Let's Talk Legacy

Let's Talk Legacy

Follow Let's Talk Legacy
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

What does it mean to build and maintain a legacy, either in business, or for your loved ones? What tools and resources are available to help? Join the discussion as host Gary Michels, along with exciting guests and real listeners just like you, tackle the answers to these questions, and learn how to grow today, for a better tomorrow. Southwestern/Great American, Inc., dba Southwestern Family of Companies, for itself and its related entities and their assigns, reserves and retains all rights to their copyrighted materials and trademarks contained in this podcast.

Southwestern Family of Podcasts

Donate to Let's Talk Legacy


    • Apr 16, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 12m AVG DURATION
    • 144 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Let's Talk Legacy with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Let's Talk Legacy

    CLIP: Leave a Legacy, or Leave a Mess?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 3:34


    Certified Executor Advisor and author David Edey explains the key role that having the right insurance plays in your estate planning, and the biggest tip for how to find it.Hear David's full interview in Episode 64 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Love & Order, with David Edey

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 27:56 Transcription Available


    Certified Executor Advisor and author David Edey addresses the personal experience that led him to helping others, the 3 types of families, managing your digital estate assets, the worst job you can ask of someone you love, and why legacy isn't what you leave people, but how you leave them.

    david edey
    CLIP: The 6 Realms of Legacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 2:28


    Author, Founder/CEO of 7Gen Legacy Group, and host of the Legacy, Lyrics, and Life podcast, Shawna Wells, explains the 6 realms of legacy, and the 3 biggest data points on how you spend your time.Hear Shawna's full interview in Episode 63 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Legacy, Lyrics, and Life, with Shawna Wells

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 26:24 Transcription Available


    Author, Founder/CEO of 7Gen Legacy Group, and host of the Legacy, Lyrics, and Life podcast, Shawna Wells, talks about being a legacy architect, LIVING a legacy, not just LEAVING one, the 6 realms of legacy, the crucial generational pivot point, why it takes intention to get to impact, how money is data, and how she's literally growing her legacy with apples in Vermont.

    CLIP: The Trump Impact on Family Businesses?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 3:55


    Devin DeCiantis and Ivan Lansberg, the Managing Partner and co-founder respectively of Lansberg Gersick Advisors, weigh in on the possible consequences of the latest US election on family businesses.Hear Devin and Ivan's full interview across Episodes 61 and 62 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    The Enduring Enterprise Pt. 2, with Devin DeCiantis and Ivan Lansberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 17:58 Transcription Available


    Devin DeCiantis and Ivan Lansberg, the Managing Partner and co-founder respectively of Lansberg Gersick Advisors, continue the discussion of their new book, THE ENDURING ENTERPRISE: How Family Businesses Thrive in Turbulent Conditions, including the possible consequences of the latest US election on family businesses, 7 stabilizing strategies for businesses and organizations, and weighing the "I" vs the "we".

    CLIP: Stability is...Bad?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 2:59


    Devin DeCiantis and Ivan Lansberg, the Managing Partner and co-founder respectively of Lansberg Gersick Advisors, explain why stability, while it sounds good, is really a double-edged sword.Hear Devin and Ivan's full interview across Episodes 61 and 62 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    The Enduring Enterprise Pt. 1, with Devin DeCiantis and Ivan Lansberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 23:56 Transcription Available


    Devin DeCiantis and Ivan Lansberg, the Managing Partner and co-founder respectively of Lansberg Gersick Advisors, run down their new book, THE ENDURING ENTERPRISE: How Family Businesses Thrive in Turbulent Conditions, including info on why family businesses are more resilient than others, managing risk, balancing identity and change, managing continuity vs growth, and why stability is a double-edged sword.

    CLIP: The Power of Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 4:16


    Bridget Cook-Burch, a New York Times & Wall Street Journal Best-selling author, writing mentor, and speaker, as well as the CEO and Founder of Inspired Legacy Publishing, shares the details of her near death experience, what she learned from writing about gang members and serial killers, the power of story, the joy of fish mongering, having passion to your persistence, and why legacy is in the name of ALL of her businesses.Hear Bridget's full interview in Episode 60 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Change Your Story, Change Your Life, with Bridget Cook-Burch

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2025 27:04 Transcription Available


    Bridget Cook-Burch, a New York Times & Wall Street Journal Best-selling author, writing mentor, and speaker, as well as the CEO and Founder of Inspired Legacy Publishing, shares the details of her near death experience, what she learned from writing about gang members and serial killers, the power of story, the joy of fish mongering, having passion to your persistence, and why legacy is in the name of ALL of her businesses.

