The Ascent With Crestmont Private Wealth

Join Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth as he interviews Cole Gentry, a junior at Texas A&M and a budding entrepreneur. Cole shares his journey from high school in Bernie, Texas, to college life at Texas A&M, his involvement in the Brotherhood of Christian Aggies, and his experiences running family and personal businesses like Oak Hills Pest Control and a summer peach stand. The conve...

In this episode of "The Ascent," Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth dives deep into the concept of compounding—both in finance and in life. Sam explains the formula for compound interest, why consistency and time matter more than just the rate of return, and how these principles apply to everything from investing to personal habits like working out or maintaining your car. He shares pra...

Join Sam McGee of Crestmont Private Wealth as he interviews Brandy Kinds from the Texas A&M Foundation. Discover how endowed scholarships work, the impact they have on students, and how anyone—not just the ultra-wealthy—can create a lasting legacy at Texas A&M or other universities. Brandy shares her personal journey, the process of setting up scholarships, and the importance o...

Join Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth as he interviews Dr. Nathan Harness, Director of the Financial Planning Program at Texas A&M University. They discuss Nathan’s journey into financial planning, the growth of the Texas A&M program, the evolving landscape of financial advice, the shortage of new advisors, and the importance of values and faith in shaping future leaders. Whet...

This episode of "The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth," hosted by Alec Walker, focuses on end-of-year financial planning—without the stress and panic that often accompanies it. Alec discusses the importance of intentional, proactive planning rather than last-minute, reactive decisions. Key topics include tax strategies (like tax loss harvesting), Roth conversions, charitable contribution...

In this episode of The Ascent, Alec Walker from Crestmont Private Wealth discusses essential financial conversations every couple should have—whether you’re newlyweds or have been married for decades. Alec covers topics like understanding financial personalities, addressing money fears, combining finances, budgeting strategies, setting shared goals, and managing credit and debt. With p...

This episode of "The Ascent" features Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth and guest Jeremy Farber from Home Instead. The discussion centers on planning for non-medical daily living care, especially for aging couples without nearby family and families with special needs children. Key topics include the importance of early planning, the types of daily living activities that require support, the...

In this episode of "The Ascent" with Crestmont Private Wealth, host Sam McGee interviews Jeremy Farber from Home Instead. They discuss the importance of planning for long-term care, the challenges families face when unexpected health events occur, and practical steps to prepare for the future. Jeremy shares his personal journey, the mission behind Home Instead, and tips for helping loved ones age...

Join Sam McGee, CEO of Crestmont Private Wealth, and Alec Walker, CFP, as they dive into behavioral finance biases, risk tolerance, and the challenges of investing during a market high. They discuss common investor biases like loss aversion, anchoring, and the illusion of control, and share historical data on market performance after all-time highs. The conversation also covers strategies for mana...

In this episode of The Ascent, host Sam McGee interviews Rick Goodrich, Chief of Safety and Security for Boerne Independent School District. Rick shares his extensive background in law enforcement, military service, and his transition into school safety. The conversation covers the importance of preparedness, community involvement, and evolving security tactics in schools, churches, and public spa...

In this episode of The Ascent, Sam McGee, CEO of Crestmont Private Wealth, discusses current economic events, market performance, and the importance of income planning and asset location for retirees. Sam explains how the stock market is forward-looking, reviews recent trends in interest rates, inflation, and unemployment, and provides practical advice on asset allocation and diversification. He u...

In this episode of "The Ascent," host Sam McGee welcomes Dr. Maggie Dominguez (Executive Director of Communications, BISD) and Garrett Wilson (Board Trustee, BISD) to discuss the complexities of Texas school funding, focusing on the "golden pennies" mechanism. The conversation covers: How Texas school funding formulas work and the impact of property wealth on state funding. The concept of "recaptu...

