Episodes

Have you ever played a video game so much that you started seeing it in your dreams? That’s the idea behind the Tetris Effect, a fascinating phenomenon where repeated experiences begin to influence how we think and perceive the world. In this episode, we explore the surprising history of Tetris, how a simple puzzle game became a worldwide sensation, and why our brains are constantly searching for patterns. But the Tetris Effect extends far beyond video games. From everyday habits to the way we ...

Most decisions in life come with a second chance—you can adjust, change course, or try again. But some of life’s biggest financial moments don’t offer the same flexibility. Retirement, helping aging parents, receiving an inheritance, selling a business, and preparing an estate can represent decisions where much of the important work needs to happen long before the moment itself arrives. In this episode, we explore why preparation often matters more than prediction and how decisions made years i...

Have you ever spent hours assembling a piece of furniture only to feel strangely proud of the finished product? There may actually be a psychological reason for that. In this episode, we explore the history of IKEA and the fascinating phenomenon known as the “IKEA Effect”—our tendency to place greater value on things simply because we helped create them. But the IKEA Effect extends far beyond bookshelves and Allen wrenches. From home projects and businesses to ideas and investments, the time an...

As the U.S. Open takes center stage and Roger Federer enters the International Tennis Hall of Fame, we look back at one remarkable statistic from his legendary career: Federer won only about 54% of the points he played, yet won 82% of his matches. It’s a powerful reminder that success doesn’t require winning every single point—it requires staying focused on the bigger objective. Investing works much the same way. Markets will have bad days, difficult years, and periods when a strategy simply do...

For generations, Americans have spent decades building wealth through homes, businesses, investments, and retirement accounts. Now, much of that wealth is beginning to move to the next generation. In this episode, we explore The Great Wealth Transfer—how we got here, why trillions of dollars are expected to change hands, and what that could mean for families and investors. But transferring wealth is about more than simply passing along money. We discuss the importance of preparation, communicat...

Every summer, thousands of players gather in Las Vegas with one goal: winning the World Series of Poker. While luck may determine the outcome of a single hand, the world’s best players know that long-term success is built on discipline, probability, patience, and making consistently good decisions. In this episode, we explore the history of the World Series of Poker and uncover the surprising lessons it offers investors. From bankroll management and expected value to knowing when to take calcul...

Every four years, the FIFA World Cup captures the attention of billions, but the lessons extend far beyond the soccer pitch. In this episode, we explore what makes the world’s most popular sporting event so captivating and uncover the surprising parallels between winning a championship and building long-term financial success. From the group stage to the knockout rounds, every match offers a lesson in preparation, patience, discipline, and resilience. Just like investing, championships aren’t w...

What are you pursuing? It’s a simple question, but one that has shaped lives, careers, and civilizations throughout history. In this episode, we explore the meaning and origins of the word pursuit—from its historical roots to its appearance in phrases like “the pursuit of happiness,” the classic board game Trivial Pursuit, and the inspiring story told in The Pursuit of Happyness. Along the way, we examine why the things we choose to chase often reveal more about us than the things we eventually ...

For years, we’ve been told that reaching a certain number—often $1 million—is the key to a successful retirement. But is there really a magic number that guarantees financial security? In this episode, we explore why humans are naturally drawn to round numbers, milestones, and even superstitions, and how those tendencies can influence the way we think about money and retirement. From lucky numbers and cultural beliefs to retirement targets and net worth goals, we’ll examine why numbers often ca...

In 1849, hundreds of thousands of people rushed west in search of gold, hoping to strike it rich. While a few found fortunes in the mines, many of the greatest and most lasting fortunes were built by the people selling the tools, supplies, transportation, and infrastructure that supported the boom. The California Gold Rush offers a fascinating lesson about wealth, opportunity, and human behavior that remains just as relevant today. In this episode, we explore what the Gold Rush can teach us abo...

Success isn’t usually destroyed by one catastrophic mistake — it slowly erodes through years of neglected maintenance. In this episode, Corey and Zed explore why the most important parts of life and wealth require constant attention, even after we’ve worked hard to build them. From finances and health to relationships and personal growth, the things that matter most rarely take care of themselves. We’ll discuss the hidden cost of deferred maintenance, why people naturally avoid upkeep, and how ...

The Stanley Cup Playoffs remind us that the thin line between winning and losing is often measured in inches — a puck off the post, a fortunate bounce, or one split-second decision under pressure. In this episode of The WIN Podcast, we explore how hockey’s chaos and unpredictability mirror the world of investing, where short-term outcomes are often driven by volatility, emotion, and events no one can fully control. We discuss why “this time is different” is one of the most dangerous phrases in ...

