoms that pop up are just the result of somebody not going and looking for it necessarily.

· 12:00: Thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer and oesophageal cancer are the cancers that typically don't declare themselves until it's too late, until they have done something.

· 13:09: At lab work or looking at what determines whether they have got coronary disease or cancer, we've got to go look at data, says Curtis.

· 14:48: It is in your 50s, and things are going to start rearing their ugly head.

· 16:01: High blood pressure is associated with a lot of bad things, not the least of which are stroke, heart attacks, and atrial fibrillation.

· 17:18: Curtis was raised in the public school system, but later enrolled in Catholic High-BR

· 21:04: Curtis explains how he got tapped to become president of the early the Lake Physician group, which at that time had about 100 physicians in it.

· 23:05: Curtis talks about the membership program and how patients can benefit from it.

· 25:09: Curtis talks about the various advancement of medical practice.

· 25:18: Bypass surgeons had to find other things to do because over the past three decades Statin drugs have made a huge dent in the world of cardiovascular disease and again finding those people that were supposed to have the bypass or the heart attack were finding them early and never letting it happen. So statins have been great.

· 29:02: Curtis has been thinking about the word retirement since he was probably about 50.

· 29:53: You could continue doing what you are doing in a smaller amount and let other things come more bigger in your life.

· 32:01: Pete has watched many people cross over into what the world calls retirement and some do it pretty well and some struggle with it to find their purpose after they are not working.

· 35:03: The first album that Curtis bought was "Three Dog Night: Golden Biscuits."

· 39:33: Curtis talks about the first time that he installed a car stereo.

Three Key Points

Curtis talks about the various reasons that hinder a man from going to the hospital.
Curtis shares his thoughts when he hears the word retirement.
Curtis talks about the medical advancements in the healthcare sector.

Tweetable Quotes

· "In case of pancreatic cancer, your eyes turn yellow in case of kidney cancer, you start urinating blood." - Doctor Curtis Chastain

· "You can no longer look at anybody and tell their health status than the man on the moon. You got to go through the process." - Doctor Curtis Chastain

· "You always have the question of do you choose your profession or does your profession choose you …that might have chosen you back long ago." – Pete

· "I just want to keep seeing my patients every day, enjoying learning from them every single day and making a difference." - Doctor Curtis Chastain

· "You retire to something, and you always have this balance of being happy with where you were." - Pete

Resources Mentioned

· runwaydecade.com

· OLOL Executive Wellness Program

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In today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group talk with Michael Papajohn, a former LSU baseball player who over the last 36 years has appeared in numerous Hollywood productions. He talks about his wonderful journey as a stuntman and actor.

Episode Highlights

· 01:18: Bill and Pete talk about their upcoming book signing event.

· 01:48: If people want to bring the book they already bought or buy one there and have them sign it, there will be food and drink and it will be awesome.

· 04:30: Bill and Pete talk about the foundation teams during the 80's.

· 05:07: Michael, grew up in Alabama and then he went to the State Hills High School, played for Sandy.

· 08.43: Michael shares how he got chances in a movie production house.

· 10:58: Michael talks about the fledgling broadcast career.

· 13:13: Whatever you decide to do, if you focus, get great mentors and coaching and look for the best and do what you did at LSU be a team player, give 110%.

· 15:23: Michael started out as a stunt double and later he is batting against Kevin Costner as Sam Tuttle.

· 17:42: Michael talks about the big franchise and stars that he has worked with.

· 21:08: Technical advisors are so important now because if you don't buy the home run, if you don't buy the Hollywood catch, then you don't buy the movie.

· 22:14: Most movies aren't shot in California; they are shot in tax incentive states.

· 22:23: Michael shares how production houses save money by filming outside New York and hiring local actors.

· 25:46: Michael talks how important relationship building is and how it has helped him in California because it is so competitive.

· 28:33: Michael gives detail insights of his work and how no one took more football hits than him in Hollywood.

· 30:13: Michael speaks about his most memorable on-screen line.

· 34:24: Everybody thinks when they graduate, they will go to California or New York, and they forget what they have in Louisiana, says Michael.

· 37:05: Michael shares how his dad was always healthy and always in the supplementation and always talked to them about what they ate at the table.

· 39:43: Michael shares how he watches actors get older and their life and how they come out in different ways and performances.

· 42:40: Michael has heard things are going to pick up in Louisiana after the first quarter, but that is part of the business.

· 44:16: Michael advises getting on a movie set even as an extra or production assistant. You are not going to get paid a lot of money, but a lot of times if you are a production assistant, you get to see the departments and how they work and going.

· 49:29: Michael shares what his first baseball memory was.

Three Key Points

Michael talks about the fateful event that launched him into the movie business.
Michael talks about his wonderful journey as a stunt man and actor and how he has worked in some of the big franchises.
Michael shares details of productions happening in Baton Rouge and surrounding area.

Tweetable Quotes

· "Let's think of the talent that enjoyed playing together…guys that are still great friends to this day, know that they still spend as much time off the field together as we did." – Pete

· "I played basketball up until my freshman year in high school, but I narrowed it down to football and baseball and I always just felt like I could go farther with baseball." – Michael

· "I was just a daredevil type of guy that just like to catch and run ..shocker… and LSU football actually talked to me about coming out and being a part of LSU football and returning kicks and punts." - Michael

· "I just remember being 22 hustling that extra job on Baywatch and what I was doing right is I was playing stuntman softball and I was meeting a lot of people really fast that knew I was athletic, and I wasn't a jerk and that really helped me a lot and the industry." - Michael

· "If I die in between action and cut, then I am living my life the way I want to." - Michael

Resources Mentioned:

https://michaelpapajohn.com/

Michael Papajohn IMDB

· runwaydecade.com

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In today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group are chatting with Paul Hood. He is going to talk about trust, estates, and wills. He is also going to talk about business valuations for those owners.

Episode Highlights

· 04.31: Paul is a Louisiana guy, despite being in Ohio right now he grew up in Alexandria, LA. He talks about the early days and his experience of growing up in Alexandria, right in the middle of the state.

· 05.33: The thing that Paul noticed as a kid listening to the rainy day show on KALB, the mighty 580AM every morning was that they developed this growing up and antipathy toward New Orleans.

· 07.41: Paul is in the process of endowing $1000 a year student writing award at his alma mater high school, Holy Savior Menard Central High School in Alexandria and the scholarship will be awarded on Friday, April 28th at a school assembly and he will give a speech to the students.

· 09.29: Paul doesn't view what he has literally done since Hurricane Katrina as work. He has written nine books, published hundreds of articles. He has done 96-90-minute webinars on estate and tax and charitable planning. He doesn't view all this as work which is why he doesn't ever see himself stopping.

· 12.05: Paul shares how things changed for him when Katrina made its third and final landfall on August 29th, 2005.

· 14.04: Paul discusses the things that are important for a buy-sell agreement.

· 18.25: It's not a triggering event that causes the problem. It's the procedure that is drafted and one of those common errors Paul sees is the appraiser has to produce an appraisal in 30 days.

· 20.14: The appraiser can't appraise in 30 days and no appraiser can, says Paul.

· 22.40: One thing that the TV show Shark Tank has taught Bill is that a business owner at least a lot of business owners come up with this idea of valuation in their head that in the most cases seems to be based on not a lot and it could be very inflated.

· 24.36: One of Paul's strongest bits of advice for people in business is your business should be ready for sale 24/7, 365.

· 25.06: What happens to a lot of people is they skimp on their accounting and then they sign up a non-disclosure agreement and they enter due diligence and people who can't figure out, their financials, they are not audited, they are not reviewed, they're not consistent, they are not complete.

· 28.02: Paul's earliest LSU memory was probably a trip to Tiger Stadium in 1973 when the Tigers weren't very good.

Three Key Points

Paul talks about his mindset and how he felt when he turned 50.
Paul talks about two of his books, both are based on planning your future series, the last will and testament for your business, "Buy- Sell Agreements" and then “It's Yours," Mine and Ours" which Pete loves because it's on the blended family.
Paul talks about his earliest LSU memory.

Tweetable Quotes

· - "I took a job in New Orleans, and it was a great job because my four years there, from 88 to 92, that's where I learned a lot of what of what I know, I was taught by four excellent estate planning and tax lawyers." - Paul Hood

· - "Retirement is not really something that I even think about even at 62, almost 63 in June." - Paul Hood

· -"If you work for one of them, you got temporarily relocated to Baton Rouge or Lafayette, Lake Charles or even Houston, TX. But those of us who work for individuals, we were out." - Paul Hood

· -"I am a one-page guy because I believe if you can condense something down to a page, you understand correct, and that's a big deal." - Paul Hood

· - "If your client gets the appraiser and answers all their information document requests in 30 days give yourself a blue star." - Paul Hood

· -"When I wrote my business valuation book, I did something that I don't know that anybody else had ever done. I have read every single income tax case involving valuation back to the beginning of the income tax in 1913." - Paul Hood

· -"I don't think that the true grasp of the greatness of Skip Bertman has been understood yet." - Pete

Resources Mentioned

· runwaydecade.com

· https://paulhoodservices.com/

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In today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group talk to Justin Breen, a best-selling author and a guy who is helping other people lift their voices and their stories around the globe.

Episode Highlights

· 2.34; Justin shares his career journey and how he became an entrepreneur.

· 5.45: Justin went to the University of Illinois, grew up in the Chicago area, lived 2 miles South of where he grew up.

· 06.54: Justin talks about his journey as a journalist, and he shares about his experience.

· 07.02: Justin explains what separates entrepreneurs from humans, business owners, and consultants?

· 10.55: For most entrepreneurs, there is a chapter of survival, thrive and figure it out stage, says Pete.

· 11.55: As per Justin, it's funny when folks spend years and millions of dollars to come up with a brand and stuff.

· 13.21: Justin and Bill discuss how important it is to have a child like mindset.

· 16.20: If you go on LinkedIn and you follow Justin Breen, you're going to see the Gratitude journal and its things of that day.

· 18.00: Justin talks about the power of storytelling and how he uses that in his business and talking to his clients.

· 19.20: A person's story is the most essential thing because people want to know about who you are, and then they will care about what you do.

· 20.28: When you have a good family life, you have a good life, says Justin.

· 23.53: Justin shares how he just keeps making bigger investments to be in smaller rooms and the people in those rooms are making bigger impacts.

· 25.51: The purpose of Justin's life is to be a connecting superhero for every visionary, abundance, investment mindset, and entrepreneur.

