The Magic Numbers of Retirement with Matthew Blades, CFP®

Understanding Trump Accounts

In Episode 15 of The Generational Investors, host John Woodard III sits down with advisor Matthew Blades, CFP® to break down one of the most talked about new savings vehicles in the country: the Trump Account. Launched on July 4, 2026, Trump Accounts are a brand new type of retirement account for children, and they come with a one-time $1,000 contribution from the federal government for eligible kids. Matt explains exactly what these accounts are, who qualifies for the free money and how to claim it, the contribution rules and investment options, and the important fine print that trips families up, including the per-child contribution limit and how the money is actually taxed when it comes out. If you are a parent, a grandparent, or a business owner, this is the episode that tells you what to do and when to do it. John's Weekly Pick this week: ketosis and the keto diet.

Our Approach to Stocks

In Episode 13 of The Generational Investors, host John Woodard III sits down with WCAMG founder and president John Woodard Jr. for a look inside how the firm actually invests. The conversation opens with a brief look at Tactical Asset Allocation, one of the firm's two complementary management styles, before turning to the heart of the episode: the Market Leaders Portfolio. John Woodard Jr. walks through the history of the strategy, which has been run on essentially the same principles since the firm's founding in 1985, and explains the philosophy behind it. Why the firm chooses to own the leaders of each industry, the best of the blue chips with the management, capital, and durability to weather a full market cycle. He also breaks down the research process that supports the portfolio and the disciplined buy and sell policies that guide every decision, where positions are held for the long term and sold only when the underlying thesis deteriorates. If you have ever wondered how a fee-only fiduciary firm approaches building a stock portfolio, this is the episode. John's Weekly Pick this week: Charleston Grill.

America at 250: The History of Wall Street

In this special Fourth of July edition of The Generational Investors, host John Woodard III celebrates America's 250th birthday with the story of the American stock market, from its humble birth under a buttonwood tree on Wall Street in 1792 to the global powerhouse it is today. As the nation marks 250 years of independence, John walks through the founding of the New York Stock Exchange, the original handful of securities that started it all, and the oldest company still trading today, one founded by Alexander Hamilton before the Constitution was even ratified. Along the way he marks the milestones that shaped modern investing, including the creation of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1896 and the rise of the S&P 500, and shares a series of striking then-and-now comparisons. How many millionaires America had at its founding versus today, how stock ownership went from a privilege of the few to a habit of the many, and what a single share of the nation's oldest stock would be worth if it had never split. It is a story of resilience, growth, and the long arc of American prosperity, fitting for a nation turning 250. John's Weekly Pick this week: a reverse osmosis water filter.

The Magic Numbers of Retirement with Matthew Blades, CFP®

In Episode 12 of The Generational Investors, host John Woodard III sits down with advisor Matthew Blades, CFP® to break down the most important numbers in retirement. Retirement is not a single date on a calendar. It is a series of them, and missing one can cost you thousands in penalties or missed opportunities. Matt also tackles the magic number debate, the popular idea that everyone should be chasing one specific dollar figure in their retirement accounts, and explains why the real answer is more nuanced than a single target. From there he walks through the key ages that matter, from penalty-free access at 59½, to Social Security and Medicare decisions in your sixties, to Required Minimum Distributions, Qualified Charitable Distributions, and more. If you are approaching retirement or helping someone navigate it, this is the roadmap you have been looking for. John's Weekly Pick this week: Weight Lifting.

Beneficiary Ready: A Guide to Wealth Transfer and Family Preparedness with Todd Senter, CFP®

In Episode 11 of The Generational Investors, host John Woodard III sits down with WCAMG Chief Compliance Officer and Investment Advisor Todd Senter, CFP®, for one of the most important conversations the podcast has had yet. Most people spend decades building wealth and very little time thinking about what happens to it when they are gone. This episode changes that. Todd walks through what every account owner should be doing right now to prepare their beneficiaries, what the process looks like at Woodard and Company when a client passes, and what beneficiaries can expect when that moment comes. The conversation covers beneficiary designations, the common mistakes families make, real examples of what works and what does not, and an introduction to the WCAMG Wealth Transfer Guide, a resource the firm offers to help clients and their families get organized before it is too late. This is the episode to share with a parent, a spouse, or anyone who has accounts and loved ones who will one day need to navigate this process. John's Weekly Pick this week: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.