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December 23, 2025 • 14 mins
Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.

Today's Co-Hosts: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin)

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let's talk about stats.

Speaker 2 (00:01):
Ben Kreitling, his team of former players and the insiders
give you the latest stats, data and analytics that are
trending in the world of Cougar Sports stats.

Speaker 3 (00:13):
We welcome back to Cougar Sports here on one, O
three nine and ninety eight three ESP and the fan
Ronald the three man weaver here Brett always bringing a
hammer by my side, holding it down for Ben critical
while he's taking care of some of the bills today. Guys,
we appreciate we've had a great show this far. Everyone's
showing out. We've discussed LJ Martin not going to play
in the Bowl game, had surgery. We'll ask our guest here,

(00:35):
who is on the line momentarily about his thoughts on
that matter. I know he has been working with LJ
having the surgery. It's best for LJ to get the
surgery because if he does come back, you want to
be extremely healthy for that senior year, to be able
to run people down, a bruiser and run people over.
AJ debonce also had that thirty point triple double. Ask

(00:55):
him about that as well. A lot of great momentum
right now in BYU Athletics rely from our Bandwealth Studios. Guys,
all I asked, is that's your schedule that complementary Q
and A with our tax smart Wealth advisors because they
specialize in working with this. You know this, this this
financial plan and you really got to take advantage of it.
They incorporate investment strategies, that's a part of it. And

(01:19):
if you talk with our certified financial planner, our tax
smart Wealth for these tax martial strategies, they can help
aid and support you. You really don't know what you
don't know, and that's why you got to reach out
to them. They've helped many of the listeners from what
I've heard and from what I know with the ten
thirty one real estate exchange, hard asset and private investing.
They even do retirement plans and they can even help
you in deferring capital gains from the sale of your business.

Speaker 1 (01:42):
So in order to do.

Speaker 3 (01:43):
That schedule that complementary Q and A with our tax
smart Wealth advisors at band orwealth band orwealth dot com.

Speaker 1 (01:49):
Let's get out to the hotline.

Speaker 3 (01:50):
I got the financial advisor on the line now, Blaine Anderson.

Speaker 1 (01:53):
Blaine, thanks for joining me today.

Speaker 4 (01:56):
Thank you three man. We've Ronnie. It's great to be here.

Speaker 3 (01:58):
Thank you of course, no great to be here with you.
Happy Holidays to you and the Anderson family. I know
you just sent your son off on a mission. But
before I need the traditions. What were the tradition the
Christmas traditions in the Anderson household? Do you a dress
up in the pajamas? What do you guys do normally
on the Christmas even Christmas Day?

Speaker 4 (02:17):
Yep, the pajamas. That's a tried and true tradition. One
of our traditions over the years has always just been
around the Christmas ornaments. Each year having an ornament that
means something for that year. And I love the Christmas tree.
It's become meaningful in that it represents each family member
and various years. So a lot of our traditions around

(02:39):
the ornaments of Christmas.

Speaker 1 (02:42):
I love that.

Speaker 3 (02:43):
I haven't heard of that one that the ornaments represents
something special of that year.

Speaker 1 (02:47):
That's a really cool tradition to have.

Speaker 3 (02:49):
And how the meaning of the Christmas tree because I
just remember my mom and dad would bring it in
and we had decorated. But that puts more meaning to
it where you can highlight moments from the year and
everything going on.

Speaker 1 (02:59):
I love that blame thank you for sharing that. I
really do appreciate that.

Speaker 4 (03:02):
Yeah, my pleasure, My pleasure, of course.

Speaker 1 (03:05):
Well let's get here's our stat Blaine.

Speaker 3 (03:07):
I want to give you our stat you know, and
then we'll get into you know, a couple of other things.

Speaker 1 (03:11):
But eight, I got to start with the big news. LJ. Martin.

Speaker 3 (03:15):
We had you and him on the show a couple
of weeks back. If you guys have missed that interview,
please go download it on the podcast on all of
your podcast networks.

Speaker 1 (03:22):
Got off season surgery.

Speaker 3 (03:24):
Sounds like you know, won't be playing in the Bowl game,
and this is in preparation if he decides to come
back for a senior year, Blaine, or if he declares
for the NFL draft. Is this a big deal not
having LJ? This is the big twelve offensive player of
the year.

Speaker 4 (03:38):
Yeah, I do. I think it's a big deal. And
you know, it makes me question. I wonder if it's
been a nagging injury. I know he was banged up
a little bit, but gosh, think about how he played
those last couple of games and what a difference he
made for us. So yes, I'm bummed that he won't
be playing out in Orlando. But I'm also grateful for
what he did this season, and if it lends towards
maybe getting another year with him, then it's well worth it.

(04:01):
So I was pun to hear, but I want nothing
but the best for LJ.

Speaker 1 (04:05):
I agree with you.

