The Power of Wealthness Podcast

Todd Barney & Kevin Swanson

Welcome to The Power of Wealthness Podcast! Wealthness isn’t just about money; it’s about security, freedom, and living a fulfilling life. At the heart of it all, love is the most powerful motivator, and taking care of your family’s financial well-being is the ultimate goal. The Power of Wealthness—real conversations to help you align your financial choices with what truly matters to you.

  1. 7h ago

    The Power of Showing Up for Others with Emilie Highley (Ep. 21)

    Many of us hope we’ll know what to do when someone we love needs us most.  Yet caregiving, friendship, and supporting others through illness often arrive without a roadmap, asking us to respond with patience, compassion, and grace. In this episode, Kevin Swanson sits down with Emilie Highley, Realtor at Compass, Los Gatos, to explore a life shaped by caring for others through some of their most difficult seasons. Emilie shares stories from her marriage, years spent supporting close friends through dementia and cancer, and caring for her husband during his long battle with heart disease and multiple sclerosis. Emilie also reflects on resilience, kindness, trust, and why simply showing up for people can leave a lasting impact long after circumstances change. Key takeaways: Building lifelong relationships by putting people ahead of transactions and staying connected through every stage of life Supporting friends through dementia with patience, compassion, and a willingness to meet them where they are Serving as an advocate and trusted decision maker for those without nearby family or caregivers Caring for a spouse through serious illness while finding strength, resilience, and perspective along the way Choosing patience, understanding, and kindness as everyday practices that strengthen families and communities And more! Connect with Potentia Wealth: Potentia Wealth 408.288.7886 ask@potentiawealth.com LinkedIn: Potentia Wealth LinkedIn: Kevin Swanson Connect with Emilie Highley: LinkedIn: Emilie Highley Website: Compass Real Estate emilie.highley@compass.com  About our guest: Emilie Highley is a Realtor at Compass, Los Gatos, and a community leader with more than two decades of experience helping families through major life transitions. Before entering real estate, she spent 33 years in the technology industry. Throughout her career, she has been known for building lasting relationships with clients, many of whom have become lifelong friends. Beyond her professional work, Emilie has dedicated herself to serving others as a caregiver, successor trustee, volunteer, and advocate for friends and loved ones facing illness, dementia, and aging. Her perspective is shaped by decades of compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping people through some of life’s most meaningful and challenging moments.

  2. Aug 6

    How Inflation, Tariffs, AI, And The Fed Shape Your Financial Decisions with Jack Manley (Ep. 20)

    If you’re wondering why inflation reports say prices are improving while your own expenses still feel higher, this conversation breaks down why those numbers can look different. How should investors interpret economic headlines when the numbers they hear do not always match what they experience? In this episode, Kevin Swanson welcomes Jack Manley, Executive Director and Global Market Strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, to explore the forces shaping financial markets and investor decisions. They discuss the Federal Reserve’s approach to inflation and employment, why personal inflation can feel different from official measurements, how tariffs affect consumers and businesses, the economic impact of artificial intelligence investment, and why political events may create short-term volatility while having limited impact on long-term market performance. Key points: How the Federal Reserve evaluates inflation, employment data, and interest rate decisions when shaping monetary policy Why your personal experience with rising costs may differ from national inflation measurements reported in the news How tariffs can affect consumers, businesses, federal revenue, and domestic manufacturing decisions over time Why artificial intelligence investment is driving economic activity while productivity benefits are still developing How elections and political uncertainty may create market volatility without determining long-term investment results And more! Connect with Potentia Wealth: Potentia Wealth 408.288.7886 ask@potentiawealth.com LinkedIn: Potentia Wealth LinkedIn: Kevin Swanson Connect with Jack Manley: LinkedIn: Jack Manley Website: J.P. Morgan Asset Management About our guest: Jack Manley, Executive Director, is a Global Market Strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Jack is responsible for delivering timely market and economic commentary to institutional and retail clients across the United States and Canada. In addition, he is a contributor to the J.P. Morgan Long-Term Capital Market Assumptions and has authored numerous papers on global economies and capital markets. Jack is also a frequent guest on BNN, Bloomberg, CNBC, and Fox Business, and is often quoted in the financial press. He graduated from the University of Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in History.

  3. Jul 16

    REPLAY: Planning for Dementia Before It’s Too Late with Laura Wayman (Ep. 19)

    When someone you love begins to change, how do you know if it’s normal aging or something more? And if dementia becomes part of your family’s story, how can you respond in ways that reduce fear instead of creating more stress? Some conversations stay relevant long after they’re first released.  In this replay episode, Kevin Swanson revisits his conversation with Laura Wayman, known as The Dementia Whisperer, to discuss why dementia is a collection of symptoms rather than a disease itself, how families can recognize early warning signs, why communication often breaks down, and how changing the way caregivers interact can create calmer, more compassionate experiences.  They also explore caregiver burnout, financial planning, and why preparing early is one of the greatest gifts families can give one another. Key takeaways: How early behavior and processing changes can signal dementia symptoms before memory loss becomes obvious Why caregivers often need to change how they communicate as brain processing abilities decline How positive action statements can reduce anxiety and resistance during daily caregiving situations Why caregivers need support to protect their own physical and emotional well-being throughout care How financial planning and legal preparation can ease future family decisions during cognitive decline And more! Resources: “A Loving Approach To Dementia Care” by Laura Wayman Laura Wayman’s Caregiver Training & Education Programs Connect with Potentia Wealth: Potentia Wealth 408.288.7886 ask@potentiawealth.com  LinkedIn: Potentia Wealth LinkedIn: Kevin Swanson Connect with Laura Wayman: Website: Laura Wayman help@laurawayman.com Instagram: @thedementiawhisperer Facebook: The Dementia Whisperer LinkedIn: Laura Wayman About our guest: Laura Wayman helps families and professionals deal with one of the most horrific illnesses of our time. She is the author of “A Loving Approach to Dementia Care,” (now in its third edition, a 36-Hour Day Book), published by Johns Hopkins University Press. She has more than a decade of experience in and a strong dedication to quality aging. She is a professional dementia care consultant, trainer, the CEO of The Dementia Whisperers and a speaker on dementia and issues of aging. Prior to becoming a full-time professional speaker, Laura was a successful entrepreneur. She built a senior care empire from the ground up, relying on her deep understanding of the crushing responsibility a family or professional caregiver faces in the demanding role of providing dementia care to a loved one or client. For more information on Laura’s resources and training services for family caregivers and professional caregivers, visit laurawayman.com.

  4. Jul 2

    Finding Meaning, Community, and Fulfillment with Dr. David Bruner (Ep. 18)

    Many people spend years chasing achievement, only to discover they’re still searching for something deeper. What creates a meaningful life? How do community, purpose, spirituality, and everyday choices shape the way we experience fulfillment? In this episode, Kevin Swanson welcomes Dr. David Bruner, Life Coach and Former Spiritual Leader at the Center for Spiritual Living in San Jose, for a thoughtful conversation about finding meaning beyond achievement.  They explore how community can be more valuable than chasing the perfect relationship, why living in the present matters, how personal values influence daily decisions, and what it really means to live a satisfying life while balancing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Key Takeaways: Finding genuine community can have a greater impact on well-being than pursuing the perfect relationship alone Viewing spirituality as a shared presence invites a broader perspective on connection and personal growth Defining fulfillment by daily satisfaction instead of external achievement changes how life is experienced Living according to personal values often explains why certain choices naturally create more energy and purpose Consistent daily practices across physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual life help build lasting fulfillment And more! Connect with Potentia Wealth: Potentia Wealth 408.288.7886 ask@potentiawealth.com LinkedIn: Potentia Wealth LinkedIn: Kevin Swanson Connect with Dr. David Bruner: LinkedIn: Dr. David Bruner Facebook: Dr. David Bruner Instagram: @drdavidbruner YouTube: @drdavidbruner About our guest: David Bruner is the former senior minister of the Center for Spiritual Living in San José, California. His irreverent humor and approachable, everyday style make him beloved by many. His passions include Spirit, people, animals, Harry Potter, and quirky favorites like People magazine, Taco Doritos, and colored Sharpies.  Once a supermarket checker in Southern California, David discovered early the joy of bringing happiness to others, even while wearing a polyester apron and clip-on tie. This led him to pursue ministry, where his humor and unorthodox approach to spirituality have made him a favorite. From tales of DMV forgiveness to trapeze class adventures, David always brings a unique perspective.  His current focus includes mastering Spanish verb conjugation and delivering top-notch coaching to his private clients. He lives in a beautiful flyover state with his spouse, Mauricio Lopez, his greatest role model.

  5. Jun 18

    Building a Business, Planning an Exit, and Finding Freedom with Stan Vuckovich (Ep. 17)

    What does it take to build a business that lasts, then step away with purpose?  For many owners, the harder question isn’t how to grow, it’s how to know what comes next. In this episode, Kevin Swanson talks with Stan Vuckovich, Retired CEO at KBM-Hogue, about building a company through discipline, leadership, and long-term relationships. Stan shares how he grew through downturns, planned his exit, used surfing as a stress outlet, and found meaning in giving back after retirement. Stan discusses: How an early furniture job helped shape a lifelong entrepreneurial mindset Why leadership during downturns requires sacrifice, presence, and shared commitment How Vistage helped him think beyond daily work and plan for life after ownership Why surfing became a grounding outlet during stressful business seasons How retirement shifted his focus toward freedom, family, community, and giving back And more! Connect with Potentia Wealth: Potentia Wealth 408.288.7886 ask@potentiawealth.com LinkedIn: Potentia Wealth LinkedIn: Kevin Swanson Connect with Stan Vuckovich: LinkedIn: Stan Vuckovich Website: San José State University Website: KBM Hogue About our guest: Stan spent his entire 41-year career at KBM Hogue, ultimately selling the office furniture company and retiring in 2023. During his career, Stan was able to leverage his sales and marketing focus to grow KBM from $8,000,000 in annual sales with 14 employees to $150,000,000 in sales out of 3 Northern California locations with a staff of 140 employees. At San José State, Stan was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, including serving as President in 1985. The Pikes were the largest fraternity at SJSU during the 80’s with a large contingent of alumni living in the Bay Area. Stan was a member of the San José Downtown Association board for a decade, including a 2-year term as board president. Stan feels SJSU provided him with an opportunity to connect and grow and created a great springboard for his career. He looks forward to giving back to the university through his work on the Tower Foundation Board.

  6. Jun 4

    The Hard Conversations Around Aging Parents and Senior Care with Keri Landrum (Ep. 16)

    Aging care decisions can feel urgent, emotional, and unclear, especially when safety and independence are both on the line. How do families know when home is still safe, when help is needed, and what care option fits best? In this episode, Kevin Swanson speaks with Keri Landrum, Owner and Assisted Living Placement Consultant at Next Steps for Seniors, about helping families make senior care decisions with clarity and compassion. Keri shares what often triggers the need for support, how she assesses care needs, and why each senior living option must match the person, not just the category. Keri discusses: How one health event can shift a family’s care plan from assumed to urgent Why meeting the person matters more than relying only on paperwork Signs that in-home care may no longer cover daily safety needs How families can protect independence while still addressing red flags Why cost, care needs, and community fit all matter in senior living choices And more! Connect with Potentia Wealth: Potentia Wealth 408.288.7886 ask@potentiawealth.com LinkedIn: Potentia Wealth LinkedIn: Kevin Swanson Connect with Keri Landrum: Website: Next Steps For Seniors LinkedIn: Keri Landrum keri@nextstepsforseniors.com  Phone: 408.839.9882 Fax: 408.268.5576 About our guest: Keri Landrum is the owner of Next Steps for Seniors LLC and holds a Master’s Degree in Gerontology. With over 30 years of experience advocating for seniors in Santa Clara County, she helps individuals and families understand care options outside the home, including assisted living, memory care, and board and care. Through personal assessments, community tours, admission support, and follow-up visits, Keri focuses on finding the right fit based on each person’s care needs, location, budget, social factors, and preferred level of activity. Her work is rooted in individualized attention, compassion, and helping families make thoughtful decisions during often emotional transitions.

  7. May 21

    Finding Financial Confidence Through Life’s Biggest Transitions with Shannon Corpuz (Ep. 15)

    Big life changes can leave people feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and afraid to make the wrong financial decisions. How do you rebuild confidence when life suddenly looks different? And how can financial clarity help reduce stress and anxiety during major transitions? In this episode, Kevin Swanson sits down with Shannon Corpuz, Financial Advisor at Potentia Wealth, to discuss the emotional side of financial planning and the importance of financial literacy. Shannon shares how her background in HR and ethical leadership shaped her approach to helping clients through divorce, widowhood, retirement, and career transitions.  She also explains why empathy, education, and understanding are essential when guiding people toward financial confidence and long-term clarity. Key takeaways: Helping newly single clients rebuild confidence through education, planning, and emotional support Why financial literacy reduces fear, uncertainty, and stress during major life transitions Supporting women navigating careers, caregiving responsibilities, and financial independence How empathy and understanding help create meaningful financial plans that clients can believe in The connection between financial confidence, emotional wellbeing, and long-term peace of mind And more! Connect with Potentia Wealth: Potentia Wealth 408.288.7886 ask@potentiawealth.com LinkedIn: Potentia Wealth LinkedIn: Kevin Swanson Connect with Shannon Corpuz: LinkedIn: Shannon Corpuz About our guest: Shannon Corpuz is a Financial Advisor at Potentia Wealth with more than a decade of wealth advisory experience and a 25-year background in human resources. She is passionate about helping clients build financial confidence through education, empathy, and thoughtful planning, especially during major life transitions like divorce, widowhood, retirement, and career changes. Shannon combines financial guidance with emotional understanding, helping clients feel informed and supported as they move forward. She also holds a master’s degree in Ethical Leadership and is dedicated to creating meaningful relationships built on trust, clarity, and compassion.

  8. May 7

    Mission First, People Always: Leadership Lessons from Space and Life with Mark Pasquale (Ep. 14)

    Progress doesn’t always present itself as forward motion at first glance. Often, the biggest breakthroughs come from patience, preparation, and perspective. What does it really take to build something meaningful over decades, and how do you stay grounded while doing it? In this episode, Kevin Swanson interviews Mark Pasquale, former Vice President of Engineering at Lockheed Martin, about his 40-year career in aerospace and defense. He shares lessons from leading high-stakes missions, including the Artemis program and secure communication systems. Mark also reflects on his leadership philosophy, the importance of resilience and hard work, and how early financial habits like consistent saving can shape long-term outcomes. Key takeaways: Why circling the moon today is a critical step toward future Mars missions and long-term exploration goals How persistence and initiative helped him stand out and land a role at Lockheed Martin early in his career The leadership mindset of mission first, people always, and its impact on high-pressure decision making How breaking complex challenges into smaller tasks helped manage stress and improve team performance The long-term impact of starting small with retirement savings and allowing compounding to work over decades And more! Connect with Potentia Wealth: Potentia Wealth 408.288.7886 ask@potentiawealth.com LinkedIn: Potentia Wealth LinkedIn: Kevin Swanson Connect with Mark Pasquale: LinkedIn: Mark Pasquale About our guest: Mark A. Pasquale retired as the vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Space. In this senior role, he drives day-to-day execution at the enterprise level, motivating positive impact in cost and performance at the company and for its customer missions. Previously, Mark served as the vice president and general manager of Special Programs, where he was responsible for critical national security missions in the space division’s largest line of business. He managed a broad portfolio of complex development programs, operations and maintenance contracts plus a variety of research and development pursuits. Before leading a line of business, Mark was the vice president of engineering and technology, where he led 10,000 engineers spanning all products, from ground systems, sensors and missile defense to human spaceflight and deep-space missions.   Mark drove affordability and performance in many executive positions earlier in his career at Lockheed Martin. He led the Supply Chain organization, responsible for over $5 billion worth of subcontracts and procurement, and he grew in program management experience as deputy to the Military Space vice president, leader of the Transformational Satellite program and head of MUOS, a military communications program. He also served as the executive over commercial and government programs within the Commercial Space line of business. Mark’s career began in 1984 on the Milstar satellite program. He entered his first management role with the Assembly, Integration and Test (AI&T) team, where he helped establish the Commercial Space AI&T management organization and supported the A2100 satellite bus transition to Sunnyvale, California.   Mark earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from San Jose State University in 1984 and serves on the San Jose State Engineering Department Industry Advisory Board. He is a recipient of the prestigious Lockheed Martin NOVA award, the San Jose State University Department of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award, and is a member of the Silicon Valley Engineering Council Hall of Fame.

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About

Welcome to The Power of Wealthness Podcast! Wealthness isn’t just about money; it’s about security, freedom, and living a fulfilling life. At the heart of it all, love is the most powerful motivator, and taking care of your family’s financial well-being is the ultimate goal. The Power of Wealthness—real conversations to help you align your financial choices with what truly matters to you.

Information

  • Creator
    Todd Barney & Kevin Swanson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright ©️ The Power of Wealthness Podcast 2025
  • Show Website
    The Power of Wealthness Podcast