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

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

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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!

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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.

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Turning Tax Challenges into Financial Opportunities With Caleb Arringdale (Ep. 2)

Turning Tax Challenges into Financial Opportunities With Caleb Arringdale (Ep. 2)

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What is tax planning really, and how can it make a difference in your financial life?

Join Jude Boudreaux, CFP®, as he sits down with his co-host, Caleb Arringdale, EA, a vital member of The Planning Center’s tax team, to uncover the world of proactive tax strategies. With a focus on turning potential tax obstacles into opportunities, this episode delves into optimizing your fiscal future, whether through tax loss harvesting, navigating electronic tax documents, or even exploring the power of donor-advised funds.

Key discussion points in this release include:

  • The importance of proactive communication with your tax advisor
  • Aligning financial goals with tax strategies for better outcomes 
  • Preparing for evolving tax laws while minimizing disruption 
  • Practical steps for a smoother tax season 
  • Utilizing tax loss harvesting and childcare credits to your advantage 

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

About our Guest: 

Caleb Arringdale began his accounting career at a CPA firm in Bettendorf, IA, where he specialized in small business and not-for-profit accounting and taxation. After several years, he transitioned to the role of controller at Happy Joe’s Pizza and Ice Cream, also in Bettendorf. In that position, he oversaw the accounting department and collaborated closely with the CFO, gaining a deep understanding of the economics behind running a mid-size restaurant chain and working directly with store managers across the U.S. (And yes—he ate a lot of pizza.)

Later, Caleb and his wife relocated to Galesburg, IL, where he joined a small but community-focused accounting firm. There, he had the opportunity to work with many local leaders and businesses on a wide range of financial matters.

After several rewarding years, he made the move to The Planning Center, where he’s found his true passion: working closely with clients to help them plan effectively for their futures.

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The Stories Behind the Numbers: Why We Plan the Way We Do (Ep. 1)

The Stories Behind the Numbers: Why We Plan the Way We Do (Ep. 1)

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What if your definition of success wasn’t about money, but the life you get to live because of it?

In this episode, host Jude Boudreaux, CFP®, and his “Director of Positivity,” Caleb Arringdale, EA, introduce the heart behind Living Beyond the Numbers. They share their personal stories—from Jude launching a financial planning firm with a newborn at home, to Caleb’s journey from public accounting into people-centred planning, and what drives their work with clients today.

Key discussions include:

  • Why values should shape your financial decisions, not just the numbers
  • The early money lessons (and struggles) that shaped Jude and Caleb’s careers
  • How Jude defines success through his relationship with his wife, Karen
  • What “prioritize later” means for your financial and personal well-being
  • The power of integrated planning, mentorship, and intentional conversations
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

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