The Retirement Fiduciary Podcast

Hosted by Adam D. Koós, CFP®, CMT®, CEPA

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Jun 2026

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Welcome to The Retirement Fiduciary Podcast! Your classroom for no BS financial education. A place where we have authentic discussions about retirement planning, investment management, tax reduction strategies, insurance, estate planning, and more. Thanks for listening & please be sure to SUBSCRIBE! Hosted by Adam Koos, CFP®, CMT® of Libertas Wealth.

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June 16, 2026Episode 1699 min

What Your Dad Got Wrong About Money (and What You Should Do Instead)

Happy Father's Day! Adam walks through the money lessons a lot of us picked up from our dads and grandfathers. The advice came from a good place and from real experience. The trouble is that the world they lived in looked almost nothing like the one we are retiring into now. Pensions are mostly gone, people are living longer, healthcare costs keep climbing, and the tax code is more complicated than it has ever been. Adam goes through the old rules one at a time. Cash is king. All debt is bad. Never touch the principal. Social Security has you covered. The stock market is a casino. He explains what still holds up, what quietly works against you today, and where a fiduciary actually earns their keep. There is plenty here for everyday savers and a few good reminders for advisors too. It is a warm, honest conversation, and a pretty fitting tribute to Dad. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Why following outdated money advice can quietly cost you 01:00 – Father's Day setup and how Dad's financial era was different 02:00 – "Cash is king" and the hidden cost of inflation 02:40 – Why hating all debt can work against you 03:30 – "Never touch the principal" and modern income planning 04:30 – What Social Security was really designed to do 05:30 – The market scar that became a family money philosophy 06:30 – Why retirement doesn't reward improvising 07:30 – Honoring Dad by getting your own house in order Key Takeaways 💡 Playing it too safe has its own risk. Cash feels secure, but inflation can quietly cut its buying power over a long retirement. 💡 Hating debt is not the same as being smart about it. A low-rate mortgage may be worth keeping if your money can do more elsewhere, and that is a planning call, not a gut call. 💡 "Never touch the principal" can backfire. Modern income planning, like dynamic withdrawals, total return investing, and bucket strategies, can actually help a portfolio last longer. 💡 Social Security was built to supplement your income, not replace it. When and how you claim can swing your lifetime benefit by hundreds of thousands of dollars. 💡 The market is rarely the real enemy. Most retirement damage comes from a poorly built portfolio with no time horizon and no plan for the down years, which is exactly where a fiduciary earns their keep. Key Quotes 🗣 "The stock market over long periods of time has been the most reliable wealth-building engine in American history. Not gambling, not speculation. Investing." 🗣 "Playing it too safe is still playing with fire when it comes to our retirement savings." 🗣 "If your dad is still around, have this conversation with him. And if he's not, honor him by getting your own financial house in order." Connect with Libertas Wealth Facebook: https://facebook.com/libertaswealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertas.wealth Threads: https://www.threads.com/@libertas.wealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com//libertas-wealth Twitter: https://x.com/LibertasWM TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@libertaswealthmanagement YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@libertaswealth Podcast YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhkYzW1XyJA0Ef_Hf7nUCMGLSlmfHt43v Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29Jrqu0MV1VrpRGqgm6seV?si=d98161c1ec484a85 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-retirement-fiduciary-podcast/id1029927148 Website: https://www.libertaswealth.com Email: info@libertaswealth.com Phone: 614-543-1350 Connect with Adam Koós Adam Koós, CFP®, CMT, CFTe, CEPA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamkoos Website: https://www.LibertasWealth.com