Speaker 3 (04:06):
I want nothing but the best for him, and I'm
with you if that means another year with a healthy LJ. Look,
you saw what he did against Cincinnati, and he was
He had some bangs and some bruises. Can you imagine
what a healthy LJ Martin could do if he's not
you know, getting what twelve hundred you know, rushing yards
almost thirteen hundred dollar purpose yards. Could you imagine a
fifteen hundred rushing season from LJ? That definitely has to

(04:28):
boost the draft stock Blaine, Oh.

Speaker 4 (04:31):
Yeah, totally. And LJ. I mean, he's the way he plays.
He's such a stud and so much fun to watch.
So I saw what he did in these last couple
of games, and I thought he probably was playing through
quite a bit and just makes me appreciate him more
as a player and as a student athlete.

Speaker 3 (04:50):
Well, we appreciate you, and obviously you know our tax mark,
what the advisors are financial advisor here at es P
and the fan and I know that you probably appreciate
it as well. That triple double from agent de Bonce,
a first thirty point triple double from a BYU player
in program history. I don't know if you had a
chance to catch the game, but from what you were
able to go back and watch, what do you make

(05:11):
of that? And he's been monstrous as some of these
putback dunks.

Speaker 4 (05:16):
Oh yeah, He's so much fun to watch. It's such
a neat thing having a player like AJ's here. I
remember when Jimmer played and we used to love watching
him shoot from the logo and the way he can
score a basket, and we definitely have that type player back,
and maybe even more, AJ can create a basket, he
can score it anytime, and it's something different. I'm sure

(05:40):
that it's gonna help quite a bit, especially as we
get into this big twelve schedule and then ultimately into
the tournament. I love our chances and AJ's a big
reason for it.

Speaker 3 (05:48):
Aj is a big reason for well blame, I mean,
you have been a big reason for for people this year.
Like Bennis said, I said, it's Q four tax season's coming.
Up in just a couple of weeks away, you know,
opportunity for people to begin filing for the twenty twenty
five year.

Speaker 1 (06:01):
I want to ask you a couple of questions.

Speaker 3 (06:03):
What is different about the band their custom income note
this month for December.

Speaker 4 (06:11):
Yeah, well, this might be our version of a triple double,
but it's where we take a look at three different stocks.
And this is the type investment that we customize each month.
We do one a month on behalf of investors, and
we take a look at three underlying securities, three stocks,
and I'll remind you we're not investing in those stocks.
This is a way that we mitigate risk and try

(06:33):
and create income for investors in a portfolio. So we underwrite,
we look at three individual stocks and then as long
as those stocks hold seventy percent of their value, we're
able to clip a monthly coupon and for the month
of December. The three stocks that we're looking at tracking
our Eli Lilly, Caterpillar, and Applied Technologies. These are all

(06:56):
three top fifty holdings on the S and P five hundred,
which means they're fifty of the largest companies in the world.
And every month, as long as they've held seventy percent
of their value, will receive a coupon payment and that
equates to nineteen point three percent for a year. And
so we like it because it gives us an opportunity
to have some downside protection or in other words, to

(07:17):
win even when the market's down, but also collect monthly
income without having to sell investments. And so we just
like any investment, it's important to understand all the components
of it. But this is a band or custom income note,
and then we have a fifty percent buffer on our
principal protection. So it's our version of a triple double.

(07:39):
You might say, it's a double where we can earn
some income and track a few different socks and so
something that we're doing for investors for the month of December.

Speaker 3 (07:51):
Hey, look, it's always important to have you know your
financial triple double status as well. You want coupons, you
want discounts, and you're the triple double guide that they
need to need to talk with the schedule that freak
Q and A as well.

Speaker 1 (08:03):
If you're looking for the.

Speaker 3 (08:04):
Aja Devanca financial Planning, it's Blaye Anderson and his throw Hey,
I got got to give you that big uh one
more thing I wanted to ask, why are income notes
appealing right now for investors with taxes?

Speaker 1 (08:18):
And I'm about to arrive.

Speaker 4 (08:20):
Well, a big part of it is just with the
market being at all times highs and as high as
it is, it's a way to maybe de risk the
portfolio a little bit, especially if people make adjustments at
the end of the year rebalancing a portfolio. And then
especially when we create this kind of income and we
do it inside of a tax qualified account, it allows

(08:41):
it to grow tax free or to grow tax deferred.
And that's where we integrate the tax and the investment planning.
And no one pay next to Ronald the three Man Weave.
That's us. That's what we do is weave these together.
So we like to take your approach to that, Ronnie,
and it's definitely interweaving the tax and the investment planning.
And that's how we do it with income notes.

Speaker 3 (09:03):
Hey, look, I can promise you this ron the Three
Man Weave is going to try to be the top
king who you heard talking about the tax Smart Wealth playbook.

Speaker 1 (09:10):
I'm gonna give all the effort. I'm gonna teach you
how to work hard.

Speaker 3 (09:13):
I don't have the biggest size, but I got the
biggest effort as well. So you got to weave your
way through that last.

Speaker 1 (09:18):
Couple of things.

