Gimbal Financial

06/18/2026

Blake Brewer lost his father unexpectedly. What his mother found in a briefcase hours later became the foundation for one of the most meaningful gifts a parent can leave behind.

In this conversation, Keith and Doug host Blake Brewer, founder of Legacy Letter, who has helped more than 20,000 people write meaningful, lasting letters to the people they love most. Blake walks through the complete Legacy Letter framework: how to open with honesty, how to apologize in a way that actually lands, how to tell your children you love them with the specificity that changes lives, and why advice only sticks when it follows affirmation. He also shares the stories he's collected from parents across the country, including a daughter who called her mom on Christmas night to say it was the best day of her life because of a letter.

Key Topics:
• Why Blake's father wrote a letter no one knew existed, and what it contained that made grief bearable
• The five common mistakes people make when apologizing in writing — and the one that derails the whole letter
• How to answer the question your child will ask for the rest of their life but stop asking out loud
• Why pride in character matters more than pride in achievement — and how to make that distinction in writing
• The Apple stock analogy: why starting this letter sooner compounds its value over a lifetime

If you've been meaning to write something down for the people you love, this one is the nudge worth hearing.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-your-average/id1768337684?i=1000773243937
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oWNOH9SIgI

Blake Brewer lost his father unexpectedly. What his mother found in...

06/15/2026

Keith packed everything for the Inca Trail. He needed about half of it.

Keith Tyner and Doug Shrieve use that story as the starting point for a bigger conversation: what are you carrying through life that you never chose to carry? They get into SpaceX IPO hype, what parents actually owe their kids on college, housing as the one financial dial you control, and the quiet weight of wanting everyone to like you. It covers more ground than it looks like at first, and it’s worth the listen.

Key Topics:
• SpaceX goes public: what Facebook’s IPO history says about investing in the excitement
• The Inca Trail lesson: porters exist, wisdom costs less than a bad backpack
• The 1980s shift that put college costs on parents who never signed up for it
• Housing is the number one cost you can actually move
• Doug’s honest take on carrying the need to be liked, and what it costs you
• Why fun is a real financial principle, not a reward for when the work is done

This one started as a random conversation the day before recording. Those tend to be the good ones.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-your-average/id1768337684?i=1000772767514
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3yjAo7wTqY

Keith packed everything for the Inca Trail. He needed about half of...

06/09/2026

Have you ever felt like no matter how much you accomplish, it still isn't enough?

Many people spend their lives chasing success, approval, achievement, and significance, hoping the next milestone will finally bring peace. In this episode of Up Your Average, Keith and Doug share how Bob Warren’s Romans study challenged that mindset and changed the course of their lives.

What began as a simple study eventually transformed how they viewed themselves, God, forgiveness, purpose, and what it truly means to live with confidence and peace. Decades later, the lessons they learned continue to influence their families, businesses, relationships, and everyday decisions.

They discuss why so many people struggle with identity and self-worth, the danger of tying your value to performance, and the freedom that comes from understanding who you are apart from your achievements.

Whether you're a business owner, professional, retiree, or someone searching for greater purpose, this conversation offers a perspective that may completely change the way you think about success, significance, and fulfillment.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-your-average/id1768337684?i=1000771657749
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwxrWiHaZfc

Have you ever felt like no matter how much you accomplish, it still...

06/01/2026

The future belongs to skilled workers.

In this episode, Keith and Doug interview Jason Altmire, author of Trade Up, who explains why skilled trades are becoming one of the most important pathways to career stability, entrepreneurship, and long-term financial success.

As the cost of college continues to rise and the demand for skilled labor grows, more families and young adults are reconsidering what career preparation should actually look like. Jason discusses how trade schools and certificate programs are equipping students with practical skills, entrepreneurial training, and real-world opportunities in fields like electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, welding, and construction.

This conversation explores why the trades are no longer just an alternative path, but a strategic option for young people looking to build meaningful, well-paying careers without massive student debt.

Whether you're a parent helping your child plan for the future, a Gen Z student exploring career options, or someone questioning the traditional corporate route, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the future of workforce development and skilled labor in America.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-your-average/id1768337684?i=1000770549051
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVgzd5WZ48s

The future belongs to skilled workers.In this episode, Keith and Doug interview Jason Altmire, author of Trade Up, who explains why skilled trades are becomi...

05/25/2026

Regulatory compliance is usually treated like the most boring part of business, but this conversation proves it doesn’t have to be.

In this episode of the Up Your Average podcast, Doug sits down with Gimbal Financial’s compliance officer, Sue Mitchell, to talk about what regulatory compliance actually looks like behind the scenes, why compliance matters more than most people realize, and how businesses can stay compliant without losing their personality.

Sue brings a refreshing perspective to compliance by mixing practical insight with humor, real-world stories, and a willingness to challenge the stereotype of the “boring compliance officer.” From handling regulatory requirements to discussing risk, discipline, and professional responsibility, this episode explores how strong compliance can actually support growth and confidence.

