Episodes

Nov. 25, 2025

#272 - The Heart of Financial Planning Award Winner Liz Menjivar

The Heart of Financial Planning Award Winner Liz Menjivar Hosts Brad Wright and Michael Connaughton are joined by Heart of Financial Planning award winner Liz Menjivar Liz is a financial consultant at Fidelity Investments and president of the FPA of Illinois chapter. At Fidelity, she serves as Regional Co-chair of SOHL (Support and Outreach for Hispanics and Latinx) employees. She is a past member of the boards of Arden Shore Family Services and the Chicago Financial Women Association (CFW). Liz...
Nov. 18, 2025

#271 - The needs for trust and estate planning with Tim Fogarty

Hosts Michael Connaughton and Kathleen Keneally are joined by Tim Fogarty Tim has led Dime Bank’s Wealth Management business line as Vice President, Senior Trust Officer since 2021. Tim is responsible for the Bank’s comprehensive trusts and estate planning, investment advisory, and non-profit services to benefit the local community. Tim has over a decade of experience in financial services and has held various insurance and investment licenses over the years. He attained his Certified Trust and ...
Nov. 11, 2025

#271 - Blockchain and Smart Contracts in Estate Planning with F. Keats Boyd III

Blockchain and Smart Contracts in Estate Planning with F. Keats Boyd III Hosts Brad Wright and Michael Connaughton are joined by Attorney F. Keats Boyd III Keats is President of Boyd & Boyd, P.C. in Hyannis, MA, where he concentrates his practice in the areas of Estate, Trust & Retirement Planning. He is also working to streamline estate planning by utilizing Blockchain, Smart Contract and NFT technology. They discuss: -What Blockchain, Smart Contracts, and NFTs are -How they can be used to make...
Nov. 4, 2025

#272 - Building the Future of Financial Planning with Paul Brahim, CFP®, CEPA®

In this episode of the Wicked Pissah Podcast, hosts Chris Boyd and Jeff Perry sit down with Paul Brahim, CFP®, CEPA®- Managing Director at Wealth Enhancement Group and President of the Financial Planning Association. Paul shares his inspiring journey from pharmaceutical sales to financial leadership, offering insights on succession planning, title protection, and the future of financial planning. He also reflects on lessons from his 30-year career, the importance of purpose, and how advisors c...
Oct. 28, 2025

#268 - GLOBAL Family Caregiver/senior care/dementia progression/end-of-life CONSULTANT Annalee Kruger

Hosts Michael Connaughton and Kevin Williams are joined by Annalee Kruger. Annalee started Care Right Inc, a VIRTUAL consultancy, in 2011, after working in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC's) for 22 years. Families were constantly blind-sided and ill-prepared for medical crisis (strokes, dementia progression, urinary tract infections, etc.) and were thrust into making major care decisions on behalf of aging parents. Families had no idea how to navigate senior care, dementia, changing...
Oct. 21, 2025

#267 - The Referable Client Experience with Stacey Brown Randall

The Referable Client Experience with Stacey Brown Randall Hosts Brad Wright and Kevin Williams are joined by Author and Business owner Stacey Brown Randall. Stacey teaches small business owners, solopreneurs and sales professionals how to generate referrals without asking, without manipulation or feeling inauthentic. She’s the author of Generating Business Referrals Without Asking, and now a second book, The Referable Client Experience, hosts the Roadmap To Referrals podcast– and has been featur...
Oct. 15, 2025

#266 - Passwords, Privacy and Peace of Mind: Wrangling Your Digitals Assets with Kate Hufnagel

Passwords, Privacy and Peace of Mind: Wrangling Your Digitals Assets with Kate Hufnagel Kathleen and Michael speak with Kate Hufnagle, The Digital Wrangler, to explore the often-overlooked world of digital estate planning. Kate shares how organizing passwords, accounts, and important life details can ease the burden on loved ones, save money, and create true peace of mind. We talk about different types of digital assets, including ones that are often overlooked; best practices for handling user...
Oct. 7, 2025

#265 - First Things First: Becoming Fearless and Financially Savvy with Valerie Rivera

