Fearless Money Talks

What if everything went wrong in the markets and it still wasn't as bad as you expected?This episode of Fearless Money Talks is a Q1 2026 market recap that actually earns its runtime. Kelli Kiemle and Brian Spinelli walk through a quarter that had no shortage of headlines, oil spikes, geopolitical tension, AI panic, inflation jitters, and ask the question most investors forgot to ask: so how bad did things actually get? The answer is more interesting than the noise suggested.Brian discusses why oil shocks have historically affected portfolios differently over time, what the SaaS selloff was really about, and how international and emerging markets performed relative to the US in Q1. He also walks through the role diversification can play in a portfolio, including a plain-language explanation of reinsurance, an asset class that sounds obscure until he explains the connection to your everyday homeowner's insurance.There's also an honest conversation about investor psychology: why people feel like the market is collapsing when historical patterns suggest otherwise, why the urge to do something in volatile moments is worth examining, and what a "lost decade" has looked like historically when a quick recovery never came. Kelli admits she's been trained not to look at her 401k. Someone's 401k became a 201k. Brian has thoughts about that too.It's a market update for people who don't love market updates, which, as it turns out, includes at least one of the hosts.Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

What happens to all that boomer wealth everyone keeps talking about? And while we're at it, how much should you actually spend on your nephew this Christmas?This episode of Fearless Money Talks takes a sharp turn from the sentimental to the sobering. Brian Spinelli and Kelli Kiemle are joined by producer Brodrick Lothringer, who jumps in along the way with questions that keep the conversation honest. Together they open with a topic that doesn't get nearly enough airtime: the real cost of long-term care, who ends up paying for it, and what can happen to families when one side saved and the other didn't. Longevity and the possible quiet financial strain on adult children come up, because these are the conversations clients are having, even if they'd rather not.Then things get lighter. The team digs into holiday gift giving, the etiquette of receipts tucked into boxes, the white elephant debate, experiences versus things, and whether a gift card is thoughtful or just a polite way of saying "I didn't know what to get you." Kelli has strong opinions. Brian has a Chihuahua mug. Brodrick has a closet full of mystery tools from his father-in-law.It's a mix of real financial stakes and the kind of family dynamics that can make the holidays feel complicated for a lot of people, sometimes in the same conversation.Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

Have you ever been in a conversation where someone kept explaining something long after you stopped caring?That realization comes up in this episode of Fearless Money Talks, and it opens a bigger discussion about one of the most overlooked skills in financial advice: listening. From Kelli’s early retail jobs at Nordstrom to Brian’s first client meeting that went completely sideways, the team reflects on the moments that taught them an important lesson. Most clients don’t want a technical breakdown of their portfolio. They want to know what actually matters to them.Brian Spinelli and Kelli Kiemle are joined by Brodrick Lothringer, who jumps in along the way with questions that help unpack what clients are looking for when they sit down with an advisor.The conversation moves through the everyday realities behind financial advice. Why many advisors unintentionally overexplain, the questions clients are really trying to answer when they meet with an advisor, and how life changes such as retirement, inheritance, divorce, or simply wanting to enjoy the present often matter more than market performance.There is humor, a few hard lessons, and a candid look at why good communication often beats technical expertise when it comes to building trust.Connect with us!Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

Have you ever had to tell someone a raise or bonus wasn’t happening anymore, and realized mid-sentence that you hadn’t explained nearly enough?That moment comes up early in this episode of Fearless Money Talks, and it opens a much bigger conversation. What happens when leadership goes through a hard stretch, communication breaks down, and people start assuming the worst? And how do those moments change the way a firm operates years later?This episode with our CEO JC Abusaid reflects on the uncomfortable lessons that help shape culture. Being clear when it’s awkward. Letting people see the full picture. Making decisions during market stress that protect trust instead of eroding it. There’s humor, some hard-earned perspective, and a very real look at how firms can grow without losing the people inside them.Connect with us! JC Abusaid on LinkedInKelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

Managing money can slowly turn into one more thing competing for your attention, and it has nothing to do with ability, but with the fact that your days may already be filled up with other decisions that drive your life and work forward.This episode’s conversation starts there.Brian and Kelli talk with Taylor Sutherland about why high-performing people may step away from day-to-day investing, how portfolios can drift when decisions happen in scattered moments, and what can change when someone commits to a clear process instead of reacting to headlines or short-term swings. Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInTaylor Sutherland LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

