Aging, retirement, and caregiving are some of the most difficult conversations farm families face — not because of paperwork, but because of identity, fear, and unspoken responsibility. In this episode, Heidi Olson breaks down why these conversations are so often avoided, how informal caregiving quietly begins, and how unspoken roles can create resentment and stress inside both the family and the operation.

Heidi shares a practical, compassionate framework for starting these discussions early — without blame, pressure, or forcing decisions. This episode is about replacing crisis-driven choices with calm, intentional planning that protects parents, successors, and the farm itself.

For guides, checklists, and planning tools to help you navigate life's 
financial decisions with clarity and confidence, visit:

https://pathfinderlegacy.com/resources/

It's a new year — and for farm families, that means it's time for real planning, not resolutions that fade by February. In this episode, Heidi Olson walks through her 2026 Farm Legacy Checklist, outlining the six critical areas every operation should review annually to protect the business, the family, and the future.

From balance sheets and land titles to LLCs, insurance, family roles, and scheduling the right conversations, Heidi explains why succession planning is ongoing maintenance — not a one-time task. This episode is practical, direct, and designed to help families start 2026 with clarity instead of chaos.

For guides, checklists, and planning tools to help you navigate life's 
financial decisions with clarity and confidence, visit:

https://pathfinderlegacy.com/resources/

In this special holiday episode, Heidi Olson reflects on family traditions, farm memories, and the stories that shape legacy long before documents ever do. From shared meals to cold chores, these moments reveal values, roles, and expectations that matter deeply in succession planning.

Because legacy isn't just written in paperwork — it lives in the stories we pass on.

For guides, checklists, and planning tools to help you navigate life's 
financial decisions with clarity and confidence, visit:

https://pathfinderlegacy.com/resources/

In Part 2, Heidi and Cory go deeper into the tax issues that directly impact agriculture: disaster relief payments, depreciation strategies, buying equipment wisely, gifting rules, estate and gift tax exemptions, and year-end planning that actually protects your farm's future.

If you've ever wondered how depreciation really affects cash flow, how to avoid buying your way into a tax problem, or how to use gifting without jeopardizing your estate plan — this episode is a must-listen for every farm and ranch family preparing for 2026.

Cory Wheeler, CPA
406-433-4510
Home - Wheeler Accounting -
https://www.webe.cpa/

For guides, checklists, and planning tools to help you navigate life's 
financial decisions with clarity and confidence, visit:

https://pathfinderlegacy.com/resources/

In Part 1 of this tax-season deep dive, Heidi sits down with CPA and fellow farmer Cory Wheeler to simplify the biggest tax changes affecting rural families, small business owners, and ag producers in 2025. From overtime rules and tip taxation to 1099 pitfalls, contractor vs employee confusion, Social Security myths, paying children, and how to protect yourself during an audit — this episode breaks down what really matters before December 31 hits.

Whether you're running a farm, ranch, or rural business, this conversation helps you prepare with clarity, confidence, and fewer surprises at tax time.

Cory Wheeler,
CPA 406-433-4510
Home - Wheeler Accounting -
https://www.webe.cpa/

For guides, checklists, and planning tools to help you navigate life's 
financial decisions with clarity and confidence, visit:

https://pathfinderlegacy.com/resources/

In Part 2, Heidi continues the conversation with Martin and Linda as they unpack more family history, the realities of running a farm after a sudden loss, caregiving across generations, and the importance of community involvement.

This episode explores what it means to work hard, stay connected, raise resilient families, and intentionally pass down stories that would otherwise be lost. Their humor, honesty, and wisdom offer timeless lessons for anyone thinking about succession, legacy, or preserving family heritage.

For guides, checklists, and planning tools to help you navigate life's 
financial decisions with clarity and confidence, visit:

https://pathfinderlegacy.com/resources/

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Heidi sits down with Martin and Linda Hanson to explore their rich Norwegian heritage, early homesteader stories, and what farm life really looked like in northwest North Dakota generations ago. From milking cows by hand to massive cousin gatherings, to the grit, humor, and family values that shaped their lives — this episode is a living snapshot of rural American history.

If you're a farmer, rancher, or simply someone who treasures family legacy, this conversation will bring warmth, nostalgia, and a deeper appreciation for the stories that make us who we are.

For guides, checklists, and planning tools to help you navigate life's 
financial decisions with clarity and confidence, visit:

https://pathfinderlegacy.com/resources/

"This week, Heidi Olson sits down with her husband's Aunt Shirley and cousin Rock to celebrate Caregiver Awareness Month through a journey of family history, resilience, and gratitude. From stories of growing up in a 100-year-old farmhouse without running water to memories of music-filled evenings and multigenerational caregiving, this episode captures the heart of what it means to honor your roots. Together, they explore how faith, hard work, and togetherness have shaped the Olson family for generations — and why sharing those stories keeps legacies alive."

For guides, checklists, and planning tools to help you navigate life's 
financial decisions with clarity and confidence, visit:

https://pathfinderlegacy.com/resources/