June 2, 2026Episode 16841 min

The Owner Dependency Trap: How to Build a Business That Runs Without You

Most business owners will tell you they built their company for freedom. But somewhere along the way, the business stops working without them in it. It becomes something they can't step away from, can't sell, and can't scale past their own bandwidth. In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, Adam Koos, sits down with Tiffany Helton, operational scaling and profit strategy expert at Cultivate Advisors, to talk about what founder dependency actually costs, how to build a business that runs without you, and why exit planning is really just good business strategy, no matter how far out your timeline is. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & guest background: Tiffany's path from busing tables to building and scaling multi-unit restaurant groups 05:00 – What founder dependency really looks like, and the test every owner should run on their business 10:00 – The $20/hour trap: why owners doing low-value tasks is killing growth and exit potential 15:00 – The financial risk of being too important to your own company (death, divorce, disability, and deals) 20:00 – Business transition and exit planning: why it's not about leaving, it's about growing 25:00 – Profitability vs. revenue growth: what your financials are actually telling you 31:00 – Delegation vs. operational leadership: the difference and why it matters 35:00 – The $523/hour question: backing into your real hourly value as a business owner 38:00 – What buyers actually look for, and how to set your business up to attract them 40:00 – Final takeaways and where to start if you want more freedom in your business Key Takeaways 💡 If your business can't survive without you, it's not a business. It's a job, and a risky one. 💡 Exit planning isn't about leaving. It's the most effective growth strategy most owners never use. 💡 Only about 20–30% of businesses have clean, organized books on day one with an advisor. Most owners don't know what they don't know. 💡 Almost zero founder-led businesses have a three-year financial forecast. That's where the biggest growth opportunities are hiding. 💡 The difference between delegation and operational leadership is critical. One removes tasks. The other builds leaders who think like you. 💡 80% of businesses don't sell. They dissolve. And 80% of business owners have most of their net worth tied up in the company. 💡 Know your real hourly rate. If you're answering phones or managing your own calendar at $523/hour potential, something has to change. Key Quotes 🗣 "If I remove you from your business, what's gonna happen? If the answer is no, it can't survive without you, you have to fix that." — Tiffany Helton 🗣 "Exit planning is simply taking you from wherever you are today to wherever you want to be." — Adam Koos 🗣 "It's not easy. But it is simple." — Adam Koos 🗣 "Does your business actually support your personal financial goals? A lot of my clients are totally disconnected in that way." — Tiffany Helton 🗣 "We can always make more money. We can't make more time." — Adam Koos Connect With the Guest Name: Tiffany Helton, Cultivate Advisors Email: tiffany@cultivateadvisors.com Website: https://cultivateadvisors.com/our-advisors/tiffany-helton/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-helton-a0239b8/ Connect with Libertas Wealth Facebook: https://facebook.com/libertaswealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertas.wealth Threads: https://www.threads.com/@libertas.wealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com//libertas-wealth Twitter: https://x.com/LibertasWM TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@libertaswealthmanagement YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@libertaswealth Podcast YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhkYzW1XyJA0Ef_Hf7nUCMGLSlmfHt43v Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29Jrqu0MV1VrpRGqgm6seV?si=d98161c1ec484a85 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-retirement-fiduciary-podcast/id1029927148 Email: info@libertaswealth.com Website: www.libertaswealth.com Phone: 614-543-1350 Connect with Adam Koós LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamkoos Website: https://www.LibertasWealth.com

