Advertise on podcast: The Above Board Podcast

What does it really mean to go above and beyond for the people you serve? In this episode of The Above Board Podcast, John Kennedy and Rainah Gadberry talk about “unreasonable hospitality” and how small, thoughtful gestures can make people feel genuinely seen and valued. They share real examples, talk about handling mistakes well, and discuss why great service is about more than simply meeting expectations. This conversation is inspired by Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara and how its ideas can apply not just in business, but in everyday life. 01:30 Team Culture and Client Care 05:00 Service Frustrations in Healthcare 10:26 Magic Moments vs Tragic Moments 12:27 Small Gestures That Matter 15:21 Ritz Carlton Anniversary Story 18:34 Intentionality in Everyday Life 23:40 Humans Over AI in Service 27:20 Owning Mistakes With 'Humble Pie' 37:16 Shoutouts to Great Service Brands & Companies 39:34 Creating Memorable Client Moments

What happens when short-term market noise starts driving long-term financial decisions? In this episode, John Kennedy, CFP® revisits the market volatility of 2022 and why the lessons from that year still matter today. He talks about what happens when stocks and bonds fall together, how fear can influence investment decisions, and why having a plan in place before the next market event matters. The goal isn’t to predict what the market will do next. It’s to focus on what you can control, stay aligned with your goals, and remember not to let the “tail” wag the “dog.” 01:28 When Stocks And Bonds Fall 02:24 What 2022 Taught Investors 04:12 Is the Tail Wagging The Dog? 05:01 Three Rules To Stay Calm 06:46 Build A Rules-Based Plan 08:57 Time In Market Wins 09:27 S&P Rolling Returns Chart 11:09 Practical Steps Today

Are we so focused on optimizing our lives that we’re forgetting to actually live them? In this episode, John Kennedy, CFP® explores the pressure to constantly improve, track, measure, and maximize everything; from our health and money to our time and routines. The goal isn’t to stop improving. It’s to be more intentional about what’s worth optimizing and make sure the time, money, and freedom we create actually help us enjoy the life we’re building. 00:54 The Optimization Trap 01:23 From Optimizing to Maxing 02:21 When Metrics Steal Joy 03:46 Taking a Breath 05:18 Measure vs Meaning 06:45 Money Maxing and Retirement 08:46 Finding the Sweet Spot 09:34 Intentional Optimization

What are your kids learning about money by watching you? In this episode, John Kennedy, CFP® and Brandon Hatcher talk about the money lessons kids pick up from our everyday habits, language, spending, saving, and even the way we respond to unexpected expenses. They share personal experiences, parenting lessons, and a few things they’ve realized they could do better, all with the goal of helping the next generation build a healthier relationship with money. Because sometimes what our kids catch from us matters more than what we teach them. 00:00 What Kids Catch About Money 01:36 The Mirror Effect at Home 02:39 Give Save Spend vs Real Life 04:32 Extracurriculars and Shared Costs 08:27 Time as the Real Currency 12:19 Lemonade Stand 2.0 15:19 Mindful Money Language 21:23 Impulse Buys and Family Meetings 24:07 Teaching Kids Generosity 25:18 Sharing the Family Budget 25:58 Goals and Intentional Spending 26:45 Gum Prices and Impulse Buys 30:13 Money Trauma and Mindset 33:36 Turning Setbacks Into Lessons 36:20 Gratitude and Family Stories 40:12 Kids Money Content Idea

In this episode, John Kennedy talks about the “attention tax” we pay every day through notifications, emails, social media, and even conversations that stay on our minds long after they’re over. He shares a few simple ways to be more intentional with your time and attention, and focus more on what actually matters. Because just like your money, where you spend your attention matters! 00:00 The Morning Phone Spiral 02:22 Defining 'Attention Tax' 02:40 Notifications Never Stop 03:19 Conversation Hangover 04:49 Attention Economy Explained 05:19 Budget Your Attention 07:31 Practical Changes 08:45 Audit What Matters

In this episode, John Kennedy and Brandon Hatcher look back at the financial lessons that often don’t get taught in school. From budgeting and saving to investing, spending, and building good money habits, they share practical advice for teaching the next generation how to feel more confident and intentional with money.   01:54 Back To School 03:20 Financial Literacy First 05:07 Breaking The Excuse Loop 08:20 Experiential Learning Ideas 16:06 Life Skills in School 17:11 Psychology And Identity 20:20 Finances As Core Curriculum 21:06 Budgeting in School 30:55 Time and Fitness Investing 34:40 Free Financial Course Shoutout

