What’s Next? Navigating Life and Legacy in Alaska

Legacy interviews are offered to estate planning clients so that they can pass on their loved one’s stories whenever someone passes away.  In today’s episode, host Liz Smith is joined in conversation with her own mother guided by the legacy interview questions. She shares her life experiences, how she wants her body handled when she does pass, who she’d like to take care of her cats, and more. This is a difficult conversation at ti...

Many people struggle with how to talk with their loved ones about planning for funerals or memorial services. It can be hard to know how to start the conversation or might just feel too morbid to talk about. However, talking about how someone wishes to be remembered is not inherently morbid. It may feel like you’re talking about death, but really you’re talking about life and how you or your loved ones want to be remembered.  In to...

Many people feel uncomfortable talking about death, and this can lead to a lot of difficulty when a loved one passes away if they have not yet had a chance to discuss their wishes with their family members. In today’s episode, host Liz Smith is joined in conversation with Tracy Foster, a long-time resident of Juneau and family service counselor with Legacy Funeral Homes.

As Tracy explains, when someone dies, there is a whole lot ...

Grief resulting from loss is a natural part of life that can be difficult to navigate. After the collective experience of the global pandemic, grief is a more common emotional state than ever. In today’s episode, host Liz Smith is joined in conversation with Katie Cranor, a local psychotherapist, to talk about resources for coping with your grief and how to best support your loved ones. 

Grief is a process of saying goodbye and t...

Social Security can be a complicated system to navigate, especially because the rules differ so much from person to person. Depending on your own personal circumstances such as where you live, what kind of job you have, and if you have a spouse that is working, there are different requirements for claiming Social Security benefits. In today’s episode host Liz Smith is joined in conversation with Cynthia Gibson, Certified Financial ...

When thinking about how and where you are going to invest money, it may make sense for you to think about the causes that matter the most to you. There are ways to invest that will help you not only reach your personal financial goals, but will also align with your core beliefs. In today’s episode, host Liz Smith is joined in conversation with Jonathan Thomson, Certified Financial Planner with First Pacific Financial to talk about ...

After someone dies, taxes and paperwork are probably not the first concern on their loved ones’ minds, but they are unavoidable. It’s important to learn about different types of taxes and what forms you may need to file in the event of a loved one’s death, so that you are prepared when the time comes. In today’s episode, host Liz Smith is joined in conversation with Ryan L. Beason, Certified Public Accountant and Partner at Elgee R...

There are resources and books for almost every situation in life but almost nothing when it comes to navigating the death of a loved one. People are typically left to figure out logistics of funerals, finances, and mental health support on their own after a loss. In today’s episode, host Liz Smith is joined in conversation with Jason Dyke, President and Founder of Carson’s Village, a nonprofit organization that provides free and co...

People often don’t realize how large of a stressor it is to help their parents transition at the end of their lives. There is a lot of community support and understanding when caring for children at the beginning of their lives, but not as many support structures for grown children caring for their dying parents. In today’s episode, host Liz Smith is joined in conversation with Karen Salama McCain, the Irish-Egyptian founder of GoH...

There are many types of investments and accounts to choose from, and understanding the market and how to create a financial portfolio can be difficult to do on your own. In today’s episode, host Liz Smith is joined in conversation with Christine Eisenhower, Financial Advisor and Co-Owner at Blue Anchor Wealth Advisors, to discuss how a financial advisor can help you navigate saving for retirement. 

Christine became a certified fi...

Even though it is a fact of life that as we grow older, we will have more healthcare needs, people often don’t plan enough ahead for health emergencies. In today’s episode, host Liz Smith is joined in conversation with Heidi Young, Owner at Island Care Services, LLC, to discuss navigating long-term care services in Alaska. 

According to Heidi, care coordinators help families and individuals navigate through the necessary steps ne...

In today’s digital world, protecting your online identity is just as important as protecting your real identity. As hackers continue to advance their tactics, it is becoming increasingly crucial that you learn how to stay ahead. In today’s episode, host Liz Smith is joined in conversation with Jeremy Hansen, Partner & CEO at Hansen Gress to discuss ways you can continue to protect your legacy.

According to Jeremy, the relationshi...

For as long as she could remember, Jayleen Bydlon had always wanted to work on boats. Growing up on a remote island, Jayleen worked side by side with her father mastering the trade of whale watching. After graduating college, she took a risk to pursue her passion. Today, Jayleen is the proud owner of Jayleen’s Alaska where she shows an intimate perspective of Alaska by providing a personalized whale-watching experience.

While the...

Preparing for your funeral plays an integral part in estate planning. For a long time, people have had two options: be buried or be cremated. However, as the world continues to move in favor of sustainability, a new option has been born - human body composting. In today’s episode, host Liz Smith sits down with Anna Swenson, Outreach Manager of Recompose to discuss the process of human body composting and its environmental benefits....

“We all want a quality of life and care for seniors,” says Stephanie Wheeler, Alaska’s long-term care ombudsman. In her role, Stephanie is responsible for ensuring that senior residents across the state receive top-of-the-line care. Today, Stephanie is widely recognized for her advocacy work and commitment to educating the community about the importance of eldercare. 

As an ombudsman, Stephanie’s job is to represent the wishes and ...

Jennifer Carson has been with Catholic Community Service (CCS) for nine years and currently serves as the Director of Hospice and Home Care of Juneau. Jennifer is a team-focused leader who draws upon the unique abilities of her staff to build a cohesive team. She stays informed on state and national trends and works collaboratively with others. Jennifer has over 10 years of experience with healthcare and social service compliance, ...

Brenda Tudor, Trust Officer at Peak Trust Company, has worked in the financial services industry for over 30 years, serving 17 of those years as a trust officer. Brenda’s extensive experience has allowed her to play an integral part in creating personal estate planning strategies for many clients. Brenda is passionate about helping both the trustee and their beneficiaries satisfy their needs. Brenda currently serves on the board of...