Episode Details

AI and Wealth Management – On Demand 
Starting Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025
Ending Date: None
https://truesdellwealth.com/events

The Truesdell Military Portfolio – Seven Company Profile
Starting Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Ending Date:  Sunday, March 23, 2025
https://truesdellwealth.com/events

Casual Cocktail Conversation at the Stonewater Club 
Friday, March 21st, 2025 at 6:30 pm
In-Person – Reservations Required – Text or Call 352-612-1000
“or” use the Contact Form: https://truesdellwealth.com/events/rsvp
https://truesdellwealth.com/events

Paul Grant Truesdell, Sr.
J.D., AIF, CLU, ChFC, RFC
Founder & CEO
The Truesdell Companies
The Truesdell Professional Building
200 NW 52nd Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34482
212-433-2525 - Switchboard
paul@truesdell.net - General Email
Websites
truesdellwealth.com
Truesdell.net
PaulTruesdell.com

Rough Show Notes – Broad Script Used for This Episode

I saw a picture on Facebook that said, *The only way to win with a toxic person is to not play with them.* I like that a lot. The image was of a girl holding an umbrella, but the message goes both ways.  

Some people, when they disagree with you, completely lose it. They scream like wild banshees. Then you have the "Karens" of the world—self-centered, privileged, and completely unaware of what’s going on. And if your name happens to be Karen, sorry, but that label has taken on a life of its own.  

This reminds me of Nelson Rockefeller’s son—yes, the son of former Vice President Gerald Ford’s running mate and former New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller. His son got eaten by an angry tribe in Africa after he took some of their sacred objects to bring back to the U.S. for his father’s museum. If you don’t know that story, I’ll be sharing it soon.  

But the bottom line is this: people on all sides have lost their minds. If you don’t agree with them, you’re automatically labeled—you're a Nazi, a racist, a homophobe, sexist, uneducated, or just plain despicable. The name-calling is unbelievable.  

At this point, I just don’t care anymore. My clients like me, and I like them. The people I’ve made exceptions for in the past—those who didn’t fit my usual working relationships—have always, *always* ended up screwing me over.  

Here’s an example. Back when I used to do seminars (which I don’t anymore because they aren’t worth the time), I’d present solid, valuable information. Someone would come up afterward, set an appointment, and I’d take the time to listen to their situation, document everything, and give them thoughtful recommendations. And what happens next? They take that information and implement it with their cousin, their neighbor, or their brother-in-law.  

I’ve asked people outright, *Why didn’t you work with me?* The answer is always something like, *Well, I have a friend in finance.* And when I ask, *Why didn’t you go to them first?* I hear, *Well, he used to be a car salesman, and he’s only been in finance for a year or so, but I wanted to talk to someone who really knows what they’re doing first.*  

Then, when I tell them my consulting rate—$1,500 an hour—they balk. *I’m not paying that.* But they just spent four hours with me. That’s $6,000 worth of my time. *I’d never pay that!* Well, there’s your sign.  

Some people simply don’t value expertise. But here’s the thing—if you’re bleeding out on the side of the road, and I show up with a sewing kit, a feminine napkin, and a big roll of gauze, suddenly my skills matter. I know how to stop the bleeding. I know how to put on a tourniquet. But if I’m *not worth it* in your eyes, then fine—here’s the needle, here’s the gauze, good luck.  

The point is simple: when people don’t value you, don’t chase them.  

And that applies to finance, too. If you’re conservative, why are you working with financial professionals who don’t share your value