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.

In this episode, Brian Becker joins the show for a thoughtful and grounded conversation on leadership, discipline, service, and what it really takes to build teams and organizations that last.

Brian reflects on his career journey, the mentors who shaped him, and the values that guided his leadership decisions over time. From personal accountability and operational excellence to the quiet strength of consistency, this discussion highlights the kind of leadership that isn’t flashy — but endures.

Throughout the conversation, Brian emphasizes the importance of trust, preparation, and showing up for people even when it’s uncomfortable. His perspective offers a refreshing reminder that sustainable leadership is built through habits, integrity, and a willingness to take responsibility.

This episode is especially valuable for leaders navigating growth, pressure, and long-term impact.

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome and episode introduction

00:44 — Introducing Brian Becker

01:32 — Early career influences and discipline

03:18 — Learning leadership through responsibility

05:07 — Mentorship and earned trust

07:26 — The role of consistency in leadership

09:41 — Decision-making under pressure

12:05 — Accountability without ego

14:22 — Building strong teams over time

16:58 — Lessons learned from failure

19:31 — Leading through uncertainty

22:10 — Why preparation still matters

25:06 — Service-oriented leadership

27:44 — Staying grounded as responsibility grows

30:12 — Advice for emerging leaders

32:20 — Final reflections and closing

If this episode resonated with you:

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In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, host Chris Everett sits down with Robert J. Mondo, an estate planning attorney who has spent more than two decades helping families protect what matters most — with clarity, intention, and zero legal jargon.

Bob brings a rare blend of deep tax expertise and an educator’s mindset, breaking down complex estate planning strategies into language everyday people can actually understand. From revocable trusts and special needs planning to asset protection and advanced tax-saving vehicles, this conversation goes far beyond documents and dives into why proper planning — and proper funding — makes all the difference.

You’ll hear why most estate plans fail, the dangers of outdated trusts, the critical role of trust funding, and why estate planning only works when attorneys and financial planners operate as a true team.

If you want to design a legacy that avoids confusion, unnecessary taxes, and missed opportunities, this episode is essential listening.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to Beyond the Numbers

00:27 – Meet your host, Chris Everett

00:35 – Introducing Robert J. Mondo

01:31 – Why Bob approaches law as an educator

02:43 – From tax attorney to estate planning specialist

03:56 – Helping clients truly understand their plans

05:11 – Why most estate plans fall short

06:16 – The danger of form-based and DIY trusts

07:17 – Core estate planning structures explained

08:19 – Why old trusts (pre-2012) can be problematic

09:12 – Reciprocal spousal trusts and hidden risks

10:29 – Step-up in basis explained simply

11:41 – Why simplicity often wins in estate planning

12:30 – Why trusts older than 2012 should be reviewed

13:16 – What a revocable trust actually does

14:20 – Probate avoidance and asset control

15:24 – Asset protection trusts and who really needs them

16:13 – Special needs planning mistakes to avoid

17:41 – Intentionally defective grantor trusts explained

18:56 – Removing assets from taxable estates

20:18 – How promissory notes preserve control

21:41 – When advanced trusts make sense

22:00 – Attorney + financial planner collaboration

23:14 – Retitling assets without triggering taxes

24:36 – Common planning breakdowns

25:21 – A real-world missed planning opportunity

26:46 – Fixing estate problems after death

27:58 – Why transparency matters in planning

28:22 – Current estate tax law considerations

29:34 – Succession planning for solo attorneys

31:04 – Trust funding as part of a fiduciary process

32:17 – Why documents alone aren’t enough

33:27 – Checklists, reminders & accountability

34:35 – The danger of last-minute planning

35:00 – Bob’s law school journey

36:18 – Why tax attorneys collaborate differently

37:39 – Creating proprietary estate planning categories

38:58 – Custom planning vs template documents

40:18 – Why other attorneys notice the difference

41:15 – What to look for in an estate planning attorney

42:09 – Avoiding generalists in complex planning

42:58 – How to research the right attorney

43:36 – How to contact Bob Mondo

45:43 – Building the right financial team

47:16 – Why financial planning comes first

48:18 – Final thoughts & closing

🎧 CALL TO ACTION

👉 Subscribe to Beyond the Numbers for deeper conversations about wealth and meaning.

