Tag: Living Beyond The Numbers
Redefining Success: Presence, Family, and the Power of Resilience (Ep. 12)

Redefining Success: Presence, Family, and the Power of Resilience (Ep. 12)

By |

Every entrepreneur’s journey is filled with twists, failures, resilience, and reinvention. 

Few embody that better than Robert LeBlanc, founder of LeBlanc + Smith, whose 25-year career in hospitality began with a failed record label and evolved into a collection of acclaimed hotels, restaurants, and bars across New Orleans, Nashville, and beyond.

In this episode, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Robert to explore the lessons learned along the way about presence, parenting, building a values-based company, and raising the next generation to define success for themselves.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • How a “failed” start sparked an entrepreneurial career in hospitality
  • The power of presence and gratitude in both business and family life
  • Teaching children discipline, resilience, and values without losing their freedom to explore
  • Honest conversations about failure, grit, and redefining success beyond money
  • And more!

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with Robert LeBlanc

About our Guest:

Robert LeBlanc is the founder and principal of LeBlanc + Smith, a New Orleans-based hospitality group known for creating boutique hotels, restaurants, and bars rooted in authenticity and community. Over the past 25 years, he has grown the company from a small music venture into a multi-city portfolio by combining creativity, resilience, and a values-driven approach. Passionate about presence, gratitude, and mentorship, Robert leads both his family and his business with a belief that true success is measured not in dollars but in relationships, experiences, and impact.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Cybersecurity Made Simple: Protecting Your Family and Finances with Brett J Lee (Ep. 11)

Cybersecurity Made Simple: Protecting Your Family and Finances with Brett J Lee (Ep. 11)

By |

Every click, text, and email carries more risk today than ever before.

In this episode of Living Beyond the Numbers, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Brett J Lee, JD, MBA, CSCP, Chief Compliance Officer at The Planning Center, to unpack the evolving world of cybersecurity and what it means for families, professionals, and firms.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • The biggest online threats facing high-net-worth families and why they’re different
  • Common red flags in phishing emails, texts, and social engineering attempts
  • Practical steps you can take today to strengthen your online safety
  • How The Planning Center safeguards client information and verifies identity
  • And more!

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with Brett J Lee:

About our Guest:

In Brett J Lee’s role at The Planning Center, he strives to protect all stakeholders by cultivating an environment that allows all to feel safe and secure. By promoting an attitude of continuous learning, protecting the essence of the organization’s mission, values, and culture, and nurturing the firm through expertise and education, Brett navigates the organization through complex legal and regulatory environments in the name of protecting TPC and our clients.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
College Is Not a Prize: Finding the Right Fit for Your Family with Heidi King (Ep. 10)

College Is Not a Prize: Finding the Right Fit for Your Family with Heidi King (Ep. 10)

By |

Sending a child to college is exciting but it can also be one of the most stressful and expensive decisions a family faces. How do you choose the right school without losing sleep (or breaking the bank)?

In this episode of Living Beyond the Numbers, hosts Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Heidi King from College Inside Track to unpack the overwhelming world of college planning. Heidi shares both her professional expertise and personal experience guiding her own children through the process. From navigating skyrocketing tuition to evaluating merit aid and building a school list that truly fits, she explains why college is not a prize to be won but a match to be found. Listeners will hear how early conversations reduce stress, why the “sticker price” isn’t always the real price, and how families can approach this milestone with clarity instead of panic.

What to expect:

  • Why college is the second biggest family purchase after a home
  • The surprising truth about merit aid and need-based aid
  • How to help your child explore fit without obsessing over prestige
  • Practical tips for starting the process early, and keeping stress manageable
  • And more!

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with Heidi King:

About Our Guest:

Heidi King is part of the education and partnerships team at College Inside Track, a firm that has helped families for nearly 20 years identify the right academic, social, and financial fit for their students. Having guided her own two sons through the process, Heidi brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal insight to families navigating one of life’s biggest investments.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
How a CFO Built a Career Around Life, Not Just Work with Amy Tessmer (Ep. 9)

How a CFO Built a Career Around Life, Not Just Work with Amy Tessmer (Ep. 9)

By |

What does it mean to lead with both confidence and compassion, especially in a numbers-first industry? 

In this episode of Living Beyond the Numbers, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Amy Tessmer, CFO of The Planning Center, to explore how values-driven leadership, intentional balance, and quiet influence are reshaping the financial services landscape. Amy opens up about walking away from the CPA track, why she embraced a flexible schedule even in an executive role, and how financial decision-making becomes more powerful when it’s grounded in personal purpose. She also discusses how women in leadership can become visible examples for others, even when they’re not trying to be.

What you can expect from this episode:

  • What CFOs really do (and why it’s not just about spreadsheets)
  • Why Amy rejected the traditional partnership track in accounting
  • How flexible schedules can unlock high-performance leadership
  • Practical advice for professionals seeking more alignment in their work
  • And more!

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with Amy Tessmer:

About our Guest: 

Amy Tessmer is involved in overseeing the accounting function, reviewing financial information, and planning and forecasting. Prior to joining The Planning Center, she spent more than a decade working for CPA firms as a financial statement auditor. Amy loves her role because she gets the opportunity to support the operations of the company so it can continue to grow and impact the lives of more families and individuals across the country.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Balancing Priorities and Protecting What Matters with Matt Mercer (Ep. 8)

Balancing Priorities and Protecting What Matters with Matt Mercer (Ep. 8)

By |

What does a theater degree have to do with running a financial planning firm?

In this episode, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Matt Mercer, Chief Operating Officer and shareholder at The Planning Center, to talk about leadership, priorities, and the hidden work that keeps client relationships running smoothly. Matt shares how his theater background shaped his approach to people, process, and change, and why curiosity beats judgment when challenges arise. He opens up about the lessons of fatherhood, the mantra “you can do anything, not everything,” and what it means to put the right people in the right work. Listeners will hear how operations act like WD-40, removing friction so clients feel cared for, and why cooling down after change matters as much as the change itself.

What to expect:

  •  How curiosity creates trust in leadership and planning
  • Why “right person, right work” is client care in disguise
  • Practical rhythms for balancing work and family
  • Change management lessons that actually stick
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with Matt Mercer:

About Our Guest:

As the Chief Operating Officer at The Planning Center, Matt Mercer focuses on optimizing our people, processes, technology, and compliance. Matt’s role involves everything from setting the company’s strategic plan to supporting our operations staff in their daily workflows, onboarding, and training on new technologies, updating internal processes, and overseeing special projects.

After graduating from St. Ambrose University with my B.A. in Theatre, Matt spent ten years working in Operations with multiple companies in the Quad Cities area. He is fortunate enough that these experiences have brought him to The Planning Center, where he enjoys working with our team. In my role, I aim to help build an efficient infrastructure that assists our advisors to focus on their clients.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Finding Your New Normal: Planning Through Life’s Biggest Transitions with Michelle Matom (Ep. 7)

Finding Your New Normal: Planning Through Life’s Biggest Transitions with Michelle Matom (Ep. 7)

By |

Some seasons of life arrive suddenly, others build slowly. Either way, change can feel chaotic.

In this conversation, The Planning Center partner Michelle Matom CFP®, EA, CeFT joins Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale to share how she helps clients move from uncertainty to a grounded “new normal.” You’ll hear why big decisions can wait, how a decision-free zone brings breathing room, and what it really takes to navigate transitions like divorce, widowhood, sudden wealth, and retirement. Expect practical language you can use, gentle structure for hard days, and honest stories from the work of walking with clients through change.

What to expect:

  • The four stages of transition and why “passage” takes time
  • Creating a decision-free zone that protects you from regret
  • Retirement identity, cash-flow rhythms, and mini-experiments
  • The role of values in rebuilding what comes next
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with Michelle Matom:

About our Guest: 

Michelle Matom, CFP®, EA, CeFT®, is a Senior Financial Planner at The Planning Center. Her most important responsibility as a partner is to help our clients achieve their financial goals. On any given day, you will find Michelle focusing on financial planning, tax strategies and reviews, and transition planning, which helps clients for the inevitable ups and downs in life, for better or worse. In addition, Michelle works with the rest of our team to create more efficient client service systems and processes.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
From History to Legacy: How The Planning Center Builds for the Future with Eric Kies (Ep. 6)

From History to Legacy: How The Planning Center Builds for the Future with Eric Kies (Ep. 6)

By |

When a firm chooses people over ego, everything changes.

In this conversation, CEO Eric Kies joins Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale to share how The Planning Center shifted from individual silos to an ensemble practice where clients are served by a team, not a single advisor. They talk candidly about investing in “soft” skills like communication, coaching, and retreats, why that’s actually the hard work, and how a 50-year vision creates stability for families across generations. You’ll hear stories about building systems, giving up control, and the human moments that money can’t solve, but great planning can hold.

What to expect:

  • Ensemble vs. siloed practices in plain language
  • The 50-year sustainability mindset
  • Why culture work beats quick wins
  • AI as a tool, not a substitute for real connection
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with Eric Kies:

About our Guest: 

As the president of The Planning Center, Eric Kies is responsible for the daily management of the firm. Eric’s long-term goal for the firm is to continue building a team of talented financial planners and staff who are ready to serve successive generations of families. He wants our firm and its lead planners to be a resource in the community that people can turn to and trust for solutions to their problems. In Eric’s work with clients, his focus is on working with business owners and executives with complex planning needs and goals, such as those with significant or irregular incomes.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
From SALT Caps to Senior Deductions: Understanding the New Tax Bill with Rob Baner (Ep. 5)

From SALT Caps to Senior Deductions: Understanding the New Tax Bill with Rob Baner (Ep. 5)

By |

Taxes don’t usually make the highlight reel, but this year’s sweeping updates could impact families in ways that go far beyond April 15.

