Tag: Personal Growth

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Dreaming Big Through Adversity with Randy Carver, CRPC®, CDFA® (Ep. 97)

Dreaming Big Through Adversity with Randy Carver, CRPC®, CDFA® (Ep. 97)

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Big goals often feel out of reach when life throws setbacks your way. But what if the obstacles are actually shaping the path forward?

In this episode, Bryan Sweet sits down with Randy Carver, CRPC®, CDFA®, President & CEO of Carver Financial Services, and author of Limitless, to talk about persistence, mindset, and defining personal meaning. Randy shares how early health challenges shaped his outlook, how failure can become fuel, and why clarity matters more than circumstances. The conversation explores vision setting, daily habits, leadership, and using purpose to create momentum in business and life.

Key takeaways:

  • How early adversity reshaped his mindset and influenced long-term motivation and persistence
  • Why defining personal meaning matters more than tools, talent, or starting circumstances
  • Practical habits that help maintain focus, discipline, and forward momentum each day
  • Lessons on leadership, delegation, and building teams that scale beyond the individual
  • How service, generosity, and purpose can guide decisions and future direction
  • And more!

Connect With Randy Carver:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guest:

Randy Carver was born in New York City, grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and spent his teen years in Toronto, Canada. As a teenager, Randy started and ran several successful businesses, including a catering firm and two home renovation companies. He attended Oberlin College where he earned his degree in economics. Upon graduating in 1987, Randy opened a branch office for a regional brokerage firm in Mentor, Ohio. The office became one of the company’s most successful within three years.

In 1990, Randy founded Carver Financial Services to provide Personal Vision Planning® by offering clients unbiased investment information and a wide range of financial products and services through an international firm. He has offered securities through Raymond James Financial Services since 1990.

Randy is a General Securities Principal (Series 24 license), Municipal Securities Principal (Series 53 license), holds Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses, in addition to a series 31 futures license. He also holds a life, health, and annuity insurance license. Randy has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselors CRPC® designation from the College for Financial Planning and is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® practitioner, having completed the certification from the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts earning the CDFA® designation.

Randy has taught accountancy board-approved continuing education courses for certified public accountants, as well as Supreme Court Commission on Continuing Legal Education-approved courses for attorneys since 1989. Randy has appeared as a commentator on FOX Business, CNN, Yahoo Finance, Bankrate, Cheddar TV, Newsmax, and Fox News. He has been featured in the New York Times, Barron’s, Forbes, Financial Times, The News-Herald, Crain’s Cleveland Business, the Toledo Blade and The Wall Street Journal.

Barron’s has named Randy Carver one of the top 1200 advisors in the United States and one of the top 10 in Ohio every year since 2010. Factors included in the rankings: assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice, and philanthropic work. Click here to see all the awards he has received from Barron’s, Forbes, Financial Times, etc.

Randy lives in Kirtland Hills, Ohio, with his significant other, Christine, and their three dogs, Brutus, Mongo, and Thor. His daughter Cid is living in Tel Aviv, Israel. Randy is a licensed private pilot, flying for both business and pleasure, and pursues other eclectic hobbies ranging from gourmet cooking to riding motorcycles.

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet 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.

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Action Over Fear: Designing a Life You Won’t Regret with Scott Danner (Ep. 96)

Action Over Fear: Designing a Life You Won’t Regret with Scott Danner (Ep. 96)

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In this episode of The Dream Architect Life, Brian Sweet sits down with Scott Danner, a longtime industry friend, author, coach, and Executive Vice President, Head of Legacy, at Steward Partners, for a real conversation about dreaming bigger, staying grounded, and building a life you actually want to live.

Scott shares how growing up without “extras” shaped his drive, how he moved from building a financial advisory practice to building a multi-state enterprise, and why the real win is designing a life aligned with your values. Along the way, he breaks down his LIFE model (Love, Impact, Faith, Energy), the “cheat code” habits he leans on daily, and why action is often the fastest way through fear. The conversation also touches on legacy, fatherhood, perspective, and a simple but powerful question: what would you regret not doing if time ran out sooner than you expected?

