Are you the hero… or the bottleneck? In this episode of The WIN Podcast, we explore how constantly saving the day in your business, finances, or family might actually be holding you back. Hustle and heroics work in the beginning — but if everything depends on you, growth has a ceiling.
What’s Important Now isn’t more effort — it’s better systems. From money automation to life design, this episode challenges you to stop managing chaos and start building structure. Because real success isn’t about being needed… it’s about creating something that works even when you’re not in the room.
Episode 100 is here — and we’re celebrating by distilling 100 conversations into the Top 10 lessons that have shaped how we think about money, mindset, leadership, and purposeful living. From Olympic-level preparation and strategic financial planning to the domino effect of small habits and becoming the “coffee bean” under pressure, this episode captures the ideas that mattered most. These aren’t just highlights — they’re principles we’ve seen play out in real lives, real markets, and real decisions.
Reaching 100 episodes is a milestone we don’t take lightly. Most podcasts never get here, and we’re grateful for every listener who has joined the journey. In this special episode, Corey and Zed go back and forth, sharing the lessons that have defined WIN — and what will guide the next 100. If you want a condensed blueprint for what truly matters now, this is the episode to hear.
Money feels permanent, but the way it’s made has changed constantly. In this episode of WIN: What’s Important Now, we explore how the U.S. Mint was created, how American currency evolved from metal to modern money, and why trust—not gold or paper—is what really makes money work.
Along the way, we share the remarkable true story of Peter the Eagle, a bald eagle who lived inside the Philadelphia Mint and became part of U.S. money lore. It’s a reminder that even our most serious financial systems are shaped by people, symbols, and stories—and understanding them can change how we think about money today.
The money rules many of us grew up with were shaped by a very different economic world. In this episode of What’s Important Now, we look at where that advice came from and why it worked so well for our parents’ generation. Then we ask the harder question: Does it still work today? We explore what needs updating, what still matters, and how investors can apply timeless principles in a modern financial landscape—focusing on what’s truly important now.
Most people feel behind when it comes to money—but that feeling isn’t a failure, it’s a blindfold. We were never taught how the financial game actually works, our instincts push us toward the wrong decisions, and the system quietly rewards spending over patience. When you combine psychology, brutal math, and constant noise, it’s no surprise money feels confusing and stressful.
In this episode of The WIN Podcast: What’s Important Now, we talk about why money is so unintuitive, the common mistakes almost everyone makes, and what changes once you finally understand the rules. This isn’t about perfection or timing—it’s about removing the blindfold, playing intentionally, and quietly doing better than most people over the long run.
In a world that promises to make everything effortless — from one-click shopping to instant streaming — our decisions should feel easier. Yet somehow, we’re more overwhelmed, less satisfied, and financially less disciplined than ever. In this episode of The WIN Podcast: What’s Important Now, we explore the hidden costs of convenience and the paradox of choice: how modern design, tech, and abundance quietly shape our behavior and wealth. You’ll learn why our brains crave simplicity but struggle with too much of it — and how to reclaim control by reintroducing intentional friction and strategic constraints in life, money, and mindset.
Baseball is shaped by strategic decisions both on the field and in the boardroom.
The signing of a high-profile player like Shohei Ohtani by the Los Angeles Dodgers is a significant event that reflects the interplay of talent evaluation, contract negotiation, and long-term financial planning.
Such moves are pivotal, potentially influencing the team’s performance and financial health for seasons to come.
In this episode, Corey Heimensen sits down with Zed Heimensen to explore the baseball season and Shohei Ohtani’s landmark signing with the Dodgers. They examine Ohtani’s unique contract, particularly its deferred compensation aspect, the financial implications for the team and player, and the lessons we can learn.
Corey and Zed touch on:
The unique structure of Shohei Ohtani’s contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers
The concept of deferred compensation
The risks associated with deferred compensation, including inflation, tax rates, and the potential for bankruptcy affecting the contract
The risks faced by both Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the unique contract arrangement
The Dodgers’ deferred contracts and the potential financial implications for the team in the future
Parallels between deferred compensation in sports and everyday financial decisions
Zed Heimensen, a graduate of Morningside University, began working at Heimensen Wealth Advisors in May 2022. Zed graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Finance while serving as the president of the university’s investment club. During his time at Morningside, Zed gained extensive knowledge of the finance industry through internships and high-level coursework.
Zed recognizes the importance of understanding each client’s life story and how their unique paths can impact their short- and long-term financial goals. As a financial advisor, Zed prepares individualized financial plans while fostering genuine client relationships. He holds Securities Registrations 7 and 66.
Outside of work, Zed enjoys golfing, reading, and spending time with his family and friends. Zed is also an avid sports fan, hoping to see the Vikings win a Super Bowl at some point in his life.
In today’s world, the pursuit of higher education and professional aspirations takes individuals down various paths.
That is why, this time, we’re asking a recent graduate to tell us about his experiences.
In this episode, Corey Heimensen is joined by Zach Springer, a recent graduate from the University of Iowa, to share his journey to law school and the process of preparing for law school admissions. They also touch on the comparison between the successful mind of an attorney versus a medical professional, the role of emotion in decision-making, and the importance of planning and perseverance in achieving long-term goals.
Corey and Zach discuss:
Zach’s path to law school, including his studies in political science and economics
The LSAT and how it tests logic rather than knowledge of the law
Zach’s interest in economics
The efficiency of markets and how it can be difficult for people to take the emotion out of their decisions
The importance of trusting the process in financial planning and not changing objectives mid-flight
Zach’s process of preparing for law school admissions and reveals his top three choices
The experience of meeting George Kittle, a famous Hawkeye football player who now plays for the 49ers
Their top three college bars and their most memorable experiences
Zach Springer is an incoming J.D. candidate at Harvard Law School. He will begin his legal education in the fall of 2023. Zach graduated summa cum laude from the University of Iowa in May of 2023 with degrees in Economics and Political Science, as well as a minor in Philosophy. Along with participating in the Honors and Presidential Scholars programs, he served as the President of the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity. Zach was also an Undergraduate Student Government Senator for 2 years and mentored students in the political science and economics departments.
Zach’s mission-based goals, combined with his genuine enjoyment of learning about the law and collaborating with those around him, have confirmed his desire to enter the field of law. He hopes that the experiences he brings will allow him to have a positive impact on those around him and effectively contribute to the practice of law. Working with and learning from other students and faculty in his academic career and expanding his knowledge through internships and part-time opportunities have convinced him of his desire to work with entrepreneurs and other community businesses through legal work.
Most people are familiar with the not-so-positive side of inflation. But what if Corey Heimensen from Heimensen Wealth Advisors told you that inflation can be beneficial, too?
This week, Corey examines the current standing of inflation within the markets. He outlines the ins and outs of inflation while revealing why it is so important to plan your finances around the current inflation scenario.
Corey discusses:
What is inflation, and how does it work
The benefits of inflation
The importance of ‘rainy day funds’ and reasons it’s crucial to have ‘something to fall back on’
