The Future of Finance

Is your 401(k) working for you—or against you? 😬 In this eye-opening episode of The Future of Finance , hosts Marissa Wood and Lisa Green dive deep into the truth about 401(k) plans, Roth IRAs, and how to better plan for retirement. If you’ve ever asked:  ✅ Should I contribute more to my 401(k)?  ✅ What happens to my old 401(k)s when I change jobs?  ✅ Should I open a Roth IRA to...

What if the way you’ve been investing is already outdated? In this episode of The Future of Finance , Marissa Wood sits down with Dean Zayed , founder and CEO of Brookstone Capital Management , a firm managing over $13 billion in assets , to break down how investing has evolved from the aftermath of the Great Depression to today’s modern investment landscape. From structured notes and buffered ETF...

Are credit cards helping build your financial future—or quietly destroying it? In this episode of The Future of Finance , Marissa Wood and Lisa Green react to two viral financial clips from Dave Ramsey and Kevin O’Leary , who have completely opposite opinions on credit cards. One says they’re dangerous debt traps. The other says they’re essential financial tools. So… who’s right? 💳 Learn how to u...

Money can either strengthen a marriage—or quietly tear it apart. In this episode of The Future of Finance , Marissa Wood sits down with Chris Wood and Dee Costa to unpack real-life money dynamics inside marriage —from joint vs separate finances to navigating income differences, financial stress, and planning for the unexpected. With perspectives from newly married, long-term marriage, and life aft...

🎙️ Episode 5: Financial Cruise Control by 40 🚗💰 How one couple mastered wealth, risk, and retirement planning. In this episode of The Future of Finance Podcast, host Marissa Wood sits down with Sarah and Eric Taylor—a dynamic duo who reached financial “cruise control” before 40.  Sarah, founder of Stay Well Massage, shares how she built her business from the ground up, while Eric, a risk ma...

What do baseball and investing have in common? More than you think. In this fun and insightful episode of The Future of Finance , Marissa Wood and Lisa Greene break down financial strategies using baseball analogies —from spring training and home runs to bullpen management and the ultimate grand slam. If finance has ever felt confusing or boring, this episode makes it simple, relatable, and actual...

AI is everywhere right now—but should you trust it with your financial future? In this episode of The Future of Finance , Marissa Wood sits down with industry expert Dee Costa to break down the real role of AI in financial planning —what it’s great at, where it falls short, and how to use it the right way . From budgeting and goal-setting to emotional decision-making and life events, this episode...

What does a former undercover police officer know about financial planning? More than you’d think. In this episode of The Future of Finance , Marissa Wood sits down with Chris Wood , financial advisor and former narcotics detective, to break down how crisis response, risk management, and preparation translate directly into your financial life. From emergency funds to market crashes, taxes, and lif...

Every generation faces unique financial challenges—but what are the biggest money mistakes they keep making? In this episode of The Future of Finance, financial experts Marissa Wood and Lisa Green reveal the top financial pitfalls across Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z—and share the exact strategies to avoid them. From ignoring long-term care to overspending on credit cards, this episo...

Feeling like you're behind with money in your 20s or 30s? You’re not alone—and you’re not failing.  In this episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood breaks down 5 easy, high-impact financial moves you can implement in the next 90 days to build wealth early and avoid common financial pitfalls.  From understanding why budgets aren’t diets to leveraging compound interest and employer...

Annuities are one of the most misunderstood words in finance—and in this episode of The Future of Finance , Marissa Wood and Lisa Green break down exactly what they are, how they’ve evolved (think cell phones!), and how they can help you lock in income for life, protect against market losses, and even cover long-term care. Whether you’ve heard horror stories or you’re curious if annuities could fi...

Becoming a parent changes everything—including your finances. In this episode, we break down 5 essential financial tips every new parent should know , from budgeting and saving to planning for the future. Simple, practical advice to help you feel confident and prepared.

Climbing the mountain of retirement is hard—but the descent is where most people fall. Literally. In this eye-opening episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood sits down with Sam Payne, a financial advisor with 40+ years of experience, to uncover the five hidden threats that can destroy your retirement plan if you’re not prepared. From taxes and inflation to sequence of returns and long-term...

In this special Q&A episode of The Future of Finance, host Marissa Wood tackles real questions from real listeners—covering job transitions, forgotten 401(k)s, emergency funds, retirement benchmarks, and how the 2025 Fed rate cut could affect your wallet. Whether you’re changing jobs, building your first emergency fund, or wondering how to adjust your investments as rates shift, this episode d...

Being your own boss comes with incredible freedom—but also serious financial responsibility. In this episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood and Lisa Green from Union Financial Services dive deep into what every self-employed person needs to know to plan for a secure future. From setting up retirement plans and understanding Medicare penalties, to leveraging HSAs and preparing for emergenci...

In this expert-packed episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood welcomes Mark DiOrio, Chief Investment Officer at Brookstone Capital Management, to unpack everything from 2025’s wild stock market to AI dominance, dividend stock strategies, buffered ETFs, and crypto access without the chaos. Whether you're an investor trying to make sense of this year's tech surge—or an advisor wanting to dive...

Most people know to see a doctor when something changes with their health—but what about your financial health? In this episode of The Future of Finance, host Marissa Wood shares the 10 most important life events that should signal it’s time to meet with a financial advisor. Whether you’ve changed jobs, gotten married, received an inheritance, or are nearing retirement, your financial strategy nee...

What if debt wasn’t the enemy—but your greatest tool for building wealth? In this powerful episode of The Future of Finance, host Marissa Wood sits down with mortgage expert Jason Johnson of Sun Point Home Loans to uncover how the wealthy use strategic borrowing to grow their net worth. From celebrity mortgage moves to bridge loans and amortization tricks, Jason shares 22 years of experience to he...

In this episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood welcomes policy expert and financial advisor Todd Manternach to break down what’s being called “The One Big Beautiful Bill”—and why it could have a serious impact on your finances. They unpack changes in tax policy, new savings opportunities, how the bill impacts different generations (from Gen Z to Boomers), and why this could be the best tim...

In this episode...

In this solo Q&A episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood, co-founder of Union Financial Services, tackles your most pressing financial questions with clarity and real-life examples. From daily coffee habits to mortgage payoffs and investing for your kids’ futures, this episode breaks down key concepts in a way that’s easy to understand—and apply. Whether you're just starting your financ...

What if you could retire with tax-free income, leave millions to your heirs, and not give Uncle Sam a dime? In this episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood sits down with financial industry veteran Marty Willenborg, who shares powerful strategies using life insurance, premium financing, and the Kaizen concept to create wealth, preserve it, and pass it on—without the IRS taking a cut. If you...

Welcome to another episode of The Future of Finance , where host Marissa Wood and co-host Lisa Green bring together their two favorite F-words: Football and Finance ! 🏈💸 With fantasy football season in full swing, Marissa and Lisa use powerful, fun analogies between football positions and investment strategies to help you rethink your portfolio. Are you running a team of all tight ends? 😬 Are y...

In this deeply emotional and insightful episode of The Future of Finance , host Marissa Wood sits down with industry veteran and business coach Dee Costa. With 40+ years in financial services and personal experiences with profound loss, Dee shares why financial planning is about more than numbers—it's about love, protection, and peace of mind. 💔 Hear the story of how sudden tragedy shaped Dee's m...

In this powerful and relatable episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood sits down with client and fellow millennial Jeremy Hicks to unpack the unique financial challenges—and opportunities—facing today’s 30-somethings. They dive into real-world budgeting strategies, navigating rising expenses, building wealth while raising a family, and how small consistent investing can create generational...