Purpose with Mark Bertrang

Hosted by Mark Bertrang

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194

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Welcome to "Purpose with Mark Bertrang", author in "Investments Don't Hug; Embracing the Life Insurance Asset". Mark visits with guests who share their life experiences, career knowledge and the gift of their personal wisdom & purpose. Knowledge may be Discovering your purpose may take a lifetime or it can come in a moment of enlightenment.

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October 24, 2026Episode 101 hr 1 min

Backstories: Pain & Purpose - Purpose with Mark Bertrang

Every song, choice, and career move comes with a backstory. In this conversation, Mark Bertrang and Tammi Brannan dive into how art and inspiration often stem from pain, why dressing one step above expectations is a matter of respect, and how asking deep, open-ended questions can help unlock a person's true potential. Drawing parallels from a grueling coastline hike in Spain to delivering precise financial guidance, they share why viewing life as an ongoing journey makes all the difference. Chapters: 0:00 You Are My Sunshine 0:30 The Bittersweet History of the Song 2:53 Welcome to Purpose with Mark Bertrang 2:57 Music, Wine & Gifts That Make Us Happy 3:40 Coffee, Paris & The Little Prince 6:14 Great Writing Comes From Pain 7:37 Everyone Has a Backstory 7:55 "What's the Plan?" at the Credit Union 11:04 Dress One Step Up From the Person You Serve 12:49 Presentation, Jeans Friday & Respect 14:49 Subscribe, Like & Share 15:31 Show Up for the Job You Want 16:00 IBM Uniforms After World War II 16:49 Korean Air, Emirates & Cookie-Cutter Precision 19:24 Class and Fun: The Financialoscopy Dichotomy 21:18 The Loud Paisley Tie 23:01 Double Reds and the Phlebotomist 26:36 "Her Cancer Came Back" 28:34 Tell Your Girlfriend I'm Praying for Her 29:19 Chipotle, Then a Detour 31:12 You Have a Prayer Team 32:38 Almost Didn't Go — Listen to the Voice 35:07 Quiet the Noise So You Can Hear 36:14 Godspell: The Ones Who Hear the Music 39:19 Will You Carry the Light Back Into the Noise? 40:19 Investments Don't Hug (Book) 41:02 My People Are Journey People 41:38 Costa Brava Recap: Beyond the Church Steeple 45:25 We Never Rode the Van of Shame 47:31 Take the Path In Slowly 48:24 Don't Look at the Top of the Hill 49:42 An Invitation to Journeyers 50:30 The Certificate for a Journey That Isn't Finished 52:04 Open-Ended Questions as a Welcome Mat 53:34 "What's the Plan?" vs. a Narrow Question 57:03 How Are You Doing — Really? 57:47 Give Compliance More Than They Ask For 1:01:02 Please Don't Take My Sunshine Away 1:01:18 Next Episode & How to Reach Mark #LifeJourney #DeepConversations #PurposefulLiving #Financialoscopy® #OnalaskaWI #FinancialAdvisorLaCrosse #WealthManagement #FinancialPlannerLaCrosse

October 17, 2026Episode 926 min

Being a Journey Person - Purpose with Mark Bertrang

Are you living life on a treadmill, or are you actively moving forward as a "journey person"? In this episode, we explore what it means to keep moving ahead, adapt when life throws unexpected turns, and find purpose through serving others. From hiking along Spain's Costa Brava to re-evaluating career choices and retirement. Why do rigid plans often fall short? Why is building a strategic, flexible mindset is key to a truly fulfilling life? Stop settling for burnout. Start packing for your journey today. Chapters: 0:00 I'm a Traveling Man 0:33 Welcome to Purpose with Mark Bertrang 0:37 Journey People Keep Moving Forward 1:12 Hiking the Costa Brava (and the Van of Shame) 5:17 Life Requires Constant Training 6:16 Don't Settle When You're Tired of the Job 7:37 Subscribe, Like & Share 8:16 "I'm Retired… and I Am Tired" 9:25 Already Exhausted in Your 50s 10:20 Obstacles You Can't See from the Start 11:32 Walking in Silence and Thinking Deeply 12:56 Every Valuable Job Is Serving Others 15:15 Don't Retire from Your Gifts 15:57 Plans Never Go as Planned 17:01 Investments Don't Hug (Book) 17:36 Choose Today Before Choices Are Taken From You 19:51 Planner vs. Advisor vs. Strategist 22:03 Don't Let the Years Behind You Limit the Years Ahead 23:18 The Trip I Never Thought I'd Take 25:14 Are You a Journey Individual? Start Packing 26:01 Next Episode & How to Reach Mark #PersonalGrowth #LifeJourney #PurposefulLiving #Financialoscopy® #OnalaskaWI #FinancialAdvisorLaCrosse #WealthManagement #FinancialPlannerLaCrosse

