The Financial Puzzle Playbook

What shapes the financial mindset of the next generation? 

How do young professionals balance money, work, faith, and purpose as they begin their careers?

In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, sits down with Margaret Easterling, Finance student at Samford University and intern at CMC Financial, to explore how young adults thi...

Financial planning today is about more than picking investments.

As client needs grow more detailed and interconnected, how do advisors bring together the right people and resources to serve families well?

In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, introduces Mark Green, President at GFG Wealth Advisors, to share how their strateg...

Tax headlines can sound simple, but the details often tell a different story.

What do recent tax law updates actually mean for your income, deductions, and long-term planning? And how should you adjust when the rules keep shifting?

In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, breaks down key changes from the recent tax bill and expl...

Inheriting money sounds straightforward, but for many families, it becomes one of the most confusing and emotionally loaded financial moments they will ever face.

In this episode, the client learns why preparation, guidance, and the right advisor matter more than the inheritance itself.

Jim Sumpter, CFP®, is joined by fello...

What does real diversification actually look like when markets feel noisy and unpredictable? In this episode of The Financial Puzzle Playbook, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, sits down with trading desk expert Paul Wankmueller to break down how stocks really work, why diversification goes far beyond numbers, and how investors can stay g...

Most families think adding a child to a parent’s bank account is a simple act of love, but Jim Sumpter CFP® reveals how easily it can create tax issues, legal exposure, and long-term family conflict.

In this episode, Jim breaks down why ownership matters more than most people realize and why wills often never even come into play. Through real client stories and ...

Many families avoid talking about money because they fear conflict, awkwardness, or hurting someone’s feelings. 

Jim and returning guest Brendan Frazier break down why family meetings matter more than ever and how they can protect both relationships and legacies. They explore the emotional dynamics that show up when siblings gather, why blended families need a d...

It is easy to think financial planning is all about numbers, but this episode pulls back the curtain to show why the human side matters just as much. 

In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, sits down with returning guest Brendan Frazier, Chief Behavioral Officer at RFG Advisory, to explore the Golden Circle framework and how understanding your why can shape every f...

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 P...

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, cha...

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, ...

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 shifts to investing, what it really m...

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 growing up financially independent...

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. 

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. 

Fr...

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.

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 could cost you big.

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 Gen ...

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 th...