May 19, 2026Episode 16739 min

Insurance Blind Spots, Scam Red Flags, and Financial Readiness

Most people don't think about financial risk until something goes wrong. A policy lapses. A parent sends 00,000 to a scammer. A spouse passes away and no one can find the documents. In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, Adam Koós, sits down with Tony Steuer, financial readiness advocate, award-winning author, and host of the podcast Get Ready Before Life Happens. Tony brings 30+ years of insurance and financial literacy experience to the conversation. Together, they dig into the most overlooked risks families face, the truth about cash value life insurance (and why it's almost never what it's sold as), the scam tactics targeting retirees and their aging parents right now, and what financial readiness actually looks like in practice. This one's packed. Episode Timestamps 03:00 – How to do a risk assessment before buying any insurance 05:00 – Cash value life insurance, LIRPs, and the "infinite banking" myth 09:00 – Surrender charges, borrowed money, and how policies collapse 15:00 – The in-force illustration: what it is and why you need one 22:00 – Adam's story: losing his brother and building the My Promise Vault 25:00 – How AI is making financial scams more personalized and harder to detect Key Takeaways 💡 Before buying any insurance, start with a risk assessment. The right question isn't "do I need this policy?" It's "what could go wrong?" 💡 Cash value life insurance is almost never the right tool. For most people, products like LIRPs and "infinite banking" are the worst thing out there. 💡 If you own a permanent life insurance policy, request an in-force illustration every 2–3 years. Many people are shocked by what they find. 💡 AI is making scams more personal and harder to detect. Create a family passphrase now, before you need it. 💡 Financial readiness isn't just having a plan. It's making sure your family can actually find everything when it matters most. Key Quotes 🗣 "I have been advocating against that type of crap all my career." – Tony Steuer, on cash value life insurance sold as an investment 🗣 "If you haven't been scammed yet, it's just a matter of time. The right scam hasn't been designed for you yet." – Tony Steuer 🗣 "You're trying to get over on the best mathematicians in the world. If you're really smart, you might be able to. But most of us are not." – Tony Steuer, on thinking you can outsmart insurance company actuaries 🗣 "I promise you will never have to go through what I went through with Kyle." – Adam Koós, on why financial readiness became personal after losing his brother 🗣 "Ask that many questions before you enroll in your 401(k) as you would before you buy a new TV." – Tony Steuer Connect With Tony Steuer Website: www.tonysteuer.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tonysteuer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TonySteuer Podcast: Get Ready Before Life Happens Connect with Libertas Wealth Facebook: https://facebook.com/libertaswealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertas.wealth Threads: https://www.threads.com/@libertas.wealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/libertas-wealth Twitter: https://x.com/LibertasWM TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@libertaswealthmanagement YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@libertaswealth Podcast YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhkYzW1XyJA0Ef_Hf7nUCMGLSlmfHt43v Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29Jrqu0MV1VrpRGqgm6seV?si=d98161c1ec484a85 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-retirement-fiduciary-podcast/id1029927148 Email: info@libertaswealth.com Website: www.libertaswealth.com Phone: 614-543-1350 Connect with Adam Koós LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamkoos Website: https://www.LibertasWealth.com

May 5, 2026Episode 16638 min

How to Make Sure Your Estate Plan Doesn't Fail: Real Cases, Real Consequences with Kelly Lise Murray

