Wealthyist E70 | Heart, Wealth & Legacy: Tax-Smart Giving Strategies That Outlive You with Gunnar Crowell

In this episode of Wealthiest, host Anthony Mlachnik sits down with Gunnar Crowell, Senior Advisor of Charitable Estate Planning for the American Heart Association. Gunnar shares his journey from college football defensive lineman and practicing attorney to helping high-net-worth families create meaningful, tax-efficient legacies.The conversation dives deep into practical philanthropy: why health is the ultimate foundation of wealth, how personal experiences with heart disease fuel genuine giving, and the most powerful ways to give during life and at death. Gunnar breaks down proven strategies including Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs, gifting highly appreciated stock, Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) for multi-generational giving, Charitable Remainder Trusts (using farmland and other illiquid assets), and when a private foundation makes sense.He also covers the latest changes from the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” including the new above-the-line charitable deduction for non-itemizers and updated limits for high earners. Listeners will walk away with actionable ideas for turning assets like real estate, business interests, and retirement accounts into lasting impact while reducing taxes and involving children and grandchildren in a culture of giving.Whether you’re planning your estate or simply want to align your wealth with purpose, this episode delivers clear, advisor-friendly insights on building a legacy that matters — especially for those passionate about fighting heart disease and stroke.