In this episode, John and his wife, Kelle, speak with two Highland advisors and certified Wealth Confidants, Kyle Thomas and Colleen Kroeger, about how to best approach providing financial assistance to their adult children.  In this conversation key questions are raised and addressed:  How do you provide financial help in a way that is equitable among your children?  How do you ensure you are helping your kids in such a way so that it is good for the kids, for you and your relationship?  What is the best way to help them given the financial and family dynamics? Get insights on how to make smart decisions when it comes to supporting your adult children financially. You’ll get tangible ideas for navigating these decisions and learn how Highland helps clients think about the big picture, understand their true financial options and consider the best course forward based on what will serve the family as a whole.

Throughout life, you’re often warned about the downsides of middle age— bodies and brains change, social circles shift, and ageism can rear its head at work. It's no wonder many approach this phase with dread or fear. But what if you viewed this stage in life not as a crisis, but as a "chrysalis"?  In this conversation, John speaks with New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, and CEO of the Modern Elder Academy, Chip Conley about the idea that midlife is a transformative journey brimming with new purpose and unexplored possibilities. Chip shares insights from his new book, Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age (http://tinyurl.com/lovemidlife) offering an alternative narrative to the way people commonly think of middle age, which is defined as the time between 35-75 years of age. John and Chip also spotlight the pivotal role financial advisors can play during this stage of your life. When advisors step into the role of coach, or what we refer to as a Wealth Confidant, they can help you connect your money to what matters most in life and help you take a holistic view of wealth. No matter where you are in your midlife journey, this conversation will inspire you to find joy, purpose, and success in the years ahead and maximize your return on midlife. John is giving away signed copies of Chip’s new book to 5 lucky winners - sign up to receive the Living Fully newsletter here to enter: highlandprivate.com/living-fully.html About Chip Conley: At 26, Chip Conley founded what became the second largest boutique hotel brand in America. Twenty-four years later he sold his company and joined Airbnb as the in-house “modern elder” to the three young founders. Today he is CEO of the Modern Elder Academy, with a campus in Baja California Sur and two forthcoming locations in Santa Fe, NM. He is a popular keynote speaker and a New York Times bestselling author.  Never miss an episode. Follow Living Fully Conversations here: https://pod.link/1231103056

In this conversation, John speaks with Lisa Mayfield, founder of Aging Wisdom, a provider of senior care services & management in the greater Seattle & Bellevue areas about the challenges faced by the "sandwich generation" – individuals in their forties and fifties who are simultaneously caring for aging parents and raising their own children. Topics include resistance to help, the burden of care amidst work and family, planning for our own aging, the role of professional care managers, the cost of care, and preserving relationships. Get insights on how to navigate the complexities of caring for an elderly loved one, and learn about the resources to help you provide the best care possible while maintaining your own well-being in the process.

Did you know that one of the most powerful things you can do for your family is quite simple? Develop a strong family narrative by telling stories. In this interview between John and Dr. Marshall Duke, a professor of psychology at Emory University, you’ll learn about the impact of sharing family stories in order to build resilience in children. You may have seen Dr. Duke featured on Good Morning America, in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and other prominent media outlets. Read more at www.highlandprivate.com/blogs/insight/listen-maximize-your-return-on-your-summer-vacation-questions-to-prompt-meaningful-family-storytelling

Generosity is often a secret and untapped joy creator. When we use our talents, resources and energy to make an impact in our world, we all thrive. And the truth is, everyone can do something, big or small – it all contributes to the wellbeing of our community. Jeff Piha, a CPA at Sweeney Conrad, experienced his own journey of generosity which led him to donate blood marrow to a boy he didn’t know: “There are little things we can all do to make a difference, and we should try to find those opportunities because we’re all lucky in some way. Every single one of us has something we can do. You can change people’s lives, you can make things better.” Listen to an interview with Jeff to learn more about his experience, which may inspire your own journey of generosity. Read more at www.highlandprivate.com/blogs/insight/listen-how-a-prominent-cpa-saved-a-child-he-didnt-know-and-it-reshaped-his-view-of-what-it-means-to-be-generous

A conversation between John Christianson, CEO and Founder of Highland Private Wealth Management and Dr. Michele Borba, one of the foremost authorities on child development. Dr. Borba is the best-selling author of UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in an All About-Me World, and more recently, Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine. An educational psychologist and internationally recognized educator and speaker, she appears regularly on NBC’s Today Show as an expert on character and social-emotional development, bullying prevention and other parenting topics. During their conversation, John and Dr. Borba explore the relationship between privilege and empathy, what makes us altruistic and what doesn’t, and how putting the emphasis on grades rather than empathy can actually be detrimental to your child’s success in the future. They discuss wealth and abundance issues, along with thoughts on where we are going as a culture in terms of raising strong, caring leaders. Read more at www.highlandprivate.com/blogs/insight/how-to-build-empathy-in-kids-in-a-world-of-abundance, and visit www.micheleborba.com for more about Michele's work.

Explore the intersection of money, relationships and purpose through curious & lively conversations with professionals, business leaders, authors and specialists. Join John Christianson, founder and CEO of Highland Private Wealth Management, to gain insight and inspiration for connecting your money to a life of meaning and purpose. Let us know what you'd like to hear on the show by emailing [email protected].

Mike Erwin lives life by three principles: faith, family, and service. He truly understands the impact of selfless service and community. Mike is a graduate of The U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he was commissioned as an officer and went on to serve three combat tours with the 1st Cavalry Division and 3rd Special Forces Group. After his third deployment, Mike founded Team Red, White & Blue. Team RWB is a nonprofit organization that enriches the lives of America’s veterans. They do this by connecting them to their communities through physical and social activity. Today, Mike leads Team RWB as Executive Director. Mike also serves as CEO of The Character & Leadership Center and is the Co-Founder and President of the Positivity Project, where he aims to empower America’s youth in building positive relationships. He’s also the co-author of Lead Yourself First." To learn more about Mike and his work, visit MikeErwin.net. On this episode, you'll hear about: - What selfless service looks like - The power of community - How technology and money affect empathy - The difference between isolation and solitude - Our culture’s loneliness epidemic - Advice for anyone who wants to bring more meaning into their life

Join me as I revisit just a few of the many inspiring conversations I had this year, including: Margie Warrell, Author Duncan Campbell, Friends of the Children Khe Hy, Rad Reads Kendra Vandermeulen, NCF Northwest To learn more about turning meaningful wealth into a meaningful life filled with passion and purpose, connect with me on social media at @jcchristianson or send me an email at [email protected] Music: "Day Is Gonna Come" by Royal Deluxe

Often, we equate giving solely with the act of donating money, but it is so much more than that. Giving can be a transformative act, moving you beyond yourself and cultivating a genuine ability to empathize with the struggles of our fellow human beings. I experienced this firsthand while serving with my wife at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission (UGM). This organization seeks to see, hear, know and love the people experiencing homelessness in King County. In this episode of The Wealth Confidant podcast, I am honored to be speaking with UGM’s new President, Scott Chin. We learn what brought Scott to UGM and where he hopes to see the organization go in the future. Scott reflects on inspiring stories of personal transformation, tells us about UGM's lifesaving recovery programs and shares how people can help further the organization’s work. You can learn more about Scott Chin and Union Gospel Mission by visiting their website: www.ugm.org and following them on social media at @SeattlesUGM. To learn more about turning meaningful wealth into a meaningful life filled with passion and purpose, connect with me on social media at @jcchristianson or send me an email at [email protected] Music: "Day Is Gonna Come" by Royal Deluxe