First Things First: Becoming Fearless and Financially Savvy with Valerie Rivera Kathleen and Kevin speak with the founder of FirstGen Wealth, Valerie Rivera, CFP®. Valerie is a First in her family – the first to go to college, the first to break barriers at work, and the first to earn more than her parents ever did. Now she’s working with other first generation wealth builders to help them create lasting financial confidence and legacy. We discuss what led Valerie to start her own practice, ho...
Oct. 1, 2025

#264 - Inside the Pissah Studio – with Brad, Kathleen, Michael and Kevin

Inside the Pissah Studio – with Brad, Kathleen, Michael and Kevin In this special episode, the four Wicked Pissah Podcast cohosts turn the microphones on themselves! Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how the show comes together. No guests this time, just us sharing why we love doing the podcast, our favorite episodes and moments, and what we’ve learned along the way. We don’t want to keep all the fun to ourselves, so we’re putting out the call: we’d love to bring a few new voices to our h...
Sept. 17, 2025

#263 - Finding Financial Clarity Using Monarch Money with Rachel Lawrence, CFP®

Finding Financial Clarity Using Monarch Money with Rachel Lawrence, CFP® Kathleen and Brad speak with Monarch Money’s Head of Advice and Planning, Rachel Lawrence, CFP®. With more than 20 years of experience working both directly with clients as a financial planner and as a consultant in the FinTech space, Rachel brings unique perspective and insight into what both advisors and individuals need from financial technology. We talk with Rachel about how her passion for delivering financial advice...
Sept. 2, 2025

#262 - Risk Management with Scott Heinila, CEO of Optimized Insurance

Risk Management with Scott Heinila, CEO of Optimized Insurance Hosts Brad Wright and Michael Connaughton are joined by Optimized Insurance CEO, Scott Heinila. After graduating from California State University Long Beach (CSULB) with a Finance degree, Scott began his insurance career in 2001, dedicating his time to assisting Insurance Professionals and Financial Advisors within the three facets of Protective Portfolio Planning – annuities, life insurance, and long-term care insurance. He’s an exp...
Aug. 26, 2025

#261 - Angel Investing with Stephen Schweich

Stephen Schweich Host Michael Connaughton is joined by Stephen Schweich. Stephen is Chairman of the Cherrystone Angel Group and held a 30 year career in Investment Banking. Stephen has been an active investor in venture capital and private companies in Europe and the USA for nearly 20 years and has served on the boards of numerous technology companies. Since joining Cherrystone in 2011, Stephen has a played a key role in sourcing and leading investments in several of Cherrystone’s portfolio com...
Aug. 19, 2025

#260 - Paw-sitive Planning: Estate Planning for Your Pets – with Liza Connelly

Paw-sitive Planning: Estate Planning for Your Pets – with Liza Connelly Kathleen speaks with Liza Connelly, director of trust and estate services for CIBC Private Wealth. Liza has more than 25 years of trust, estate and fiduciary experience, but this isn’t your usual conversation about estate planning – we talk about estate planning for your pets! We discuss the different options that are available if you would like to provide for your pets after you pass away; best practices for planning ahea...
Aug. 12, 2025

#259 - From Confused to Confident: Helping Families Navigate Aging with Parker Polidor

From Confused to Confident: Helping Families Navigate Aging with Parker Polidor Kathleen and Kevin speak with Parker Polidor, co-founder of CareAlly. CareAlly is a turnkey software solution that financial advisors can use to help clients and families navigate the financial and health related questions brought on by aging. We talk with Parker about the cost of the “sandwich generation tax,” ideas for initiating conversations about caregiving, tools and resources available through the CareAlly p...
Aug. 5, 2025

Wallets and Waistlines with Reyna Gobel

Kathleen and Brad speak with freelance journalist, keynote speaker, and nutrition educator Reyna Gobel. Reyna is a nationally recognized expert in college funding, student loans, and financial wellness who brings a unique background in journalism, education and nutrition to conversations about money, health and long-term wellbeing. We hear from Reyna about how she went from journalism to getting a master’s degree in public health in nutrition; how financial advisors are well positioned to discu...
July 29, 2025

#257 - 5 to 9 Things You Don’t Know About 529 Plans with Chris Stack

5 to 9 Things You Don’t Know About 529 Plans with Chris Stack Hosts Brad Wright and Kevin Williams are joined by attorney and consultant, Chris Stack. -Chris is managing consultant, Savingforcollege.com, is a nationally recognized 529 authority and experienced in educational finance. An attorney for over 30 years, licensed in New York & Pennsylvania, Chris has experience in finance, investments and law relating to tax advantaged products, including Section 529, since it became federal law in 19...
July 22, 2025

