
Episodes

Monday Nov 03, 2025
EP 297: Inside the Peak Process: How We Help New Clients Succeed
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Monday Nov 03, 2025
In the new episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management talk about their Peak Process and what new clients can expect when working with their team. They explain how the process helps determine a good fit between what Peak offers and what clients are looking for, creating clarity and confidence from the beginning.
Nick and Jim also share how being true wealth managers means doing much more than just investment advising, including retirement planning, tax strategies, insurance guidance, and estate coordination.
If you want a second opinion on your financial plan, visit peakwm.com.
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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.
Stay Connected With Us:
Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com
YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt
Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)
Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement
Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

Monday Oct 27, 2025
EP 296: One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t Work in Financial Planning
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Monday Oct 27, 2025
On the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth talk about how many people get financial advice from family, friends, or co-workers who are simply trying to share what they have learned. They point out that this advice often comes from personal experiences and may not apply to your own financial situation. As Certified Financial Planners (CFPs), Nick and Jim stress that what works for someone else might not be right for you. A successful financial plan should be designed around your specific goals, interests, and circumstances so it truly fits your life.
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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.
Stay Connected With Us:
Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com
YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt
Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)
Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement
Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

Friday Oct 24, 2025
EP 295: Smart Money Moves: Where to Hold Your Investments for Maximum Growth
Friday Oct 24, 2025
Friday Oct 24, 2025
On the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth discuss the importance of asset allocation and asset location when building a strong retirement strategy. They emphasize that younger investors can typically afford to be more aggressive with their investment mix, leaning more heavily into equities to take advantage of long-term growth potential, while also being mindful of where those assets are held, whether in taxable, tax-deferred, or tax-free accounts. By aligning investment aggressiveness with one’s time horizon and future goals, they explain, individuals can better position themselves for financial independence and a smoother transition into retirement.
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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.
Stay Connected With Us:
Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com
YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt
Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)
Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement
Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
EP 294: Trust, Transparency & the Rise of RIAs | Peak Wealth Talks
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
On a new episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth share insights on the RIA business model and why it continues to attract both advisors and clients. They highlight how the number of RIA firms has doubled in the last 20 years, reflecting major shifts in how people want to work with financial professionals. With a focus on trust, transparency, and real relationships, they explore what makes the independent model so appealing today.
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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.
Stay Connected With Us:
Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com
YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt
Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)
Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement
Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
EP 293: Tax Law Breakdown: Who Qualifies for Zero Taxes
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
On the Trust the Plan Podcast from Peak Wealth, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® open the episode with a conversation about Michigan football before shifting into a discussion on a recent Wall Street Journal article about changes to tax laws.
They explore how certain households, such as married couples with children or retirees, can end up in a zero percent federal tax situation through careful planning. The discussion covers strategies like managing income sources, using deductions, and timing withdrawals to take full advantage of the current tax code.
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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.
Stay Connected With Us:
Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com
YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt
Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)
Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement
Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
EP 292: Beneficiary IRAs: Smart Withdrawal Strategies
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
On this feel-good edition of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP®, and Jim Pilat, CFP®, of Peak Wealth started with some positive market news. The S&P 500 is up double digits year to date, which has happened about 30 times since 1950 and is usually a good sign for the rest of the year. They encouraged listeners to focus on data like this rather than emotions, especially with distractions such as potential government shutdowns.
The main topic of the episode was beneficiary IRAs and the strategy they recommend when taking withdrawals. They also discussed the investment risks involved and how proper planning can help manage them effectively.
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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.
Stay Connected With Us:
Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com
YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt
Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)
Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement
Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
EP 291: What’s Your Number? How to Retire Guilt-Free
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
On the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® explore the concept of "What's your number?" This refers to the specific amount of money you need to feel comfortable retiring. They explain how identifying this number brings clarity to your financial planning and helps you focus on what truly matters to achieve your goals. It's about understanding what you need to live the life you want and being able to enjoy it guilt-free once you've reached that point. Nick and Jim outline practical steps to reach your number, including intentional saving, investing, and aligning your plan with your values and vision for retirement.
—
Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.
Stay Connected With Us:
Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com
YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt
Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)
Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement
Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
EP 290: Fed Messaging and the International Market Shift
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
On today’s episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth discuss recent market data with a focus on international stocks. After years of underperformance, many investors began to ignore this area completely, often with no exposure at all.
So far in 2025, international equities have emerged as a leader, and Nick and Jim explain why they are feeling bullish. They share a chart showing the renewed strength in foreign markets and talk about the Fed’s August meeting in Jackson Hole, where potential rate cuts were mentioned, which could be a positive for international stocks.
As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation.
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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.
Stay Connected With Us:
Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com
YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt
Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)
Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement
Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
EP 289: Peak Wealth State of the Union 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
In this episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth shared exciting updates about their continued commitment to community impact through the Invest in Others Scholarship, now available at peakwm.com/scholarship. If you have a child or grandchild attending college next year, we encourage you to apply soon. Recipients will be selected in November.
They also shared insights during the Peak State of the Union, highlighting the incredible momentum at Peak Wealth. From team growth to enhanced client service and a strong culture of collaboration, there’s a lot to celebrate. The future is bright, and our goals remain focused on delivering even greater value to the families we serve.
—
Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.
Stay Connected With Us:
Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com
YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt
Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)
Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement
Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
EP 288: Scam Calls Are on the Rise, Don't Get Fooled!
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® kick things off with some excitement as Michigan Football is back and the season is finally underway. There's plenty to be hopeful for on the field, and even more to look forward to in today's feel-good edition of the Trust the Plan Podcast.
We're turning our attention to an important topic: scam calls and suspicious emails. Nick shares a personal story about recently getting hacked, reminding us all how easy it is to fall victim and how important it is to stay vigilant. We've seen a rise in scammers pretending to be Charles Schwab representatives, calling clients to try and gather personal information. If you ever receive a call like this, don't engage. Hang up and give us a call directly. We're here to help.
—
Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.
Stay Connected With Us:
Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com
YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt
Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)
Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement
Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1