· 28.25: Justin talks about his earliest football memory, how his dad used to take them to watch football.

· 31.10: Justin talked to one to two people like him every single week that have let entrepreneur life destroy their family life or prevented them from anything meaningful. So the book Epic is about how to build collaborative global companies while putting your loved ones first.

Three Key Points

In order to become successful, sometimes one has to overcome huge obstacles or challenges like bankruptcy or potential bankruptcy, depression, the highest level of anxiety and possible traumatic experiences as a child.
If you are constantly grateful, it's hard to be ungrateful and then that attracts grateful people, and it repels arrogant and ungrateful people.
Justin talks about what the next 40 years look like for him. He shares his plans and vision.

Tweetable Quotes

· "It's always nice to talk to an entrepreneur who happens to be a journalist. It's very rare. Most journalists are journalists who happen to be journalists, and people like us are usually aliens within our own family, community, and vertical." - Justin

· "When I have a great idea the only person, I ask that would use opinion actually matters is my wife." - Justin

· "You have mentioned your family quite a few times, and if you look on the cover of your latest book, there is the family holding hands and I think in that's not a subliminal thing, right. There is a sort of a secret to success involving that work-life balance." - Bill

· "When you are a journalist, it's really all about the purpose and then simplifying people's messages and then sharing it with the world." - Justin

· "I just keep making bigger investments to be in smaller rooms, but the people in those rooms are making bigger impacts." - Justin

Resources Mentioned

· runwaydecade.com

· https://kolbe.com/

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In today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group talk to Gene Plauche. He predominantly works in the insurance side of the business, with one of the prominent insurance companies, Concourse. Gene connects with financial advisors to help them supply financial insurance solutions for their clients.

Episode Highlights

02: Gene talks about his childhood and how he grew up amidst 6 siblings.
51: Gene talks about his school and university days and later how he came to know about the financial service business.
00: Gene shares how he was recruited out of college to get into the financial service and insurance business. He also speaks about the factors that motivated him to stay in this business.
05: Post his father's death Gene got exposed to a new side of the finance industry and now he uses his knowledge and experience to help others.
45: Gene talks about his wife and 2 kids. His son wants to be a radiologist and daughter a forensic psychologist.
56: Gene talks about his 50th birthday and how he celebrated it with his family.
08: Gene travels a lot as a family together trying to create some memories. Retirement to him does not mean completely stop working especially in the finance industry.
00: As per Gene one must consciously think about between time, money and health. You need your health and everything need to be able to handle that. But you need time and money to do those things. And if you wait till you are 75, you may have time and you may have money, but you may not have your health. So, you got these little windows of time to balance these things.
23: Concourse is considered a broker general agent out there. Gene says that they work in the risk management side of things with insurance products and things of that nature, fully licensed, but really kind of focus on the risk management side of things.
49: Wealthy people do tend to look at long term care as a form of asset protection just in the sense that if one spouse needs the time to go in a facility or a lot of thing times people overlook the fact that it does cover in home care.
08: Gene explains how since the pandemic, the long-term care, home health side of things have exploded.

Three Key Points

Gene talks about his mindset post turning 50 years old. He talks about his happiness that he is healthy at the age of 53.
The 50s is kind of like the first time that this concept of retirement sort of hits people in the face. It becomes a real thing. Gene shares what does that word retirement means to him.
Gene talks about his company Concourse. He talks about the services offered by his firm.

Tweetable Quotes

"It's cool in your 50s that the conversation you are having with your kids got changed so much, as they do in her adulthood and figure out their path and where they want to go." - Bill
"Retirement to me means I am going to say freedom more to go and not be tied to a nine to five job or an 8 to five job, but to give up, be able to go do some things that you want to do." - Gene
"We have guys that are affiliated with our group here that are that are 80 and still going strong, still making their ten goals for the year and planning and growing and prospecting and all those things." - Pete
"You got to have a plan for everything that we do and a lot of our products and services that we do just kind of fit in within that plan of what you want to achieve throughout your life because your life is a plan." - Gene
"With the pandemic they a lot of people have pulled their loved ones out of a facility and brought them back home and said, you know what, I can control my home environment, so I am going to have them stay here and just pay an assistant." - Gene

Resources Mentioned

www.runwaydecade.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gene-plauche-ii-lutcf-fss-cltc-457ab836/
plauche@ concoursefinancial.com

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On today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group talk to two-time NCAA baseball coach of the year Mike Bianco. He is the head coach Ole Miss, the reigning College World Series Champs, and reached the pinnacle of his sport and career by winning the national championship.

Episode Highlights

2:47: Mike is fortunate to do what he does as a baseball coach and works with young people in intercollegiate athletics, and when you go to work, there are thousands of people watching you what you do.
3:30: Mike played at LSU, went to the College World Series as a player and then was an assistant for the legendary Skip Bertman for five years and was fortunate enough to go to the World Series four times as an assistant coach and won three national championships.
4:42: At Ole Miss Mike says he’s got a great fan base. They were in the top five in national attendance for the last 15-16 years or so and have been in the top two or three along with LSU and some other of our counterparts in the Southeastern Conference.
8:08: Mike knew LSU had a great coach and they played in Southeastern Conference, and he got an opportunity visit there and fell in love with the place and great campus and a great coaching staff and he just wanted to play college baseball.
9:50: Back in the days, you could go to spring training game and lean over the dugout and hand your ball and Tony Perez would grab it, sign it, hand it back to you but you can't do that anymore. But that was a cool time, says Mike.
12:42: Mike says it was very different to play under coach Bertman. He told them that they were getting a PhD, Harvard Education in baseball and they laughed when they were at that age, but it was true.
15:31: In year 1989, we didn't play well all year long either but it's interesting how teams end up being in the World Series and all kind of different paths, says Pete.
16:50 Mike beats Auburn on the road to remain number 1 and so they were number one for two weeks in a row and then they came home and got beat up by Tennessee and that set us into a tailspin for about six weeks where they didn't play well for a few weeks and lost some series they probably shouldn't have.
20:11: Mike explains how it is terrific for a team to hear from a guy that has worn the uniform, a guy that has won a national championship and now is a successful businessman.
22:39: Mike explains how fortunate he was that he started drawing in the people who bought into this vision of baseball and they started having success and they needed to build seats.
28:01: If someone is good enough to play sport, they are good enough to play anywhere.
30:48: Keeping championship and all that aside, Mike feels super blessed in so many ways to be able to do and work and do something that he loves to do and has done it basically his whole life because not so many people get to do that.
32:31: Mike and his wife were putting $50 away in a retirement plan, so thankfully that they started it then when they were trying to play catch up because in your mid 50s and you're so thankful that you were disciplined and that you did it earlier.
35:30: The first time on the ESPN coverage Bill saw that he was hugging one of the players and the second shot of Mike is hugging one of the Oklahoma guys and really struck him that sportsmanship is certainly a pillar of what you preach.
43::37: Every kid or every person of our age remembers sitting and watching, like Hill Street Blues or whatever that show was with your family and that was really a cool time.
45:13: If you are playing the sport, you're supposed to have fun. You are supposed to try to succeed. Not sit there and scared and hope and have moms clap that you have a good eye, says Mike.

Three Key Points

Mike was one of the fortunate folks who has carved out a career in this great sport of baseball. He takes the listeners back to where it all began.
Mike talks about his reconnect with Luis Garcia, one of their old 89 teammate and going down to Miami and running into him again because the guys that they had played with never going to separate from each other.
As per Mike you got to find what works for you, whatever that is or whatever routine that is because everything is about catching your routine.

Tweetable Quotes

"In any profession, if you’re fortunate enough to reach the pinnacle at least at some point, it's just what you dream about." – Mike
"Somewhere between t-ball and high school baseball, you lose four and a half million baseball players." - Mike
"When you are in danger you don't need anybody else to lose your games. Just try to win your games." – Mike
"You are having a top-notch facility at front stage and the backstage part and with that the improvements you guys have made over the years are phenomenal." – Bill
"I always talk about Coach Bertman, but the best thing that happened to me in my life that I met Cammy, my wife. Cammy was a trainer at LSU." - Mike
"I think I can handle, and I think my coaching staff could handle but I don't think I wanted my son to have to handle that he is a coach's son." - Mike
"I work with the 18- to 22-year-old kids and that's one of the things that I think kind of keeps you young, keeps you mobile, and keeps you moving around." - Mike
"I do like emotion. I love the guys that play with positive emotion because what I do is more than just coach baseball. I teach life lessons." - Mike

Resources Mentioned

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Bianco
www.runwaydecade.com
www.horizonfg.com

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In today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group talk to Colleen Bowler. She is an entrepreneur, an author, a very successful financial advisor and has now transitioned into another entrepreneurial endeavor. She also has coached many financial advisors and has developed a unique business to further help advisors reach other people and help other people.

Episode Highlights

3:09: Colleen and Pete had known each other since 2008. On the side, she had been to the program called Strategic Coach, which is a coaching program for entrepreneurs and after three years they asked her to coach.
4:19: Those who are professional athletes, professional entertainers, they all know they need multiple coaches but we as entrepreneurs, we are kind of late to that game, says Colleen.
6:59: One of the things Pete really love about strategic coach is just the kind of overlapping concerns they have or things to work on as an entrepreneur regardless of what industry you are in.
8:10: If you are an entrepreneur and you have been in business three years and your income is over $250,000, you are in a real elite group of entrepreneurs because the average entrepreneur in the US and Canada makes $50,000 a year.
09:02: Colleen was raised in a family that really was about values and about generosity, but there wasn't a lot of focus, especially for women.
12:17: There needs to be more adoption and roles in the industry for females and as per Pete that's been gradually changing, but it needs to happen a little quicker.
15:25: Colleen is formulating tools and assessments that financial advisors can use in their practice, and they can expand the conversation in a process driven way that everybody can go through.
17:01: As a coach Bill knows that thinking about the problem is sometimes the hardest part of the profile.
18:02: In business or movements, you put money in, and the output is also money. But in other endeavors like charitable endeavors of all kinds, you may put money in, or you may put time and effort in, but money doesn't come out. Something else comes out, says Pete.
21:52: It doesn't matter how much money you have if you wake up in the morning and you don't have a purpose.
25:37: Colleen had many clients who one partner needed to be taken care of, and she had no one ever say she is not going to take care of her partner, but she did see a decrease in what they could do either for themselves in living.

