In this episode of Beyond the Numbers — where money meets meaning and purpose, host Chris Everett sits down with Brad Jenkins, CFP®, Chief Investment Officer & CEO of MarketGuard, to unpack what it really takes to pursue strong returns without living through stomach-churning volatility.

Brad shares the unlikely origin story that started with him reading the financial section in 7th grade, the moment he realized the industry often prioritizes profits over people, and why he built Market Guard around three pillars: excellence, integrity, and innovation.

You’ll also hear the “cookies” framework behind Brad’s book Cookies and Retirement: A Recipe for Success—a simple way to understand portfolio construction, behavioral risks, and why “time and temperature” matter as much as ingredients.

If you’re an investor who wants clarity, or an advisor evaluating an investment partner, this conversation breaks down what to look for, what questions to ask, and how disciplined downside protection can help clients stay invested when markets get loopy.

🎙️ Guest: Brad Jenkins, CFP® — CIO & CEO, MarketGuard 🎧 Host: Chris Everett — Everett Wealth Solutions

In this episode, we cover: • Why Brad entered wealth management (and what nearly turned him away) • The 3 biggest threats to your money (and why “you” is #1) • What makes Market Guard different: returns with lower volatility • Why “Noah built the ark before it rained” is a risk-management blueprint • How to evaluate a money manager (track record, volatility periods, and skin in the game) • The Mastery Event with leadership strategist & American hero Sean Patton • What’s next: Market Guard’s new index + structured note conversations with major institutions

📌 About the show Beyond the Numbers is where growth-minded professionals talk strategy, legacy, and the financial decisions that shape their future. Hosted by fiduciary financial planner Chris Everett, the podcast explores how people align business growth with personal purpose through intentional wealth-building.

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What does freedom really mean when you’ve lived without it?

In this episode of Beyond the Numbers: Where Money Meets Meaning & Purpose, host Chris Everett sits down with authors and former journalists Nonna and Russell Working, a couple whose journey from the Soviet Union to the United States gave them a lived understanding of free speech, censorship, and the real cost of standing on principle.

Russell, a Pushcart Prize–winning writer and former Chicago Tribune journalist, and Nona, an academic research administrator and author, share firsthand experiences reporting under authoritarian systems, navigating corruption, witnessing state-controlled media, and ultimately choosing meaning over financial optimization. From covering mafia wars and North Korean forced labor to confronting ideological conformity in modern America, this conversation explores how wealth, freedom, and purpose intersect when speaking the truth comes at a price.

This is not a partisan debate—it’s a deep discussion about courage, incentives, personal responsibility, and what happens when people stop protecting comfort and start protecting values.

Timestamps: 00:00 – What Beyond the Numbers is really about 01:36 – Choosing principle over financial optimization 02:29 – Leaving Russia: what was at stake 06:53 – Reporting during the collapse of the Soviet Union 08:20 – Mafia wars, corruption, and forbidden journalism 11:31 – Covering North Korean forced labor in Russia 14:52 – Why English-language journalism mattered 18:06 – Seeing censorship and ideological pressure in America 23:20 – Why communism misunderstands wealth creation 28:43 – Writing The Insurrectionist and challenging modern journalism 35:18 – When journalism turns into activism 40:05 – When should people speak up—even if it costs them? 47:39 – Financial security vs. living by your principles 54:08 – The internal freedom that replaces fear

Call to Action: If this conversation challenged you, like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who values free thought and honest dialogue. Comment below: When have you faced a moment where speaking up came with a real cost?

Welcome to Beyond the Numbers, the podcast where money meets meaning and purpose. In this episode, host Chris Everett sits down with Phyllis and Dr. Glenn Hill, founders of Connection Codes, to explore the science, faith, and human experience behind real connection. Born out of their own marriage struggles and shaped by decades of research, their work reframes how we understand emotions, communication, and relationships — not just in marriage, but in every area of life.

From emotional intelligence and brain science to faith, leadership, business, and personal growth, this conversation goes far beyond theory. You’ll hear how emotional disconnection happens, why traditional approaches often fall short, and how simple, practical tools can create profound change in relationships, teams, families, and organizations worldwide. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, spouse, parent, or simply someone who wants deeper connection, this episode offers a powerful lens on what it means to truly understand yourself and others.

Website mentioned: connectioncodes.co

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Beyond the Numbers

00:27 – Introducing the episode theme: connection and emotional intelligence

00:55 – Meet Phyllis and Dr. Glenn Hill, founders of Connection Codes

01:47 – How marriage struggles sparked a decade of research

04:00 – Why traditional therapy often misses the mark

07:49 – Shifting the focus from disconnection to connection

08:43 – Faith, emotions, and the brain

12:17 – Growing up with “choose joy” and the cost of suppressing emotion

15:16 – How unprocessed emotions impact the body and performance

18:25 – The origin of the Core Emotion Wheel

20:02 – Why the tool is intentionally simple and time-bound

22:56 – The eight core emotions explained

26:55 – Live demonstration of the Connection Codes

31:42 – Audible listening and why silence can feel painful

33:01 – From marriage tool to universal human framework

35:24 – Global expansion and applications in business and organizations

38:31 – Addressing narcissism and emotional dysregulation

40:54 – The School of Connection and future vision

42:01 – Final reflections on money, meaning, and connection

Everett Wealth Solutions, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Illinois providing fiduciary financial planning and asset management across the nation.

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📩 Share this episode with someone who could benefit from deeper connection.