Sterling Insights

How Safe Money Strategies Can Protect Your Retirement and Legacy

In this episode of Sterling Insights, Katherine sits down with Richard Milella, veteran financial strategist and “advisor to the advisors.” Together, they explore the crucial topic of safe money strategies in retirement planning, sharing valuable insights and practical tips for listeners. Richard draws from his 38 years of experience to discuss how emotions influence financial decisions, the risks of traditional retirement strategies, and the importance of proactive planning. This episode is a must-listen for pre-retirees, retirees, and financial professionals seeking a more secure and thoughtful approach to wealth management.

Key Takeaways:

● 💡 Emotion Drives Finance: Richard’s psychology background helps clients navigate the emotional aspects of money—crucial for smart, balanced decision-making.

● 🛡️ Safe Money Strategies Matter: Protecting your assets from loss is just as important as growing them, especially during retirement.

● 📉 Avoid Distribution Mistakes: Failing to adjust from accumulation to distribution phases can lead to unexpected losses and early depletion of retirement funds.

● 🎓 College Costs Can Derail Retirement: Richard’s nonprofit helps families avoid financial traps from student debt that can delay or derail retirement.

● 📊 Personalized Planning Pays Off: A one-size-fits-all financial plan doesn’t work—understanding individual goals and risks is essential.

Quotes from Richard Milella:

● “Money is a very emotional topic… it relates to people’s hopes, their fears, their desires.”

● “My mindset is really on growing their money in an environment that would also protect them from losing money.”

● “People don’t recognize the difference between accumulating money and taking the money out—and that’s a big mistake.”

🔗 Conclusion: Whether you’re planning retirement, helping others with theirs, or just want to protect what you’ve built, Richard Miella’s insights offer clear, grounded steps to do it wisely.

Connect with Richard:

Website:  https://RFMAdvisors.com

Website:  https://safemoney.com/new-york/richard-f-milella/

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Welcome to a Fan Favorite episode of Sterling Insights:  Sterling Insights: Stand Out & Supercharge Your Assets, hosted by Roger Silk.  In this episode, Roger sits down with Brian Carney and discusses early strategic tax planning.

Brian serves RiversEdge Advisors as Partner and Co-founder. Brian leads the overarching strategy and direction of the organization. He is the definition of a servant leader, ensuring the team, and the company, are optimized to deliver exemplary client experience and growth.   

Brian has over two decades of Financial Services experience. Brian is fascinated by the emotional aspects of financial planning and architected RiversEdge’s processes to directly address the role emotions play in financial decisioning

Here are some highlights from the episode:

Brian and Roger stress the importance of early strategic tax planning to ensure successful business exits.

Brian explains It is crucial for business owners to detach emotionally and understand the true market value of their business.

RiversEdge Advisors focuses on creating a supportive partnership with clients to navigate financial complexities and achieve optimal outcomes.

Connect with Brian:

Website:  Riversedgeadvisors.com

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/riversedgeadvisors

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiversEdgeAdvisorsLLC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riversedgeadvisors_llc/?hl=en

Connect with Roger:

Website:  https://www.sterlingfoundations.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sterlingfoundations/

Twitter:  https://x.com/SterlingFndMgt?mx=2

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/sterling-foundation-management-llc/

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What does it truly mean to be a “realtor for life”? In this episode, you’ll hear how one real estate professional goes beyond the transaction to build lifelong partnerships with clients navigating major life transitions.

In this episode of Sterling Insights, guest host Mike Agol sits down with Kellie Jovane, a seasoned Houston-area Realtor with over 20 years of experience in real estate and property appraisals. Together, they explore the human side of real estate, sharing valuable insights and practical advice for anyone navigating the highs and lows of buying or selling a home. Kellie draws from decades of experience to discuss how life events — from starting a family to facing unexpected transitions — shape real estate decisions, offering compassionate, strategic guidance for clients at every stage. This episode is a must-listen for home buyers, sellers, real estate professionals, and those considering life changes that involve a move, providing both inspiration and actionable tips to navigate the process with confidence.

Key Takeaways:

● 🏠 Real Estate is a Relationship Business: Kellie shares why she treats every client equally, regardless of price point, and how building long-term relationships is the heart of her business.

● 💡 Planning Matters: Life transitions like divorce, retirement, or job relocation can lead to unexpected real estate decisions — and proper planning can make all the difference.

● 🤝 Trusted Advisor Role: Being a Realtor is more than sales — Kellie positions herself as a long-term partner and resource, even years after the sale closes.

● 📣 Marketing with Intention: From social media to brokerage syndication, Kellie discusses her multi-layered strategy to get homes seen and sold quickly.

● 🧭 The Value of Education: Kellie invests in continuous education to better serve clients — including VA, 1031 exchange, and investment property courses — to stay current and provide expert guidance.

