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Estate planning isn’t only for the wealthy. It’s for anyone who has property, assets, money and, most importantly, wishes about how those should be handled. SVP Director of Wealth Strategy, Joe Maier and VP Wealth and Estate Administrator, Liz Pfeuffer sit down to demystify estate planning and explain why even a simple plan can make a big difference for your family. They cover the real consequences of not having a plan, the documents you should have in place and the first steps you should take.   In this episode: 00:00 – 04:46: Why You Need an Estate Plan04:47 – 14:18: Start with Powers of Attorney14:19 – 26:17: Comparing Wills vs. Trusts26:18 – 34:44: Your First Steps and Closing  Additional resources: You Better Think… About Your Financial Legacy | Johnson Financial Group Understanding Estate Planning Tools and Their Purposes | Johnson Financial GroupEstate Planning for Digital Assets and Accounts: What You Need to Know | Johnson Financial GroupThe Retirement Roadmap: A Guide for Each Decade | Johnson Financial Group

In this episode, SVP Director of Consumer, Private and Small Business Banking, Al Araque sits down with SVP Private Client Services, Kathy Ciszewski and VP Private Banking, Mark Rose, who've guided clients through the empty-nest transition and lived it themselves. Together they discuss the yo-yo reality of kids leaving and coming back, the identity shift of rediscovering who you are beyond parenting and why this milestone is the perfect excuse to revisit your financial plan.   In this episode: 00:00 – 08:04: What Empty Nesting Looks Like in 202608:05 – 14:54: The Emotions of Becoming an Empty Nester14:55 – 18:48: Identity Shifts and Finding Purpose18:49 – 22:03: The Importance of Communication22:04 – 27:40: Investing in Relationships27:41 – 33:45: Updating Your Financial Plan33:46 – 36:42: How We Help Empty Nester Clients36:43 – 40:04: The Mindset Shift You Should Have40:05 – 45:37: How to Guide Adult Children and Closing  Additional resources: The Retirement Roadmap: A Guide for Each Decade | Johnson Financial GroupWhat Is The Great Wealth Transfer? | Johnson Financial GroupWealth Transfer Strategies: How to Protect What You’ve Built | Johnson Financial GroupThe Sandwich Generation: Balancing Caregiving, Parenting and Finances | Johnson Financial GroupStarting Over After 50: The Realities of Gray Divorce | Johnson Financial Group

In this episode, CEO Jim Popp turns the tables and hands the mic to three of Johnson Financial Group's summer interns, Joey Flaherty, Will Cardwell and Alyssa Ray, who just wrapped eight weeks rotating across wealth, treasury and operations. Together they discuss the gap between what college teaches and what you actually need to know about money, why the best mentors are the ones you stumble into naturally and how human connection stays a competitive advantage in an AI-powered world. Jim also opens up about the career and financial advice he wishes he'd had in his twenties.   In this episode: 00:00 – 07:54: Intro and What They’ve Learned07:55 – 16:48: Finance and Career Advice Q&A with Jim16:49 – 23:06: The Intern’s Perspectives on the Future of Work and AI23:07 – 25:29: How to Get Your First Job25:30 – 26:47: The Importance of Mentorship26:48 – 30:45: Final Takeaways and Advice for College Students  Additional resources: Young Professionals Hub | Johnson Financial GroupYoung Professionals: Here’s How to Manage Your Money | Johnson Financial GroupMoney Mindset: Building a Healthy Financial Foundation | Johnson Financial GroupThe Retirement Roadmap: A Guide for Each Decade | Johnson Financial Group

College costs are rising faster than inflation, somewhere in the 5 to 6% range every year, and financial aid rules keep shifting, leaving many families unsure of where to even begin. In this episode, CIO, Dominic Ceci sits down with SVP Wealth Advisor, Eric Bernal and VP Private Banking, Meg Marciniak, who work with families on these questions every day. Together they break down the savings vehicles, tackle common misconceptions and explain why the hardest part of the whole process is simply getting started.  In this episode: 00:00 – 04:16: Rising Costs and Busting College Savings Myths04:17 – 08:37: 529 Plans, Custodial Accounts and Trump Accounts08:38 – 10:59: Balancing Savings for College and Other Expenses11:00 – 15:05: Grandparents, Gifting and the New FAFSA Rules15:06 – 18:11: Getting Started and Letting Compounding Work18:12 – 21:57: Final Tips and ClosingAdditional resources:  The Best Ways to Save for College | Johnson Financial GroupThe Retirement Roadmap: A Guide for Each Decade | Johnson Financial GroupCollege Savings Strategy: A Dad/Portfolio Manager’s Perspective on Giving, Debt, and Financial Wisdom | Johnson Financial Group