What if winning isn’t the goal—but the problem? In this episode of The WIN Podcast: What’s Important Now, we explore the strange world of Guinness World Records to uncover a deeper truth: you can optimize for almost anything—even when it doesn’t actually matter. Through extreme examples, we highlight how easy it is to chase the wrong metrics in money, life, and decision-making. Because in the end, the real risk isn’t losing—it’s winning a game that was never worth playing. Resources Corey’s ...

Most people expect the path to wealth to be a straight line—but just like the roads we drive every day, it’s anything but. In this episode, we explore why curves, bridges, and changing conditions aren’t flaws in the journey—they’re intentional design features that keep us moving forward safely and efficiently. Using real-world road engineering as a guide, we break down how volatility, preparation, strong financial foundations, and ongoing adjustments all play a role in building lasting wealth. ...

In this episode, we explore the key ideas from Die with Zero and challenge the traditional mindset of saving for “someday.” What if the goal isn’t to die rich, but to use your money to create meaningful experiences at the right time? We tie it back to What’s Important Now?—looking at experiences that expire, whether or not there is a risk of over-saving, and how to better align your money with the life you actually want to live. Resources Corey’s Book Connect (712) 472-3867 Toll-Free: 800-...

What’s the most important phone call ever made? It may have been the very first one. In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell spoke the words, “Mr. Watson, come here — I want to see you,” proving for the first time that the human voice could travel through a wire. In this episode of The WIN Podcast: What’s Important Now, we explore how that simple moment changed communication—and what it teaches us about investing, personal finance, and decision-making in a faster world. Resources Corey’s Book Connect...

Are you the hero… or the bottleneck? In this episode of The WIN Podcast, we explore how constantly saving the day in your business, finances, or family might actually be holding you back. Hustle and heroics work in the beginning — but if everything depends on you, growth has a ceiling. What’s Important Now isn’t more effort — it’s better systems. From money automation to life design, this episode challenges you to stop managing chaos and start building structure. Because real success isn’t abou...

Episode 100 is here — and we’re celebrating by distilling 100 conversations into the Top 10 lessons that have shaped how we think about money, mindset, leadership, and purposeful living. From Olympic-level preparation and strategic financial planning to the domino effect of small habits and becoming the “coffee bean” under pressure, this episode captures the ideas that mattered most. These aren’t just highlights — they’re principles we’ve seen play out in real lives, real markets, and real decis...

Money feels permanent, but the way it’s made has changed constantly. In this episode of WIN: What’s Important Now, we explore how the U.S. Mint was created, how American currency evolved from metal to modern money, and why trust—not gold or paper—is what really makes money work. Along the way, we share the remarkable true story of Peter the Eagle, a bald eagle who lived inside the Philadelphia Mint and became part of U.S. money lore. It’s a reminder that even our most serious financial systems ...

The money rules many of us grew up with were shaped by a very different economic world. In this episode of What’s Important Now, we look at where that advice came from and why it worked so well for our parents’ generation. Then we ask the harder question: Does it still work today? We explore what needs updating, what still matters, and how investors can apply timeless principles in a modern financial landscape—focusing on what’s truly important now. Resources Corey’s Book Connect (712) 472-3...

Not everyone’s New Year starts on January 1—and neither does smart financial planning. In this episode, we explore Calendar Chaos: how different cultures mark time, why calendars don’t always align, and what that means for your money. From the lunar New Year to fiscal years, we break down how understanding when you plan can be just as important as how you plan. Resources Corey’s Book Connect (712) 472-3867 Toll-Free: 800-657-4316 LinkedIn: Corey Heimensen Heimensen Wealth Advisors Facebook...

Most people feel behind when it comes to money—but that feeling isn’t a failure, it’s a blindfold. We were never taught how the financial game actually works, our instincts push us toward the wrong decisions, and the system quietly rewards spending over patience. When you combine psychology, brutal math, and constant noise, it’s no surprise money feels confusing and stressful. In this episode of The WIN Podcast: What’s Important Now, we talk about why money is so unintuitive, the common mistake...

In this episode of The WIN Podcast, we dive into the hidden weight of indecision and explore why the word “maybe” quietly drains our energy, momentum, and opportunity. From historical missteps to modern-day moments of analysis paralysis, we unpack the psychological forces that keep us stuck and the surprising cost of delaying even the smallest decisions. We also draw clear parallels to personal finance, showing how hesitation can erode wealth just as easily as it stalls personal growth. With pr...

Blind spots aren’t a sign of ignorance — they’re part of being human. In this episode, we explore the unseen forces that quietly shape how we think, behave, and make decisions. From generational overcorrections to psychological patterns like confirmation bias, we break down where blind spots come from and why they’re so difficult to recognize in ourselves. We also share practical tools to reveal those hidden assumptions so you can make clearer, more intentional choices in your life, relationship...