Gary Michaels
Appearances
Let's Talk Legacy
CLIP: Moving Towards Your "One Vision"
You know, Southwestern Legacy Insurance Group and this show presented by our company. Tell us a little bit how life insurance and final expense coverage specifically plays a role into people's financial wellness, especially if they do something like whole life, accomplishing two goals with it. And then it's an investment as well as protecting the ones you love.
Let's Talk Legacy
CLIP: Moving Towards Your "One Vision"
If you were to give two main tips for our listeners on how to be better with their one vision of financial, what would be your two main tips?
Let's Talk Legacy
CLIP: Moving Towards Your "One Vision"
Yeah, and what doesn't get calendar doesn't get done. So if you don't ever put it on the calendar, you're never going to do that.
Let's Talk Legacy
CLIP: "After That...The Whole Thing Changed"
passion. Three and a half years ago, you met with a few of our leaders in our company. Where do you align with Southwestern? Where do you think our two companies align and what do you think is important for someone to be successful?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
So tell us about your perspective and share your story of how old you were when your home in Poland was invaded, how your small town was impacted, what happened to your family, and how this whole thing came about for you, that you're still a survivor.
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
Absolutely. So obviously part of your legacy is tied to continuing to speak for the legacy of others, both other survivors as well as those who did not survive. What would you say is the other part of your legacy? What is an individual legacy that you'd like to leave behind?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
Wow. To think that there are states that don't want to teach it.
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
Well, that's a huge legacy.
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
How would people reach you if they needed to get a hold of you or wanted to ask you some questions or get a copy of your book? How would people get a hold of you?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
Well, I'm definitely ordering a copy of your book and can't wait to read it.
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
Yeah. Thank you so much for what you're doing for the people in our country and in our world for educating them on what happened and really looking at themselves to not be prejudiced and be the best you can be to accept everybody for who they are. So thank you so much.
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
So talk to me. So when you were seven years old, do you remember coming back from Russia and what it was like to be separated that actual day? Or was it kind of a big blur?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
And then that lady that became your friend and helped you, did she become almost like a motherly figure or was she more of a friend?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
So when you were reunited with your father, he had been in the slave labor camp. And when he found you, he insisted you give him all the details of the time you were separated so he could make sure it was documented. It was those handwritten pages rediscovered years later that started the new road of discovery for you. How was your father able to survive? What happened to your mother?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
And what was it like rediscovering the details of your escape as an adult? What was it like?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
How were you able to find all that stuff out?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
So you were actually able to reunite with some of the people who helped rescue you during that time, right?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
Welcome to Let's Talk Legacy. My name is Gary Michaels, the host, and we're just so excited to have Janet Singer-Applefield on the show today.
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
Right? Wow. You say the experience changed both your sense of your gratitude and also a sense of your own identity. And what identity really means. Can you explain about what identity means?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
As a child survivor of the Holocaust and social worker, Janet Singer-Applefield has spent over 40 years speaking with thousands of students, educators, religious groups, government officials, and others to raise awareness and understanding of the dangers of prejudice. and encouraging audiences to stand up any kind of discrimination and leave a legacy of acceptance and love. Love that part.
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
What was your original name?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
But that still has a place in your heart.
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
What was your last name?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
So that's why you have the singer still in the middle, right?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
So you later earned your Master of Social Work at Boston University and practiced as a clinical social worker in the court system with perpetrators of the crimes in the Boston area for 30 years. How did your own personal experience impact your ability to be effective in that work, and why was it such a passion and mission for you?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
Did you find, as you were going through that work, a sense of forgiveness for the people that wronged your family? Or is there still a piece of your heart that has a hard time with that?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
I totally understand. You know, our show is called Let's Talk Legacy, and legacy is such an important part for so many people. And I'm curious, what does legacy mean to you?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
Her memoir, Becoming Janet, Finding Myself in the Holocaust, is available now. So Janet, let's dig right in. It's such an honor. to have you here. The word Holocaust conjures up so many emotions for people, even now, almost 80 years later. You have an incredibly unique vantage point as an actual survivor of that event.
