Through The Noise

What Really Happens to Your Assets When You Die?

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:00:00 +0000

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.

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

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 16:00:00 +0000

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

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

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0000

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

Why AI Demand Is Exploding (And What Investors Should Know)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0000

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.

Meet the Young Financial Advisor Helping 20-Somethings Build Wealth

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:00:00 +0000

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

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

Wed, 27 May 2026 16:00:00 +0000

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

Think Your Retirement Is Safe? Watch This First.

Wed, 06 May 2026 16:00:00 +0000

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

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

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0000

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

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

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:00:00 +0000

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

The Biggest Updates for Tax Filing in 2026

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000

*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.

The Story Behind the Firm

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000

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.