Most families spend years building wealth. Far fewer spend time making sure the legal structures protecting that wealth are actually doing their job. In this episode, Adam Koós,sits down with Professor Kelly Lise Murray, a lawyer, mediator, and legal scholar who spent nearly two decades at Vanderbilt University before turning her focus to wealth dispute resolution. Kelly hosts the Wealth Litigated podcast, where she breaks down real courtroom cases involving trusts, estates, and family wealth disputes. Together, Adam and Kelly walk through real litigated cases involving blended families, irrevocable trusts, prenuptial agreements, and costly filing errors. The goal is simple: learn from other families' expensive mistakes so yours never has to become a case study. Episode Timestamps 00:00 - Intro & guest background: Who is Kelly Lise Murray and what is the Wealth Litigated podcast 02:00 - Why estate planning disputes happen: The coordination problem between legal and financial documents 04:30 - Blended family estate planning: What the Marinakis v. Marinakis (Ohio) case teaches us 10:00 - California case: When a stepchild was allowed to inherit as a natural child 13:00 - The #1 most procrastinated item in financial planning (Adam's 25-year observation) 14:00 - Trusts and your mortgage: The Garn-St. Germaine Act and what advisors rarely tell clients 16:00 - Property & casualty insurance and irrevocable trusts: A 2007 warning still being ignored 17:30 - Collins v. Flannery (Ohio): What happens when a surviving spouse controls an irrevocable trust 22:00 - Trustee abuse of a special needs trust: A Texas case with a co-trustee resolution 24:00 - Structural protections: Co-trustees, trust protectors, and professional fiduciaries 26:00 - The $800,000 missed checkbox: Estate of Griffin v. Commissioner (IRS Q-TIP case) 29:00 - Prenuptial agreements: What an Ohio case reveals about overreaching and enforceability 32:00 - Portability of estate plans across state lines 33:00 - Incapacity planning: What to do when a divorcing spouse still has your healthcare directive 35:00 - Final advice for families and financial advisors: Where to start this week Key Takeaways 💡 The single biggest driver of wealth disputes is a lack of coordination between legal documents, financial accounts, and estate plans. A will, a trust, and a beneficiary designation that conflict with one another will be decided by the court, not by you. 💡 Blended families face amplified risk. Remarrying without updating your estate plan can give a new spouse statutory rights that override your existing will, and may even leave your ex-in-laws as heirs. 💡 Transferring your home into a trust without checking your mortgage terms, insurance policy, and applicable statutes first can trigger your loan being called due immediately and invalidate your homeowner's insurance claim. 💡 Execution errors can be just as damaging as planning errors. A missed checkbox on an estate tax return cost one family over $800,000 in a federal IRS case. Two sets of eyes on every filing is a structural safeguard, not a formality. 💡 Structural protections like co-trustees, professional fiduciaries, and trust protectors exist specifically to prevent a sole trustee from depleting an estate without accountability. These are worth building in from the beginning. 💡 If you move to a different state, your existing estate plan, trust, and prenuptial agreement may no longer work as intended. Every lifecycle change and every geographic move warrants a legal review. Key Quotes 🗣 "The lack of coordination leads to litigation. That is the biggest takeaway of our discussion today." - Kelly Lise Murray 🗣 "It's not a matter of if, it's when you get involved in some sort of litigation." - Kelly Lise Murray (citing a common refrain among estate attorneys) 🗣 "The number one most procrastinated financial planning item is estate planning. Without a doubt." - Adam Koos, CFP®, CMT, CFTe, CEPA 🗣 "This is not estate planning in a box. You need actually licensed legal advice from a lawyer in your state." - Kelly Lise Murray 🗣 "I've been talking about this since 2007 because we still haven't gotten the word out enough." - Kelly Lise Murray (on trust and insurance coordination) Connect with the Guest Guest: Kelly Lise Murray, JD - Lawyer, Mediator & Legal Scholar Website (Wealth Litigated): https://www.wealthlitigated.com Website (Vetting the House): https://www.vettingthehouse.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kellylisemurray Connect with Libertas Wealth Facebook: https://facebook.com/libertaswealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertas.wealth Threads: https://www.threads.com/@libertas.wealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/libertas-wealth Twitter / X: https://x.com/LibertasWM TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@libertaswealthmanagement YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@libertaswealth Podcast YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhkYzW1XyJA0Ef_Hf7nUCMGLSlmfHt43v Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29Jrqu0MV1VrpRGqgm6seV?si=d98161c1ec484a85 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-retirement-fiduciary-podcast/id1029927148 Email: info@libertaswealth.com Phone: 614-543-1350 Website: https://www.libertaswealth.com Connect with Adam Koós LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamkoos Website: https://www.LibertasWealth.com

April 21, 2026Episode 16523 min

How Business Owners Can Avoid Bad Hires and Build Stronger Teams with William Sprengler

