Unleash Your Retirement

David Koren

Welcome to Unleash Your Retirement with David Koren from RVA Wealth Management. Our podcast is all about providing anyone considering retirement with the confidence they need to pursue their dreams in this new phase of life. We cover a wide range of topics, from retirement planning to investing with purpose, all while making you laugh and keeping things light-hearted. With David’s years of experience and guest industry leaders to help guide us, you’ll walk away feeling informed, empowered, and ready to take on your future with confidence. So sit back, relax, and get ready to join us on this journey to a new life!

  1. 07/25/2025

    Retirement Investing Without Panic: Rick Wedell on Risk, Liquidity & Market Noise (Ep. 32)

    Could your reaction to the market be a bigger risk to your retirement than the market itself? In this episode, David speaks with Rick Wedell, Chief Investment Officer at RFG Advisory, about the fundamentals of managing money for retirement. They explore the importance of understanding risk capacity versus risk tolerance, the difference between public and private markets, and how to tune out sensational media noise when making long-term investment decisions.  Rick also shares why liquidity matters and how his updates are designed to provide clarity, not fear. Rick discusses: The key differences between managing wealth for retirees versus hedge fund or mutual fund management How understanding both risk capacity and risk tolerance shapes smarter portfolio decisions The distinctions between public and private markets, including liquidity and valuation stability The psychological effect of fear-based financial media and how it can harm investor decision-making Why his regular market updates are designed to educate and calm rather than sensationalize And more Resources: Join us on July 29th to hear Rick live: Market Commentary with Rick Wedell Connect with David Koren:  RVA Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Koren (804) 497-2100 Connect with Rick Wedell: LinkedIn: Rick Wedell Website: Bluemonte Website: RFG Advisory  About our Guest:  Rick Wedell joined RFG Advisory as Partner and Chief Investment Officer (CIO) in 2016. As CIO and leader of RFG’s Investment Team, Rick manages multiasset portfolios and provides strategic insights on asset allocation and portfolio construction. Rick also leads the design and enhancements of RFG’s custombuilt, institutional-caliber, client-focused investment platform known as “Bluemonte”, currently managing over $3 billion of assets under management. Rick’s guiding principle is simple, straightforward analysis coupled with a consistent, rigorous investment process. Recognizing that foundations and family offices often enjoy a significantly higher level of access and sophistication around portfolio management, Rick designed an innovative investment experience focused on bringing that level of service and direct accessibility to financial advisors at RFG Advisory. Before joining RFG, Rick spent 12 years at Bain Capital Credit, where he rose through the ranks to become Executive Vice President, Head of Fixed Income Consumer Investments, and Assistant Portfolio Manager. Rick played an instrumental role in helping Bain grow to become a global investment powerhouse, serving client assets in excess of $30 billion. Managing portfolios through the volatile markets of 2001 and 2008, Rick experienced firsthand the importance of portfolio diversification and the tradeoffs between risk and portfolio return. He applies those same lessons today to managing client and institutional portfolios at RFG Advisory.

  2. 05/22/2025

    How Pickleball Can Transform Your Retirement Years with Jon Laaser (Ep. 31)

    What does pickleball have to do with retirement?  More than you’d think! Join David Koren from RVA Wealth Management as he dives into the vibrant community of pickleball, a growing sport that’s perfect for retirees. Special guest Jon Laaser, COO & Co-Founder of Performance Pickleball, shares why this sport is taking off and how it nurtures social connections and physical health for retirees. Explore why pickleball could be your new favorite retirement hobby and how it’s impacting communities: Discover the social and health benefits [01:18] Jon Laaser shares his journey into pickleball [02:44] The future of pickleball and its broad appeal [05:37] Why RVA Wealth Management is sponsoring pickleball events [14:33] Insights into maintaining health and peer interaction in retirement [15:43] Find out how pickleball is more than just a game; it’s an exciting way to enrich your retirement life. Ready to unleash your retirement? Dive into this episode for a fun and insightful conversation! Connect with David Koren:  RVA Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Koren (804) 497-2100 Connect with Jon Laaser: Performance Pickleball LinkedIn: Jon Laaser (804) 997-4964 Email: info@ppbrva.com About our Guest:  Jon Laaser is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner of Performance Pickleball, a company he co-founded with Lee Warfield in 2023. In that role he oversees the operation of Performance Pickleball RVA, Performance Pickleball ROA and Performance Productions. He is also the host of “The Stack” podcast and serves as “The Voice of Collegiate Pickleball” for DUPR. Prior to founding Performance Pickleball, Laaser was the President & Founder of Laaser’s Ladybug Society and spent 22 years in sports broadcasting and athletic promotions. His diverse background includes stints as “The Voice of the Virginia Tech Hokies,” “The Voice of the Richmond Flying Squirrels” and “The Voice of the Charleston Southern Buccaneers.” The 45-year-old has also served stints in the broadcast booth for affiliates of the Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks. Additionally, he could be heard on the call of both men’s and women’s basketball for the VCU Rams and for multiple sports on The ACC Network. His previous stops also include MASN, NBC Sports Washington and The Hampton Roads Sports Network.  A native of Minneapolis, MN, Laaser began his career at KFAN Radio in his hometown. He currently resides in Short Pump with his wife, Renée, and their beloved pug Steve.

