our podcast
Off The Wall Podcast
Markets are noisy. Your time is limited. Off The Wall cuts through the clutter. Hosts Dave Armstrong, CFA and Nate Tonsager, CIPM bring you straightforward, candid insights about what’s really moving markets and why it matters for successful investors. From economic shifts to portfolio positioning, we break down the complexities so you can invest with intention and stay grounded when headlines and life feels chaotic.
podcast hosts
David B. Armstrong, CFA® and Nate W. Tonsager, CIPM®
David B. Armstrong, CFA® and Nate Tonsager, CIPM® are the voices behind OFF THE WALL, bringing clear, actionable market insight to busy investors who want to understand the forces shaping their portfolios. David is Monument’s Co-founder and CEO, a portfolio manager, and a retired Marine Corps officer whose leadership background informs his approach to risk and strategy. Nate pairs technical investment depth with a gift for translating data into decisions that support a client’s lifestyle and legacy. Outside the studio, David supports veteran causes and community initiatives, while Nate is most at home on the water with his family, including his spunky black lab, Jax.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
The Off the Wall podcast by Monument Capital Management, LLC (“Monument”) is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. No portion of this content should be construed as the receipt of, or a substitute for, personalized investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Monument is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm, and no content should be interpreted as legal or accounting advice. Any discussions of investment strategies, financial planning concepts, or related topics are general in nature and may not be appropriate for every individual or situation. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any investment strategy, planning approach, or discussion referenced will be profitable, suitable, or successful for any particular person or circumstance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. From time to time, this content may reference hypothetical situations, illustrative examples, or stories that do not involve actual Monument clients. These scenarios are designed solely to illustrate concepts or demonstrate how Monument might approach similar situations and should not be interpreted as endorsements, testimonials, or guarantees of any particular outcome. No two clients, situations, or experiences are exactly alike, and results will vary. Nothing discussed should be interpreted as a guarantee that any client or prospective client will experience a specific level of results or satisfaction if Monument is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Monument’s investment adviser registration status or any prior experience should not be construed as an assurance of future performance or success. Copies of Monument’s current Form ADV Part 2A (“Disclosure Brochure”) and Form CRS, which discuss our advisory services and fees, are available upon request or at www.monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures.
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How much of the money in your portfolio actually belongs to you?
If you're investing in taxable accounts, the number on your statement isn't the full picture. A portion o [...]
Listen to Episodes
The Million-Dollar Illusion: What Your Portfolio Is Actually Worth
How much of the money in your portfolio actually belongs to you? If you're investing in taxable accounts, the number on your statement isn't the full pict...
Bitcoin, the Supreme Court, and Your Money
The market's been up three years in a row… will it go for a fourth? You scroll past a headline about Bitcoin falling 45%, tariffs getting overturned,...
Borrowing From Your Portfolio: Smart Strategy or Hidden Risk?
If you've built significant wealth in your investment portfolio, you may have more flexibility than you think. In this episode, Emily Harper, CFP(R...
Greenland, China, Market Rotation and What Actually Matters for Your Money
Some weeks call for rain boots because the conversation is going somewhere most people would rather avoid. This episode steps into charged terri...
What Last Year Taught Us About Staying Invested
A new year always brings fresh predictions, louder headlines, and plenty of pressure. In the first Off the Wall episode of the year, Nate...
What Investors Asked: Predictions, Bitcoin, and Gold
In this Ask Monument Anything episode, we're answering real questions from listeners of the show. From a question about Michael Burry's bold predic...
The Million-Dollar Illusion: What Your Portfolio Is Actually Worth
How much of the money in your portfolio actually belongs to you? If you're investing in taxable accounts, the number on your statement isn't the full pict...
Bitcoin, the Supreme Court, and Your Money
The market's been up three years in a row… will it go for a fourth? You scroll past a headline about Bitcoin falling 45%, tariffs getting overturned,...
Borrowing From Your Portfolio: Smart Strategy or Hidden Risk?
If you've built significant wealth in your investment portfolio, you may have more flexibility than you think. In this episode, Emily Harper, CFP(R...
Greenland, China, Market Rotation and What Actually Matters for Your Money
Some weeks call for rain boots because the conversation is going somewhere most people would rather avoid. This episode steps into charged terri...
What Last Year Taught Us About Staying Invested
A new year always brings fresh predictions, louder headlines, and plenty of pressure. In the first Off the Wall episode of the year, Nate...