Scott discusses:

  • How thinking big starts with confidence, then grows into serving others
  • The LIFE model (Love, Impact, Faith, Energy) and how it shapes decisions
  • Why action and momentum can break the grip of fear
  • Daily practices that keep him steady when routines get disrupted
  • Books that shaped his perspective, including Think and Grow Rich, Man’s Search for Meaning, and Inner Excellence
  • And more

Resources:

Connect With Scott Danner:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guest:

Scott Danner is the Executive Vice President, Head of Legacy, at Steward Partners. Outside of his traditional financial advising role of 23 years, Scott W. Danner is the Executive Vice President of Steward Partners and Head of Legacy, the firm’s M&A division. He leads all M&A strategy for Steward Partners, oversees the Legacy division and its teams, and contributes to major firm initiatives and strategic growth efforts. After building Freedom Street Partners into a thriving firm, he led its merger with Steward Partners in 2023, bringing his expertise in M&A, succession planning, and business development to the forefront.

A recognized leader in financial services, Scott has helped scale firms, navigate transitions, and drive industry-leading expansion. Previously, as CEO of Freedom Street Partners, he grew the firm to seven states, overseeing 40 advisors managing nearly $3.5 billion in assets under advisement.  His impact has earned him as a finalist to the ThinkAdvisor’s Luminaries Individual Award for RIA M&A Leader of the Year (RIAs: Less Than $10 Billion AUM/AUA), recognition on InvestmentNews’ 2024 “Hot List”, and inclusion on the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list (2021, 2022, 2023).

Scott’s track record includes successfully building a $25M+ revenue business with over 100 employees, selling it at peak valuation, and establishing himself as a leading consultant in M&A for financial advisory firms. He is frequently sought after for industry insights and media interviews.

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet 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.

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How Serendipity & Curiosity Can Shape a Wealthier Life with Sonu Varghese (Ep. 95)

How Serendipity & Curiosity Can Shape a Wealthier Life with Sonu Varghese (Ep. 95)

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What if curiosity could be your greatest financial advantage?

Bryan Sweet sits down with Sonu Varghese, VP and Global Macro Strategist at Carson Group, for a conversation that blends mindset and money in unexpected ways.

From growing up in Oman to building a career in finance, Sonu shares how serendipity, curiosity, and courage shaped his life’s direction. He opens up about facing fear, creating his own luck, and learning through every setback. Bryan and Sonu also discuss how curiosity doesn’t just expand your mind, it can strengthen your financial life too, especially when it comes to making smarter, tax-efficient investment decisions that help you keep more of what you earn.

What to expect:

  • How curiosity can lead to life-changing opportunities
  • The link between mindset and financial growth
  • Real examples of turning fear into forward motion
  • The overlooked value of tax-efficient investing
  • And more

Connect With Sonu Varghese:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guest:

Sonu has over 15 years of experience in the Asset Management industry. Before joining Carson, he was a Partner and Director of Research at Convex Capital Management where he co-managed portfolios, advised clients and led the research effort, including creating a proprietary leading economic index for 30 countries and systematizing investment processes. Prior to that Sonu worked independently with hedge fund managers and high-net worth individuals to develop quantitative investment models for trading equities, options, ETFs and closed-end funds.

Sonu started his career in finance during the final year of his Ph.D. at Purdue University, when he got an opportunity to do options modeling work. He finished his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 2006, with his dissertation focused on simulating blood flow in diseased arteries. However, he decided to pursue finance as he enjoyed the mathematical modeling aspect of it, and the challenges thrown up by human behavior in markets. Prior to his Ph.D., Sonu received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue and Bachelors in Engineering from the National Institute of Technology (Trichy) in India.

Sonu and his wife love to travel and are looking forward to doing a lot more of it as their twins grow up. They also enjoy listening to an eclectic selection of music as a family and being outdoors in the city (Chicago weather permitting). At home, you may find him hanging out with the family with a guitar in his hands, cooking or if the kids are asleep, watching TV or reading. He is also passionate about teaching Math – including statistics, probability and personal finance – at the community college in Chicago downtown.

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet 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.

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Branding, Fear, and Finding Your Voice with Randi Brill (Ep. 93)

Branding, Fear, and Finding Your Voice with Randi Brill (Ep. 93)

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At 25 years old, Randi Brill turned down a promotion, a salary more than double her current one, stock options, a secretary, and a company car. Why? Because she believed in something bigger than the offer on the table.

In this inspiring conversation, Bryan Sweet sits down with Randi to unpack her journey from a quirky, cast-signed nine-year-old entrepreneur to the founder of Just Call Randi, a brand strategy powerhouse for ACEs (Advisors, Collaborators, and Entrepreneurs).

Here’s what to expect:

  • The early entrepreneurial moment that set her path in motion
  • Why fear is often just the fuel you haven’t tapped yet
  • The art of walking away from success to find alignment
  • How redefining your identity can unlock your next chapter
  • And more!

