Episodes

What does it take to navigate success, setbacks, and career transitions at the highest level? Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy sit down with former Phillies General Manager Rubén Amaro Jr. for a conversation about family, leadership, resilience, and the lessons that shape a lasting legacy. Amaro reflects on his family’s remarkable baseball journey, from his father’s path from Cuba to the Major Leagues to the values of perseverance, education, and hard work that have guided multiple generations. He d...

Planning for a loved one with special needs can raise difficult questions about benefits, inheritance, caregiving, and what happens when family members are no longer able to provide support. In this episode, Kate Duffy speaks with Sheila Gibson, Senior Wealth Advisor at Bryn Mawr Trust, about special needs trusts and guardianships. They explain how a properly structured trust can preserve assets while supporting access to means-tested government benefits. Sheila also covers trustee responsibilit...

Building a successful business is one thing. Building one that endures for decades is another. In this episode of the Planning Perspectives Podcast, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy sit down with Chris Bailey, Founder and CEO of Bailey Brand Consulting, to discuss the principles that have helped his firm thrive since 1985. From leadership and mentorship to brand strategy, client trust, and navigating technological change, Chris shares lessons learned from nearly four decades of helping organizations...

Your past experiences, emotions, beliefs, and mindset can have a powerful influence on how you spend, save, invest, and make financial decisions, even when the numbers seem straightforward. In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy explore the growing field of financial psychology, examining how emotions, behavioral patterns, and money beliefs shape financial decision-making. They discuss the lasting impact of childhood experiences, scarcity mindset, spending habits, and unconscious money sc...

What happens when a successful career no longer aligns with your values, strengths, and sense of purpose? Many professionals reach a point where they rethink how they want to make an impact and what meaningful work looks like. In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy sit down with Kenny Holdsman, co-founder, president, and CEO of Philadelphia Youth Basketball (PYB), to discuss career transitions, purpose-driven leadership, and youth development. Kenny shares his journey from practicing law ...

How much is enough for retirement, and what does a successful retirement really look like? While many people focus on reaching a specific savings number, the bigger challenge is building a plan that supports the life they want to live and gives them confidence to actually enjoy it. In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy explore why retirement is about more than money. They discuss how values, purpose, flexibility, and a written income plan can help transform retirement from a financial mi...

Estate planning is often seen as something for the wealthy or something to tackle later—but the reality is far more immediate. The decisions you make today can shape how your loved ones navigate difficult moments in the future. In this episode of The Planning Perspectives Podcast, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy are joined by Garrett Spangler, JD, LLM, Senior Wealth Strategist at Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors, to discuss why estate planning goes well beyond transferring assets. They explore the importan...

Is the economy slowing down, or is it simply returning to a more normal pace? With headlines pulling attention in different directions, it can be difficult to separate short-term noise from the longer-term trends that may shape financial decisions and investment outcomes. In this episode of the Planning Perspectives Podcast, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy welcome back Andrew Davis, CFA, Head of Investment Strategy at Bryn Mawr Trust, to discuss the 2026 Mid-Year Economic Outlook. Together, they ex...

This special live episode of the Planning Perspectives Podcast, recorded at the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Healthcare Awards, features a series of short, high-energy conversations with six leading healthcare executives and innovators. Each guest offers a concise perspective on the most pressing challenges and opportunities shaping healthcare today, creating a dynamic snapshot of an industry undergoing significant transformation. Across the discussions, common themes emerge around expanding...

Retirement plans have long been seen as expensive, complex, and difficult to manage—especially for small businesses. But that perception is changing. In this episode of the Planning Perspectives Podcast, Jackie Reeves joins Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy to explore what’s different today, the opportunities many employers may be overlooking, and why taking a fresh look at your current plan could deliver meaningful value for both your business and your employees. Key Takeaways: Why no business is “...

Roth accounts can shape how and when taxes are paid, but the right choice depends on timing, income, and long-term goals. How can savers use Roth planning to create more flexibility before and during retirement? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy explain how Roth IRAs, Roth 401(k)s, conversions, and backdoor Roth contributions fit into a broader financial plan. They compare Roth and traditional accounts, explain income limits, cover required distributions, and share why high earners m...

Growth can look exciting from the outside—but behind every new location, partnership, or expansion are tough calls, people challenges, and the constant pressure to get it right. So how do you scale a business without losing the culture that made it successful in the first place? And what does it really take to build a company people want to grow with? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy sit down with Sydney Grims, Director of Business Development at Fearless Restaurants, to unpack what...

Banking is personal—money touches nearly every major life moment, from big milestones to unexpected challenges. When clients have a trusted advisor, financial planning, problem-solving, and growth feel more human and more connected. In this episode of the Planning Perspectives Podcast, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy speak with Shari Kruzinski, Executive Vice President and Chief Consumer Banking Officer at WSFS Bank, about her 37-year journey from floating teller to senior leadership. Shari shares ...

What does it take to think differently—and still win? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy sit down with Jay Sugarman, Principal Owner of the Philadelphia Union and Chairman and CEO of Safehold, to explore how unconventional thinking has defined his career. Jay reflects on how frequent change early in life built resilience, sharpened pattern recognition, and shaped a disciplined, principles‑driven approach to decision‑making. From real estate to professional sports, Jay shares how chall...

Strong businesses are not just built on strategy; they are shaped by relationships, trust, and shared experiences. What happens when leadership, family, and growth all intersect? And how do you balance speed, alignment, and long-term vision without losing what matters most? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy interview Eric Faggioli, President of Delaware Valley Paving, about scaling a family-run business while maintaining strong personal relationships. He shares how alignment and trus...

Giving is often seen as something reserved for the wealthy, but the truth is far more personal and accessible. How do you decide where your money, time, and energy can truly make a difference? And how can you feel confident that your contributions are creating real impact? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy are joined by Elizabeth Wagner, Senior Vice President and Director of Endowments, Foundations, and Charitable Giving at Bryn Mawr Trust, to explore how individuals at any income le...

What does it take to build a brand that inspires lasting loyalty while navigating decades of growth and rapid change? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy sit down with Chris Gheysens, CEO and Chairman of Wawa Inc., to explore the leadership mindset, ownership structure, and long‑term strategy behind one of the nation’s most recognizable retail brands. Chris shares how servant leadership, employee ownership through Wawa’s ESOP, and a disciplined focus on customer experience fuel the com...

College costs keep rising, but the financial side is only part of the story. How do you plan for education while balancing emotions, expectations, and long-term goals? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy break down smarter, more flexible ways to fund education while navigating the emotions, expectations, and values that shape these decisions. They unpack practical strategies around tax‑free growth, frontloading contributions, new Roth rollover rules, and talking with kids about money. ...

What does life look like after selling the business you’ve poured decades into building? How do you prepare for one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy are joined by Mark Bradford, Director of Wealth Planning at Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors, to explore the critical process of exit planning for business owners. They discuss why understanding enterprise value matters more than cash flow, the importance of assembling the right advisory team...

Why does tax time feel so overwhelming, and what can be done throughout the year to avoid those stressful moments in April? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy are joined by Michael W. Valenti, CPA, CFP®, CEPA®, MAcc, Tax Director at Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors, to break down why taxes feel emotional and how proactive planning can ease that burden. They explore common causes of under-withholding, challenges for high earners, small business owners, and retirees, and how simple adjustments ...

Periods of rapid growth can be both exhilarating and overwhelming—especially when new opportunities arrive faster than the plans to support them. So how do family‑run businesses scale without losing their values, identity, or sanity? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy talk with Katey Evans, Founder of The Frozen Farmer, about how she transformed upcycled fruit into a beloved national brand. Katey shares how intentional planning, family collaboration, and building the right advisory te...

For those who receive a year-end bonus, it can be tempting to splurge or treat yourself. But what if that extra money could help you check off a major financial goal?? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy dive into the psychology behind bonuses and why timing, taxes, and emotions matter more than you think. They share practical strategies to turn windfalls into long-term wins, covering everything from tax withholding and automation to emergency funds, Roth accounts, and 401(k) contribut...

Periods of economic uncertainty often lead people to question their financial choices, yet most long-term outcomes are shaped by steady decisions rather than day-to-day noise. Why do we feel worried even when the data looks stable? How do rising prices, interest rates, and shifting job conditions influence real-life planning? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy talk with Andrew Davis, CFA, Head of Macroeconomic Research at Bryn Mawr Trust, about inflation trends, labor market shifts, a...

Many people talk about relationships in business, but few live it the way Sal Patti does. His story shows how community, authenticity, and servant leadership can shape a career and the people around you. From quiet beginnings to becoming Senior Vice President and Director of Commercial Banking at WSFS Bank, he reflects on the moments and mentors that shaped his success. In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy talk with Sal Patti about his journey from Philadelphia University to leading com...