The Green Zone

Winstone Wealth Partners

The Green Zone Podcast is your go-to source for financial insights, market trends, and strategies to help you take command of your wealth and live in the green. Hosted by seasoned financial advisors Jeff Green and Lauren Smith, this monthly podcast breaks down the economy, stock market movements, and practical ways to maximize your most valuable asset—your time. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions. Tune in each month for professional perspectives and actionable advice to help you feel confident in your financial future. Please Note: Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Winstone Wealth Partners is not a broker/dealer. Content represents the opinions of the speaker and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Important Disclosure Information: http://raymondjames.com/smicd.htm. The rating is not intended to be an endorsement, or any way indicative of the advisors abilities to provide investment advice or management. This podcast is intended for informational purposes only.

  1. 2d ago

    The Hidden Financial Risks Families Face As Parents Age (Ep. 106)

    What happens when a parent’s health suddenly changes… and no one knows where anything is? How do you support aging parents while still honoring their independence, wishes, and dignity? In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, co-hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith discuss one of the most emotional (and most avoided) areas of financial planning: preparing for aging parents, caregiving responsibilities, and difficult future decisions before a crisis happens. Together they discuss: Why “the best time is right now” when it comes to family financial conversations Important estate planning documents families often overlook How beneficiary designations can override a will How to organize financial information before an emergency Common financial risks aging parents face, including scams and missed bills Questions families should ask about long-term care, independence, and quality of life The emotional and logistical realities of becoming a caregiver Practical ways adult children can support aging parents without “taking over” Why long-term care insurance may play an important role in a family’s plan Whether you’re helping aging parents today or simply thinking ahead for your own future, this episode offers practical guidance and compassionate perspective on conversations many families know they need to have but often delay for too long. Connect With Winstone Wealth Partners: jeff@WinstoneWP.com(713) 244-3030Schedule A Call With Jeff or LaurenWinstone Wealth PartnersLinkedIn: Jeff GreenLinkedIn: Lauren Smith

    15 min
  2. May 12

    What To Ask Your Financial Advisor When The Headlines Get Loud (Ep. 105)

    You know the feeling. You turn on the news or scroll your phone and suddenly it feels like everywhere you look there’s another alarming headline: markets crashing, wars overseas, political tension, inflation, interest rates, uncertainty about what happens next. And naturally, you start wondering: Should I be doing something different with my money right now? Should I be changing something financially? That feeling is completely understandable. But when the noise gets loud, what should you actually be focused on financially? And what conversations should you really be having with your financial advisor? In this episode of the The Green Zone Podcast, co-hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith of Winstone Wealth Partners break down the difference between temporary market “noise” and the things that truly matter to your long-term financial plan. From geopolitical tension and election cycles to inflation, volatility, and fear-driven investing, Jeff and Lauren share the questions investors should really be asking during uncertain times — and why patience, preparation, and planning often matter far more than reacting to headlines. Together they discuss: Why market headlines often create more fear than lasting financial impact How geopolitical events and market volatility can impact portfolios differently depending on your risk exposureWhy concentrated stock positions and international exposure deserve closer attention during uncertain periodsHow to determine whether you’re taking unnecessary investment riskWhy reacting emotionally to every news cycle is often a sign of a missing long-term planThe role of cash reserves and income planning Common estate planning and beneficiary mistakes people overlook When “doing nothing” may actually be the smartest move Connect With Winstone Wealth Partners: jeff@WinstoneWP.com(713) 244-3030Schedule A Call With Jeff or LaurenWinstone Wealth PartnersLinkedIn: Jeff GreenLinkedIn: Lauren Smith

    16 min
  3. Apr 14

    The Top Retirement Planning Mistakes (Ep. 104)

    What are the biggest mistakes people make when planning for retirement—and are you unknowingly making one of them? In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith break down some of the most common (and costly) retirement planning missteps, using real-world insights and practical experience from working with clients every day. From inflation and healthcare costs to investment strategy and income planning, they walk through what can quietly derail even the most well-intentioned plan—and how to think about these challenges more clearly. Whether you’re approaching retirement or already in it, this episode is a valuable reminder that small assumptions today can have a big impact down the road. Together, they discuss: Why underestimating inflation can erode your future purchasing power The growing risk of outliving your savings—and how to plan for longevity Common misconceptions about investment income and dividend strategies The balance between investing too conservatively vs. too aggressively How unrealistic return expectations can impact long-term outcomes The often-overlooked reality of healthcare and long-term care costs Why understanding your income sources (and taxes) matters more than you think The complexity behind Social Security decisions—and why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer Hidden costs of homeownership in retirement, even without a mortgage How to find a “sweet spot” in your portfolio between growth and stability Connect With Winstone Wealth Partners: jeff@WinstoneWP.com(713) 244-3030Schedule A Call With Jeff or LaurenWinstone Wealth PartnersLinkedIn: Jeff GreenLinkedIn: Lauren Smith

    21 min
  4. Mar 17

    What Your Tax Return Can Reveal About Your Financial Plan (Ep. 103)

    Is tax season just a painful annual chore… or could it actually reveal something important about your financial life? What if your tax return is quietly showing you where money is being lost, opportunities are being missed, or planning could make a meaningful difference? And how can high-net-worth families start using tax season as a strategic tool instead of just reacting to it every April? In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, co-hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith encourage you to take a different view at tax season: not as a necessary evil, but as a valuable diagnostic tool for your financial life. They explain how your tax return can function like a financial “MRI,” revealing insights that can help you make smarter planning decisions now and in the years ahead. Together, they discuss: Why most people approach tax season reactively — and how to shift to a planning mindset insteadHow your tax return can reveal hidden inefficiencies in your investment strategyThe right way to think about capital gains and tax-loss harvestingWhy large tax refunds may not always be as good as they seemThe importance of quarterly tax check-ins instead of once-a-year scramblingHow multi-year tax projections can improve retirement planningWhen Roth conversions may create long-term tax advantagesWhy financial advisors and CPAs play different — but complementary — roles in tax planningAnd more! Tax season may never be anyone’s favorite time of year — but used the right way, it can become one of the most powerful planning tools you have. Connect With Winstone Wealth Partners: jeff@WinstoneWP.com(713) 244-3030Schedule A Call With Jeff or LaurenWinstone Wealth PartnersLinkedIn: Jeff GreenLinkedIn: Lauren Smith  Please Note: Neither Raymond James Financial Services nor any Raymond James Financial Advisor renders advice on tax issues, these matters should be discussed with the appropriate professional. Converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA has tax implications. Investors should consult a tax advisor before deciding to do a conversion.

    12 min
  5. Feb 12

    Staying The Course When Money Gets Emotional (Ep. 102)

    Money is never just about numbers. It’s about fear, responsibility, pride, guilt, confidence, and security. And whether we realize it or not, those emotions influence nearly every financial decision we make. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith explore how emotions shape the way we think about, react to, and manage our money—and why unchecked feelings can quietly undermine even the best financial plans. They explain why self-awareness is essential to long-term financial success, how to work with your emotions instead of against them, and how disciplined decision-making leads to greater confidence over time. Together, they walk through practical ways to keep emotions from driving your decisions, including: Identifying the hidden fears and pressures behind money choicesUnderstanding how guilt and responsibility affect spending and savingAvoiding reactive decisions during market volatilityLearning when “doing nothing” is the smartest moveSlowing down emotional timelines before making major changesUsing planning as a foundation for confidenceLetting values—not comparison—guide your financial lifeBuilding discipline that holds up in uncertain marketsDeveloping healthier conversations around money with familyAnd more! Connect With Winstone Wealth Partners: jeff@WinstoneWP.com(713) 244-3030Schedule A Call With Jeff or LaurenWinstone Wealth PartnersLinkedIn: Jeff GreenLinkedIn: Lauren Smith

  6. Jan 22

    How Family Office-Style Wealth Management Can Simplify Your Financial Life (Ep. 101)

    As wealth grows, life rarely gets simpler. More accounts, more advisors, more decisions… and eventually, even successful families start to wonder whether everything is actually working together. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith unpack a modern family office–style approach to wealth management, designed for families who want clarity, coordination, and confidence without needing a $50 million balance sheet. They explore why financial complexity often comes from too many advisors working in silos, not from a lack of expertise—and why the real solution isn’t adding more people, but improving alignment among the professionals you already trust. Jeff and Lauren walk through the five pillars of a modern family office blueprint, including: Consolidating your financial world into one coordinated systemBuilding a true “board of advisors” who communicate with one anotherPlanning proactively for after-tax growthInvesting with purpose, not market noisePreparing the next generation through thoughtful legacy planning and communication Along the way, they discuss why families shouldn’t be forced into the role of project manager for their own wealth—and how a family office mindset can help reduce decision fatigue, uncover missed opportunities, and bring everything back to what matters most. If you’re looking for a clearer, more coordinated way to manage your financial life, this episode is a must-listen. Connect With Winstone Wealth Partners: jeff@WinstoneWP.com(713) 244-3030Schedule A Call With Jeff or LaurenWinstone Wealth PartnersLinkedIn: Jeff GreenLinkedIn: Lauren Smith

    15 min
  7. 12/16/2025

    100 Episodes In: What We’ve Learned About Money, Meaning & What Really Matters (Ep. 100)

    100 podcast episodes in… many more to go. So, what have we learned from helping families plan for their wealth and their lives? In this special centennial episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith reflect on the most-played conversations, the smartest lessons clients have taught them, and the surprising podcast topics that have resonated with audiences most. They share listener insights, the themes that keep coming up, and the core truth behind every great wealth plan: your money should support the life you want, not the other way around. Together they discuss: The top ten lessons that have shaped their advice over 100 episodesWhy the “human side” of money keeps outperforming market talk in downloadsWhat clients really worry about heading into retirementWhy avoiding preventable mistakes matters more than chasing big winsHow advisors play coach, counselor, and guide during life transitionsThe role of tax strategy in preserving lifestyle and legacyWhat they’re excited to explore over the next 100 episodesAnd more! Top Green Zone Episodes The Roles of Values in Retirement PlanningTransition Into Retirement With A Coach As Your GuideHow to Build Wealth Wisdom in the Next GenerationTax Surprises Through the 4 Stages of RetirementFinancial Advice for My Younger SelfThe Top Retirement Traps to AvoidHidden Costs of Retirement: What You Might Be OverlookingFinancial Strategies For Life's Big Transitions AheadHaving The Tough Conversations About Death & FinancesIs Your Financial Advisor Showing You The Love?Find Your Why With The Birkman Assessment             Wealth Wisdom: The Financial Playbook of the Ultra-Wealthy Connect With Winstone Wealth Partners: jeff@WinstoneWP.com(713) 244-3030Schedule A Call With Jeff or LaurenWinstone Wealth PartnersLinkedIn: Jeff GreenLinkedIn: Lauren Smith

    20 min
  8. 11/20/2025

    Non-Profit Spotlight: The Katherine Ferruzzo Legacy Foundation (Ep. 99)

    In this special episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith sit down with Andrea and John Ferruzzo to share the story of their daughter, Katherine, one of the two young counselors who lost their lives—along with 25 children campers—in the devastating Kerr County flood at Camp Mystic this past July. In the months since the flood, the Ferruzzos—along with the other families who lost daughters that night—have come together as Heaven’s 27, an organization committed to honoring their lost daughters and advocate for stronger camp safety across Texas. Andrea and John have also launched The Katherine Ferruzzo Legacy Foundation, dedicated to supporting special education classrooms, a mission rooted deeply in Katherine’s heart and the work she was already doing long before college. In this episode, Andrea and John share their story of parents transforming heartbreak into hope—and we’re honored to help share Katherine’s story and the legacy she continues to inspire. Together they discuss: The circumstances surrounding the Kerr County flood at Camp MysticKatherine’s passion for special education and the work she was already doing in classroomsWhy the Ferruzzos chose to start a foundation instead of a GoFundMe—and how the Foundation is already supporting teachers and special needs studentsThe impact the foundation is making across Spring Branch ISD and future plans to expand statewideThe ongoing legislative efforts of the Heaven’s 27 families to strengthen Texas camp safety lawsAnd more… If this episode moves you, we encourage you to learn more, get involved, and help carry forward the work Katherine cared so deeply about. Resources The Katherine Ferruzzo Legacy FoundationLive Like Katherine Ferruzzo InstagramHeaven’s 27Campaign for Camp SafetyJohn & Andrea Ferruzzo’s op-ed in the Austin StatesmanKatherine Ferruzzo’s Obituary Connect With Winstone Wealth Partners: jeff@WinstoneWP.com(713) 244-3030Schedule A Call With Jeff or LaurenWinstone Wealth PartnersLinkedIn: Jeff GreenLinkedIn: Lauren Smith  Note: Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse any of the organizations mentioned above and within this Podcast episode.

    30 min

About

The Green Zone Podcast is your go-to source for financial insights, market trends, and strategies to help you take command of your wealth and live in the green. Hosted by seasoned financial advisors Jeff Green and Lauren Smith, this monthly podcast breaks down the economy, stock market movements, and practical ways to maximize your most valuable asset—your time. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions. Tune in each month for professional perspectives and actionable advice to help you feel confident in your financial future. Please Note: Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Winstone Wealth Partners is not a broker/dealer. Content represents the opinions of the speaker and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Important Disclosure Information: http://raymondjames.com/smicd.htm. The rating is not intended to be an endorsement, or any way indicative of the advisors abilities to provide investment advice or management. This podcast is intended for informational purposes only.