What Investors Asked: Predictions, Bitcoin, and Gold
In this Ask Monument Anything episode, we're answering real questions from listeners of the show. From a question about Michael Burry's bold predic...
The Guide to Less Stressful Holiday Giving
The holidays come fast and somehow the shopping and gifting part always seems to catch us by surprise. In this episode of Off The Wall, host Davi...
The Biggest Questions Shaping Portfolios Right Now
Markets feel noisy right now, and investors are asking sharper questions than usual. In this episode of Off The Wall, Nate W. Tonsager, CIPM®...
3 Trends in Charitable Giving that May Change How You Give This Year
2025 has been a rough year for charities. Economic uncertainty, decreased federal funding, political polarization – in many ways, nonprofits are f...
Q3 Market Recap: Alternatives, Gold, and the Bull Market Debate
It's the start of a new quarter, which means it's time for a market recap and our special "Ask Monument Anything" segment. David Armstrong, CFA,...
5 Years Until Your Last Day: How to Handle the Shift from Career to Retirement
When you hit 60, there's a mental shift that begins to occur. After spending 30+ years earning and saving, you are suddenly just a few years...
Dow Jones, S&P, NASDAQ: What's the Difference (and Which Should You Use to Track...
For many investors, the Dow Jones or S&P 500 or NASDAQ might as well be the same thing, but that's not true at all. In today's episode, Dave, Nat...
Should You Wait to Invest? The Q2 Market Review
In this special Q2 Market Review episode of Off the Wall, we're introducing a new segment: Ask Monument Anything (AMA). Dave, Nate, and Erin...
Planning Around Stock Compensation: Taxes, Timing, and Down Markets with Emily M....
If stock-based compensation is a major part of your wealth portfolio, down markets can be stressful. In this episode, Jessica Gibbs, CFP®...
The Future of Work: AI's Impact on Your Career & Wealth Strategy with Liza A...
AI is evolving fast, but what does it mean for how we think, work, invest, and lead? In this episode of Off the Wall, David B. Armstrong, CFA, and...
Q1 Market Recap: Tariffs, Inflation, and Growth—Reading Between the Headlines
Are tariffs the problem or just a symptom? Recent tariff announcements are stirring up uncertainty. What does that mean for inflation, econo...
Should You Invest In Private Equity? Weighing the Pros and Cons with George Coyl...
Private Equity seems to be having a moment. After a few decades of being reserved for the most qualified investors, the gates have been opene...
Does Your Money Have Meaning? How to Understand the "Why" Behind Your Wealth Goals...
The most common question advisors get is, "What should I do with my money?" The most common answer? "It depends." Today, we explore the "why"...
We're Back: 2024 Market Analysis and 2025 Predictions
Happy 2025! We're reviewing what happened in the markets and economy in Q4 2024 (and 2024 as a whole), noting what caught our attention and w...
From DAFs to Charitable Trusts: Choosing the Right Path for Meaningful Philanthr...
As the giving season draws near, you may be wondering how to take advantage of charitable giving deductions on your tax return, make a gre...
The Sandwich Generation: Protecting your Parents' Assets and Their Legacy with Catherine...
Aging parents present unique challenges, especially for the sandwich generation, who juggle caring for their parents while raising their own children. In this episode of Off the Wall, Dean Catino, CFP®, CPWA, and Jessica Gibbs,...
Q3 Market Recap: Fed Rate Cut, Labor Market Dynamics, and Predictions for the Rest...
We're reviewing the Q3 2024 market and year-to-date trends, reflecting on our surprises, and highlighting our key insights drawn from the data. In this episode of Off the Wall, host Jessica Gibbs, CFP® is joined by Monument Wealth Management's Portfolio Management team, Erin Hay, CFA, CMT and Nate Tonsage...
Economist Bob Stein's Take on the 2024 Presidential Race and Future of our Econo...
How will the 2024 election affect the economy, the markets, the deficits, and your wallet? Our favorite economist is back on the podcast for a third time with his straightforward opinions! Bob Stein is the Deputy Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors, where he...
Burnout-Proof Leadership: 3 Ways to Prevent and Overcome Burnout
Did you know that nearly half of employees and managers report experiencing burnout in 2023? As our lives get busier and competition in the workplace grows, it's an unfortunate reality… So, how can high achievers prevent burnout while still working towards their goals?...
Mid-Year Market Recap, S&P Insights, & Tips for Investing During an Election...
