Behind The Designs

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Latest episode

May 2026

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About the show

Ever wonder what financial advisors have to say about money related topics? Join us every other Tuesday for a sneak peek into our internal conversations at Financial Design Studio. If you want to better understand the whys behind the complex designs of taxes, insurance, planning, retirement, or investments, then subscribe! … because this podcast is for you! Hosted by Michelle Smalenberger. Co-Hosts featuring members of the Financial Design Studio team. Recorded, Edited, and Produced by Anna Lewis. DISCLAIMER : All content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of FDS, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to other parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.

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60 recent

May 14, 2026Episode 7455 min

Is Your Marriage Ready for Retirement?

Retirement is not just a financial transition, it’s also relational. In this episode, Michelle interviews Dave and Diane about how they are preparing their marriage for retirement. They share the financial milestones they've struggled through, and the ways they are building towards the future, together.💥 DOWNLOAD our free retirement planning guide: https://financialdesignstudio.com/two-questions-we-ask-every-client-before-they-retire/🚀 WORK WITH US: https://financialdesignstudio.com/get-started/👋 ABOUT US: We are a team of financial advisors based Chicago. We specialize in helping professionals plan their retirement through investment management, tax efficiency, and executive compensation. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of FDS, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to other parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.

April 16, 2026Episode 7348 min

Raising Kids Who Understand Money: Teens + College Students

As your teen or college student begins to make their own money, you want to continue to teach them wisdom with their money. In this episode, we cover finding a job and eventually a career, banking and credit cards, and how plan for big savings goals. 💥 DOWNLOAD our free retirement planning guide: https://financialdesignstudio.com/two-questions-we-ask-every-client-before-they-retire/🚀 WORK WITH US: https://financialdesignstudio.com/get-started/👋 ABOUT US: We are a team of financial advisors based Chicago. We specialize in helping professionals plan their retirement through investment management, tax efficiency, and executive compensation. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of FDS, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to other parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.

April 2, 2026Episode 721 hr 1 min

Raising Kids Who Understand Money: Ages 0-12

Long before kids earn their first dollar, they’re forming beliefs about money. In this episode, we explore how children ages 0–12 begin forming their understanding of money, and how you can instill good habits for giving, saving, spending. 💥 DOWNLOAD our free retirement planning guide: https://financialdesignstudio.com/two-questions-we-ask-every-client-before-they-retire/🚀 WORK WITH US: https://financialdesignstudio.com/get-started/👋 ABOUT US: We are a team of financial advisors based Chicago. We specialize in helping professionals plan their retirement through investment management, tax efficiency, and executive compensation. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of FDS, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to other parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.

February 11, 2026Episode 7159 min

What Pancreatitis Taught Us About Caring in Crisis

How do you care for someone well in the middle of a crisis? In this episode, Michelle interviews Anna Lewis, about what she’s learned after her mom spent a month in the ICU with severe pancreatitis. We explore the ways both community and finances shaped the way her family was supported. 💥 DOWNLOAD our free retirement planning guide: https://financialdesignstudio.com/two-questions-we-ask-every-client-before-they-retire/🚀 WORK WITH US: https://financialdesignstudio.com/get-started/👋 ABOUT US: We are a team of financial advisors based Chicago. We specialize in helping professionals plan their retirement through investment management, tax efficiency, and executive compensation. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of FDS, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to other parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.

December 5, 2025Episode 7038 min

What You Should Expect If You Are Named as Trustee

As trustee, your role is to distribute someone else's money. But the emotions, expectations, and estate rules can make this role more complex than you expected. In this episode we explain how the legal process of inheritances work, how to manage beneficiary relationships, and how to accomplish all this in a tax efficient way. 💥 DOWNLOAD our free retirement planning guide: https://financialdesignstudio.com/two-questions-we-ask-every-client-before-they-retire/🚀 WORK WITH US: https://financialdesignstudio.com/get-started/👋 ABOUT US: We are a team of financial advisors based Chicago. We specialize in helping professionals plan their retirement through investment management, tax efficiency, and executive compensation. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of FDS, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to other parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.

October 30, 2025Episode 6932 min

What You Forget to Plan, Until After Your Spouse Passes

If your spouse knows how your finances work, what happens after they pass? In this episode, we helped our fictional client Renee, a recent widow, understand the moving parts of her financial picture, work through the inheritance process, and adjust her taxes for the individual tax bracket.💥 DOWNLOAD our free retirement planning guide: https://financialdesignstudio.com/two-questions-we-ask-every-client-before-they-retire/🚀 WORK WITH US: https://financialdesignstudio.com/get-started/👋 ABOUT US: We are a team of financial advisors based Chicago. We specialize in helping professionals plan their retirement through investment management, tax efficiency, and executive compensation. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of FDS, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to other parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.

September 24, 2025Episode 6837 min

What to Learn from Retirees Who Donated All Their Money

In this episode, we walk through all the years of planning we've done for two fictional clients near the end of their retirement. Adam & Alice have saved super well but don't have any family to pass these assets onto. Their plan covers how to give everything away, healthcare in your older years, and building estate plans. 💥 DOWNLOAD our free retirement planning guide: https://financialdesignstudio.com/two-questions-we-ask-every-client-before-they-retire/🚀 WORK WITH US: https://financialdesignstudio.com/get-started/👋 ABOUT US: We are a team of financial advisors based Chicago. We specialize in helping professionals plan their retirement through investment management, tax efficiency, and executive compensation. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of FDS, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to other parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.

August 27, 2025Episode 6753 min

Case Study 3: Repairing DIY Retirement Mistakes

In this fictional case study, we repair an outdated, one time, DIY retirement plan for recently retired professionals. With us on their side, its easy to repair common mistakes, start implementing strategies, and have peace of mind while enjoying retirement. 💥 DOWNLOAD our free retirement planning guide: https://financialdesignstudio.com/two-questions-we-ask-every-client-before-they-retire/🚀 WORK WITH US: https://financialdesignstudio.com/get-started/👋 ABOUT US: We are a team of financial advisors based Chicago. We specialize in helping professionals plan their retirement through investment management, tax efficiency, and executive compensation. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of FDS, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to other parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.

July 30, 2025Episode 661 hr 0 min

Case Study 2: Relocating to Care for Aging Parents

In this fictional case study, we help a couple nearing retirement decide how to fund the purchase of a new home, as they adjust to relocating to care for aging parents, without taking on debt and pushing back their retirement date. 💥 DOWNLOAD our free retirement planning guide: https://financialdesignstudio.com/two-questions-we-ask-every-client-before-they-retire/🚀 WORK WITH US: https://financialdesignstudio.com/get-started/👋 ABOUT US: We are a team of financial advisors based Chicago. We specialize in helping professionals plan their retirement through investment management, tax efficiency, and executive compensation. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of FDS, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to other parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.

June 25, 2025Episode 651 hr 8 min

Case Study 1: Retiring Early to Travel

In this fictional case study, we walk you through a financial plan for two executives retiring in five years. They wonder how they will retire early without dealing with large withdrawal penalties or taxes on short term gains. And while they feel good about how much they saved, they still worry that they won't have enough after they start traveling in their retirement years. 💥 DOWNLOAD our free retirement planning guide: https://financialdesignstudio.com/two-questions-we-ask-every-client-before-they-retire/🚀 WORK WITH US: https://financialdesignstudio.com/get-started/👋 ABOUT US: We are a team of financial advisors based Chicago. We specialize in helping professionals plan their retirement through investment management, tax efficiency, and executive compensation. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of FDS, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to other parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.