Quotes from Kellie Jovane:

● “I’m not looking at the number — I’m looking at the person.”

● “A trusted advisor doesn’t just end at the closing table — they’re a partner for years to come.”

● “There’s always a reason things don’t work out — because something better is waiting.”

🔗 Conclusion:

Whether you’re buying your first home or preparing for the next big chapter in life, Kellie Jovane’s client-first philosophy and deep real estate knowledge offer a clear blueprint for building trust and making confident property decisions.

Connect with Kellie:

Website:  www.har.com/KellieJ

Instagram: @KellieJovane_realtor

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kellie-jovane-99251932

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Discover how to reimagine your wealth strategy beyond traditional investment models and unlock the full potential of your financial life in this episode of Sterling Insights.
In this episode of Sterling Insights, Roger sits down with Austin Collins, Founder of Integrated Wealth Advisors and a seasoned expert in personalized, holistic financial advisory. Together, they explore the power of integrating planning, investment management, and virtual family office strategies to create lasting value for clients, sharing valuable insights and practical tips for listeners. Austin draws from his extensive experience in working with high net worth individuals navigating complex transitions and decisions, offering actionable advice for anyone looking to elevate their financial game. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, investors, and families navigating financial transitions, providing both knowledge and tools to build a resilient and purpose-driven financial future.

Key Takeaways:
● 💡 Reimagining Wealth Management: Austin challenges the traditional model by prioritizing planning and team collaboration over investment allocation alone.
● 🔍 Loss Tolerance vs. Risk Tolerance: Shifting the conversation from “risk tolerance” to “loss tolerance” helps align portfolios with real comfort levels.
● 📈 Constant Planning Readiness: Integrated’s approach involves frequent check-ins and real-time modeling to support better decision-making at any moment.
● 🤝 Virtual Family Office: Learn how a curated team of top professionals can unlock new possibilities in complex financial transitions.
● 🌟 Money as an Expression of Values: For ultra-high net worth individuals, it’s not about chasing returns—it’s about creating meaningful impact.

Quotes from Austin Collins:
● “We believe that planning and coordinated professional teams are actually the main value that we deliver.”
● “Risk tolerance typically tends to have a relativistic application. People think they’re aggressive when the market’s going up and conservative when it’s going down.”
● “At that level, your money becomes an expression of your values. It doesn’t become a tool that you have to optimize to get an outcome.”

🔗 Conclusion:
Austin’s insights are a masterclass in redefining financial advisory—offering a fresh, holistic lens for navigating wealth management and building a team that supports your ideal outcomes.

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Discover how one of Wall Street’s top advisors built her success by challenging the status quo—and learn what it takes to thrive in a male-dominated industry.

In this episode of Sterling Insights, Roger sits down with Lori Van Dusen, founder and CEO of LVW Advisors and author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Running with Grace. Together, they explore Lori’s fascinating journey from Harvard to Wall Street, the evolution of independent advisory work, and the powerful role of values and resilience in personal and professional growth. Lori draws from her extensive experience to discuss how she’s helping women and next-generation wealth holders take charge of their financial futures, offering actionable advice for advisors and clients alike. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the world of wealth management, succession, or the emotional challenges of significant life transitions.

Key Takeaways: ● 💼 The Power of Client-Centric Advice: Lori’s pioneering approach to advisory work—prioritizing understanding over selling—set her apart and shaped her values-based practice. ● 🌟 Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Field: Despite starting her career as one of only a few women in the room, Lori carved out a path that inspired others to follow. ● 🔍 How to Build Resiliency: Lori shares practical ways to navigate personal and professional setbacks, including insights from her book Running with Grace. ● 🌱 The Future of Wealth Management: Lori highlights how demographic shifts and generational change are transforming the advisory landscape—and how firms can adapt. ● 🤝 The Importance of Collaboration: Lori explains how working with other professionals like RIAs and leveraging team strengths creates better outcomes for clients.

Quotes from Lori Van Dusen: ● “I never really sold stocks, bonds—I never sold anything. I just started gathering information and then gathering assets, and then figuring out what was broken and how to fix it.” ● “I’m a business development person. So it’s really for me where I’ve ended up as a result of some really sudden, tragic losses… The business ran really without me.” ● “My book became a form of philanthropy to me… It’s a way to pay forward what I’ve learned in business and life.”

🔗 Conclusion: Lori Van Dusen’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, values-driven leadership, and the importance of meeting clients where they are. Don’t miss this episode!

Connect with Lori Van Dusen:

Website:  https://lvwadvisors.com/

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Estate planning and probate can seem daunting—especially when family dynamics and complex assets collide. In this episode, we unpack how to plan ahead and keep your legacy intact.