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
Has there been, you know, from all of your speaking that you've done at the schools and to adults, is there a story that you can recall of someone that you did make an impact with, that it changed their life, it changed their community? You heard the story later on how what you had to say changed the way they thought, or did it reform anybody? Yeah.
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
Wow, I get chills just hearing that because that's little small steps at a time, right?
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
Right. You say that retelling your story and the story of the Holocaust as a whole represents a connection between the past and the present, and that it's important for preserving the Jewish legacy and able to make sure people must never forget what happened. Talk to us about the connection between the past and the present.
Let's Talk Legacy
Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield
We do. We do. You know, you were just a child when you had to face horror. I mean, horror. How do parents and educators talk to children about difficult topics like hate speech and prejudice and other evils in the world? Because there's so many parents that listen to our show. And how do you have those conversations that are just really difficult ones to have?
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
Making a difference is such a big part, I think, of what you're trying to do and do something important. And what we're trying to do at Southwestern Legacy Insurance Group, it's not just about selling insurance, but it's making a difference to the people around you and people that you love. I believe that's why we were put on this earth.
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
So is there a difference in your personal legacy versus your business legacy?
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
Right. If you were to give two main tips for our listeners on how to be better with their one vision of financial, what would be your two main tips?
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
Yeah. And what doesn't get calendar doesn't get done. So if you don't ever put it on the calendar, you're never going to do that.
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
I've heard many, many good things about it over the years. So how would people, Lisa, reach out to you if they wanted to get some of your free advice on a consultation or want to get serious about their finances and talk about creating a plan for the future and having that one vision? How would they reach you?
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
Awesome. Well, Lisa, I want to say thank you for joining us today on Let's Talk Legacy. Thank you.
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
If you've enjoyed today's podcast and want to learn more, visit us at southwesternlegacy.com. Shoot us an email via our easy contact form to find out how you can become an agent or how we can meet your needs for final expense coverage. You can find this and other episodes at letstalklegacypod.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
Let's Talk Legacy is a presentation of the Southwestern Legacy Insurance Group, a member of Southwestern Family of Companies.
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
Legacy means a lot of things to a lot of people. To some, it's lasting integrity. It's building and maintaining a history of greatness. It's making an impact on people and community. For others, it's dependable security and assurance in an uncertain time. To us, it's all of that and more. It's a mindset, a brother and sisterhood of hardworking people dedicated to doing the right
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
So your company is called One Vision Retirement. Talk about One Vision and how it started and how you actually carry it into your business now.
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
thing for you and those you care about of growing today for a better tomorrow that's what legacy means at southwestern legacy insurance group what does it mean to you let's talk legacy
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
So one of the big things you focus on is something called bucket list acceleration, which intertwines short-term aspirations with long-term financial strategies. Explain the concept and how it works and how you're trying to bridge the present with your client's future.
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
Welcome to Let's Talk Legacy. My name is Gary Michaels, and we're really excited about our guest today, Lisa Sakai. Lisa is a financial consultant who works with clients on what she calls bucket list acceleration. And once I first heard about this, I love the term bucket list. It's an excitement thing for many, hope and vision.
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
What's one of the craziest thinking big bucket listings you've seen?
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
Well, as you know, Southwestern Legacy Insurance Group and this show presented by our company. Tell us a little bit how life insurance and final expense coverage specifically plays a role into people's financial wellness, especially if they do something like whole life, accomplishing two goals with it. And then it's an investment as well as protecting the ones you love.
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
And as the co-founder of One Vision Retirement, she's been working with clients across the country for over 12 years now. So welcome to the show.
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
When you're sitting down with the person, how do you start talking about the now, the five years, 10 years in the future? How do you put it all together? Because nothing's promised 20 years down the road. How do you do that? I think that's an art. I really do. Yeah.
