Living Beyond the Numbers

Family game nights can do more than bring people together. They can build connections across generations, teach resilience, and create memorable moments that outlast the scoreboard. In this episode of Living Beyond the Numbers, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale are joined by Rob Baner, Tax Advisor, and Abney Fortino, Tax Analyst at The Planning Center, for a fun and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about why play still matters, especially for busy families. Together, they discuss: How childhood board games influenced their competitive streaks and problem-solving styles Why games offer a meaningful way for families to connect across ages and personalities The rise of modern board gaming and how it brings people together in new ways Practical recommendations from avid gamers on the TPC tax team Lessons families can model through play, including sportsmanship, handling loss, and healthy competition And more! Resources: Axis & Allies: 1941 (WWII strategy board game) Just One (cooperative party game) Codenames (spy word game) Diplomacy (Cooperative Board Game) Hickory Dickory (worker-placement clock game) Ticket to Ride (railway strategy game) Kingdomino (strategy tile game) Flamecraft (dragon-themed strategy game) CMYK Wavelength: The Mind Reading Party Game Root (asymmetric woodland strategy game) Risk (classic strategy board game) Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Rob Baner: LinkedIn: Rob Baner [email protected] Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Abney Fortino: LinkedIn: Abney Fortino [email protected] Phone: (309) 797-4030 About our Guests:  As a CPA, Rob Baner’s responsibilities focus primarily on taxes and tax matters. Rob joined The Planning Center in 2015, after working with a full-service Quad Cities CPA firm from 2010 to 2015. Though his duties vary based upon the needs of our clients, Rob works collaboratively with our financial planners to provide integrated tax preparation and tax planning services to our clients. It’s important to remember that tax planning is a year-round job and April 15th is simply the culmination of our work. Nothing gives Rob greater satisfaction than knowing that we have helped our clients navigate the maze that is our tax system. Abney Fortino joined The Planning Center in 2018. Abney’s responsibilities as a tax analyst include tax planning, preparation, and reviewing tax forms for individuals. In addition to those duties, Abney assists with accounting and operations within the company.

When markets move fast, having a disciplined process matters even more. In this episode of Living Beyond the Numbers, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Kevin Olson, Trade Desk Associate at The Planning Center, for a rare behind-the-scenes look at how portfolios are managed day to day and what really happens when markets swing. Together, they unpack how The Planning Center’s investment committee works, why rebalancing is one of the most important (but least understood) parts of long-term investing, and how their systems keep clients focused on what truly matters: peace of mind, not market noise. Here’s what you’ll learn: The real role of a trade desk and how it supports clients behind the scenes What rebalancing really means and why it protects your portfolio over time How to stay calm and think long term when the headlines get loud The power of process, philosophy, and teamwork in financial decision-making And more! Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Kevin Olson: LinkedIn: Kevin Olson [email protected] Phone: (888) 333-6986 About our Guest: Kevin Olson, CFP®, is a Trade Desk Associate at The Planning Center in Moline, where he brings 7 years of investment experience, having previously worked for The Vanguard Group in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is responsible for running our trade desk, which includes daily trades as well as weekly rebalancing of accounts. I also serve as a member of our Investment Committee.

Sometimes the path forward looks more like a winding trail than a straight line. In this episode, Jude Boudreaux, CFP®, and Caleb Arringdale, EA,  sit down with Michael Branham, CFP®, Shareholder and Senior Financial Planner at The Planning Center’s Alaska office, to talk about career pivots, family priorities, and why retirement isn’t really an ending, it’s a transition into a more intentional way of living. Mike shares how his journey, from the Midwest to Alaska and from chasing success to defining balance, has shaped his perspective on money, legacy, and fulfillment. Together, they explore what it means to build a financial life that’s resilient, values-driven, and grounded in real life. Listeners can expect insights on: Navigating major life transitions with clarity and adaptability Redefining retirement as a phase of purpose and reinvention, not withdrawal Understanding your “why” before focusing on “how much” Finding a balance between professional ambition and a meaningful personal life And more! Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Mike Branham CFP®: LinkedIn: Michael Branham, CFP® [email protected] Phone: (763) 494-0095 About our Guest:  Mike embraces his fiduciary duty to clients and believes that the best path to help you reach your life’s goals is through an integrated planning approach that coordinates each facet of your financial life. We start each engagement with an in-depth conversation about your goals and aspirations. Next, we collaborate to customize a plan that incorporates your resources, current and future, into achieving your life’s dreams. From there, we continue our work together to maintain and adjust your plan as “life happens”, and to help you navigate each of your key personal and career transitions along the way.

When it comes to financial planning, it’s often the behind-the-scenes teamwork that makes everything work seamlessly. In this episode of Living Beyond the Numbers, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with two of The Planning Center’s client service specialists, Marisa Hardwick (Chicago) and Blake Murphy-Skelley (Moline), to spotlight the people who make sure every account, transfer, and detail is handled with care. Together, they pull back the curtain on what it really means to serve clients well, solving problems quietly, building trust, and creating a sense of calm even during life’s most stressful moments. From handling RMD season to comforting clients after loss, Marisa and Blake share how empathy, precision, and teamwork bring The Planning Center’s mission to life every day. What to expect: The role client service specialists play in delivering peace of mind How small details and follow-ups create big client trust What happens behind the scenes during transfers and RMD season The emotional heart of financial service and why it matters Discover the care, coordination, and human connection that keep your financial life running smoothly. Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP® The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Marisa Hardwick: LinkedIn: Marisa Hardwick [email protected] Phone: (312) 664-4090 Connect with Blake Murphy-Skelley: [email protected] Phone: (309) 794-4030 About our Guests: As a Client Services Specialist, Marisa Hardwick’s responsibilities include providing administrative support to our financial planners and excellent customer service to our clients. With a background in healthcare services and working in residential life as a Resident Advisor while in college, it has always been a passion of hers to help those in need. Marisa strives to foster a supportive environment for our team, assuring they can depend on her to deliver top-notch service to our clients. Blake Murphy-Skelley’s responsibility as a Client Services Specialist is to assist all clients of The Planning Center and members of our team. He has been working in customer service since he was 14 years old and is glad to be bringing that knowledge and experience to The Planning Center. Blake wants to provide a safe space for clients to feel comfortable as soon as they walk through the front door.

College decisions reveal more than numbers; they reveal what we value most. Discover how to align your financial choices with the legacy you want to build for your family. Money meets meaning in this candid conversation between Jude Boudreaux, Caleb Arringdale, and Ron Lieber, New York Times columnist and author of The Price You Pay for College and The Opposite of Spoiled. Together, they unpack the emotions and realities behind one of life’s biggest financial crossroads: sending your child to college. From fear and guilt to social pressure and “rejective” schools, Ron reveals how hidden feelings often drive family choices more than finances do. He shares practical insights for making smarter, values-based decisions, asking for more aid without “negotiating,” and teaching kids responsibility through money. What to expect: Why college is a values decision wrapped in a financial one The emotional traps families fall into when paying for school How to approach merit aid and appeal letters the right way The conversation every parent should have before senior year And more! It’s time to move beyond numbers and make decisions that reflect what truly matters to your family. Resources: The Price You Pay for College by Ron Lieber The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Lieber Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP® The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Ron Lieber: Website: Ron Lieber LinkedIn: Ron Lieber About our Guest: Ron Lieber is the author of The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money, which was an instant New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller when it was released in 2015. “The Price You Pay for College: An Entirely New Roadmap for the Biggest Financial Decision Your Family Will Ever Make,” was published by HarperCollins in January, 2021. Ron has been the “Your Money” columnist for The New York Times since 2008. Before coming to The Times, he wrote the “Green Thumb” personal finance column for The Wall Street Journal and was part of the startup team at the paper’s Personal Journal section. Ron’s first book, Taking Time Off: Inspiring Stories of Students Who Enjoyed Successful Breaks from College and How You Can Plan Your Own, co-authored with Colin Hall, was a New York Times bestseller in 1996. He also wrote Upstart Start­-Ups, a book for young entrepreneurs, and was the co-author of a guidebook to the best entry­-level jobs in the United States. Ron spent 14 years at the Francis W. Parker School in Chicago and graduated from Amherst College. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two daughters.

