FMI Financial Management Podcast

About FMI Financial Management Podcast

This show helps individuals and families navigate money with clarity, confidence, and a values‑driven perspective. Rooted in timeless principles and supported by decades of professional financial planning and tax expertise, each episode delivers practical strategies you can use this week—from smarter tax moves and retirement planning to generosity, legacy, and financial stewardship. Join us for clear frameworks, real scenarios, thoughtful faith‑informed insights, and tools designed to help you steward well and live fully.

Publisher

FMI • Financial Management, Inc.

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Feb 2026

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   What Every Investor Needs to Know Before November (Midterm Elections 2026)

   📊 Want to see the data behind the discussion? View Capital Group's Midterm Elections Guide here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17XuUi6IFijusGw0Bk6ZpZsJYRm8Uu7Ph/view?usp=sharing In this episode, David and Marlana discuss how changes in political leadership can influence tax policy, industries, investment positioning, and market volatility. The conversation covers the historical relationship between elections and market performance, the potential impact of a divided Congress, active management during periods of political uncertainty, and why moving a 401(k) to cash because of an election may not be a sound strategy. They also discuss how companies such as Walmart, Coca-Cola, Exxon, and Nvidia navigate changing political and economic environments, why investors should focus on companies rather than political parties, and how media coverage can influence emotional investment decisions. 00:00 – Introduction and the impact of midterm elections on markets 00:43 – Why politics matters for financial planning and investing 01:21 – Elections, tax policy, and the 2017 Tax Act 02:11 – Active management during changing political environments 02:43 – The Exxon example and reacting to changing market conditions 03:49 – Lessons from the Great Recession: Walmart and Dollar General 04:10 – What happens if Congress is divided after the midterms? 05:29 – Election-year volatility and what investors should expect 06:17 – Should you move your 401(k) to cash? 07:09 – Political bias and historical market performance 08:02 – Why company fundamentals matter more than political parties 09:14 – International exposure through American companies 09:44 – Media influence, raw data, and historical market numbers 10:29 – Should you only invest when your political party is in power? 11:16 – “Take your politics to the polls, not to your portfolio” 11:47 – Turning off the news and avoiding emotional investment decisions 12:19 – Behavioral finance and staying disciplined 12:30 – Closing thoughts

2. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Who Knows More About Your Money? CPA or CFP?

   What’s the real difference between a CPA and a CFP, and when do you actually need both? In this episode of Through The Noise, we sit down with Raya Custard, a CPA with Bookkeeper.com, for a candid conversation about how tax professionals and financial planners approach money differently - and why working together can make a major difference for clients. Marlana and Raya discuss tax planning, retirement, business strategy, capital gains, estate planning, major financial decisions, and the importance of having these conversations before you make the move. They also tackle some common financial questions, including whether tax deductions are always worth pursuing, how gifting a home can affect taxes, what can happen to Medicare costs after a high-income year, and why simply trying to pay zero taxes isn't always the goal. Most importantly, the conversation highlights the value of proactive planning and having your CPA and CFP working together rather than making major financial decisions in isolation. 00:00 – CPA vs. CFP: What’s the Difference? 01:37 – How Difficult Is the CPA Exam? 03:17 – What Led to a Career as a CFP? 04:18 – The CFP Exam & What Comes After 05:29 – The Difference Between Studying & Applying Knowledge 06:44 – When Should You Have Both a CPA and CFP? 07:32 – Tax Planning & Financial Planning Working Together 08:38 – Why Tax Planning Should Happen Before December 09:05 – S Corporations, Deductions & Business Tax Strategy 10:24 – Why Saving Money on Taxes Isn’t Always a Good Investment 10:39 – Capital Gains: The Tax You Didn’t Expect 12:14 – Taking the Emotional Burden Out of Taxes 12:58 – Tax-Loss Harvesting & Strategic Planning 13:14 – “How Can I Pay Zero Tax?” 14:23 – Business Owners, Liquidity & Retirement Planning 15:08 – Selling Appreciated Assets & Tax Consequences 15:50 – CPA vs. CFP: Short-Term Taxes vs. Long-Term Planning 16:35 – The Financial Advisor as the “Quarterback” 16:54 – How Income Can Affect Medicare 17:35 – Should You Gift Your House to Your Children? 18:19 – Step-Up in Basis Explained 19:03 – The Home-Sale Capital Gains Exclusion 19:52 – What Should Clients Ask Before Making a Big Purchase? 20:49 – The Value of Financial Guidance vs. DIY Investing 21:29 – Why Relationships Matter in Financial Planning 22:06 – It’s More Than Just Investments 23:05 – What Business Owners Should Ask Before Starting a Business 24:20 – Why the “Before” Is So Important 24:41 – The Power of CPA + CFP Collaboration 25:21 – Closing Thoughts