October 3, 2026Episode 71 hr 1 min

I Have Lived 100s of Lives - Purpose with Mark Bertrang

Mark Bertrang talks through the theme "I have lived hundreds of lives"—safe questions families rarely get asked, multi-generational relationships, landmines vs. incoming missiles, and the only destination he promises to aim for: The wonderful world of being okay™. Book: Investments Don't Hug — search Mark Bertrang or Investments Don't Hug. Chapters: 0:00 Feeling Groovy & first impressions Opening banter, Simon & Garfunkel, and why Paul Simon's hands look the way they do—plus a reminder not to assume what you see. 1:16 Welcome to Purpose with Mark Bertrang Show open and the thread that runs through the episode: notice the details, keep going while the work is still worth doing. 3:31 Politics is local (and I'm in the middle) Garbage pickup, leashed dogs, and why national noise gets less of his attention than the simple things that actually affect daily life. 6:25 Seeing both sides Kolbe 4-3-9-2, "expert in my own opinion," and why a whole-picture view helps families more than a single linear answer. 9:34 I have lived hundreds of lives The theme of the week: most people live one life. Walking with many families means you stop being shocked—and people finally feel safe enough to tell the truth. 12:34 The question that drops the shoulders Asking about a special-needs person in the family (child, sibling, grandchild, or someone they feel responsible for) and why that question belongs in a real financial conversation. 15:06 Two checkbooks, then one household A young couple living within their means, the $50 + $50 story, and how money duties shifted between spouses over the years. 20:42 Don't miss the next episode Subscribe, like, and share so the next conversation actually finds you. 21:23 Four generations on the same path Meeting a client on his wedding day, working with his parents for 30+ years, and walking with families through both the good and the unexpected. 24:49 When the hard things arrive Presence over speeches after loss, illness that changes everything, and learning what to say only after you've walked it more than once. 28:26 Every rock holds up the wall The dry-stone wall: big stones and tiny stones all matter. A "small" life is still load-bearing if you can see where it fits. 31:04 Stick figures on the big whiteboard How the Lab presentation works: today → future, squeaky marker and all. 36:02 Personal landmines Job loss, disability, death, aging, and the other boxes families name themselves—not the advisor's list. 41:03 Incoming missiles and an Iron Dome Social Security, taxes, markets, politics, medical costs—threats you don't control—and the goal of skipping over what you can and catching what you can. 47:21 The wonderful world of being okay Not a promise to make anyone rich. A purpose: give families a real shot at being okay with the resources they actually have. 49:48 Who watches the pastor's back? Why clergy often show up as clients, Christmas and funerals that steal family time, and hiring for soul—not just math. 53:06 Bananas, shareables, and cookie-dough sin Convenience-store design, the 20-cent "candy bar," and why behavior is harder to teach than numbers. 57:47 Their concerns, not my plan Walk the path together, wait when people aren't ready, and remember this is not a sprint or even a marathon. 1:00:47 The numbers come second Closing: the reason for the work isn't the spreadsheet. Help people get to what matters, then deal with the numbers. #Financialoscopy #OnalaskaWI #FinancialAdvisorLaCrosse #WealthManagement #FinancialPlannerLaCrosse

