Tag: Financial Planning

Mentorship, Mindset, and Next Big Ideas with Brian Heckert (Ep. 89)

Mentorship, Mindset, and Next Big Ideas with Brian Heckert (Ep. 89)

In this episode of The Dream Architect Life Podcast, Bryan Sweet welcomes long-time friend and fellow study group member Brian Heckert. From small-town beginnings to leading a multi-state advisory firm, Brian shares the principles, mentors, and turning points that shaped his career and life.

Brian discusses:

  • How meeting his wife in first grade shaped his values and vision
  • Why having a “next big idea” matters at every stage of life
  • The role of mentors in guiding personal and professional growth
  • Strategies for staying out of ruts and surrounding yourself with the right people
  • How clarity, core goals, and strong values drive decision-making
  • And more

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

Connect With Brian Heckert:

About Our Guest:

Brian Heckert is the past president of the Million Dollar Round Table, leading an organization of 90,000 members worldwide. With decades in the financial services industry, he is known for his visionary leadership, mentorship, and commitment to helping clients and advisors think bigger about what’s possible in their lives. From innovative business models to giving back through community involvement, Brian continues to inspire others to lead with clarity, integrity, and purpose.

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on the show are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors.

Chapter Four: The Power of Surrounding Yourself with Positive Influences (Ep.73)

Chapter Four: The Power of Surrounding Yourself with Positive Influences (Ep.73)

In this chapter of our audiobook, Dream Architecture: Build a Retirement Beyond What’s Possible, Bryan Sweet explores the power of relationships and the company we choose to keep. Discover how the people around you can either uplift you toward your dreams or hold you back with limiting beliefs. Tune in to learn how to foster relationships that align with your values and aspirations for retirement.

The top takeaways from this chapter include: 

  • The influence of the five people you spend the most time with [0:00:55]
  • Recognizing and distancing from negativity while building a positive environment [0:03:20]
  • How small habits can lead to big changes, inspired by B.J. Fogg’s work [0:12:45]
  • The importance of maintaining your values in financial decisions [0:19:10]
  • Balancing personal needs with family expectations [0:24:30]
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on the show are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors.

Chapter Three: How to Stay Focused on What You Want (Ep.72)

Chapter Three: How to Stay Focused on What You Want (Ep.72)

In this chapter of our audiobook, Dream Architecture: Build a Retirement Beyond What’s Possible we dive into the powerful concept of not letting others “should” on you. Too often, people let friends, family, or colleagues dictate what they should do with their wealth, career, or retirement. Your life is not their life – it’s time to focus in on what you really want.

Dive in to explore: 

  • What it means to “stop letting others should on you” and how it impacts your journey (00:02:50)
  • How to cultivate an abundance mentality and maintain clarity in your goals (00:10:30)
  • Powerful tools and exercises for gaining clarity and confidence in your financial future ( 00:18:45)
  • The role of gratitude and positivity in overcoming negativity bias (00:25:00)
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

 

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on the show are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors.

Chapter Two: What Do You Want For Your Future? (Ep.71)

Chapter Two: What Do You Want For Your Future? (Ep.71)

Are your indecisions holding you back from living your dream retirement?

Join Bryan Sweet as he delves into Chapter 2 of our audiobook, Dream Architecture: Build a Retirement Beyond What’s Possible. Listen as he explores how you can overcome decision fatigue and the vital steps needed to determine what you truly want in life.

Let’s unlock the pathway to your ideal future!

  • Understanding decision fatigue and its impact on our lives [00:02:35]
  • The importance of decisively planning your retirement [00:11:45]
  • Strategies to combat self-limiting beliefs and embrace new possibilities [00:22:10]
  • How to test and refine your dreams effectively [00:34:12]
  • The transformational power of maintaining a positive mindset [00:48:05]
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

 

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on the show are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors.

 

Dream Architecture: Chapter One (Ep.70)

Dream Architecture: Chapter One (Ep.70)

Exclusive for listeners of The Dream Architect Life Podcast! 

Come along as Brittany Anderson introduces the audiobook of Dream Architecture, a guide to building a retirement beyond expectations. This episode features the first chapter exploring the power of possibility in financial and life planning while emphasizing the importance of mindset. Learn how a positive outlook is essential for maximizing financial strategies and unlocking a future filled with purpose and fulfillment. 