#256 - Breaking Money Silence with Kathleen Burns Kingsbury

Breaking Money Silence with Kathleen Burns Kingsbury Kathleen and Kevin speak with money psychology expert Kathleen Burns Kingsbury. Kathleen is the founder of KBK Wealth Connection and a leading voice on women and money and breaking through emotional barriers that get in the way of productive money conversations. We discuss the importance of open financial conversations, gender differences in money attitudes, and strategies advisors can use to financially empower their female clients. We also ...
July 16, 2025

#255 - Navigating Egos and Emotions During the College Planning Process – With Jack Wang

Navigating Egos and Emotions During the College Planning Process – With Jack Wang Hosts Kathleen Kenealy and Michael Connaughton speak with Jack Wang, a nationally recognized college funding expert who helps families answer two critical questions: how to lower the cost of college and how to pay for it without derailing their financial future. Tune in to hear us talk about what the NFL draft has to do with the financial aid system; common misconceptions parents and students have about paying fo...
July 11, 2025

#254 - The Human Side of Wealth: Navigating Family Dynamics – with Emily Bouchard

The Human Side of Wealth: Navigating Family Dynamics – with Emily Bouchard Kathleen and Brad speak with Emily Bouchard, founder of Bouchard Bespoke Consulting. Emily is a Chief Learning Officer and Family Dynamics Advisor for Family Offices and Financial Advisory Firms, working alongside financial advisors, estate attorneys, and family offices to address the human side of money. We speak with Emily about her role as a listening coach and how she works with families to help them better communi...
July 2, 2025

#253 - Bringing the Human Element Back to Human Resources – with Angela Sarver

Bringing the Human Element Back to Human Resources – with Angela Sarver Hosts Kathleen Kenealy and Kevin Williams are joined by Angela Sarver, founder of EllieBlu HR Consulting. Angela is a human resources expert who specializes in consulting with independent financial advisors. Angela is on a mission to bring the human element back to the workplace by helping business owners lead their teams more intentionally. We discuss all the different ways that Angela supports the firms she works with, i...
June 24, 2025

#252 - FIRE for Dummies Author Jackie Cummings Koski on Financial Independence

Host Brad Wright is joined by Jackie Cummings Koski. Jackie is the author of FIRE for Dummies and co-host of the Catching Up to FI podcast, focused on financial independence for late starters. She serves as Chapter President of FPA Southwestern Ohio and is a passionate advocate for financial literacy and education. With a master’s degree in financial planning and financial therapy, Jackie shares her personal journey from poverty to financial independence—retiring at age 49—and her mission to he...
June 18, 2025

#251 - Paul Gaudio-President NexGen FPA-Client guidance and network expansion opportunities.

Paul Gaudio Host Michael Connaughton is joined by Paul Gaudio. Paul is a CFP® and Client Advisor at Crestwood Advisors with 8 years of experience helping individuals and families make smart choices with their money. Paul is passionate about guiding clients through life & financial complexities with clarity and care. He also serves as the President of NexGen for FPA New England, where he supports the growth and development of emerging professionals in the financial planning community, and works ...
June 12, 2025

#250 - Dan Galli & Dennis Moore- Catching up with FPA Leadership

Catching up with FPA Leadership - with Dan Galli & Dennis Moore On this episode Kathleen and Kevin are joined by FPA national president-elect Dan Galli as well as long-time member, supporter and now acting CEO of FPA National, Dennis Moore. We chat about what brought Dan and Dennis to the FPA, why they both remain committed to the organization, what initiatives they are prioritizing at the national level over the next few years, and their ideas for improving communication between national and ...
June 3, 2025

#249 - What you need to know about Reverse Mortgages with Stephen Pepe

On this episode of the Wicked Pissah Podcast , we are joined by Stephen Pepe of Longbridge Financial, L LC, where he is a top producing Loan Officer , Reverse Mortgage Consultant and industry expert in r everse m ortgages. Steve shares with us his expertise in the different ways that reverse mortgages can be used for both current and long-term financial planning purposes, regardless of you r income and net worth, sheds some of the myths regarding reverse mortgages , and...