Ep192: Unlocking Financial Freedom with Gregory McLaughlin

03/21/25 • 36 min

The Book More Show: More Leads, More Calls, More Business

In this episode of The Bookmore Show, I spoke with Greg McLaughlin, a financial planner with 25 years of experience, about his transition to financial independence and his journey writing a book. We explored how reaching financial freedom allowed him to focus on sharing his knowledge of decision-making psychology and financial planning through writing, though organizing these ideas into a cohesive structure proved challenging.

We examined the evolution of book writing processes, from traditional ghostwriting to using AI for editing while maintaining an authentic voice. The conversation covered how books can bridge relationships with financial planning clients, considering their life stages and goals to create content that resonates with their needs.

During our discussion, we explored a book's many roles - from personal achievement to strategic marketing tool. Greg shared how physical books remain powerful anchors for client relationships in today's digital world, helping guide people from uncertainty to confidence in their financial decisions.

I learned about the importance of consistent messaging across all platforms to build trust, and how understanding individual client perspectives helps maintain strong connections during challenging times.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

I explore Gregory McLaughlin's journey from financial planning to authorship, focusing on his transition to passion-driven work and the creation of a book on financial independence.
Gregory shares insights into the process of organizing financial knowledge into a structured book format, emphasizing the value of foundational knowledge for both new and seasoned professionals.
We discuss the evolution of writing from traditional ghostwriting to using AI for editing, highlighting the importance of maintaining an authentic voice in financial advising narratives.
The episode delves into how books can serve as tools for enhancing client relationships, helping clients understand financial concepts and fostering long-term engagement.
We examine the role of consistent messaging across platforms like books and websites to build trust and familiarity with clients, emphasizing strategic marketing through book creation.
Gregory illustrates how books can guide clients from uncertainty to confidence in financial decision-making, underscoring the enduring impact of physical books even in a digital era.
The discussion includes strategies for client engagement, focusing on understanding individual client biases and maintaining strong connections through personalized communication.

Show notes & video: 90minutebooks.com/podcast/192
How does your book idea score against the 8 book building blocks we use here all the time: Book Blueprint Scorecard
Titles & Outline Workshops: 90MinuteBooks.com/Workshops
Ready to get started: 90MinuteBooks.com

Greg McLaughlin:

LinkedIn: Greg McLaughlin
Website: Centinal Financial Group

Questions/Feedback: Send us an email
Extra Credit Listening: MoreCheeseLessWhiskers.com

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

I explore Gregory McLaughlin's journey from financial planning to authorship, focusing on his transition to passion-driven work and the creation of a book on financial independence.
Gregory shares insights into the process of organizing financial knowledge into a structured book format, emphasizing the value of foundational knowledge for both new and seasoned professionals.
We discuss the evolution of writing from traditional ghostwriting to using AI for editing, highlighting the importance of maintaining an authentic voice in financial advising narratives.
The episode delves into how books can serve as tools for enhancing client relationships, helping clients understand financial concepts and fostering long-term engagement.
We examine the role of consistent messaging across platforms like books and websites to build trust and familiarity with clients, emphasizing strategic marketing through book creation.
Gregory illustrates how books can guide clients from uncertainty to confidence in financial decision-making, underscoring the enduring impact of physical books even in a digital era.
The discussion includes strategies for client engagement, focusing on understanding individual client biases and maintaining strong connections through personalized communication.

Greg McLaughlin:

LinkedIn: Greg McLaughlin
Website: Centinal Financial Group

Questions/Feedback: Send us an email
Extra Credit Listening: MoreCheeseLessWhiskers.com

Previous Episode

Ep191: Balancing Business and Full-Time Work with Charles Alexander

In this episode of The Book More Show, I spoke with Charles Alexander, a business coach with 17 years of experience helping over 2,000 clients transition into entrepreneurship while maintaining their full-time jobs. Charles shared insights from his book "Start Now, Quit Later" and discussed strategies for managing this dual-career approach.

