Podcast
Life, Money, and Living Well
Hosted by Ben Beshear · EN
After 20 years as a financial services professional and completing thousands of financial plans for clients…Ben shares the secrets to building wealth, but more importantly building a fulfilling life.
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Positive Distractions
2d ago00:06:55Tap to summarizeWhat if the secret to spending less has nothing to do with budgeting? In this episode of Life, Money, and Living Well Reflections, we bring to life an article by Davie Cochran exploring an often-overlooked cause of lifestyle creep: too much unstructured time. Many professionals assume that financial success is simply a matter of earning more. Yet as income rises, spending often rises right alongside it. The challenge isn't always a lack of discipline. Sometimes it's boredom, stress, and the natural tendency to fill free time with expensive habits and purchases. This episode introduces the idea of "positive spending distractions" — meaningful activities that provide purpose, connection, growth, and fulfillment without putting constant pressure on your finances. From physical activity and skill-building to deeper relationships, passion projects, and intentional downtime, Davie shares practical ways to create a richer life while avoiding the trap of lifestyle inflation. Because ultimately, the way you spend your time has a profound impact on the way you spend your money. Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.
Transcribe →Why the Best Leaders Focus on Formation, Not Performance : Calvin Renfroe
2w ago00:59:13Tap to summarizeWhat if the most important thing a coach builds isn't a winning team, but better people? In this episode, Ben Beshear talks with Calvin Renfroe, Head Football Coach at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy and the National Christian School Athletic Association's National Coach of the Year. Known for building a culture rooted in faith, discipline, brotherhood, and joy, Calvin shares the leadership principles that have shaped both his program and his life. Together, Ben and Calvin discuss identity, parenting, resilience, purpose, and why athletics remains one of the most powerful tools for developing character in the next generation. This conversation isn't really about football. It's about leadership, culture, and becoming the person you were created to be. Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.
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Books to the Rescue: Teaching Your Children About Money
May 1900:09:19Tap to summarizeWhat if the most important money lessons your kids learn… don't come from you directly? In this Life, Money, and Living Well Reflections episode, we bring to life an article by John Brannon exploring a simple but often overlooked idea: sometimes the best way to teach your children about money is by borrowing better words. Talking about money can feel complicated, especially with kids. But it doesn't have to be. This episode walks through a practical, age-by-age approach to building financial understanding, from early childhood stories to teenage decisions and young adult realities. Along the way, it highlights helpful books, simple frameworks, and everyday moments that can shape how kids think about earning, spending, saving, and giving. Because ultimately, teaching your kids about money isn't about having the perfect explanation. It's about creating shared experiences, starting conversations, and helping them build a healthy story around money over time. If you're a parent, or hope to be one someday, this episode offers a simple place to start. Listen now to learn how small conversations today can shape your child's financial future. Read the article here: https://www.livewellcapital.com/books-to-the-rescue.htm Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.
Transcribe →Investing Through Uncertainty: A $300 Billion Perspective with Jeb Bentley
May 500:49:31Tap to summarizeIf you've ever wondered how large institutions invest through uncertainty and still keep promises decades into the future, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look. Ben sits down with Jeb Bentley, Chief Investment Officer of Northwestern Mutual, who oversees more than $300 billion in assets. With experience spanning public markets, private investments, and wealth management, Jeb has had a front-row seat to multiple market cycles, shifting interest rate environments, and major structural changes in capital markets. Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account. This material does not constitute investment advice and is not intended as an endorsement of any specific investment or security. Please remember that all investments carry some level of risk, including the potential loss of principal invested.
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Good Financial Groundwork Takes Flexible Goals-Based Planning
Apr 2100:07:24Tap to summarizeWhat if the goals you're planning for today… aren't the ones that will actually matter most tomorrow? In this Life, Money, and Living Well Reflections episode, we bring to life an article by Brad Weeks exploring a simple but powerful idea: financial planning shouldn't be rigid, it should be flexible. Most financial plans are built around clearly defined goals. But in reality, goals evolve as life unfolds. The challenge is learning how to plan ahead while leaving room for change. This episode walks through a practical framework for building a strong financial foundation using four core categories: traditional goals, milestone goals, lifestyle goals, and philanthropic goals. Instead of trying to predict the exact future, this approach helps you prepare for a range of meaningful possibilities. Because ultimately, great planning isn't about getting every detail right. It's about creating a structure that can adapt as your life does. Read the article here: https://www.livewellcapital.com/good-financial-groundwork.htm Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.
Transcribe →John Pepper's Masterclass in Leadership: Character, Curiosity, and Courage
Apr 701:01:06Tap to summarizeNot all CEOs are created equal. Some are visionaries, seeing possibilities that others don't. Some are autocratic, my-way-or-the-highway leaders. Some lead by delegating, while others micromanage. But the most effective leaders? They lead by example. That's John Pepper. We could use the rest of the time reading off his accomplishments. John served as the CEO and then Chairman of the Board for Fortune 100 juggernaut Procter and Gamble. He was the CEO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and served as Chairman of the Board of the Walt Disney Company. A thoughtful, reflective leader, John raised the water level everywhere he went by focusing on character, significance, and values. A proponent of inclusive leadership long before it was a buzz word, John spent his life putting his money where his mouth is. He is a quiet heavyweight who, at 87 years-old, is still learning and leading with fervor. Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.
Transcribe →Five Strategies That Will Keep You Calm During Volatile Markets : Ben Beshear
Mar 1700:05:26Tap to summarizeMarket volatility has a way of shaking even the most disciplined investors. Elections, interest rates, geopolitical tension, inflation, tax changes. The headlines shift daily, and so does the anxiety. In this Life, Money, and Living Well Reflections episode, Ben begins with a simple but honest admission: no one knows what will happen next. But while we cannot predict markets, we can prepare for them. Drawing on nearly a century of S&P 500 data, Ben walks through five practical strategies designed to reduce panic and increase clarity during uncertain times: • Use safer assets for liquidity • Resist the temptation to time the market • Diversify thoughtfully • Rebalance consistently • Think long term The message is simple but powerful: control what you can control. The goal is not to eliminate volatility. It is to build a plan that can endure it. As always, your financial plan should be built for your life, not the other way around. This episode is a narrated version of a written article originally published by LiveWell Capital, created for listening on the go. You can read the original article here: Five Strategies That Will Keep You Calm During Volatile Markets Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal, or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, or financial planning professional before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast series expresses opinions that are subjective at the time of recording and are subject to change without notice and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.
Transcribe →The Family Team Advantage with Jeremy Pryor
Mar 300:48:58Tap to summarizeModern life is built around the individual: your goals, your schedule, your preferences. But for many families, the results have been painful: more loneliness, more stress, more disconnection. In this conversation, Ben sits down with Jeremy Pryor, founder of Family Teams, to explore a countercultural idea: what if we were designed to live on teams, and the ultimate team is your family? Jeremy shares how a transformative season in Israel reshaped his view of fatherhood and legacy, and why he believes strong families are built through shared purpose, shared work, and shared rhythms. Jeremy unpacks practical ways families can move from "a shared last name" to "a unified team," including the power of a weekly multi-generational meal, creating spaces where siblings learn to cheer for each other, and making intentional decisions about business, sports, and even where you live. Along the way, he offers a compelling challenge: what if we spent as much time investing in our kids as we do trying to protect them from future mistakes? If you've ever felt pulled in ten directions, this episode will give you a fresh framework for building something that lasts. Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.
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A New Way to Think About Retirement : Ben Beshear
Feb 1700:11:01Tap to summarizeRetirement is often treated as a finish line, but history, longevity, and real life suggest it may be time to rethink that assumption. In this audio article from LiveWell Capital, Ben Beshear explores a new way to think about retirement by walking through five common philosophies he sees among clients. From retiring early to working longer, taking mini-retirements, reframing work into a second act, or choosing to keep working indefinitely, this episode challenges the idea that retirement must look the same for everyone. Rather than focusing on a single age or outcome, this reflection emphasizes flexibility, purpose, and financial independence as the foundation for a well-lived life. The goal is not simply to stop working, but to design a life that balances meaningful work, time with family, rest, and freedom of choice. This episode is a narrated version of a written article originally published by LiveWell Capital, created for listening on the go. You can read the original article here: A New Way to Think About Retirement Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal, or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, or financial planning professional before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast series expresses opinions that are subjective at the time of recording and are subject to change without notice and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.
Transcribe →The Curiosity Mindset & How to Lead with Compassion : Kim Botto
Feb 301:00:15Tap to summarizeEveryone that knows Ben knows he is a huge Ted Lasso fan. And one line from season one sets the tone for this conversation: "Be curious, not judgmental." Ben is joined by Kim Botto, an advocate, trainer, author, and longtime champion for kids and teens whose voices are often minimized, especially those impacted by neurodivergence, disability, trauma, adoption, and foster care. Kim has spent decades equipping church and nonprofit leaders to create spaces that are safe and welcoming for everyone. She is also a mom of five and a grandmother of eleven. In her book, Boundless Hope for Every Child, Kim shares lessons from more than 30 years of experience working with children and teenagers, with a simple but powerful takeaway: disruptive behavior is often communication, and curiosity is the first step toward connection. In this episode, Ben and Kim talk about: Why "fixing behavior" often misses what a child actually needs What trauma can look like in everyday moments, and why kids may resist adults What neurodivergence means, and how environments can overwhelm without us noticing How to choose your parenting battles and focus on long term formation, not short term compliance How curiosity improves every relationship, including with coworkers, spouses, and ourselves Why hope matters, and how speaking identity into kids can change the trajectory of a life You do not have to be a parent to benefit from Kim's wisdom. This conversation is about becoming the kind of person who seeks to understand first and leads with compassion. Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.
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