In this episode of the Your Money Your Mission podcast, SVP Director of Wealth Strategy, Joe Maier and SVP Private Client Banking Leader, Jackie Ruppel cover the estate planning tools most families don't fully understand, debunk common myths and explain why having a solid team make all the difference. The episode also covers the looming estate tax exemption sunset, the real difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts and the underserved role of women as wealth inheritors. The overarching message: A successful wealth transfer is built on communication, preparation and a team of advocates — not just the paperwork.   In this episode: 00:00 – 07:22: Intro and Bridging the “Why” to “How”07:23 – 13:10: Busting Estate Planning Myths13:11 – 21:59: Estate Tax Exemptions, Attorneys and Probate22:00 –  31:18: Types of Trust Structures31:19 – 36:42: Navigating Gifting and Gifting Limits36:43 –  40:01: Preparing Children for Wealth40:02 – 45:04: The Great Wealth Transfer’s Impact on Women45:05 – 50:24: Building Your Advisory Team  Additional resources: What Is The Great Wealth Transfer? | Johnson Financial GroupThe Gift of a Family Meeting: Planning, Legacy & Love | Johnson Financial GroupUnderstanding Estate Planning Tools and Their Purposes | Johnson Financial GroupTransferring Wealth | Johnson Financial Group

In this episode of the Your Money Your Mission podcast, SVP Director of Wealth Strategy, Joe Maier and SVP Private Client Banking Leader, Jackie Ruppel unpack what the Great Wealth Transfer actually means. From the fear of raising entitled kids to the power of the family meeting, this episode is a candid, research-backed conversation about what it takes to transfer not just assets but the values and purpose that built them.   In this episode: 00:00 – 03:45: What is the Great Wealth Transfer?03:46 – 07:45: Transferring Values Between Generations07:46 – 11:05: Defining Wealth and Your Impact11:06 – 20:21: Bridging Communication Gaps with Family Meetings20:22 – 27:42: The Benefits of Family Meetings27:43 – 30:30: Navigating In-Laws and Blended Families in Conversations30:31 – 36:03: How to Start the Conversation and Final Tips  Additional resources: The Gift of a Family Meeting: Planning, Legacy & Love | Johnson Financial GroupUnderstanding Estate Planning Tools and Their Purposes | Johnson Financial GroupTransferring Wealth | Johnson Financial Group

In part two of our two-part divorce series, former court commissioner and VP Wealth and Estate Administrator, Liz Pfeuffer, goes beyond the basics and into the questions that actually keep people up at night: What happens to the family home? How do we divide the 401(k)? What counts as income when calculating child support? And what on earth do we do with cryptocurrency?  Whether you're navigating a divorce yourself or know someone who is, this episode is packed with the specifics that matter most because in family law, the details are everything. Missed part one? Tune in to our previous episode to understand what documents to gather before filing, navigating legal representation and the critical role of the Financial Disclosure Statement.    In this episode: 00:00 – 05:46: Debunking Common Divorce Myths05:47 – 08:08: How to Decide on the Family Home08:09 – 18:56: The Ins and Outs of Child Support18:57 – 22:43: Financial Infidelity and Hidden Assets22:44 – 28:37: Complex Situations: Crypto and Business Valuations28:38 – 33:36: Inheritance and Retirement Accounts33:37 – 42:32: Your Financial Life After Divorce42:33 – 46:11: Final Tips and Closing  Additional resources: The Retirement Roadmap: A Guide for Each Decade | Johnson Financial GroupHappily Ever After (or Not): Legal and Financial Realities of Relationships | Johnson Financial GroupStarting Over After 50: The Realities of Gray Divorce | Johnson Financial GroupFamily Estrangement: How to Navigate Financial Implications and Find Peace | Johnson Financial Group

Divorce is one of the most emotionally and financially complex transitions a person can face and walking into it unprepared can cost far more than anticipated. In part one of this two-part series, former court commissioner and VP Wealth and Estate Administrator, Liz Pfeuffer, breaks down the financial side of divorce. We cover what documents to gather before filing, how to navigate legal representation (and why that "bulldog" attorney might not be your best bet), the critical role of the Financial Disclosure Statement, how marital debt works in Wisconsin and why the decisions made in a divorce are — in most cases — permanent. Whether contemplating divorce or in the thick of it, this episode delivers courtroom-tested guidance into actionable next steps. Stay tuned for part two which will cover cryptocurrency, marital waste, the family home and common divorce myths!   In this episode: 00:00 – 03:57: Intro and Documents to Gather Before Filing03:58– 10:55: The Importance of Legal Representation10:56– 20:34: Financial Disclosure Statements and Marital Debt20:35 – 24:30: Professional Guidance After the Divorce24:31 – 26:52: Final Tips and Preview of Navigating Divorce Part 2  Additional resources: The Retirement Roadmap: A Guide for Each Decade | Johnson Financial GroupHappily Ever After (or Not): Legal and Financial Realities of Relationships | Johnson Financial GroupStarting Over After 50: The Realities of Gray Divorce | Johnson Financial GroupFamily Estrangement: How to Navigate Financial Implications and Find Peace | Johnson Financial Group