Hiring is one of the hardest parts of building a successful advisory firm. In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, Adam Koós sits down with William Spengler, founder of Frederick Fox, to talk about what actually leads to better hiring outcomes, stronger teams, and healthier long-term growth. Will shares what he's learned from building a fast-growing recruiting firm and explains where many companies go wrong in the hiring process. This conversation covers interviewing mistakes, compensation expectations, onboarding, retention, and the leadership habits that help firms attract and keep great people. It is especially relevant for financial advisors and business owners trying to scale without creating chaos. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro, guest background, and how Will built Frederick Fox 03:50 – How William Spengler got into recruiting 05:20 – Why traditional recruiting models are slow and outdated 07:15 – What the best firms do differently when hiring 08:20 – Common interviewing mistakes that lead to bad hires 09:20 – Why references matter more than most firms think 10:00 – Internal misalignment and how it hurts hiring momentum 10:55 – Compensation expectations in today's market 13:30 – The systems firms need before ramping up hiring 15:00 – Retention, servant leadership, and creating a better culture 16:45 – Balancing high performance with genuine care for your team 18:05 – Rapid fire: ghosting, interview communication, case studies, and hot yoga 21:00 – What makes Frederick Fox different 22:35 – Final thoughts and where to connect with Will Key Takeaways 💡 Clear employer value propositions attract better talent. Firms that can clearly explain who they are, where they are going, and why someone should join them tend to win better candidates. 💡 Bad hires often come from weak validation, not weak resumes. Will emphasizes that references and backdoor references can help firms avoid costly mistakes before someone joins the team. 💡 Internal alignment matters. When stakeholders are not aligned on the role, interview process, or ideal candidate profile, strong candidates often drop out or accept other offers. 💡 Compensation is only part of the equation. Competitive pay matters, but clear growth paths, incentives, culture, and leadership also play a major role in attracting and keeping great people. 💡 Onboarding is a growth system, not an afterthought. A clear 90-day onboarding plan and measurable expectations can make a major difference in whether a new hire succeeds. 💡 Retention starts with leadership. Companies that treat people as their greatest asset and lead with gratitude, service, and alignment tend to keep strong talent longer. Key Quotes 🗣 "Tigers can change stripes, but it's very rare." 🗣 "A players pick up on confidence." 🗣 "You can't invest enough into onboarding and learning and development." 🗣 "People are a company's greatest asset." Connect With William Sprengler Website: https://frederickfox.com/ LinkedIn William Sprengler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-spengler-2193433a/ LinkedIn Frederick Fox: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frederick-fox/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrederickFoxGroup/ Connect with Libertas Wealth: Facebook: https://facebook.com/libertaswealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertas.wealth Threads: https://www.threads.com/@libertas.wealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com//libertas-wealth Twitter: https://x.com/LibertasWM Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@libertaswealthmanagement Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@libertaswealth Podcast Youtube Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhkYzW1XyJA0Ef_Hf7nUCMGLSlmfHt43v Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29Jrqu0MV1VrpRGqgm6seV?si=d98161c1ec484a85 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-retirement-fiduciary-podcast/id1029927148 Email: info@libertaswealth.com Website: www.libertaswealth.com Phone: 614-543-1350 Connect with Adam Koós: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamkoos Website: https://www.LibertasWealth.com

April 7, 2026Episode 1647 min

March Madness, Market Trends, and the Real Lesson About Long Shots

In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, Adam Koós uses the NCAA tournament to explain a simple but powerful investing lesson: most people are drawn to exciting long shots, but long-term success usually comes from sticking with the strongest probabilities. That is true in tournament brackets, and it is just as true in retirement portfolios. Adam walks through why people love Cinderella stories, how higher seeds consistently dominate over time, and what that teaches us about momentum, trend-following, and disciplined portfolio construction. Here's what this means in plain English: building your financial future around low-probability outcomes may feel exciting, but it is rarely a sound strategy. This episode is especially helpful for investors who want to understand why process matters, why prediction is a losing game, and why disciplined decision-making becomes even more important when real money and retirement income are involved. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Buckeyes, busted brackets, and why everyone still plays 00:30 – Bobby Knight's quote on preparation vs. luck 01:00 – Why seeding gives people a false sense of certainty 01:40 – The Cinderella trap and why people love upsets 02:05 – The data: how often top seeds actually win 03:00 – What bracket strategy teaches us about investing 03:45 – Why momentum, trend, and probabilities matter more than prediction 04:35 – The investing mistake people make with "cheap" or exciting ideas 05:20 – Why retirement portfolios should not be built on long shots 06:00 – Trend-following, discipline, and repeatable outcomes 06:40 – Final takeaway and next steps Key Takeaways: 💡 Most people focus on exciting upsets, but long-term winners usually come from the strongest, highest-ranked group. 💡 In investing, chasing low-probability ideas can feel smart in the moment, but it often hurts outcomes over time. 💡 Strong trends tend to persist, which is why disciplined, model-driven investing focuses on probabilities instead of predictions. 💡 One of the most dangerous outcomes is getting rewarded for a bad decision by chance, because it encourages poor decision-making later. 💡 Retirement planning works best when it is built on repeatable discipline, not excitement, hope, or guesswork. Key Quotes: 🗣 "Most people have the will to win, but few have the will to prepare to win." 🗣 "We are trend followers, not trend predictors." 🗣 "We don't build portfolios on surprises. We build them on probabilities and repeatable outcomes." 🗣 "It's not worth diversifying into chance." Connect with Libertas Wealth: Facebook: https://facebook.com/libertaswealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertas.wealth Threads: https://www.threads.com/@libertas.wealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com//libertas-wealth Twitter: https://x.com/LibertasWM Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@libertaswealthmanagement Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@libertaswealth Podcast Youtube Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhkYzW1XyJA0Ef_Hf7nUCMGLSlmfHt43v Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29Jrqu0MV1VrpRGqgm6seV?si=d98161c1ec484a85 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-retirement-fiduciary-podcast/id1029927148 Email: info@libertaswealth.com Website: www.libertaswealth.com Phone: 614-543-1350 Connect with Adam Koós: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamkoos Website: https://www.LibertasWealth.com

