Skip to main content
Finding Your Bench with Parkside Investments

Finding Your Bench with Parkside Investments

By Parkside Investments

What does it mean to Find Your Bench? If you’re like most people, you probably think it means finding a nice place to sit. For us, Finding Your Bench is less about picking a spot to relax, and more about discovering fulfillment in life. Fulfillment is often seen as the final piece of the puzzle when it comes to our basic needs as humans. Unfortunately, it’s difficult for you to reach this level of serenity unless you have the right people around you. That’s why we created this program. To help our listeners make better informed decisions that lead to better financial outcomes.
Available on
Google Podcasts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Episode 14: How Much Do I Need in Retirement?

Finding Your Bench with Parkside InvestmentsSep 13, 2022

00:00
14:52
Episode 18: What’s Ahead in 2023

Episode 18: What’s Ahead in 2023

In this episode of Finding Your Bench, Alan Cole and Nelson Greene review some of the major market themes in 2022 and explore what’s on the horizon in 2023

Dec 19, 202215:50
Episode 17: Money Talks

Episode 17: Money Talks

As move into November, we’re entering the holiday season. This can be a great time to get together with family, make memories, and enjoy some really delicious food. But getting the family together can also lead to stress, especially if undesired topics come up during conversation such as money, religion, or politics. While we can’t help with the last two, we have put together some ideas on how to approach the money conversation with family.

Nov 08, 202221:49
Episode 16: A Twist on Personal Branding with Steve Fretzin

Episode 16: A Twist on Personal Branding with Steve Fretzin

In this episode of Finding Your Bench, we invited Steve Fretzin, the host of the BE THAT LAWYER podcast, to share his thoughts on what it takes to be successful in modern day sales. Steve has over 20 years of coaching experience and his methods are proven to dramatically increase business. While his practice focuses on working with lawyers, his methods are applicable to nearly every industry. This is a great listen for anyone looking to improve their skills or improve their team.

Oct 31, 202230:10
Episode 15: What's Driving the Markets

Episode 15: What's Driving the Markets

In this episode of Finding Your Bench, Alan Cole and Nelson Greene discuss what’s behind the recent ups-and-downs in the market and what could be next to come

Oct 10, 202216:41
Episode 14: How Much Do I Need in Retirement?

Episode 14: How Much Do I Need in Retirement?

Running out of money in retirement is a fear that most retirees share. No one wants to become a financial burden on their family, or have to reenter the workforce later in life, simply to make ends meet. Unfortunately, it’s a reality for nearly half of Americans. However, running out of money can be avoided if you have a good plan in place. In this episode of Finding Your Bench, Chris Engelman and Nelson Greene discuss how future retirees can take action early to help prepare for a fruitful retirement.  

Sep 13, 202214:52
Episode 13: Using an ESOP as an Exit Strategy with Steve Ryan at GREATBANC

Episode 13: Using an ESOP as an Exit Strategy with Steve Ryan at GREATBANC

A privately owned business is often the result of a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice. However, one often overlooked aspect is how to properly exit when it comes time. In this episode of Finding Your Bench, we’ve asked Steve Ryan, Senior Vice President at GREATBANC, to discuss one of the lesser known exit strategies available to owners, an Employer Stock Option Plan or ESOP. 

To get in touch with Steve Ryan, you can reach him at sryan@greatbanctrust.com. 


Jul 15, 202222:16
Q2 2022: Market Review and Outlook

Q2 2022: Market Review and Outlook

Bite-sized segments providing general commentary on market activity, published after the end of each quarter.

Jul 13, 202206:11
Episode 12: Back to the 70s?

Episode 12: Back to the 70s?

The economy is changing rapidly in 2022 and some have started to wonder if the US will experience a repeat of the stagflation seen in the 70s. Alan Cole and Nelson Greene discuss the concept in the latest episode of Finding Your Bench. It’s time to plug in your lava lamp, put on your bell bottom jeans, and grab your pet rock, we’re going back in time. 

Jun 29, 202213:33
Episode 11: What's Next for Housing?

Episode 11: What's Next for Housing?

Home prices as well as mortgage rates have experienced dramatic increases as of lately, leaving some to wonder if we’re barreling toward a repeat of 2008. In this episode of Finding Your Bench, Chris Engelman and Nelson Greene explore what’s on the horizon for housing in the US, and if it is time to press the panic button.

Jun 07, 202213:15
Episode 10: Buy the Dip?

Episode 10: Buy the Dip?

Have we reached the season finale of Netflix or are investors simply taking a break to get some popcorn? Alan Cole, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Parkside Investments, weighs in on the recent volatility of Netflix in the most recent episode of Finding Your Bench.

May 03, 202212:41
Q1 2022: Market Review and Outlook

Q1 2022: Market Review and Outlook

Bite-sized segments providing general commentary on market activity, published after the end of each quarter.

