In this episode of The Ascent, Alec Walker from Crestmont Private Wealth discusses essential financial conversations every couple should have—whether you’re newlyweds or have been married for decades. Alec covers topics like understanding financial personalities, addressing money fears, combining finances, budgeting strategies, setting shared goals, and managing credit and debt. With personal anecdotes and practical advice, this episode is a must-watch for couples looking to strengthen their financial partnership.

00:00 – Introduction: Why couples need to talk about money

00:23 – Article insights: Financial topics for couples

00:44 – Money as a relationship challenge

01:08 – Personal experience: Spender vs. saver dynamics

02:07 – Financial personalities and relationship health

02:47 – Money fears and concerns: Laying cards on the table

03:29 – Childhood influences on financial habits

04:16 – Different family “playbooks” and holiday spending

05:15 – Combining finances: Joint, separate, or hybrid accounts

06:05 – Budgeting strategies: Essentials vs. lifestyle expenses

07:03 – Emergency savings and retirement budgeting

09:03 – Setting and tracking shared financial goals

10:24 – Evolving goals: Gifting, charity, and legacy

10:42 – The importance of credit scores and transparency

11:20 – Debt management strategies

12:00 – Final thoughts: Planning for financial health

12:25 – Personal note: Camping and family time

13:02 – How to contact Crestmont Private Wealth

13:20 – Outro and thanks

Original Air Date: December 6, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

Contact: www.crestmontpw.com

Alec Walker in Houston: 831-280-5288

Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of "The Ascent" features Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth and guest Jeremy Farber from Home Instead. The discussion centers on planning for non-medical daily living care, especially for aging couples without nearby family and families with special needs children. Key topics include the importance of early planning, the types of daily living activities that require support, the flexibility of in-home care services, the growing demand for caregivers, and the financial aspects of long-term care. The conversation also touches on the lack of public awareness about in-home care and encourages listeners to start conversations and planning early.

Timeline & Key Moments

0:00 – Introduction & Recap

0:41 – Three Scenarios: Aging Couples, Special Needs, and Care Planning

1:36 – Special Needs Planning: Personal Experience

2:23 – Asset Protection & Caregiver Support

3:09 – Government Programs & Staying at Home

4:01 – Aging Gracefully: When to Seek Help

5:08 – The Importance of Early Planning

6:08 – Activities of Daily Living Explained

7:06 – Supporting Independence & Caregiver Burnout

8:08 – Types of In-Home Care Services

10:01 – The Growing Long-Term Care Industry

12:25 – Raising Awareness & How to Get Help

13:04 – Closing Thoughts & Contact Information

Original Air Date: November 29, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

Contact: www.crestmontpw.com

Alec Walker in Houston: 831-280-5288

Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898

https://www.homeinstead.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of "The Ascent" with Crestmont Private Wealth, host Sam McGee interviews Jeremy Farber from Home Instead. They discuss the importance of planning for long-term care, the challenges families face when unexpected health events occur, and practical steps to prepare for the future. Jeremy shares his personal journey, the mission behind Home Instead, and tips for helping loved ones age in place. The conversation covers financial planning, long-term care insurance, and the value of open family discussions about aging and care needs.

For more information, visit crestmontpw.com or homeinstead.com/boerne.

00:00 – Introduction: Host and guest introductions

00:37 – Jeremy’s background and how he got into home care

01:52 – Personal story: Helping a family friend after a stroke

02:45 – Jeremy’s “why” and career journey

03:48 – Transition to in-home care and serving clients

05:13 – Who needs in-home care? Not just seniors

06:00 – Planning ahead for long-term care

07:00 – Practical tips for preparing for the unexpected

08:00 – Importance of having documents and conversations in place

09:00 – Legal and medical preparations (wills, power of attorney, DNR)

10:00 – The goal: Helping people stay independent at home

11:00 – Types of care: Companionship to skilled care

12:00 – Financial planning for long-term care

13:00 – The importance of conversations with aging parents

14:00 – What happens when there’s no plan?