3. 

   9 Sept 2026

   Give More to Charity. Pay Less in Taxes. Here's How.

   Charitable giving can be about much more than simply writing a check. When planned correctly, giving can also play an important role in tax planning, retirement planning, investment strategy, and even family legacy. In this episode, David and Marlana break down several strategies that can help make charitable giving more tax-efficient and purposeful. They discuss Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), donor-advised funds, charitable remainder trusts, giving appreciated assets, and how charitable planning can fit into a broader financial and estate plan. They also talk about the role charitable giving can play in teaching children about generosity, creating a family legacy, and supporting organizations that matter to you. Whether you're retired, approaching retirement, sitting on highly appreciated assets, or simply looking for smarter ways to give, this conversation offers several strategies worth knowing. 00:00 - Introduction: Why charitable giving matters 00:59 - Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from an IRA 01:44 - Why keeping taxable income lower can matter 02:37 ‎- Giving, stewardship, and the bigger purpose behind philanthropy 04:01 - Making charitable giving more tax-efficient 05:25 - Donor-Advised Funds: A strategy for major income years 06:17 - How a Donor-Advised Fund can let you give over time 07:33 - Giving highly appreciated stocks or real estate 08:01 - How a Charitable Remainder Trust works 08:31 - Avoiding a large capital-gains event while creating income 08:52 - Receiving income from a charitable trust 09:14 - What happens to the assets when the trust ends? 10:05 - What about leaving money to your children? 11:26 - A real-world example of a Charitable Remainder Trust 12:21 - Why charitable trusts don't pass the assets directly to heirs 12:31 - Family foundations, private foundations, and teaching generosity 13:35 - Charitable giving and college foundations 14:16 - Giving appreciated stock to charitable organizations 14:22 - Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts (CRATs) 14:57 - A real-life example involving multiple charitable trusts 15:21 - How charitable annuity trusts work after the donor's lifetime 16:01 - Wrapping up: The "alphabet soup" of charitable strategies

4. 

   24 Aug 2026

   What Really Happens to Your Assets When You Die?

   What happens to your assets when you're gone–and how can you make things easier for the people you leave behind? In this episode of Through the Noise, Marlana Lancaster joins David Elmore in a conversation, breaking down the fundamentals of estate planning, including wills, trusts, probate, powers of attorney, medical directives, beneficiaries, and more. While estate planning can seem complicated and overwhelming, David explains why every family should have a plan in place and how a few key documents can help protect your wishes and your loved ones. Whether you're just getting started with estate planning or reviewing documents you created years ago, this episode offers practical insights to help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

5. 