In this episode of Sterling Insights, Rexford Cattanch sits down with Scott Ruhsam, Partner at Kennedy & Ruhsam Law and a highly experienced estate planning and probate attorney. Together, they explore the complexities of wills, trusts, and trust administration, sharing valuable insights and practical tips for listeners. Scott draws from his extensive experience to discuss common pitfalls, family conflict, and how to create plans that actually work in real life, offering actionable advice for anyone thinking about their estate or handling one now. This episode is a must-listen for business owners, families planning for the future, and anyone navigating estate administration, providing both knowledge and tools to make smarter, more effective decisions.

Key Takeaways: ● 🏠 Trusts Over Wills Post-COVID: COVID highlighted the advantages of revocable trusts for simplifying estate settlement. ● 🤝 Professional Fiduciaries Save Time and Money: Neutral fiduciaries can navigate family conflict and maximize value without bias. ● 📈 Clear Business Planning is Critical: Buy-sell agreements and accounting practices are essential to avoid costly disputes later. ● 💡 Creative Conflict Resolution: Unique strategies—like family auctions—can prevent small issues from turning into expensive fights. ● 🗂️ Probate Demystified: Scott walks through exactly what to expect in the first weeks and months of settling an estate.

Quotes from Scott Ruhsam: ● “Probate itself isn’t the problem—it’s litigation that turns it into a nightmare.” ● “As a professional fiduciary, I’m here to be neutral and maximize value for everyone.” ● “It’s not just about drafting documents—it’s about making sure your plan is practical and actually works when it matters most.”

🔗 Conclusion: Scott Ruhsam’s insights offer clarity, confidence, and practical tools for estate planning that goes beyond the paperwork and truly protects your legacy.

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What if your financial advisor truly understood your life—not just your money? In this episode of Sterling Insights, Roger sits down with Melissa Bouchillon, Co-Founder of SoundView Wealth Advisors and a Certified Financial Planner with over 20 years of experience. Together, they explore the power of holistic financial planning, sharing valuable insights and practical tips for building lasting wealth across generations. Melissa draws from her extensive background in both education and finance to discuss the pitfalls of product-driven advice, the need for planning that evolves, and how trust transforms financial relationships, offering actionable guidance for families, professionals, and business owners.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to align their finances with their values—whether you’re planning retirement, building wealth, or guiding your family through transitions.

Key Takeaways:

● 📊 Planning Over Products: True financial success is built on evolving plans—not one-size-fits-all investment products.

● 👩‍👧‍👦 Multi-Generational Focus: Helping families across generations requires communication, empathy, and tailored strategies for each life stage.

● 🧠 Mindset Matters: Education, psychology, and behavioral insight are crucial to helping clients make better long-term decisions.

● 💬 Team-Based Support: SoundView’s team model ensures that clients are never left waiting—someone always knows their story.

● 🧰 Preparedness Beats Prediction: With no crystal ball for the market, SoundView builds portfolios that can weather 3–10 years of downturns without panic selling.

Quotes from Melissa Bouchillon:

● “If you just do the right thing for people, take the time to get to know them and truly help them, the word gets out.”

● “I’m not a magician—if you’re spending too much, something’s got to give.”

● “That financial plan isn’t something you set and forget. It’s a living, breathing tool to guide every decision you make.”

🔗 Conclusion: Melissa reminds us that great financial advice isn’t about outperforming the market—it’s about helping people live better lives with confidence, clarity, and care.

Connect with Melissa:

Sound View Wealth Advisors website: https://www.svadvice.com/

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Ever wonder what it really takes to run a stress-free, fully compliant small business without drowning in paperwork? This episode is your inside look at how to make that a reality.

In this episode of Sterling Insights, guest host Charles Trakas sits down with Candy Messer, founder of Affordable Bookkeeping and Payroll Services. Together, they explore what it takes to build and scale a service-based business with a focus on financial compliance, team empowerment, and client peace of mind. Candy draws from over two decades of experience in payroll and bookkeeping to discuss the challenges small business owners face when juggling operations, regulations, and growth—offering actionable advice for entrepreneurs ready to delegate and reclaim their time.

This episode is a must-listen for business owners, service providers, and solo-preneurs looking to streamline their operations and create a business that runs without them.

Key Takeaways:

● 💼 From Side Hustle to Scalable Firm: How Candy went from part-time bookkeeper in 2002 to leading a remote team serving 100+ clients across the U.S.

● 🏢 Compliance is Key: Why ignoring small business requirements like licenses, 1099s, and payroll filings can lead to big trouble—and how her team helps avoid that.

● 🧠 Client Education is Crucial: Why clients are often unaware of the numbers behind their business—and how Candy uncovers the truth behind the profits.

● 💡 The Power of Saying No: A powerful story about choosing staff well-being over high-paying but toxic clients.

● 🕒 Creating Clockwork Freedom: How Candy uses the Clockwork system to design a business that runs without her—so she can spend more time with family.