15:00 – Long-term care insurance: What it covers and common misconceptions

16:00 – Aging in place: Allowing clients to stay in their homes

17:00 – Final thoughts: The importance of planning and open conversations

18:00 – How to contact Crestmont Private Wealth and Home Instead

19:00 – Closing remarks and preview of Part B

Original Air Date: November 22, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

Contact: www.crestmontpw.com

Alec Walker in Houston: 831-280-5288

Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898

https://www.homeinstead.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Sam McGee, CEO of Crestmont Private Wealth, and Alec Walker, CFP, as they dive into behavioral finance biases, risk tolerance, and the challenges of investing during a market high. They discuss common investor biases like loss aversion, anchoring, and the illusion of control, and share historical data on market performance after all-time highs. The conversation also covers strategies for managing risk, the importance of understanding your own risk tolerance, and how working with an advisor can help you stay on track during volatile times.

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Sam McGee & Alec Walker

00:32 – Are we in a bubble? AI, market highs, and current events

01:14 – Behavioral finance: Loss aversion explained

02:46 – Anchoring bias and market highs

03:45 – The illusion of control in investing

04:48 – Historical data: S&P 500 after all-time highs

06:09 – Comparing today’s market to the dot-com bubble

07:19 – The unpredictability of market cycles

08:25 – Advice for investors: Timing the market vs. staying invested

09:25 – Understanding risk tolerance and risk willingness

10:30 – How to calibrate your portfolio for volatility

11:30 – Real client stories: Managing emotions and sticking to the plan

12:30 – The value of an advisor in behavioral coaching

13:30 – Analogies: Baseball, mountain biking, and investing

14:30 – Closing thoughts & how to contact Alec

Original Air Date: November 15, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

Contact: www.crestmontpw.com

Alec Walker in Houston: 831-280-5288

Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Ascent, host Sam McGee interviews Rick Goodrich, Chief of Safety and Security for Boerne Independent School District. Rick shares his extensive background in law enforcement, military service, and his transition into school safety. The conversation covers the importance of preparedness, community involvement, and evolving security tactics in schools, churches, and public spaces. Rick also discusses his nonprofit, Paton Shield, which focuses on training and supporting safety initiatives in private schools and religious facilities. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in school safety, community resilience, and the real-world challenges of protecting our children and communities.

Timeline

00:00 – Introduction: Host Sam McGee introduces Rick Goodrich and his impressive background.

00:45 – Rick’s Career Overview: Law enforcement, DEA, Air Force, and transition to Boerne ISD.

03:00 – Moving to Texas: Why Rick and his family chose Boerne, and his role in the community.

06:00 – Responding to Tragedy: Involvement in the Robb Elementary incident and the importance of school-based law enforcement.

09:00 – Building Community Partnerships: How Boerne ISD collaborates with city officials and emergency services.

11:00 – School Safety Initiatives: Speaking at the Texas School Safety Conference and sharing best practices.

13:00 – Preparedness in Action: Active shooter training, multi-agency drills, and the importance of muscle memory.

16:00 – Standardized Training: The role of ALERT and mandated training for law enforcement in Texas.

18:00 – Community Support: Fundraising for safety equipment and the importance of local involvement.

20:00 – Evolving Tactics: The need for continuous improvement and training, including for churches and businesses.

22:00 – Key Ingredients for Safety: Preparedness, funding, and community engagement.

23:30 – Rick’s Nonprofit: Introduction to Paton Shield and its mission to support safety in private schools and religious facilities.

25:00 – How to Get Involved: Contact information and a call to action for community members.

27:00 – Closing Thoughts: The evolving landscape of security and a message of gratitude to Rick for his service.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Ascent, Sam McGee, CEO of Crestmont Private Wealth, discusses current economic events, market performance, and the importance of income planning and asset location for retirees. Sam explains how the stock market is forward-looking, reviews recent trends in interest rates, inflation, and unemployment, and provides practical advice on asset allocation and diversification. He uses relatable analogies to help viewers understand how to manage their portfolios for retirement income, emphasizing the value of flexibility and working with an advisor.