September 25, 2026Episode 61 hr 1 min

Thin Walls, A $3.00 Radio Job, & THE Question

Join Mark Bertrang as he discusses a variety of topics including job interviews, his time at a radio station, how to live with a less than modest income, going to Europe debt free, and deer and their math interests… A conversation about priorities, resourcefulness, and looking over the hood instead of the review mirror. Chapters: 0:00 – My Radio & Four-Part Harmony Mark opens by singing the Oak Ridge Boys classic and reflects on why four-part harmony still moves him. 1:17 – First Jobs, First Interviews & Sizing People Up A conversation with Nate Becker about early job interviews, detasseling corn, and the difficulty of truly evaluating a person. 3:14 – The Radio Station That Changed Everything The short interview, the beautiful old studio with beveled wood, and the "rip and read" news test that landed Mark his first broadcasting job. 8:13 – $3 an Hour and a Hundred-Thousand-Mile Car Starting the career, living on almost nothing, and the bottom-half duplex with multicolored shag carpet on the walls and a permanent tomato-sauce stain on the kitchen floor. 11:19 – Thin Walls and Sunday Lunch The unforgettable (and highly embarrassing) afternoon when the upstairs neighbors got intimate during lunch with the in-laws — and the desperate attempt to cover it with loud talk about green beans. 14:46 – The Reverse Budget That Took Them to Europe How a young couple tracked every dollar for a full month, cut eating out, said no to new clothes, saved 20% of their income, and paid cash for a trip to the UK. 22:11 – Potlucks, Charades & Real Communion When no one had money, friends still gathered. Backyard gardens, shared meals, and evenings of charades created some of the most joyous memories of their early marriage. 25:01 – Cocktail Parties and the Beverly Hillbillies Feeling completely out of place at a fancy district-attorney cocktail party — and the lifelong lesson of learning to be comfortable in every room. 27:46 – Linen Tablecloths and Bologna Sandwiches A contrast between an expensive Toronto restaurant and a week sleeping at the Salvation Army on a youth mission trip — and why Mark feels equally at ease in both worlds. 31:26 – Concrete Blocks, Milk Crates & Looking Over the Hood Early furniture made from concrete blocks and milk crates, eight years of saved budget books, and the decision to look forward through the windshield rather than constantly checking the rearview mirror. 35:02 – Twenty Deer and the Road Ahead A scenic drive to Viroqua, a field full of deer, and the ongoing practice of watching for what's coming next. #Financialoscopy® #OnalaskaWI #FinancialAdvisorLaCrosse #WealthManagement #FinancialPlannerLaCrosse #PurposeWithMarkBertrang #ReverseBudgeting #GreaterLaCrosse

September 22, 2026Episode 81 hr 3 min

I have questions - Purpose with Mark Bertrang

Most people ask "How are you?" and expect the same empty answer. Mark Bertrang, Creator of the Financialoscopy and Tammi Brannan, from the Blue Print Process dig into the questions that actually open people up — the ones that reveal what you're still postponing, the gift you're holding back, and the three words that defines Financialoscopy®: Family. Values. Faith. From the SLANT method that forces real listening, to a two-inch radio-voice experiment at a conference, to a provocative statement about aging … this conversation is equal parts practical and personal. If you're tired of surface-level talk and ready for questions that matter, hit play. Chapters: 0:00 Intro & Muppet Memories 3:00 Welcome to Purpose with Mark Bertrang 3:30 How to Know a Person — David Brooks & Better Questions 4:12 The SLANT Method (Sit Up, Lean In, Ask, Nod, Track) 12:13 Three Words: Family, Values, Faith 20:45 Subscribe, Like & Share 21:27 Question 1: The "No" You Keep Postponing 29:10 Question 2: What Have You Said Yes To That You No Longer Believe In? 37:23 The Coffee-Shop Sign Idea 40:36 Book: Investments Don't Hug 41:16 Quitting Organizations That No Longer Serve You 45:18 "I Ask Wonderful Questions. Would You Like to Be Asked One?" 49:41 The Gift You Currently Hold in Exile 52:13 Drawers, Doors & the Alzheimer's Joke 59:32 If We Met a Year from Now… / If You Died Tonight… 1:02:53 Outro #Financialoscopy #LaCrosseWI #SLANTMethod #WonderfulWorldOfBeingOkay #RealConversations #OnalaskaWI #FinancialAdvisorLaCrosse #WealthManagement #FinancialPlannerLaCrosse

