Ditch the Suits - Your Money, Your Life
Travis Maus
Recent Episodes
Health insurance and Medicare often feel like a black box, especially for retirees, entrepreneurs, and anyone facing a major life transition. In this episode, Travis Maus (CEO of S.E.E.D. Planning Group) welcomes Cole Craven, founder and Head of Growth at Move Health, to shine a light on the complexities of healthcare coverage and empower listeners with practical, actionable knowledge.
Whether you’re planning for retirement, launching a business, or simply trying to make sense of your options, this conversation breaks down common myths, uncovers industry realities, and offers insights to help you make informed decisions about your health coverage. Cole shares his personal journey into the healthcare space, the founding story of Move Health, and why education is the key to overcoming uncertainty and fear around health insurance.
Listeners will learn how Move Health helps advisors and clients navigate the maze of coverage options, why understanding your unique health and financial situation matters, and how to avoid common pitfalls, like choosing plans based solely on price or following advice that isn’t tailored to your needs.
Key Takeaways:
- Why health insurance is a top concern for retirees and entrepreneurs
- The importance of education and healthcare literacy
- How Move Health empowers advisors and clients with real data and objective advice
- The difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans
- Why working with a trusted, objective partner is crucial
Call to Action:
Don’t let health insurance be a source of stress or confusion. Seek out education, ask questions, and make sure you’re working with someone who puts your best interests first. If you’re unsure about your coverage, get informed and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
🅿️ For more DTS content check out our Patreon
Thanks to our sponsor, S.E.E.D. Planning Group! S.E.E.D. is a fee-only financial planning firm with a fiduciary obligation to put your best interest first. Schedule your free discovery meeting at www.seedpg.com
📧 For more information or to get in touch with us, visit https://www.ditchthesuits.com
About Your Host:
Travis Maus has been in financial services for over fifteen years. He is a Senior Wealth Manager and Chief Executive Officer at S.E.E.D. Planning Group. Travis also hosts the Unleashing Leadership Podcast, where he dissects some of his favorite books on leadership and how you can apply it to your business or life.
In this episode of Ditch the Suits, we are going to dig deeper into the question: Is the middle class truly disappearing in America? Building on last episode’s discussion of statistics and public opinion, we’ll examine the long-term trends from 1980 to 2020, breaking down how shifts in income, demographics, and retirement patterns have impacted the middle class. We are going to challenge the narrative of a shrinking middle class and encourage you to focus on your own financial journey rather than getting caught up in comparisons or hype.
🅿️ For more DTS content check out our Patreon
Thanks to our sponsor, S.E.E.D. Planning Group! S.E.E.D. is a fee-only financial planning firm with a fiduciary obligation to put your best interest first. Schedule your free discovery meeting at www.seedpg.com
📧 For more information or to get in touch with us, visit https://www.ditchthesuits.com
About Your Host:
Travis Maus has been in financial services for over fifteen years. He is a Senior Wealth Manager and Chief Executive Officer at S.E.E.D. Planning Group. Travis also hosts the Unleashing Leadership Podcast, where he dissects some of his favorite books on leadership and how you can apply it to your business or life.
In this episode of Ditch the Suits, we are going to dive deep into the evolving story of the American middle class, exploring why it’s shrinking, why that matters, and what you can actually do about it. You’ll hear both sides of the debate: the familiar narrative that the middle class is disappearing as the rich get richer, and a counter-narrative that challenges those assumptions with fresh data and perspective. We’ll break down arguments and examine whether the “shrinking middle class” is really a crisis or simply a sign of changing times. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what’s really happening, why it impacts you, and how you can take control of your financial future.
🅿️ For more DTS content check out our Patreon
Thanks to our sponsor, S.E.E.D. Planning Group! S.E.E.D. is a fee-only financial planning firm with a fiduciary obligation to put your best interest first. Schedule your free discovery meeting at www.seedpg.com
📧 For more information or to get in touch with us, visit https://www.ditchthesuits.com
About Your Host:
Travis Maus has been in financial services for over fifteen years. He is a Senior Wealth Manager and Chief Executive Officer at S.E.E.D. Planning Group. Travis also hosts the Unleashing Leadership Podcast, where he dissects some of his favorite books on leadership and how you can apply it to your business or life.
Introduction
In this episode, Travis sits down with Dan Kain, Senior Wealth Manager from S.E.E.D. Planning Group, to dig into the transformation from a traditional financial advisor to a truly holistic planner. This isn’t just about changing job titles, it’s about evolving how we serve people, mastering new skills, and building trust through every step of the financial planning process. Whether you’re a financial pro or just curious about what it takes to guide clients through meaningful decisions, this episode offers a candid look at the ongoing learning and adaptability required in our field.
Professional Transition: From Company Guy to Client-Centered Advisor
Dan shares his experience moving from a company-focused financial advisor role to one that puts the client’s whole life at the center. The transition wasn’t just about learning new technical skills, it was about shifting perspective and embracing a more collaborative, team-based approach.
The Art of Holistic Planning
Holistic planning means seeing how all the pieces fit together, including taxes, investments, estate plans, and more.
- Dan describes how these areas are interconnected, and how mastering them requires thousands of hours of experience and countless “reps.”
- Building trust is essential. Clients may have similar financial profiles, but their personalities, communication styles, and learning preferences are unique.
- The best planners adapt their advice to each client’s needs, treating every person as an individual rather than just another account.
Why Human Advisors Matter
We talk about the limitations of algorithms and artificial intelligence in financial planning.
- While technology can replace bad advisors or those unwilling to learn, it can’t replicate the nuanced, relationship-driven work of a good planner.
- Every client’s situation is unique, and the ability to guide them through complex, emotionally charged decisions is an experience-based skill that can’t be automated.
Ongoing Growth and Learning
Dan emphasizes that the journey to becoming a holistic planner is never finished.
- The learning never stops. Changes in tax laws, estate rules, and investment strategies mean that every year brings new challenges and opportunities to grow.
- True expertise isn’t just technical knowledge - it’s knowing how to ask the right questions, prioritizing today versus tomorrow, and position advice to be genuinely advantageous for each client.
Conclusion
This episode is an educational, and empowering look at what it really takes to become a holistic financial planner. It’s about more than just technical expertise, a good financial planner needs to build trust, adapt to each client’s unique situation, and commit to lifelong learning. If you’re ready to get more out of your money and life, this episode will help you see the value of working with a planner who’s dedicated to your success, every step of the way.