Financial Perspectives: The Podcast | Foster Group

Most investors focus on stocks, but the bond market is actually larger, and it can play a critical role in protecting your portfolio when markets get rocky. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Gretchen Muller, Director of Communications, and Warren Pierson, Co-Chief Investment Officer at Baird Advisors, discuss the "lifeboat" concept in portfolio construction, Warren’s current outlook on in...

In this special edition of Financial Perspectives, Daniel Hawthorne, Air Force veteran, SERE specialist, retired Chief Master Sergeant, and advisory team manager at Foster Group, joins Director of Communications, Gretchen Muller, to discuss two timely topics: navigating military financial benefits and the new 530A (Trump) Accounts launching July 4th, 2026. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Gretchen...

Care planning often feels like something that applies to someone else. In reality, it touches nearly every family. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Director of Communications Gretchen Muller along with Senior Lead Advisor Matt Stagner, a nationally recognized advocate for the disability community, unpack what care planning really means across disability, special needs, and elder care. As...

In retirement planning, some variables you can control, and others you can’t. Inflation is often an overlooked variable. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Gretchen Muller, Director of Communications, and advisor Ben Berger walk through the "retirement equation" and use Monte Carlo modeling to stress-test a hypothetical plan against a 5% inflation shock. Ben also shares examples of adjustm...

Gretchen Muller, Director of Communications, and Wes Crill, Vice President and Senior Client Solutions Director for Dimensional Fund Advisors Global Client Group, discuss how markets price uncertainty, why discipline matters more than reaction, and what history tells us about navigating volatility – including the Iran conflict and its economic implications. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Gretche...

Recent developments involving Iran have been a reminder of how quickly geopolitics can affect markets. In this Financial Perspectives conversation, Gretchen Muller and Kent Kramer share perspective on what we’re seeing in stocks, oil, and investor feelings and why short-term volatility does not always change the long-term outlook. Gretchen and Kent discuss why uncertainty is a normal part of inves...

In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Kent Kramer introduces Gretchen Muller, Foster Group’s Director of Communications. Gretchen shares her background in investment research, teaching, and communication, along with her vision for helping Foster Group communicate clearly about markets, financial planning, and investing. Kent also shares that he will retire from Foster Group, and as host of Fi...

Tax strategy plays an important role in financial planning, but the right approach depends on your specific goals, timeline, and overall plan. In this episode of Financial Perspective, Gretchen Muller, Marcus Iwig, and Michael Westphal discuss how tax considerations can affect retirement planning, business sales, farm ground, stock compensation, account types, and investment implementation. The ke...

In early 2026, concerning headlines feel nonstop and uncertainty can make investors wonder, "should I adjust my financial plan?" In this episode, Gretchen Muller and Kent Kramer discuss how to separate market noise vs fundamentals and share a planning-first approach to staying disciplined through volatility. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent Kramer Gretchen Muller Financial Perspectives Foster...

Cybersecurity is evolving fast and phishing remains one of the most common and costly threats. In this episode, Gretchen Muller & Kate Juelfs break down what modern scams look like in 2026. We share practical, everyday steps you can take to reduce your risk: multi-factor authentication, strong unique passwords, and simple habits to pause, verify, and stay skeptical before acting on unexpected...

Year-end giving doesn’t have to be rushed or random. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Director of Communications Gretchen Muller and Senior Lead Advisor Ashlee Vieregger walk through a practical year-end giving checklist to help you align your generosity with what matters most to you. They discuss “generosity languages,” how donor-advised funds could simplify giving across years, and way...