I learned about Charles's methodology for building credibility through authentic storytelling and personal experience rather than hard sales tactics. His approach resonated particularly with professionals facing midlife career transitions who want to explore entrepreneurship without immediately quitting their jobs.

We explored how every individual's unique perspective brings value to familiar topics, addressing common concerns like imposter syndrome. Charles explained how he transforms his IT and management background into relatable content that connects with his audience.

The conversation concluded with practical strategies for eliminating unnecessary tasks and focusing on essential business elements.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

I explore the concept of starting a business while maintaining a full-time job, drawing insights from Charles Alexander's book, "Start Now, Quit Later."
We discuss the importance of sharing personal experiences and stories to establish credibility and engage audiences, even in familiar topics.
Charles provides strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome by emphasizing the unique value of individual perspectives and knowledge.
The process of writing a book is examined, highlighting the use of past experiences and organized storytelling to create impactful content.
We emphasize the necessity of eliminating unnecessary tasks to achieve entrepreneurial freedom, with insights drawn from Charles's background in IT and management.
The episode delves into how writing a book can serve as a foundation for content creation and personal growth, despite its imperfections.
We explore the advantages of producing concise and focused books that are more adaptable to current work and future changes, leveraging the power of storytelling.

Show notes & video: 90minutebooks.com/podcast/191
How does your book idea score against the 8 book building blocks we use here all the time: Book Blueprint Scorecard
Titles & Outline Workshops: 90MinuteBooks.com/Workshops
Ready to get started: 90MinuteBooks.com

Charles Alexander:

LinkedIn: Charles Alexander
Website: Your Charles Alexander

Questions/Feedback: Send us an email
Extra Credit Listening: MoreCheeseLessWhiskers.com

Next Episode

Ep193: Resilience and Recovery with Dr. Nicholas Williams

In this episode of The Book More Show, I spoke with Nic Williams, pastor of South Shore Community Church in Sarasota, Florida. We discussed his journey from youth pastor in Georgia to leading a congregation that grew from 140 to over 1,100 members. Nic shared insights about Florida's unique church culture and the challenges of maintaining personal connections while leading a growing community.

Nic opened up about creating "Be Free," an initiative inspired by personal tragedy after losing a friend to an overdose. This experience drove his commitment to support recovery and mental health in his community. His approach focuses on helping people overcome emotional burdens through practical steps and community support.

The conversation turned to Nic's new book project and his strategies for reaching diverse audiences through multiple platforms. We explored how celebrating small victories and shifting from negative to positive thinking can transform lives.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

I discussed the journey of Pastor Nic Williams, from his beginnings as a youth pastor in Georgia to leading South Shore Community Church in Sarasota, Florida. We explored the growth of his congregation from 140 to over 1,100 members.
Nic shared the inspiration behind his "Be Free" initiative, which aims to support recovery and transformation in the community, spurred by personal experiences with addiction and mental health.
We delved into the process of writing Nic's new book, focusing on selecting relatable stories that highlight personal freedom and overcoming burdens, including anecdotes like cluttered spaces and unread emails.
In our discussion, we emphasized the significance of celebrating small victories in personal growth, with examples such as overcoming credit card debt and staying sober for 31 days.
Nic reflected on the broader impact of personal transformation and community support, illustrated by stories like a stroke survivor who inspires others despite his challenges.
We explored various strategies for promoting Nic's book project, including engaging with audiences through podcasts, recovery meetings, and diverse media formats to reach a wider audience.
The episode concluded with a discussion on the importance of revisiting projects to assess their impact, highlighting the interconnectedness of a book and a course in spreading a unified message.

Show notes & video: 90minutebooks.com/podcast/193
How does your book idea score against the 8 book building blocks we use here all the time: Book Blueprint Scorecard
Titles & Outline Workshops: 90MinuteBooks.com/Workshops
Ready to get started: 90MinuteBooks.com

Nic Williams:

LinkedIn: Nic Williams
Website: Be Free

Questions/Feedback: Send us an email
Extra Credit Listening: MoreCheeseLessWhiskers.com