00:00 – Introduction: About Crestmont Private Wealth
00:15 – Overview: Current events, markets, and income planning
00:36 – Market Recap: Tariffs, recovery, and growth
01:01 – Why is the market up despite mixed news?
01:44 – AI boom and market valuations
02:51 – Market performance: S&P 500, Russell 2000, bonds
03:22 – Investing in uncertainty
03:23 – The Fed’s role: Interest rates and inflation
04:31 – Why is the Fed lowering rates?
04:55 – Inflation and unemployment trends
05:15 – What does this mean for consumers?
05:33 – Impact on savings and bank rates
06:08 – Retirees: Market performance and living off your portfolio
06:29 – Asset location vs. asset allocation
06:53 – Diversification and asset classes
07:20 – Why asset location matters for retirees
08:15 – Example: Withdrawing income during market volatility
09:07 – The importance of flexibility and working with an advisor
09:45 – Income planning basics for retirees
10:25 – Diversification analogy: Ice cream and umbrellas in Florida
11:00 – Portfolio construction for all market conditions
11:36 – Closing: How to contact Crestmont Private Wealth
14:06 – Outro: Thanks and farewell

Original Air Date: November 1, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

Contact: www.crestmontpw.com

Alec Walker in Houston: 831-280-5288

Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of "The Ascent," host Sam McGee welcomes Dr. Maggie Dominguez (Executive Director of Communications, BISD) and Garrett Wilson (Board Trustee, BISD) to discuss the complexities of Texas school funding, focusing on the "golden pennies" mechanism. The conversation covers:

How Texas school funding formulas work and the impact of property wealth on state funding.

The concept of "recapture" (Robinhood) and how affluent districts like Bernie ISD lose local tax dollars to the state.

The "golden pennies" mechanism, which allows districts to recoup some funds through voter-approved tax increases.

The difference between tax rates for building schools and paying teachers.

The importance of passing the golden pennies measure to increase teacher salaries and remain competitive.

The broader impact of teacher pay on recruitment, retention, and community health.

The challenges posed by rising costs, stagnant state funding, and increased insurance expenses.

Resources for more information, including the BISD website and general Texas VADER information.

The episode closes with a call to action for listeners to stay informed and participate in upcoming votes affecting local education.

00:00 - Introduction & Disclaimer

00:23 - About Crestmont Private Wealth

00:47 - Introducing Guests: Garrett Wilson & Dr. Maggie Dominguez

01:09 - Overview: Texas Education Funding

02:12 - Golden Pennies & School Funding Explained

03:08 - Recapture & Robinhood in Texas

04:42 - The Golden Pennies Mechanism

05:23 - Board Trustee Perspective: School Funding Basics

06:02 - Texas School Tax Rates Explained

07:22 - Comparing Tax Rates & District Growth

08:21 - Why the Golden Pennies Matter

08:58 - Teacher Salaries & Community Impact

10:30 - The Value of Investing in Teachers

11:29 - Funding Gaps & Legislative Changes

12:26 - Cost of Living, Salaries, and Funding Challenges

13:11 - Insurance Costs & Budget Pressures

14:07 - Where to Find More Information

14:28 - Closing Thoughts & Call to Action

15:07 - Outro & Thanks

Original Air Date: October 25, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

Contact: www.crestmontpw.com

Alec Walker in Houston: 831-280-5288

Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Ascent, Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth shares his personal experiences and professional advice on college visits and preparing your child for college. From the evolving college application process to practical tips on campus tours, housing, financial planning, and essential legal documents, Sam provides valuable insights for parents and students navigating the journey to higher education.

00:00 – Introduction & About Crestmont Private Wealth
00:49 – The Changing College Application Process
01:43 – The Fun and Importance of College Visits
02:29 – Housing Deadlines and Application Tips
03:41 – The College Tour Experience: Then vs. Now
04:21 – When to Start College Tours (Junior Year Advice)
05:10 – Exploring Different Types of Schools (Community, Technical, etc.)
07:00 – Essential Legal Documents: HIPAA Authorization & Medical Power of Attorney
09:41 – Financial Planning: Local Banking & Credit Cards for Students
10:39 – In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition & Financial Aid Opportunities
11:51 – Letting Go: Encouraging Student Independence on Tours
12:22 – Final Advice: Make College Tours a Family Experience
13:08 – Closing Remarks & Contact Information

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.