Three Key Points

As per Colleen it's a great asset to working with advisors and doing the coaching phase with advisors because she believes financial advisors have a huge impact on the world.
Colleen's book Generous Kids is about teaching our kids the habit of giving. Just like we teach them to brush their teeth, we can teach them the habit of giving.
One of the best things we can do to increase longevity is to live in the present and be in the present and Colleen is trying to do more of that.

Tweetable Quotes

"I have been able to see Pete's magic in unique process and I think runway decade is just a big piece of that." – Colleen
"In the real-world people have been in business as entrepreneurs over 10 years is really small." – Pete
"When I grew up, I really wanted to be a pediatrician, but that was not a possibility then at that time. I started a nurses training but decided I didn't want to do it." – Colleen
"There are so many different ways now that we can do the coaching, like podcast, books, etc." – Colleen

Resources Mentioned

https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-bowler-cfp%C2%AE-09576796/
https://candjinnovations.com/
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In today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group are talking with Brett Harrison, the CEO of Cetera Advisors. Brett began his career in Georgia with a predecessor firm to Cetera, and he has had a very successful career in financial services.

Episode Highlights

3.29: Brett started as a CPA out of College in Georgia, in Atlanta. He learned quickly and he didn't like having to be perfect all the time, nor be a historian because it was a little bit restrictive for him as per his personality.
4.16: Being 56 at this point brings a lot of different perspectives on the profession as well as relationships and things like that, says Brett.
7.38: Brett probably had three or four mentors in his business throughout the years and for whatever reason they put their arm around him and took pride and helped him along.
9.46: Brett talks about his 50th birthday, how did he celebrate it? What happened to him mentally or psychologically as he went over that half century mark.
11.11: As per Brett 60 is the number that he wanted to be well, in a way of providing benefits to this world in a different way.
12.57: There are lots of different aspects of being in your 50s and it does provide a lot of experience and a lot of wisdom of how to help people and think through different kinds of situations in life, says Pete.
14.07: Bill got a chance to see Brett speak in front of a group not that long ago and the average age of advisor was mid or late 50s. Brett talks about the challenges that brings to the financial services industry in speaking to advisors in age 50s.
15.22: Brett is getting a lot of good satisfaction with the ability to use his background and his knowledge of all these years to help advisors think about things they have never had to think about before.
20.52: In COVID we have tech advisors who helped to create digital presence and be more favorably recognized in Google searches because when everyone is remote and they see you the first time, they Google you.
21.22: How you show up out in a digital presence is a perfect example of some of the benefits that we have been able to help advisors think about and implement their businesses as a result of COVID, says Brett.
23.09: As per Pete, you have to be somewhat of a chameleon in how you are dealing with the different personalities and different situations that you have to run into and what they think about shutting down or remote work or not remote work and all that.
24.52: Brett's first job was to help the one person wash his horses after practice, squeeze them off with the squeegee, put a big blanket on them, then you walk them around and get them to cool down. It was his first paying job for about 2 bucks an hour.
31.05: The book, The Runway Decade", gets your mind going on things that you may or may not be thinking about. It's not too technical, but it'll have you start asking, all the right kinds of questions as you prepare for your runway.

Three Key Points

Brett shares his journey and how his career folded. He talks about his guiding force and who gave him good advice along the way and encouraged him in some way?
Somewhere down the line, Brett Harrison is going to go off into some version of retirement. Brett shares his thought on what does retirement means to him.
Brett talks about his bucket list and what he plans to while he still has his health.

Tweetable Quotes

"I fell in love with the financial advice profession about 26 years ago and I have spent the better part of my career in those 26 years working at the company that I helped and lead a division till today." – Brett
"What I am really enjoying is helping advisors think about what's the next step for their business and as an executive leader with the firm that they are affiliated with can be helpful in that." – Brett
"After retirement, I want to give myself an opportunity to let my brain kind of clear out and during that time, I would like to formulate, how can I do things to feel like I'm continuing to contribute but it won't be on anyone schedule with mine." - Brett
"We don't have to get together all the time but when we do it's really valuable." – Pete
"My first concert I ever went to was in the eighth grade. It was called the Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga; TN and it was Molly Hatchet but for me best till now was few weeks ago in Nashville." - Brett

Resources Mentioned

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-harrison-0636824/
www.runwaydecade.com
www.horizonfg.com

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In today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast," hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group are talking with Steve Webb, Chief Executive Officer at Neighbors Federal Credit Union.

Episode Highlights

06.00: Steve talks about the growth of Neighbors Federal Credit Union. How he has watched its growth from $68 million to $1.3 billion.
07.13: Steve talks about the acquisition game that they got into. It's about a decade ago they did one acquisition. But most of their growth was organic and acquisition was about $45 million.
11.03: Steve explains how their entire model of business is based on taking appropriate risk and receiving a reward.
12.09: You have to really enjoy where you are spending your time. You have got to enjoy the people you are working with every day, says Steve.
12.52: Bill, Pete and Steve discuss the importance of work life balance and how important it is to maintain it.
14.07: Pete shares he has two grandkids now and how they change his perspective about things, about the future and about life and everything else.
17.02: As per Steve, goal of any parents is to produce productive members of the society.
18.00: Bill says that they have this thing called the runway decade and it's about life in your 50s.
18.27: 50 was an interesting year for Steve, because it was when he was promoted to CEO of the organization.
19.05: 50 makes you think of your mortality and that life doesn’t go on for forever, says Steve.
21.40: Steve always tells people all the time that mobility is a quality-of-life equation to be if you can't walk or move or do things, it really impacts you.
24.40: When you start talking about retirement and you think you got a few years to plan, you better start planning today because every day you wait, that time is going by.
25.20: Steve has talked to a few folks about what is that next step as well. It's going to be a few weeks or months of just chilling, but after that you can't stay on the sidelines forever.
30.01: Steve says that they do a lot of Community efforts. They have high school checking account programs where they actually donate money back to schools. They have tuition and grant programs where they assist students with furthering their education.
31.00: One of Steve’s mantras here is they talk about financial confidence and financial confident people make the world better because the lack of money or the lack of understanding about financial stuff does the opposite.

Three Key Points

Bill, Pete and Steve talk about their work and family and how they balance work and life.
Steve talks about life at 50 and how his mindset has changed in a good way for healthcare.
Steve shares what retirement means to him. For Steve retirement is an opportunity to do some things that you really don't get the opportunity to do today.

Tweetable Quotes

“There have been things that... obviously, initiatives that we have taken on that necessarily weren't successful and, sometimes you've got to realize that and you've got to be willing to say, hey, it was not a bad idea, might have been a bad implementation, but at this point in time the bad decision is to continue pushing through for something that's obviously not working.” – Steve
“I don't care how hard you work and how many hours you put in a day. At the end of the day, if you're just burning yourself out, you're not really helping anybody.” - Steve
“I tell people all the time outside of where ...I work inside all day long, Monday through Friday and typically in the office. So anytime I can get outdoors, I'm outdoors.” - Steve
“You've got to get back and engage in something and you just have to have the willpower and the strength to not let yourself get roped into turn into a 60 hour gig every week again.” - Steve
“Everybody's got their thing that they look forward to and we don't have, I don't golf or hunt or fish or do all those things, although I would go to enjoy time with someone. But our big thing is travel.” - Pete
“Just recently we created another grant program called Projects in public schools where I think this year, we gave away $100,000 for just small public-school grants. Some of them are 1500 dollars 700, some of them are a few $1000, but there's an application process at the schools go through and we just started a reward and for some of those little extra things that the budget typically doesn't allow for.” – Steve
“What we are doing today will continue to grow. So the impact will be greater rate two years from now, 10 years from now and so forth.” - Steve

Resources Mentioned

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-webb-53861b1a8/
https://www.neighborsfcu.org
https://www.runwaydecade.com
Bill Bush: bbush@horizonfg.com
Pete Bush: pbush@horizonfg.com
Podcast Editing

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In today's episode of the "The Runway Decade Podcast", hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group are talking with Pat Cuntz, a successful business leader in Baton Rouge. He was baseball player at LSU before he became a successful business owner.

Episode Highlights

30: Pat met Pete somewhere between 1985-1986. Pete was a freshman the year after Pat had finished playing baseball. Pat was hanging around, finishing school and the two got to be friends… and ended up living together for a little bit.
18: Pat's first year in baseball at LSU was around 1981-82, and he played for a couple of years, but things were a lot different under his first coach. LSU baseball certainly wasn't anywhere near what it is now, but he was there to see the change when Skip Bertman took over the program. Pat was on Skip’s first team at LSU
43: Pat has been the luckiest guy on the planet because when he talked to coach Bertman about graduating and going into business, Coach said “you are going to do great”, and it gave him a different level of confidence.
11: Pete says he wasn't a great player either. It made him work harder at taking in all other things that Bertman tried to talk about to us.
14: Pat left LSU not only with a degree, but he meets his wife, another athlete.
08: Pat dated Cecelia for 10 years before they got married. He and his wife were friends who kind of hung around each other a little bit more, and then next thing you do…go on a date.
05: Pat dated for 10 years and then he got married, and then 10 years later, Christopher Cuntz their only child came along.
30: Once, a successful real estate businessperson said to Pat that, work for Motorola and get to know that corporate world and learn from it. Learn the good, learn the bad and then eventually go work for yourself.
52: The goal was always to go acquire some other companies in South Louisiana and we are going to build this business from New Orleans through the 10-12 corridor, all the way through Beaumont, into Houston and Pat really enjoys it.
04: Pat says that he and his family have been lucky enough to communicate the gifts that we have been given. There are things they want to do, and he doesn't know what that means today, but we talk about how we will help some people out.
50: If you are a person of faith, life is about helping people. It is about helping the less fortunate, says Pat.

Three Key Points

Pat went to Houston for training period of about 3 months after getting offer from Motorola and had a funny story about when you talk about confidence and how things play out.
The atmosphere for the world of baseball or football or basketball or any type of sports across country is so different. The parents, the kids, even the opposing people, everybody cheers for everybody, and everybody is rooting for everybody.
You can make a bunch of money, you can have all the plans, but at the end of the day, it's all about what do you want to do and what do you want to do with it, says Pat.