Think buying a home right now is impossible? Think again. In this episode of Your Money. Your Mission., AVP Senior Community Mortgage Loan Officer, Sara Whitley and VP Mortgage Field Manager, Tony Petrie cut through the noise and give you the real story about today's housing market. Whether you're a first-time buyer intimidated by the process or a seasoned homeowner ready to make your next move, this conversation is packed with practical advice you can actually use. We're busting myths (like that 20% down payment requirement), explaining why current interest rates are completely normal and sharing insider strategies for winning in a competitive market without breaking the bank.   In this episode: 00:00 – 05:14: Intro and Current Market Reality05:15 – 10:40: Getting Started Right10:41 – 23:30: Understanding the Numbers23:31 – 30:45: Winning in a Competitive Market30:46 – 38:35: Avoiding Common Pitfalls38:36 – 40:35: Words of Encourage for Today’s Buyers  Additional resources: First-Time Homebuyer Resources | Johnson Financial GroupExperienced Buyer Resources | Johnson Financial GroupHow to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage: 4 Easy Steps | Johnson Financial GroupSelling Your Home: 10 Financial Considerations | Johnson Financial Group

In this episode, President and Owner of LaMacchia Travel Agency, Tom Karnes and Travel Agent from Hakuna MaTravels, Elliott Hogan explore the full landscape of planning meaningful multigenerational family trips — from managing budgets for large groups to navigating modern safety concerns like social media risks and currency exchange traps. You'll discover why the most successful family vacations actually involve less planning, not more, and how travel creates unique opportunities to teach kids about gratitude and paying it forward. Whether you're planning your first trip or looking to improve an existing tradition, this conversation offers practical strategies for creating memories that last a lifetime. In this episode: 00:00 – 07:35: Financial Planning and Budgeting 07:36 – 09:49: International Currency and Money Tips09:50 – 17:11: Safety for Different Generations17:12 – 22:55: Building Traditions and Creating Memories22:56 – 26:51: Creating Annual Traditions and Final TipsAdditional resources: 4 Essential Financial Tips for Traveling Abroad

In this episode of Your Money. Your Mission., Founder, Owner and President of True Grace, Kristie Hall discusses what it really takes to build a mission-driven company from the ground up. Kristie breaks down the importance of staying true to your mission and values and why maintaining 100% woman-owned status has become a cornerstone of True Grace’s identity. You’ll hear how Kristie differentiates her brand in one of the most saturated markets, the power of ownership vs. acquisition and her advice for women who are considering stepping into entrepreneurship but feel held back by fear.  In this episode: 00:00 – 04:22: Kristie’s Journey to True Grace04:23 – 07:24: Breaking into a Saturated Market07:25 – 08:42: Choosing Ownership vs. Acquisition08:43 – 12:20: Family Legacy and Becoming a Woman-Owned Business12:21 – 18:20: Sustainability and Regenerative Agriculture18:21 – 20:30: Wellness and Balance for Business Owners20:31 – 22:51: Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and ClosingAdditional resources: True Grace | Nutrient-Dense Supplements for People & PlanetWhat is Regenerative Agriculture? | True GraceFamily Business Succession: How to Engage the Next Generation | Johnson Financial Group

Artificial intelligence is everywhere but what does it actually mean for your money? In this episode of Your Money. Your Mission, SVP Portfolio Manager, Eric Bernal and SVP Chief Information Security Officer, Mark Ward explore the real-world impact of AI on your finances, from robo-advisors managing your portfolio to deepfake scams threatening your security. You'll discover practical strategies anyone can use today: Why password managers are your secret weapon, how to best use AI and why working with a human advisor is more important than ever.

In this episode, Wealth Portfolio Analyst, Claire Wordell and CIO, Dominic Ceci unpack the real financial challenges singles face and more importantly, the proven strategies to build wealth and achieve financial freedom. Whether you're a young professional starting your career or someone recently navigating solo finances, this conversation provides insights and actionable strategies to build wealth, achieve financial independence and thrive on a single income.   Additional resources: Young Professionals: Here’s How to Manage Your Money | Johnson Financial GroupWhat Is the 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule?Starting Over After 50: The Realities of Gray Divorce | Johnson Financial GroupUnderstanding Estate Planning Tools and Their Purposes | Johnson Financial Group

In this episode, Chief Investment Officer, Dominic Ceci breaks down what really mattered in 2025 and what investors should watch for in 2026. Learn how AI continues to dominate market narratives, insights into navigating policy-driven economic growth and the critical questions every investor should be asking about their financial plan. Whether you're planning for retirement or growing your portfolio, this episode will help you position yourself for success this year and beyond. Submit a question on Your Money. Your Mission.

President of Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), Dale Kooyenga joins CEO and President, Jim Popp to discuss Wisconsin's economic transformation driven by billions in corporate investments from Microsoft, Rockwell Automation and other global leaders. Dale and Jim dive into how Wisconsin's tax-free manufacturing policy and strategic focus on talent, growth and livability are making metro Milwaukee globally competitive. Their conversation also tackles data center economics, infrastructure sustainability and a new federal education tax credit poised to become a major national policy. Submit a question on Your Money. Your Mission.