Every entrepreneur’s journey is filled with twists, failures, resilience, and reinvention.  Few embody that better than Robert LeBlanc, founder of LeBlanc + Smith, whose 25-year career in hospitality began with a failed record label and evolved into a collection of acclaimed hotels, restaurants, and bars across New Orleans, Nashville, and beyond. In this episode, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Robert to explore the lessons learned along the way about presence, parenting, building a values-based company, and raising the next generation to define success for themselves. Here’s what you can expect: How a “failed” start sparked an entrepreneurial career in hospitality The power of presence and gratitude in both business and family life Teaching children discipline, resilience, and values without losing their freedom to explore Honest conversations about failure, grit, and redefining success beyond money And more! Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP® The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Robert LeBlanc Website: LeBlanc + Smith LinkedIn: Robert LeBlanc Email: [email protected] Phone: (504) 267-0241 About our Guest: Robert LeBlanc is the founder and principal of LeBlanc + Smith, a New Orleans-based hospitality group known for creating boutique hotels, restaurants, and bars rooted in authenticity and community. Over the past 25 years, he has grown the company from a small music venture into a multi-city portfolio by combining creativity, resilience, and a values-driven approach. Passionate about presence, gratitude, and mentorship, Robert leads both his family and his business with a belief that true success is measured not in dollars but in relationships, experiences, and impact.

Every click, text, and email carries more risk today than ever before. In this episode of Living Beyond the Numbers, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Brett J Lee, JD, MBA, CSCP, Chief Compliance Officer at The Planning Center, to unpack the evolving world of cybersecurity and what it means for families, professionals, and firms. Here’s what you can expect: The biggest online threats facing high-net-worth families and why they’re different Common red flags in phishing emails, texts, and social engineering attempts Practical steps you can take today to strengthen your online safety How The Planning Center safeguards client information and verifies identity And more! Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Brett J Lee: [email protected] Phone: (309) 797-4030 About our Guest: In Brett J Lee’s role at The Planning Center, he strives to protect all stakeholders by cultivating an environment that allows all to feel safe and secure. By promoting an attitude of continuous learning, protecting the essence of the organization’s mission, values, and culture, and nurturing the firm through expertise and education, Brett navigates the organization through complex legal and regulatory environments in the name of protecting TPC and our clients.

Sending a child to college is exciting but it can also be one of the most stressful and expensive decisions a family faces. How do you choose the right school without losing sleep (or breaking the bank)? In this episode of Living Beyond the Numbers, hosts Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Heidi King from College Inside Track to unpack the overwhelming world of college planning. Heidi shares both her professional expertise and personal experience guiding her own children through the process. From navigating skyrocketing tuition to evaluating merit aid and building a school list that truly fits, she explains why college is not a prize to be won but a match to be found. Listeners will hear how early conversations reduce stress, why the “sticker price” isn’t always the real price, and how families can approach this milestone with clarity instead of panic. What to expect: Why college is the second biggest family purchase after a home The surprising truth about merit aid and need-based aid How to help your child explore fit without obsessing over prestige Practical tips for starting the process early, and keeping stress manageable And more! Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Heidi King: College Inside Track LinkedIn: Heidi King [email protected] About Our Guest: Heidi King is part of the education and partnerships team at College Inside Track, a firm that has helped families for nearly 20 years identify the right academic, social, and financial fit for their students. Having guided her own two sons through the process, Heidi brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal insight to families navigating one of life’s biggest investments.

What does it mean to lead with both confidence and compassion, especially in a numbers-first industry?  In this episode of Living Beyond the Numbers, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Amy Tessmer, CFO of The Planning Center, to explore how values-driven leadership, intentional balance, and quiet influence are reshaping the financial services landscape. Amy opens up about walking away from the CPA track, why she embraced a flexible schedule even in an executive role, and how financial decision-making becomes more powerful when it’s grounded in personal purpose. She also discusses how women in leadership can become visible examples for others, even when they’re not trying to be. What you can expect from this episode: What CFOs really do (and why it’s not just about spreadsheets) Why Amy rejected the traditional partnership track in accounting How flexible schedules can unlock high-performance leadership Practical advice for professionals seeking more alignment in their work And more! Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Amy Tessmer: LinkedIn: Amy Tessmer [email protected] Phone: (309) 797-4030 About our Guest:  Amy Tessmer is involved in overseeing the accounting function, reviewing financial information, and planning and forecasting. Prior to joining The Planning Center, she spent more than a decade working for CPA firms as a financial statement auditor. Amy loves her role because she gets the opportunity to support the operations of the company so it can continue to grow and impact the lives of more families and individuals across the country.

What does a theater degree have to do with running a financial planning firm? In this episode, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Matt Mercer, Chief Operating Officer and shareholder at The Planning Center, to talk about leadership, priorities, and the hidden work that keeps client relationships running smoothly. Matt shares how his theater background shaped his approach to people, process, and change, and why curiosity beats judgment when challenges arise. He opens up about the lessons of fatherhood, the mantra “you can do anything, not everything,” and what it means to put the right people in the right work. Listeners will hear how operations act like WD-40, removing friction so clients feel cared for, and why cooling down after change matters as much as the change itself. What to expect:  How curiosity creates trust in leadership and planning Why “right person, right work” is client care in disguise Practical rhythms for balancing work and family Change management lessons that actually stick And more! Resources: Learn more at theplanningcenter.com Follow The Planning Center on LinkedIn and YouTube for new episodes. Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Matt Mercer: LinkedIn: Matt Mercer [email protected] [email protected] Phone: (309) 797-4030 About Our Guest: As the Chief Operating Officer at The Planning Center, Matt Mercer focuses on optimizing our people, processes, technology, and compliance. Matt’s role involves everything from setting the company’s strategic plan to supporting our operations staff in their daily workflows, onboarding, and training on new technologies, updating internal processes, and overseeing special projects. After graduating from St. Ambrose University with my B.A. in Theatre, Matt spent ten years working in Operations with multiple companies in the Quad Cities area. He is fortunate enough that these experiences have brought him to The Planning Center, where he enjoys working with our team. In my role, I aim to help build an efficient infrastructure that assists our advisors to focus on their clients.

Some seasons of life arrive suddenly, others build slowly. Either way, change can feel chaotic. In this conversation, The Planning Center partner Michelle Matom CFP®, EA, CeFT joins Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale to share how she helps clients move from uncertainty to a grounded “new normal.” You’ll hear why big decisions can wait, how a decision-free zone brings breathing room, and what it really takes to navigate transitions like divorce, widowhood, sudden wealth, and retirement. Expect practical language you can use, gentle structure for hard days, and honest stories from the work of walking with clients through change. What to expect: The four stages of transition and why “passage” takes time Creating a decision-free zone that protects you from regret Retirement identity, cash-flow rhythms, and mini-experiments The role of values in rebuilding what comes next And more! Resources: Learn more at theplanningcenter.com Follow The Planning Center on LinkedIn and YouTube for new episodes. Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Michelle Matom: LinkedIn: Michelle Matom [email protected] Phone: (309) 797-4030 About our Guest:  Michelle Matom, CFP®, EA, CeFT®, is a Senior Financial Planner at The Planning Center. Her most important responsibility as a partner is to help our clients achieve their financial goals. On any given day, you will find Michelle focusing on financial planning, tax strategies and reviews, and transition planning, which helps clients for the inevitable ups and downs in life, for better or worse. In addition, Michelle works with the rest of our team to create more efficient client service systems and processes.

When a firm chooses people over ego, everything changes. In this conversation, CEO Eric Kies joins Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale to share how The Planning Center shifted from individual silos to an ensemble practice where clients are served by a team, not a single advisor. They talk candidly about investing in “soft” skills like communication, coaching, and retreats, why that’s actually the hard work, and how a 50-year vision creates stability for families across generations. You’ll hear stories about building systems, giving up control, and the human moments that money can’t solve, but great planning can hold. What to expect: Ensemble vs. siloed practices in plain language The 50-year sustainability mindset Why culture work beats quick wins AI as a tool, not a substitute for real connection And more! Resources: Learn more at theplanningcenter.com Follow The Planning Center on LinkedIn and YouTube for new episodes. Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Eric Kies: LinkedIn: Eric Kies [email protected] Phone: (309) 797-4030 About our Guest:  As the president of The Planning Center, Eric Kies is responsible for the daily management of the firm. Eric’s long-term goal for the firm is to continue building a team of talented financial planners and staff who are ready to serve successive generations of families. He wants our firm and its lead planners to be a resource in the community that people can turn to and trust for solutions to their problems. In Eric’s work with clients, his focus is on working with business owners and executives with complex planning needs and goals, such as those with significant or irregular incomes.

Taxes don’t usually make the highlight reel, but this year’s sweeping updates could impact families in ways that go far beyond April 15. In this episode, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Rob Baner, partner and head of the tax group at The Planning Center, to unpack the new tax law and what it really means for everyday families. From the expanded SALT deduction to the brand-new senior deduction, Rob helps break down the fine print into plain language while sharing practical strategies you can actually use. What to expect in this conversation: The biggest 2025 tax law changes and who they may affect most Why 2026 could bring new challenges and new planning opportunities How charitable giving strategies like “lumping” and donor-advised funds fit into the picture Practical tips for navigating deductions, phase-outs, and future uncertainty And more! Listen in and learn how small choices today can set you up for clarity tomorrow. Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with Rob Baner: [email protected] Phone: (309) 797-4030 About our Guest:  As a CPA, Rob’s responsibilities focus primarily on taxes and tax matters. Rob joined The Planning Center in 2015, after working with a full-service Quad Cities CPA firm from 2010 to 2015. Though his duties vary based upon the needs of our clients, he works collaboratively with our financial planners to provide comprehensive tax preparation and tax planning services to our clients. It’s important to remember that tax planning is a year-round job and April 15th is simply the culmination of our work. Nothing gives Rob greater satisfaction than knowing that we have helped our clients navigate the maze that is our tax system.

When J.J. Sessions walked away from running his own practice to join The Planning Center, he wasn’t just looking for a new job—he was searching for a better way to serve clients and his family.  In this heartfelt conversation, J.J. reflects on the challenges of running a business, the stress of managing cash flow, and the joy of finding a system that supports both financial goals and personal values. Alongside Jude and Caleb, they explore how First Step transformed J.J.’s family dynamic, helping him and his wife finally feel aligned in their spending habits and priorities. Listeners will hear J.J.’s story of moving from Minnesota to Fresno, the power of mentorship, and how teaching his six children about money has changed his perspective on wealth and legacy. This episode is a reminder that financial success isn’t just about numbers, it’s about creating space to focus on what truly matters. Here’s what you can expect: Why J.J. gave up business ownership for more impact How First Step simplifies cash flow conversations Teaching kids financial boundaries (with a butcher paper trick!) How to align money decisions with family values and community impact And more! Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect with J.J. Sessions: LinkedIn: J.J. Sessions, CFP® [email protected] (559) 320-8200 About our Guest:  J.J. Sessions has been preparing for a career as a financial planner all his life. As a high school senior, he once gave a speech on the benefits of compound interest. Though he started college with a desire to be a marriage and family therapist, he found that he could do more for people by helping them with their financial lives. Things like effective cash flow planning and life planning can have a profound impact on reducing the stress and conflicts in marriages that surround money. J.J.’s primary responsibility as a financial advisor is to help individuals and families to achieve clarity on their financial and life goals, and work closely with them to accomplish those goals.

What makes financial planning akin to crafting a symphony? How do emotions and logic dance in sync when managing investments? Join Jude Boudreaux, CFP®, and the ever-enthusiastic Caleb Arringdale, EA, as they welcome Matt Knoll, CFP®, a seasoned financial planner and musician, to the “Living Beyond the Numbers” podcast. Matt, who holds a vital role in the Planning Center’s investment committee, shares insights into weaving a balanced financial strategy that harmonizes with life’s melodies. Drawing from years of experience, including mentorship under influential leaders, Matt discusses the essence of investment philosophy, the art of rebalancing portfolios, and the emotional aspects of investing. Key discussed topics include: The intersection between music and financial team dynamics Crafting an unselfish succession plan Understanding portfolio rebalancing and emotional investment triggers  Navigating market volatility and long-term Investment planning  How taxes and investments can dance together  Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 Connect Matt Knoll: LinkedIn: Matt Knoll [email protected] Phone: (309) 797-4030 About Matt Knoll:  Matt Knoll is a seasoned financial planner and musician who brings a unique blend of expertise, empathy, and creativity to his work. As a Senior Financial Planner at The Planning Center, Matt plays a key role in helping clients align their financial decisions with their personal values. With over a decade of experience, he specializes in comprehensive financial planning, investment strategy, and guiding clients through major life transitions. He also leads the firm’s investment committee and supports the trade-desk operations, ensuring strategic consistency across client portfolios. Matt began his journey at The Planning Center as an intern before joining full-time in 2013. He holds the Certified Financial Planner designation and is registered to provide advisory services in Illinois, Iowa, and Texas. Known for his calm presence and thoughtful approach, Matt has a gift for making complex topics feel clear and manageable. Outside of his financial work, Matt is a passionate musician and host of The Frontline Podcast for Christian Men, where he supports men in pursuing growth and purpose. Whether in the office or behind a microphone, Matt is committed to helping people live more intentionally—financially, spiritually, and relationally.

What is tax planning really, and how can it make a difference in your financial life? Join Jude Boudreaux, CFP®, as he sits down with his co-host, Caleb Arringdale, EA, a vital member of The Planning Center’s tax team, to uncover the world of proactive tax strategies. With a focus on turning potential tax obstacles into opportunities, this episode delves into optimizing your fiscal future, whether through tax loss harvesting, navigating electronic tax documents, or even exploring the power of donor-advised funds. Key discussion points in this release include: The importance of proactive communication with your tax advisor Aligning financial goals with tax strategies for better outcomes  Preparing for evolving tax laws while minimizing disruption  Practical steps for a smoother tax season  Utilizing tax loss harvesting and childcare credits to your advantage  Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030 About our Guest:  Caleb Arringdale began his accounting career at a CPA firm in Bettendorf, IA, where he specialized in small business and not-for-profit accounting and taxation. After several years, he transitioned to the role of controller at Happy Joe’s Pizza and Ice Cream, also in Bettendorf. In that position, he oversaw the accounting department and collaborated closely with the CFO, gaining a deep understanding of the economics behind running a mid-size restaurant chain and working directly with store managers across the U.S. (And yes—he ate a lot of pizza.) Later, Caleb and his wife relocated to Galesburg, IL, where he joined a small but community-focused accounting firm. There, he had the opportunity to work with many local leaders and businesses on a wide range of financial matters. After several rewarding years, he made the move to The Planning Center, where he’s found his true passion: working closely with clients to help them plan effectively for their futures.

What if your definition of success wasn’t about money, but the life you get to live because of it? In this episode, host Jude Boudreaux, CFP®, and his “Director of Positivity,” Caleb Arringdale, EA, introduce the heart behind Living Beyond the Numbers. They share their personal stories—from Jude launching a financial planning firm with a newborn at home, to Caleb’s journey from public accounting into people-centred planning, and what drives their work with clients today. Key discussions include: Why values should shape your financial decisions, not just the numbers The early money lessons (and struggles) that shaped Jude and Caleb’s careers How Jude defines success through his relationship with his wife, Karen What “prioritize later” means for your financial and personal well-being The power of integrated planning, mentorship, and intentional conversations And more! Resources: Full episode archive: theplanningcenter.com/pod George Kinder’s 3 Questions: https://youtu.be/t42Ba5dtCYk Tax and Planning Services: theplanningcenter.com/contact-us Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:  The Planning Center LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux [email protected] Phone: (504) 717-4862 Connect with Caleb Arringdale: LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale [email protected]  Phone: (309) 797-4030

“Living Beyond the Numbers” with Jude Boudreaux from The Planning Center is for those who see money as a tool, not a trophy. If you’ve worked hard, celebrated your successes, and learned from your failures, you might now be asking, “What’s next?” How do you use what you’ve built to create something meaningful and make a lasting impact on those you love? This podcast is not about financial jargon or spreadsheets—it’s about connecting your wealth with your deepest values and purpose.  Through real conversations, Jude helps you navigate the practical and emotional aspects of wealth, with a focus on human-centered guidance that aligns your financial decisions with the life you want to live. Whether you’re thinking about legacy, family dynamics, or how to confidently move forward in life, Living Beyond the Numbers offers the stories and insights you need to transform wealth into purposeful living.