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

Connect With Randi Brill:


About Our Guest:

According to her mother, Posy (an extremely reliable source on this particular topic), Randi Brill first announced she was going to be in charge of something at the ripe old age of 14. Randi has been in charge of many creative “somethings” ever since. In her role as Chief Creative Officer of JUST CALL RANDI, the Brand Design Agency exclusively for ACEs: Advisors, Collaborators, and Entrepreneurs, and their growing companies, Randi delivers Differentiation through Brand Design solutions and creative results to help visionaries and their companies soar. And she loves it!

So far, Randi has written and personally designed and published four books under her Randiland Press imprint, including Let Me ENTREtain™ You, One Entrepreneur’s Comical, Poignant, & Very Short Tales to Inspire Yours. This autobiographical “tale of grow,” was a true passion project for Randi, created to help boost the “you-can-do-this,-too” confidence of the entrepreneurs she serves. Check out the flip book excerpt below for a sneak peek at a few of Randi’s earliest entrepreneurial adventures.

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.

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Building a Future Beyond Just Financial Planning with Warren Barry (Ep. 83)

Building a Future Beyond Just Financial Planning with Warren Barry (Ep. 83)

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What does it mean to dream big and embrace life’s opportunities?

In this episode, Bryan Sweet hosts a fascinating discussion with Warren Barry, a captivating speaker and storyteller from Canada. Warren’s journey from chef to keynote speaker showcases how embracing change and pursuing dreams can lead to fulfilling opportunities.

Warren discusses: 

  • His diverse career path and how it shaped his perspective on success and personal growth [00:02:09]
  • The importance of being open to opportunities and saying yes to life’s invitations [00:11:50]
  • Understanding and leveraging one’s unique strengths for personal and professional development [00:16:02]
  • His innovative “Thank You Theory” and its potential impact on personal connections [00:31:07]
  • And more

Connect With Warren Barry:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guest:

International speaker and consultant Warren Barry uses the timeless story of “Duck, Duck, Goose!” to help leaders recognize how individuals with unique talents drive thriving workplace cultures. A pioneer in human behavior, Warren explores how counter-intuitive work environments benefit organizations by achieving more with less, all while having more fun. Through science-based insights, Warren helps teams harness their true potential, fostering harmony, productivity, and profitability. With his dynamic style, he creates cohesive teams that thrive in volatile markets and reduce workplace stress.

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet 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.

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Transforming Life Insurance into a Retirement Asset (Ep. 82)

Transforming Life Insurance into a Retirement Asset (Ep. 82)

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What if your old life insurance policy could fund your retirement dreams instead of just getting surrendered? 

In this engaging episode of The Dream Architect Life Podcast, Bryan Sweet from Sweet Financial Partners chats with Jon B. Mendelsohn, CEO of Ashar Group. They delve into life settlements, a lesser-known but potentially lucrative option for those holding a life insurance policy with seemingly no need for it.

Jon shares his journey from teaching to entrepreneurship and explains how life insurance can be appraised and sold, much like real estate, to potentially provide financial flexibility for retirement, charitable planning, or even supporting loved ones. They discuss the importance of being informed about options before canceling a policy, as well as the emotional and financial impact this decision can have on families.

Jon B and Bryan cover:

  • The basics of life settlements and their untapped potential [03:47]
  • Real-life examples of life settlements transforming financial outcomes [13:34]
  • Tax implications and process timelines for life settlements [06:27]
  • How longevity and current health can influence policy valuation [27:25]

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

Connect With Jon B. Mendelsohn:

About Jon B. Mendelsohn:

Jon B. Mendelsohn is the CEO and co-founder of Ashar Group, a leading firm specializing in life settlements and life insurance policy valuations. With a deep passion for innovation and education, Jon has played a pivotal role in shaping Ashar Group’s success since its inception in 2003. He has led the company to develop proprietary, time-saving processes that help financial advisors and clients navigate the complexities of life insurance with transparency and responsibility.

Jon is also an influential figure in the life settlements industry, advocating for best practices and ethical standards. He is an active member of the Forum 400, an exclusive community of elite insurance producers, and has shared his expertise as a guest speaker at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School and Columbia University’s PhD program in finance.

In addition to his work with Ashar Group, Jon has been featured in leading publications such as Trust & Estates and Tax Adviser Magazine, offering insights into life settlements and wealth management. His forward-thinking approach has established him as a respected thought leader in the industry.

