The Financial Puzzle Playbook

Welcome to The Financial Puzzle Playbook, where we make money matters simple, enjoyable, and oh-so-relatable. Through engaging stories and casual conversations, Jim Sumpter and his guests will teach you how to bring together all the important puzzle pieces like income, cash flow, retirement, taxes, education funding, estate and more. Moreover, they will explain how to reorganize your financial puzzle in the face of unexpected life events. So just sit back and get ready to take control of your financial future!

Episodes

Turning Setbacks into Charcuterie: How Jessica Snead Built Petal & Platter (Ep. 37)

November 21, 2025 • 42 mins

Sometimes the toughest seasons reveal the most unexpected opportunities. When COVID-19 turned the world upside down, Jessica Snead found herself without a job, a plan, or a clear next step, but what she did have was creativity, determination, and a love for making things beautiful. In this episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, host Jim …

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Year-End Financial Planning with Andy Graffeo (Ep. 36)

October 21, 2025 • 39 mins

Join host Jim Sumpter, CFP®, and his returning guest, CMC Financial’s Vice President, Andy Graffeo, AFSP, as they take you through essential year-end financial planning strategies using their six-piece playbook. They cover key topics like maximizing 401(k) contributions, Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, charitable giving, education planning, and energy tax credits. Throughout the episode, Jim …

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Santa’s Take on Holiday Spending (Ep. 35)

October 1, 2025 • 39 mins

The holidays come early in this unforgettable episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, where Jim Sumpter is joined by none other than Santa Claus himself. With a cocoa in hand and a beachy Hawaiian shirt on, Santa opens up about his off-season routine, what makes the perfect cookie, and why budgeting for the holidays is …

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What Gen Z Gets Right (And Wrong) About Money – Part 2 (Ep. 34)

September 17, 2025 • 44 mins

What happens when Gen Z tackles investing armed with TikTok hacks in one hand and a finance textbook in the other? In this candid and high-energy episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, host Jim Sumpter reconnects with Vivi Spotswood, a rising junior at Ole Miss, for part two of their conversation. This time, the spotlight …

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What Gen Z Gets Right (and Wrong) About Money – Part 1 (Ep. 33)

September 3, 2025 • 32 mins

When Vivi Spotswood arrived at Ole Miss, she didn’t know many people, but what she did know was that she wanted to carve her own path. Now a rising junior studying finance, entrepreneurship, and marketing, Vivi joins host Jim Sumpter for a two-part conversation about cash flow, confidence, and the mindset shifts that come with …

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The Importance of Setting Insurance Goals with Eileen Shovlin – Part 2 (Ep. 32)

August 20, 2025 • 40 mins

What does insurance really look like across a lifetime, and how do you make sure it fits your plan? In this second conversation with Eileen Shovlin, Director of Business Development at Crump Life Insurance, we dive deep into the logistics of insurance at different stages of life. From understanding insurability and group policies to integrating …

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The Importance of Setting Insurance Goals with Eileen Shovlin – Part 1 (Ep. 31)

August 6, 2025 • 32 mins

What if a single unexpected moment reshaped your entire financial future? In this episode, host Jim Sumpter, CFP®, sits down with Eileen Shovlin, Director of Business Development at Crump Life Insurance, to explore the deeply personal journey that led her to become an advocate for smart, values-based insurance planning. From a life-altering car accident at …

What Rental Owners Get Wrong About Depreciation (Ep. 30)

July 30, 2025 • 30 mins

Depreciation can be one of the most misunderstood aspects of owning a business or rental property, and mishandling it can lead to IRS headaches, audit risk, or unexpected capital gains. In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, breaks down how depreciation really works, including how it’s calculated, what qualifies, and what happens if you skip it. …

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Is It a Business or a Hobby? How the IRS Decides (Ep. 29)

July 16, 2025 • 28 mins

Have you ever wondered if your side hustle qualifies as a legitimate business or if the IRS sees it as just a hobby? In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, unpacks the surprisingly high-stakes distinction between the two. With real-life examples, Jim walks through the IRS’s 9-factor test for business classification and why failing that test …

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How Women Are Reshaping the Future of Financial Management With Jillian Berry – Part 2 (Ep. 28)

June 18, 2025 • 33 mins

What’s the puzzle of financial empowerment for women? Unpack the generational shift in wealth with Jim Sumpter and guest Jillian Berry in part two of the Financial Puzzle Playbook. Discover how women are becoming major financial decision-makers and what it means for the future. From understanding the impact of social media on financial literacy among …

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How Women Are Reshaping the Future of Financial Management With Jillian Berry – Part 1 (Ep. 27)

June 4, 2025 • 30 mins

What’s driving the financial power shift towards women, and how will it impact the future of wealth management? Join us on the Financial Puzzle Playbook as Jim Sumpter explores this transformative trend with Jillian Berry, the Senior Director of StrongHer Money. They delve into the upcoming $104 trillion wealth transfer across generations and highlight the …

Behavioral Economics in Investing: Mastering Your Financial Mindset with Matt Sommer (Ep. 26)

May 21, 2025 • 42 mins

What happens when the stock market takes a wild ride? Join Jim Sumpter and special guest Matt Sommer, a seasoned strategist with Janus Henderson Investors, as they unpack market volatility, exploring how emotions and mindsets impact financial decisions and investments. Listen as they dive into the complexities of investments with a focus on retirement planning …

Financial Planning for Couples: Merging Lives and Finances with Amanda Callahan (Ep. 25)

May 7, 2025 • 30 mins

What happens when two independent financial worlds come together? Today on The Financial Puzzle Playbook, Jim Sumpter revisits the six key areas of financial planning—cash flow, retirement, insurance, investments, income, taxes, and estate planning with guest Amanda Callahan, who offers a fresh perspective on merging as a couple. Listen as Jim and Amanda navigate the …

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The Financial Puzzle Playbook is ONE! (Ep. 24)

April 25, 2025 • 50 mins

What does a year of piecing together financial puzzles look like? Join Jim Sumpter as he marks a milestone—the anniversary of The Financial Puzzle Playbook—by walking us through a year of engaging conversations and relatable insights. Featured guests have contributed rich stories across various financial topics like the emotional impact of investments, essential estate planning, …

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Event Planning and Financial Goals: A Perfect Match (Ep. 23)

April 9, 2025 • 33 mins

What makes certain celebrations unforgettable? Dive into the world of events with Jim Sumpter and guest Amanda Callahan to unravel effective planning for life’s milestone moments. Whether it’s a 50th anniversary, a baby shower, or a company holiday bash, understanding the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ is crucial for hosts and attendees. Jim and Amanda tackle …

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Plan Your Dream Event Without Breaking the Bank: Tips from Amanda Callahan (Ep. 22)

March 20, 2025 • 32 mins

What unexpected factors should you consider when planning a wedding budget? Jim Sumpter and Amanda Callahan dive into the intricacies of event planning, focusing on cash flow and unforgettable experiences. Amanda, with her extensive background in wedding planning, shares insider tips on budgets, venues, and the importance of being prepared for the unexpected, like weather …

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How Financial Literacy Fits into Your Financial Puzzle with Victoria O’Tool (Ep. 21)

March 5, 2025 • 34 mins

Can understanding financial literacy reshape your future? Tune into the Financial Puzzle Playbook, where Jim Sumpter, CFP®, and returning guest Victoria O’Tool, Wealth Manager Intern at Mercer Advisors, explore the vital role of financial smarts in everyday life. This episode dives deep into the six essential financial puzzle pieces and why grasping them is crucial …

Solving Your Financial Puzzle: Understanding Insurance and Estate Planning (Ep. 20)

February 19, 2025 • 40 mins

What happens when life’s unexpected events test your financial preparations? In this episode of the Financial Puzzle Playbook, Jim Sumpter explores the often overlooked yet vital components of financial planning: insurance and estate planning. How do these pieces fit into your financial puzzle, especially when life throws the unexpected your way? Discover through real-life stories …

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Simplifying Investments with Rick Wedell (Ep. 19)

February 5, 2025 • 37 mins

How can you make financial planning feel less like a daunting task and more like a solvable puzzle? In this episode of the Financial Puzzle Playbook, host Jim Sumpter, CFP®, dives deep into the complex yet essential piece of the financial puzzle: investments. Joining him is Rick Wedell, President and Chief Investment Officer of RFG …

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Understanding the Psychology of Money with Brendan Frazier – Part 2 (Ep. 18)

January 22, 2025 • 41 mins

What if money could buy happiness? In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, and Brendan Frazier, Chief Behavioral Officer at RFG Advisory, continue their conversation about understanding the psychology of money with a focus on whether money can buy happiness. They unpack this fascinating question by diving into the often-overlooked connection between financial planning and happiness. …

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The Financial Puzzle Playbook

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Turning Setbacks into Charcuterie: How Jessica Snead Built Petal & Platter (Ep. 37)

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}Year-End Financial Planning with Andy Graffeo (Ep. 36)

Santa’s Take on Holiday Spending (Ep. 35)

What Gen Z Gets Right (And Wrong) About Money – Part 2 (Ep. 34)

What Gen Z Gets Right (and Wrong) About Money – Part 1 (Ep. 33)

The Importance of Setting Insurance Goals with Eileen Shovlin – Part 2 (Ep. 32)

The Importance of Setting Insurance Goals with Eileen Shovlin – Part 1 (Ep. 31)

What Rental Owners Get Wrong About Depreciation (Ep. 30)

Is It a Business or a Hobby? How the IRS Decides (Ep. 29)

How Women Are Reshaping the Future of Financial Management With Jillian Berry – Part 2 (Ep. 28)

How Women Are Reshaping the Future of Financial Management With Jillian Berry – Part 1 (Ep. 27)

Behavioral Economics in Investing: Mastering Your Financial Mindset with Matt Sommer (Ep. 26)

Financial Planning for Couples: Merging Lives and Finances with Amanda Callahan (Ep. 25)

The Financial Puzzle Playbook is ONE! (Ep. 24)

Event Planning and Financial Goals: A Perfect Match (Ep. 23)

Plan Your Dream Event Without Breaking the Bank: Tips from Amanda Callahan (Ep. 22)

How Financial Literacy Fits into Your Financial Puzzle with Victoria O’Tool (Ep. 21)

Solving Your Financial Puzzle: Understanding Insurance and Estate Planning (Ep. 20)

Simplifying Investments with Rick Wedell (Ep. 19)

Understanding the Psychology of Money with Brendan Frazier – Part 2 (Ep. 18)

Popular Podcasts

Turning Setbacks into Charcuterie: How Jessica Snead Built Petal & Platter (Ep. 37)

Year-End Financial Planning with Andy Graffeo (Ep. 36)