Speaker 3 (09:19):
Here as we here with Blaye Anderson, our financial advisor
here at ESP and the fan part of Banderwealth Management
dot Com. All we asked is that's your schedule, that
complementary free Q and a no obligation to invest. With
Blaine Anderson and his crew, you can go to Banderwealth
bandorwealth dot com. You talk about, you know, the following
of tax Smart Wealth Playbook. I mentioned that you discussed it.
What does that actually mean for investors and how does

(09:40):
something like an income note fit specifically into that bigger picture?

Speaker 4 (09:44):
Blaine, Yeah, well, everyone's situation is different and it's all
about customization. I realized that. So what we've done is
create five versions of a band Orwealth tax Smart playbook,
one for a core playbook and then one for business owners,
one for high income earners, or even one for multi
generational or multi year planning. And the idea is to

(10:07):
give listeners and to give investors a few different plays
that they can apply, that they can review, that they
can research, or that they can talk to us about.
We certainly have perspective when it comes to doing this
on a regular basis, but also working with hundreds of
other clients in similar situations. And so the playbook is

(10:28):
designed to give people something they can reference, specifically for
investors that incorporate both tax and investment planning, and that's
part of my education as a certified financial planner. And
so that's something that you can receive by going to
our website at Vanderwealth dot com and then click to

(10:48):
receive a band Orwealth Tax Mart playbook. Look and see
if there's some things that can be done this year
before the end of the year. But we know it's
not about the plan it's about the planning, and so
there'll be plenty of things happening now but also next
year and in the months to come. And so that's
the playbook. There's one for each different type of client

(11:08):
or customer and should provide some ideas to those that
review us.

Speaker 3 (11:14):
Go and review it. Go to Bantererwealth Banderwealth dot com. Guys,
Look at I've had an opportunity to even see how
you know some of this is worked. Look, I've met
with Blaine, I've been able to see it myself, and
there's nothing like it of being able to set yourself up.

Speaker 1 (11:29):
Look, I asked Blaine, you know myself a few months.

Speaker 3 (11:31):
Ago about hey, you know, I'm really concerned about how
I can invest for the future, you know, retirement planning.
You know, I have a little one now. And he says, look,
let's sit down, let's discuss and talk. And I'm serious, guys,
the way that you're able to see it, the way
you're able to invest, you got to.

Speaker 1 (11:47):
Do it today. It's literally free.

Speaker 3 (11:49):
The twenty to twenty five minute Complmary Q and a
go on at Banderwealth Bantererwealth dot com. Blaine enters in
the screw will be it a aid and support you
to do a good job. Don't wait, it's all about
the planning. But they got the plan as well, Blaine brother,
give me a score prediction. How do you got this
game turning out on Saturday between b YU and Georgia Tech.

Speaker 4 (12:09):
Yeah, well, I got to admit I don't know as
much about Georgia Tech. I know they started out hot,
had a couple of wins Georgia if I'm not mistaken.
Even so, you know they can play with the big boys.
They're gonna be a formidable foe and an opponent. We're
heading out closer to their neck of the woods. I'm
sure they'll have a good representation there in Orlando, people

(12:30):
traveling from Georgia.

Speaker 1 (12:31):
They've sold out of their tickets, so that is right
on Blaine.

Speaker 4 (12:34):
Yeah, so I'm not surprised. I know it's a big deal.
It's a big game for them. I'm learning today through
you guys. With LJ and not being there, I'd be
lying if I said that doesn't affect things. And you know,
of course I'm going blue. I like our chances, but
I'm thinking somewhere in the twenty four twenty twenty four

(12:55):
to twenty one range. I mean, I like a close game,
and I think that's what we'll But I like our
chances of coming out with the W and I'll be
wishing our boys and cheering for him as much as
I can.

Speaker 3 (13:06):
I like by us chances as well. Yeah, I definitely
think both of these offenses can score. I think it's
gonna be a closer game than people think for sure. Well, Blaine,
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for
making some time today with all the family festivities this week.
We will definitely catch up with you next week as well.
Mayor Christmas to you and the rest of the family,
and please be safe.

Speaker 4 (13:25):
Thanks Merry Christmas to all.

Speaker 1 (13:27):
Of course, that was Blaine. That was Blaine.

Speaker 3 (13:29):
Interesting guys, our tax smart wealth advisors here esp and
the fan love Blaine and everything of what he does.
Let's go to break really quickly. Come back, We're gonna
discuss just a little quick short segment before we welcome
in Ants and Winder in for keeping up with the Cougars,
get caught up with Danson and this bau men's basketball team,
and then Jared Bledsoe will close it out for still
a lot more to get to. Don't you go anywhere,

(13:50):
don't you touch that FM dial, because I will find
you and I'll judo chopia in the throat.

Speaker 1 (13:55):
I will do it. Two minutes and forty seven seconds.
Is not that bad?

Speaker 3 (13:59):
Or or from our sponsors how you can save money
on your taxes with Banderwealth coming up next, and then
one more segment and then we'll welcome in and Synwinder
all of that more right here on Utah ESPN Radio
Network one h three nine ninety eighty three ESPN
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