Onward And Upward Podcast

About Onward And Upward Podcast

Certified Financial Planner®, Kyle Martin, discusses how to connect financial planning to real life. Onward and Upward from here!

Publisher

Kyle Martin

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Feb 2026

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   Individual Stocks, Real Estate, Private Equity: Where Do They Fit?

   Kyle addresses a question he frequently gets from clients -- do you invest in individual stocks? What about alternative asset classes like real estate or private equity? While Kyle isn't against individual stocks or private investments, most of his investing goes towards ETF's and mutual funds, where there is a higher probability that they will behave a certain way over time due to the diversification inherent to a fund compared to an individual security. That said, it's all about the plan, and Kyle always asks the question: where does this investment fit into the plan? Some clients may be focused on building their core nest egg, the portfolio that will provide income for them during retirement and is meant to last for the entirety of their life after work. Other clients may have a comfortable amount saved in their portfolio for this purpose, and may want to invest excess funds into higher growth assets that have the opportunity to generate significant wealth in the future. These clients have the ability and tolerance to make higher risk investments. Besides risk tolerance, the decision to invest in individual securities or private investments also depends on options. As part of the planning process, Kyle also looks at the liquidity of the portfolio -- how easily and quickly things can be sold to generate cash for other purposes. Owning real estate has the potential to generate big returns, but it also tends to be rather illiquid, potentially slow and difficult to sell. A client that needs flexibility and options, therefore, needs a portoflio that is more liquid, so that they can generate cash to handle unforeseen emergencies, or perhaps take advantage of unexpected opportunities. So the next time you hear a hot tip about an investment fund, or you feel FOMO because someone you know sold a piece of real estate for a large gain, think about your plan, and how an investment like that would fit into your portfolio built around your unique circumstances. As Kyle likes to remind clients, there are always more opportunities. Just because it's not the right time to invest in something now, there will more opportunities to invest in something later. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 (tel:(630)%20523-0410) Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Murphy Financial Group does not provide legal or tax advice.

2. 

   29 Sept 2026

   The 7 F's of Retirement with Duane Martin

   In today's episode Kyle invites his father, Duane Martin, to talk about his recent retirement and how he has prepared for it. Duane had a successful career in sales, including leading sales teams for IBM in their Quantum Computing business, but as approached retirement, he knew that idleness wouldn't be the solution for a happy and healthy life after work. A man of many hobbies and pursuits, Duane spent time reflecting on what life would look like when he no longer had to clock in for work. Retirement is about much more than the number in your portfolio, or your annual draw from that portfolio, or really any one number. It's about what you want to do, what roles in your family and community you want to take on, how you can leave a legacy. Duane's journey is just beginning, but his preparation Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 (tel:(630)%20523-0410) Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Murphy Financial Group does not provide legal or tax advice.

3. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Charitable Giving

   Kyle Martin works with a number of clients who are blessed with extra financial resources, and wish to give them away to others in need, including other family members, their church, and charities. There are actually several different ways to give away money, each with certain limits, tax and legal implications. In today's episode Kyle reviews the basic methods for charitable giving and some of the reasons you may choose each method. A few ways to give away your money: Cash -- the simplest way to give is simply sending cash to kids, family, and friends. You can give up to $19,000 per year to individuals without paying tax on the giving, or a married couple may give up to $38,000 per year. You can give up $30 million in your lifetime before paying inheritance tax. Give to Charities or Non-Profit (501c3) -- Gifts given to these organizations are not subject to limits or tax Gift Securities -- securities such as stocks and bonds held in a non-retirement account (i.e. not a 401k or IRA) can be given to other individuals. When you give securities away, you do not pay capital gains on any gains in the stock. You also get to deduct the full market value of the security when you make the gift. This can be a powerful way to give away wealth if you hold stocks or other securities that have appreciated a lot. Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) -- instead of giving cash or securities to a person or organization immediately, you can instead setup a donor-advised fund and transfer your gifts to the fund. You still take the deduction for the full amount of the gift transfered to the DAF, but that gift does not have to be given right away. The gift could be given later in the next year, or dripped out over a period of years. This creates a sort of charitable bank that you can use to direct where and how your giving goes. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html) Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Murphy Financial Group does not provide legal or tax advice.

4. 

   1 Sept 2026

   The Problem with the Four Percent Rule

   Today Kyle tackles the ever-popular four percent "rule," which states that if you withdraw up to 4% of the value of your retirement portfolio each year, your portfolio will last for at least 30 years (assuming the portfolio is invested in a mix of stocks and bonds). Originally proposed by William Bengen in 1994, the four percent rule as it has come to be known is still repeated ad naseum in financial planning and retirement circles -- it seems to be a bedrock piece of advice and the benchmark for deciding whether you have saved enough to stop working. Kyle points out a number of problems with taking the four percent rule at face value, however, and making it the cornerstone of your financial plan. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html) Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Murphy Financial Group does not provide legal or tax advice.

5. 

   18 Aug 2026

   Giving Back After Growth: Don McNeeley of Chicago Tube & Iron

   Kyle chats with a friend and mentor Dr. Don McNeeley, former CEO and now chairman of Chicago Tube & Iron, a manufacturer of steel products and fabrication services that has been in business for over 100 years. Don grew up on a farm in Illinois, the son of an Irish immigrant and a Korean war veteran. A gifted athlete, Don had a brief in stint in minor league baseball before enlisting in the police academy, where he met a man named Bob Haigh. Bob's father, John, ran Chicago Tube & Iron, and ended up getting Don a job at the company. Don quickly proved his aptitude for math and cutting pipe, and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming CEO at the age of 28 and serving in that role for over two decades. One thing Don learned and continued in his term as CEO is the value of committed, long-term leadership. CT&I has only had five CEOs in it's 112 years of operation, each serving for decades. During his tenure, he looked forward to the next generation of leadership, and sought to give the employees and future leaders as much education and mentorship as possible. He continues that work today in his other role as a professor at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Mathematics at Northwestern University, where he teaches. He also serves as chairman of the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI), where he launced a scholarship program which has provided over $13 million of financial assistance for higher education to the children of industrial metal workers. In this episode, Don shares some of his life story including his passion for learning and his journey to find purpose in not creating wealth for himself but creating jobs and opportunites for other people. As he likes to say, success is best when shared. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html) Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Murphy Financial Group does not provide legal or tax advice.

6. 

   8 Aug 2026

   Understanding Disability and Long Term Care Insurance with Max Schmitz

   Kyle invites insurance expert Max Schmitz to break down disability insurance and long term care (LTC) insurance, two insurance products which are not well understood and, in the case of LTC, carry negative connotations from a couple decades ago. Kyle and Max discuss what constitues a disability for insurance purposes, and why disability insurance can be an important part of a financial plan for working professionals heavily reliant on their income for both their current needs and saving for the future. About 1 in 4 people will suffer from a disability that affects their ability to work during their lifetime, yet disability insurance is not on most people's radars, like life insurance for instance. Long term care insurance is more well known, especially as costs for retirement homes and elderly medical care have skyrocketed, but it carries negative connotations from those who purchased policies in previous decades only to see their premiums increase to unsustainable levels. Max explains how LTC insurance is a relatively new insurance product, and why insurance companies severely underpriced it in the 80s based on the unique high-interest rate environment of the time. Nowadays, however, many of the kinks have been worked out and pricing is much more stable, so LTC insurance is easier to understand and incorporate into a financial plan. It's perhaps more important than ever, with the costs of elder care rising steadily. Max Schmitz is the president of a family-owned insurance brokerage called Yetworth Insurance Specialists. If you're interested in insurance products, you can contact them here: https://www.yetworth.com Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html) Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Murphy Financial Group does not provide legal or tax advice.

7. 

   21 Jul 2026

   401(k), Roth, Traditional, Brokerage... Which Account Is Right for Me?

   Charis Ellis, Director of Financial Planning at Murphy Financial Group, returns to the podcast to talk with Kyle about the array of investment accounts or financial "buckets" available for retirement and which ones are right for you. There are many vehicles available to save for retirement nowadays, but they all have different tax implications both now and in the future. One of the common mistakes people make is thinking about taxes as only a current year issue -- how do I pay the least amount of taxes this year? -- instead of looking at the taxes they will pay over their lifetime. Kyle and Charis break down the accounts you need to understand and illustrate the "middle way" between the most optimal way to plan for taxes and the way that best suits your unique psychology and life goals. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html) Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Murphy Financial Group does not provide legal or tax advice.

8. 

   7 Jul 2026

   Investment Accounts for Kids (529, Trump Accounts, etc)

   Kyle explores the common investment accounts available to your kids. to help them get started in life: 529's, Uniform Transfers to Minor Accounts or UTMA's, and the new Trump accounts that are rolling out in the summer of 2026. More imporatntly, Kyle addresses the importance of maintaining open communication with your kids about money, the family's financial status, and building good budgeting and financial management skills throughout childhood. Reaching legal adulthood with a solid sense of how to manage money, how the family is setup to help with education and early adult expenses, and how the family wishes to help is a huge step up in life. It just requires some planning and lots of open communication along the way. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html) Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Murphy Financial Group does not provide legal or tax advice.

9. 

   23 Jun 2026

   Are You Retiring To Something or From Something?

   Most people come to Kyle and Murphy Financial Group with financial questions about their retirement. Do I have enough money saved? Will the money last? Have we planned appropriately for taxes? While financial concerns are an important part of retirement planning, they aren't everything, and not even the primary question to deal with. After working through financial concerns, Kyle seeks to understand what it is that his clients wish to do in their retirement -- what their goals and dreams are, what roles they want to step into after their working life -- and this often proves to be a difficult question for them. Many people spend so much time thinking about money in retirement, that they forget to reflect on what they actually want to do in retirement. As Kyle likes to phrase the question: are you retiring from something, or retiring to something? Retirement can be a difficult transition for people, especially if they derive a lot of fulfillment and a sense of identity in work. Without a clear vision of what retirement will look like, it's difficult to pull the trigger on actually retiring. To that end, Kyle recommends thinking about three aspects of retirement to help make your retirement vision more concrete: Financial: these questions can be answered fairly concretely, especially with the help of an advisor like Kyle Psychological/Social: how do you want to feel in retirement? How do you see your identity and role in society changing when you retire? Physical: what activities do you want to do in retirement? Do you see yourself traveling, playing sports, being more active in general? Does your retirement plan allow you enough time to pursue these things while you have the ability to? Whether you a few years away or a few decades away from retirement, working toward a clear picture of what your retirement looks like financially, psychologically, and physically is the most important part of your retirement plan. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html) Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Murphy Financial Group does not provide legal or tax advice.

10. 

    9 Jun 2026

    A Lawyer's Guide to Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning with Axel Cerny,

    Contact Axel R. Cerny Email: acerny@dupageattorneys.org Web: https://www.dupageattorneys.org/lawyers/axel-r-cerny/ Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html) Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Murphy Financial Group does not provide legal or tax advice.

11. 

    26 May 2026

    How AI Is Changing the Financial Planning Industry

    As AI technology continues to make rapid advancements, everyone is wondering what jobs and roles it will displace in the future. Kyle weighs in with his thoughts about how AI is reshaping the financial advisory industry, and why he has optimism that the workforce will be resilient in the face of major technological innovation. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html) Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Murphy Financial Group does not provide legal or tax advice.

12. 

    12 May 2026

    The 3 Things You Need for Success in Any Endeavor with Pat Murphy

    Show up on time, do what you say you're going to do, and be polite and respectful. Do those three things everyday, and you'll  find success whatever your endeavor. Those are Pat Murphy's keys to success, which served him well in leading Murphy Financial Group in it's second generation as it transitioned from its roots in the insurance business to the full service finanical advisory practice it is today. Kyle talks with his uncle Pat about his early career with Murphy Financial Group, how he observed the beginnings of the financial advisory industry develop and how he took an opportunity to help his clients across their entire lifespan -- in business, retirement, and beyond. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html) Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Murphy Financial Group does not provide legal or tax advice.

13. 

    29 Apr 2026

    9 Things I've Learned In 9 Years of Financial Planning

    Kyle shares nine key things he's learned in his nine years of experience as a financial advisor (and his many years of experience before that as an asset manager), sitting down with clients daily and helping them develop a plan to meet their unique circumstances and psychology. In this episode Kyle covers: Your plan is your plan -- own it, make sure to understand it, and don't worry about what others are doing. Discipline is the key to sucess -- small positive habits, done consistently over time, add up to big results Markets go up and down, but mostly up -- you just have to stay invested and stick to your plan Sometimes psychology wins over math -- it's important to feel confident about your decisions, not just follow what the math says is best Putting off your estate planning is more costly than doing it now -- a few thousands dollars and some effort upfront to set up a will and trust may sound like a lot, but it's much more expensive and stressful when you have to hire a lawyer to guide you through probate Do the right thing, and things tend to work out for all parties -- Kyle and MFG focus on doing what's right for clients, even if it means not taking their business now or directing them elsewhere. Think through decisions from your future self's point of view -- ask that person if they regret what you are choosing to do right now Relationships are the difference maker -- honest, genuine connection is the most important part of business Trust God and work hard -- God entrusts us with resources, and it's up to us to steward them as best we can. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html) Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Murphy Financial Group does not provide legal or tax advice.

14. 

    7 Apr 2026

    The Truth About Social Security

    In today's episode, fellow Murphy Financial Group advisor Charis Ellis, CFP joins the podcast to discuss social security and dispel some of the myths about how it works and what is projected about its future. They also discuss how social security fits into a retirement plan, and outline some of the factors each person or couple needs to think about when deciding when to take Social Security, how to plan their cash flow in retirement, and what kind of changes recent legislation such as the Big Beautiful Bill has brought to the space. Charis has helped clients build financial plans and reach their retirement goals as a financial advisor for over a decade, and currently serves as the Director of Financial Planning Services at MFG. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html)

15. 

    24 Mar 2026

    A Brief History of Stock Market Returns

    The stock market can be an emotional place, especially for inexperienced retail investors. For many investors, the stock market is where most of their investments are allocated, and it comprises the bulk of their investment returns. Needless to say, when the market goes up and down in sometimes dramatic fashion, like a rollercoaster, it can be stressful -- it can feel like your whole retirement is riding on that rollercoaster, up or down! To that end, Kyle walks through some basic, yet surprising, facts and figures about the stock market (which is really the S&P 500 index in most cases), including how often the market has down years. Kyle also discusses how successful investors manage their emotions about their investments, and how a good advisor can help you stay on course when the market is volatile and fear and anxiety run high. The most important takeaway? Staying invested pays off in the long run. The biggest mistake investors make is pulling their money out of the market when circumstances look (or rather, feel) bad, with the idea that waiting until conditions improve to reinvest will save them from losing money. This is also known as timing the market, and it doesn't work out for most people in the long run. Sticking with your strategy and ignoring the day to day vicissitudes of the market pays off, and as Kyle notes in the first half of the podcast, has earned steady, reliable average returns for over a hundred years now. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html)

16. 

    10 Mar 2026

    From Business to Fatherhood, Striving for True North with Trey Rohrman

    In today's episode Kyle sits down with his old college roommate and first guest of the show, Trey Rohrman. The grandson of legendary Chicago area car salesman Bob Rohrman, Trey now serves as the Director of Dealership Operations for Rohrman Automotive Group. Trey shares the origin story of how Bob Rohrman led a small and at the time undervalued Toyota dealership to become one of the largest family owned auto groups in the Midwest. Trey grew up in the business, and has spent his time honing customer relations and utilizing technology to offer transparent pricing on vehicles and streamline the purchase process. He now leads a team of hundreds of employees throughout the Midwest. After over 12 years in the car business, Trey thought he was destined to take the reins from his grandfather and run the dealership, but that didn't come to pass. This threw him for a loop and he began to question his purpose and identity. Trey explains how mindset coaching changed his perspective by helping him understand his true north -- the direction God had called his life to be. Ultimately, Trey understood his role to be that of a shepherd-coach, to lead and steward not only his employees but his wife and children as well, to serve as an intentional husband and father and work to create a generational legacy in the process. As Kyle observes, when you are young it's easy to get caught up in the comparison game with your peers. Is your old classmate doing better than you? Making more money, bigger title? But as you mature, hopefully you learn to find your true purpose in life and hone your life, both at work and at home, to support that role. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html)

17. 

    24 Feb 2026

    The Life Cycle of A Financial Plan

    Everyone who sits down with a financial planner has a desire to go from point A to point B, but everyone's point A and point B are different places! Kyle Martin, CFP examines the personal part of personal finance in this episode, outlining the steps that he takes with every client he works with. He stresses that a financial plan is not a static, one-off plan -- it's a living document with a strategy to help you retire well, meet your goals, and, perhaps most importantly, adjust as your life circumstance change. And if there's anything we know about life, it's that change is coming! Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html)

18. 

    11 Feb 2026

    Financial Advice 65 Years in the Making

    Financial advice is everywhere. You can read articles about the 4% rule, watch YouTube videos about asset allocation, and even use so-called robo-advisors to manage your investments for you. There's more to a financial plan than math and investment strategies, however. As Kyle Martin explains in today's episode, financial advice is above all about people, their unique lives and circumstances, and helping them create a flexible, living plan that fits their raison d'etre. Kyle Martin is a third-generation wealth advisor and managing partner at Murphy Financial Group. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Accredited Asset Manager Specialist (AAMS), and has guided hundreds of clients through the process of investing, planning for retirement, finding insurance, and more. The advisors at Murphy Financial Group act as fiduciaries when managing assets. Connect with Kyle Email: kyle@murphyfingroup.com Web: https://www.murphyfingroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-martin-cfp®-aams®-05033352 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.com, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth. The financial advisor(s) associated with this material may only discuss or transact business with residents of states in which they are properly registered. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requirements and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. The information discussed on this program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. All investments involve risk, including the loss or principal. No strategy can assure a profit, protect against loss in declining markets, or guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.  Murphy Financial Group  310 S Hale Street Wheaton, IL 60187  (630) 523-0410 Review our Terms of Use: www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html (http://www.commonwealth.com/termsofuse.html)

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