September 18, 2026Episode 51 hr 3 min

My Next Book with Special Guest: Elizabeth Hagenlocker

In this episode of Purpose with Mark Bertrang, Mark sits down with editor Elizabeth Hagenlocher to talk about the making of his next book, Investments Don't Hug: Engaging the Covenant Conversation Question. Mark shares the "God moment" that gave him a clearer way to look at money and values, explains the framework of IOUs, locked and unlocked assets, contracts, cash flow, and the family tree, and describes the emotional question at the heart of the book. They also dig into developmental editing, keeping an author's real voice, the "Tart Zone," why Mark's people are journey people, and what it means to help clients (and readers) reach the wonderful world of being okay. A warm, wide-ranging conversation about writing, values, money, and legacy. People live in the wonderful world of being okay. Chapters: 0:00 – Opening & Small Talk Mark opens with a song lyric, greets Elizabeth, and chats about rain, mowing, and the difference between office perks and real life. 1:16 – Introducing the Conversation Mark begins asking Elizabeth how she works and reveals she hasn't fully researched his first book—setting up a playful start. 2:35 – The First Book & Love Stories Mark describes how Investments Don't Hug was built around client love stories mixed with educational chapters, the emotional impact of the audio version, and lessons from his first editor. 6:15 – Introducing the New Book Title reveal: Investments Don't Hug: Engaging the Covenant Conversation Question. Mark explains the book leads to one deep emotional question rather than more math. 8:48 – The 2 a.m. God Moment Mark recounts waking at 2 a.m., hearing "a chorus of angels," and drawing the framework that became the book's foundation. 11:20 – The Four Categories + Family Tree & Cash Flow Clear explanation of IOUs, locked assets, unlocked assets, contracts, the family tree, and cash flow—the "X-ray" of a family's financial life. 14:37 – The Covenant Conversation Question Mark walks through the powerful question he asks clients: If you had no money to leave, what four values/covenants would you pass on? 19:04 – Progress on the Manuscript & Cats Mark notes he has roughly 20+ chapters written, introduces the household cats (Callie and Dragonslayer), and shares light personal stories. 23:42 – The Goal of the Book The book is designed to prepare readers for any advisor and to help them reach "the wonderful world of being okay." Mark explains the childhood bicycle story that illustrates the concept. 28:18 – Why Mark Needs an Editor Discussion of AI vs. human editing, Mark's decision not to ask his wife to edit, and the value of an outside developmental partner. 30:26 – Elizabeth on Developmental Editing Elizabeth describes her approach: tearing a manuscript apart, rearranging structure, protecting the author's voice, and aiming for the book the author actually intended. 33:28 – Diagrams, the Tart Zone & Journey People Mark talks about wanting visuals (pay stubs, family photos, the Tart Zone graph) and realizes his ideal readers are "journey people." 40:32 – Logistics, Voice & Working Style Questions about typesetting, past work, what frustrates an editor, how Elizabeth reads a full manuscript first, and how she protects Mark's voice. 53:06 – Strengths, Weaknesses & Pattern Recognition Elizabeth shares her greatest strength (pattern recognition and weaving threads) and her tendency to get too broad—hence her love of clear deadlines. 58:05 – Hardest Part of Editing & Final Thoughts What makes editing difficult, how Elizabeth keeps the author's voice intact, a powerful client story about values, and warm closing remarks. 1:03:42 – Outro Podcast close and invitation to find Mark or the book Investments Don't Hug. #Financialoscopy® #OnalaskaWI #FinancialAdvisorLaCrosse #WealthManagement #FinancialPlannerLaCrosse

