Capitalize Your Fridays!

Hosted by ALTIUS Financial Inc's Michael Williams CFP® & Taylor McGowen CFP®

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131

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Every other Friday Michael Williams & Taylor McGowen will share financial insight as two CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ with different generational perspectives. Maybe we'll even bring in a guest speaker too! Provided to you by ALTIUS Financial Inc.

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60 recent

October 23, 202622 min

The Next Chapter of ALTIUS

In this special episode of Capitalize Your Fridays before ALTIUS Financial joins Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, Mike Williams and Taylor Dennis reflect with gratitude on the relationships that have shaped ALTIUS and look ahead with confidence to the firm’s next chapter. They explain why this partnership is such a strong fit, review what's staying the same, and share how expanded resources and a stronger succession plan will enhance the support clients receive for years to come. The ALTIUS team, personalized service, fees, accounts, investment strategies, and commitment to clients will remain the same. Tune in for a conversation about what to expect during the transition—and why the future is bright.

September 25, 202648 min

Employee Election Season

Open enrollment is more than an annual box to check—it’s an opportunity to make sure your employee benefits still support your financial life. In this episode of Capitalize Your Fridays , Mike and Taylor discuss how to evaluate health coverage, HSAs and FSAs, disability and life insurance, retirement contributions, voluntary benefits, and PTO as parts of your total compensation. They share practical questions to help you coordinate elections with your household’s changing needs, taxes, cash flow, and long-term goals. Before you simply repeat last year’s choices, learn how to approach open enrollment as an intentional financial-planning exercise.

September 11, 20261 hr 8 min

Too Good to Be True?

In this episode of Capitalize Your Fridays , Taylor and Mike explore the difference between extraordinary financial outcomes and promises that are simply too good to be true. From sudden windfalls and inherited wealth to high-yield investments, annuity bonuses, and “secret” strategies, they explain why every return has a source, and why understanding that source matters. Learn how to approach life-changing money thoughtfully, recognize the trade-offs behind seemingly magical solutions, and ask the essential questions: Is this too good to be true? Where did the money come from?

August 28, 202637 min

Decoding Medicare

Medicare can feel overwhelming, but understanding the basics can help you make more confident decisions about your retirement healthcare strategy. In this episode, Taylor Dennis and Mike Williams break down Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, compare Medicare Advantage with Medigap, and explain enrollment periods, costs, IRMAA surcharges, and common mistakes to avoid. Discover how your Medicare choices connect with Social Security, employer coverage, HSAs, taxes, and your broader financial plan.

August 14, 202632 min

Free Higher-Ed Dilemma

Whether you work in higher education, engineering, healthcare, government, or simply have student loans on your mind, this episode explores how to think strategically about college costs, career mobility, and building a financial future with flexibility — not just “free” benefits.

July 31, 202629 min

Social Security Resilience Planning

Prompted by recent headlines about Social Security's funding challenges, Mike Williams and Taylor Dennis discuss what retirees and future retirees should know about projected benefit shortfalls, retirement income risks, and future policy changes. They explain why Social Security is not going bankrupt but it could have future impacts and why claiming early out of fear may be a mistake. They also discuss how ALTIUS Financial's Social Security Resilience Planning can help stress-test retirement income, build tax flexibility, strengthen portfolio resilience, and reduce dependence on uncertainbenefit assumptions.

July 17, 202635 min

Planning Your Digital Legacy

In this episode, Taylor Dennis of ALTIUS Financial is joined by North Rittner of Rocky Mountain Technical Solutions for a practical conversation on planning your digital legacy. Building on ALTIUS Financial’s recent virtual workshop, they discuss what counts as a digital asset, why a will alone may not provide access to online accounts, how password managers and legacy contacts can help, and why secure planning is especially important for assets like cryptocurrency and digital banking. The conversation offers a simple first step toward making your digital life more secure, organized, and accessible to loved ones when it matters most.

July 3, 202631 min

The Abundance Story

In this special Independence Day episode of Capitalize Your Fridays , Taylor and Mike step back from the usual market headlines to explore “The American Abundance Story”—the idea that prosperity is built by free people using their minds to solve problems, create value, trade, invest, and improve life over time. Rather than ignoring real concerns like debt, inflation, political dysfunction, geopolitical risk, and AI disruption, Mike explains how rational optimism keeps those risks in context by focusing on the deeper engine of progress: freedom, ownership, productivity, and human creativity. The conversation connects Independence Day, financialfreedom, artificial intelligence, and long-term investing, reminding listeners that a diversified portfolio represents more than ticker symbols—it is ownership in productive businesses and participation in future problem-solving. Taylor and Mike also share practical takeaways for staying disciplined, avoiding both pessimism and hype, and keeping financial decisions anchored to a thoughtful plan rather than short-term emotion.

June 19, 202633 min

IPO Craze

In this episode of Capitalize Your Fridays , Mike and Taylor dive into the excitement, opportunities, and risks surrounding Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). With high-profile companies making headlines and investor interest heating up, they break down what an IPO actually is, why companies choose to go public, and the tradeoffs that come with entering the public markets. The conversation explores recent IPO buzz, including the renewed focus on AI and space-related companies (like Anthropic and SpaceX), while highlighting the difference between investor enthusiasm and disciplined investing. They also discuss the unique risks of IPO investing—from volatility and limited public track records to lofty market expectations—and share the practical questions every investor should ask before buying into a newly public company. Whether you're intrigued by the latest market headlines or simply want to become a more informed investor, this episode offers valuable perspective on evaluating IPO opportunities through the lens of long-term financial planning rather than short-term hype.

June 5, 202630 min

Funding Your Future

If you’ve ever asked, “How much do I actually need to retire?”, this episode is for you. We unpack the math behind retirement planning, explain how compounding turns consistency into wealth, and break down concepts like the 4% rule, savings strategies, and tax diversification. Tune in to discover how to align your savings with your lifestyle goals and build a future you’re excited about.

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