The Above Board Podcast

What happens when short-term market noise starts driving long-term financial decisions? In this episode, John Kennedy, CFP® revisits the market volatility of 2022 and why the lessons from that year still matter today. He talks about what happens when stocks and bonds fall together, how fear can influence investment decisions, and why having a plan in place before the next market event matters. The goal isn’t to predict what t...

Are we so focused on optimizing our lives that we’re forgetting to actually live them? In this episode, John Kennedy, CFP® explores the pressure to constantly improve, track, measure, and maximize everything; from our health and money to our time and routines. The goal isn’t to stop improving. It’s to be more intentional about what’s worth optimizing and make sure the time, money, and freedom we create actua...

What are your kids learning about money by watching you? In this episode, John Kennedy, CFP® and Brandon Hatcher talk about the money lessons kids pick up from our everyday habits, language, spending, saving, and even the way we respond to unexpected expenses. They share personal experiences, parenting lessons, and a few things they’ve realized they could do better, all with the goal of helping the next generation build a hea...

In this episode, John Kennedy talks about the “attention tax” we pay every day through notifications, emails, social media, and even conversations that stay on our minds long after they’re over. He shares a few simple ways to be more intentional with your time and attention, and focus more on what actually matters. Because just like your money, where you spend your attention matters!

• 00:00 The Morning Phone S...

In this episode, John Kennedy and Brandon Hatcher look back at the financial lessons that often don’t get taught in school. From budgeting and saving to investing, spending, and building good money habits, they share practical advice for teaching the next generation how to feel more confident and intentional with money.

• 01:54 Back To School
• 03:20 Financial Literacy First
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John Kennedy challenges the common mindset of saying “I’m just not good with money,” arguing that in today’s world of budgeting apps and free education, financial apathy is too costly. He explains that unlike 50 years ago, when pensions and stronger Social Security made average money habits less damaging, today retirees often rely on Social Security for only about one-third of expenses, home prices are far h...

Everybody wants the result, but few people stick with the discipline it takes to get there.

In this episode, John Kennedy explores the compound effect of discipline, why consistency matters more than motivation, and how small actions repeated over time can create remarkable results. From finances and health to relationships and personal growth, this conversation is a reminder that lasting progress is built one intentional step at a...

In this episode, John sits down with Lisa Begley, author of The Sock Drawer Philosophy and host of the Sock Drawer Podcast, to talk about navigating life’s messy middle.

Lisa shares how major life transitions, career changes, and a few hard lessons helped shape her perspective on growth, resilience, and moving forward even when things feel unclear. She explains the “sock drawer” metaphor for life’s chaos and...

John Kennedy explains the “Arrival Fallacy;" the belief that happiness will come once you reach a milestone like a certain net worth, retirement, or business success, only to find the feeling quickly fades. He breaks down hedonic adaptation (happiness returning to a baseline) and how dopamine is more tied to anticipation and pursuit than achievement, which is why many high achievers and retirees can feel lost after “arr...

On this episode of The Above Board podcast, John welcomes back Brandon Hatcher to discuss how to be “retire ready” beyond just finances, building on Brandon’s recent retire-ready checklist event and their earlier “Power of Positive Aging” episode. They explore how retirement can trigger boredom or an identity crisis, why today’s longer, healthier retirements require purpose, routine, and continue...

We live in a world that pushes shortcuts: quick wins, fast answers, and surface-level thinking. In this episode, John and Rich talk about why that mindset shows up in your finances and lifestyle, how it leads to frustration, and why real progress comes from slowing down and building awareness first. If you’ve ever felt stuck or tempted to skip the basics, this conversation will help you reset and refocus.

• 01:45 Shorts vs...

In this episode, we sit down with Jess Jensen, founder of Co-Pilot Communications, to talk about building authentic leadership in a digital world. After nearly 20 years inside Fortune 100 companies like Microsoft and Qualcomm, Jess now helps executives and founders find their voice, clarify their message, and show up online in a way that actually reflects who they are. We unpack why differences sell, how vulnerability builds credib...

Most financial mistakes aren’t math problems… they’re mindset problems. In this episode, John unpacks why knowledge alone isn’t what holds most people back. It’s not that you don’t understand budgeting, investing, or saving. It’s the emotions, habits, fears, and stories underneath your decisions that quietly drive the outcome. We talk about behavior vs. strategy, why self-awareness matters...

John sits down with Pia to explore the connection between creativity, conviction, and living with purpose. They talk about what it means to create from a place of clarity, how culture shapes expression, and the courage it takes to live authentically. It’s a thoughtful conversation about identity, purpose, and using your creativity in a way that reflects who you truly are.

Resources from Pia and the Kollectiv Studio:

Learn Mor...

Most money stress isn’t about income, it’s about how money flows.

In this episode, John Kennedy, CFP® breaks down the difference between spending up and spending down, why budgeting often feels frustrating, and how small system changes can create real clarity. He shares a simple framework for managing cash flow and building habits that actually stick. If you’ve ever felt like you’re earning enough but still ...

In this episode, John talks with Mitchell Osmond, founder of Dad Nation and host of The Dad Nation Podcast, about why success at work may not always translate to fulfillment at home. Mitchell shares practical takeaways for high-performing men who feel driven and capable, but disconnected in their relationships. It’s a grounded conversation about emotional presence, intentional leadership at home, and building real connection ...

John shares a simple moment that turned into a bigger lesson about growth, patience, and showing up when things don’t go perfectly. Using an everyday experience, he reflects on how frustration, mistakes, and missed expectations are often part of the learning process, and not signs to quit. It’s a reminder that progress is built through consistency, resets, and staying present, even when things feel messy!

• 00:08 A G...

In this episode, John sits down with Estate Planning & Probate Attorney, Jennifer Bondy, to talk about the often-overlooked emotional side of money, relationships, and decision-making. Jennifer shares how our past experiences shape the way we show up financially and personally, and why awareness is the first step toward real change. It’s an honest conversation about growth, clarity, and building healthier patterns that ac...

Before you start setting goals for the year, this episode takes a step back. John talks about why goal-setting often feels exhausting, not because you’re bad at it, but because you’re overloaded, and why creating space matters more than creating a perfect plan. He shares a simple but powerful approach to slowing down, getting clear on what you actually want your days to feel like, and building goals that support your li...