September 11, 2026Episode 445 min

The "Banana Ball" Approach to Finances

Most financial meetings feel like a funeral. We decided to make ours feel more like a Savannah Bananas game. In this episode of Purpose with Mark Bertrang, Mark shares why his team reads Banana Ball books every morning, why they use a 73-inch screen and the biggest whiteboard made, and how a simple question about your four core values changes everything. If you're tired of confusing jargon, boring meetings, and advisors who only talk about rates of return, this one's for you. We don't work with crowds. We work with families who want to live in the wonderful world of being okay. Chapters: 0:00 – Take Me Out to the Ball Game & Banana Ball 1:14 – Purpose with Mark Bertrang 3:17 – Front Stage vs. Backstage in Finance 4:11 – The Confused Client & the Grandmother Test 7:11 – Cracker Jacks and the Lame Prize 9:01 – Savannah Bananas Rules & Fans First 10:40 – Field of Dreams & Movies That Make You Cry 15:52 – Why Most Financial Meetings Feel Like a Funeral 17:05 – The Lab: Big Screen, Big Whiteboard, Real Conversations 19:38 – People Remember How You Made Them Feel 20:25 – The Team Approach (Attorneys, CPAs, Insurance) 27:31 – The 234-Point Financial X-Ray 29:50 – The Family Tree & What Really Matters 31:09 – The Covenant Conversation Question 36:12 – Why We Do Things Differently 39:19 – You Are the Home Team 41:56 – Closing: More Wins Than Losses #Financialoscopy® #OnalaskaWI #FinancialAdvisorLaCrosse #WealthManagement #FinancialPlannerLaCrosse

August 22, 2026Episode 21 hr 11 min

Stand By Me: Embracing the Wonderful World of Being Okay

What if the secret to a meaningful life isn't perfection—but simply being okay? In this heartfelt long-form conversation, Mark Bertrang from "Financialoscopy" shares hilarious radio DJ blunders (including the infamous "Mickey Gickey" moment), powerful lessons from factory floors and recording studios, and the deeply personal story of comforting a widow with "Don't worry about the money—it's going to be okay." Mark and Tammi Brannan of the "Blueprint Process" explore authenticity over flawlessness, the power of small daily ripples, continuous improvement (Savannah Bananas style), staying presentable with a smile, and building a life and business rooted in values, family, and legacy. A warm, inspiring visit filled with wisdom, laughter, and practical encouragement for living fully in the wonderful world of being okay. Time Cues / Chapters 00:00 – Intro & "Stand By Me" 00:26 – The Mickey Gickey Radio Blooper Story 02:15 – Hoyt Axton & "Bony Fingers" 02:52 – The 46-Take Mickey Gilley Recording Lesson 04:37 – Perfection vs. Authenticity in Life & Video Recording 06:05 – The Wonderful World of Being Okay (Core Philosophy) 08:12 – Funeral Home Story: "Don't Worry About the Money" 12:32 – Physical & Mental Engagement – Why Mark Walks Daily 16:27 – Factory & Radio Lessons: Making 12-Hour Shifts Fun 21:54 – Extra Effort, Raises & Self-Improvement on Your Own Time 24:31 – Podcast Break / Subscribe Message 25:13 – Valuing Time & Creative Engagement 28:46 – Fans First, Savannah Bananas & Never Being "Done" 32:20 – Continuous Improvement at Financialoscopy® 35:06 – Disney Parks vs. Movies: The Magic of Iteration 37:37 – Making Boring Things (Wills, Portfolios) Fun & Human 40:32 – TED Talk Inspiration: Living Each Day Fully 44:21 – Daily Opportunities to Brighten Someone's Day 49:24 – The Mirror Lesson from Radio Days + Smiling 52:26 – Presentable & Professional: How You Show Up Matters 55:15 – Wise Words & Ripple Effect of Good 58:10 – Defining the Wonderful Space of Being Okay 1:01:29 – Numbers, Expectations & Generational Struggles 1:09:46 – Legacy, Values & Closing Thoughts 1:11:00 – Outro & Appreciation