Quotes from Candy Messer:

● “Every time I talk to you, I feel so much better because I know everything is being handled.”

● “You could be growing your business, but if you’re not charging right or tracking labor costs, you’re silently losing money.”

● “I had to protect my staff—even if it meant walking away from one of our top revenue clients.”

🔗 Conclusion:

Candy’s story is a blueprint for building a values-driven business: one that grows with integrity, serves with expertise, and empowers both clients and team. If you’re ready to free yourself from the daily grind while staying in full control of your business’s finances and compliance, this episode will inspire your next steps.

Connect with Candy:

Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/CandyMesser

Download our Free Guide to Financial Lingo: https://bit.ly/3bMO9V4

LinkedIn : http://www.linkedin.com/in/candymesser

Website: www.abandp.com

 Free Clockwork Tool: https://bit.ly/ABPTimePod

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Are your high-net-worth clients truly getting what they need — or are they part of the 60% looking to switch advisors?

In this episode of Sterling Insights, Roger sits down with Paul Lofties, elite advisor strategist at CEG Worldwide. Together, they explore the massive shift in the expectations of high-net-worth entrepreneurs and what elite financial advisors must do to rise to the occasion. Paul draws from cutting-edge research and decades of experience to discuss how affluent entrepreneurs are outgrowing their advisors, what they’re really looking for now, and how advisors can elevate their practice through the virtual family office model.

This episode is a must-listen for financial advisors aiming to break into or deepen their work with high-net-worth clients, offering both a roadmap and real-world strategies to deliver transformative value.

Key Takeaways:

● 💼 Entrepreneurs Dominate the HNW Space: 90% of clients with over $10M are entrepreneurs — understanding them is essential to growth.

● 📉 60% Plan to Switch Advisors: Affluent entrepreneurs don’t feel served; a major shift is underway, and the door is wide open.

● 🧠 Advisors Must Become Advocates: Success in this space means coordinating a client’s entire wealth ecosystem, not just managing assets.

● 🧩 The Virtual Family Office Model Works: VFOs let independent advisors compete with wirehouses by tapping elite specialists on demand.

● 🧭 Succession Planning Is a Golden Entry Point: Few entrepreneurs have solid plans — this is a high-leverage opportunity for advisors to add value.

Quotes from Paul Lofties:

● “60% of high-net-worth entrepreneurs say they’re likely to change advisors in the next two years — that’s a massive opportunity.”

● “The value proposition they want? Someone who will advocate for them and coordinate across all areas of their wealth.”

● “You don’t need to be part of a trillion-dollar firm to deliver world-class value — you need the right structure and the right network.”

🔗 Conclusion:

If you want to attract and retain high-net-worth clients, now is the time to evolve. This episode offers the mindset shift and tools to make that leap.

Connect with Paul:

Website: https://go.cegworldwide.com/ceg-sterling-podcast-play-to-win-call

Consultation: www.cegwin.com/sterling

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Can a Bond Help You Transfer Millions Tax-Free? In this episode of Sterling Insights, Roger sits down with Edward Condon, founder of Regatta Advisors and creator of Structured GRAT. Together, they explore how structured investments can be used within Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) to efficiently transfer wealth while minimizing gift taxes. Ed draws from his decades of experience in physics, finance, and structured product development to break down the mechanics and strategy behind this high-level planning tool. This episode is a must-listen for estate attorneys, financial advisors, and family offices looking to unlock the full potential of GRATs using custom-built structured note portfolios.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

💼 What Structured Notes Really Are: Structured notes are customized debt instruments that link returns to market indices, giving investors targeted exposure while offering downside protection.

🏛️ Why GRATs Work for the Ultra-Wealthy: GRATs enable the tax-free transfer of asset growth beyond a set hurdle rate—ideal for portfolios exceeding $25M.

🔄 How Custom Notes Enable Liquidity & Scalability: By tailoring notes to match annual GRAT payments, Ed’s team helps diversify credit risk and optimize for capital gains tax treatment.

🧠 Analytics Make or Break GRAT Success: Ed’s proprietary backtesting platform shows how different configurations can produce GRAT success rates above 95%.

🔍 Common Misconceptions Around Structured Products: Structured notes aren’t opaque hedge fund bets—they’re designed, collateralized, and executed for stability and transparency when done correctly.

💬 Quotes from Ed Condon:

“Structured notes let you customize the payoff profile to match the specific goals of the GRAT—it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.”

“I realized you could unlock GRATs for liquid portfolios by designing illiquid-qualifying assets from scratch.”

“The combination of customization, discountability, and predictable performance makes structured notes uniquely suited for wealth transfer.”

🔗 Conclusion: If you work with ultra-high-net-worth families or are one, this episode shows how advanced analytics and tailored financial engineering can maximize legacy planning.

Connect with Ed:

Website:  structuredgrat.com

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