    CLIP: Terrorism Insurance Is a Thing

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2024 3:40


    Tom Kaiser, the Managing Partner at Masterful Coaching, renowned expert in the field of collaboration, and a top insurance executive, explains the idea of terrorism insurance, and why insurance, and a full insurance PLAN is critical.Hear Tom's full interview in Episode 59 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    People Need The Touch, with Tom Kaiser

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 15:37 Transcription Available


    Tom Kaiser, the Managing Partner at Masterful Coaching, renowned expert in the field of collaboration, and a top insurance executive, explains how his time in the Air Force led him to the insurance field, pioneering the idea of terrorism insurance, why insurance, and a full insurance PLAN is critical, and shares his legacy within the industry, as well as something free for listeners.

    CLIP: Uncovering a Secret Family

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 4:12


    Haleh Shoa, founder and CEO of Picturli, shares about the unique family trauma that led to the start of her company, accidentally uncovering secret families, and using technology to uncover hidden history.Hear Haleh's full interview in Episode 58 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Out of Love, And For Love, with Haleh Shoa

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 23:16 Transcription Available


    Haleh Shoa, founder and CEO of Picturli, a photo organization and archiving studio that helps families, individuals, and businesses transform their photo collection into one sortable digital library, shares the unique family trauma that led to the start of her company, the lessons she learned from the corporate work with Apple and more, how she's keeping people's memories secure in the digital age, a connection to Cher, curating collections spanning almost 180 years, accidentally uncovering secret families, and using technology to uncover hidden history.

    CLIP: The 5 Pillars of Resiliency

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 3:50


    Behaviorist, psychology researcher, and expert on the topic of resilience, Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, explains the 5 Pillars of resilience, and what makes each piece essential.Hear Dr. Hanley-Dafoe's full interview in Episode 57 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    How To Be Well In An Unwell World, with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 28:42 Transcription Available


    Behaviorist, psychology researcher, and expert on the topic of resiliency, Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, explains how to stay resilient even in the face of hardship, how to prioritize and set goals, the 5 Pillars of resilience, the importance of taking a pause, the perspective shift brought on by her podcast co-host, navigating the realms of wellness, and the role of perseverance in building your legacy.

    CLIP: The Setup, The Takedown

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 3:16


    Attorney Isaac Wright, Jr. explains how he was able to create new law and use it to secure the release of a fellow inmate before successfully applying it to his own case, and overturning his own wrongful conviction.Hear Isaac's full interview in Episode 56 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Marked for Life, with Isaac Wright, Jr.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 23:23 Transcription Available


    Isaac Wright, Jr. successfully fought his own wrongful conviction to life in prison, and has spent years since clearing his own name as well as those of other inmates in similar circumstances. Hear the incredible story of how he fought the system from within and prevailed, and how he has used that knowledge to not only cement himself a legal legacy, but used it to clear and preserve the legacies of countless others.

    marked isaac wright jr
    CLIP: "After That...The Whole Thing Changed"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 4:43


    Shawn Meaike, Founder, President, and CEO of Family First Life Insurance, shares the story of the day that changed his perspective on everything, and what makes the relationship between FFL and Southwestern Legacy special.Hear Shawn's full interview in Episode 55 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Family First, with Shawn Meaike

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 20:16 Transcription Available


    Shawn Meaike, Founder, President, and CEO of Family First Life Insurance, shares how his early career in social work primed him for his future in insurance, the story of the day that changed his perspective on everything, the wealth of products now available to protect families, what makes the relationship between FFL and Southwestern Legacy special, and what kind of legacy he wants to leave for generations to come.

    CLIP: Meet Christian Cochran

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 3:57


    Author, speaker, and above all, father, Chris Cochran, shares the equally tragic and uplifting story of his son Christian, what Christian believed in, and why to make To-Love lists instead of To-Do lists.Hear Chris's full interview in Episode 54 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    What's Good About Today, with Chris Cochran

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 20:04 Transcription Available


    Author, speaker, and above all, father, Chris Cochran, shares the equally tragic and uplifting story of his son Christian and how he's carrying on his son's legacy through the Christian Cochran Legacy Fund, the way acceptance leads to gratitude, why to make To-Love lists instead of To-Do lists, and the one universal thing we all deal with.

    CLIP: Daniel Boone, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 3:37


    Author Debra Yates explains how an important woman in Native American history, her seventh-great-grandmother, Nancy Ward, crossed paths with major figures like Daniel Boone, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. Hear Debra's full interview in Episode 53 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Woman of Many Names, with Debra Yates

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 15:42 Transcription Available


    Author Debra Yates shares the details of her book, "Woman of Many Names", about an important woman in Native American history, her seventh-great-grandmother, Nancy Ward. Hear how Ward's life marked the fulfillment of a long-foretold prophecy, and about her connections to King George II, Daniel Boone, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, the Mayflower, and the Salem Witch Trials.

