Economics Archives - The John Krol Show

November 24, 2022

Evan Valenti, podcaster, menswear pro

For Evan Valenti, working at Steven Valenti’s Menswear was at first a way to earn some extra money while following his dream of being a radio broadcaster. But, it wasn’t long until he discovered he had a great knack and, ultimately, a love for the all things menswear. However, this isn’t simply a case of following in his Father’s footsteps. Instead, Evan has brought a new angle to this legendary downtown business taking calculated risks on new trends, adapting to an ever-changing marketplace, and getting through to the other side of the monumental challenges presented by the pandemic. We cover a lot of ground quickly in this episode, including Evan’s decision to choose menswear as a career, his working relationship with his father Steven and a mutual respect that strengthens the business, surviving the pandemic restrictions and making it through to the other side, dress pants that feel like comfy sweatpants (I can vouch for how amazing they are), how the Amazonification of the world has actually strengthened Valenti’s niche in the marketplace, bike lanes, Evan’s work in radio, his brother Michael J. Valenti’s work with Sherman Baldwin on a remarkable time in Berkshire County radio, a great Gene Shalit anecdote when he appeared on the show, techniques of interviewing guests, what Star Wars trilogy to introduce first to kids, the entrepreneurial spirit of the Valenti family, including his mother Carolyn, and more. I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with Evan Valenti!

Kyle Bean, Tableaux Wealth on The John Krol Podcast

August 21, 2022

Kyle Bean & Matt Chester, Tableaux Wealth

You want a financial advisor who is cool under pressure and able to take excess emotion out of things, while maintaining an ability to execute. So, what better background than being a Green Beret? Kyle Bean earned his way onto the elite US Army Special Forces and served his nation on many missions over several years. Now that his military career has come to a close he decided to locate to the Berkshires with his wife and specialize in a new profession: financial advising. In this episode we get to know Kyle better, and learn about his journey here. We also cover a lot of ground with Kyle and Matt Chester of Tableaux Wealth in regard to the current economic situation, how to plan and adapt to the record inflation, the changes on returns on bonds and the death of the so-called 60/40 rule, chasing investments by Nancy Pelosi’s husband and other “whales,” learning from curious investors, growing a small firm and beginning to tell their story and how to make financial planning interesting and evening exciting for clients. I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with Kyle Bean and Matt Chester of Tableaux Wealth. — Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/john-krol/support

August 21, 2022

America Lopez, community advocate, health worker, Volunteers in Medicine

On the John Krol Podcast: With such a name, it may have seemed a self-fulfilling prophecy that America Lopez would ultimately find her way to the US from her native Mexico. Today, she is utilizing her experience as an immigrant to help others who are facing many of the same challenges she faced, as a community health worker for Volunteers in Medicine and as parent liaison for the Berkshire Hills Regional School District. And she’s making a measurable impact. Inspired by the Moth Radio Hour-style of storytelling, America started a Spanish-speaking podcast and radio program Nomadas Radio that has evolved with several of her close friends and colleagues, contributing on relevant conversations on personal growth and demystifying mental health. We also discuss: missing her family in Mexico and carrying on family traditions with her new family of friends in the Berkshires, advocating for herself and co-workers in her early days before mastering English, one of the English first words she learned was “fair,” working to change systems in schools to be more friendly for non-English speaking parents to help them be involved in their children’s education, how her daughter helped her come out of her shell and making new connections in the community, Olivia’s Outlook and enjoying trails and the outdoors in the Berkshires and more. I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with America Lopez. — Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/john-krol/support

Leigh Davis, Great Barrington, MASSACHUSETTS SELECTBOARD

June 28, 2022

#39 – Leigh Davis, Vice Chair, Great Barrington (Mass.) Selectboard, Mother, housing advocate, changemaker

Leigh Davis is the rarest of elected officials. She was sworn-in and promptly made a measurable impact on the community she represents. Most recently, the short-term rental bylaw she spearheaded was approved amid a lively public debate that included defeating the likes of Airbnb and other powerful business interests. It was a win for those standing up for the character of residential neighborhoods and as a firewall in the evermore challenging effort to protect the already minuscule number of affordable housing units in a town like Great Barrington. In our conversation, we discuss the dynamics of the town meeting victory on short-term units in GB, the importance of developing a thick skin in the political arena, and the self-awareness to do what you believe is right in the face of sometimes harsh criticism and attacks. We also discuss her upbringing and her relationship with her late father, Lloyd Davis, who carved his own legacy in housing and civil rights in the US – and in particular – was instrumental establishing the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and carrying on his legacy. Leigh’s journey to Great Barrington was a long and winding one, starting at film school in Ithaca to a decade in LA, editing films for Dreamworks and Steve Spielberg, Law and Order and more. Then, right at the height of her career, she turned on a dime and moved to rural Ireland. Even finding her way to Great Barrington was serendipitous, as it began with getting stuck in the snow and unable to get out of town. The happy accident has led to this mother of three committing fully to strengthening the GB and southern Berkshire community. One day, she even dreams of opening a little establishment in town where people can gather, enjoy each other’s company and….dance (it would likely include a disco ball, which Leigh is clearly a fan of!). I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with Leigh Davis. — Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/john-krol/support

May 19, 2022

#35 – Matthew Chester, JD, CFP®, Tableaux Wealth

Taking the leap from being a successful attorney in the city to a financial advisor in the Berkshires would have daunting to many. But for Matthew Chester it was all about actually building a real relationship with his clients, something missing in the narrow focus of being a specialized financial attorney in New York City. As his career path shifted, so did his personal life, as he and his wife Catherine are raising two young daughters Leah and Zoe at home in Stockbridge. In our conversation we cover Matt’s decision to shift from law to financial advising, his time in Taipei, Mandarin as a second language, sunk cost, psychology in investing and finances, inflation, the housing market, the permanent and not-so-permanent changes post-pandemic, wages, labor vs. corporate profits, corporate responsibility, college planning, retirement, Malcolm Gladwell’s research of dynamics in elite colleges, 529 plans, the origin of the name: Tableaux, the Levi Strauss principle, growing up near Seattle, his pull to the East Coast, meeting his wife at Cardozo Law School in NYC, work/life balances in the Berkshires, fatherhood, the art of parenting, how financial advisors get paid, broker model vs. investment advisor, and more. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Matthew Chester.