From dishwashing at 13 to owning two acclaimed restaurants, Chef Anthony Scolaro has built a culinary career rooted in passion, hustle, and heart. In this episode, Ben sits down with Anthony to explore his journey from the family kitchen to founding 111 Bistro and Vue in Wadsworth. Part one of a two-part discussion is focused more on the man in kit…

Welcome back to Unlocking Your Financial Future! In this episode, Ben is joined by his wife, Kaitlin, who oversees operations at B.A. Schrock Financial Group. They’re excited to share some great new tech updates for 2025 that will make managing your finances with us easier and more intuitive. Tune in to hear all about how you can access your accoun…

The recent passage of the Social Security Fairness Act has sparked significant discussions among public employees, especially in states like Ohio. In our latest podcast episode, Ben is joined by Dan Oaklief, ChFC®, RICP®, CFP® and Colleen LeMasters, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ to dive into the implications of this new law and what it means for those relying …

In today’s digital age, cyber threats are constantly changing. That’s why it’s more important than ever to stay informed and prepared. We’re thrilled to welcome back cybersecurity expert Ben Zelei from SBT and Palitto Consulting Services, Inc to share insights on the latest scam techniques you need to watch out for. Here’s some of what we discuss i…

As we approach the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to talk about some year-end planning strategies. In this two-part episode, Ben and Dan will cover what you need to know and think about before we head into the new year. Last episode, we focused on updates regarding Social Security, and today, we’ll shift our focus to year-end planning from …

As we approach the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to talk about some year-end planning strategies. In this two-part episode, Ben and Dan will cover what you need to know and think about before we head into the new year. Listen in as they discuss the new cost of living adjustments, earnings limits, and the Windfall Elimination Provision. Don…

We’re excited to announce that one of our team members, Dan Oaklief, has recently earned his Certified Financial Planner designation. This is such an awesome achievement and one that he’s worked diligently to accomplish, but what does this actually mean for advisors and clients? Today we’re sitting down with Dan to discuss this milestone, what it m…

In this episode of Unlocking Your Financial Future, Ben is joined by Chief Investment Officer, Keith Lockwood. He’s here to help dive into some of the market volatility we have seen lately and what it could mean for your investments. Tune in as Ben and Keith look at how geopolitical factors can impact the market, how recent recession talk could be …

In today’s episode, we’re continuing our conversation on the annual Social Security Trustees Report. In this half of the conversation, we’ll cover some interesting statistics from the report, including the impact of declining birth rates and immigration on Social Security's future. We'll also explore how life expectancy trends and recent events lik…

In today’s episode, we’re going to share some updates from the annual Social Security Trustees Report. With Social Security serving as a cornerstone for countless retirees, understanding its current state and future projections is important. Listen in as Ben highlights the key takeaways from the 277-page report that you need to know about. Here’s s…

We’re back to finish up our conversation with Deborah and Hannah Wasylko, the dynamic duo behind Baskets Galore. This business specializes in customized corporate gift designs, from branded items to gift baskets featuring local and gourmet selections. If you missed part 1, you can check it out here! Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: H…

We’re excited to sit down with Deborah and Hannah Wasylko, the dynamic duo behind Baskets Galore. This business specializes in customized corporate gift designs, from branded items to gift baskets featuring local and gourmet selections. Join us as they share the story behind starting this business and their passion for creatively assisting business…

We’re excited to welcome back Mike and Mandy Hamlin for today’s episode. Mike and Mandy are the owners of the successful food truck and catering business, Kitchen 212. From losing their jobs during the pandemic to taking the leap to start their own business, their story is incredibly inspiring. If you missed part 1, you can check it out here! Here’…

We’re excited to have some special guests on the podcast for a fun two-part episode. Mike and Mandy Hamlin are the owners of the successful food truck and catering business, Kitchen 212. From losing their jobs during the pandemic to taking the leap to start their own business, Mike and Mandy have an inspiring story to share. Join us as we chat abou…

As we wrap up the year, we are joined by Keith Lockwood (CIO) for a two-part discussion, exploring the financial dynamics of 2023 and providing insights into what lies ahead in 2024. Listen in as we chat about this rollercoaster of a year, focusing on the unprecedented market gains in November and December, the dominance of the “Magnificent Seven” …

In case you missed it, we recently released a podcast episode with Keith Lockwood (CIO), where we reflected on this year’s financial landscape. Coming off a pretty good year in the market, what can we expect to see in 2024? Listen in as we discuss the anticipated trends and challenges that the new year might bring. Here’s some of what we discuss in…

If you’re hoping to start your retirement journey in 2024, there are some key things you need to start thinking about in order to properly prepare. In today’s episode, Dan Oaklief, RICP®, CPFA® is back to share some advice for those who plan on retiring in the new year. After discussing key year-end planning strategies for 2023 in our last episode,…