    CLIP: A Lemonade Stand With a Dream

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 2:51


    Andrei Mincov, attorney and founder/CEO of Trademark Factory®, reveals which company went from a “lemonade stand with a dream” to a global, multi-billion dollar valued, household name.Hear Andrei's full interview in Episode 52 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Tomorrow Might Be Too Late, with Andrei Mincov

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 27:15 Transcription Available


    Andrei Mincov, attorney and founder/CEO of Trademark Factory®, reveals his first and favorite client, what had him feeling like Rambo, why Elon Musk definitely is not an idiot, what a trademark is and what it isn't, which company went from a “lemonade stand with a dream” to a multi-billion dollar valuation, and just what the heck is a Drum Desk?

    CLIP: Taken, Renamed, Survival, Forgiveness

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 4:58


    Holocaust survivor Janet Singer Applefield shares the details of her evasion of detainment, forcing her to live under many names, how she survived to be reunited with family, and the struggle to forgive those who wronged her.Hear Janet's full interview in Episode 51 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Finding Myself in the Holocaust, with Janet Singer Applefield

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 20:01 Transcription Available


    As a child survivor of the Holocaust, Janet Singer Applefield has spent over 40 years speaking to raise awareness and understanding of the dangers of prejudice, and leave a legacy of acceptance and love. Hear the story of her escape, survival, and reuniting with family, and how the experience has led her to a mission of preserving the Jewish legacy and fighting hate speech and injustice by connecting the past and the present.

    CLIP: Meeting Mother Teresa

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 3:29


    Hal Donaldson, president and CEO of Convoy of Hope, recounts the life-changing experience of meeting Mother Teresa, and the advice that she offered him.Hear Hal's full interview in Episode 50 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    What Really Matters, with Hal Donaldson

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 22:21 Transcription Available


    Hal Donaldson, president and CEO of Convoy of Hope, talks about meeting Mother Teresa, living on the streets for research, receiving a perspective-changing health scare, the importance of life insurance to his employees, the simple value of just doing the next kind thing, and creating a different kind of bucket list, and why no one has a monopoly on compassion.

    CLIP: In Defense of Participation Trophies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 2:18


    Amanda Bauer-Frisch, serial entrepreneur and the CEO of the Enduring Legacy Company, explains the idea behind her TED talk, and why simply participating, not necessarily winning or failing, is powerful.Hear Amanda's full interview in Episode 49 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Turning Loss to Legacy, with Amanda Bauer-Frisch

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 16:17 Transcription Available


    Amanda Bauer-Frisch, serial entrepreneur and the CEO of the Enduring Legacy Company, talks about the grief and loss that shaped her first product, the importance of teaching kids about financial literacy, why the word "legacy" shows up in almost all of her businesses, and how she's helping to uplift not only her customers, but her employees as well.

    CLIP: The 7 Generations Principle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 2:39


    Garrett Neiman, serial nonprofit entrepreneur, activist, founding CEO of CollegeSpring, co-creator of Liberation Ventures, and Senior Fellow at Prosperity Now, explains the "7 generations principle" of leaving a legacy, adopted from the indigenous peoples of North America.Hear Garrett's full interview in Episode 48 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Luck and Power, with Garrett Neiman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 27:44 Transcription Available


    Garrett Neiman, serial nonprofit entrepreneur, activist, founding CEO of CollegeSpring, co-creator of Liberation Ventures, and Senior Fellow at Prosperity Now, walks listeners through the issues of race and wealth discussed in his book, "RICH WHITE MEN: What It Takes to Uproot the Old Boys' Club and Transform America", including the relationship between luck and power, "compounding unearned advantage", how America is a country of opposites on social issues, figuring out exactly how much is enough, and the "7 generations principle" of leaving a legacy.

    CLIP: Moving Towards Your "One Vision"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 4:30


    Lisa Sakai, Financial Consultant and co-founder of One Vision Retirement, shares her two biggest tips to getting your future financials in order.Hear Lisa's full interview in Episode 47 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Financial Dysmorphia, with Lisa Sakai

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 28:05


    Lisa Sakai, Financial Consultant and co-founder of One Vision Retirement, talks about getting her start in Hollywood, how "Bucket List Acceleration" is bridging the present with the future, the one surprising group that often gets left behind in legacy planning, why it's hard for people to be HONEST about their goals, and why goals for yourself AREN'T selfish, one area where Gen Z is headed for disaster, the two biggest tips to getting your future financials in order, and digging so deep you can touch the bottom of the ocean.