Money has a way of sneaking into moments that are supposed to feel easy, like group dinners, trips with friends, roommates or family traditions. But suddenly there’s a bill on the table, everyone freezes, and no one wants to be the person who speaks up.In this episode of Fearless Money Talks, the conversation goes straight into those uncomfortable spots; the moments when splitting things evenly feels off, staying silent is simpler, and resentment can stack up no matter how hard we try. Our hosts, Kelli Kiemle and Brian Spinelli, with our special guest, Angela Renee, share real stories, admit their own habits, and talk through what can help when money and relationships collide. It’s honest, a little awkward, and very relatable, especially if you’ve ever paid more just to make the tension disappear.Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInAngela Renee on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

A business sale typically doesn’t start with a plan. Most of the time, it begins with a call, a letter of interest, or a number that can suddenly make everything feel more complicated. In this conversation, Brian and Kelli sit down with attorney Matt Rabin to talk through what actually happens once interest turns into action, and why selling a business can bring far more than legal paperwork into the room.They get into the realities most owners don’t think about ahead of time, like the emotional weight of due diligence, the overwhelm of long request lists or the importance of clean records, solid contracts, and intellectual property that belongs to the business. If you want to know what selling a business really asks of you beyond the headline number, this one is worth listening to.Connect with us! Matt Rabin on LinkedInKelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

Losing a spouse reshapes the pace of life in ways that aren’t easy to explain until you’re in it.In this conversation, Brian Spinelli CFP®, AIF®, Kelli Kiemle AIF®, and this week’s guest, Senior Wealth Advisor Samantha Garcia CFP®, AIF®, CDFA® talk through what tends to unfold during that first stretch when grief is still raw and the financial to-dos arrive sooner than anyone expects.Samantha shares what she’s witnessed with the widows she supports: the value of slowing down before making any big decisions, the way cash flow shifts once one income is gone, and how calmer things may feel when beneficiaries, estate documents, and simple household details are already organized. She also opens up about the parts that can catch families off guard, like account lockups at custodians and the weight that falls on an unengaged spouse who suddenly has to take the lead.Connect with us! Samantha Garcia on LinkedInKelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

There’s a moment in your 30s and 40s when money stops feeling theoretical and starts shaping your daily life. The home you buy, the debt you carry, the savings you manage to build, the risk you’re willing to take, all of it begins to influence your options, your stress levels, and even the way you picture the future.In this conversation, Brian Spinelli, AIF®, CFP® and Kelli Kiemle, AIF® talk through the decisions that matter during these years. They share how their own housing stories went and the tradeoffs they’ve watched clients navigate, to give some perspective on how different things can be for everyone. They also revisit the advice they’d give their younger selves now that they’ve seen how life, family, and career growth played out.If you’re balancing mortgages, savings goals, unexpected expenses, or the pressure to “get ahead,” this episode can give you a calm, clear way to think about the decade you’re in and the years still coming.Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

Selling a business isn’t a single event, but a journey that blends numbers, timing, and emotion.In this episode of Fearless Money Talks, James T. Ahn, CFP®, AIF®, Senior Wealth Advisor, joins our hosts Brian Spinelli, CFP®, AIF®, and Kelli Kiemle, AIF®, to share five things business owners should do before selling. They explore what helps drive a successful exit, including basic things like preparing your books and building the right advisory team to more complex ones like understanding valuation multiples and emotional readiness.In the end, the most important thing is what life looks like after the deal is done, and not how much you made off the sale, and this conversation is about it.Connect with us! James Ahn on LinkedInKelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

Life in your 30s and 40s can feel like you’re barely keeping your head above water. Between your job, kids, and social activities, it’s arguably the busiest time in anyone’s life. But it’s also one of the most important times to make a few key financial moves to help set your family up for success in the future.In this episode, Brian and Kelli discuss the pillars of a good financial plan, including how to maximize your 401(k), setting up an estate plan, why you should consider getting an umbrella insurance policy, and much more! It may sound overwhelming, so stick around for the end when Brian shares how to approach it all realistically.Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

The word everyone in the media is using to describe the markets seems to be “uncertain,” but Brian Spinelli isn’t a fan. In his eyes, your opinion on the state of the markets may say more about where you get your news than any real volatility. Besides, when are the markets not uncertain?In this episode, Brian and Kelli look back at how the markets performed in Q3, and they look ahead at what could happen in Q4. Plus, they talk about their favorite non-market-related moments from the last 90 days. Tune in to hear the whole conversation!Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

Most people want to know how much money they should save for retirement, but here’s another important question: How much of the money in your retirement accounts is actually yours? Between capital gains and the tax implications of 401(k) withdrawals, retirees can face some pretty unpleasant surprises if they don’t plan ahead. In this episode, Brian and Kelli discuss three common tax issues retirees encounter – and ways that can help keep the surprises to a minimum. Tune in for the full conversation!Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

