Tag: Financial Planning
Timing Big Decisions When Emotions Run High (Ep. 33)

Timing Big Decisions When Emotions Run High (Ep. 33)

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A major career opportunity can look right on paper and still create difficult questions about family, identity, risk, and what comes next.

How do you make a thoughtful decision when the stakes feel personal?

In this episode, Danton Troyer and Kyle Luetters speak with Rob Stachlewitz, CEO of Resolian, about making major career decisions under pressure. Rob shares how family, longtime mentors, financial planning, and careful reflection helped him evaluate becoming a CEO. He also explores leadership, career identity, finding purpose beyond traditional retirement, and why slowing down can help when an opportunity could reshape both work and family life. 

Rob discusses:

  • How family, mentors, and financial planning helped him evaluate a major late-career opportunity
  • Why trusted mentors can reveal risks and possibilities that are difficult to recognize on your own
  • How a player-coach leadership style shapes the way he approaches his responsibilities as a CEO
  • Why career identity and purpose can make the transition toward retirement more difficult to define
  • How slowing down during high-pressure decisions can create room for family priorities and clear thinking
  • And more!

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About Our Guest:

Rob has over 25 years of pharmaceutical development and laboratory operations management experience. He has led large, multinational operations groups supporting analytical services and large sites supporting nonclinical toxicology and analytical services. Rob has seen the contract laboratory business from both sides as an outsourcing manager for a large pharmaceutical client and a senior executive in a contract research organization. His pharmaceutical development experience includes roles within Abbott Laboratories and Boehringer Ingelheim. Prior to joining Resolian, Rob was a Vice President in Safety Assessment for Charles River. He is passionate about getting new medicines to the patients who need them.

Rob earned his B.S. Degree in Biology and Teaching from Michigan State University and his Ph.D. In Pharmacology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Rob is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology.

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Planning for the Unknown: Health, Longevity, and Flexibility (Ep. 32)

Planning for the Unknown: Health, Longevity, and Flexibility (Ep. 32)

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You can plan carefully for your career, family, finances, and future, but what happens if your health changes without warning? Preparing for uncertainty can mean creating room to adapt rather than trying to predict every outcome.

In this episode, Danton Troyer and Kyle Luetters speak with Karen Englert, M.Ed, CFRE, Director of Government Relations at Boys & Girls Clubs of America, about how an unexpected heart disease diagnosis changed her career, family life, financial decisions, and view of the future. Karen shares lessons from seven heart surgeries, advocacy work, raising a family, planning for longevity, asking for help, and learning to focus on the decisions she can still control.

Karen discusses:

  • How an unexpected heart disease diagnosis changed the way she thought about work, family, money, and the future
  • Why health questions can make retirement planning difficult when you don’t know how long you’ll work or what life may require
  • How advocacy for women with heart disease eventually led her from teaching into public policy and nonprofit leadership
  • How accepting circumstances, asking for help, and focusing on controllable decisions can create greater flexibility
  • How family, legacy, aging in place, and self-advocacy became central to the way she approaches long-term planning
  • And more!

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Connect With Karen Englert:

About Our Guest:

Karen Englert, M.Ed, CFRE, is the Director of Government Relations, GR Club Services, Midwest Region, at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Her career has spanned education, nonprofit leadership, government relations, and advocacy, including previous work with the American Heart Association and as CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County. Drawing on both her professional experience and her personal experience living with heart disease, Karen brings a deeply personal perspective to conversations about health, family, career decisions, self-advocacy, and preparing for an uncertain future.

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From C-Suite to Investor: Redefining Purpose After a Sale (Ep. 27)

From C-Suite to Investor: Redefining Purpose After a Sale (Ep. 27)

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What happens when the career that shaped your identity, routine, and sense of purpose comes to an end? For executives preparing to retire, sell a business, or step away from leadership, financial planning is only one part of the transition. Finding purpose in what’s next can be just as important.

In this episode, Danton Troyer and Kyle Luetters explore what life after a leadership role can look like. They discuss why retirement and business transitions often bring unexpected emotional challenges, how identity is often closely tied to work, and why creating a thoughtful financial plan gives you the flexibility to pause before deciding what’s next. Learn why purpose, relationships, and meaningful experiences deserve just as much attention as your balance sheet when planning for the next chapter.

Key takeaways:

  • How retirement and business transitions can reshape your identity, relationships, and daily purpose
  • How financial planning creates the flexibility to pause before making your next major decision
  • How a personal board of directors can help you prepare for life after leadership or selling a business
  • How family, travel, philanthropy, and meaningful work can help build purpose after retirement
  • How planning for both life’s challenges and unexpected opportunities creates greater confidence for the future
  • And more!

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Connect With Kyle Luetters:

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Wealth and Identity: Who Are You Without the Title? (Ep. 26)

Wealth and Identity: Who Are You Without the Title? (Ep. 26)

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What happens when the title you’ve worked decades to earn no longer applies to you? For many executives and professionals, career transitions, retirement, AI-driven workplace changes, and unexpected life events force a deeper question: Who are you without the title?

In this episode, Danton Troyer and Kyle Luetters explore the connection between wealth, identity, and career fulfillment. Through stories of executives navigating career changes, discussions about AI’s impact on the workplace, and real-life examples of retirement decisions, they examine how titles can influence decision-making and why knowing what matters most is often more important than chasing the next promotion.

Key Takeaways:

  • Why many executives tie their personal identity to their title.
  • How career decisions can impact fulfillment beyond compensation.
  • Why direction matters more than a rigid financial plan.
  • How to navigate unexpected life changes with confidence.
  • The value of having a trusted guide during major transitions.
  • And more!

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Connect With Kyle Luetters:

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Why Generic Financial Advice Breaks at Higher Levels (Ep. 25)

Why Generic Financial Advice Breaks at Higher Levels (Ep. 25)

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Most financial advice is designed to be simple. The challenge is that real life rarely is simple.

In this episode of Wit, Wisdom, and What Matters Most, Danton Troyer and Kyle Luetters explore why many common financial rules can fall short, especially for affluent families navigating retirement, wealth transitions, and complex financial decisions. Through practical examples and personal stories, they discuss why successful planning requires more than formulas, and why understanding a family’s values, goals, and emotions often matters just as much as the numbers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Why the popular 4% withdrawal rule may not reflect how retirees actually spend money throughout retirement
  • How retirement spending often evolves through the “go-go,” “slow-go,” and “no-go” years
  • How financial decisions are influenced by personal experiences, family history, and emotions, not just math
  • Common mistakes affluent families make when implementing advanced planning strategies without understanding the details
  • How trust, communication, and personalized planning help investors avoid emotionally driven decisions during uncertain times
  • And more!

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Connect With Kyle Luetters:

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Why Success Can Be Your Biggest Risk (Ep. 23)

Why Success Can Be Your Biggest Risk (Ep. 23)

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Success can feel like the finish line, but it’s often where the real risk begins. When everything is going right, it’s easy to lose focus on what actually matters most.

In this episode, Danton Troyer and Kyle Luetters explore what happens when life and career are going well, and why that’s exactly when intentional planning matters most. Using real-life client experiences and relatable analogies, they unpack how success can lead to complacency, distraction, and missed opportunities if left unchecked. They also share how thoughtful reflection, clear priorities, and flexible planning can help executives stay aligned with their long-term goals, even as life evolves.

Key Takeaways:

  • Success can create new opportunities, but not all opportunities are worth pursuing
  • Complacency is one of the biggest risks when things are going well
  • Regular reflection helps you stay aligned with your values and long-term goals
  • Financial planning should prioritize flexibility to adapt to life’s unexpected changes
  • Intentional living requires filtering out distractions and focusing on what truly matters most to you

And more!

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Connect with Kyle Luetters:

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Preparing for Retirement While Still at Peak Earnings (Ep. 22)

Preparing for Retirement While Still at Peak Earnings (Ep. 22)

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What if the biggest financial mistake high earners make isn’t what they invest in, but when they start paying attention? What if the habits you build early quietly shape everything about your future freedom?

In this episode, Danton Troyer and Kyle Luetters sit down with Ciaran Brady, Vice President of Manufacturing, Science, and Technology at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology leader with decades of experience across both startup and global pharmaceutical environments, to explore what it really means to prepare for retirement while you’re still in your peak earning years.

Ciaran shares a real-world perspective on how mindset, career evolution, and small financial decisions compound over time. From navigating equity compensation and career transitions to managing risk, removing emotion from investing, and aligning money with life priorities, this conversation goes beyond numbers.

They unpack how high earners can avoid common pitfalls, build sustainable habits, and start thinking more intentionally about what “enough” really means, both financially and personally.

Key Takeaways:

  • Why earning more doesn’t automatically lead to better financial outcomes
  • The power of starting early, even with small, consistent savings habits
  • How to think about risk, diversification, and equity compensation
  • Why emotional decision-making can quietly derail long-term plans
  • How your mindset shifts as retirement moves from a general idea to a real horizon
  • And more!

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Connect With Kyle Luetters:

Connect With Ciaran Brady:

About Our Guest:

Ciaran Brady is a biotechnology executive with a background in science and engineering, currently working at Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston. Originally from Ireland, he has spent over two decades building a career across emerging biotech firms and large pharmaceutical companies, including Eli Lilly and Bristol Myers Squibb.

His expertise spans product development and manufacturing, where he helps bring life-changing therapies to patients facing serious diseases. Throughout his career, Ciaran has navigated the complexities of compensation structures, career transitions, and long-term financial planning, offering a thoughtful perspective on how professionals can balance growth, risk, and future security.

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The Conversations That Shape Family Wealth(Ep. 21)

The Conversations That Shape Family Wealth(Ep. 21)

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Family conversations about money are rarely just about money. They’re about expectations, relationships, and decisions that can shape generations.

In this episode, Danton Troyer and Kyle Luetters share real stories from guiding families navigating complex financial and emotional dynamics. They explore what separates families who move through these situations with clarity from those who struggle, and why communication, flexibility, and respect often matter more than any strategy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Clear, early communication helps avoid confusion and family conflict later
  • Family meetings create space for alignment, not just decision-making
  • How wealth is built often shapes how decisions are made
  • Flexibility is essential; plans should evolve as life changes
  • Respect and shared understanding are critical in multi-generational planning
  • And more!

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Connect with Kyle Luetters:

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The Psychology of Spending After Success (Ep. 20)

The Psychology of Spending After Success (Ep. 20)

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What happens to your mindset about money after you’ve achieved career success? In this conversation, retired global biotech executive Tony Bower, PhD, shares how ambition, family, and financial clarity reshape the way we think about spending and purpose in retirement.

This episode explores the psychology of spending after success. Tony reflects on growing up in a family shaped by Depression-era frugality, building a career in economics and the pharmaceutical industry, and navigating the transition into retirement. Together, Tony, Danton, and Kyle discuss how early money beliefs shape our financial habits, why retirement requires emotional preparation as well as financial planning, and how parents can pass meaningful financial lessons to the next generation. The conversation highlights the balance between enjoying financial success today and remaining thoughtful about long-term goals, family, and what truly matters most.

Key Takeaways:

  • Early money habits often reflect family history and can shape how we spend and save throughout life.
  • Retirement decisions involve both numbers and emotions, and financial planning tools can help bring clarity and confidence.
  • Teaching children about money early, through jobs, responsibility, and transparency about costs, builds long-term financial awareness.
  • Ambition can be a powerful tool early in life, but purpose and relationships often take center stage later.
  • Financial success creates opportunities to focus on what truly matters most, including family, faith, relationships, and meaningful experiences.
  • And more!

Resources:

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Connect with Kyle Luetters:

Connect with Tony Bower, PhD:

 

About Our Guest:

Tony Bower, PhD, is a retired global biotech executive with a background in applied mathematics and economics from Stanford University. Over the course of his career, Tony worked in consulting, research economics at the RAND Corporation, and held leadership roles in the global pharmaceutical industry, including work in market access, health economics, and pricing for rare disease treatments. After decades of professional success, Tony now focuses on family, mentorship, and thoughtful financial decision-making in retirement. His perspective blends academic insight, real-world leadership experience, and a reflective approach to what matters most in life after a demanding career.

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What It Means to Be a Family CFO (Ep. 19)

What It Means to Be a Family CFO (Ep. 19)

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What does it really mean for a financial advisor to act as a “Family CFO?”

In this episode of Wit, Wisdom, and What Matters Most, Danton Troyer and Kyle Luetters explain how financial planning goes far beyond investments and into the real decisions that shape a person’s life. Danton and Kyle discuss their “Family CFO” approach to financial planning and how it helps clients navigate complex financial decisions throughout different stages of life. 

They explore how financial complexity often grows gradually as careers advance and compensation structures evolve. What begins as simple retirement savings can eventually include stock compensation, deferred compensation plans, tax planning strategies, and legacy considerations. Without coordination, these pieces can quickly become overwhelming. 

Danton and Kyle also explain why effective financial planning begins with understanding a client’s personal goals and values. Through stories and real client experiences, they share how meaningful conversations, thoughtful questions, and long-term accountability can help clients align their financial decisions with what truly matters most.

Key Takeaways:

  • The “Family CFO” approach to financial planning
  • How financial complexity grows as careers advance
  • Why planning starts with understanding personal goals
  • The long-term ripple effects of financial decisions
  • The value of accountability and guidance in financial planning
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect With Danton Troyer:

Connect with Kyle Luetters:

About The Hosts:

Danton Troyer brought his individual practice to Moneta in 2018, after more than a decade on his own. Adding the support of our team, backed by an Enterprise Service Team, to Danton’s personal expertise and care for his clients created quite the dynamic combination. As your Family CFO, Danton and our team deliver high-level service and advice while giving you and your personal financial circumstances the individual attention you deserve. You can trust our team to help you navigate life’s many major financial transitions while protecting your savings and assets. He excels in developing sophisticated solutions for complex tax challenges, education expenses, business ventures, philanthropy, retirement, and multigenerational legacies. 

Danton earned his bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University in 2005 before moving back to St. Louis to start his career as a Financial Advisor. He then went on to earn his CFP® credentials in 2010. Danton and his wife have two children who keep them busy with all their activities, from volleyball to BMX racing. Outside the office, Danton enjoys golfing, traveling, and hunting.

Throughout his adult life, Kyle Luetters has had a passion for financial literacy and complex problem solving. Kyle has experience in investment model management, alternative investments, insurance strategies, and tax planning. He lends this expertise to a diverse client base, which includes multigenerational families, business owners, and farmers and ranchers. Kyle joined Moneta’s GFT team as an Advisor in 2022. Prior to that, Kyle was involved in financial planning and investment management at Northwestern Mutual and Stifel Nicolaus. In 2019, Kyle obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification. Kyle earned his CFP® because of his deep love of working with people and the knowledge gained in comprehensive financial planning, ensuring he is able to deliver world-class solutions to his clients and prospects. The ongoing continuing education keeps him sharp and on top of changes in the industry. The high ethical standards set forth by the CFP® Board provides great reassurance to his clients and prospects. Kyle became an Enrolled Agent (EA) in 2024. The highest credential awarded by the Internal Revenue Service, EAs earn the privilege of representing taxpayers by passing a three-part, comprehensive test covering individual and business tax returns, as well as IRS procedures and rulings. Kyle became an EA to further his knowledge and understanding of taxes while helping people navigate their financial life as tax-efficiently as possible. 

Kyle graduated from Cameron University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. Kyle and his wife have two children. He is active in his local church, participates in a men’s organization called F3, and is an active do-it-yourselfer. He also enjoys craft beer, motorsports, wood-fired BBQ, and is a proud Kansas City Chiefs fan.

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