Behind The Designs

Behind The Designs

Financial Design Studio

Episodes 71
Avg. Duration 49m
Activity Active
Since Oct 2022
Latest Episode Feb 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
60%
Hosting
feeds.buzzsprout.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Ever wonder what financial advisors have to say about money related topics? Join us every other Tuesday for a sneak peek into our internal conversations at Financial Design Studio. If you want to better understand the whys behind the complex designs of taxes, insurance, planning, retirement, or investments, then subscribe! … because this podcast is for you! Hosted by Michelle Smalenberger. Co-Hosts featuring members of the Financial Design Studio team. Recorded, Edited, and Produced by Anna Lewis. DISCLAIMER : All content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of FDS, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to other parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.

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Recent Episodes

S1E71 What Pancreatitis Taught Us About Caring in Crisis

Feb 11, 2026 59m

How do you care for someone well in the middle of a crisis? In this episode, Michelle interviews Anna Lewis, about what she’s learned after her mom spent a month in the ICU with severe pancreatitis.…

S1E70 What You Should Expect If You Are Named as Trustee

Dec 05, 2025 38m

As trustee, your role is to distribute someone else's money. But the emotions, expectations, and estate rules can make this role more complex than you expected. In this episode we explain how the…

S1E69 What You Forget to Plan, Until After Your Spouse Passes

Oct 30, 2025 32m

If your spouse knows how your finances work, what happens after they pass? In this episode, we helped our fictional client Renee, a recent widow, understand the moving parts of her financial picture,…

S1E68 What to Learn from Retirees Who Donated All Their Money

Sep 24, 2025 37m

In this episode, we walk through all the years of planning we've done for two fictional clients near the end of their retirement. Adam & Alice have saved super well but don't have any family to…

S1E67 Case Study 3: Repairing DIY Retirement Mistakes

Aug 27, 2025 53m

In this fictional case study, we repair an outdated, one time, DIY retirement plan for recently retired professionals. With us on their side, its easy to repair common mistakes, start implementing…

S1E66 Case Study 2: Relocating to Care for Aging Parents

Jul 30, 2025 1h

In this fictional case study, we help a couple nearing retirement decide how to fund the purchase of a new home, as they adjust to relocating to care for aging parents, without taking on debt and…

S1E65 Case Study 1: Retiring Early to Travel

Jun 25, 2025 1h 8m

In this fictional case study, we walk you through a financial plan for two executives retiring in five years. They wonder how they will retire early without dealing with large withdrawal penalties or…

S1E64 2024 Tax Season Recap and 2025 Tax Planning

May 28, 2025 43m

You might think about taxes once a year, but as financial advisors, we think about it all year round! In this episode, we share what we noticed while filing 2024 tax returns and how, in light of…

S1E63 Hack Your Travels with Credit Card Points with Ism Shovan

Apr 30, 2025 1h 9m

Luxurious, regular travels might be more possible than you realize. Ism Shovan is a digital nomad that slow travels the world with his family using credit card points. In this episode, he talks about…

S1E62 How to Plan for RMD Taxes

Mar 26, 2025 57m

If you have a retirement account, one day you will face Required Minimum Distributions. And the sooner you plan for these the better it will be for your taxes! In this episode, we walk you through…

S1E61 A Crash Course on Equity Compensation

Feb 28, 2025 1h 8m

How can executives make the best use of their company stock? In this episode, we break down a few common forms of granting stock, and strategies for how to exercise them in a tax efficient way. But…

S1E60 The True Cost of Healthy Living with Rachel Staycheff-Hamm

Feb 05, 2025 1h 12m

The cost of healthy living be an expensive commitment. But you might find its worth it for your retired self. In this episode, our guest, Rachel Staycheff-Hamm shares how a diagnosis changed how she…

S1E59 The Anti-Consumerist Manifesto

Jan 24, 2025 58m

More isn't always better. Maybe living more really means living with less. In this episode, Anna breaks down the history of consumerism and where the dangers lie, as well as ways that you can chose…

S1E58 How to Get Involved and Make a Difference

Jan 07, 2025 52m

Living a full life isn't about what you keep, it's about what you give. In this episode, we interview Marsha McClary who knows how to get involved, from her local town politics to international…

S1E57 The Secret to Holiday Hosting with Chris and Kathy

Dec 11, 2024 1h 17m

Memorable gatherings leave you with stories for years. And this is what Chris and Kathy work to accomplish through their legendary parties, and their decor, themes, and guest lists. In this episode,…

S1E56 Start with Why: Steve's Story

Nov 26, 2024 56m

In this episode, we interview Steve Smalenberger, the CFO and tax specialist at FDS. Get to know the man behind the scenes as he talks about his expereinces caddying, starting his own company, and…

S1E55 What the Election Results Mean for Your Money

Nov 11, 2024 1h 13m

The 2024 presidential election results are in. Whichever candidate you voted for, we want to look at the next four years from a purely financial standpoint. In this episode, we talk though the…

S1E54 So, You Want to Start a Business

Oct 28, 2024 1h 18m

What do you need to know before taking a hobby full time or launching a start up? In this episode, we break down the financial side of how to start a business. From finding funding, to deductions and…

S1E53 Healthcare for Aging Parents with Leah McNamara

Oct 14, 2024 1h 9m

Providing healthcare for aging parents (or yourself!) can be the most expensive part of your financial plan. In this episode, Leah McNamara, an ICU nurse, shares her story and the options you have…

S1E52 How to Lower Your High Insurance Costs, with Ryan Delp

Sep 30, 2024 56m

Expensive insurance seems to be the new normal. In this episode, Ryan Delp, an insurance agent, talks with us about why that is the case, ways you can look to lower your own high insurance costs, and…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Behind The Designs have?

Behind The Designs has published 71 episodes since October 2022, covering topics in Business, Investing.

Is Behind The Designs still active?

Behind The Designs is currently active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 49m.

How do I contact Behind The Designs for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Behind The Designs, including email and social media links.

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