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