It's time for another quarterly market update from the Monument Wealth Management team! In this episode of Off the Wall, our lovely co-host Jessica Gibbs has returned from maternity leave. Please help us give her a warm welcome back! For this mid-year review, Jessica and co-hos...
Top 3 Challenges High Net Worth Individuals Face in Planning for Retirement with...
Planning for retirement comes with many considerations and challenges, especially for those with a high net worth. In this episode of Off the Wall, Monument Private Wealth Advisors, Emily Harper, CFP® and Heaven Goodwin, CFP® chat...
How Your Instincts Are Actually Hurting You, Your Team, and Your Wealth
Think you have great instincts? Think again. Judgments and decision-making are common threads that run through not only your investing, wealth management, and business decisions, but also your quality of life. What impacts these...
Q1 Market Recap | Featuring J.P. Morgan Global Market Strategist, Jordan Jackson
How is it that we are already heading into Q2 of 2024? In this episode, we deep dive into the first quarter of 2024 with special guest Jordan Jackson, Executive Director and Global Market Strategist with JP Morgan Asset Management's Global Market Insight Strateg...
Becoming a Philanthropist & Non-Profit Board Member with Meera Pillai
As a philanthropist, how can you do more than just "give back" to a charitable cause? How do you make a real impact with your time, skills, passion, and money? Should you become a board member for a non-profit? Let's dive into it. In this Off the Wall chat,...
How to Protect Your Personal & Business Assets from Cyber Attacks with Cathleen...
With the rising prevalence of cyber-attacks on both individuals and small businesses, it's more important than ever to learn how to boost your cybersecurity and protect the wealth you've worked so hard to grow. In this episode of Off the Wall, you'll meet Cathleen Phelps, a Cl...
2023 Market Recap + 2024 Outlook: Our Thoughts on The Election, Crypto, Inflation,...
The annual episode we've all been waiting for… What happened in the US market in 2023? How can we expect the market to perform in 2024? Tune in to find out! In this Off the Wall Market Update, hosts David Armstrong, CFA and Jessica Gibbs, CFP® are joined by M...
Peak Performance for Executives & Finding Purpose in Your Wealth with Dr. Julie...
Adding onto our last episode for executives on navigating career growth and transitions, this time we're talking about peak performance and finding purpose in your executive role, wealth, and beyond. Today on Off the Wall, hosts Jessica Gibbs and David Arm...
3 Executive Career Transitions: How to Level Up, Make a Change, or Step Away
Are you an executive getting ready for your next career move? Need advice on how to step away from your current role and figure out what's next? Thinking of taking a sabbatical or transitioning to retirement? Tune in to the exp...
Q3 Market Recap | Surprises with Interest Rates, Stocks, and Inflation, Plus Our...
As we enter the last fiscal quarter of 2023, we always love to reflect on the Q3 market (and YTD) to see what we're surprised by and the major takeaways from the data. In this quarterly recap episode of Off the Wall, host...
Top Executive Compensation Strategies You Should Know with Laura Balser, CECP
The specifics of executive compensation packages have major implications for personal wealth building over the long term. In this episode of Off the Wall, guest co-host Emily Harper, CFP® and co-host David B. Armstrong, CFA are...
Caring for Aging Parents: Financial Advice, Resources, Checklists, & More
Caring for aging parents involves so many details, from medical and financial decisions to legal, long-term care, and end-of-life wishes. Statistics show there's a clear disconnect between parents and children around these decisions,...
Q2 Market Recap: Inflation, Jobs, Tech Stocks, & Investing Advice for the Second...
In this episode of Off the Wall, hosts David Armstrong and Jessica Gibbs are joined by Erin Hay and Nate Tonsager from Monument Wealth Management's portfolio management team. They dive into a lively and comprehensive discussion...
Exit Planning is a Team Sport, Part 3 | Grow Your Business Value for a Profitable...
Looking to grow your business' value, maximize your exit results, and ensure financial freedom, even during a recession? To learn how, tune...
Exit Planning is a Team Sport, Part 2 | Prioritizing Your Personal Wealth in Preparation...
If you want to keep yourself, your family, and your assets safe throughout your business exit, tune in to this episode. This is Part 2 of our series, Business Exit Planning is a Team Sport. Tune in as hosts David Armstrong an...
Exit Planning is a Team Sport, Part 1 | Why You Need to Run Your Business with an...