In this chapter, you will discover: 

  • The Dream Architect’s trademarked four-step approach (Vision, Blueprint, Build, Maintain) aligns your financial path with your dreams. [05:17]
  • The deeper ‘why’ behind your goals can redefine your path to retirement. [15:50]
  • Embracing a creative mindset and thinking like a kid to unlock untapped potential, including proven strategies for reigniting creativity. [10:48]
  • Inspirational stories like Sean “Three Foot Giant” Stevenson’s, highlighting how mindset shifts can transform life’s challenges into empowering opportunities. [20:02]
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

 

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on the show are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors.

Inside the Mind of a Financial Trailblazer with David Perkins (Ep.68)

Inside the Mind of a Financial Trailblazer with David Perkins (Ep.68)

It takes relentless determination to build a successful investment management firm from the ground up, defying all odds and turning adversity into triumph.

David Perkins, CEO and co-founder of Gondola Partners, is a testament to the power of grit, vision, and unapologetic determination in the world of investment management.

Through heartfelt storytelling, David emphasizes the significance of his four principles of success: clear vision, system creation, discipline, and passion. This insightful conversation reveals how these principles drove him to build an impressive career in alternative investment solutions, making it a must-listen for anyone intrigued by the fusion of inspiration and financial expertise.

Key conversations include:

  • David’s incredible journey from financial hardship to success in investment management
  • His four pillars of success
  • The importance of caring for others, both personally and professionally, as a core leadership trait
  • Innovative alternative investment opportunities, such as tax lien funds, and their impact on diversified portfolios
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

Connect With David Perkins:

About Our Guest:

David Perkins has more than three decades of investment management experience and a notable history of building, operating, and leading innovation-based firms.

As the founder of Gondola, David’s vision is to eliminate the many obstacles associated with implementing alternatives. Today, he continues his passion to challenge the status quo by unlocking unique alternative investments for a select group of Advisors.

David cofounded CAPTRUST, one of the largest Registered Investment Advisor firms in America with $630 Billion in Assets Under Advisement currently (as of January 2023). Prior to CAPTRUST, in 1990, David and Fielding Miller, partnered together to take the innovative fee-based advisory approach to the market at Interstate Johnson Lane. This Partnership later evolved into CAPTRUST. David received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and earned his designation as a Chartered Alternatives Investment Analyst (CAIA) in 2004.

 

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on the show are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors.

Maximizing Your Retirement Through Estate Planning with Craig Hersch (Ep.67)

Maximizing Your Retirement Through Estate Planning with Craig Hersch (Ep.67)

Think estate planning is just about what happens after you’re gone? Think again! It’s a vital life plan to help you shield wealth, minimize taxes, and set your family up for success. 

Today on The Dream Architect Life Podcast, Bryan Sweet interviews Craig Hersch, a seasoned estate planning attorney and strategic coach. They discuss the upcoming changes in estate tax laws, particularly the sunset provisions set to take effect in 2026. Craig shares insights on advanced estate planning strategies, the importance of timing, and how to identify qualified estate planning attorneys.

Craig discusses: 

  •  How important is timing when implementing estate planning strategies
  •  What are some common misconceptions clients have about estate planning processes
  •  Why is open communication with family about financial matters essential
  •  What is necessary to create a personalized estate plan tailored to a client’s unique situation
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Craig Hersch:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guest:

Craig R. Hersch is the go-to National Practice Development Expert for truly entrepreneurial & ambitious estate planning attorneys. He almost single-handedly created the innovative, trademarked processes The Family Estate & Legacy Program® and The Estate Settlement Program®, The Advanced Planning Expander™ and The Transitional Event Sequence™.  These unique processes, designed to provide clients with comfort and clarity when navigating the complex legal, tax, and financial concerns associated with planning and administering an estate, are innovative game-changers that can’t be compared with anything else out there.

REPLAY: Navigating Uncertainty and Adversity In The Current Age

REPLAY: Navigating Uncertainty and Adversity In The Current Age

It’s time to hit replay on an episode that covers an increasingly relevant topic in today’s digital age: uncertainty and adversity.