John Kennedy challenges the common mindset of saying “I’m just not good with money,” arguing that in today’s world of budgeting apps and free education, financial apathy is too costly. He explains that unlike 50 years ago, when pensions and stronger Social Security made average money habits less damaging, today retirees often rely on Social Security for only about one-third of expenses, home prices are far higher relative to income, and retirement depends largely on personal saving and investing. Using time-value-of-money examples, he shows how small decisions and delayed action can dramatically reduce long-term outcomes. He emphasizes that wealth is usually built through consistent, boring habits and urges you to take one small step today and share it in the comments. 00:00 Why We Say "Bad With Money" 01:02 Retirement Reality Check 01:33 Housing Costs And Stakes 02:14 Savings Rate Wake Up 03:11 Financial Apathy Is Normalized 04:09 Delayed Consequences And Drift 04:44 Compounding And Starting Early 05:32 Wealth Is Boring Habits 07:27 Plant Seeds For Momentum 08:10 Your One Step Challenge

Everybody wants the result, but few people stick with the discipline it takes to get there. In this episode, John Kennedy explores the compound effect of discipline, why consistency matters more than motivation, and how small actions repeated over time can create remarkable results. From finances and health to relationships and personal growth, this conversation is a reminder that lasting progress is built one intentional step at a time. If you've been waiting for the perfect moment to start, this episode is your encouragement to begin where you are and keep showing up! 00:00 Everybody Wants Results 00:27 Motivation vs Discipline 00:54 Earned Dopamine Momentum 01:36 Tim Grover Relentless 02:07 Quiet Discipline Pays 02:29 Money Example First 100K 03:27 Momentum Next 100K 04:16 Grand Slam Trap 05:34 Discipline Creates Peace 06:14 Identity Shift Habits 06:46 Show Up Regardless 07:33 Encouragement To Start

In this episode, John sits down with Lisa Begley, author of The Sock Drawer Philosophy and host of the Sock Drawer Podcast, to talk about navigating life’s messy middle. Lisa shares how major life transitions, career changes, and a few hard lessons helped shape her perspective on growth, resilience, and moving forward even when things feel unclear. She explains the “sock drawer” metaphor for life’s chaos and walks through her D-R-A-W-E-R™ Method for making progress without needing everything to be perfect first. Tune into The Sock Drawer Podcast Want a free book copy of The Sock Drawer Philosophy? Text the CandorPath team at 407-904-8414! 00:00 Meet Lisa Begley 01:32 Real Life Messy Middle 02:51 Retirement Reinvention 05:41 Authenticity Over Perfection 07:14 Sock Drawer Philosophy 09:27 Signs and Sock Stories 12:53 Trauma and Feeling Stuck 15:31 Decide to Move Forward 19:56 Tiny Dare Accountability 21:07 Money Mindset Parallels 24:56 Introducing the D-R-A-W-E-R Method 29:43 Apply What You Know 41:49 Why Mentors Matter 45:39 Book Giveaway

John Kennedy explains the “Arrival Fallacy;" the belief that happiness will come once you reach a milestone like a certain net worth, retirement, or business success, only to find the feeling quickly fades. He breaks down hedonic adaptation (happiness returning to a baseline) and how dopamine is more tied to anticipation and pursuit than achievement, which is why many high achievers and retirees can feel lost after “arriving.” John argues that lasting fulfillment comes from valuing the process, consistent progress, and meaningful pursuits rather than a single outcome. 00:33 What Is Arrival Fallacy? 01:35 Hedonic Adaptation Explained 02:21 Dopamine and Pursuit 03:20 Success After the Summit 03:56 Retirement and Identity Shift 04:35 Value the Process 04:58 Softball Story Lesson 06:53 Redefining Success 07:33 Keep Your Brain Moving

On this episode of The Above Board podcast, John welcomes back Brandon Hatcher to discuss how to be “retire ready” beyond just finances, building on Brandon’s recent retire-ready checklist event and their earlier “Power of Positive Aging” episode. They explore how retirement can trigger boredom or an identity crisis, why today’s longer, healthier retirements require purpose, routine, and continued growth, and how to use the “what it’s not” exercise to define an ideal retirement (e.g., not endless TV, not doom-scrolling, not wasting time). They highlight the importance of community, family and grandkids, health, and aligning expectations with a spouse, including trying a sabbatical or “soft retirement” before fully stopping work. They also briefly cover key financial basics: defining desired lifestyle and cash flow, building income sources, using tax-diversified accounts (taxable, IRA, Roth), and keeping taxes low.   "Your Retire Ready Checklist" Webinar: https://youtu.be/aW8zxVFUpM4 02:08 Beyond Money Retirement 03:13 Identity Crisis After Work 07:43 'What It's Not' Game 10:04 Build a Daily Routine 15:16 Try a Retirement Sabbatical 16:26 Family and Grandkids Rhythm 19:30 Community Without Isolation 21:57 Money Enables Meaning 22:45 Financial Therapy Talks 27:39 Mindfulness Shelf Method 30:20 Learning And Growth Plans 34:07 Funding Your Retirement 39:06 Health And Partner Alignment 40:43 Try It Before Retiring 41:25 Closing Quote

We live in a world that pushes shortcuts: quick wins, fast answers, and surface-level thinking. In this episode, John and Rich talk about why that mindset shows up in your finances and lifestyle, how it leads to frustration, and why real progress comes from slowing down and building awareness first. If you’ve ever felt stuck or tempted to skip the basics, this conversation will help you reset and refocus. 01:45 Shorts vs Attention Spans 05:27 Brain Rot and Dopamine 06:17 News Extremes Example 11:12 AI Future and Jobs 14:52 Human Skills Still Matter 17:39 Life Hacks and Shortcuts 20:46 Motivation Content Trap 24:58 Viral Speed of Trends 26:37 Loneliness and Disconnection 29:48 Online Connection Paradox 32:23 Social Media Engagement Spiral 36:45 Shortcuts Versus Scenic Route 39:33 Hard Work and Saving Hurts 44:57 Dopamine and Steroid Shortcuts 46:53 Do More Than Watch!

In this episode, we sit down with Jess Jensen, founder of Co-Pilot Communications, to talk about building authentic leadership in a digital world. After nearly 20 years inside Fortune 100 companies like Microsoft and Qualcomm, Jess now helps executives and founders find their voice, clarify their message, and show up online in a way that actually reflects who they are. We unpack why differences sell, how vulnerability builds credibility (not weakens it), the real role of AI in content creation, and why LinkedIn and podcasting are powerful tools for modern leaders.   How to Stay Connected with Jess & CO-Pilot Communications: This April, Jess is launching ALTITUDE—a private LinkedIn branding cohort for small business owners on the rise. Only 8 spots. Registration opens in March.  Join the waitlist here: www.copilotcommunications.com/altitude-waitlist Or, connect with Jess on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakjensen/   00:00 Guest Intro 01:32 Unreasonable Hospitality 04:03 Radical Candor and Trust 05:14 Digital Presence Funnel 11:03 AI and Authentic Content 20:21 Client Process and Storytelling 25:03 Setting Story Boundaries 25:45 Vulnerability Builds Credibility 31:23 Authenticity Shapes Team Culture 34:46 Dark Social Flywheel 37:36 Podcasting and LinkedIn Strategy

Most financial mistakes aren’t math problems… they’re mindset problems. In this episode, John unpacks why knowledge alone isn’t what holds most people back. It’s not that you don’t understand budgeting, investing, or saving. It’s the emotions, habits, fears, and stories underneath your decisions that quietly drive the outcome. We talk about behavior vs. strategy, why self-awareness matters more than spreadsheets, and how to start making financial decisions that align with who you want to become, not just what the numbers say. 00:00 “Just Make $273/Day” Money Math Misses the Point 01:13 Hard Work Isn’t the Problem: The Real Causes of Money Stress 02:35 The 3 Gaps: Discipline, Awareness, and Identity 04:00 Gap #1 — The Discipline Gap (Knowing vs. Doing) 04:37 Gap #2 — The Awareness Gap (Measure Your Burn Rate & Savings Rate) 06:34 Gap #3 — The Identity Gap (Your Money Story Shapes Your Behavior) 07:58 Practical 4-Step Reset: Track, Automate, Cancel, Money Date 10:28 Share This + Get Help at YourMoneyStory.app

John sits down with Pia to explore the connection between creativity, conviction, and living with purpose. They talk about what it means to create from a place of clarity, how culture shapes expression, and the courage it takes to live authentically. It’s a thoughtful conversation about identity, purpose, and using your creativity in a way that reflects who you truly are. Resources from Pia and the Kollectiv Studio: Learn More about The Kollectiv Studio Welcome to the Creative Club: Make Life Your Biggest Art Project 01:20 Redefining Creativity 03:53 Pia's Personal Journey and Career Shift 06:03 The Impact of Creativity in Life and Work 07:46 Rediscovering Intuition and Overcoming Fear 14:49 Balancing Productivity and Presence 27:30 Embracing Peace and Self-Service 33:35 Unleashing Creativity: John's Journey 34:21 The Importance of Self-Integrity 39:04 The Power of Slowing Down 40:29 Creating Space for Creativity 42:50 Finding Flow State 58:32 'Welcome to The Creative Club'