Digging In

Private funds can sound complex, exclusive, and maybe even a little mysterious—but what are they, really?  In this episode of Digging In, John Savarino sits down with Jerry Fuesel to break down the world of private funds in plain English.  They cover how private funds work, who may be eligible to invest, why an investor might consider one, and where they can potentially fit within a broader invest...

The conversations we avoid are often the ones that matter most.  John Savarino and Jovan Marshall tackle the tough topics families tend to put off—from health and finances to end-of-life wishes and what happens when the unexpected occurs.  They explore why a little discomfort today can prevent confusion tomorrow, and how having these conversations early can create greater clarity, preparation, and...

In this episode of Digging In, John Savarino and Jason Thiele explore what happens when the habits that helped you build wealth start getting in the way of enjoying it.  After decades of saving, achieving, and chasing the next financial milestone, shifting into a spending mindset can be harder than expected.  They discuss why success has to be personally defined, how to determine what “enough” loo...

Money isn’t just mathematical—it’s psychological, emotional, and deeply personal. In this episode of Digging In, John Savarino sits down with Joe Mateja to explore how our relationship with money changes throughout different stages of life. They discuss how worry, fear, and uncertainty influence financial decisions and why even smart people can make emotional choices.  Most importantly, they dig i...

Where are the markets headed—and what should investors actually be paying attention to? John Savarino sits down with Planning & Trading Advisor Andrew Lee for a timely look at where the Rooted team’s head is as we close out the third quarter and look toward Q4 and 2027. They dig into the influence of Big Tech and the Magnificent Seven, the continued AI boom, energy markets, interest rates, and...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino sits down with Laura Darby, Marketing Specialist at Rooted Wealth Advisors, to explore how a background in hospitality has shaped the way she approaches serving clients—and why that perspective fits so naturally within Rooted's culture. Before joining the financial industry, Laura built her career creating exceptional experiences in hospitalit...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino sits down with our Founder, Zach Gray, for a fun, behind-the-scenes conversation about the phrases the Rooted team hears almost every day—and why they matter. Whether it's a simple reminder in a meeting or a challenge that changes someone's perspective, Zach's most repeated sayings have become more than office catchphrases. They&apos...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino sits down with Zach Gray to discuss the inspiration behind his book, Harvesting Tomorrow, and why its message extends well beyond the farming community. Together, they unpack some of the five retirement traps outlined in the book, exploring how the same financial challenges farmers face—planning for the future, managing taxes, protecting what they&...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino is joined by Nick Barnes, Operations Specialist, to talk about what record-high markets really mean—and what they don’t. With headlines constantly pointing to new highs, many investors feel pressure to act. But Nick explains why reactive decisions often do more harm than good, and how prepared retirees rely on disciplined strategies instead of emot...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino is joined by Investment Advisors Representative, Joe Mateja, to talk about what it really means to leave a legacy. They explore how legacy goes far beyond financial assets—encompassing values, communication, and the relationships we build with those we care about most. Joe shares how the absence of these conversations can create confusion or confli...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino is joined once again by Roan Cannon to talk about one of the most common—and costly—beliefs in personal finance: “I’ve got time.” They explore why people delay saving, how compounding truly works, and the long-term impact of starting late. More importantly, they focus on how small, consistent actions today can create meaningful progress over time....

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino sits down with Jovan Marshall to take an honest look at life insurance—what it is, what it isn’t, and how it fits into a broader financial plan. They discuss: - The core role of life insurance as protection - When it can serve a strategic purpose - How to determine whether coverage is appropriate for your situation - The importance of shopping purp...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino sits down with Joe Mateja to break down one of the biggest misconceptions in retirement planning: that it’s all about hitting a certain number. Instead, Joe explains why retirement is really about creating a reliable, sustainable income—and how the way you structure that income can make or break your confidence in retirement. They dive into sequenc...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino sits down with Sarah Viall-Lorand, Client Services Specialist, to explore the idea that retirement isn’t defined by a date—it’s defined by readiness. Get to know Sarah as she and John discuss how retirement is as much about lifestyle and identity as it is about finances, and why clarity around purpose, relationships, and daily life plays a critical...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino is joined by Nick Barnes, Operations Specialist, to talk about what record-high markets really mean—and what they don’t. With headlines constantly pointing to new highs, many investors feel pressure to act. But Nick explains why reactive decisions often do more harm than good, and how prepared retirees rely on disciplined strategies instead of emot...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino sits down with Alexa Blochowski, Operations Specialist, to uncover one of the most overlooked risks in retirement: taxes. Many people assume their tax burden will decrease once they stop working, but the reality is often more complex. Alexa walks through the ways that retirement income is taxed differently, how Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)...

In this part two episode of Digging In, host John Savarino continues his conversation with Alexa Blochowski, Rooted's Operations Specialist. In this episode, Alexa shares what financial freedom means to her, and how that translates into her role here at Rooted Wealth.  They talk about feeling stuck later in life when it comes to finances and retirement and how to avoid that feeling down the l...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino sits down with Jason Thiele, Rooted’s Client Services Specialist, to discuss spending habits and prioritizing needs versus wants. They unpack Jason's 2025 milestones and how they lead into his 2026 goals. Jason also shares the best and the worst financial advice he’s been given as a professional in the finance world. Whether you’re navigating...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino sits down with Alexa Blochowski, Rooted’s Operations Specialist, to discuss how she got into the industry and what drives her daily to help others as a difference maker. They talk through how to stay grounded in todays hectic world, while navigating life’s big decisions at the same time. Alexa shares how she found family here at Rooted Wealth, and...

In this episode of Digging In, Host John Savarino sits down with Roan Cannon, Rooted’s Marketing Outreach Manager, to explore Rooted Wealth’s upcoming client experiences across the US in 2026.  They dive into what makes Rooted’s events different, and the why behind each specific event- connecting on a deeper level with clients. Roan shares how going deeper has provided him with the privilege of no...

In this episode of Digging In, Host John Savarino sits down with Joette Walter, Rooted’s Client Relationship Manager, to discuss her role on the front lines of Rooted Wealth. Joette explains how important it is to have a personal touch in the world of wealth management – every client is different, and every connection is key!  They dive into what Rooted stands for: creating relationships. We learn...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino sits down with Jacqueline Walter, Rooted’s Director of Marketing, to explore how we balance risk in both life and finances. They unpack how personal risk tolerance shapes the everyday decisions we make—from choosing bold moves in careers and relationships to how we save and spend for retirement. Jacqueline also shares how her own approach to risk i...

In this episode of Digging In, host John Savarino sits down with Jovan Marshall, Client Communication Manager at Rooted Wealth Advisors, to talk about what it really means to leave a legacy. Jovan shares why legacy isn’t just about money—it’s about the values you live by, the lessons you teach, and the communication you foster with your family. Together, they unpack the struggles many families fac...

In this episode of Talking Money at the Kitchen Table,  host John Savarino is joined by Roan Cannon, Marketing Outreach Manager at Rooted Wealth Advisors, for a candid conversation about how money—or the lack of conversations about it—shapes our lives. Together, they reflect on the influence of family money talks and the impact of silence, the lessons Roan learned about being open with finances ra...

In this follow-up episode of Digging In, host John Savarino welcomes back Jason Thiele, Lead Planning Specialist at Rooted Wealth Advisors, to dive deeper into the conversation we started in “From Wish List to Real Life: Retirement Edition." This time, Jason digs deeper into how money is more than numbers on a page—it’s about the meaning it carries throughout different stages of life. Togethe...