Strong markets feel good, but growth alone is not a strategy. As the year winds down, this episode asks a simple but often overlooked question: Are you still playing offense, or is it time to protect what you have built?

In this episode, Mark Taylan walks through the critical difference between building wealth and protecting wealth, and why knowing which mode you are in matters more than market headlines.

Mark discusses:

• The offense vs. defense mindset when it comes to wealth
• Why strong market years can quietly create hidden risk
• How rebalancing works and why it is more than just stocks vs. bonds
• The role of diversification across sectors and regions
• And more!

Connect with Mark Taylan:

• LinkedIn: Mark Taylan
• Advisors 360

Loss is difficult to consider, but planning for it is one of the most important acts of love for your family.

What happens to your spouse if you pass away unexpectedly? How can you ensure their financial stability and protect them from overwhelming decisions during an emotional time?

In this episode, Mark Taylan begins a two-part series on estate planning and financial preparedness. He walks through the three essential components every spouse needs to consider: income protection, simplicity in transition, and safeguarding against costly mistakes. Mark shares practical steps for creating a clear financial roadmap that protects your loved ones when they need it most.

Mark discusses:

• How losing Social Security or pension income impacts household finances after a spouse passes away
• Creating a comprehensive list of accounts, bills, and action items for the surviving spouse to follow
• Why one person often serves as the family CFO, and what happens when that person is gone unexpectedly
• Modern challenges like computer passwords and digital access that many couples overlook completely
• The three key people to contact immediately, and how to prepare your spouse for a smooth transition
• And more!

Connect with Mark Taylan:

• LinkedIn: Mark Taylan
• Advisors 360

Most people think of life insurance as something you buy and hope your family never needs.

In this episode, Mark Taylan reframes that idea completely and explains how indexed universal life can serve not only as protection, but as a long-term planning tool that may support retirement income, taxes, and future flexibility.

Mark discusses:

• How indexed universal life works in plain language
• Why higher-earning families often look for additional planning options once traditional accounts are maxed out
• How cash value grows, how loans work, and why tax treatment matters
• Real-world scenarios where an IUL may offer another planning avenue
• And more!

Connect with Mark Taylan:

• LinkedIn: Mark Taylan
• Advisors 360