👍 Like the episode and share it with someone reviewing their estate plan.

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📩 Share this episode with a family member or advisor who needs to hear it.

In this powerful episode of Beyond the Numbers, host Chris Everett sits down with Carlos and Julie Muñoz, founders of TMP Janitorial, to share a story of breakthrough, marriage restoration, and business transformation.

What started as a struggling marriage and two disconnected businesses turned into a redemption story marked by honesty, vulnerability, faith, and radical authenticity. After years of fear, hidden financial struggles, resentment, and emotional distance, one pivotal moment changed everything — a moment where truth surfaced, fear broke, and healing began.

Their marriage transformed…

And their business followed.

From stagnant revenue and broken trust to explosive growth, 40 employees, expansion into multiple states, and a second business in real estate — their journey proves that sometimes the biggest business problems require a spiritual solution.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your relationship, your business, or both, this conversation will challenge the way you think about success, partnership, and faith-driven transformation.

Learn more about the company Carlos & Julie run together: https://tmpjanitorial.com/

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to Beyond the Numbers

00:02 – What this podcast is REALLY about

00:27 – Meet your host, Chris Everett

00:36 – Introducing Carlos & Julie’s incredible story

01:02 – From $250K to $1.2M…and climbing

01:22 – The real reason their breakthrough happened

01:58 – Five years of separate lives & hidden struggles

02:26 – A moment of surrender, honesty & divine intervention

03:01 – Business grows as the marriage heals

03:31 – Welcoming Carlos & Julie

03:55 – How they all first met

04:23 – Early marriage, separate businesses, disconnect

05:00 – Love at first sight & their early story

06:21 – Carlos hides failures out of fear

07:37 – The moment everything came to light

08:01 – Julie’s surrender and spiritual awakening

09:07 – The emotional toll & the breaking point

10:16 – Fear, control & disconnection

11:29 – The supernatural moment at church

12:25 – The porch conversation that changed everything

13:25 – Confession, repentance & emotional honesty

14:10 – Modeling vulnerability using the Connection Code

17:05 – Fear, guilt, shame, sadness, hurt & joy — in real time

21:31 – Julie responds with honesty, hope & clarity

23:14 – Breakthrough and instant emotional shift

24:37 – Healing: what happened next

25:42 – How surrender changed their business

27:17 – Tripling the business in months

28:04 – Expansion, 40 employees & new businesses

28:34 – Carlos’ 3 commitments in every business meeting

29:34 – How Chris helped transform their financial life

30:02 – A marriage “made in heaven”

30:27 – Childhood roots & the entrepreneurial drive

31:49 – Purpose, impact & business as a tool

32:46 – How employees noticed the change

33:09 – Compassionate leadership & emotional safety

34:11 – Tools that shifted their company culture

34:28 – Working together with humility & vulnerability

35:04 – No longer faking strength — leading with truth

36:11 – Advice for struggling couples

37:15 – Rebuilding trust & emotional safety

37:38 – A message to men about passivity

38:25 – What bravery really looks like

38:45 – The next 5 years: legacy, expansion, community impact

40:25 – The legacy they’re building for their children

41:22 – A reminder that healing is always possible

42:03 – Final reflections & gratitude

42:28 – What TMP stands for

42:51 – Subscribe, rate, review & share

🎧 CALL TO ACTION

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📩 Share this with someone who needs hope, healing, or clarity right now.