Social Security: When should you claim? Will it still be around by the time you retire? How much does your spouse get if they made less than you while you were working? What if your spouse passes away? We’re taking on the big questions about the most widely used retirement benefit in America.In this episode, Brian and Kelli are joined by Vincent Birardi, Senior Wealth Advisor at Halbert Hargrove, to talk about the factors you should consider before you claim, what people get wrong about Social Security, and much more. Tune in for the whole conversation!Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInVincent Birardi on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

One of the most common questions financial advisors get is, “How much money should I save for retirement?” Until we figure out how to build a time machine, the answer is, “It depends.” In other words, how much money you need depends on how long you’ll live, how much you’ll spend on healthcare, and several other unknowable, uncontrollable factors. Fortunately, there are a number of factors that we do know and have some measure of control over. In this episode, we dig into the considerations that play into how much you should save for retirement. Tune in for the full conversation!Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

What does it really mean to invest for your life, not just your age or a risk survey? In this episode of Fearless Money Talks, we welcome JC Abusaid, AIF®, CEO and President of Halbert Hargrove, to talk about LifePhase Investing®.This approach recognizes that every stage of life brings different priorities. Building wealth, preparing for a transition, or drawing from what you’ve created all require a different perspective. JC also shares the story of his grandmother and how her experience with investing shaped his passion for helping people make the most of their resources, not just preserve them. It’s a reminder that money decisions carry both financial and emotional weight.Connect with us! JC Abusaid on LinkedInKelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

Markets rise, markets fall, and our emotions often rise and fall with them. This week, hosts Brian Spinelli, CFP®, AIF® and Kelli Kiemle, AIF® dig into how fear and greed shape investor decisions, especially when the headlines are screaming and portfolios are bouncing. From euphoria when everything looks unstoppable to panic when losses hit hard, they share insights on why behavior can be an investor’s biggest challenge.They talk through practical ways to calm nerves, help avoid costly mistakes, and keep long-term plans in focus, even when the noise feels overwhelming. If you’ve ever wondered why it’s so hard not to “do something” when markets get shaky, this conversation is for you. Tune in for a thoughtful take on behavior and market volatility.Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

Does anyone like talking about money? For years, the traditional advice has been to avoid the subject of money with anyone other than your immediate family, and even then some kids never heard their parents discuss it! Today, we’re talking about why money is such a taboo subject and how we can try to find a healthy balance when discussing it.In this episode, we’re honored to welcome Angela Renee, Halbert Hargrove’s Senior Administrative Director and a Certified Life Coach. Angela loves helping people understand their relationship with money better, and she brings a valuable perspective to our conversation. Tune in to hear the whole thing!Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInAngela Renee on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

What do you spend your money on, and how does it make you feel to part with those hard-earned dollars? Whether you spend your money on trips, or eating out, or club sports for your kids, or something else, everybody approaches spending differently. In this episode, Brian and Kelli discuss their shared love of family trips, and their shared pain at the resulting expenses. They share their approaches to saving up for trips, as well as their thoughts on funding vacations with credit cards. They also discuss how making peace with the give-and-take of saving and spending is a lifelong journey. Retired people face a unique challenge as they stop earning an income and start drawing from their life savings. After spending their entire lives making sure they always set aside some money for later, they have to break out of that mindset, which can be extremely difficult.Tune in to hear the whole conversation!Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website

How to Plan for Now and the FutureIn the first episode of “Fearless Money Talks,” we’re talking about something most people don’t want to talk about: money. Whether you’re scared or ashamed or just grew up in a family that never talked about it, chances are you’ve encountered uncomfortable financial conversations at some point in your life.Our hosts, Brian Spinelli and Kelli Kiemle, share their own experiences navigating finances with their spouses, as well as what they’ve seen in their work at a financial advisory firm. From spouses who don’t want to know anything about their money to spouses who want to know everything, everyone has their own approach. Brian and Kelli also share their individual stories of how they got into the world of financial advice despite it not being their first careers. They also share how Halbert Hargrove was founded over 100 years ago and how the world of finance has changed.Financial advisors help facilitate conversations around money every day for all kinds of clients, whether they like talking about it or not. Whether you're struggling with financial communication in your relationships or simply want to understand why money conversations feel so loaded, this episode offers practical insights and permission to help break the silence around this essential topic. Connect with us! Kelli Kiemle on LinkedInBrian Spinelli on LinkedInHalbert Hargrove Website