Alright, folks, grab your popcorn (or maybe your stress ball) because today’s episode of "Kin and Capital" is one wild ride in the land of retirement planning and political shenanigans.

Welcome our dream team of guests: Marc Killian, Amanda Hayes-Blocksom and Tony Hayes. Whether you’re here for the financial advice or the political gossip, we’ve got something for everyone!

**401K, 403B and 457 Plans: The Accidental Standards??
Ever thought that retirement plans like 401K and 457 were the result of meticulous planning by geniuses? Think again! These plans were created accidentally. Imagine stumbling into your kitchen, making a sandwich, and suddenly inventing the standard for retirement without any academic studies or projections to prove their effectiveness. That's right, corporate America handed over the retirement risk to you, the employees, like an awkward game of “hot potato,” and the federal government found a way to collect more taxes. It’s like baking a cake and realizing too late that your recipe was missing half the ingredients. Surprise!

**Insurance Products: The Chicken Soup of Investment?**
Insurance company products are the equivalent of financial chicken soup; when you’re sick of the market’s ups and downs, these can provide you with guaranteed cash flow and minimal risk. With over $400 billion invested last year, this metaphorical soup is hot! It’s got everyone clutching their bowls and slurping away those investment anxieties.

**Succession Confession: Business Edition:**
Business owners, let’s face it—thinking about business succession is like deciding who gets the last slice of pizza; it's tough but necessary. Should you pass it on to your kid who once used the shredder as a crayon sharpener, or sell it to a competitor who might rename it something like “Fluffy's Financials”? You need a solid plan for succession, valuation strategies, and selling options. Remember, a good exit strategy can mean the difference between a retirement cruise in the Bahamas or one in your backyard kiddie pool.

**Team Aurion to the Rescue:**
Finding the right financial team is essential, and Amanda Hayes-Blocksom’s Ariane Wealth Advisors are like the Avengers of financial planning. They’re offering complimentary financial reviews faster than you can say, “401Y-not?” Personalized goals, tailored strategies, and maybe even an occasional metaphorical cape are all part of the package.

**Biden’s Announcement – A Plot Twist:**
In a plot twist straight out of a political drama, President Biden announced that he’s not running for reelection. Why? Frustration with his staff. (Anyone else picturing a reality-TV confessional moment here?) And if that’s not spicy enough, the House speaker wants his resignation, and Biden threw his support behind Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.

**Kamala vs. Trump: The Showdown:**
There’s a whole lot of hand-wringing about Kamala Harris’s popularity and whether she can compete against the ever-controversial Trump, who’s got Elon Musk and JD Vance in his corner, apparently ready to back his latest season. Will the chaos influence the stock market? Can she out-tweet him? Stay tuned, folks!

**Financial Roller-Coaster:**
Hold onto your seats—the market is hotter than the latest viral dance challenge. The Russell 2000 is up over 11% in just a week, and the S&P 500 is hitting new highs. Meanwhile, the ECB and China are pondering rate cuts, putting pressure on the Fed like grandparents coaxing you to eat a third helping at Thanksgiving dinner.

**CrowdStrike’s Embarrassing Glitch:**
CrowdStrike had a bit of a “whoopsie-daisy” moment with a system bug affecting millions of Microsoft devices. Financial and reputational damage-control mode engaged! It's like spilling your coffee on your suit before a big meeting—not a good look.

**MEET YOUR BOSS – Financial Fun with Amanda:**
Amanda Hayes-Blocksom, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and unofficial financial therapist, has a new book out, *"Meet Your Boss - 7 Strategies to take charge of your Life, Love and Financial Future "* It’s packed with insights, practical strategies, and helpful advice—sort of like having your financial planning cake and eating it too. Available on Amazon, order your copy and get cracking on understanding your money relationships.