Financial planning isn’t just about numbers; it’s about trust, connection, and understanding life’s goals.
How do you create meaningful client relationships? What does it take to navigate the ups and downs of the market while remaining grounded?
In this episode, Mike Milligan sits down with Christina Hill, Client Service Specialist at Ideas by Mike™, to discuss her approach to making financial planning accessible and personal. From balancing a bustling household of six daughters to helping clients stay calm during market fluctuations, Christina brings empathy and insight to every conversation.
Join us as Christina unravels:
(02:00) The art of personalized client service and navigating market sensitivity
(03:00) Her personal life, from raising six incredible daughters to managing household chaos
(11:00) Insights on client empowerment and financial education
(12:07) The philosophy behind nurturing her home garden with her husband, Frank
In this episode, Mike Milligan introduces Liz Mundey, Senior Client Services Manager at Ideas by Mike™, who shares her unexpected path from massage therapist to financial services, driven by a desire to make a lasting impact. Liz discusses her motivations, how she found a home in the firm, and the importance of practical, personalized support in clients’ lives.
Mike and Liz discuss:
Liz’s surprising career test results in high school (03:13)
The transition from massage therapy to financial planning (05:32)
Balancing work and family with purpose (10:31)
Assisting clients through life transitions (14:45)
Liz Mundey is the Senior Relationship Manager at Ideas by Mike, LLC. Her role was designed to give additional support to the clients! She does this by keeping accounts up to date, ensuring information is easy to access and understand, and staying closely connected with clients to ensure their financial plans stay in alignment with their evolving lives.
She is licensed in general life and insurance and is continuing her education every year in the world of finance. Becoming financially literate and getting to know all of the clients is her favorite part of the job. She truly loves what she does, which not everyone can say!
While she was born and raised in Arizona, she spent her twenties traveling the country, and it was a blast.
Before working with Mike, she was a National Trainer (4 years), Licensed Massage Therapist (6 years), and a Business Consultant (5 years). The common denominator for all of these jobs is directly impacting people’s lives!
Today, she is incredibly grateful to be where she is. Embarking into the financial space has been a gift in her life! She is honored to be part of this team, to be making an impact as a financial office, and to be supporting the clients in a meaningful way.
Have you ever wondered how similar healthcare and financial planning can be?
It’s all about helping people get back on their feet, whether physically or financially.
In this episode, Mike Milligan chats with Barb Gleason, who transitioned from a career in healthcare to financial planning, about her experiences and insights. She shares her journey, the parallels between physical therapy and financial planning, and her passion for assisting healthcare workers with their financial futures. Additionally, Barb discusses the importance of clear communication and personalized plans.
Barb discusses:
Her transition from a long career in healthcare to financial planning after experiencing a financial setback (01:53)
The surprising similarities between being a physical therapist and a financial planner (06:00)
The emotional baggage that often comes with finances and how it can hinder people from achieving their goals (06:56)
The unique challenges healthcare workers face, including long hours, intense work environments, and the emotional toll of the job (12:55)
The importance of financial planning for healthcare workers and the need for simplified plans that address their specific concerns and questions (17:25)
Barbara Gleason has spent the last 25 years as a physical therapist, working in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and management. While physical therapy was incredibly rewarding, she felt it was time for a new path. Her interest in personal finance grew over the years as she enjoyed reading finance books and helping friends with their taxes, which led her to pursue a career in financial planning.
She completed the Executive Certificate in Financial Planning at Old Dominion University, where she met Mike—and the rest is history! She is now excited to be part of the team at Ideas by Mike™ and plans to take the CFP® exam in March 2025.
Barbara is passionate about helping people, especially those who may feel overwhelmed by financial concepts. She believes everyone deserves to feel confident about their financial future, and she strives to create a comfortable, judgment-free space for clients to ask questions and learn.
What’s the secret to navigating your financial future with confidence?
Join Mike Milligan as he sits down with Tom Haines from Annexus to demystify fixed index annuities and their strategic role in crafting one-of-a-kind financial plans tailored for your unique retirement journey. Tom shares insights from his distinguished career, highlighting how indexing strategies can safeguard your financial future without the risk of market volatility. Dive into the depth of experience, fuelled by partnerships with top-tier institutions and renowned academics like Robert Schiller and Jeremy Siegel, ensuring your retirement portfolio is as bulletproof as it is personalized.
