Mental health struggles can be difficult to recognize and even harder to talk about, especially in environments where people feel pressure to stay tough and keep their emotions private.

In this episode, Josh Leonard talks with Mike Scalamogna, Manager, SD Digital at Schneider Downs and CFMA Western Pennsylvania Chapter Champion for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, about losing his father to suicide and turning that experience into support for others. They explore mental health in construction, therapy, parenting, empathy, and why simply listening can help someone feel less alone. Mike also shares how a benefit concert is raising awareness and funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Key points:

• Why construction workers face serious mental health concerns alongside a culture that can discourage openness
• How Mike’s experience losing his father to suicide shaped his approach to mental health and helping others
• Why therapy, emotional awareness, and honest communication can become meaningful forms of personal care
• How parents can model emotional awareness and give children language for understanding what they’re feeling
• How volunteering and community involvement can create connection while supporting people experiencing loss
• And more!

Resources:

• Contact us to schedule a meeting with the team
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Get your tickets for the benefit concert and help support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Connect with Josh Leonard:

• jleonard@leonardadvisorygroup.com
• LinkedIn: Josh Leonard
• Leonard Advisory Group
• 412-998-PLAN
• YouTube: Leonard Advisory Group
• Facebook: Leonard Advisory Group

Connect with Mike Scalamogna:

• LinkedIn: Mike Scalamogna
• Website: Schneider Downs
• Website: CFMA

About our Guest:

Mike Scalamogna works in the digital practice at Schneider Downs, where he helps clients use technology across industries including construction, transportation and logistics, real estate, and dealerships. He is also involved with the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) Western Pennsylvania Chapter, where he serves as the Chapter Champion for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. After losing his father to suicide as a teenager, Mike turned his personal experience into a commitment to raising awareness, reducing the stigma around mental health, and supporting others affected by suicide loss. His advocacy includes volunteering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and organizing efforts that bring people together to support mental health and suicide prevention.

Helping your children and grandchildren can become one of the most meaningful parts of retirement, but how much time, money, and energy can you comfortably give?

In this episode, Josh Leonard and Yana Leonard, Chief Risk and Operations Officer at Leonard Advisory Group, explore how grandparents are becoming a bigger part of childcare, family finances, and everyday life. They share their own experience relying on grandparents, examine the financial pressure that family support can create, and consider 529 plans, family trips, relocation, and other ways retirees may help.

Josh also explains why these choices belong in retirement planning, including the need to protect your own time, resources, and independence.

Key points:

• How childcare and after-school help from grandparents can change a working family’s budget and daily routine
• Why financial help for adult children and grandchildren needs to be considered within a retirement plan
• How 529 plans, family vacations, and other gifts can turn retirement resources into shared family experiences
• Why grandparents need room for their own travel, interests, independence, and personal retirement priorities
• How retirement planning can account for family support without overlooking your own financial and personal needs
• And more!

Resources:

• Contact us to schedule a meeting with the team

Connect with Josh Leonard:

• jleonard@leonardadvisorygroup.com
• LinkedIn: Josh Leonard
• Leonard Advisory Group
• 412-998-PLAN
• YouTube: Leonard Advisory Group
• Facebook: Leonard Advisory Group

Connect with Yana Leonard:

• LinkedIn: Yana Leonard

About our Guest:

Yana Leonard serves as Chief Risk and Operations Officer, where she helps ensure every client experience is delivered with clarity, care, and consistency. She oversees firm operations, internal controls, and compliance, supporting a strong foundation that allows advisors to focus on helping clients plan with confidence and live with intent. With 15 years of corporate finance experience, Yana brings a disciplined, thoughtful approach to decision-making, always focused on protecting clients’ best interests and the long-term strength of the firm.

Yana holds her Life and Fixed Annuities and Accident & Health insurance licenses, reinforcing the firm’s comprehensive approach to retirement planning. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting with a minor in Economics and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Accounting from Baldwin Wallace University. She is also a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).

Yana lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, Josh, their sons, Eli and Isaac, and Layla, their golden retriever. When she’s not working, she enjoys gardening, volunteering, traveling, and being on the sidelines for her boys’ sporting events.

Summer often brings vacations, family activities, and unexpected expenses, making it easy to lose sight of financial goals.

Taking a few proactive steps before spending ramps up can help you avoid unnecessary taxes, overlooked opportunities, and preventable financial headaches.

In this episode, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro explore five financial questions to ask before summer gets into full swing. They explain why reviewing tax withholding, checking beneficiary designations, evaluating insurance coverage, maximizing tax-advantaged accounts, and planning seasonal expenses can help retirees and those approaching retirement make more informed financial decisions.

They also clarify the difference between tax preparation and tax planning while sharing practical ways to make retirement spending more intentional throughout the year.

Key takeaways:

• Reviewing tax withholding before large withdrawals may help reduce unexpected tax surprises later
• Checking beneficiary designations after life changes helps retirement assets reflect current wishes
• Evaluating insurance coverage before traveling may help avoid duplicate policies and extra costs
• Using HSAs, Roth accounts, and employer matches can improve long-term tax efficiency over time
• Planning summer expenses ahead of time helps reduce financial stress during vacations and family activities
• And more!

Resources:

• Schedule a meeting with the team

Connect with Josh Leonard:

• jleonard@leonardadvisorygroup.com
• LinkedIn: Josh Leonard
• Leonard Advisory Group
• 412-998-PLAN
• YouTube: Leonard Advisory Group
• Facebook: Leonard Advisory Group

Connect with Pete Belcastro:

• LinkedIn: Pete Belcastro