Delivering Direction and Control

Episode 51 – PPLI, Crypto, and the Next Era of Wealth Planning with Heath Goldman

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder/Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with Heath Goldman – President/CEO of ICON Wealth and Legacy Partners – for a conversation on how insurance planning is evolving in today’s chaotic world. From Heath’s unexpected pivot from law school to wealth planning, to decades spent helping ultra-successful families rethink liquidity, legacy, and risk, he shares why traditional portfolio management simply isn’t enough anymore. As they continue their discussion, Heath and David explore the resurgence of life insurance as a planning strategy rather than a product, with a deep dive into how Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) is reshaping tax deferral and wealth transfer. The conversation also hits on one of the most groundbreaking shifts in the planning world, particularly in South Dakota, where forward-thinking rules allow PPLI policies to hold crypto and other non-traditional assets, offering both tax efficiency and powerful asset protection. It’s a strategy more families are exploring as conversations move beyond traditional planning.

Episode 50 – Serving Global Entertainment & Pro Sports: Building Trusted Advisor with Matt Hoffman

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – is joined by Matthew Hoffman, Founder of Trusted Advisor, an exclusive network for advisors to high-net-worth clients in entertainment, music, and pro sports worlds, of which Bridgeford is a proud member. Listen in as Matthew shares his entrepreneurial journey from architecture and technology startups to creating Trusted Advisor, an organization that has quickly become a global platform connecting top-tier professionals. What began as a solution to an unstructured and underserved space has grown into a 600+ international member network. Together, David and Matthew explore the origins and entrepreneurial spirit behind Trusted Advisor and how it fills a critical gap for private client advisors by bringing real value through education and thought leadership. They discuss the importance of building networks rooted in credibility, reputation, and trust—particularly for athletes, entertainers, and influencers navigating complex financial and personal challenges—as well as the organization’s rapid international growth and what lies ahead for the platform.

Episode 49 - Leading with Yes: Inside the Modern Family Office with Justyn Volesko

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with Justyn Volesko – Partner and Co-Head of Family Office at Cerity Partners – for an insightful discussion on redefining the modern family office. Justyn shares his career journey, from his time at Goldman Sachs to the big ideas that drove him to launch AJ Wealth, and ultimately his decision to join Cerity Partners to build a premier family office offering. He explains what truly differentiates a family office from firms merely offering “family office services,” emphasizing the critical need to understand and integrate tax, estate, asset protection, and financial planning disciplines to develop an optimal plan and deliver a holistic perspective. Throughout the conversation, Justyn shares why leading with “yes” is essential in complex planning, describes the infrastructure behind scaling a high-touch family office model, and explains how proactive tax planning and technical expertise protect and enhance wealth while staying firmly within legal boundaries. David and Justyn also discuss planning amid geopolitical uncertainty, noting that truly knowing their clients allows them to anticipate risks and adjust planning strategies proactively. They highlight how flexible trust jurisdictions like South Dakota, and tools like decanting, make it possible to revise structures swiftly as circumstances evolve, ensuring clients’ plans remain aligned with their goals in a shifting landscape.

Episode 48 – Building a Better Exit: Strategic Planning for Business Owners with Ed Barone

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – is joined by Ed Barone, Business Wealth Advisor at Evergreen Exits (EGexits.com), a specialized division of Evergreen Wealth Solutions. With deep expertise in business transitions and a strong fiduciary focus, Ed’s team is dedicated to helping business owners plan successful exits aligned with their financial and legacy goals. Together, David and Ed dive into the fundamentals of exit planning – what it is, why it matters, and how it can proactively solve challenges before going to market. From unexpected exits to failed transactions, Ed outlines why early planning is critical, especially since, for many business owners, their business is their wealth. They also explore Ed’s perspective on current market volatility and proposed tariff policies, how those factors are influencing the M&A landscape, and the guidance he’s offering clients as they navigate exit strategies. In uncertain times, Ed stresses the importance of distinguishing between noise and true impact, staying diversified, and staying the course with long-term investment and trust planning goals. As they conclude, Ed walks listeners through five core exit strategies and the process of choosing the right path forward. It begins with understanding the business owner’s personal, legacy, and employee goals, and then evaluating financial readiness and tax implications to guide decision-making. He also emphasizes the importance of assembling a collaborative team of both planning and transaction advisors to ensure a holistic approach and a smooth, successful transition.

Episode 47 – Turning Estate Plans into Legacy Plans with Tom Rogerson

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with Tom Rogerson – President & CEO of GenLegCo. Inc. – a recognized leader in family governance. Tom shares how his approach to wealth planning emphasizes preparing families for wealth, rather than just preparing wealth for families, offering guidance on navigating financial responsibilities and ultimately protecting families of wealth from themselves. As you listen, you’ll hear Tom discuss his “7 Steps to Healthy Family Governance”, a process designed to educate families, foster communication and leadership, and create a long-term vision for their legacy. He also emphasizes the importance of independent trust companies with strong jurisdictional advantages, like South Dakota, to ensure legacy plans remain intact for generations. This long-term approach is why Bridgeford remains fiercely independent, helping families turn estate plans into lasting legacy plans that reflect their shared values and vision. The conversation explores Tom’s personal journey into this work, and he explains why parents may have the right message but aren’t always the right messenger—and how bringing in a third-party expert who provides objectivity, experience, and knowledge can make all the difference.