Tweetable Quotes

"The whole early era of Skip’s teams is kind of a big fraternity of guys that did spend a lot of time together off the field as well." – Bill
"When I was getting out, I was in business marketing, and I wanted to go into some type of sales where you didn't have those aptitude tests." - Pat
"When I came to work for EMCO, my really good friend ended up being my business partner. I was running the communication side and Todd ran the information technology side and there was always an intention of buying the company." – Pat
"COVID showed me I can't work from my house. I'm way too easily distracted. I have got to get up and go somewhere." – Pat
"I have to say I’ll never really retire. I got to do something and as long as I enjoy what I'm doing and they allow me to do this, I'll continue to do this." - Pat

Resources Mentioned

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-cuntz-208b424/
Podcast Editing
www.runwaydecade.com

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In today’s episode of the “The Runway Decade Podcast”, hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group are talking with Angela Decoteau, a mom, and a great family person. who had a transformation in her 50s. Angela talks about her close family in South Louisiana, how she got interested in going to law school, then how she transitioned to being a lawyer in trust and estate planning. Angela also talks about her family story, which gave her the incentive to go into this profession and follow down that path.

Episode Highlights

02:30 – Bill introduces Angela and tells her to talk a bit about herself and her story.
05:00 – Angela says that while growing up she went to East Ascension High School.
07:20 – Angela really invested hard in her kids and told them to do whatever they want to. She told them to be adventurous when they grow up, and do wonderful things in the world.
09:10 – Bill enquires from Angela and wants her to talk about the inflection point where a big event took place in her life.
13:30 - Angela decided to do something that no one in her family had ever done. Not only did she blast her cultural lid, but exploded it by deciding to go to college at the age of 50.
15:35 – After finishing school, Angela decided to do her Real Estate business and started doing that. Besides, she also got herself certified in the John Maxwell coaching program to become a coach.
16:50 - We don't show people who we really are, but a coach will reveal who you really are and how you really think.
20:45 – During Angela’s time in Law School, finally she realized that it had been ingrained so far deep into her mind that she can't achieve it. Her brain was saying no while her body was saying yes.
23:00 – Angela reveals how she got into estate planning.
25:10 – The right to the property is like a three-layer cake and Louisiana is Usus, Fructus, and Abusus.
27:30 – Angela says that her grandfather passed, her grandmother got older, and with age became feeble. She didn't have a lot of money, they didn't have a big retirement plan, a small pitch, and a little bit of Social Security.
30:00 – Referring to her ancestral property in Louisiana, Angela suggests that at the time somebody passes you have to make sure to get a good estate plan. So, you need to have a good attorney because there are a lot out there who do not care for the family.
32:00 – Angela mentions that she has a business coach that's helping her to create the best firms where she can service her clients and he keeps asking if she needs some time off.
34:00 – Bill asks Angela about her favorite TV show as a kid.
35:55 – Another question Bill asks Angela about her favorite go-to restaurant.
36:45 – Angela understands a lot about business, and not so much about attorneys, but she has realized that people don't go to attorneys because of various barriers.

Three Key Points

Angela reveals that of all the women in her family including her grandmother, and mom, no one even graduated high school. So when she graduated high school was a big deal. Her family was proud; they all came to the graduation ceremony and everyone celebrated as the whole family was excited because she graduated high school. Later Angela got married and raised her family comprising three kids and 14 grandkids. She loved raising her kids, partially even raising her grandkids and after that, they just got a little quiet.
At 50, Angela had a great 30-year marriage, she had her nonprofit, and it was going to be her next life after the kids were going to go out into debt sounds great. She was into the real estate investment business and was living her best life with a real estate investment deal. That’s when she hit a snag that took their money with it, and they as a family were shaking and on the verge of bankruptcy. Her nonprofit had hit a snare and wiped out. Thousands of people who were following Angela around the world went away overnight. Besides, her marriage was seemingly over which left her completely devastated. But in this situation, Angela remembered what her mom had said --” You got to get up, you got to keep going, and you got to keep moving.” Thereby, she started to really dig down and try to find out different lids in her life.
After completing law school, Angela was stepping forth into the new world where she wanted to be. Her mind was trying to stop her by making her physically ill and by creating these roadblocks. There was a tension between her mind and her body that was causing the problem but as soon as they discovered that it went away, and she never had it again. At 55, she felt great and she still has great energy.

Tweetable Quotes

“Character was the main issue of the day if you had a good character you were liked.” - Angela Decoteau
“Thank God for Google Calendars and Facebook, whose birthday is today, let me check please?” - Angela Decoteau
“About the age of 50, that's when everything kind of changed for me. Children were getting older, and I had a nonprofit” - Angela Decoteau
“I realized there were different lids in my life and one of the lids was a cultural lid.” - Angela Decoteau
“The other thing that I worked on is my business lid with real estate. By the time I graduated, I had already built up our real estate to a million-dollar business.” - Angela Decoteau
“The thing about a coaching environment is that you become relaxed, and you begin to think on a different level than you do in front of everybody else.” - Angela Decoteau
“We've talked about it in our book about how a good coach can hold the mirror up and show you parts of yourself.” – Pete Bush
“I was absolutely fascinated by the law, and it's an area that everyone needs that.” - Angela Decoteau
“We'd all get together and hang out and I have great memories. But when my grandfather died that’s when the estate plan kicked in and there was a lot of confusion.” - Angela Decoteau
“My grandfather’s attorney took the Louisiana law and wrote it in my grandfather's estate plan.” - Angela Decoteau
“This property in Louisiana that has a lot of heirs in it is never going to get sold, no one's ever going to love it like we did when we were kids.” - Angela Decoteau
“We wrote a book called ‘The Runway Decade’ where we talk to people in their 50s about leading up to retirement. What does the word retirement mean to you?” – Bill Bush
“I've run businesses, and I'm also a coach for the state for the Small Business Association.” - Angela Decoteau
“I wanted to remove these barriers for people so that they can get the things that they need to get done.” - Angela Decoteau

Resources Mentioned

Horizon Financial Group Website
Contact Information Bill Bush Pete Bush
Podcast Editing
Angela Decoteau contact info: Angela@legacylawofla.com

Office Address: 324 E Worthey St. Gonzales, LA 70737

Office #: (225) 396-5179

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In today’s episode of the “The Runway Decade Podcast”, hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group talk with guest Gloria McConnell about the new things she is embracing in her 50s.

Episode Highlights

02:28 – Bill introduces the guest.
04:30 – Gloria shares a story behind her nickname, and how her nickname was born.
06:12 – Gloria tells a little bit about her upbringing.
08:35 – Baton Rouge was close to the family so when she moved back to Baton Rouge, she got a job as the HR Director for Tony seafood, says Gloria.
10:10 – Gloria always wanted to be a teacher and now she gets to teach in a classroom and talk to people meet people and then do one-on-one coaching as well on leadership.
12:30 – They discuss the shift from management to leadership growth.
14:13 - Gloria talks about her mindset when she turns 50.
16:44 – Bill enquires from Gloria about how she became a Stand-up Comedian.
18:45 – Gloria wonders if she could do this and so, she looked up, she Googled open mics, and she found one. She sent a note and somebody said, yeah, just show up at this time.
20:35 - It's a skill that just like any other skill we practice, and if everything we do works, then we need to try harder. We must get better, says Gloria.
22:00 – Gloria says, the pandemic put the stuff on pause because they were not doing open mics.
24:15 - If everything works, we are not trying hard enough.
26:12 – Gloria in her 50s decides that she is going to be in a play. So, she shares that.
28:10 – Gloria says, the best leaders find out what energizes their people to the extent we can give them work that where they use their strengths, where they're having fun, where they feel like they're real, and really in their A game.
31:00 - Gloria loves what she does in her work and it's flexible. So, retirement does not look that different, because she does enjoy her work.
32:50 – Bill asks a rapid-fire question, what does she consider to be the greatest invention in her lifetime?
34:23 – If someone were to play Gloria in a movie, who would she want it to be, asks Bill.

Three Key Points

Gloria highlights - when one starts thinking about who is next, that drives all the rest of it, we have bodies to put in these positions, but are they ready? So that is where they come in, and it is like, are they taking a strategic approach to developing their work, if their employees are they happy, do they want to be there, or do they know what they are doing? They know what they're doing technically, and they know how to do their jobs, but in terms of the people’s skills, businesses do not tend to promote people based on their people skills, they promote them based on their technical skills, and then they wonder why they struggle to lead teams. So that is where they come in, teach them and coach them.
When Gloria takes leadership classes, or first-line supervisor classes, her message to them is, that there are no perfect people, therefore, there aren't any perfect leaders. You're going to make mistakes, you're going to say the wrong thing, you are going to make a wrong decision and if you are not, you need to try harder.
Gloria shares what she thinks when she hears the word retirement, she is thinking just more time to do those things that are fun. Whether it is spending time with her girls wherever they happen to be, comedy, theater, etc. Those are the things that most appeal to her, and spending time with friends in a relationship.

Tweetable Quotes

“I got my foot in the door working for Intel Corporation, which pretty much launched me professionally.” - Gloria McConnell
“I teach a lot of first-line supervisor classes, that's kind of my specialty and my favorite thing.” - Gloria McConnell
“Whatever your business strategy is, we'll help you line up your people strategy to match it and help you be successful.” - Gloria McConnell
“I began to see there's going to be a life after my kids are grown.” - Gloria McConnell
“It’s exciting to think If I've lived a lifetime at 50, I have a whole another lifetime I can live ahead.” - Gloria McConnell
“I always liked to laugh. But I think I always, also would try to amuse people against their will.” - Gloria McConnell
“One comedian told me just because somebody doesn't laugh doesn't mean it's not funny.” - Gloria McConnell
“We want to stage with people, who buy a ticket to come and laugh.” - Gloria McConnell
“I enjoy what I'm doing in a lot of cases.” - Gloria McConnell

Resources Mentioned

Horizon Financial Group Website
Contact Information Bill Bush Pete Bush
Gloria McConnell: Website Facebook Instagram

Email: gmcconnell@successlabs.com

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In today’s episode of the “The Runway Decade Podcast” hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group speak with guest Sharon Whitlow, an Attorney, and Partner at Whitlow & Simmons Law firm. She talks about her professional journey, and how she dealt with both simultaneously, her legal work and kids.

Episode Highlights

01:10 – Sharon talks about her journey of how she reached where she is right now.
03:00 – When Sharon’s second child was diagnosed with Autism that changed the dynamic resulting in working very little in legal practice for a few years while raising kids.
04:55 - Sharon made the transition from her law firm to start a new firm in January of 2020, right before COVID, which was a scary time and a big risk.
07:00 - One of the reasons Ricky and Sharon were able to form a good partnership is because their practices have been compatible.
08:40 – Bill asks how has life changed for Sharon in her 50s when she compares it to her younger self.
10:55 – Sharon mentions that she didn't want to pay for other people's retirement, instead she wanted to focus on paying for her retirement.
13:06 - One thing that both Ricky and Sharon have to deal with is how to transition their practice. They don't want it to just die, but they would like to be able to transition it.
15:30 - If you have a special needs child, and if they need the qualifications, you have to get that process done in a judge's signature on an order before their 18th birthday.
17:30 – Bill discusses the importance of retirement planning at the right time because that is the time when you're in some version of sand at the bottom and little grains at the top, you never know.
19:40 – Every year when you're doing your taxes, that's a good time to update the list of your financial advisor, phone number, policy number, etc. Advises Sharon.
21:10 - Sharon thinks that as you get older, there's not a great need to look at your will every year.
22:45 – Sharon states that their retirement is focused on making sure that the child is taken care of because they don't want him to be a burden on the other kids.
25:21 – Bill enquires about Sharon’s favorite go-to restaurant.

Three Key Points

Sharon says that through the years, she had the opportunity to work with some great attorneys. Through that process, you refine the areas that you like to practice in, you find what you're good at, and by that process, you develop specialties. So, through that process, Sharon has had a lot of good folks that she has worked with over the years.
The most common problem according to Sharon is that people wait too long to try to do estate planning due to different reasons. Some people do not want to face their mortality, so they don't want to think about dying or being incapacitated in their old age so they ignore it, which is weird.
If you have a safety deposit box, then make sure you tell somebody which bank and where you keep the key. Otherwise, what we have to do as part of the succession is hire a locksmith, get a court order, go to the bank and drill it open.

Tweetable Quotes

“It was not a straight path, a lot of curves in the road.” - Sharon Whitlow
“We decided to start a non-profit for young adults with Autism to do a transition program.” - Sharon Whitlow
“Let's talk about some good advice you have along the way in your career.” – Bill Bush
“Having a child with autism changes a lot, it changes your outlook on a lot of things.” - Sharon Whitlow
“A lot of law firms have mandatory retirement ages.” - Sharon Whitlow
“What were people missing the boat on the planning aspect and leaving legacies.” - Bill Bush
“You get this feeling when you turn 50 like okay, “I'm probably more than halfway done with my life.” - Bill Bush
“So those are the little things that you tell people in terms of how often should you look at changing and updating?” - Sharon Whitlow
“I've had some clients who looked at their wills every day because they were so fixated on their mortality.” - Sharon Whitlow
“Our focus is more on taking care of this child when we're gone.” - Sharon Whitlow

Resources Mentioned

Horizon Financial Group Website
Contact Information Bill Bush Pete Bush
Whitlow & Simmons Law Firm – Contact Number - 225-214-4141
Sharon Whitlow LinkedIn
Podcast Editing

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In today’s episode of the “The Runway Decade Podcast”, hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group, talk with guest Jennifer Hicks, Financial Advisor out of Colorado Springs, Colorado. They talk about the important things in Jennifer’s life during her 50s being a grandparent now, and what joy that brings. Jennifer also talks about how she and her team have a passion for helping clients with unique financial needs.

Episode Highlights

02:25 – Jennifer talks a little bit about her upbringing, her family, and how she is a Midwestern girl who grew up in Southwest Missouri.
04:15 – Jennifer got a degree in business and a master's degree in accounting. So she thought she was going to be a CPA or an Auditor, but both didn't work out.
06:00 – Jennifer’s dad greatly influenced who she is today. Her dad wasn't around when she was starting her career, but he was a huge influence on her and her sister, they could do whatever they wanted to do.
08:00 – Pete mentions that he and Jennifer first met during conferences while they were both out there trying to get better and learn from their peers.
10:25 – When Jennifer turned 50 she moved up some of her bucket list items. She thought it was not all going to be work, and it wasn't all going to be growth.
13:15 – Pete appreciates Jennifer for building her business in such a way that she was already doing it remotely even before the pandemic wasn't an issue.
14:50 - You can't help people achieve their purpose without getting to know them and that's what Jennifer thinks she has enjoyed about her career in this business.
18:00 – Jennifer thinks especially post COVID, service is going to set you apart. So all you have to do is keep a little bit better than you did yesterday.
20:00 – Jennifer gives some insights on how she embraced and got involved with supporting the armed forces and their families.
22:45 – Bill asks Jennifer about what the concept of retirement can look like, especially for entrepreneurs who have their businesses in the next 10, 15, or 20 years.
25:00 – Jennifer’s first paying job was every Saturday morning spray whitewash cleaner on the cars that were in line to wash their cars at the carwash, get the change for the machine and that's how she spent her Saturday and Sunday mornings.
26:55 – Bill asks Jennifer the rapid-fire question, “What is the best gift you ever got for Christmas as a child?”

Three Key Points

Jennifer says it was really for her when she turned 50 as her dad died at 50. So when she hit 50 it hit her like a brick because that's all her father got. So there was not a big celebration, there was probably a lot of thought that there is not much time now. So what Jennifer did was just reevaluated how she is going to approach the next 10 or 20 years. She started thinking about what she wanted to have in her life or do between 50 and death because in her eyes it could happen but could have been all she got.
It's 20 years that had been Purpose Planning business has worked for Jennifer. That was early on in Jennifer’s business development phase when she realized that as a business owner, she tends to do things with a purpose and her clients appreciate that. She helps them with their purpose and it is through some training sessions that the business of educating and empowering clients to achieve their purpose came in.
Jennifer and the team were active in quite a few charities and she said, they need to focus their time and energy a little more narrowly instead of a shotgun approach. So, Angels of America's Fallen is a charity that supports the children of our Fallen, whether it's first responders or military and there are a lot of children out there that are going to never know their parents, whether it's a military or first responder, and this organization supports kids through their birthday celebrations, etc. It was very personal to them, and it was one of those things where they commit to their clients that they are with them.

Tweetable Quotes

“I was an athlete, so I was always doing extracurricular, but I was a lot like my dad.” - Jennifer Hicks
“I was the first girl in my school to play girls basketball from seventh grade to my senior year.” - Jennifer Hicks
“When I got in the industry, there were not very many women.” - Jennifer Hicks
“I think that's a huge part of our industry that I love about it, which is, for the most part, people are very open and willing to share.” – Pete Bush
“I was very fortunate even though my dad died at 50 he knew he was ill.” - Jennifer Hicks
“We always did something and so as my son got older and I could afford better trips, I just started traveling and one of my bucket list items was to take the family to Hawaii and I did that.” - Jennifer Hicks
“Jennifer is the owner of purpose planning right out there in Colorado.” – Bill Bush
“It's that personal relationship that lets us, the team help them achieve their purpose.” - Jennifer Hicks
“I tell people this it's not like you didn't know what love was before. It's like this new chamber opens up and just gushes.” – Pete Bush
“I love my clients and then just gradually quit doing the things that I don't like doing.” - Jennifer Hicks
“What were your top three favorite musical acts of the 1980s?” – Bill Bush
“Because like my sister and I were the only two of the entire family, so we've got everything we wanted.” - Jennifer Hicks

Resources Mentioned

Horizon Financial Group Website
Contact Information Bill Bush Pete Bush
Jennifer Hicks Website
Podcast Editing

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In today’s episode of the “The Runway Decade Podcast”, hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group, talk with guest Erinn Ford, Executive Vice President of Advisory Engagement at Advisor Group, Seattle, Washington. Erinn is a big-time leader and she has a passion for helping advisors, clients, and young people, especially young women, being the mother of two young women herself. Bill and Pete also talked to her about life in her 50s and the mindset changes she's going through.

Episode Highlights

01:00 – Bill mentions that recently Erinn was named amongst the 21 people who will change Wealth Management in 2021, so she is a leader.
03:10 – Erinn says in school she wasn’t like the top student but she was always pretty good.
05:00 – Bill asks as Erinn graduated in Speech Communications, how does that serve her throughout her career?
07:00 – The Speech Communication degree has helped Erinn effectively translate or convey emotion and logic.
09:20 – Erinn reveals that in 1999, within six months, both of her parents were diagnosed with cancer and that was the point of a challenge, because of the family business, working with family you have the emotion because this is your mom and dad and you don't know the outcome.
11:15 – Erinn thinks that it is so important to create space for hard conversations in business because it's a lot easier to not have the conversation.
14:10 - It was the combination of two things doubling down on and being confident in, just who Erinn is inherently, and then combining with a few individuals who helped her along the way.
16:40 – Bill enquires if any drastic changes happened when Erinn turned 50 or if she noticed any changes in her mindset in her 50s.
18:40 – As Erinn turned 50, she just wants to think about how she can continue to be engaged. She wants to travel by starting to explore new places more proactively and also wants to live a life where she is continually growing.
21:00 – Bill asks Erinn about her children and says that it's so cool in this decade to see your young ones do their thing.
23:00 – Talking about her daughters Erinn says that it is so important to follow some core principles of having conversations because in her perspective seeing the girls continue to grow and thrive has been one of life's biggest choices.
25:50 – Erinn’s bucket list has a list of areas to visit and experience, so if she maps it out to 110, she needs to be doing it at a pace of five per year, whether it's new places to tour.
28:15 – Bill asks Erinn one of the rapid-fire questions, “if somebody could pay you a year’s salary and you could take off well what would you do in that year?”
29:40 – Bill asks another rapid-fire question, “Wine, Whiskey, Beer, or none of the above.”

Three Key Points

Erinn talks about some stumbling blocks she ran into along the way that she had to overcome things along with her career while she joined the family business. She graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1990 and was unsuccessful in finding any job. As Erinn’s parent’s owned a Financial Services Company which had both a broker-dealer and a Real Estate Arm, they said they have a position open for a receptionist and she can interview for it. So, she joined as a Receptionist, did paperwork processing, then went into operations, and later became the Head Trainer.
Erinn talks about how helping advisors by mentoring them was fostered in her and how that became a charge for her. Erinn says that her passion is waking up every day to empower financial advisors to fulfill client dreams as well as build amazing businesses. There were several times in her career trajectory that she was the only woman in the boardroom. She also mentions that there were around four or five influential individuals along her career journey who identified her unique strengths.
Erinn says by 65 she sees herself traveling a lot more, she wants to have a bucket list of areas she wants to travel with and have the freedom of time. She also wants to focus on health and sees herself doing something like speaking or reading a book, or getting into school.

Tweetable Quotes

“So good to see if everybody's going to be listening to this but if they could just see your smile.” – Pete Bush
“I can remember the downturn of the mid-80s, and I can remember some of the high times.” - Erinn Ford
“The reason I ended up in speech communication was that I was weeded out of business school.” - Erinn Ford
“The most fulfilling thing is sitting down with these young, very deserving talented women and just talking about their dreams.” - Erinn Ford
“I mean, I turned 50 in COVID, I had always hoped for a 50th birthday celebration instead it was a red light.” - Erinn Ford
“I am looking forward to a little more leisure and not working for money or doing anything, and then you run into an entrepreneur like Erinn.” - Pete Bush
“I have two daughters, they are 19 and 21, so they're two years apart in school one year apart in age.” - Erinn Ford
“In 15 years I'm living a life where I'm not as tied right now. I'm pretty still tied to the luck of say eight-hour day, it's more of a 10-hours day.” - Erinn Ford
“When I think about a bigger future, I think that one thing was Seattle we have incredible summer months.” - Erinn Ford
“For this next one I want to specifically say what was your favorite Saturday morning TV show?” – Bill Bush

Resources Mentioned

Horizon Financial Group Website
Contact Information Bill Bush Pete Bush
Erinn Ford Website Email: erinn.ford@advisorgroup.com
Podcast Editing

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In today’s episode of the “The Runway Decade Podcast”, hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group, talk with guest Jesse Hurst, founder of Impel Wealth Management. Jesse shares about his career journey as a Financial Planner, and how he is serving the community. He also talks about his life in his 50s.

Episode Highlights

01:34 – Bill asks Jesse what was it about finance and financial planning that really got him interested.
03:00 – Jesse says, when he was 11 years old, he told his dad that he wanted a 10-speed bike, and his dad told him that if they wanted a 10-speed bike, he needed to go get a job. So, he took a job at the Akron Beacon Journal.
05:12 – Jesse mentions some of his favorite people who were the early sports stars.
07:00 – Jesse explains some crazy things that happened when he stepped into the business in 1987.
09:27 – Jesse shares, John Hancock’s agent said to him that the secret of this business is sustaining in it long enough to be successful.
11:30 – Bill enquires that Jesse managed to go and start his own firm. What went into the decision leading up to that?
12:20 – Jesse states that in 1990, he moved to an independent financial planning firm. He had the opportunity to work with a firm that still exists today.
14:04 – John Bogner says that for being a successful entrepreneur one has to be optimistically delusional.
16:34 – Jesse always had an interest in money, banking, and finance and he took every class in high school that he could around those areas.
18:46 - When he got into the business, he had the opportunity to get involved with things initially like the Chamber of Commerce or serving on a Benevolence Committee, or helping Budget Counseling for people who were struggling financially. Then that led to some leadership programs, says Jesse.
20:11 – Their programming is around helping kids understand Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to apply that to their race.
22:19 – Bill enquires, how has life changed for Jesse through in his 50’s?
24:50 – The thing that is important for Jesse is having a vision toward balancing work and making life better.
26:35 – Jesse mentions that he’d love to get to the point where his wife and he took two weeks a couple of times a year in the future and got a chance to go and explore and live life together.
28:42 – It is understanding and taking advantage of that time together, states Jesse.
30:55 – Bill asks Jesse about his first and the best concert that he ever did?
32:05 – Jesse shares the name of his top three 80s movies.
37:09 - Impel means to impart motion towards a future goal or future destination, or to give somebody the confidence to move forward, states Jesse

Three Key Points

Jesse shares the best piece of advice he was given - John Hancock’s agent said to him, that for the first five years in this business Jesse will be horribly overworked and underpaid, and for the next five years, you'll be overworked and reasonably paid. If you can make it to year after year 10, you can be overpaid the rest of your life and Jesse had no idea what he was talking about. But it actually turned out to be to be pretty true. The other big piece of advice he received was from the two gentlemen who worked as like an inside outside team over there, John Hancock.
Jesse says that for him building teams and systems that allow him to do that and being very particular and cognizant of what it is that's important in life beyond just work is really where they try to focus their time.
Jesse highlights - their goal is to help, use their sound advice, inspire life planning process to help their clients, and address their key concerns. They find that there's four things that drive clients which is making smart decisions about their money, mitigating their taxes, taking care of their heirs, and magnifying their charitable gifts. Those are the things that they love to walk along clients, help them solve problems and prepare roadmaps for their future success.

Tweetable Quotes

“If you needed money for something, you had to go work.” - Jesse Hurst
“My dad said to me, he goes, Boy, you better hope you get a job where you make money because you've got champagne tastes and this is a beer enough.” - Jesse Hurst
“I'd had no clients lose any money during that time period because I was so new to the business that I had no client.” - Jesse Hurst
“Longevity will equal success, perseverance.” - Jesse Hurst
“They both said to me, the CFP is the future of this industry. Don't go for the insurance go for something that's going to have a broader based financial planning appeal.” - Jesse Hurst
“In 1997, the three of us decided to step out on our own and form our own firm.” - Jesse Hurst
“Everyone’s process risk differently. Obviously, what we think is risky, someone else thinks are secure and safe.” – Pete Bush
“I started off at the University of Akron, an engineering school and hated it, it was the worst. It took two semesters to get out of there.” - Jesse Hurst
“Anything that I've done, I've tried to make sure it's congruent with value system and had an impact on kids and community in a positive way.” - Jesse Hurst
“We talk with clients a lot about what are you retiring to not what are you retiring from.” - Jesse Hurst
“If I had an extra hour every day, I would probably be reading something that I wanted to read for enjoyment, not because I have to read it for work.” - Jesse Hurst
“I didn't want to have a name that was tied around mining.” - Jesse Hurst

Resources Mentioned

Horizon Financial Group Website
Contact Information Bill Bush Pete Bush
Podcast Editing
Impel Wealth Management Website LinkedIn Facebook

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In today’s episode of the “The Runway Decade Podcast”hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group speak with guest Julio Melara, Business Leader, Speaker, Author, & Publisher. Julio talks about his survival story, the way he grew up, and how he hit the chapters of success.

Episode Highlights

01:57 – Pete enquires from Julio that since he wasn’t born as a publisher, so, how did it start for him?
03:43 – Julio shares about the beginning of his journey.
05:06 – Bill asks Julio, what did he take away from sports that have helped him in his business?
07:47 – We realize in our 50s, if we’re healthy, we can deal with the rest of it, says Julio.
09:15 – Julio states that they ended up forming a partnership in 1997. It's amazing because he was 31 and his partner was 40 and they were young and good-looking.
11:13 – Julio shares that his buddy John Board got one of the greatest lines that he has ever heard.
13:44 - One of the other gifts Julio’s mother always instilled in all of them is, in the end, it's all about serving.
15:56 – Julio discusses how many times four-year-old laughs or smiles in a day compared to an adult and how important that is.
17:37 - There's a great family psychologist and he said that the number one thing that children remember growing up is memories of having fun and how important it is to integrate that into our family functions, and into our family's DNA, says Julio.
19:40 - There's a great book that's called ‘Life is a Gift’ by Bob & Judy Fisher, says Julio.
21:02 – Julio says, he even understands almost God's timing, he thought he would own this company. Julio tried to buy it in 2007 and then at the end of 2019 but the timing just didn't work out, and now the timing worked out well.
22:41 – Julio doesn’t believe in the word retirement; he thinks the word should be re-inspired.
24:45 – Julio says, using the business, using the academy, using his speaking, and helping people transform their lives is what fuels him.
26:23 - The best gift Julio ever got was the 10-speed bike that he wanted so bad.
29:51 – Bill says about Julio that he is a nationally recognized speaker, he books engagement, and he is an author.

Three Key Points

Julio always tells his people, salespeople, and writers, that if we take care of our customers, serve them well, and if we serve our community then the community will take care of us. That's something that they’re trying to instill in a lot of young people, they don't understand that they have to give back in order to get back and so, he has been very fortunate from helping the Children's Hospital in Baton Rouge to so many others.
Julio states - at the end of our lives, there're three things that are going to define all of us, and it's based on our stewardship, relationships, and our leadership.
Julio shares his thought on Retirement and that he doesn’t believe in the word retirement. We can never exhaust our capacity to grow and learn, so, he just wants to continue. He wants to make a difference with the people that cross his path, or make sure that he’s helping others grow. That's what energizes him and he knows that others have done this exercise of what drains their energy.

Tweetable Quotes

“Unlike some people their first-year marriage is great. Mine was horrible, but 33 years later, it's stronger than ever.” - Julio Melara
“Sports is the greatest metaphor for real life.” - Julio Melara
“When I hit 50, I was really concerned. And now that I'm 57 I'll be 58 I'm having the time of my life.” - Julio Melara
“Everywhere I went, I just got promoted or had people offer me jobs.” - Julio Melara
“You lose what you don't use.” - Julio Melara
“Everything in my world revolves around relationships.” - Julio Melara
“Serving and building relationships and giving back is one of our core values in our company.” - Julio Melara
“Four-year-old smiles or laugh over 250 times. By the time we're 35, we do less than 15 times a day. What is wrong with us?” - Julio Melara
“I love to laugh and it's certainly one of our staple things in our family.” - Julio Melara
“I'm going to give my wife, my children, my employees, my customers, my competitors, my community, everything I've got.” - Julio Melara
“Quality of decisions you make today are going to determine the outcomes that you get tomorrow.” - Julio Melara
“I'm a lot more compassionate than I was in my 20s and 30s. I'm a lot more understanding than I was in my 20s and 30s.” - Julio Melara
“The experiences good and bad, have made me a better leader.” - Julio Melara
“Entrepreneurs truly don't ever retire, they may leave the business, sell the business, move on to something else, have another chapter.” - Pete Bush

Resources Mentioned

Horizon Financial Group Website
Contact Information Bill Bush Pete Bush
Julio Melara Website
Podcast Editing

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In this episode of the “The Runway Decade Podcast”, hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group talk with guest Mark Fry, Trust Estate and Business Law Attorney with Phelps Dunbar. Mark shares how he got into the trusts and estates world as an attorney and discusses things that he is experiencing in his 50s.

Episode Highlights

01:47 – Mark shares his background.
04:21 – Mark’s practice is about helping people, and keeping their assets to the fullest extent possible within their family in their lives.
06:29 – Seeing that advice not just be accepted in a positive way, but being sought is something that has been enjoyable to Mark in this decade.
08:08 – Mark says, his children seem to have found professions that suit their personalities, and it's something that naturally suits what they're already good at.
11:52 - It's unique and dynamic the way life hits us in this particular decade, states Pete.
14:44 – Bill enquires from Mark about how big was his 50th birthday, and how did he celebrate that?
17:08 – Bill asks Mark about the things he sees from folks in that runway that he experienced? Did he find that there hasn't been a lot of planning or a deeper plan?
19:30 – People in their 50s should take the responsibility of making decisions as to how things will go down when they're gone, whether it's next week or if they live to be 100.
23:30 – Pete asks, what is the average length of time when one goes into a situation?
26:35 – Mark states that 90% of the people take the time not just to protect what they have for themselves, but for those that they love and leave behind. It is mostly about education. It's hard for somebody to do what they don't know can be done.
29:19 – The other thing that happens in the 50s is we start thinking about retirement. So, start envisioning what retirement will look like after 4 years?
31:55 – Mark mentions, during the pandemic, he discovered numerous podcasts that were dealing with medical issues, age reversal issues, and longevity issues.
34:21 – Sometimes just sharing a particular podcast with a client can be life changing.
36:25 – Mark says, travel is absolutely important to him, and having the ability to do that now and later in life is extremely important because that enhances our education, broadens our perspective on the world, and our appreciation for this journey.
39:05 – Bill asks Mark some rapid-fire questions.
41:20 – Mark shares about his one best vacation.
43:37 – Bill asks Mark about his best purchase.
46:00 – Mark shares about his best trip.

Three Key Points

Mark shares - when he was in law school, the trust in estate was hardly a part of the education process, the law of successions, and the law distributing assets when somebody dies. There was a course but in terms of the tax issues, trusts and the use of strategies to help people keep what they had and asset protection there was nothing that he encountered until out of law school. So, when he learned that it could be planned around and it was essentially a voluntary task, he became interested to become competent in that area and helped people keep what they have.
The people in their 50s need to make sure that they provide a structure, a well thought out approach to handing off business interests, their assets, and their IRAs all that they have worked hard for. They want to think about structuring the way that their children and grandchildren are going to deal with this come into it. The pandemic really spawned a lot of the notions that where structure might be better than absolute chaos. When people have assets that are more complex in nature, they're begging for chaos to ensue if they don't have some type of a plan, and when we have children and there's no plan, the children are going to infer a lot of things from their parents that might not be true once their parents are gone.
If one is fortunate enough to have a retirement plan, retirement account; if one is fortunate enough to own their home outright, if one is fortunate enough to have money in the bank, and they don't take the time to say as a responsible steward of what they have. He is going to design a simple memorialization for them if they will. Doesn't have to be anything fancy. This is how he wants to be in charge of that process, and this is how he want things to go. It doesn't have to be a complicated matter.

Tweetable Quotes

“As an accidental tourist, got into the trust and estates world as an attorney, not anything that I studied even in law school.” – Mark Fry
“When anybody in law school, there's a lot of different directions you can go in and kind of start figuring it out there.” – Bill Bush
“I managed to get through three years of law school without being introduced to that.”- Mark Fry
“At 50, I could clearly see that my children are on a very good path.” - Mark Fry
“Dad wanted me to be in charge he always says that I'm the oldest as it should be. And nothing's written down, Nothing's designed.” - Mark Fry
“Have something in place so that you don't leave behind chaos as your legacy.” - Mark Fry
“One of the more notable estates I was ever involved in handling was a modest estate.”- Mark Fry
“If there's not a plan, we'll see people's belongings that couldn't bring $10,000 into the state sale.” - Mark Fry
“I would not recommend that anybody just leave the transmission of their estates, however modest into the default rules of the state.” - Mark Fry
“If there's a will to update, it’s at least 8 to 12 years on average.” - Mark Fry
“The people who come to the realization that if this is perceived as an investment and not an expense, it's easier to do it.” - Mark Fry
“When I had children, I felt like I became better at what I do.” - Mark Fry
“This journey being so fast, it's so fleeting you have to embrace what's out there.” - Mark Fry

Resources Mentioned

Horizon Financial Group Website
Contact Information Bill Bush Pete Bush
Mark Fry: (Phelps) Website Contact: 225-376-0236 Email
Podcast Editing

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In today’s episode of the “The Runway Decade Podcast”, hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group, talk with guest Tom Bouchie, who shares about his career journey, his life in the ’50s, and his retirement plans.

Episode Highlights

01:00 – Tom works for ‘Novo Nordisk’ he's worked there for 17 years as a Senior Diabetes Specialist. He's also a Councilman in ‘Pineville Louisiana’.
04:57 – Bill enquires, when did Tom first get interested in the broadcasting kind of thing?
06:32 – Bill asks Tom if his first job out of college was broadcasting.
08:12 – Tom says, the greatest thing was he is going to be moving on to another city and all that weekday anchor.
10:19 – Tom mentions, that now he’s the voice of the minority goals for the last five years and getting ready to start year six.
12:18 – Tom’s parents have always pushed them to be their best.
14:58 - There are a lot of close friends, but they haven't kind of gotten that back since the pandemic, says Tom.
16:00 – Bill wants Tom to share about his cool family tradition which he would take off on one weekend while working with him at KLAX.
19:57 – Bill asks Tom, what has changed mindset-wise once he turns 50?
20:26 – Tom highlights, that the other thing his grandfather told him was, always keep your house payment 1/4 of your take-home pay, and you’ll never worry about making a house note.
22:16 - There are these events that happen to a lot of folks when they're in their 50s and some of those things are true page-turners meaning life once we flipped over that page is different than before, states Bill.
28:06 – Tom’s father was handling his own business, and he was very active in the church. He gave his time, talent, and treasure to the church.
30:26 – They started driving back and came upon the accident so that kind of startled, and then they realized that they still have something to live for.
32:23 – Tom’s mom and dad tried to save as much as they could and his grandfather was a saver as well and so that's been ingrained in him.
34:32 – Tom mentions, that Cindy’s dad told him if he needed to put at least 10% away in her 401K.
36:15 – Bill enquires if Tom can learn one skill today that he currently doesn’t have, what would it be?
38:00 – Tom states, that if he had a time machine, he’d probably go back to December 5, 1987, and relive their wedding day with Cindy.

Three Key Points

Tom states – he doesn't know what it's like to be high on drugs. But the high he gets sitting on behind the microphone and watching the games and calling them he doesn't think that drugs could match it.
Tom shares about his family tradition - They all said they want to keep this bachelor party going. They want to keep it together and so they moved it to October the first Saturday in October for squirrel season. They started it called the Annual and made it a father-son camp out.
Tom's goal after retirement is to get his realtor’s license, sell some real estate here locally, and then do more play-by-play, but he has a lot that he wants to do. He wants to get more involved in the City Council or some committees that he has been asked to serve on that he can't do because of the time of day that they meet and he is out of town working somewhere else and driving anywhere from 2000 to 3000 miles a month just wears on the body as one gets older. There's stuff that he wants to be free to do.

Tweetable Quotes

“I was making the comments before the commentators were making the comments.” – Tom Bouchie
“I got into pharmaceutical sales and to start making some money.” – Tom Bouchie
“We both said this is not enough. We got to be close to family.” - Tom Bouchie
“You came to work together with me at KLAX and said Hey, man, love to be the weekend guy but there's just one weekend I got to have off and I was like what’s going on and it was this family tradition.” – Bill Bush
“We moved the dates now between October and November so that we could get cooler weather.” - Tom Bouchie
“He said you never make any money until you pay off your house.” - Tom Bouchie
“I decided on Papi. Originally, I wanted to be a grandpa and they said it was too boring. I'd have to agree.” - Tom Bouchie
“Your runway is pretty short to retirement. You're close to moving on.” – Pete Bush
“I've just been trying to pick the right day to call it quits and then be able to go explore some other things because I think there are some other things that I can accomplish.” - Tom Bouchie
“I was making like $15,000 a year and putting 10% in there. And then that money I was able to roll over to an IRA with my sister-in-law.” - Tom Bouchie.

Resources Mentioned

Horizon Financial Group Website
Contact Information Bill Bush Pete Bush
Podcast Editing
Contact Information Councilman Tom Bouchie

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In this episode of the “The Runway Decade Podcast”, hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group, talk with guest Joanie Montelaro, a REMAX Professional and recipient of the Rising Star of the Year award. They discuss Joanie’s professional journey into the real estate profession, her in 50s, and her retirement plans.

Episode Highlights

02:35 – Joanie says that she ultimately ended up in banking as a career and loved it, did it for years, and worked her way up.
04:40 – Joanie mentions that God has blessed her with good mentors in her path, even in her banking career.
07:05 – Bill and Pete discuss with Joanie about life in her 50s.
09:05 - Joanie wants to be around and be able to bend over and sit up with her grandkids one day.
11:10 - There's a lot to consider if you are planning to buy a second home; it comes down to doing the math and asking yourself some hard questions.
13:50 - If you're going to be a grandparent, surely you want a space for the grandkids.
15:50 - People realize that they have to spend so much time at home due to work from home, so they need more space.
18:20 - If you have your freedom of purpose, you're doing all the stuff that is important to you, and yet you can still have fun at work, that’s even better.
20:00 – Joanie says that she’s never been to Wyoming and she loves horses. So would like to go to such places.
23:22 - If you're thinking of upsizing or downsizing, give Joanie a call, as with retirement, the sooner you get in touch with a professional and start planning, that’s better.

Three Key Points

Joanie had clients coming in from out of town; they couldn't travel because of the pandemic so, she would go preview houses for them, she would get on video, and go through houses, neighborhood, and walk them through. She would give them the lay of the land without them physically being in here.
For people who are in their 60s, Joanie asks them, how much square footage are they comfortable living with? If they think they want to downsize? What are their objectives? Is it less overhead or is it less maintenance? So there are a lot of things to take into account.
You don't have to quit working to gain four freedoms (freedom of time, freedom of money, freedom of relationships, and freedom of purpose), and entrepreneurs, especially, can nail a lot of that and still productively earn an income.