Are you a founder/business owner looking to exit your business? Do you want to better understand the exit process and the types of advisors you need on your exit team? You're in the right place. This is Part 1 of our series, Bus...
Q1 Market Recap: SVB Collapse, Tech Layoffs, & Investing Advice for Q2
In this episode of Off the Wall, hosts David Armstrong and Jessica Gibbs are joined by Erin Hay and Nate Tonsager from Monument Wealth Management's portfolio management team to break down what happened in the markets in Q1 2023, along with some takeaways and advice as we head into...
SECURE Act 2.0 for Business Owners and Why Employee Well-Being Matters
SECURE Act 2.0 created new retirement and savings opportunities that were not part of the original SECURE Act. Notably, it gives business owners the ability to be more strategic when choosing what kind of tax-deferred plan is best for them based on their personal an...
The MWM Flexible Asset Allocation Portfolio Strategy – How It Works
What is the Flexible Asset Allocation strategy and how do we use it to manage your wealth? Great question! Tune in to this episode to learn everything you need to know about it. In this episode of Off the Wall, hosts David Arms...
How to Save for Your Child's College Without Sacrificing Your Retirement | Ann Garcia,...
Want to support your child's education, but don't know where to start? Worried that contributing to your child's college fund may impact building your retirement account? Saving for college can be nerve-wracking, but we promise this episode will make it less scary and more em...
What is Direct Indexing and How Does it Work? with Patrick McStay
Have you heard the terms "direct indexing", "custom indexing" or "factor-based investing"? This approach to investing is gaining popularity due to its ability to build allocations that are customized to an investor's unique pre...
A Political Q&A with Democratic Political Strategist Steve Elmendorf
This is the final episode in our 3-part political series on how politics impacts the economy, markets, and your wealth. Recently, we had Reince Priebus and Bob Stine on the show. Each...
A Year in Review: 2022 Market Recap & Key Investing Takeaways for 2023
2023 is finally here…and we have some important things to reflect on. 2022 was a year full of negative performance in many markets, but it just goes to show that you must keep y...
Robert Stein Pt. 2 | Midterm Results, 2023 Economic Predictions, and the 2024 Presidential...
Bob is back! Robert Stein, Deputy Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors, joins us again for our final episode of the year. With the midterms in the...
A Political Q&A with Former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus
Who makes the laws that impact Americans? Politicians! We all know that every story has multiple sides. So, in this episode of Off the Wall, hos...
Best Practices for a Successful Business Exit
If you're an entrepreneur who's considering selling your business, tune in to gain valuable advice and insight into preparing for and going...
Turning 65? Here's Everything You Need to Know About Signing Up for Medicare
Are you or someone you know approaching age 65 soon? This is the episode for you! Tune in to this episode to learn how to sign up for Medicare h...
Quarterly Market Recap, Bonds, and Our Look Ahead
We're talking about bonds—yes, you read that right! Bond yields are going up. If you haven't wanted to invest in bonds in recent years becau...
Quick Update on the Recent Market Pullback
Last week's market volatility flirted with a bear market as sell-offs deepened. Analysts are much less confident where stocks and the econo...
Managing Your Finances Before, During, and After a Divorce
Are you going through a divorce or thinking of filing for divorce? Wondering how divorce will impact your finances? Tune in to learn from...
Residential Real Estate: Interest Rates, Lending, & Buying/Selling a Home
Is now a good time to buy a house? Do kitchens and bathrooms really sell houses? What will mortgage interest rates do going forward? Shoul...
Quarterly Market Recap & What You Need to Know About Inflation
Is inflation slowing down? Can I expect future fed rate hikes? Does it even matter if we're in a recession or not? Get the answers in this episode of...
What You Need to Know About Planning Your Income After Your Career Ends with Morningstar's...
You want to be as financially unbreakable as possible, even after your career ends, right? No matter what age you "retire", or stop working, you s...
5+ Ways to Boost Your Emotional and Financial Well-Being
Whether you realize it or not, your views on money are rooted in your early life experiences. Those views impact your financial decisions and y...
Quarterly Market Recap & What You Should Be Doing Right Now
Are you wondering: Are we in a recession right now? How is the current market affecting my long-term wealth management plan? We're going to answer those...
Robert Stein | Predictions for the Economic and Political Landscape
What's on the economic and political horizon? Bob Stein, Deputy Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors, joins the podcast to share what he th...
Market Volatility | What Does It Mean For You?