Whether you work in financial services, own a business, or simply want a better understanding of compliance and regulatory compliance, this episode delivers practical insight in a way that’s engaging and easy to follow.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-your-average/id1768337684?i=1000769496243
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RCpUff3T40

Regulatory compliance is usually treated like the most boring part ...

05/18/2026

Buying a home is exciting—but many new homeowners quickly realize there are hidden responsibilities and unexpected expenses nobody prepared them for.

In this episode of the Up Your Average Podcast, Doug sits down with expert repairman Micah Langmaack to break down a practical homeowner checklist designed to help first-time buyers and aspiring homeowners avoid costly mistakes.

From home maintenance basics to common repair issues, this conversation covers the real-world things every homeowner should know before problems become expensive emergencies. Whether you recently bought a home, are preparing to buy one, or simply want to stay ahead on home improvement projects, this episode delivers straightforward, actionable advice.

You’ll learn about:
• Common home repairs homeowners overlook
• Easy maintenance habits that save money
• Small issues that turn into major expenses
• Interior home improvement priorities
• What to expect after buying a house
• How to prepare financially for homeownership

If you want a simple homeowner roadmap that makes owning a home less overwhelming, this episode is for you.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-your-average/id1768337684?i=1000768366380
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8myhJjdpKw8

Buying a home is exciting—but many new homeowners quickly realize t...

05/12/2026

One of our favorite days of the year! Watching Carmel BLOOM!

05/11/2026

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t your past, but how your brain learned to respond to it?

In this episode, neurosurgeon Dr. Lee Warren breaks down how neuroscience, trauma, and mental health intersect and why lasting change doesn’t come from rewriting your story, but from rewiring your brain.

We explore a powerful idea: you don’t need a different life, different parents, or different circumstances to heal. You need to learn how your brain actually works and how to operate it differently.

Dr. Warren shares practical insights from years in the operating room and his work helping people overcome depression, anxiety, and trauma. This includes a fresh perspective on antidepressants, emotional resilience, and what he calls “self-brain surgery”—a process of intentionally reshaping your thinking patterns.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in cycles of anxiety, depression, or reactive thinking, this conversation offers a grounded, science-backed path forward.

Key Topics:
• Neuroscience and mental health explained simply
• Trauma vs. coping: what really drives your struggles
• Rethinking antidepressants and brain chemistry
• How to rewire your brain through daily habits
• The connection between thoughts, behavior, and identity

If you’re ready to think differently and take control of your future, this is where it starts.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-your-average/id1768337684?i=1000767167971
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZyegyiiY-s

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t your past, but how your brain learned to respond to it?In this episode, neurosurgeon Dr. Lee Warren breaks d...

05/04/2026

How to Enjoy Your 40s and Still Retire Strong

Your 40s are a unique season of life, full of energy, opportunity, and motion.

In this episode, Keith and Doug talk through why this decade can feel like a “sweet spot.” You have more experience, more discernment, and often more financial stability, but at the same time, life is moving faster than ever. Your kids are growing up, your responsibilities are expanding, and your time and attention are being pulled in multiple directions.

One of the biggest ideas we unpack is simple but powerful: nothing gets better without attention.

That applies to your finances, your health, your relationships, and your family life. And in your 40s, when everything is in motion, it becomes critical to step back and ask: What actually needs my attention right now?

We also walk through what this decade often looks like in real life, especially for families. From youth sports to changing family dynamics, your role begins to shift. You’re no longer just leading your family, you’re often following where your kids’ interests and lives are taking you.

This conversation is about recognizing that reality, taking inventory, and being intentional with how you move forward.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-your-average/id1768337684?i=1000766018346
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpb036Kb-i4

81: How to Enjoy Your 40s and Still Retire Strong

04/27/2026

A lot of people waste their twenties and it’s not because they lack ambition. It’s because they’re focused on the wrong things.

In this episode, Keith and Caleb break down what actually matters in your 20s. And it’s probably not what you’ve been told. It’s not just about making more money, chasing status, or waiting until everything feels “perfect” before making big life decisions.

Instead, they explore a different framework: one built on purpose, intentional living, and the habits that quietly shape your future. From how you think about marriage and having kids, to how you spend your time and money, your twenties set the trajectory for everything that follows.

If you’re feeling pressure to keep up, delay decisions, or “figure it all out later,” this conversation will challenge that thinking and give you a more grounded, long-term perspective.

What you’ll learn:
• Why purpose matters more than income early on
• The real impact of marriage on your life and finances
• Why kids may be a blessing—not just an expense
• How contentment can outperform high income
• The hidden cost of wasting time in your 20s
• Simple financial habits that build long-term wealth

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-your-average/id1768337684?i=1000763393868
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC7VWwifDAE

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