In this episode, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Rob Baner, partner and head of the tax group at The Planning Center, to unpack the new tax law and what it really means for everyday families. From the expanded SALT deduction to the brand-new senior deduction, Rob helps break down the fine print into plain language while sharing practical strategies you can actually use.

What to expect in this conversation:

  • The biggest 2025 tax law changes and who they may affect most
  • Why 2026 could bring new challenges and new planning opportunities
  • How charitable giving strategies like “lumping” and donor-advised funds fit into the picture
  • Practical tips for navigating deductions, phase-outs, and future uncertainty
  • And more!

Listen in and learn how small choices today can set you up for clarity tomorrow.

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with Rob Baner:

About our Guest: 

As a CPA, Rob’s responsibilities focus primarily on taxes and tax matters. Rob joined The Planning Center in 2015, after working with a full-service Quad Cities CPA firm from 2010 to 2015. Though his duties vary based upon the needs of our clients, he works collaboratively with our financial planners to provide comprehensive tax preparation and tax planning services to our clients. It’s important to remember that tax planning is a year-round job and April 15th is simply the culmination of our work. Nothing gives Rob greater satisfaction than knowing that we have helped our clients navigate the maze that is our tax system.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
From Chaos to Clarity: J.J. Sessions, CFP® on Family, Cash Flow, and Financial Freedom (Ep. 4)

From Chaos to Clarity: J.J. Sessions, CFP® on Family, Cash Flow, and Financial Freedom (Ep. 4)

By |

When J.J. Sessions walked away from running his own practice to join The Planning Center, he wasn’t just looking for a new job—he was searching for a better way to serve clients and his family. 

In this heartfelt conversation, J.J. reflects on the challenges of running a business, the stress of managing cash flow, and the joy of finding a system that supports both financial goals and personal values. Alongside Jude and Caleb, they explore how First Step transformed J.J.’s family dynamic, helping him and his wife finally feel aligned in their spending habits and priorities.

Listeners will hear J.J.’s story of moving from Minnesota to Fresno, the power of mentorship, and how teaching his six children about money has changed his perspective on wealth and legacy. This episode is a reminder that financial success isn’t just about numbers, it’s about creating space to focus on what truly matters.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Why J.J. gave up business ownership for more impact
  • How First Step simplifies cash flow conversations
  • Teaching kids financial boundaries (with a butcher paper trick!)
  • How to align money decisions with family values and community impact
  • And more!

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect with J.J. Sessions:

About our Guest: 

J.J. Sessions has been preparing for a career as a financial planner all his life. As a high school senior, he once gave a speech on the benefits of compound interest. Though he started college with a desire to be a marriage and family therapist, he found that he could do more for people by helping them with their financial lives. Things like effective cash flow planning and life planning can have a profound impact on reducing the stress and conflicts in marriages that surround money. J.J.’s primary responsibility as a financial advisor is to help individuals and families to achieve clarity on their financial and life goals, and work closely with them to accomplish those goals.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
From Music to Money: The Unique Culture at The Planning Center (Ep. 3)

From Music to Money: The Unique Culture at The Planning Center (Ep. 3)

By |

What makes financial planning akin to crafting a symphony? How do emotions and logic dance in sync when managing investments?

Join Jude Boudreaux, CFP®, and the ever-enthusiastic Caleb Arringdale, EA, as they welcome Matt Knoll, CFP®, a seasoned financial planner and musician, to the “Living Beyond the Numbers” podcast. Matt, who holds a vital role in the Planning Center’s investment committee, shares insights into weaving a balanced financial strategy that harmonizes with life’s melodies. Drawing from years of experience, including mentorship under influential leaders, Matt discusses the essence of investment philosophy, the art of rebalancing portfolios, and the emotional aspects of investing.

Key discussed topics include:

  • The intersection between music and financial team dynamics
  • Crafting an unselfish succession plan
  • Understanding portfolio rebalancing and emotional investment triggers 
  • Navigating market volatility and long-term Investment planning 
  • How taxes and investments can dance together 

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

Connect Matt Knoll:

About Matt Knoll: 

Matt Knoll is a seasoned financial planner and musician who brings a unique blend of expertise, empathy, and creativity to his work. As a Senior Financial Planner at The Planning Center, Matt plays a key role in helping clients align their financial decisions with their personal values. With over a decade of experience, he specializes in comprehensive financial planning, investment strategy, and guiding clients through major life transitions. He also leads the firm’s investment committee and supports the trade-desk operations, ensuring strategic consistency across client portfolios.

Matt began his journey at The Planning Center as an intern before joining full-time in 2013. He holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation and is registered to provide advisory services in Illinois, Iowa, and Texas. Known for his calm presence and thoughtful approach, Matt has a gift for making complex topics feel clear and manageable.

Outside of his financial work, Matt is a passionate musician and host of The Frontline Podcast for Christian Men, where he supports men in pursuing growth and purpose. Whether in the office or behind a microphone, Matt is committed to helping people live more intentionally—financially, spiritually, and relationally.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More