Mike Milligan & Tom Haines discuss:
How indexing and smart beta strategies can benefit retirement portfolios (03:14)
The role of renowned academics and industry leaders like Robert Schiller and Jeremy Siegel in financial planning (07:07)
Understanding the historical performance of fixed index annuities, backed by the pioneering research of Roger Ibbotson (11:25)
Navigating the present and future trends in fixed index annuities and ensuring they contribute effectively to your financial plan (32:47)
Tom Haines, EVP Capital Markets & Index Solution at Annexus. Tom leads the index diligence and selection process for Annexus and coordinates the firm’s relationships with asset managers, academic professionals and investment banks in conjunction with Annexus’ carrier partners. Tom is also one of the lead architects of the Lifetime Income Builder TDFs at Annexus Retirement Solutions (ARS). In his role within ARS, Tom works closely with the insurers and asset managers that partner with ARS on implementing the Lifetime Income Builder within portfolios and funds. Prior to joining Annexus, Tom led Equities Solutions Structuring at UBS Investment Bank. He began his career in index and statistical arbitrage trading within BNP Paribas’ Cooper Neff Division (Paris office) before serving as vice president in the Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) Group at NYSE Group and head of ETPs and Derivative Product Solutions at RBS. Tom’s research on index products has been published in top financial journals. He formerly served as a member of FINRA’s Investment Management Committee. Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in Quantitative Finance from James Madison University in Virginia.
From former college hockey player to a leading retirement specialist. Join host Mike Milligan as he sits down with team member Josef Mehall, a talented entrepreneurial spirit that is passionate about leaving things better than he found them.
With his engaging story of growth to becoming a financial expert, Josef shares how he helps clients shape their retirement dreams with personalized financial plans that reflect their unique values and aspirations.
Other key discussion points include:
The transition from entrepreneurial ventures to financial planning (04:00)
Differences between Roth IRAs and traditional investments (12:00)
The impact of early retirement planning for young adults (11:00)
Unique insights on ‘Assets under Influence’ vs. ‘Assets under Management’ (17:00)
Personal strategies for tackling student loans and retirement savings (20:54)
Josef Mehall is a dedicated financial professional with a unique background that combines the discipline of a former collegiate hockey player with the strategic mindset developed through years of entrepreneurship and experience in the insurance industry.
Originally from Berkley, Michigan, just outside of Detroit, Mehall attended Iowa State University, where he refined his skills on the ice as a collegiate hockey player while cultivating a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for teamwork.
His professional journey has been diverse, spanning from a real estate apprenticeship to a career in financial services. He spent a decade as an entrepreneur, owning and operating his own car detailing business, where he developed a keen attention to detail, built strong customer relationships, and experienced the rewards of growing a business from the ground up. Following this entrepreneurial endeavor, he transitioned into the insurance industry, spending the past year and a half as an independent insurance professional, gaining valuable insights into risk management and financial planning.
Ever faced a mountain and thought, “I can’t do this?” This episode serves as a way to combat this thought.
As the calendar turns to 2025, Mike Milligan recounts an incredible journey to Peru’s Rainbow Mountain and draws parallels to the journey of retirement planning. Learn how each individual step, supported by a trusted guide, can lead you to breathtaking highs in your financial life.
Mike shares the importance of personalized financial planning, exploring the value of having an experienced guide in crafting your unique financial path. With stories of breathtaking adventures and overcoming limits, he ties these experiences back to helping you achieve the retirement of your dreams.
Key discussion points include:
The significance of taking small, consistent steps in retirement planning (10:00)
Understanding how personalized plans can lead to unique financial experiences (14:59)
Get to know the team behind Ideas By Mike™ and how they contribute to crafting individualized plans (16:30)
The power of asking “What makes you one of a kind?” in developing a personal financial strategy (19:00)
Join host Mike Milligan, a Certified Financial Planner® with over two decades of experience, as he delves into the power of individuality with team members Kelsey Vollmer and Marcus Washington. Together, they explore how their personal experiences influence their communities.