   10 Aug 2026

   Trump Accounts vs. 529 Plans: Everything Parents Need to Know

   Should you open a 529 Plan, a Trump Account, a Roth IRA, or another investment account for your child? In this episode of Through The Noise, David Elmore and Marlana Lancaster break down the most popular ways to save and invest for children–from college savings plans to the newly introduced Trump Accounts. They discuss the pros and cons of each option, recent changes to 529 plans, why trade schools deserve more attention, and how parents can use Roth IRAs and even family businesses to build long-term wealth for the next generation. Whether you're a new parent, grandparent, or simply planning ahead, this episode will help you understand which savings strategy may fit your family's goals. 00:00 - Preview 00:39 - Introducing "Through the Noise" 01:28 - Ignore the Market Noise 02:21 - Best Ways to Save for Your Child 02:49 - 529 Plans Explained 04:16 - What Are Trump Accounts? 05:36 - How Much Could a Trump Account Grow? 06:27 - Why Investing Early Matters 07:24 - New Benefits Added to 529 Plans 08:07 - Using 529 Plans for Trade School 09:10 - Can You Pay Student Loans with a 529? 09:45 - What Happens to Leftover 529 Money? 10:46 - Converting a 529 into a Roth IRA 11:58 - UTMA/UGMA Custodial Accounts 13:25 - Keeping Investments in the Parent's Name 15:18 - Using a Roth IRA for College Savings 16:31 - Funding a Roth IRA for Your Child 17:37 - Can FMI Help Set Up a 529 Plan? 18:20 - Final Thoughts

6. 

   21 Jul 2026

   The Biggest Tax Mistake People Make Every Year (And It's Preventable)

   In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Wes Kirtz, Managing Director of Bookkeeper.com, to discuss how integrating tax planning with financial advising can help individuals and business owners simplify their financial lives while minimizing unnecessary taxes. The conversation covers why having multiple investment accounts and advisors can create unnecessary complexity, the importance of proactive tax planning throughout the year, new charitable giving rules for 2026, retirement planning strategies, and why having a single financial "quarterback" can make a significant difference for both your finances today and your family's future. Whether you're preparing for retirement, managing investments, or looking for ways to reduce your tax burden, this discussion provides practical insights into building a more coordinated financial plan. 0:00 – Introduction and meeting Wes Kirtz 1:02 – Why multiple investment accounts create financial chaos 2:12 – The advantages of consolidating assets and advisors 4:28 – Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and consolidation benefits 5:56 – The difference between tax preparation and tax planning 7:46 – Why tax planning must happen before year-end 8:15 – 2026 charitable deduction changes explained 11:02 – Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and IRA giving strategies 14:07 – The best tax deduction: retirement accounts 15:29 – Retirement plan strategies for business owners 17:05 – Estate planning, wealth transfer, and avoiding unnecessary complexity 17:56 – The value of having financial advisors and CPAs working together 18:26 – Closing thoughts

7. 

   1 Jul 2026

   The Next Evolution of AI for Wealth Management Is Here

   In this episode, we sit down with Client Services Associate Joel Elmore to discuss how engineering, technology, and AI are reshaping the way we approach investment management. Joel shares his background in electrical and computer engineering and how those problem-solving skills translate directly into building and managing strategies. The conversation explores how data, software development, and AI tools are being used to analyze large amounts of information, improve decision-making, and create more effective investment strategies. We also dive into key principles such as risk management, diversification, and the importance of aligning strategies with each client’s goals and comfort level. The discussion touches on current market trends, including the rapid growth of AI, and why today’s environment differs from past cycles like the dot-com era.

8. 

   12 Jun 2026

   Meet the Young Financial Advisor Helping 20-Somethings Build Wealth

   In this episode of the FMI podcast, Marlana Lancaster sits down with associate advisor Caleb Snider to talk about his journey into financial planning, growing up in southwest Virginia, and his passion for helping people navigate their financial lives. They discuss practical advice for younger investors, including retirement savings, Roth IRAs, employer matches, investing during market downturns, and how much house people can realistically afford. Caleb also shares insights on consistency in investing, long-term financial planning, and balancing life outside the office through faith, music, golf, and fitness. 00:00 – Introduction and welcome 00:47 – Caleb’s background and career path 03:39 – Why financial planning as a career 06:34 – Who needs a financial advisor and minimums 07:19 – Working with younger vs. older clients 08:10 – How much to save (retirement contribution guidance) 09:15 – Employer match importance (401k basics) 09:41 – Additional savings beyond a 401k 10:01 – What is a Roth IRA and how it works 10:49 – Comparing growth and tax treatment across accounts 11:32 – Importance of actually investing contributions 12:01 – How aggressive young investors should be 12:21 – Home buying and affordability guidelines 13:41 – Key advice for young investors (consistency, discipline) 14:30 – Market downturns and investing mindset 15:13 – Personal interests and life outside of work 16:34 – Closing remarks

9. 

   27 May 2026

   10 Years as a Woman in Finance: How She Built Her Career

   In this episode of the FMI Podcast, Marlana Lancaster sits down with Senior Client Services Associate, Abby Pannell for an authentic conversation about career growth, customer service, leadership, and what it means to truly serve people well. Abby shares her unexpected path from managing at Chick-fil-A to spending the last 10 years helping FMI grow. With no prior financial experience, she reflects on the lessons she learned stepping into a completely new industry, the importance of hospitality in business, and why the smallest details can make the biggest difference in how people feel. The conversation also explores lessons from Unreasonable Hospitality, Michelin-star service experiences, company culture, leadership, and the natural growth of FMI over the years. 00:00 – Introduction to Abby Pannell 00:45 – Abby’s side hustles and flipping thrift finds 01:18 – How Abby joined FMI with zero financial experience 02:00 – Lessons learned managing at Chick-fil-A 03:07 – Why Chick-fil-A hospitality translates to finance 03:43 – Unreasonable Hospitality and serving people well 04:28 – Michelin-star restaurant experience and service details 05:43 – Making clients feel valued at FMI 06:17 – Small gestures that make clients feel special 06:55 – Growing the FMI team and building relationships 07:40 – FMI culture: glorifying God and serving people 08:18 – Abby reflects on 10 years at FMI 08:50 – From the old office to major company growth 10:05 – Leadership, technology, and adapting as a company 10:50 – How FMI combines local care with large-scale resources 11:20 – The funny “10 years apart” connection between Abby and Marlena 12:15 – Oura Rings, sleep scores, and final thoughts

10. 

    6 May 2026

    Think Your Retirement Is Safe? Watch This First.

    In this episode of the FMI Podcast, financial advisor Marlana Lancaster and founder David Elmore explore what it really means to retire well. They discuss why retirement requires purpose beyond work, common mistakes people make with 401(k)s, how to create sustainable income from retirement savings, and the hidden tax traps that can devastate long‑term plans. The conversation also covers Social Security taxation, withdrawal strategies, estate planning, the financial impact of helping children and grandchildren, managing fear and market volatility, and why thoughtful planning is essential as people live longer and retirement years stretch further than ever before. 0:00 – What Retirement Really Means 0:45 – The Importance of Purpose After Retirement 2:29 – Baby Boomers and the Retirement Wave 3:14 – What to Do With Your 401(k) at Retirement 3:58 – Why Cashing Out a 401(k) Is a Major Mistake 4:34 – Rolling a 401(k) Into an IRA Explained 6:14 – Creating Retirement Income Without Running Out 7:18 – The 5% Income Rule in Retirement 7:46 – Taxes and Social Security in Retirement 9:10 – Using Multiple “Buckets” of Retirement Money 10:24 – What Is Bracket Creep? 11:55 – Estate Planning and Updating Beneficiaries 13:42 – How Children and Grandchildren Can Impact Retirement 15:27 – Travel, Lifestyle Choices, and Budgeting in Retirement 16:48 – Fear, Market Volatility, and Protecting Your Money 18:18 – Inflation and the Risk of Sitting in Cash 19:41 – Why a Written Financial Plan Matters 20:25 – Living Longer and Planning for 30+ Years of Retirement

11. 

    8 Apr 2026

    Should You Get Out of the Market? Mistakes Investors Make During Market Drops

    In this episode of the FMI Podcast, financial planners Marlana Lancaster and David Elmore discuss the fundamental principles of navigating market volatility. They address why market fluctuations are a normal, expected part of the investment cycle and explain the technical definition of a "correction". The conversation focuses on the importance of maintaining a long-term perspective, even when headlines or geopolitical events cause short-term uncertainty. The hosts share practical strategies for investors to manage their emotions, including the psychological benefits of limiting news consumption and the dangers of attempting to "time" the market. David also highlights the advantages of active management, explaining how downturns can provide opportunities to buy quality companies at under valued prices to help propel future portfolio growth. 00:00 – Introduction & current market context 00:27 – Geopolitical events (Iran conflict) and market impact 01:05 – Why market declines like this are normal 02:06 – What is a market correction? 02:42 – Why downturns feel worse than they are 03:08 – How advisors guide clients during volatility 03:29 – Turning off the news & emotional investing 03:59 – What a stock actually represents (ownership explained) 05:03 – Long-term strength of companies vs short-term noise 05:22 – Examples of real companies behind the market 06:21 – Role of government policy vs business fundamentals 07:11 – Should you get out of the market? 07:24 – Why timing the market doesn’t work 08:17 – Staying invested & active management strategy 08:44 – Buying opportunities during downturns (“on sale”) 09:04 – Dollar-cost averaging during volatility 09:24 – Limiting news consumption 09:42 – How often to check your portfolio 10:46 – Active management example (oil, Exxon, profits) 12:03 – The “brick through the window” analogy 13:09 – Recap: why you can’t time the market 13:43 – Missing recovery days and impact on returns 14:06 – Final thoughts & closing

12. 

    26 Mar 2026

    The AI Scams No One Is Prepared For (And How to Protect Yourself)

    In this episode of the FMI Podcast, Marlana Lancaster and David Elmore break down the alarming rise in financial scams and how they’re impacting everyday people. From AI voice impersonation to romance and cryptocurrency scams, they share real-life stories, warning signs, and practical ways to protect yourself and your loved ones. This conversation highlights just how sophisticated scams have become—and why awareness is your best defense. (0:00) Introduction & Why Scams Are a Growing Threat (1:21) Shocking Scam Statistics ($1.3B → $30B) (2:13) AI Voice & Grandparent Scam Explained (5:12) Where Scammers Operate (Global & Organized Crime) (6:25) Romance Scams & Average Losses (7:14) Real Story: $600K Crypto Romance Scam (9:40) How Romance Scams Start (Social Media & Apps) (10:10) Red Flags in Online Relationships (11:30) Utility & Tech Support Scams (13:01) Precious Metals & “Inheritance” Scams (15:28) “No Free Lunch” Principle & Financial Wisdom (17:24) IRS & Tax Identity Theft Scams (19:50) Practical Tips to Avoid Being Scammed (21:44) How Financial Firms Protect Client Assets (23:36) Final Advice: Stay Alert & Help Others Stay Safe

13. 

    27 Feb 2026

    The Biggest Updates for Tax Filing in 2026

    *CORRECTION*: Energy credits for solar, heat pumps, windows/doors, etc. are available for 2025, but many went away if not installed by 12/31/25. In this episode, David Elmore and Marlana Lancaster walk through the key tax law changes shaping the 2025 filing season. David and Marlana explain how these updates may increase refunds and reduce taxable income for many Americans. They cover: Why many people are seeing bigger refunds this year Social Security taxation + the new $6,000 deduction for seniors How the overtime and tips tax breaks work SALT deduction limit increases New rules for auto loan interest on 2025 vehicle purchases What happened to energy‑efficient tax credits Major small‑business updates (Section 179, bonus depreciation, QBI) The power of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) As Kingdom Advisors, David and Marlana blend technical tax insight with a philosophy of abundant, generous, and tax‑efficient financial living.

14. 

    16 Feb 2026

    The Story Behind the Firm

    This first episode introduces the Financial Management podcast, where financial planner Marlena Lancaster sits down with founder David Elmore to talk about the story behind the firm — from its beginnings in 1987 as a small bookkeeping and tax practice to its growth into a multi-division organization with more than 70 employees. David reflects on his early days running radio ads, the influence of motivational speakers, and how those experiences shaped both his leadership and the firm’s investment philosophy of asset allocation, diversification, and active management. Marlena and David discuss the importance of faith in their work as Certified Kingdom Advisors, and the joy and purpose they find in serving clients through every stage of life. The conversation also touches on team culture, legacy, and the mentors who influenced David personally — including Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale, whose ideas continue to shape his outlook today.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.