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
Absolutely. We're excited to have you. So let's get right into this. After first trying careers in Hollywood and in education, you moved to insurance, which is the space that we're in, as you know, which you say fueled your commitment to helping people and ultimately led to you launching your own practice. If you wouldn't mind, walk us through your unique career path
Let's Talk Legacy
Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai
You are on a personal mission to also help independent women be better with all this. How did that get started? And talk to me a little bit about that.
Let's Talk Legacy
Woman of Many Names, with Debra Yates
So tell us a little bit about Nancy Ward, when she lived, what the state of the Cherokee Nation was doing during that time and how she was seen amongst her contemporaries.
Let's Talk Legacy
Woman of Many Names, with Debra Yates
But she was connected with all these presidents and famous people. How did she get that much stature?
Let's Talk Legacy
Woman of Many Names, with Debra Yates
Well, it's rumored that she even once saved Washington's life. Tell me about that.
Let's Talk Legacy
Woman of Many Names, with Debra Yates
We're told that there's even a connection between Nancy and the King of England.
Let's Talk Legacy
Woman of Many Names, with Debra Yates
Just there was so many ties to so many people that she knew and had an effect on. You know, our company, Southwestern Legacy Insurance Group, we're headquartered in Tennessee. And there's a connection between Nancy and the state of Tennessee also, isn't there?
Let's Talk Legacy
Woman of Many Names, with Debra Yates
Welcome to Let's Talk Legacy. I'm your host, Gary Michaels. And today we have a wonderful guest, Debra Yates. She's an official member of the Cherokee Nation, has written a book, Woman of Many Names, about an important woman in Native American history, Nancy Ward. So let's dig in here. And the story behind how this book came about is very interesting.
Let's Talk Legacy
Woman of Many Names, with Debra Yates
That is a small world. So what, you know, the name of our show is Let's Talk Legacy. But legacy is just a big, important part to us about what are you leaving behind for future generations and memories and everything about legacy. What does legacy mean to you? I can see that the way you tell this story, you have so much passion.
Let's Talk Legacy
Woman of Many Names, with Debra Yates
And to know the facts and names and stories of things that happened 200, 300, 400 years ago,
Let's Talk Legacy
Woman of Many Names, with Debra Yates
You weren't really even intending to write a book at all. Can you tell us what you were doing before and how this whole thing came together?
Let's Talk Legacy
Woman of Many Names, with Debra Yates
Let me ask you one question. This is so intriguing. What kind of legacy do you want for yourself?
Let's Talk Legacy
Woman of Many Names, with Debra Yates
If anybody wants to reach you to just get more information about anything about your life or Nancy's or anything, how would they get in touch with you?
Let's Talk Legacy
Woman of Many Names, with Debra Yates
Awesome. Well, listen, thank you so much for your time. You've been an inspiration to me. And I know our audience is going to just love hearing the story. I had not heard much about her before we found you. And now just to know all about it is just really cool.
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
Legacy means a lot of things to a lot of people. To some, it's lasting integrity. It's building and maintaining a history of greatness. It's making an impact on people and community. For others, it's dependable security and assurance in an uncertain time. To us, it's all of that and more. It's a mindset, a brother and sisterhood of hardworking people dedicated to doing the right
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
Wow, that's awesome. Do you have thoughts about allowances? Do you have thoughts about when you start to give and at what age is the right time for a child to start to learn about money?
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
thing for you and those you care about of growing today for a better tomorrow that's what legacy means at southwestern legacy insurance group what does it mean to you let's talk legacy
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
Right. That's pretty cool. Now, you say that along with the way you learned it isn't about winning or failing. It's about simply participating. And that being absent is the worst thing you can do. So talk a little bit about that.
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
Absolutely. Yeah, but it all goes to a person's self-worth and self-esteem.
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
And it's not a perfect science, but it's pretty darn right.
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
Absolutely. So what is the Enduring Legacy Bank? How does that work? How does the concept work?
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
Sweet. What kind of feedback have you gotten from parents about how their child's changed or learned from having these little small legacies and these products of these banks? Has it been more of like a game for them? Have you heard any feedback about it actually as they're learning some of the concepts?