Fear can paralyze us and prevent us from achieving our dreams. That’s why we want to share these practical steps on focusing on what you CAN control, using visualization, and seeking positive influences to stay motivated. 

By tuning in, gain clarity on:

  • Focusing on what you can control and what you can do to reduce fear and anxiety
  • Surrounding yourself with positive influences and limiting exposure to negative media
  • Take small, actionable steps toward your dreams, like researching travel destinations or talking to professionals
  • How visualization can be a powerful tool in staying motivated and excited about your future

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

Overcome Distractions and Achieve Your Dreams with Mary Morrissey (Ep.63)

Overcome Distractions and Achieve Your Dreams with Mary Morrissey (Ep.63)

Unlock the keys to transforming your dreams into reality with the insights of our guest, Mary Morrissey, founder of the Brave Thinking Institute, the world’s premier provider of transformational training and coaching.

Join Mary as she is interviewed by Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson, where she shares powerful transformational strategies to help you turn your dreams into reality. She discusses the importance of having a clear vision, overcoming distractions, and using practical tools like the “up until now” mindset shift. 

Discover how to build a life that encompasses not only success but also fulfillment and purpose as this episode highlights:

  • Understanding the importance of a clear and actionable vision for your future
  • Practical techniques to recognize and manage distractions that impede your progress
  • Embracing the “up until now” mindset to overcome limiting beliefs and barriers
  • How small daily actions can lead to significant life transformations over time

Resources:

Connect With Mary Morrissey:

Go to Brave Thinking Institute to order your copy of “Brave Thinking” and get 3 bonuses!

✨Bonuses include: The “Designing A Life You Love” guided meditation bundle, “100 Common Hour Thoughts & How To Transform Them” kit and “Winning The Battles Of The Mind” Affirmation Collection)

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guest:

Mary Morrissey has made it her mission to empower people to create and live a life they love. 

For over 50 years Mary has studied the art and science of transforming dreams into results. 

Mary is the founder of the Brave Thinking Institute, the world’s premier provider of transformational training and coaching. Through life-changing books, events, and programs, Mary has helped millions of people tap into the power within them to achieve new levels of success and experience a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.


Mary holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters. She has addressed the United Nations three times, co-convened three week-long meetings with His Holiness The Dalai Lama, and met with President Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

She has written two best-selling books, No Less Than Greatness and Building Your Field of Dreams, which became a PBS special.
Today, Mary is focused on a bold dream: 1 Billion Dreams Achieved around the world.

That dream begins with you!

REPLAY: Creating an Even Bigger Future Than Envisioned With Amber Knips, CFP®, CDFA®, CeFT® (Ep. 58)

REPLAY: Creating an Even Bigger Future Than Envisioned With Amber Knips, CFP®, CDFA®, CeFT® (Ep. 58)

Something every financial planner dreams about doing is helping their retirees achieve a far better retirement than they had ever hoped for.

Our guest, Amber Knips has a lot of experience doing just that.

In this episode, Brittany Anderson chats with Amber Knips, wealth advisor at Sweet Financial, about the biggest obstacles modern-day retirees face and what strategies they can use to mitigate these struggles, both financial and mental.

Amber discusses: 

  • Where she sees retirees getting the most ‘stuck’ and what modern-day obstacles they face the most 
  • How she uses “fear mitigation” with retirees when they are afraid of overspending (and the risk of inexperience because of this fear)
  • What does dreaming big mean to her and how does this mentality apply to retirees like you
  • How to apply the 50/50 retirement approach – the misconception that retirement is either full-time traveling or full-time doing nothing at home
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Amber Knips, CFP®:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Amber Knips:

Amber helps people see possibility through life’s greatest and most challenging transitions.  She is someone who has total passion and conviction for what she does. Using her empathetic and sincere approach, she has made it her mission to build deepened relationships with her clients all while helping them cultivate a financial plan that helps them focus on what they most enjoy. After joining the team at Sweet Financial Partners in 2012, Amber has gained extensive experience and training in guiding women through transitions such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, career change, retirement, and much more. You only experience these life transitions a few times during your lifetime, but she helps people through them every day.