In this edition of Financial Perspectives, Kent Kramer explores why market highs often trigger anxiety and how investors can cultivate educated optimism. Discover the psychology behind market fears, learn from historical trends, and understand our approach to portfolios. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent Kramer Financial Perspectives Foster Group Facebook LinkedIn X YouTube

December 31st is fast approaching! This month, Kent Kramer and Caleb Brown walk through what's worth reviewing before the end of the year — timing, thresholds, and a simple way to prioritize the strategies that may be worth considering. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent Kramer Caleb Brown Financial Perspectives Foster Group Facebook LinkedIn X YouTube

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed July 4, 2025, updated tax law: rates extended, new $6K senior deduction, higher SALT cap with limits, charitable deduction floor, and a $15M estate exemption. This month, Marcus Iwig joins Kent Kramer to explain what these updates mean — and why most taxpayers may see only modest impact. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent Kramer Marcus Iwig Financi...

AI is everywhere in the headlines — but how much is hype, and what’s real? Stephen de Man of Dimensional Fund Advisors joins Kent Kramer to explore AI’s history, opportunities, risks, and how to start using it responsibly. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent Kramer Financial Perspectives Foster Group Facebook LinkedIn X YouTube

This month, Ashlee Vieregger joins Kent Kramer to explore how the new tax law could impact your estate plans. Learn about the new $15M exemption, charitable giving changes, essential documents, and why talking to your family about your plans matters more than ever. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent Kramer Ashlee Vieregger Financial Perspectives Foster Group Facebook LinkedIn X YouTube

This month, Kent Kramer tackles the question, 'Is it different this time?' by analyzing what’s different and what's the same in market downturns. He discusses historical market declines, the catalysts behind them, and the importance of maintaining long-term optimism despite short-term volatility. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent Kramer Financial Perspectives Foster Group Facebook LinkedIn X Y...

How much will you really need in retirement? And how do you make it last? This month, Kent Kramer and Marcus Iwig discuss forecasting expenses, managing investments for income, and handling life's curveballs in retirement. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent Kramer Marcus Iwig Financial Perspectives Foster Group Facebook LinkedIn X YouTube

Market periods like these have a way of making virtually everyone ask the questions, "Am I okay? Is my financial plan going to survive these latest seismic events?" This week, Kent Kramer looks at historical worst-case scenarios and how they could be used to inform your financial plan. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent Kramer Financial Perspectives Foster Group Facebook LinkedIn X YouTube

What's the rationale behind the steep new US tariffs and what does that mean for an investor's portfolio? What can or should we do as investors? In this special edition Financial Perspectives, Kent Kramer covers the announced tariffs, the impact on markets, and the dos and don'ts during market turmoil. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent Kramer Financial Perspectives Foster Group Facebook Linked...

How do tariffs impact your investment portfolio? This month, Kent Kramer discusses the latest tariff policies, market volatility, and why diversification is key to managing uncertainty. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent Kramer Financial Perspectives Foster Group Facebook LinkedIn X YouTube

Join Kent Kramer for an interview with Vanguard Senior Portfolio Specialist Bill Puggini about Vanguard’s views on what may move markets in 2025 and beyond. 2025 is full of potential risks and rewards. Kent and Bill discuss how inflation, tariffs, interest rates, market valuations, and political policies are all things that could distract investors from focusing on their most important long-term g...

This month, Kent Kramer and Caleb Brown discuss insights on how inflation could impact your financial plan and portfolio. Learn how to prepare for inflation, plan for future spending, and invest wisely for your retirement. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent Kramer Caleb Brown Financial Perspectives Foster Group Facebook LinkedIn X YouTube

This week, join Kent Kramer for an insightful conversation with best-selling author, Professor Meir Statman, a leading expert in behavioral finance. Discover how financial security, optimism, and resilience contribute to overall life well-being. Professor Statman shares his inspiring personal journey and offers practical advice on balancing financial wealth with life’s other important aspects, suc...

This week, Kent Kramer is joined by Senior Lead Advisor Ashlee Vieregger to discuss year-end financial planning ideas that create meaningful family traditions through charitable giving for every age group. Learn how to engage your entire family in generosity through telling stories and sharing an activity, all with the hidden benefit of building lasting financial skills. Subscribe & Connect wi...