It’s that time of year! Join us for a thoughtful episode where we unpack some key year-end planning strategies for 2023. We'll explore the nuances of optimizing your investment portfolio, safeguarding your assets, and ensuring a stable, rewarding lifestyle in the years to come. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Making the most of your…

We’re back with Dan Oaklief, RICP®, CPFA® to continue our conversation about Roth IRAs. If you missed part one, be sure to check that out here. In it, we break down the fundamentals of Roth IRAs and discuss the contribution rules for 2023, contribution limits, and much more. For part two of this series, we’re going to dive a bit deeper into this co…

Today we’re joined by the one and only Dan Oaklief, RICP®, CPFA® to dive into the world of Roth IRAs. As we enter the fourth quarter, we have a lot of conversations about Roth IRAs and conversions this time of year. We thought it’d be the perfect time to break down key differences between the two and answer some common questions in a two-part episo…

In the month of August, Ben and Kaitlin celebrated 10 years of marriage and 11 years of BA Schrock Financial Group being open. It’s easy to say that it was a month of celebration! Listen in as they reflect on a decade of marriage and over 11 years in business. Here are some key takeaways from this episode: Embracing Risk: Ben and Kaitlin share how …

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the impending transition from TD Ameritrade to Charles Schwab and what it means for our clients. As the big announcement of the acquisition/merger can feel overwhelming, we are here to provide clarity, answer your questions, and provide guidance on what to anticipate. Here’s some of what you’ll learn in this ep…

Today, we have Amanda Ondrey from M.C. Real Estate joining us once again. In our previous segment, we delved into Amanda's real estate career and her journey as a business owner. In this episode, Amanda talks with us about the current real estate market and addresses some common concerns and questions about buying and selling in this environment. H…

Today we have the pleasure of sitting down with Amanda Ondrey of M.C. Real Estate. In part one of this two-part episode, Amanda, renowned for her all-female team, shares her real estate journey with us- from being mentored herself and surviving the 2008 market crash to establishing herself as a successful realtor. She also shares invaluable insight…

We are back with Joel Cavanaugh, partner at Hanna Rasnick Evanchan Palmisano Hobson & Fox LLC, for this episode. Joel handles a wide array of cases in estate planning and has a wealth of knowledge to share with us today. In part one of this two-part episode, we got to know more about Joel and talked about the ins and outs of running a business. In …

Today we are glad to welcome Joel Cavanaugh to the podcast. Joel is a partner at Hanna Rasnick Evanchan Palmisano Hobson & Fox LLC and handles a wide array of cases in estate planning. In this two-part episode, Joel will discuss his journey as an attorney and business owner and will answer your questions about estate planning. Here’s some of what y…

Today we are excited to be back with Dan Oaklief, RICP®, CPFA, one of our experienced advisors at BA Schrock Financial Group. For the past three years, Dan has been hosting informative webinars to educate clients on taxes, retirement, and social security planning. In part two of this two-part episode, we’ll talk about the impact of the current mark…

Today we are excited to be joined by Dan Oaklief, one of our experienced advisors at BA Schrock Financial Group. For the past three years, Dan has been hosting informative webinars to educate clients on taxes, retirement, and social security planning. In part one of this two-part episode, we’ll unpack some of the common questions Dan receives from …

In this episode, we’re spending some time with BA Schrock’s Colleen LeMasters, CFP® to share our process for helping and assisting clients when the face these significant changes that disrupt life and retirement. This is a conversation that we can approach from multiple angles so we’ve broken it out into two parts. In part one we talked about these…

The only certainty in life is that we have no idea what tomorrow will bring. Even the best laid plans can change in an instant, but a well-constructed financial plan will ease the burden during these life events. In this episode, we’re spending some time with BA Schrock’s Colleen LeMasters, CFP® to share our process for helping and assisting client…

Anyone that’s looking for a financial advisor has probably see all the different designations people might have, but it’s tough for anyone outside of the industry to know what everything means. If there’s one you want to pay attention to when it comes to building a plan, it’s going to be the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation. Here’s so…

Another round of retirement changes are on the way after President Biden signed a spending bill in December 2022 that included the SECURE Act 2.0. Retirees and pre-retirees need to understand what this legislation means, how it might impact you, and what planning opportunities this could open up. Here’s some of what you’ll learn on this episode: Th…

Today’s guest is Colleen LeMasters, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™. Colleen is an Investment Advisor Representative and Insurance Professional at FIG. In this episode, we will discuss market risk. There has been extreme volatility in 2022, and there is a lot we can learn from a year like this. Specifically, from a client management standpoint. Let’s discuss div…