August 19, 2026Episode 31 hr 1 min

Implementarians: Why Many Plans Fail & The Secret Sauce

Mark Bertrang introduces the word "Implementarian" — someone who doesn't just create plans but makes sure they actually get done. In this conversation he explains why estate documents often fail without follow-through, why accountability matters more than spreadsheets, and how values (not rates of return) form the real foundation of lasting financial guidance. Personal stories of reverse budgeting, honeymoon-vs-ring decisions, and decades-long client relationships illustrate what it means to help people reach the "wonderful world of being okay." Chapters 0:00 – This Little Light of Mine 0:43 – Introducing "Implementarian" 2:30 – Double Reds, Ranch Dressing & Cultural Surprises 7:00 – Wills, Trusts & the Missing Follow-Through 11:00 – Accountability: The Weight Watchers Model 13:30 – Consistency, Culture & McDonald's Lessons 16:50 – Building Strategy on Values (Not Shifting Sand) 23:00 – When Values Trump the Money 27:00 – Honeymoon vs. Diamond & Eight Years of Reverse Budgeting 33:30 – The Real Secret Sauce Isn't the Numbers 37:00 – Thirty-Year Client Moment 39:30 – Finding Joy in the Work You Have 44:00 – Life Stages: Aging, Retirement & Young Families 48:00 – Planned vs. Unplanned Distributions 51:50 – The 1987 Microfiche Story & Why Documentation Matters 57:00 – How You Want to Be Remembered 1:00:05 – Closing: Let It Shine #Implementarian #FinancialWisdom #LegacyPlanning #Financialoscopy® #OnalaskaWI #FinancialAdvisorLaCrosse #WealthManagement #FinancialPlannerLaCrosse

August 8, 2026Episode 159 min

Time's A Wasting: Nashville Donuts, Forgotten Bloodbaths & the Old School Family Fix No One Talks About

What if the sweetest donut in Nashville, a brutal 5-hour Civil War slaughter, and raw conversations about dying alone revealed the same urgent truth? In this unfiltered hour with Tammi Brannan, let's open up about life, real life — the kind that doesn't come from spreadsheets. From devouring Five Daughters Bakery donuts and scorching hot chicken, to standing on hallowed Franklin battlefields where 9,000 souls fell, to late-night talks with a Canadian friend exposing the myth of "free" healthcare... this episode is packed with stories that hit the gut and the heart. I share why I'm racing to finish my next book Investments Don't Hug: Engaging the Covenant Conversation, why old-school family stability beats modern helter-skelter chaos, how whole life insurance becomes a true covenant across decades, and the one question every person should ask themselves before it's too late: "Am I using my empty squares wisely?" If you're tired of generic financial advice and crave wisdom on legacy, family, faith, money that actually lasts, and living in the "wonderful world of being okay," this one's for you. Chapters: · 00:00 – Welcome to Purpose with Mark Bertrang · 00:43 – Gene Wilder, Tom Hanks & Artists Who Truly Embody Their Roles · 04:37 – Nashville Adventures Begin: Biscuits, Five Daughters Donuts & Hot Chicken · 08:33 – Civil War Battlefields & the Forgotten Franklin Slaughter (9,000 Dead in 5 Hours) · 10:51 – Great Food, Thai Restaurants & the 4.9-Rated Asian Fusion Spot · 12:40 – Life Insurance Summit Takeaways: Worship, Young Families & Team Culture · 16:41 – Canadian Healthcare Reality Check & the "Free Oil Changes Every 10 Years" Analogy · 22:36 – Old-School Family Values & Why Stability Still Matters · 27:12 – Life Insurance as a 40-Year Covenant: What Clients Discover Decades Later · 32:38 – "All Tax Law Is Written in Pencil" + Social Security Truths · 38:25 – The Book I'm Racing to Finish: Investments Don't Hug & My Grandparents' Bench · 46:27 – Caleb's Life Squares, Mortality Awareness & Making an Impact · 49:49 – The Summit Vibe: Giving People, Shared Values & Signing Up Again · 53:22 – Time Is Wasting: My Daily Prayer & the Domino Effect of Small Acts · 58:45 – Closing Thoughts & See You Next Week Drop a comment: How will your "empty square" be used better this year? Subscribe for more real-talk on purpose, legacy, and living with clarity. Financialoscopy® – A thorough discovery for your unique life.

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