Tweetable Quotes

“Joanie probably didn't know this, but she's on what we call the runway decade.” – Bill Bush
“I've tried retirement and volunteer work for a couple of years, and that just didn't suit me.” - Joanie Montelaro
“I think there's a drive that's within each of us that we have to tap into.” - Joanie Montelaro
“Is there any way that you're the same that you were in your 30s 40s?” – Pete Bush
“But you got to figure out does that work for you and your family and your budget?” - Joanie Montelaro
“Because if you're on top of each other the whole time you determine real quick, I need more square footage.” - Joanie Montelaro
“I'm not ready to retire, nor am I ready to sit home, I'd like to travel more.”- Joanie Montelaro
“I don't consider myself well-traveled and not necessarily abroad, but just within the United States even but just to travel more.” - Joanie Montelaro
“So this is rapid fire questions coming your way.” – Bill Bush

Resources Mentioned

Horizon Financial Group Website
Contact Information Bill Bush Pete Bush
Joanie Montelaro Remax Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
Podcast Editing

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In today’s episode of “The Runway Decade Podcast”, hosts Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group, talk with guest, Susan Theder - Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at FMG Suite. She talks about how she is helping financial advisors who are in their 50s and marketing their businesses and how she is helping the advisors build their brand. Episode Highlights

01:59 –Pete enquires, what Susan was thinking when she was going for a History degree at that time.
03:08 – What was your sport as you were an athlete, enquires Bill.
04:03 – Bill asks, what stood out and made Susan take the path.
06:15 – One of her greatest successes started as one of her greatest failures, states Susan.
08:08 – Everybody's going to be wrong at some point, just don't stay wrong.
09:40 - What ways have you changed since your 30s and 40s?
11:38 – Pete enquires, when we turn in our 50s, all of a sudden retirement starts to come into the picture, did you have any of those thoughts?
14:40 – Susan states, all these things make you worried but also a reason to work with a financial advisor who can help us think and model out a different scenario.
16:01 – Susan is currently on the boards of two companies and it is one of the biggest accomplishments in her life and she’d love to do more of that.
19:48 – The guest discusses the challenges of learning new marketing techniques, and how they are going about resolving that.
21:14 – Susan points out, we play a pretty meaningful role in helping advisors build that digital brand and market effectively.

Three Key Points

Those are hard moments when we know we’ve made a mistake and we’re going to get, we have to just kind of think put a stake in the ground and say we made a mistake, those are going to be behind us and we’re going to look forward and try something else.
Susan shares in what ways she has changed since her 30s or 40s. Now she is more confident than what other people think. She is more able to make choices based on happiness versus money. She just makes more decisions based on what she wants.
The vast majority of financial advisors would rather have somebody do the marketing for them. They just want somebody to take it off their plate and do it effectively.

Tweetable Quotes

“I started in commercial lending and corporate finance and it was okay.” – Susan Theder
“My favorite part of everyday was thinking about how to market and it is a big part of any financial advisor’s business which is why I've now ended up where I am”. - Susan Theder
“Our executive team and I changed vendors to FMG and it ended up being one of the best solutions that I think Advisor Group is delivered to its advisors.” – Susan Theder
“Another question that I asked, would I do the same when I make the same decision today?” – Susan Theder
“I can't imagine how anybody could reach retirement and successfully get through it without a financial advisor.’ – Susan Theder
“Now financial advisors are going to have Google reviews.” – Susan Theder

Resources Mentioned

Horizon Financial Group Website
Contact Information Bill Bush Pete Bush
Susan Theder Email: susan.theder@fmgsuite.com
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In this episode of “The Runway Decade Podcast”, hosts and brothers Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group; talk with guests Todd Barlow and Chris King (entrepreneurs and Business Colleagues) about their early life and their entrepreneurial journey in their 50s.. Episode Highlights

00:48 – Pete shares, both guests are his buddies and they both are entrepreneurs, but they also collaborate in business together in different ways.
01:39 – Bill asks Todd about his early life like where was he born and where he grew up.
03:13 – Chris talks about his early days.
05:06 – Bill asks Todd about his successes and failures along the way.
08:18 – Chris highlights that in his mid to late 20s, he decided to take his stab at being a business owner and tried to start his own business.
11:20 – Life in ‘50s is kind of a roller coaster, sometimes higher highs, and sometimes lower lows, says Todd.
13:00 – Bill enquires from Chris about the ways he would have changed.
15:45 – Chris shares that he decided to invest in his health and the way he pours into his family and his relationships.
17:12 – Chris is a Co-founder of the Cajun Army which a lot of people get confused with the Cajun Navy. There's only one Cajun Army and there are a lot of Cajun Navy groups that use that name.
17:24 – They formed Cajun Army after the flooding in 2016. The idea was to give people hope after natural disasters, shares Chris.
19:30 – Bill asks Todd, how they all met, how they all interacted, and how they’re helping them in their consulting.
21:40 – We meet a lot of people, get connected, and try to solve problems, says Todd.
25:19 – Todd has got some great relationships with guys who’re in their 60s and 70s.
26:37 - Chris always tells his daughters and everybody around the company that his plan is to work until he doesn’t make any sense anymore.
28:23 – Chris has no desire to stop working until he is just mentally not capable of it.
32:03 – Bill asks Chris, what he would choose among exploring the ocean, traveling to outer space, or visiting 50 countries.
34:06 – Todd mentions that he has got one assignment right now and still working on it with a firm out of Boulder called ‘E Source’ that was their latest acquisition.

3 Key Points

Chris states that it’s been an avenue to focus on serving people to not make the same mistakes that he made.
It's a lot more about just connecting with people that can take us from point A to point B quickly. If we know who to ask, and how do we ask, we could get there, says Todd.
Todd states that it's about setting some boundaries about how much time one is going to go hard at it with work and how much time one can give to some other people and causes and so there are some time boundaries.

Tweetable Quotes

“I can remember having a craving for entrepreneurship at that age where I would buy these junk bicycles.” – Chris King
“I'm certainly very different from Chris, in terms of the risk-taker; I'm a little bit more of a calculated planner, a person who's going to take a calculated risk.” – Todd Barlow
“I'm 50, in 10 more years. The next one is 60 that just sound old.” – Chris King
“I realized that I was slowly killing myself and it didn't click for me until I realized that it wasn't me that I was hurting, it was my wife and my kids”. – Chris King
“It all started with this 11-hour boat rescue where we saw the destruction and decided that we needed to do something”. – Chris King
“We have a common friend and I learned from him the shortest distance between two points is wise counsel”. – Todd Barlow
“Now spending a lot more time with folks in their 30s and 40s.” – Todd Barlow
“We'd have to go with Def Leppard...Guns N' Roses and I don't know if these are the top three but these are three good ones”. – Chris King

Resources Mentioned:

Horizon Financial Group -- Website
Contact Information: Bill Bush Pete Bush
Chris King: Website Email: chris@nextlevelsol.net
The Cajun Army: Website Facebook Email: cking@thecajunarmy.com
Todd Barlow: Email: tbarlow@trility.net
Podcast Editing

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In this inaugural episode of “The Runway Decade Podcast”, hosts and brothers Bill Bush and Pete Bush, advisors at Horizon Financial Group; launch this new podcast where they specifically talk about people in their 50s.

This podcast primarily addresses several topics related to ‘Life in Your 50s’. It not only touches the financial part of it while you are about to retire, but also the other relevant issues like lifestyle, health and caring for elderly parents and kids segments.

The podcast aims at helping you to retire with confidence and retire with the ability to have the freedom of living your life as you want to live.

Episode Highlights:

01:40 – Bill says that they as financial advisors run across clients who are in their late 40s or early 50s and the phrase that has kind of come-up for them is like “You still have some runway left”.
03:40 – He mentions that when you are 50 years of age half of your life is over? You're definitely in the last three or four innings of your life.
05:50: - As per Pete people that are better educated, people that are able to earn more money during their careers take better care of their health and those are the people that will extend the average life expectancy out. Because you can't just plan for 25 more years, if you're 55, you need to plan for beyond that, like 35 years.
08:20 - Pete states that it's very interesting and fascinating how technology has advanced and multiplied and we're crossing over new barriers all the time and in all spheres including Finance.
10:15 - “So, when you talk about a 53 or 54 year old person passing away today, it just seems like gosh, they just got robbed, and they just, had so much, time to go.” says Pete.
12:10 – As per Pete, the goal is to retire with confidence, retire with the ability to have the freedom of spending your life and time with who you want to spend it with, but with a dignified journey into and beyond retirement.
13:19: - “Somebody that is in the runway decade themselves, age wise, that wants to be considered to be a guest on the show certainly reach out to us”, announces Pete.
14:40 - Bill reveals that they’re going to keep these episodes fairly short, probably about 20 to 30 minutes or they will have a guest, in the 30 minute range, something you can easily consume.

3 Key Points

The hosts discuss about the statistics which says that we have got 25 years left when we are 55 years of age as the traditional retirement age in the US is 62 and the average life expectancy is somewhere around 80 years. So it creates some challenges in our mind about how are we going to create an income stream when we don't have pay-cheques anymore? Hence, you got to take advantage of the ‘Runway Decade’. It’s a decade where you can be creative and wishful and thinking really what's that future is going to look like? You want to enjoy a fruitful retirement.
Pete and Bill point out that these podcasts will focus on talking to people who belong to this decade including healthcare professionals, real estate person, travel expert, etc.
Bill thinks that if you're in your 50s in your working career, maybe you're a business owner or in the C suite or something like that you've accomplished quite a bit in the late 30s, you're likely to be in that decade, where at your peak earnings. So, there's power in that and they hope to harness that as well, as you look towards the next 30 years.

Tweetable Quotes

“Also, 50 is one that stands out when we think of those milestone birthdays, right?” - Bill Bush
“America for the most part retires at 62, yeah, that's the earliest you can take your Social Security benefits, which tend to be a big part of people's retirement incomes.” – Pete Bush
“So, you know, there's no one way to do it, there's no right way to do it just like when you know people get on planes, you know, typically everybody's going off in some different direction.” – Pete Bush
“You can only imagine you know, when I was born, nobody had landed on the moon. Now we have these space shuttle spacecraft seemingly going up every week.” – Bill Bush
“As we launch this first episode, we hope to do many podcast episodes, but also just the beginning of kind of building that runway community.” – Bill Bush
“But really, we're going to be having topics that if you're in your mid-40s to late 40s, it's going to apply to you. Same thing for some of the things we're going to talk about for folks in the early 60s because people are working later now.” – Bill Bush

Resources Mentioned:

Horizon Financial Group -- Website
Contact Information: Bill Bush Pete Bush
Podcast Editing

The Runway Decade Podcast: Recent Episodes

Bill Bush, CRPS® and Pete Bush, CFP®