April 2026 – Living Beyond the Numbers

Inside The Trade Desk: How Discipline Builds Financial Confidence with Kevin Olson (Ep. 16)

By LivingBeyondtheNumbers | April 21, 2026

When markets move fast, having a disciplined process matters even more.

In this episode of Living Beyond the Numbers, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Kevin Olson, Trade Desk Associate at The Planning Center, for a rare behind-the-scenes look at how portfolios are managed day to day and what really happens when markets swing. Together, they unpack how The Planning Center’s investment committee works, why rebalancing is one of the most important (but least understood) parts of long-term investing, and how their systems keep clients focused on what truly matters: peace of mind, not market noise.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

The real role of a trade desk and how it supports clients behind the scenes
What rebalancing really means and why it protects your portfolio over time
How to stay calm and think long term when the headlines get loud
The power of process, philosophy, and teamwork in financial decision-making
And more!

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with Kevin Olson:

About our Guest:

Kevin Olson, CFP®, is a Trade Desk Associate at The Planning Center in Moline, where he brings 7 years of investment experience, having previously worked for The Vanguard Group in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is responsible for running our trade desk, which includes daily trades as well as weekly rebalancing of accounts. I also serve as a member of our Investment Committee.

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Designing a Meaningful Retirement with Mike Branham (Ep. 15)

By Living Beyond the Numbers | April 7, 2026

Sometimes the path forward looks more like a winding trail than a straight line.

In this episode, Jude Boudreaux, CFP®, and Caleb Arringdale, EA, sit down with Michael Branham, CFP®, Shareholder and Senior Financial Planner at The Planning Center’s Alaska office, to talk about career pivots, family priorities, and why retirement isn’t really an ending, it’s a transition into a more intentional way of living.

Mike shares how his journey, from the Midwest to Alaska and from chasing success to defining balance, has shaped his perspective on money, legacy, and fulfillment. Together, they explore what it means to build a financial life that’s resilient, values-driven, and grounded in real life.

Listeners can expect insights on:

Navigating major life transitions with clarity and adaptability
Redefining retirement as a phase of purpose and reinvention, not withdrawal
Understanding your “why” before focusing on “how much”
Finding a balance between professional ambition and a meaningful personal life
And more!

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with Mike Branham CFP®:

About our Guest:

Mike embraces his fiduciary duty to clients and believes that the best path to help you reach your life’s goals is through an integrated planning approach that coordinates each facet of your financial life. We start each engagement with an in-depth conversation about your goals and aspirations. Next, we collaborate to customize a plan that incorporates your resources, current and future, into achieving your life’s dreams. From there, we continue our work together to maintain and adjust your plan as “life happens”, and to help you navigate each of your key personal and career transitions along the way.

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Behind the Scenes: The People Who Keep Your Financial Life Moving (Ep. 14)

By Living Beyond the Numbers | April 2, 2026

When it comes to financial planning, it’s often the behind-the-scenes teamwork that makes everything work seamlessly.

In this episode of Living Beyond the Numbers, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with two of The Planning Center’s client service specialists, Marisa Hardwick (Chicago) and Blake Murphy-Skelley (Moline), to spotlight the people who make sure every account, transfer, and detail is handled with care.

Together, they pull back the curtain on what it really means to serve clients well, solving problems quietly, building trust, and creating a sense of calm even during life’s most stressful moments. From handling RMD season to comforting clients after loss, Marisa and Blake share how empathy, precision, and teamwork bring The Planning Center’s mission to life every day.

What to expect:

The role client service specialists play in delivering peace of mind
How small details and follow-ups create big client trust
What happens behind the scenes during transfers and RMD season
The emotional heart of financial service and why it matters

Discover the care, coordination, and human connection that keep your financial life running smoothly.

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with Marisa Hardwick:

Connect with Blake Murphy-Skelley:

blake@theplanningcenter.com
Phone: (309) 794-4030

About our Guests:

As a Client Services Specialist, Marisa Hardwick’s responsibilities include providing administrative support to our financial planners and excellent customer service to our clients. With a background in healthcare services and working in residential life as a Resident Advisor while in college, it has always been a passion of hers to help those in need. Marisa strives to foster a supportive environment for our team, assuring they can depend on her to deliver top-notch service to our clients.

Blake Murphy-Skelley’s responsibility as a Client Services Specialist is to assist all clients of The Planning Center and members of our team. He has been working in customer service since he was 14 years old and is glad to be bringing that knowledge and experience to The Planning Center. Blake wants to provide a safe space for clients to feel comfortable as soon as they walk through the front door.

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