March 17, 2026Episode 16322 min

Why Most Retirement Plans Fail

Most people assume retirement success comes down to picking the right investments, earning higher returns, or trying to outperform the market. But that is rarely the deciding factor. In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, Adam Koós explains why most retirement plans fail and what truly drives long-term success. He walks through the difference between saving and chasing returns, why controlling fixed expenses matters more than most people realize, how risk should support the plan instead of the ego, and why every successful retirement is built around a written, living, breathing financial plan. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome and why most people misunderstand retirement success 01:45 – Why savings matters more than portfolio returns 02:30 – The marathon analogy: returns are weather, savings is forward movement 05:15 – The shift from growth to funding your life in retirement 05:55 – Why controlling fixed expenses creates flexibility 06:30 – The 15-year vs. 30-year mortgage example and liquidity risk 09:05 – Paying yourself first and removing guilt from spending 10:00 – Emergency funds, high-yield cash, and "gunpowder" in retirement 12:10 – Why risk should serve the plan, not your ego 13:15 – The many forms of risk most people overlook 15:30 – Why bad retirement plans assume a static future 16:30 – The danger of linear return assumptions 17:00 – Why simple, understandable plans tend to work better 19:00 – Why diversification alone is not a complete retirement strategy 20:00 – The missing piece: a comprehensive written financial plan 21:20 – Final takeaway: retirement success is about adaptability, not prediction Key Takeaways 💡 Retirement success is less about beating the market and more about consistently funding your future, year after year. 💡 Savings rate matters more than most people think. Returns may feel exciting, but disciplined saving is what makes work optional someday. 💡 Risk management should support your financial plan, not your emotions, headlines, or performance envy. 💡 A good retirement plan is not static. It should evolve as your life, goals, health, and priorities change. 💡 The strongest retirement plans are built on a comprehensive written plan that integrates income, investments, taxes, insurance, and estate planning. Key Quotes 🗣 "Savings is way more important than portfolio returns." 🗣 "Markets don't send you a paycheck." 🗣 "Risk should serve the financial and retirement plan, not your ego." 🗣 "Successful retirement plans are not built on investment products, predictions, or performance." 🗣 "Retirement success is not about predicting the future. It's about having a plan that can respond, react, and adjust quickly to it." Connect with Libertas Wealth: Facebook: https://facebook.com/libertaswealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertas.wealth Threads: https://www.threads.com/@libertas.wealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com//libertas-wealth Twitter: https://x.com/LibertasWM Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@libertaswealthmanagement Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@libertaswealth Podcast Youtube Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhkYzW1XyJA0Ef_Hf7nUCMGLSlmfHt43v Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29Jrqu0MV1VrpRGqgm6seV?si=d98161c1ec484a85 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-retirement-fiduciary-podcast/id1029927148 Email: info@libertaswealth.com Website: www.libertaswealth.com Phone: 614-543-1350 Connect with Adam Koos: LinkedIn: / adamkoos

March 3, 2026Episode 16221 min

How to Spot a Bad Financial Advisor: Red Flags and the "Green Flags" of Great Advice