In this episode of The Ascent, Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth shares his personal experiences and professional advice on college visits and preparing your child for college. From the evolving college application process to practical tips on campus tours, housing, financial planning, and essential legal documents, Sam provides valuable insights for parents and students navigating the journ...

In this episode of "The Ascent," Sam McGee (CEO, Crestmont Private Wealth) and Alec Walker (EVP of Financial Planning) discuss the impact of layoffs in the energy sector, financial planning strategies during uncertain times, and the importance of diversification and adaptability. They share practical advice for individuals facing layoffs, including emergency savings, investment strategies, and mai...

In this episode of "The Ascent," host Sam McGee interviews Marshall Fisher, Director of Distillate Trading at Valero. They discuss Marshall’s background, his journey into the energy and aviation fuel industry, the intricacies of jet fuel production and distribution, and the impact of global events like COVID-19 on the fuel market. Marshall shares industry stories, including a humorous anecdo...

In this episode of The Ascent, Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth discusses essential considerations for aging parents and their families. Covering topics like legal documentation, income planning, healthcare, family communication, and fraud protection, Sam shares practical advice and real-world experiences to help families navigate the complexities of aging and wealth management. Whether you...

In this episode of The Ascent, Alec Walker from Crestmont Private Wealth explains everything you need to know about Roth conversions. He covers what a Roth conversion is, when and why it makes sense, key rules and deadlines, tax implications, and how to determine if a Roth conversion is right for you. Alec also discusses the impact on Medicare premiums, estate planning, and strategies for optimizi...

Join Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth as he interviews Laura Anderson, president of the 100 Club of Kendall County. Laura shares her background as a law enforcement officer, the mission of the 100 Club, and the importance of supporting first responders and their families. The episode covers the annual "Tug the Truck" event, mental health challenges for first responders, stories of community...

Welcome to The Ascent! In this episode, Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth discusses the often-overlooked mental and emotional aspects of preparing for retirement. While financial planning is crucial, Sam emphasizes the importance of addressing identity, purpose, routines, social connections, and mental health as you transition into retirement. Learn practical strategies to maintain fulfillme...

In this episode of "The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth," host Sam McGee interviews Dorman Vic, the leader of the renowned welding program at Champion High School in Boerne, Texas. They discuss the origins and impact of the program, the importance of vocational education, inspiring student stories, and the broader movement to bring skilled trades back into the spotlight. The conversation cove...

In this episode of The Ascent, Sam McGee, CEO of Crestmont Private Wealth, discusses the importance of long-term investing and maintaining perspective during market volatility. Drawing on historical examples like tariffs, bear and bull markets, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 downturn, Sam explains why staying invested and managing emotions is crucial for financial success. The episode...

In this back-to-school update, Sam McGee covers the current state of the U.S. economy and financial markets as of August 2025. He discusses the relationship between the economy and markets, recent trends in unemployment, inflation, real estate, and interest rates, and provides insights into what may be ahead for investors. The episode also touches on the Federal Reserve’s actions, market vol...

In this episode of "The Ascent," host Sam McGee is joined by Assistant Fire Chief Walter Ball to discuss the recent flooding in Hill Country, Texas, and the heroic response of local first responders. The conversation covers the timeline of the emergency, inter-agency cooperation, personal stories of resilience and community support, and upcoming community events like the Firefighter Games and the...

Alec Walker, EVP of Financial Planning at Crestmont Private Wealth discusses strategies for college savings during the back-to-school season. Alec covers the rising costs of college, the benefits and drawbacks of 529 plans, recent legislative changes, multi-generational planning, and tips for managing student debt. He also shares personal stories and practical advice for families planning for educ...

In this episode of 'The Ascent', Alec Walker of Crestmont Private Wealth discusses the tangible benefits of working with a financial advisor. Alec reviews a landmark study by Vanguard, which quantifies how advisors can add up to 3% or more in net returns for clients. The episode breaks down key areas like asset allocation, investment selection, rebalancing, behavioral coaching, tax-efficient strat...