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
Welcome to Let's Talk Legacy. I'm your host, Gary Michaels. Today, we have Amanda Bauer Frischon, who is a serial entrepreneur and the CEO of the Enduring Legacy Company, which obviously caught our eyes. We're all about leaving a legacy for people. She's dedicated to leaving a lasting impact through heartfelt, purpose-driven businesses that resonate with families worldwide. So welcome to the show.
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
What is your overriding vision? You did this to honor your late husband, but there's something deeper core in you. What's your message? What's your purpose?
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
That's good. Now, all of your businesses, if I hear you right, you got the bank, you got the recognition program, you got your speaking, right? Yes.
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
Do you have any desires to expand all these businesses to even a bigger cause? Or are you kind of in this very focus to better these brands?
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
Yeah, every day it probably gets a little clearer and then all of a sudden it's going to hit, right?
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
So legacy is what this show is all about. It's so important, I think, for so many people in our world. It drives them to what they do every day. Yet very few people are ever asked, what's your legacy?
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
And the word legacy, though, shows up in all areas of your life, it seems like. What does that word mean specifically to you? And why is it important to further legacy on in life?
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
So your path from human resources to full-time parenting and then to becoming a serial entrepreneur is quite a journey and one which was shaped in many ways by grief. Yes. That caught my eye and I know our team was wondering about that. Can you share that story with us?
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
How many people are involved in your businesses?
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
Are you doing anything currently, either consciously or subconsciously, to further the legacy with your 10 employees and further that we are a legacy company? We are a company that's making a lasting difference.
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
As our listeners hop off the podcast today, if there was one message that you'd like them to leave with that they would just go, hmm, I want to do that to better my life. What would that message be that you hope you've conveyed to them today?
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
Awesome. How would someone get in touch with you?
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
If you've enjoyed today's podcast and want to learn more, visit us at southwesternlegacy.com. Shoot us an email via our easy contact form to find out how you can become an agent or how we can meet your needs for final expense coverage. You can find this and other episodes at letstalklegacypod.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.
Let's Talk Legacy
Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch
Let's Talk Legacy is a presentation of the Southwestern Legacy Insurance Group, a member of Southwestern Family of Companies.
Let's Talk Legacy
Family First, with Shawn Meaike
Well, Sean, thank you for being on today. I always ask people if they have more questions. If someone wants to get in touch with you, how would they reach you?
Let's Talk Legacy
Family First, with Shawn Meaike
Well, you've been listening to Let's Talk Legacy with Sean Mike. Thank you so much for being on the show today. That's awesome. Thanks, guys. Appreciate y'all.
Let's Talk Legacy
Family First, with Shawn Meaike
It seems like that carries into your day, not wanting to see your agents and see people out in the world hurt. It's still in you today.
Let's Talk Legacy
Family First, with Shawn Meaike
But if you didn't, that's a problem. When you were creating this company, how much of that went through your mind and how much does that still go through your mind today? This isn't just revenue for the company. It's so many people were changing their lives.
Let's Talk Legacy
Family First, with Shawn Meaike
Welcome to Let's Talk Legacy, and I'm really excited about today's show as I actually get to spend time with Sean Mike, the president, founder, and CEO of Family First Life. And he started with the company in 2013, building a company that truly puts both the families of our clients and the families of our agents as a priority to him. So welcome to the show, Sean. I really appreciate you being on.
Let's Talk Legacy
Family First, with Shawn Meaike
Yeah. It's interesting in the time that I've been here, so much of it was about the final expense. And that is such a policy that I think is so important for people to have. Maybe you could share with people a little bit your philosophy on how so many more products have come available. Maybe they've been around for years, but What is mortgage protection? What is a cashback offer type policy?
Let's Talk Legacy
Family First, with Shawn Meaike
What is the IUL, the index universal life of setting up your retirement and having life insurance serve as not only a protection in case you do pass, which you're going to, but also potentially have a certain amount of money being every month that you set in your retirement when you retired.
Let's Talk Legacy
Family First, with Shawn Meaike
Could you share for the person that maybe isn't as educated about giving people lots of choices and why they need those choices?
Let's Talk Legacy
Family First, with Shawn Meaike
Thanks for having me, Gary. I appreciate you, bud. So you started off your professional career in the social work area in the Department of Children and Families before you got into the insurance field. So where did that come from and how did you get that piece of your heart that wanted you to be a servant and help others?
Let's Talk Legacy
Family First, with Shawn Meaike
Three and a half years ago, you met with a few of our leaders in our company. Where do you align with Southwestern? Where do you think our two companies align and what do you think is important for someone to be successful?
Let's Talk Legacy
Family First, with Shawn Meaike
One last question that's such a big question we always ask on every one of our podcasts. Sean, what does legacy mean to you?
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
How did that family history influence your own beliefs about success, failure, redemption, and other thoughts that come across your mind?
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
I'm a strong believer. Yeah. So a lot of guests we've had on the program come from families of backgrounds of great legacy and great achievements, but find it sometimes challenging to forge their own. What advice would you give to someone struggling to identify kind of what their force is, what their dream is?
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
I mean, what could you share that would give people some optimism of even if you're not there yet of knowing what you want to do in your life? What would you give people as advice there? Yeah.
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
That's huge. With your own family, what type of legacy would you like to leave with Convoy of Hope?
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
Awesome. So if someone wants to get involved or get a copy of your book or in some way just be attached to what you're doing, how would they reach you?
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
Your grandmother's advice seems to have been the guiding light in your life, though. Can you share how her words influenced you?
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
Wow. It's one thing to know about it, but you're right. It's another thing to experience it. Yes. My father was a police officer and I said, I want to do the ride-alongs because I want to see what you experience, okay, with these people, the human beings that at some point were living normal lives and something affected them. That's very good.
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
You know, I had an opportunity to go to San Quentin prison. My father would take a group of his students. For years, he taught teachers how to work with delinquent youths. We got to go into San Quentin prison. We went in there and they have a program that they work with students. that maybe are on borderline of getting into the streets and having problems, and say, you don't want to get there.
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
And these prisoners were like coaches, and they talked to us about how to be and work with them. And it touched my heart because most of them said that they come from poor families, they come from rich families, they come from all over the universe here, but most of them, their switch was when they were early teenagers. Right. Yeah. Oh, yeah. How have you grown this thing so big?
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
Because I can tell just talking to you have the biggest heart, but not everybody's like that. Not everybody's kind. How have you been able to build this thing?
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
Welcome to Let's Talk Legacy. My name is Gary Michaels. And today we have an amazing guest, Hal Donaldson, the president and CEO of Convoy of Hope, a global nonprofit organization that works with communities to address root causes of poverty and hunger. And that always has been a challenge that our world sees.
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
Now, as president and CEO of Convoy of Hope, that's a big thing. Sometimes the challenges that you faced aren't talked about. Yeah. And sacrifices you personally put into this. Talk to me a little bit about some of the struggles you've had of getting this thing up and running, not just for your company, okay, for your organization, but personally personally.
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
According to Forbes, Convoy of Hope is among the 50 largest charities in the United States. So I'm just excited to speak with Hal, and I know our listeners are excited to hear from you today, too. Welcome.
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
Wow. So through your programs over the years, Convoy has distributed more than $2.5 billion worth of food and supplies, helped more than 250 million people, and currently feeds more than 570,000 children. And I wanted to make sure I was correct on that.
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
Let's dig right in. I want to start by talking about family. Your family and the legacy of your family had a huge impact on you and the way that you are now helping shape the legacies of so many others. The story of your grandfather... and the impact of his actions on your family is a powerful one.
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
That is awesome. Do you have a success story that really touches your heart about a community? I'm sure there's many, but is there one at the top of your head that touches your heart?
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
Now, you mentioned at the beginning that your parents didn't have life insurance, didn't have insurance. And this show is by no means even aware a life insurance company. Is it really pushing life insurance? I've seen being in the business now how having this protection has helped so many families and not burden the kids. and not burden the spouse when something happens.
Let's Talk Legacy
What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson
But what's been your experience with life insurance and what you've seen over the years with your employees and even the people that you serve?
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
With everything going streaming now, is film, in your opinion, on the upswing? With where we're at now, are you optimistic or concerned about what's next?
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
You've never really been a guy who slowed down. There's so much to do, right? And so much to get done. What's next for you?
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
Oh, sweet. Well, I'll definitely be looking for that. I just want to thank you so much. So much of our show is about legacy and film is such a huge part of our history and where we've been and where we're going. And I just really appreciate, we really appreciate you taking the time to spend time with us today and share your story, George. I really, really appreciate it.
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
If you've enjoyed today's podcast and want to learn more, visit us at southwesternlegacy.com. Shoot us an email via our easy contact form to find out how you can become an agent or how we can meet your needs for final expense coverage. You can find this and other episodes at letstalklegacypod.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
Let's Talk Legacy is a presentation of the Southwestern Legacy Insurance Group, a member of Southwestern Family of Companies.
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
Legacy means a lot of things to a lot of people. To some, it's lasting integrity. It's building and maintaining a history of greatness. It's making an impact on people and community. For others, it's dependable security and assurance in an uncertain time. To us, it's all of that and more. It's a mindset, a brother and sisterhood of hardworking people dedicated to doing the right
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
Well, they're huge. I mean, A Place in the Sun and Shane and Diary of Anne Frank. I mean, these are things that are not to be forgotten. When you think about your father and your family, how much influence did that have on you?
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
Obviously, most of us in this world, we have good habits and bad habits from the way we were raised from our parents, right? And we have good tendencies and are definitely influenced by the way we were raised. Did you feel like getting into theater and movies and putting yourself out there was something that would have come naturally for you anyhow?
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
Or was it something that you feel like came to you because you were around that space?
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
Did you ever feel like you arrived? Was there a time that there was a personal accomplishment that you did that made you feel like, yes, I honor my father. I was blessed to be in that situation, but you know what? I'm pretty proud of myself too.
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
Welcome to Let's Talk Legacy. I'm Gary Michaels, the host of the show. And today we have George Stevens Jr. He's a writer, director, producer, playwright, author, and champion of American film. He's achieved an extraordinary creative legacy, which we're going to speak about today, spanning more than 50 years, enriching the nation's cultural heritage.
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
Do you have any personal stories of your time with the Kennedys that really struck a chord with you?
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
Now, you went on after that to help establish the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as serve as the founding director of the American Film Institute, which helped preserve and restore film. And during that time, tell us a little bit about the importance of then and today preserving the legacy of these films for the future generations.
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
So I'm just so excited when I got to know that we were going to have you on the show, George. I got pretty fired up. So welcome to the show. Well, Gary, it's great. And I heard about your show and I'm looking forward to talking with you. Awesome. Awesome. So since we are talking about legacy, let's just go right into that.
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
Wow. So some of your best known works deal with the topic of race in America, including the play Thurgood about the Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and Separate But Equal. Your Emmy Award winning miniseries, which was about the landmark Supreme Court decision in 1954. Now that decision celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
The series has just been released on DVD, and to honor that, talk to us a little bit about the making of Separate But Equal and the gravity you felt making it. I mean, there's so much here.
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
Obviously, with your career and everything you've done, legacy is important to you. And so what does legacy mean to you?
Let's Talk Legacy
My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
You know, your career also sort of came full circle in 2009 when President Obama asked you to serve on the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, where you had led the American Cultural Delegation to Cuba. Right. So when you were in the Kennedy administration in the 60s, things were a little different between U.S. and Cuba. What was it like to go there as a friend?
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My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.
That certainly would be nice if we could all be friends all around the world, wouldn't it? In 2022, you released your memoir we've talked about a little bit, My Place in the Sun, which recounts much of what we've talked about today and much more from the presidents to fighting for social justice to getting your own Oscar and more. What would most surprise listeners about the book?
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Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
Is there more cost to a certain type of trademark than another cost? Or does everybody follow trademark just the same way?
Let's Talk Legacy
Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
Aside from the incident where you helped defend your father, what else drew you to the area of law? What caught your attention to even go in that direction?
Let's Talk Legacy
Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
Absolutely. So as you know, our show is called Let's Talk Legacy. And I'm curious, what does legacy mean to you both on the business side and then in your personal family?
Let's Talk Legacy
Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
Awesome. So before we let you go, you've got to tell us about your drum desk. Yeah. I'm sure people would get a kick out of this. What in the heck is the drum desk?
Let's Talk Legacy
Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
For those of you listening today, he literally is. Look, we're looking each other face to face here. He is playing the drum like you would see a normal drum player playing. That's awesome.
Let's Talk Legacy
Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
It's a little video that I shot and that'll give you... You probably just got several more views on your YouTube, my friend. If someone wanted to get in touch with you, talk to you about trademarking and getting their company trademarked, how would they reach you?
Let's Talk Legacy
Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
That's awesome. Well, gosh, thank you so much, Andre. It's really been thought provoking for me and I know our listeners are going to love it.
Let's Talk Legacy
Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
So we're talking about trademarks here. And so we have a pretty educated audience here on Let's Talk Legacy. But tell us briefly, what exactly is a trademark and what isn't a trademark?
Let's Talk Legacy
Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
Welcome to Let's Talk Legacy. I'm your host, Gary Michaels. And today we have a real special guest. Andre Minkoff is the founder and CEO of Trademark Factory. He believes people who have created something deserve to not have that stolen from them. And hardworking entrepreneurs shouldn't be taken advantage of. That's why he founded Trademark Factory.
Let's Talk Legacy
Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
What's the difference in a trademark and a copyright?
Let's Talk Legacy
Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
Got it. What are some of the most common mistakes you see people making around trademarks? Mistakes of people that didn't get the trademark and wished they would have.
Let's Talk Legacy
Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
And that's why he is passionate about sharing his experiences. And to him, this is legacy. So welcome to the show, my friend. Thanks for having me, Gary. Great to be here. So your career in this area, a really interesting start, actually beginning in Russia, where you bought a radio station that stole your father's music. Talk a little bit about that.
Let's Talk Legacy
Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
Exactly. So you're saying somebody creates, I'll just use for example, an amazing lemonade in town, it's local, added at the restaurant, and it's like really catching. Somebody else sees it and say, I know what they're doing. I'm going to go trademark that lemonade, even though I didn't make it, think of it or anything, they can go ahead and do that and get proof for that?
Let's Talk Legacy
Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov
Right. You say that trademarking is all about building and protecting a legacy for the business. That obviously makes sense. And you cite Coca-Cola as a really famous example. Tell us the Coke story and if there's a few other good examples that people would recognize.
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
A lot of people nowadays like to say there's no such thing as a good billionaire. Is that really the case? And is that really the fault of the person themselves or the tax system or other systems that have been built around them?
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
So we have a lot of listeners who are very successful and might find themselves in this advantaged position you're talking about. but also are already generous. What can people like that do to be more sympathetic to what you're saying?
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Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
That's an interesting perspective. Let's move into legacy a little bit. What does legacy mean to you?
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
I hear you there. I hear you. We want to finish this interview talking about the great work that you're doing with CollegeSpring. Tell us a little bit about that program and the initiative and how people wanted to help. They could.
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
Awesome. Well, Garrett, I really thank you for your time today. You're certainly given some perspective to people that are wealthy. You're given some perspective to people that maybe aren't at that wealth level yet, but want to be and how they can make a difference in this world. You touched on different things that everybody could benefit from.
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
So you say that people at the top, often rich white men, too often are preserving their wealth over generations using what you call compounding unearned advantage. So what is compounding unearned advantage?
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
What exactly is the problem with someone wanting to preserve their wealth for future generations, especially within their own family?
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
What would that look like for you if the United States invested in these people more than they are now? For you could say, we actually are a society that does do this.