Most advisors genuinely want to help. But the industry's compensation structures and "hat switching" can create incentives that unintentionally pull advice away from the client's best interest. In this episode, Adam Koós breaks down the most common red flags that show up in sales-driven advice, especially when fee explanations are vague, product recommendations come too early, or clients feel pressured. Then, Adam flips the script and outlines what good advice looks like in practice: planning-first discovery, transparent compensation, clear pros and cons, and a relationship that builds client confidence instead of dependence. This is a practical checklist advisors can use to tighten their own process and investors can use to protect themselves. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Intro: Why this matters, and why bad advice often "sounds good" 01:00 The 4 advisor types: fiduciary vs hybrid vs broker vs insurance agent 04:00 How incentives can influence recommendations (real examples) 06:00 Hidden fees + conflicts: commissions, trails, revenue sharing 11:00 "Part-time fiduciary" problem + why it matters 12:00 How to find fee-only fiduciaries (NAPFA) 13:00 Product-first vs planning-first red flags 15:00 Pressure, urgency, and defensiveness (major warning signs) 16:00 "Confidence welcomes scrutiny" and why good advisors welcome questions 17:00 Transactional vs consultative relationships + review meeting red flags 18:00 What good advice looks like (the green flags) 20:00 Final thoughts: don't panic, just get clarity and ask better questions Key Takeaways: 💡 If an advisor cannot explain how they're paid in plain English, treat it as a serious warning sign. 💡 Product-first conversations often signal sales. Planning-first conversations start with discovery, tradeoffs, and education. 💡 Confident professionals welcome scrutiny. Pressure, urgency, or discouraging a second opinion is a red flag. Key Quotes: 🗣 "If you're confused about fees, that's usually not an accident." 🗣 "Good advisors welcome questions. They don't avoid them." Follow and Connect with Libertas Wealth Management Facebook: https://facebook.com/libertaswealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertas.wealth Threads: https://www.threads.com/@libertas.wealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com//libertas-wealth Twitter: https://x.com/LibertasWM Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@libertaswealthmanagement Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@libertaswealth Podcast Youtube Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhkYzW1XyJA0Ef_Hf7nUCMGLSlmfHt43v Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29Jrqu0MV1VrpRGqgm6seV?si=d98161c1ec484a85 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-retirement-fiduciary-podcast/id1029927148 Email: info@libertaswealth.com Website: www.libertaswealth.com Phone: 614-543-1350 Connect with Adam Koós LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamkoos

February 17, 2026Episode 16143 min

Beyond Buy-and-Hold: Using Technical Analysis to Manage Risk + Communicate Clearly With Clients (with David Keller, CMT)

In this episode, Adam Koós sits down with David Keller, CMT (host of Market Misbehavior) for a practical conversation about using technical analysis the way advisors actually need it: to manage risk, stay disciplined, and help clients understand what's happening without jargon. You'll hear how Adam's early-career experience through the 2000–2002 bear market shaped his shift away from "hope-and-hold" messaging—toward a model-driven, trend-aware process—plus the exact types of charts he believes advisors should keep in front of them during client conversations. Episode Timestamps (YouTube Chapters) 00:00 – Welcome + why this conversation matters for advisors 01:05 – Adam's background: med school path → financial advisor (starting 10 days before 9/11)04:30 – The turning point: why "it always comes back" wasn't good enough for clients 06:45 – Why technical analysis clicked: "playoff teams" (relative strength) + "locker room" (risk-off) 10:05 – Risk management reality: tornado sirens, whipsaws, and why discipline matters 13:10 – The emotional side of advice: what clients really want during volatility 16:00 – The 3 charts Adam always wants in front of him during client meetings 20:20 – Seasonality vs trend: staying invested without ignoring August–September weakness 24:00 – Common advisor mistake: going "100% TA" (too rigid) + building better model balance 27:10 – Why Adam started coaching other advisors + the systems that drive growth 30:20 – Final takeaways + where to connect Key Takeaways 💡 Technical analysis isn't just "tools"—it's a communication advantage. Simple, visual frameworks (like a stoplight chart) help clients stay grounded. 💡 Relative strength = "investing in playoff teams." You're not predicting the Super Bowl—you're prioritizing leaders and rotating as conditions change. 💡 Risk management requires accepting false alarms. "Tornado sirens" (whipsaws) are part of avoiding the rare storms that can do real damage. 💡 Give clients as little as they need—no more. Overly complex charts can confuse instead of calm. 💡 A financial plan is the emotional anchor. Clients handle volatility better when the portfolio is connected to a real plan and clear goals. Key Quotes 🗣 "We're not trend predictors—we're trend followers."🗣 "If every investment was an NFL team, we're investing in the playoff teams… not trying to pick the Super Bowl winner."🗣 "There's about seven tornado sirens before you actually get a tornado."🗣 "Clients don't understand your candlestick chart… give them as little as they need, but no more."🗣 "When markets get emotional, clients want to know two things: 'Am I okay?' and 'Do you have my back?'" Connect With the Guest (David Keller, CMT) Website: https://www.marketmisbehavior.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DKellerCMT About David: Background + bio Follow and Connect with Libertas Wealth Management Facebook: / libertaswealth Instagram: / libertas.wealth Threads: https://www.threads.com/@libertas.wealth LinkedIn: / libertas-wealth Twitter (X): https://x.com/LibertasWM TikTok: / libertaswealthmanagement YouTube: / @libertaswealth Podcast YouTube Playlist: • The Retirement Fiduciary Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29Jrqu0... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Email: info@libertaswealth.com Website: www.libertaswealth.com Phone: 614-543-1350 ________________________________________ Connect with Adam Koós LinkedIn: / adamkoos

February 3, 2026Episode 16029 min

The Truth About ESOPs: Liquidity, Taxes, and Company Culture with Kelly Finnell

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are often talked about—but rarely understood. For many business owners, they represent one of the most powerful (and misunderstood) succession and liquidity strategies available today. In this episode, Adam sits down with Kelly Finnell, one of the nation's foremost ESOP experts, to break down how ESOPs really work, why they offer unique tax advantages, and when they may outperform traditional exits like private equity or third-party sales. Whether you're a business owner thinking about succession—or an advisor guiding clients through exit planning—this conversation delivers clarity without the jargon. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to ESOPs and Kelly Finnell's background 02:00 – What an ESOP is (and why it's both a succession strategy and a retirement plan) 05:00 – How ESOPs create liquidity and operate tax-free 07:30 – The biggest benefits of ESOPs for employees 09:00 – Owner tax advantages, including Section 1042 deferral 11:00 – Who is a good candidate for an ESOP? (financial + cultural fit) 14:30 – ESOPs vs. private equity and strategic buyers 17:00 – Common myths and misconceptions about ESOPs 19:30 – Why ESOPs are growing rapidly right now 22:00 – "Compassionate capitalism" and preserving company legacy 25:00 – Final advice for business owners and advisors considering ESOPs Key Takeaways 💡 ESOPs function as both a business exit strategy for owners and a retirement benefit for employees 💡 100% ESOP-owned S-corps can operate completely tax-free, creating a powerful competitive advantage 💡 ESOPs often pay as much or more than financial buyers, without sacrificing company culture or legacy Key Quotes 🗣 "An ESOP is not a loophole—it's been part of the tax code for decades." 🗣 "A compassionate capitalist wants to do well for their family while also doing well for others." 🗣 "The biggest misconception about ESOPs is that owners have to accept a lower price. That's simply not true." Connect With the Guest Kelly Finnell Website: https://execfin.com/ Kelly's Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esopcoach/ EFS LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/efsesopconsultants/ Follow and Connect with Libertas Wealth Management Facebook: https://facebook.com/libertaswealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertas.wealth Threads: https://www.threads.com/@libertas.wealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/libertas-wealth Twitter (X): https://x.com/LibertasWM TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@libertaswealthmanagement YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@libertaswealth Podcast YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhkYzW1XyJA0Ef_Hf7nUCMGLSlmfHt43v Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29Jrqu0MV1VrpRGqgm6seV Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-retirement-fiduciary-podcast/id1029927148 Email: info@libertaswealth.com Website: www.libertaswealth.com Phone: 614-543-1350 Connect with Adam Koós LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamkoos