The Financial Huddle | Real Money Conversations for Financial Literacy

Brian Minier, Ed Beemiller & Ryan Fleming | Keystone Financial Group
  • 5.0 (16)
  • INVESTING

We know dealing with your finances can be a challenging and emotional topic, which is why we thought it was time to bring some clarity to the subject.  With all of the confusion and conflicting information out there about money and financial planning, this podcast aims to cut through the clutter with real, honest, to-the-point financial conversations. You won't find any fluff here - just quick, bite-sized insights and real discussions about financial topics that may impact you. And of course, we'll throw in a bit of fun and some sports trivia! Hosted by Certified Financial Fiduciaries and partners at Keystone Financial Group, Ed Beemiller, Ryan Fleming, and Brian Minier, The Financial Huddle aims to bring you clarity, confidence, and conversations around money that you can relate to. Tune in today and make sure to subscribe to be notified of future episodes! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser.  Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.

  1. 5D AGO

    The Living Benefits of Life Insurance, A Now Asset

    Ready to retire with more calm and less compromise? We break down how a high-cash-value life insurance policy—structured the right way—can become your liquid reserve, your market downturn buffer, and your most flexible tax-advantaged income source, all while protecting your legacy. No fluff, just clear mechanics and real stories that show this can be a “now asset,” not a someday hope. We start with intent: are you optimizing for legacy or wealth accumulation? That single choice drives costs, design, and how closely you can fund a policy while keeping it a non-MEC under IRS rules. From there, we dive into practical use. Hear how a real estate flipper funded a project with a policy loan, kept growth uninterrupted, skipped monthly payments during the rehab, and repaid at sale—an example of borrowing against, not from, your capital. We unpack why policy loans are often simple interest and non-recourse, and how that creates a more borrower-friendly experience than typical bank lending. Living benefits take center stage. Many modern contracts include accelerated death benefit riders for chronic or terminal illness, allowing a portion of the death benefit to be advanced for long-term care needs. One smart premium dollar can provide three outcomes: tax-free legacy, potential LTC funding, and accessible liquidity across your life. We also show how keeping three to five years of retirement income in policy cash value can serve as a powerful volatility buffer, helping you avoid selling equities at a loss and extending portfolio longevity—an elegant alternative to overrelying on bonds. Taxes matter, maybe more than you think. Properly structured policy loans and withdrawals aren’t included in Social Security’s provisional income and carry no required minimum distributions. That makes cash value a clean lever for managing tax brackets, IRMAA exposure, and sequence risk. For heirs, tax-free death benefits often beat inheriting taxable IRAs forced out within ten years. Put simply, this tool doesn’t compete with your investments—it makes your whole plan stronger. If you’re curious how to design for cash efficiency, stay within non-MEC rules, and put the benefits to work, hit play now. If the episode helps, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave us a review to tell us what topic you want next. Sources: 7702 tax code: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/understanding-section-7702-plans-190008193.html MEC Rules:  https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/7702 Life Insurance Protections: https://www.insuranceandestates.com/life-insurance-creditor-protection-by-state/ Long-Term Care Needs: https://acl.gov/ltc/basic-needs/how-much-care-will-you-need Send us Fan Mail   ----------------------------------------------------------------------  Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser.  Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.

    21 min

  2. MAR 4

    Is Cash Value Life Insurance a Viable Asset?

    In this episode, we reframe life insurance from a death-only benefit to a living asset guided by IRS Section 7702, showing how liquidity, stability, and tax treatment can expand your options. Real stories, bank data, and simple design rules lay the groundwork for part two on implementation. • differences between term and cash value • why liquidity beats forced selling • how Section 7702 enables tax-advantaged funding • banks’ use of BOLI and corporate COLI • Rockefeller legacy and Disney financing examples • compounding without interruption via policy loans • positioning as a bond alternative • building an opportunity bucket early • preview of design principles for part two Please like, follow, subscribe, and tune back in next time, Huddlers! EPISODE SOURCES: U.S. Banks and BOLI: Clarifications: Considering the entire banking industry, 69% own BOLI. Over 80% of banks classified at over $2 Billion in holdings own BOLI - as of the latest report in 2024. Evolving Trends in Bank-Owned Life Insurance (2024 Report): https://mbschoen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/BOLI-Industry-Developments-2024-Q1.pdf Total BOLI Held by U.S. Banks (Cash Surrender Value) (As of September 30, 2024): https://themoneyadvantage.com/bank-owned-life-insurance/#:~:text=Industry-wide%20totals:,and%20$10%20billion%20own%20BOLI     BOLI Held by Individual Banks: https://www.usbanklocations.com/bank-rank/life-insurance-assets.html Interagency Statement on the Purchase and Risk Management of Life Insurance: https://www.fdic.gov/news/financial-institution-letters/2004/fil12704risk.html Dave Ramsey on Whole Life Insurance: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/payday-lender-middle-class-dave-000142858.html Suze Orman on Life Insurance: https://www.facebook.com/suzeorman/posts/if-there-is-anyone-in-your-life-who-depends-on-your-income-you-need-life-insuran/1194269845388015/ History of Life Insurance: https://www.selectquote.com/life-insurance/articles/when-was-life-insurance-invented The Rockefeller's Use of Life Insurance: https://billmyway.com/how-did-the-rockefellers-use-whole-life-insurance/ https://www.symphona.us/estate-planning-insights-from-americas-wealthiest-families/ Walt Disney's Use of Life Insurance: https://www.commercebank.com/personal/ideas-and-tips/2021/the-story-of-the-loan-that-helped-build-disneyland Send a text ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.

    23 min

  3. FEB 18

    3 Ways to Use Your Mortgage as an Asset ft. Matt Shanlian

    Our first guest joins to help reframe the mortgage not as simple debt, but as a flexible tool for cash flow, retirement planning, and estate simplicity. We break down closed-end seconds that preserve low first-lien rates, and clear the fog around reverse mortgages and what really moves rates. • treating the home as its own category on the balance sheet • common equity mistakes and emotional purchasing • preserving low-rate first mortgages with a closed-end second • cash flow as the key budget metric • reverse mortgage uses for payment relief and tax-free lines • estate planning benefits and why heirs want simplicity • how Fed moves relate and don’t relate to mortgage rates • realistic outlook for rate ranges this year Hit that subscribe button, follow us, and like us! Send a text ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.

    26 min

  4. FEB 4

    Basic Investing For Dummies

    We lay out a clear path for new and seasoned investors to avoid costly behavior, understand basic strategies, and keep more of their returns. Data from Dalbar and simple math on “best days” show why time in the market, low fees, and an emergency fund matter most. • why average investors underperform broad indexes • the risk of missing the market’s best days • the role of an emergency fund in avoiding forced sales • active vs indexing vs passive vs evidence-based approaches • mutual funds vs ETFs key differences • fee types and calculating the all-in cost • choosing based on strategy, fees, and time horizon  If you found this helpful, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a calmer approach to money, and leave a quick review so more people can find us.  Send a text ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.

    20 min

  5. JAN 21

    Is 4% Still The Rule of Thumb?

    What if the most important number in your retirement plan isn’t your average return but the order of your returns? We dig into the real mechanics of “safe” withdrawals—why the famous 4% rule became a staple, how William Bengen’s updated 4.7% changes the picture, and where a conservative 3% mindset fits for those who value longevity protection over maximum income. Along the way, we translate the math into plain English and show what these percentages mean for an everyday income gap. We walk through clear examples: how a $40,000 annual gap could require $1.33M at 3%, $851K at 4.7%, or potentially much less capital when using a guaranteed lifetime income solution. Then we tackle the silent threat most people underestimate: sequence of returns risk. Same average, different order, wildly different outcomes. You’ll hear why early losses can set a plan on a path that later gains can’t fix, and how to design around that with cash buffers, flexible withdrawals, and purpose-built guarantees. This conversation isn’t about picking a single magic percentage. It’s about constructing a resilient system that blends probability and certainty—covering nonnegotiable needs with dependable income and investing the rest for growth to fight inflation. If you’ve ever wondered how much you can really spend without outliving your money, this is your roadmap to smarter withdrawals, steadier nerves, and a plan you can live with for decades. Enjoy the episode, share it with someone planning retirement, and don’t forget to follow the show and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Sources: Holistic Retirement Planning: Enhancing Outcomes with Insurance Products - By Ernst & Young [URL: https://www.ey.com/en_us/insights/insurance/retirement-insurance-plans-and-products-with-maximum-benefits] Blackrock Sequence of Returns Risk Chart [URL: https://www.blackrock.com/us/individual/insights/retirement-income] Send a text ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.

    20 min

  6. JAN 7

    I’m 24, Got My First Paycheck, When Can I Retire?

    First paychecks feel like a win… until taxes, rent, and loans show up. We break the noise with a clear playbook for 20-somethings: how to build a budget that actually sticks, why “free money” from your employer match comes first, and when a Roth 401(k) or IRA can set you up for decades of tax-free growth. Along the way, a nostalgic detour through baseball and Pokémon cards shows how small choices today can turn into big regrets—or big wins—tomorrow. We run the numbers: start at 24 with $500 a month and a modest 6% return, and you could cross seven figures by your mid-sixties. Wait ten years and the result is roughly half. That’s the quiet math of compounding and the real cost of delay. We also map out the pillars of a resilient plan—an opportunity fund with three to six months of expenses, a growth-focused portfolio that matches your long time horizon, and a cap on speculative bets like crypto and private equity so they add spice without burning the foundation. You’ll hear why boring often beats viral, how to avoid common traps new earners face, and where a seasoned coach can help turn scattered advice into a simple, durable strategy. Whether you’re 22 with your first offer letter or a parent guiding a new grad, this conversation translates financial literacy into practical steps you can take this week: secure the match, automate contributions, favor Roth when it fits, and invest for growth with patience. If this helped you see money differently, follow the show, share it with a friend who just got paid, and leave a quick review so more young listeners can find smart, no-fluff guidance. Got a topic you want us to tackle next? Send it our way and subscribe for more actionable episodes. Send a text ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.

    18 min

  7. 12/26/2025

    New Year's Resolutions to Make You Healthier & Wealthier

    Resolutions fade when they rely on motivation. In this episode, we trade hype for design, showing how to build a practical system that links sleep, budgeting, and automated savings into one durable routine for real wellness. Money stress touches everything—health, relationships, even the way we sleep—so we break the cycle by starting upstream and moving step by step toward financial clarity. We begin with the surprising keystone habit: sleep. With enough rest, willpower matters less and better choices come easier, from skipping impulse buys to sticking with workouts. From there, we walk through a 30-day expense tracking sprint to reveal the truth about where your money goes, then turn that insight into a budget that actually matches your life. No shaming. No gimmicks. Just clear feedback loops and small, repeatable actions. Then we shift to “financial fitness” thinking. Define your reps—monthly savings, a 401(k) bump, an extra debt payment—and automate them so progress happens on autopilot. Break the year into phases: eliminate high-interest debt in the first half, redirect those dollars into a Roth IRA or emergency fund in the second. Add an annual financial wellness review, the money version of a physical, and elevate accountability by writing a one-page mission you can revisit with an advisor or partner. Along the way, we challenge the comparison game and refocus on a personal plan that reduces stress and improves everyday wellbeing. If you’re ready to replace fragile resolutions with a plan that works on your worst days, this conversation will give you the steps: sleep well, track honestly, automate relentlessly, review regularly, and ignore the noise.  Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a quick review to tell us your first “rep” for the year! Send a text ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.

    18 min

  8. 12/10/2025

    Episode 12: The 12 Days of Financial Planning

    The Financial Huddle Christmas Special delivers exactly what the season demands: nostalgia, music, and a financial planning twist wrapped in pure holiday energy. Ryan, Ed, and Brian open with their favorite Christmas songs—Bing Crosby, Pentatonix, Little Drummer Boy—and pivot straight into a full breakdown of “The 12 Days of Financial Planning,” a playful but legitimately valuable guide built around the classic Christmas tune. Across the episode, the team walks through each “day” with clear, practical takeaways: fully funded emergency accounts, retirement account diversification, core estate documents, budgeting essentials, investing principles, milestone tracking, income streams, smart-purchase questions, automation benefits, retirement savings targets, year-end tax moves, and the importance of tracking your net worth. It’s lighthearted, it’s energetic, and it still gives listeners real, applicable financial structure heading into a new year. This episode blends holiday spirit with a grounded planning framework—twelve gifts that actually matter. No gimmicks. Just a Christmas special that’s fun to listen to and worth revisiting every December. Send a text ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.

    13 min
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About

We know dealing with your finances can be a challenging and emotional topic, which is why we thought it was time to bring some clarity to the subject.  With all of the confusion and conflicting information out there about money and financial planning, this podcast aims to cut through the clutter with real, honest, to-the-point financial conversations. You won't find any fluff here - just quick, bite-sized insights and real discussions about financial topics that may impact you. And of course, we'll throw in a bit of fun and some sports trivia! Hosted by Certified Financial Fiduciaries and partners at Keystone Financial Group, Ed Beemiller, Ryan Fleming, and Brian Minier, The Financial Huddle aims to bring you clarity, confidence, and conversations around money that you can relate to. Tune in today and make sure to subscribe to be notified of future episodes! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser.  Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.

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