    CLIP: Call From JFK / Riding Shotgun with an Oscar

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 4:11


    Writer, director, producer, playwright, and author, George Stevens, Jr. talks about riding shotgun with his dad and an Oscar award, and getting a call from the President himself, John F. Kennedy.Hear George's full interview in Episode 46 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    My Place in the Sun, with George Stevens, Jr.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2024 19:45


    Writer, director, producer, playwright, and author, George Stevens, Jr. dives into 5 generations of Stevens in showbiz, going all the way back to the Civil War, talks about riding shotgun with an Oscar award, working for the Kennedy Administration, starting the AFI, tackling social justice issues in his work, the future of movies and the cinema viewing experience, shares stories with Edward Murrow, JFK, and President Obama, and reflects on leaving a legacy.

    What REALLY Drives Us, with Gary Michels

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 3:31


    Let's Talk Legacy host Gary Michels talks about what REALLY drives the agents at Southwestern Legacy Insurance Group. Spoiler alert: it's NOT money.

    Policy Pointers: Mortgage Protection Coverage

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 7:52


    Learn about the affordability and flexibility of mortgage protection coverage, a specialized insurance product which can make a huge difference in safeguarding your home and family.

    CLIP: Keith Moon, Paul McCartney, and Shaun Cassidy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 3:17


    Carnie Wilson, 1/3rd of the chart-topping trio Wilson Phillips and daughter of Beach Boys' legend Brian Wilson, talks about growing up in a true rock and roll household, parties and all, and the healing over the years within her family, and recounts early encounters with Keith Moon, Paul McCartney, and Shaun Cassidy.Hear Carnie's full interview in Episode 45 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Sounds Delicious, with Carnie Wilson

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 28:25


    Carnie Wilson, 1/3rd of the chart-topping trio Wilson Phillips and daughter of Beach Boys' legend Brian Wilson, talks about growing up in a true rock and roll household, parties and all, and the healing over the years within her family, encounters with Keith Moon, Paul McCartney, and Shaun Cassidy, a frank and interesting view on her 2 decades of sobriety, the "fourth member" of Wilson Phillips, playing the long game at getting her own cooking show, "Sounds Delicious", airing on AXS TV, and living life, and leaving a legacy, with no regrets.

    Policy Pointers: Final Expense Coverage

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 7:00


    Learn what makes this form of coverage uniquely different from other coverage, including the advantages, affordability, accessibility, and how it sidesteps a lot of the red tape that could be associated with other end-of-life care.

    CLIP: Fun, Creativity, Meaning, Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 3:19


    Humorist Rich Lippman, author of “Last Bucket List”, talks about why people resist making a will, and explains how fun calms fear and leads to creativity, which leads to meaning, which leads to love.Hear Rich's full interview in Episode 44 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Last Bucket List, with Rich Lippman

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 20:34


    Humorist Rich Lippman, author of “Last Bucket List”, talks about making wills and estate planning…get this…FUN. He explains how fun calms fear and leads to creativity, which leads to meaning, which leads to love, and covers “missions of meaning”, “forever letters”, and living life with no regrets while passing along your legacy.

    Policy Pointers: Tax-Free Retirement

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 6:19


    Tax-free retirement? Sound too good to be true? Not if you're smart about the way you use your life insurance policy. Tune in to find out how!

    Policy Pointers: Buy Term, Invest the Rest

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 10:43


    Learn about the hybrid life insurance / investment strategy that could both save you money month to month in the present, as well as put more reserves in your bank account for unexpected events, or to use up the road.

    CLIP: Michael Jordan, Barry Bonds, and Jerry Rice

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 4:02


    Nationally recognized speaker, author, and former NCAA head coach and championship player Matt Doherty talks about playing with “His Airness”, Michael Jordan, and the amazing work ethic behind greats like Barry Bonds and Jerry Rice.Hear Matt's full interview in Episode 43 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Rebound: From Pain to Passion, with Matt Doherty

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 22:22


    Nationally recognized speaker, author, and former NCAA head coach and championship player Matt Doherty talks about having your own personal Board of Directors, why business is a contact sport, defining culture in terms of donuts, using a healthy dose of tension, the 3 biggest things that impact your life trajectory, the 6 "Knows" of leadership, and playing with “His Airness”, Michael Jordan.

    Policy Pointers: I Am Young; Do I Need Life Insurance?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 6:46


    It's a fair question. Find out the ways that it might work to your advantage to buy while you're young, and the life events for which you may want to re-examine your coverage, or get coverage in the first place.

    CLIP: Buying Yankee Stadium

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 4:09


    Brandon Steiner, Founder & President of The Steiner Agency, the nation's premier independent athlete procurement source, as well as Collectible Xchange, talks about why there's no such thing as a big game, and recalls the craziness of buying Yankee Stadium (yes, you read that right).Hear Brandon's full interview in Episode 42 of Let's Talk Legacy.

    Claim Let's Talk Legacy

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel