BCSWM’s The Benchmark

Financial Planning for High Earners

In this episode of The Benchmark by BCS Wealth Management, Myra O’Dell is joined by advisors Andrew Farmer and Nathan Goodwin to explore why high earners often feel financially stuck. Learn how to avoid lifestyle creep, implement smart tax strategies, and build long-term wealth through intentional investing and protection planning.

10 Things You Can Do to Help Simplify Your Estate for Your Heirs

In this episode of The Benchmark, Nick sits down with Nathan and Myra to provide 10 practical steps you can take today to simplify your estate for your heirs.
Estate planning isn’t just about having a will—it’s about creating a clear, thoughtful plan that makes things easier for your loved ones when it matters most. From organizing key documents and updating beneficiaries to considering trusts and managing taxes, we cover the essential strategies that can save time, money, and stress for your family.
Whether you’re starting your estate plan from scratch or reviewing an existing one, this conversation will give you actionable insights and ideas to help ensure your wishes are carried out smoothly.
✅ Topics We Cover:
The importance of organizing key documents
Why updating beneficiary designations matters
How consolidating accounts simplifies the process
The role of trusts in protecting your legacy
Managing family dynamics and potential conflicts
Estate tax strategies to keep in mind for 2025 and beyond
📌 If you’re ready to align your estate and financial plans, the team at BCS Wealth Management is here to help.

A Crash Course on How to Follow the Markets

Are you keeping up with the markets? Understanding financial trends can make all the difference in your investment strategy. In this episode of the The Benchmark Podcast, advisors—Scott Linn, Nick Clay, and Nathan Goodwin—break down the key factors shaping the financial landscape.
What moves the markets and the S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow Jones, and international indexes.How do interest rates and economic data impact your investments?Mistakes investors make—and how to avoid them.Why a long-term perspective is helpful in times of volatility.
Whether you’re an experienced investor, a business owner, or just looking to make informed financial decisions, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the markets with confidence.

Don’t Leave Money Behind: A Guide to Finding Your Missing 401(k)s

In this episode of The Benchmark, John and Eliza dive into forgotten 401(k)s. Did you know there are over 29 million missing 401(k) accounts in the U.S. worth almost $1.65 trillion?
Listen in to learn how to track down your lost retirement funds and why it’s crucial for securing your financial future. Don’t let your hard-earned money slip through the cracks!

Social Security Q&A

In this episode, Nathan and John discuss some of the more frequently asked questions surrounding social security. Is it taxable? When should I start? What about survivor benefits? Get the answers to these and other popular questions on your morning or evening commute!

2024 Market Review - Insights and Strategies for 2025

In this episode of The Benchmark by BCS Wealth Management, Myra, Scott, and Andrew explore the key financial and economic events of 2024. They discuss market performance, with a spotlight on AI-driven tech growth and crypto milestones, including Bitcoin ETFs and the $100K milestone. Key economic themes include inflation control, Federal Reserve rate cuts, and real estate trends. The hosts also share lessons learned, strategies for 2025, and the importance of staying diversified and disciplined in volatile times. Whether you’re a new or experienced investor, this episode is packed with insights to help you prepare for the year ahead.

Tips for Managing a Financial Windfall

Philip and Scott talk about how to be a good steward of a windfall. To begin, they share perspectives about how to handle your emotions in light of a sudden boost to wealth. They next discuss the financial best practices to follow after receiving a windfall. This episode touches on many areas of financial planning to consider or revisit. Perhaps most importantly, it also reminds us to be true to who we are, regardless of any windfall.

Book Review | The Wealth Money Can't Buy

Philip shares his thoughts about The Wealth Money Can’t Buy: The 8 Hidden Habits to Live Your Richest Life, a book that impacted him this year for the better. Full of timeless wisdom, it’s a 2024 publication by acclaimed leadership coach Robin Sharma. The book reminds us that true wealth is so much more than cash in the bank. The book follows the structure of Sharma’s Eight Forms of Wealth model, of which money is only one. Philip summarizes the Eight Forms of Wealth. He then highlights just a few of the book’s many good takeaways about approaching money and also deepening our non-financial wealth.