From a trailer park to building a thriving insurance empire—Sam Rolph's story is proof that the American dream is alive and well. After 25+ years as a captive insurance agent, Sam faced a potential $2.5 million loss in premium when his company changed their business model. Instead of accepting defeat, he made a bold pivot to become an independent agent with Erie Insurance and is now on track to nearly triple his first-year revenue projections. In this powerful episode of Beyond the Numbers, host Chris Everett explores Sam's remarkable journey from Air Force avionics specialist to American Airlines mechanic to insurance industry powerhouse, revealing the strategies behind his explosive growth and service-first philosophy.

Whether you're an entrepreneur considering a career change, building an insurance agency, or looking for inspiration on how to turn adversity into opportunity, this conversation delivers actionable insights on business transitions, financial planning, team leadership, and the power of strategic risk-taking. Learn how Sam went from mowing lawns and snow plowing to fund his insurance startup to building a referral-driven agency that prioritizes client education over sales—and why surrounding yourself with people smarter than you is the key to long-term success.

Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome to Beyond the Numbers

01:10 - Introducing Sam Rolph's Journey

04:06 - The Pivot from Aviation to Insurance

07:09 - Getting Started Without a License

09:13 - Mowing Lawns and Snow Plowing to Build a Business

10:00 - The Power of Falling Into Opportunity

10:25 - Leaving the Captive Agency: The $2.5M Decision

14:25 - Underwriting vs. Order Taking: The Erie Difference

16:03 - Projecting $700K, Tracking $1.6M in Year One

17:14 - Growing Up in a Trailer Park: Financial Lessons

19:22 - Taking Care of Your Team Through Transitions

20:18 - Military Service and Turning Down $10K

23:07 - The No Regrets Philosophy

24:13 - Why Sam Called Chris After Hearing Him on Radio

26:08 - Service Mindset: Leaving People with More Knowledge

28:16 - The Circle of Knowledge

30:16 - Building a Barn-dominium on 10 Acres

33:08 - Where Sam Sees Himself in 15 Years

33:57 - Advice for Making a Major Career Shift

🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and wealth builders who are redefining success on their own terms.

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💬 Comment below: What's one major pivot you've made (or are considering) in your career or business?

📢 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that it's never too late to reinvent yourself

Bill Bishop is rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship, innovation, and what it means to stay relevant in an AI-driven world.

His journey—from coining “digital marketing” in 1995, to authoring bestselling books, to guiding over 5,000 entrepreneurs through his Big Idea framework—offers a masterclass in thinking bigger than your circumstances.

This conversation explores the mindset shifts that transform hot dog stand businesses into gourmet chef empires. Bill breaks down why most founders unknowingly operate inside their “old factory,” how the penguin problem erases differentiation, and why the next era belongs to generalists who can orchestrate value instead of clinging to narrow specialties.

Key Topics

00:00 – The story of a 68-year-young disruptor

02:10 – How a brilliant mother ignited a lifelong mission

05:18 – Why patience (and tennis coaching) shaped Bill’s transformation philosophy

08:44 – Getting unstuck: The hotdog stand trap

12:10 – Think big. Start small. The 11% rule

16:25 – The gourmet restaurant analogy that rewires your approach

21:45 – The Penguin Problem: Why most businesses blend into the crowd

27:02 – Building a $50M “hyper-intelligent building” business

33:40 – AI as a dance partner, not a threat

38:50 – Why wellbeing—not metrics—is the new value proposition

42:10 – The rise of generalists and the death of narrow specialization

47:35 – Education, critical thinking, and fixing the old factory mindset

52:48 – Future-proofing yourself through intention

56:30 – Coaching the next generation of entrepreneurs

1:01:14 – Autonomous cars and finding opportunity inside disruption

1:05:20 – The lobster story that launched a movement

1:10:02 – How to discover your own Big Idea

For entrepreneurs with good intentions and a desire to build meaningful value, this conversation delivers a practical perspective wrapped in future-focused clarity. This isn’t theory—it’s transformation in real time.

If this episode sparks something for you:

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