Amplified Wealth

In this episode of Amplified Wealth, Austin Hagaman and Mark Lucci welcome Ryan Issakainen, CFA, Senior Vice President and ETF Strategist at First Trust, for a timely conversation on cybersecurity as an investment theme - from AI-driven cybercrime and critical infrastructure risks to why cybersecurity spending has become a non-discretionary cost of doing business in today’s digital world.

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🔐 Cybe...

In the latest episode of Amplified Wealth’s According to Plan, hosts Kate Fishbein and Tom Farrell tackle an important retirement planning question: what should you do with your 401(k) when you leave an employer?

From old workplace plans and rollover IRAs to tax traps and planning opportunities, they walk through the key decisions individuals should consider before making a move.

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🔎 Do...

In this episode of Amplified Wealth, we’re joined by Mark Peterson, Director of Market & Portfolio Insights at BlackRock, for a practical breakdown of what’s driving markets—and how investors can keep perspective as we look ahead.

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📈 Three Strong Years in a Row:
How rare are three consecutive years of 15%+ stock market gains—and what does history suggest could come next?

🎯 Why &l...

Markets entered 2026 with momentum, as resilient consumer spending, easing monetary policy, and continued investment in AI and infrastructure have helped extend the current bull market. Yet beneath the surface, tensions are building - from rising affordability pressures to lingering questions around tariffs, employment trends, and the long-term impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce.

With mid-term election dynami...

In this special collaboration episode of Amplified Wealth, Austin Hagaman joins According to Plan co-hosts, Tom Farrell and Kate Fishbein to explore major changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) - and what they mean for your financial plan.

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👶 Trump Accounts – A New Tool for Kids:
Learn about this new tax-advantaged account designed for children under 18, including how to quali...

In this episode of Amplified Wealth: According to Plan, Kate and Tom get “back to basics” with a topic that impacts millions of retirees: Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

Whether you're approaching RMD age or just want to be prepared, we cover:

• The latest Secure Act 2.0 updates
• How to calculate your RMD
• Aggregation rules for multiple IRAs, 401(k)s, and inherited accounts
• When it might make sense to ...

Listen to the replay of our Fall 2025 Market Update Webinar - and catch up on the market at your convenience. Originally recorded live on October 22nd, 2025 - we examine the crossroads of policy, inflation, and growth, and discuss strategies to help investors navigate the uncertainty ahead.

Markets wrapped up the summer on a strong note, fueled by expectations of Fed rate cuts, steady U.S. consumer demand, and easing inflati...

The AI Boom
Investing, Innovation & Everyday Applications

Artificial Intelligence is often described as the most transformative technology of our time - but how much of that is real today, and what’s still years away? In our latest episode of Amplified Wealth, we bring you two in-depth conversations on AI’s future:

Tejas Dessai – GlobalX Director of Research

Tejas covers disruptive tech...

In the latest episode of Amplified Wealth: According to Plan, Kate Fishbein, CFP®, and Tom Farrell, CFP®, AEP®, CEPA, welcome special guest Amy Pastorino, CFP® for a deep dive on Roth IRAs and conversion strategies.

🎯 Topics Covered:

• The why behind Roth conversions: tax flexibility and legacy planning
• How Secure Act changes impact inherited IRAs and distribution timelines
• The “Tax Now, Tax Later, Tax Never” framework f...

In the latest episode of Amplified Wealth, we welcome Jack Manley  - Executive Director and Global Market Strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management.

Jack joins hosts Austin Hagaman and Mark Lucci to unpack today’s most pressing questions:

• Are we heading into a recession or just slowing down?
• What do rising credit delinquencies really say about the consumer?
• Is immigration policy an underappreciated inflati...

After a rocky spring marked by sharp pullbacks and negative sentiment, equity markets staged an impressive rebound to close out the first half of 2025. Still, concerns around tariffs, inflation expectations, and central bank policy continue to stir uncertainty heading into Q3.

Tune in to our Summer 2025 Market Update Webinar as we examine the key catalysts behind this year’s market swings, assess the current landscape and disc...

In the latest episode of Amplified Wealth’s According to Plan, hosts Kate Fishbein, CFP® and Tom Farrell, CFP®, CEPA dive into one of the most powerful — and misunderstood — retirement strategies: the Backdoor Roth IRA conversion.

This method can be a great way for high earners to access tax-free growth… if done right.

🎙 Episode Highlights:

🔁 What is a Backdoor Roth?
Learn how high...

In the latest episode of Amplified Wealth’s According to Plan, hosts Kate Fishbein, CFP® and Tom Farrell, CFP®, AEP® dive into one of the most misunderstood topics in retirement planning: Roth IRA distributions—and the two critical five-year rules that can trip up even savvy investors.

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📆 The First Five-Year Rule (Qualified Distributions): Learn why it’s not enough to be over 59½—you also n...

In the latest episode of Amplified Wealth, hosts Austin Hagaman and Adam Armstrong sit down with Mike Arone, Chief Investment Strategist at State Street Global Advisors, to unpack the complex forces shaping today’s investment landscape - from weakening dollar trends to the case for global diversification.

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🌍 US vs. International Markets: Why foreign markets are outperforming - and whether tha...

After a strong start to the year, markets reversed course in Q1, with major indices posting their weakest quarterly returns since 2022.

Behind the headlines: cooling economic data, rising inflation expectations, and renewed uncertainty around trade and policy heading into Q2.

What’s driving the disconnect between hard data and soft sentiment? How will proposed tariffs, shifting Fed policy, and global volatility ...

In the latest episode of Amplified Wealth: According to Plan, hosts Kate Fishbein and Tom Farrell break down a major Secure Act 2.0 provision taking effect in 2025: the Super Catch-Up Contribution for workers aged 60 to 63.
 
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🦸‍♂️ Super Catch-Up Uncovered: Workers aged 60–63 can contribute $11,250 - a boost over the standard $7,500 catch-up limit.
 
📅 Timing is Everythi...

In the latest episode of Amplified Wealth: According to Plan, the team sits down with Kevin Kang, Vanguard’s Senior International Economist, to explore the key forces shaping the economy and financial markets over the next decade.

Backed by over 100 years of historical data, Kevin and his team analyzed the "megatrends" likely to drive future GDP growth — and the risks that could drag it down.

Episode Highlights:

📈 The 5 M...

In the latest episode of Amplified Wealth: According to Plan, Tom Farrell and Kate Fishbein dive into Section 121, the powerful (but often overlooked) tax break that can exclude up to $500,000 in capital gains when selling your primary residence.
 
Episode Highlights:
 
🏡 What is Section 121?
Learn how this IRS rule helps homeowners exclude up to $250K (single) or $500K (married) in capital gains from taxe...

Originally recorded February 7th as part of our quarterly webinar series.

2024 was a year to remember for the markets, with major indices like the S&P 500 achieving another 20%+ performance year, optimism surrounding AI driving innovation, and a soft-landing narrative shaping economic resilience.

As we enter 2025, questions remain: Can the momentum continue? What impact will shifting monetary policy, emerging risks, and n...