  3. 04/17/2025

    Navigating Senior Living: Advice for Retirees with Jen Dowda (Ep. 30)

    What happens when staying at home isn’t the safest option anymore? How do you navigate elder care and senior living decisions? Join David Koren, Founder and Wealth Manager, MBA, ChFC®, CLU®, as he chats with Jen Dowda from Dowda Senior Consultants. Jen’s firm in Richmond offers all-encompassing support for seniors and their families, from aging in place to transitioning into senior living communities. Learn how they tackle everything from listening to personal stories with empathy to managing logistics like property downsizing and senior living arrangements. Discover why RVA Wealth Management considers this a major part of retirement planning. David and Jen discuss:  (03:12) The process of senior consulting at Dowda Senior Consultants (06:58) Various senior living options and what to consider (09:42) Overcoming the challenges of in-home care (11:56) The role of technology in easing the transition to senior living (14:07) The importance of stories and memories in the process (15:12) Jen’s journey and motivation behind Dowda Senior Consultants (19:03) How Jen’s firm funds and supports its unique model And more Check it out now for tips on navigating senior care that you’ll want to share with your loved ones. Connect with David Koren:  RVA Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Koren (804) 497-2100 Connect with Jen Dowda: Dowda Senior Consultants LinkedIn: Jen Dowda Phone: 804-234-3627 About our Guest:  Jen Dowda, MA, is the Founder and CEO of Dowda Senior Consultants. Jen is blessed to work with seniors and their families daily – and to have been doing so for over 9 years. She is deeply passionate about coming alongside families during this uniquely challenging and often disorienting time in their lives. In order to truly be able to meet all the needs presented, and aware that she cannot personally be an expert in every field, Jen created the Dowda Senior Consultants team. As a person who loves nothing more than to be able to walk alongside of and serve others, this company is her dream come true – a culmination of all of her strongest gifts and longings. Jen currently lives in Mechanicsville, has four children, a ridiculously huge dog, and an incredibly blessed life.

  4. 11/28/2024

    Understanding the Impact of the 2024 Elections on Your Investment Portfolio with Mike Smith (Ep. 26)

    How can political shifts influence your investments? In this episode, David welcomes back Mike Smith to navigate the murky waters of a post-election financial landscape and dissect the implications of the recent political power shift. With both the Presidency, Senate, and House now under one party’s control, the duo explores what this means for the markets, tax laws, and investors’ portfolios. David and Mike dive into a conversation that’s sure to enlighten retirees and investors alike, touching on critical topics such as market fluctuations, party control, and planning amidst policy changes. Tune in to understand the potential economic and market impacts of tariff changes, Trump tax cuts, and the ongoing AI and industrial infrastructure boom. David and Mike discuss: (01:30) The effects of a single-party government on the stock market (04:06) Tax considerations and the likelihood of corporate tax changes (06:22) The economic impact of tariffs and deregulation (08:19) Predicting market corrections and the importance of staying informed (11:08) Why we might anticipate a market correction (18:33) Practical advice on navigating market volatility and potential tariffs And more Resources: Book a consultation with us at www.rvawealthmanagement.com   Connect with David Koren:  RVA Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Koren (804) 497-2100 Connect with Mike Smith: RVA Wealth Management LinkedIn: Michael Smith mike@rvawm.com (804) 622-1728

About

Welcome to Unleash Your Retirement with David Koren from RVA Wealth Management. Our podcast is all about providing anyone considering retirement with the confidence they need to pursue their dreams in this new phase of life. We cover a wide range of topics, from retirement planning to investing with purpose, all while making you laugh and keeping things light-hearted. With David’s years of experience and guest industry leaders to help guide us, you’ll walk away feeling informed, empowered, and ready to take on your future with confidence. So sit back, relax, and get ready to join us on this journey to a new life!