Markets are volatile right now. How you react will determine your success. Monument's Portfolio Manager Erin Hay joins Dave Armstrong and Jessica Gibbs...
Dr. Brian Portnoy | How To Shape a Life Of Money and Meaning
"Rich" is a number, "wealth" is a mindset. Dr. Brian Portnoy, one of the world's leading experts on the psychology of money, joins the podcast to discu...
Transferring Wealth Part 2 | Family Meetings, Gifting, and Legacy Planning
Dr. Richard Orlando of Legacy Capitals is back for Part 2 of our conversation about successfully transferring wealth to the next generation. Rich does a d...
Transferring Wealth Part 1 | 5 Ways to Prepare the Next Generation for Success
There are lot of questions, worry and anxiety surrounding leaving an inheritance. How do I prepare my kids to be good stewards of this wealt...
Quarterly Market Review | 3 Highlights from Q1 2022
Want the cliffs notes on what happened in the market and the economy in the first quarter of 2022? Monument's Portfolio Manager Erin Hay i...
Corporate Trustees | Right For Your Estate Plan?
What is a corporate trustee? And should you be considering one as part of your estate plan? Michelle Diamond and Heather Savage with Cumberland Trust make...
Small Business Valuations | How To Get It Right
Business owners: listen to this episode! Valuation expert Chris Anderson, Managing Director at Intrinsic, shares his expertise on valuing close...
Dr. Daniel Crosby | How Your Behavior Drives Investment Returns
Are you actually standing in your own way when it comes to maximizing your investment returns? Dr. Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Or...
Using History as a Guide | Investing Lessons from 2021
Erin Hay and Ro Punyani from Monument's Portfolio Management Team join Dave Armstrong to dig under the surface of the 2021 headlines to un...
Abandon Your Plans | Plan Your Actions, Not Your Outcomes
Don't we all wish things would just go according the plan? But that's not life. What happens when things don't go as planned? Or if we don't...
Charitable Giving | Maximize Donations For You and Your Charity of Choice
Looking to make a charitable impact AND save on taxes? Jessica Gibbs, CFP(R) discusses how to maximize the benefits of charitable giving, both...
Flexible Asset Allocation | Investing Based on Momentum and Trend-Following
Is there a way to have have both long-term growth AND the risk management of bonds and cash? In this episode, Erin Hay and Ro Punyani are b...
Estate Planning | How to Evolve Your Plan When the Rules Keep Changing
Laws affecting trusts and estates are currently in flux. How should you be thinking about these changes? And how should you evolve your estat...
Reframing "Success" | Winning At Your Own Game
Financial success is not about following arbitrary rules of thumb or beating a market index. It's about getting the big things right so th...
Psychology of Money | Why Your Behavior (Not Smarts) Matters
"The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel is an endlessly quotable book. Dave, Jessica and Ro Punyani share our favorite quotes from the b...
Dividend Growth | Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
Dividend-growth stocks are not the same as dividend stocks...they're better. Ro Punyani, a member of Monument's portfolio management team,...
Life Insurance | What to Know Before You Buy
Many people wonder: is life insurance a problem in search of a solution, or a solution in search of a problem? The thing is, life insurance can b...
Think Like a Breadwinner | A Wealth-Building Manifesto for Women
Let's take a look at the evolution of the relationship between women and finances...and how women can make sure they're thinking "like a...
Bonds | Why Are They Worth Owning?
Bonds aren't boring! In episode 6 of Monument Wealth Management's "Off the Wall" Podcast, Monument's Portfolio Manager Erin M. Hay, CFA, is back t...
Women and Finances | Are you confident about your financial life?
What do women say they wished they'd known or started doing sooner when it comes to their finances? Jessica shares takeaways from her inter...
Estate Administration Pitfalls | What Happens After You Die?
We spend a lot of time talking about creating a trust and estate plan, but what happens after the plan goes into effect, and how does it...
Thinking in Bets | Improving Your Decision Making Process
Did you know there are 20 decisions a poker player needs to make per hand? That's a lot of decisions! So there's definitely a thing or two (...
The Wall of Worry | What Does This Term Mean for Investors?
What is the "Wall of Worry" that you hear of on the news, and what does it have to do with your wealth and investments? In episode 2 of Monument Wealt...
Introducing "Off the Wall" | What's The Purpose of Your Wealth?
Get to know our hosts! In this first episode, hosts David B. Armstrong, CFA and Jessica L. Gibbs, CFP(R) introduce themselves and the purpose...