Welcome to part 2 of our ‘End of the Year Planning’ mini-series. I’m back with Dan Oaklief, RICP®, CPFA. In this episode, we will be focusing on year-end planning from a retirement standpoint. Some pre-retirees hope to retire early but haven’t considered one of the more costly factors: health care. We connect our clients with a professional that he…

On today’s show, we will be discussing end-of-the-year planning with one of our Financial Advisors, Dan Oaklief, RICP®, CPFA. Our last episode touched on the current and future markets, and today we want to look at what you should consider as a retiree at the end of the year. One large factor to consider is the Required Minimum Distributions. If yo…

With the year coming to an end, you may be wondering what is in store for us over the next few months, as well as what 2023 with bring. While we can’t predict the future, we can certainly share our estimations of what may be coming. History should be used as a guideline for our current markets, as it tends to repeat itself, but we also must conside…

We have Keith Lockwood back for part 2 of this series. In case you missed the last episode, Keith has over 15 years of experience in investment management, portfolio construction, individual retirement planning, and more. Our last talk focused on more recent market volatility and talk of a global recession. In this episode, we will talk about the f…

If you’re an investor or are thinking about investing, market volatility may be on your mind. Today we will look at some key points that you may be interested in. There are a lot of voices to sort through when it comes to opinions about the market In this episode, we have Keith Lockwood back with us. Keith has over 15 years of experience in investm…

The housing market has seen incredible growth over the past few years and the low interest rates have been a big driver of that. Many people have been taking advantage of this current investing environment to buy properties that will generate income. Today we continue our discussion with Gary Kubalski and Keith Abramo from Union Savings bank to lea…

The housing market has seen incredible growth over the past few years and the low interest rates have been a big driver of that. With so many people looking to buy a new home or a secondary property, mortgage lending comes up with our clients quite a bit. Today we’ve invited Gary Kubalski and Keith Abramo from Union Savings bank to tell us more abo…

Health and wealth are some of the biggest factors for happiness in our lives. On today’s episode we’re going to focus on the health side of retirement, with our guest Anthony Schrock from Pack Performance Center. Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this episode: What drove him to becoming a business owner and why this specific area of focus…

Health and wealth are some of the biggest factors for happiness in our lives. On today’s episode, we’re going to focus on the health side of retirement, with our guest Anthony Schrock. Join us today as we break down these topics on today’s show: Why don’t more people prioritize their health? (4:29) What inspires people to come back and work on thei…

We’re continuing our conversation on cyber security today with IT expert, Ben Zelei. Last week we explored what phishing scams look like and what cyber criminals want from you. Today, we’ll break down a few ways the average consumer can protect themselves from these scams. What we discuss on this episode: 1:13 – This will never happen to me 4:35 – …

Is your business data and personal data protected against cyber criminals? On today’s episode, we’ll explore protecting yourself against phishing scams with tech expert, Ben Zelei. What we discuss on this episode: 0:50 – Ben’s background and entry into IT 2:55 – Was this always your passion? 3:28 – Was Cyber Security challenging? 4:02 – What is you…

Once you have a conversation with your family about legacy planning, what are the next steps to ensure your plan is put into place? On today’s episode, we’ll explore everything from trusts and wills to beneficiary designations and TODs and how all of these fit into your overall retirement plan. What we discuss on this episode: 0:46 – What are some …

Most people are likely to pass at least some money on to their family, children, or charity through an inheritance. On today’s episode, we’ll explore the role legacy planning plays in your overall retirement plan and some of the most common routes people use when passing money on to their beneficiaries. What we discuss on this episode: 1:02 – Takin…

We continue our conversation with our chief investment officer, Keith Lockwood today. We’ll break down some market predictions for the rest of 2022 and 2023. Should we expect a rebound or a recession? What we discuss on this episode: 0:44 – Do we expect the markets to take off or more volatility? 6:01 – Good momentum can help the market 11:22 – Why…

Chief Investment Officer, Keith Lockwood, joins us to break down the current market volatility we are experiencing and what you need to do (or not do) to protect your financial future. What we discuss on this episode: 0:57 – What we’re going to cover 1:38 – What is causing the volatility? 3:27 – Why did the market drop in April? 6:31 – Is there an …

As we continue our conversation today with Erin Carbone, we will break down her journey as a business owner, the struggles and successes she’s faced and the future plans she has for Carbone Insurance Services. What we discuss on this episode: 0:40 – Welcome back Erin! 3:19 – What made her buy a business? 4:20 – Would she ever go in a different dire…

Joining us on today’s show, Medicare expert, Erin Carbone, will discuss the various working parts of Medicare, when you can apply, what kind of add-ons you should expect, and more. What we discuss on this episode: 0:35 – Welcome Erin! 1:59 – A little bit about Erin 3:24 – How she got into the business 4:38 – What hooked her? 5:25 – Life and health …