Apr 14, 202204:45
Episode 9: Exploring the Benefits of Roth IRAs

Episode 9: Exploring the Benefits of Roth IRAs

Most people often think about their account investments when they think of their retirement but what about the account itself? In this episode of Finding Your Bench, Chris Engelman and Nelson Greene discuss some of the lesser known benefits of Roth IRAs and how they can help listeners find success in retirement.

Apr 14, 202209:03
Episode 8: Funding College in the Future

Episode 8: Funding College in the Future

For parents considering sending their children to college, rising prices should be top of mind. Over the last 20 years, the cost of higher education has increased nearly 180% in the US, ouch. In this episode of Finding Your Bench, Nelson Greene explores a few of the most popular strategies to help parents save for a potentially pricey college education.

Feb 25, 202217:39
Episode 7: New Year, New Market

Episode 7: New Year, New Market

Apparently we all forgot to wish the markets happy holidays last year, because they certainly haven’t been happy in the start of 2022. In this episode of Finding Your Bench, Alan Cole, Founder and President of Parkside Investments, provides his thoughts on what’s changed in 2022 (or maybe, what hasn’t changed).

Jan 31, 202212:30
Q4 2021: Market Review and Outlook

Q4 2021: Market Review and Outlook

Bite-sized segments providing general commentary on market activity, published after the end of each quarter. 

Jan 10, 202204:15
Episode 6: End of Year Planning Opportunities

Episode 6: End of Year Planning Opportunities

Between shopping, decorating, and spending time with friends and family, the holiday season tends to come and go in the blink of an eye. Despite all of the commotion, there are still opportunities at the end of the year worth exploring that can make a big impact to your wealth. In this episode of Finding Your Bench, Chris Engelman and Nelson Greene cover the most important areas to consider before we head into the new year.

Dec 22, 202117:17
Episode 5: When It Comes to Options

Episode 5: When It Comes to Options

Have you ever been curious about how options work? In this episode of Finding Your Bench, Todd Needlman, Vice President/Equity Derivatives Specialist, explores how options can complement a traditional equity portfolio. 

Nov 15, 202113:48
Episode 4: Inflation, Here to Stay?

Episode 4: Inflation, Here to Stay?

The late comedian Henry Youngman once joked, “Americans are getting stronger. Twenty years ago, it took two people to carry ten dollars' worth of groceries. Today, a five-year-old can do it.” Fast-forward to 2021 and it’s likely that you wouldn’t even need a bag for ten dollars’ worth of groceries. Unfortunately, food isn't the only item costing more today. Housing, transportation, energy, and many other items are taking a bigger bite out of your wallet because of rising inflation. In fact, in 2021 Americans saw the largest increase in inflation since 2008. In this episode of Finding Your Bench, we speak with Parkside Investments President and Chief Investment Officer, Alan Cole CFA®, to discuss if the recent rise in the cost of living is temporary or here to stay.

Oct 06, 202108:49
Episode 3: Demystifying Medicare Coverage

Episode 3: Demystifying Medicare Coverage

7 out of 10 future retirees wish they had a better understanding of Medicare according to a study by the Nationwide Retirement Institute. That’s a huge number when you realize that health care is often one of the biggest expenses for retirees. So why is it so difficult to understand? 


In this episode of Finding Your Bench, we’ve asked Jeff Goldman and Debby Riskind of Goldman and Associates to help demystify Medicare coverage for our listeners. Since 1968, Goldman and Associates has made it their mission to help educate seniors when it comes to their health care options. Listeners will have a better understanding of the four parts of Medicare, identify common gaps in coverage, and also learn more about prescription drug coverage options. With open enrollment right around the corner, this episode is a must listen for Medicare enrollees.  

Sep 14, 202132:32
Episode 2: Active vs. Passive Investing, Know the Difference

Episode 2: Active vs. Passive Investing, Know the Difference

In 1975, John Bogle, former CEO of Vanguard, introduced us to the index fund. This was an easy way for investors to diversify their money across companies within a given index, such as the S&P 500. Fast forward nearly 50 years and these funds now hold billi… no, trillions of dollars and make up over half of all equity fund assets. These vehicles have skyrocketed in popularity over the last decade, but will the party eventually come to an end? In this episode of Finding Your Bench, John Kearney, Portfolio Manager and Principal at Parkside investments, explores the rise of index investing in today’s markets and offers his thoughts on active vs. passive investment management. 

Aug 02, 202115:26
Episode 1: Ignore the Noise and Focus on the Long Term

Episode 1: Ignore the Noise and Focus on the Long Term

Do you find yourself checking your investment accounts every day, or panicking every time the market takes a turn? You're not alone. Money can be an incredibly emotional topic for most people but it doesn't have to keep you awake at night. In this episode of Finding Your Bench, Alan Cole and Chris Engelman discuss what it takes to become a long term investor and how making a few small changes may help you finally get some sleep. 

Jul 19, 202119:59