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.

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Building Confidence in Young Minds with Barry Garapedian (Ep. 81)

Building Confidence in Young Minds with Barry Garapedian (Ep. 81)

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What if the key to unlocking your full potential is hidden in letting go of what holds you back?

Join Bryan Sweet on The Dream Architect Life podcast as they dive into an inspiring conversation with Barry Garapedian, a renowned figure in Wall Street and a passionate advocate for empowering young minds. Barry shares his journey from a 39-year career in finance to creating family constitutions and mentoring young adults through the transition to their fullest potential.

Barry discusses: 

  • His transformation from Wall Street to working on family governance and designing impactful family constitutions [00:02:13]
  • The seven pillars that define a winning life and why they are crucial for personal and family planning [00:03:16]
  • Innovative strategies to build self-confidence in young minds through real-life practices like crafting vision boards and creating personalized notes [00:06:52]
  • Tips for young individuals to gain a competitive edge in life, emphasizing the importance of both interpersonal skills and self-presentation [00:17:13]
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

Connect With Barry Garapedian:

About Our Guest:

Barry Garapedian is the President and CEO of MAG 7 Consulting, a boutique coaching, mentoring, and advisory firm that caters to high-school and college-aged students. The MAG 7 program has distilled and codified key principles of achievement and paths to success that propel young people to meet their highest potentials in all aspects of life.

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.

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Chapter 10: Know Your Worth (Ep. 79)

Chapter 10: Know Your Worth (Ep. 79)

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What does it really mean to live your best life in retirement?

Join Bryan Sweet as he dives into the final chapter of our audiobook, Dream Architecture: Build a Retirement Beyond What’s Possible. This episode goes beyond numbers and retirement statistics to explore how a strong sense of self-worth can transform your retirement journey. Discover how you can shift your mindset to focus on what truly matters—living richly rather than dying rich.

This chapter covers: 

  • Self-worth and its connection to achieving your biggest dreams (02:34)
  • Shifting the retirement focus from money to life fulfillment (05:20)
  • Creating positive momentum through tiny habits (14:10)
  • 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.

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Chapter Nine: Overcoming Limits to Create Your Best Retirement (Ep.78)

Chapter Nine: Overcoming Limits to Create Your Best Retirement (Ep.78)

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What does it truly mean to dream big? How can you shatter your limiting beliefs to reach new heights in retirement? 

Brittany shares inspiring stories and insights, encouraging you to harness your mindset to conquer what seems impossible. Learn how the bravery of individuals like Christopher Reeve can inspire you to chart a course for your biggest dreams, while practical advice on dealing with life transitions nurtures your personal growth. 

You have the power to decide what your future holds, and it’s time to embrace opportunities that are just beyond your current reach.

This episode’s highlights include:

  • The significance of dreaming beyond current capabilities [00:03:00]
  • Building self-confidence to fuel your big dreams [00:04:00]
  • Why major life transitions can become turning points [00:09:00]
  • The role of mentors and supportive networks [00:16:00]
  • Steps to align your financial plans with your dreams [00:13:00]
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

  • 1 (507) 235-5587
  • meetingwithsweet.com
  • meetingwithamber.com
  • Sweet Financial
  • LinkedIn: Bryan Sweet
  • LinkedIn: Brittany Anderson
  • Facebook: Sweet Financial Partners
  • 📖 Get our book, “Dream Architecture” here

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.

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Chapter Eight: Turning Your Dreams Into Reality (Ep.77)

Chapter Eight: Turning Your Dreams Into Reality (Ep.77)

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What if retirement wasn’t just about slowing down, but rather speeding up to live out the dreams you’ve always had?

Join Bryan Sweet, CLU®, ChFC®, as he reveals key strategies to build confidence in your financial future. Through smart planning and a focus on what truly matters, he’ll help you create a fulfilling and secure retirement.

With insights from Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin P. Hardy, Bryan challenges the common notion of retirement being a slow phase and instead portrays it as an exciting time to pursue significant life goals. Whether it’s opening a new business or traveling the globe, it’s never too late to dream big and plan wisely.

Key highlights in this chapter include:

  • How focusing on life goals complements financial planning [00:01:00]
  • The pitfalls of early retirement without proper planning [00:03:00]
  • Harnessing the power of planning and achieving small wins [00:08:00]
  • Strategies to build self-confidence and avoid comparing yourself to others [00:14:00]
  • 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.

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