353 - How to Future-Proof Your Wealth: Essential Estate Planning for Every Life Stage
More Than Commas
In this episode, Paul sits down with estate planning attorney Derek Wayne Jensen to demystify what estate planning really involves and why it’s far more than drafting a simple will. Derek explains how planning evolves over a lifetime, beginning with young adults choosing beneficiaries, through major life milestones, to complex multi-generational legacy planning. They explore the biggest misconceptions, including the belief that estate planning is “one and done,” and discuss why outdated beneficiary designations routinely undermine even the best plans. Derek also highlights triggers that...
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354 - Influence, Persuasion, and Reality with Scott Adams (Re-release)
More Than Commas
Scott Adams Excerpt: I Will Rewire Your Brains to Relieve Anxiety https://youtu.be/nWhKDqwgyv8?si=vhTXfZzLTLKLwbFa We’re excited to share a special throwback edition of this episode, released as a little Christmas gift to you. To set the stage, Paul explains why this conversation still matters and why we felt it was worth revisiting. This episode originally sparked a lot of thoughtful discussion, and listening back now, it’s clear just how relevant the insights remain. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or coming back to it with fresh perspective, there’s plenty here to...
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352- The AI Money Loop Explained: Are Investors Missing the Risk?
More Than Commas
In this episode of More Than Commas, Cory breaks down one of the biggest questions in investing today: Is AI in a bubble? Using clarity, and a Three Stooges analogy, Cory explores how companies like OpenAI, Nvidia, Oracle, and others have created a tightly interwoven financial ecosystem, one that looks innovative, but also suspiciously like a closed loop of money, growth assumptions, and circular investments. He explains how “round tripping” works, why OpenAI loses money on every prompt you enter, and how Nvidia’s rapidly aging chips complicate long-term value. Drawing parallels to the...
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351 - What Will Your Life Look Like in 2026?
More Than Commas
In this episode, Paul challenges the traditional approach to planning for the new year, urging listeners to stop setting goals and start setting aims. He explains that most people design their lives backward, focusing on career first and hoping life fits around it. Instead, Paul walks through a practical reframe: define the life you want, then determine the financial aims required to support that life, and only then plan your career or business strategy. He introduces the concept of “sufficiency” versus “surplus” lifestyles and explains why identifying both is essential to long-term...
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350 - Financial Advisors React: What This $5 Million Roth Story Gets Wrong About Retirement Planning
More Than Commas
In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul is joined by the SFG team for a lively roundtable on a Wall Street Journal article about an 80-year-old couple debating a multi-million dollar Roth conversion. The team dives deep into what the article doesn’t say, from tax realities to financial leadership within marriages. Paul highlights the importance of both spouses understanding their family finances, while Cory and Lance warn about the dangers of financial illiteracy in later life. Together, they discuss legacy planning, donor-advised funds, and how generational wealth can be built through...
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349 - Financial Advisors React to ChatGPT's Retirement Plan!
More Than Commas
In this episode of More Than Commas, the Sound Financial Group team dive into a headline-grabbing article: “I Asked ChatGPT to Plan My Retirement.” The panel unpacks what happens when artificial intelligence is trusted with life-changing financial planning. They discuss missing details like inflation, taxes, and real expenses, and why AI can’t yet replace human discernment or accountability. The team explores the dangers of overconfidence, explaining how small errors compound into massive risks when unverified data drives big financial decisions. They also share insights on how advisors...
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348 - Why Financial Samurai Says He's No Longer Financially Independent
More Than Commas
In this episode, Lance and Paul unpack the viral post from Financial Samurai founder Sam Dogen, who recently admitted he’s no longer financially independent after more than a decade in early retirement. Lance and Paul explore what this moment reveals about the FIRE movement, its strengths, blind spots, and the danger of mistaking “passive” for “permanent” income. They discuss the tension between influence and authenticity, the challenge of lifestyle creep, and the difference between financial sufficiency and true independence. Drawing on real-world client insights and expert...
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347 - Why Start Financial Planning Early
More Than Commas
In this episode, Elijah explores why beginning your financial planning journey early can transform not just your bank balance, but your entire life. He breaks down the compounding power of time, showing how consistent habits, even with modest amounts, lead to lasting financial freedom and flexibility. Drawing on real-life stories, Elijah explains how starting early creates margin, reduces stress, and gives you options that money alone can’t buy. He also discusses the deeper meaning of stewardship, encouraging listeners to model healthy financial habits for their children and future...
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346 - The Truth About 529 Plans | Smarter Ways to Fund College and Your Child's Future
More Than Commas
In this episode, Cory unpacks the truth behind 529 college savings plans, their benefits, drawbacks, and what families should consider before committing their money. While 529s promise tax-free growth for education, Cory explains how they can also limit flexibility, impact financial aid, and tie up funds that could serve broader family goals. Using real-world comparisons, he explores alternative strategies, from taxable brokerage accounts and student loans to securities-backed lines of credit, and how each affects long-term financial outcomes. Full spreadsheet demo: The episode also...
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346 - The Truth About 529 Plans | Full Spreadsheet Demo
More Than Commas
In this special “Behind the Numbers” edition, Cory takes you deeper into the 529 plan conversation with a full spreadsheet walkthrough. He breaks down every scenario from Part 1: Comparing 529 plans, brokerage accounts, student loan strategies, and new Roth IRA conversion rules, using real S&P return data and clear assumptions. Cory demonstrates how small differences in tax treatment, timing, or risk allocation can completely change long-term results, and he highlights the surprising cases where a 529 wins, and where it doesn’t. You’ll see the real math behind college savings,...
info_outlineIn Episode 325 of More Than Commas, Paul explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of financial planning, and what that means for your financial future. Discover the real strengths and limitations of AI in personal finance, why technology can’t replace human wisdom, and how the right blend of AI tools and expert advice can lead to better long-term outcomes. Learn how to use AI to support—rather than direct—your financial decisions, and why behavior, values, and purpose matter more than ever in an increasingly automated world. Whether you're curious about robo-advisors, portfolio automation, or how AI is shaping wealth management, this episode delivers clarity and insight.
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