Tag: Aging

Transform Your Life with Applied Improvisation with Ryan Sullivan, CFP®, CRPC®, RCC™ (Ep. 21)

Transform Your Life with Applied Improvisation with Ryan Sullivan, CFP®, CRPC®, RCC™ (Ep. 21)

One of the most valuable skills in today’s world is the ability to improvise. 

Improvisation is not just about making things up on the spot but also about adapting to changing situations, finding creative solutions, and collaborating with others.

In this episode, Billy and Shaun Peterson sit down with Ryan Sullivan, CFP®, CRPC®, RCC™, Vice President and Managing Director, Applied Insights for Hartford Funds.

They explore the power of applied improvisation in finance, health, and mindset. They highlight the concept of “Yes, And” and its impact on problem-solving and creativity. Additionally, Ryan explains how improvisation can be applied in everyday life, shares brain-boosting exercises, and explores the art of explanation and active listening.

Together, they discuss: 

  • The origins and uses of applied improvisation in various fields such as business, leadership, and caregiving
  • How the “Yes, And” mindset can be applied to business and communication
  • An improvisation exercise and how it can be used in various scenarios
  • The importance of challenging the brain in new ways to create new connections and reduce the risk of cognitive decline
  • How to use a simple exercise to improve communication skills at work and in personal relationships
  • Studies showing the positive effects of applied improvisation on brain health, communication, and overall well-being
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Billy Peterson:

Connect with Shaun Peterson: 

Connect with Ryan Sullivan:

About Our Guest: 

Ryan Sullivan is a vice president and managing director of applied insights for Hartford Funds.  He leads communication workshops around the country and speaks on a variety of financial and practice management topics, with a focus on retirement research from the MIT AgeLab. To date, Ryan has provided insights to audiences in 46 states and Puerto Rico, as well as led over a  thousand webinars. 

Ryan originally joined Hartford Funds in 1996, holding various roles of increasing responsibility.  He left the company in 2012 as a vice president of advanced markets. Prior to rejoining Hartford  Funds, Ryan founded a business to coach professionals on public speaking and impactful communication. He was later hired by his largest client, financial-planning software company  Envestnet MoneyGuide, where he was vice president and head of investor education. 

In addition to his role at Hartford Funds, Ryan volunteers his time and communication expertise to help others. Since 2012, he’s led communication workshops at UNC Charlotte’s Center for  Leadership and Community Engagement. He also volunteers to help empower athletes with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.  Ryan serves on Hartford Funds’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council. 

Ryan is a registered representative of Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC, and is FINRA Series  7 and 63 registered. He holds his Life, Health, and Variable Products licenses and has earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), Chartered Financial  Consultant (ChFC®), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), and Chartered Mutual  Fund Counselor (CMFC®) designations. He’s a Fellow of LOMA’s® Life Management Institute and is also a Registered Corporate Coach (RCC™).  

Originally from Hartford, Connecticut, Ryan attended Bucknell University, where he earned a  bachelor’s degree in business administration. He currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina,  with his wife, Katie.  

How to Approach Aging and Retirement with John Diehl (Ep. 14)

How to Approach Aging and Retirement with John Diehl (Ep. 14)

Today’s guest, John Diehl, Senior Vice President of Applied Insights at Hartford Funds believes that most people have an improper view of retirement. They think their retirement (typically 7-10 years) will be stacked with golf games, lavish trips, and all things that they consider as ‘living the good life.’

But, the reality is that people are living longer thus extending their period of retirement upwards of 20 or even 30 years! So how do you spend two or three decades on nothing but relaxation and recreation?

Most people can’t. (Financially and emotionally)

Listen as John shares his findings surrounding age and longevity, challenges facing the aging population, and advice on how you can combat boredom and rediscover your purpose after you exit the workforce.

This insightful episode explores: 

  • John’s partnership with the MIT AgeLab and his findings from numerous studies
  • The importance of having a purpose and making meaningful connections
  • Tips on maintaining brain health, and developing new interests
  • What is a social portfolio and how it relates to your overall well-being
  • The natural attrition of friendships as you age and ways to enhance your social portfolio
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Billy Peterson:

About Our Guest: 

John Diehl has been with The Hartford and Hartford Funds for more than 30 years. He’s a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and also holds Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) designations. As Senior Vice President of Applied Insights, John leads Hartford Funds’ research efforts with the MIT AgeLab as well as other thought leaders. He oversees a team of industry experts who translate this research into actionable ideas for financial professionals and their clients across the U.S. John’s views on the future of retirement planning have been published in the Wall Street Journal, Financial Planning magazine, and other publications, and he’s been a featured guest on CNBC and Bloomberg Television. John also hosts the Hartford Funds’ newly reimagined Human-centric Investing Podcast.