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
Welcome to Let's Talk Legacy. I'm your host, Gary Michaels. Today, our guest is awesome. Garrett Neiman is a serial nonprofit entrepreneur, an activist, founding CEO at College Spring, co-creator of Liberation Ventures, and senior fellow at Prosperity Now. He is also the author of the new book, Rich White Men, What It Takes to Uproot the Old Boys Club and Transform America. So welcome to the show.
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
What would be some of those opportunities? What does that look like for the government to really give more?
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
Got it. That's big. Let's talk a little bit about what you kind of explain as an interesting relationship between luck and power. Can you talk to that a little bit?
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
This is my definition. I'd like to hear what your thoughts are on it. Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. Do you think that just because a person maybe is at a lower economic level, a lower status level, they should still be able to be given privileges if they haven't put the work in, the preparation? Are they still entitled? Because that's not healthy for the society either.
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
I appreciate it, Gary. Thank you so much for having me. Let's dig right into some questions and have a really healthy conversation here. We're going to talk about a few things today that for many of our listeners play major roles in shaping a legacy, which is what our show's about. And those are race and wealth.
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
That makes sense. Now, surely the problem can't be exclusively limited to white men. There must be some examples of wealthy women using compounding unearned advantage or wealthy individuals of other races. What does the research show? Do you have any statistics that can illustrate the imbalance a little bit? Yeah.
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
You're dedicated your career to helping the rich give their money away to social justice causes. But I want to start with the hard question a lot of listeners might be thinking. You are a successful white man. So what qualifies you to speak objectively on things like inequity and privilege? And give us your background.
Let's Talk Legacy
Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman
Now, we've talked a little bit about these two separate issues here, race and gender and inequity in it. Is one posing a larger challenge than the other? It's a really good question.
Let's Talk Legacy
What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran
I love it. I love it. If someone wants to get involved in your organization, what would they do and how would they contact you?
Let's Talk Legacy
What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran
Awesome. Well, I really appreciate your time today, what you're doing in memory of your son and to help others. Touches my heart.
Let's Talk Legacy
What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran
All of you guys, I'll just leave it at this. Make it a great day. What's good about today?
Let's Talk Legacy
What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran
What did you learn from the time you got diagnosis he was able to live? What did you learn from that that you could share with others?
Let's Talk Legacy
What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran
Welcome to Let's Talk Legacy. I'm your host, Gary Michaels, and today we're really excited to have Christopher Cochran on. Chris is an author, a speaker, and above all, a father. As the founder of the Christian Cochran Legacy Fund, he works to carry on his son's legacy, promoting Christian's humility, kindness, joy, gratitude, self-sacrifice, selflessness, courage, and unconditional love for all.
Let's Talk Legacy
What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran
The main mission of the Christian Cochran Legacy Fund, is it specific to the underserved in this space, or is it all different causes? Does it change? Is it a moving target? Yeah.
Let's Talk Legacy
What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran
Well, attitude of gratitude is so huge. How do you use your gratitude for everything you've learned? How can others try to look at the glass of water half full?
Let's Talk Legacy
What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran
And I really believe we're going to learn a lot more about his son and a lot more about Chris in the next little time we have here together. So welcome to the show, Chris. Thank you, Gary. It's a pleasure to be here. Love your show. Thank you. So let's start right there. Tell us a little bit about Christian. What type of a man was he? What was he like?
Let's Talk Legacy
What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran
For sure. And I just wanted to spend a little time on that gratitude stuff because that sounds like so much where your head's at and who Christian was. You know, our show, everything's about legacy and legacy is such an important thing. What does legacy mean to you?
Let's Talk Legacy
What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran
The pay it forward stuff, all those little things that giving without even needing to be acknowledged for giving, right? Absolutely.
Let's Talk Legacy
What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran
What kind of effect did he have on others around him? Tell us a little bit about your son.
Let's Talk Legacy
What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran
What are some of your partners in the fund and how can listeners get involved?
Let's Talk Legacy
What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran
So in a lot of this that we talked about today is covered in your new book, What's Good About Today? Purpose Driven Life, inspired by Christian Cochran. Tell us a little bit more about the book and specifically about how you came up with that title.