Mike, Kelsey and Marcus discuss:
The power of a supportive community (04:03)
Unique journeys in the financial planning industry (13:21)
Bridging fundamental skills in both coaching and financial planning (19:02)
Individual and community impact through financial literacy (22:51)
Marcus Washington is a Retirement Specialist at Ideas By Mike™. He graduated from Abilene Christian University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science. With extensive experience in the Financial Service Industry, Marcus has specialized in assisting Federal Employees in navigating their retirement plans, particularly focusing on the complexities of FERS and CSRS retirement plans.
Kelsey Vollmer is our Senior Relationships Manager at Ideas by Mike, LLC. She is dedicated to ensuring that everyone interested in Mike’s services feels heard and valued. She believes in the power of a personal touch, emphasizing a genuine and supportive approach to helping prospects feel understood and informed about their financial decisions.
Mike Milligan sits down with his daughter Grace, to explore what it truly means to make an impact. Grace shares her inspiring journey from creating fly swatters out of thrift store finds to leading charitable efforts at Grace Klein Community’s food rescue mission. This discussion dives deep into personal stories, community-focused initiatives, and how Grace found her calling in Birmingham, Alabama—proving that effective change often begins with loving the Earth and living purposefully.
Mike discusses:
The craft of finding purpose in unexpected places
The story of a worm that sparked a vision for impact
Her journey to Grace Klein Community
The miracle of community food rescue efforts
Building relationships beyond traditional financial planning
Ever since she was a little girl, Grace Milligan had a deep passion for the earth. Whether spending endless summer days outside or picking up trash on the playground, she always sought to sustain the planet’s beauty. Today, she is fortunate to do just that as the Sustainability Liaison at Grace Klein Community.
Grace graduated from the University of Lynchburg with a double major in Business Administration and Environmental Sustainability, along with a minor in International Relations. She was a member of the Westover Honors College, served as captain of the women’s soccer team, and was a regional student leader with Campus Outreach.
Mike Milligan explores how strategic partnerships are key to creating personalized, effective financial plans. Joined by Tiffany Saunders and Liz Mundey, they discuss how working together and embracing new ways of thinking are changing the financial planning landscape.
Find out how partnerships with innovative platforms like Halo and Asset Map are making financial planning more complete and accessible.
Episode highlights include:
Building unique value through partnerships
Impact of partnerships on client services
Creating personalized financial plans for unique lives
Steve Harlow’s partnership and extending client impact
Benefits of visual financial planning with Asset Map
Tiffany Saunders is the Director of Growth at Ideas by Mike™, LLC, where she plays a key role in driving the company’s expansion and ensuring its long-term success. Her responsibilities include developing strategic growth plans, identifying new market opportunities, and fostering strong relationships with both partners and clients. With an extensive background in growing start-ups, Tiffany brings a wealth of experience to the team, consistently seeking innovative ways to enhance processes and deliver exceptional value. She is passionate about helping partners and clients achieve their financial goals, making her work deeply rewarding.
Originally from a small town in the Northern Neck of Virginia, Tiffany has always been passionate about building and sustaining relationships. This passion led her to a career focused on making a tangible difference in people’s lives and impacting their financial well-being.
Prior to joining Ideas by Mike™, LLC, Tiffany helped grow three start-ups into successful small businesses. Her previous roles include Client Success and Sales Director at ChatterBoss Virtual Assistants, Director of Sales and Client Success at Real Leaders, and Chief Operating Officer at the Clinical Supervision Directory. In these positions, she honed her skills in strategic growth, leadership, team building, and relationship management, which she now leverages to drive innovation and growth at Ideas by Mike.
In her free time, Tiffany enjoys spending time with her two young daughters, Layla and Lily, or traveling with her husband, Michael. She is excited to be part of the dynamic team at Ideas by Mike™ and looks forward to contributing to the firm’s shared success.
Liz Mundey is the Senior Relationship Manager at Ideas by Mike™, LLC, where she plays a vital role in providing exceptional support to clients. Her responsibilities include keeping client accounts up to date, ensuring that information is easily accessible and understandable, and maintaining close connections with clients to ensure their financial plans remain aligned with their evolving lives.
Licensed in general life and insurance, Liz is committed to continuing her education in finance each year. She is particularly passionate about becoming financially literate and building strong relationships with clients, which she considers the most rewarding part of her job.
Originally from Arizona, Liz spent her twenties traveling the country before deciding to settle down, get married, and start a family in her thirties. Today, she has a growing family, including a new puppy named Little Miss Bandita and a second baby on the way—marking her own little piece of the American Dream.
Before joining Ideas by Mike™, Liz worked as a National Trainer for four years, a Licensed Massage Therapist for six years, and a Business Consultant for five years. In each of these roles, she was driven by a desire to make a direct impact on people’s lives.
Now, Liz is incredibly grateful to be part of the financial space, seeing it as a gift that has enriched her life. She is honored to contribute to the team and support clients in a meaningful way. Liz looks forward to connecting with others and continuing to make a positive impact in the financial world.
Financial planning can truly change lives, not just through numbers but by making a real impact in our communities.
Mike, Kaitlan, and Katie shed light on how they’re redefining financial planning through community impact. They dive into how Ideas by Mike is not only crafting unique financial plans but also investing in meaningful change from local neighborhoods to global communities.
Learn about their inspiring mission, heartwarming outreach stories, like “Stuff the Bus,” and how they motivate both clients and employees to make a difference.
Key discussions include:
Impact Division Origins: Discover how Mike Milligan’s vision created a department focused on community change
Local Involvement: Hear about the team’s hands-on activities like volunteering at Samaritan House and participating in the Polar Plunge
National and Global Efforts: Learn how the team supports animal rescues and clean water projects worldwide
Inspiring Client Stories: Gain insight into how clients are starting their foundations and making impactful retirements
Kaitlan Costner is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Ideas by Mike, LLC. In her role, Kaitlan oversees and manages our day-to-day operations, ensuring they align with our strategic goals. Kaitlan handles all business submissions and processing, nurture relationships with partners, and keep a close eye on their financial performance.
Kaitlan comes equipped with licenses in life, annuity, and health insurance in Virginia, and to top it off, she holds a double major in criminal justice and sociology from the Old Dominion University. She recently bagged her education certification in Financial Planning.
Originally from charming Norfolk, Virginia, Kaitlan is a coastal soul through and through. She shares her cozy home with Benny, her adorable rescue dog, and when she’s not ruling the business world, you’ll find her soaking up the sun at the beach, dancing, or getting creative with craft projects, practicing her hand lettering, decorating her house and collecting house plants.
Prior to Ideas by Mike, Kaitlan worked for 13 years in the Judicial field, working as a courtroom clerk in Circuit Court, as a paralegal to a high-profile criminal defense attorney and as a judicial assistant to a U.S. District Court Federal Judge. The shift from the judicial system to the financial industry has been nothing short of liberating, and she couldn’t be happier in this dynamic leadership role!
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Katie Owen is the Administrative & Impact Coordinator at Ideas by Mike, LLC, a role that perfectly aligns with her passion for creating positive change and fostering innovation.
For Katie, integrity, innovation, collaboration, and excellence are not just words; they are guiding principles that shape every decision she makes. She is dedicated to driving strategic and impactful initiatives for their organization, identifying opportunities for growth, and developing and implementing programs that address societal challenges head-on. Her goal is to create lasting, positive change in every project she undertakes.
Originally hailing from the sandy shores of Virginia Beach, Katie has found her little slice of paradise in Knotts Island, NC, where she lives with her wonderful significant other and their two amazing kids.
Katie is a firm believer that life is better with animals, and their home is a lively sanctuary filled with the playful antics of dogs, the clucks of chickens and hens, and yes, even the occasional gobble from their turkey, Mr. P!
In addition to her responsibilities in driving impactful initiatives, Katie serves as a personal assistant, working closely with their esteemed CEO/Owner, Mike Milligan. In this pivotal role, Katie ensures seamless communication, efficient time management, and streamlined processes. Her aim is to support Mike in scaling their business growth and development, ensuring that their vision becomes a reality.
