Cynthia Kirkpatrick, Advisor

09/29/2026

Whether it's your health or your finances, waiting rarely makes things easier.

I loved Dr. Erica Yalavarthi's reminder that being proactive puts you in the best position to create change.

It's a lesson I see every day in financial planning. Starting early helps, but it's never too late to take control. The most important step is having a plan and then taking action, one step at a time.

Progress doesn't come from perfection. It comes from momentum.

Take a listen to this clip and the full episode from The She Lift Project. It might be the nudge you need to get started.

Cynthia Marie Siess Kirkpatrick, She Lift Project

09/28/2026

What if the hardest part isn't the challenge itself... but asking for help?

In the latest She Lift Project episode, Dr. Erica Yalavarthi shares her experience with disembarkment syndrome, a little-known condition that left her unable to work, care for her family the way she wanted, or feel like herself for nearly two years.

What struck me most wasn't just her perseverance. It was her willingness to keep searching for answers, advocate for herself when treatments weren't working, and ultimately accept help when she needed it most.

I see a similar struggle in financial planning. Many people wait until they're overwhelmed, uncertain, or facing a major life event before asking for help.

They think they should have all the answers themselves.

The truth is, whether it's your health, your finances, your career, or your personal life, self-advocacy matters. Asking questions matters. Seeking guidance matters.

Some of the most meaningful breakthroughs happen when we stop trying to carry everything on our own and give ourselves permission to lean on experts, trusted advisors, family, or friends.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. It's often the first step toward clarity, healing, and moving forward.

🎙️ Watch the full episode.

Cynthia Marie Siess Kirkpatrick

09/24/2026

The greatest value often comes from being known, not just served.

Listening to Dr. Erica Yalavarthi talk about concierge medicine, I couldn't help but think about financial planning.

People value having a physician who takes time to listen, understands their history, is proactive rather than reactive, and is there when they need help.

The same is true in wealth management.

When an advisor is serving 200-300 clients, the relationship can become more transactional. When you're one of 80, there's greater capacity to understand your goals, family, business, and concerns, anticipate needs, respond quickly, and provide deeper guidance.

Just as concierge medicine focuses on helping people live well, great financial planning is about more than growing wealth. It's about helping people make better decisions, avoid surprises, and navigate life with greater confidence.

Personalization isn't a luxury. It's often the difference between reacting to life and being prepared for it.

Cynthia Marie Siess Kirkpatrick, She Lift Project

09/23/2026

09/23/2026

The St. Louis Magazine A-List celebration was a great reminder of how much talent exists in our city.

I was excited to celebrate being named the A-List winner in the Financial Advisor category alongside the Blog category winners Beth and Doug Russell of Carondelet Kitchen, who do an incredible job sharing the stories and flavor of St. Louis.

Different industries. Different passions. Same love for others.

That's what makes St. Louis special. ❤️

09/23/2026

Your future success is built by today's habits.

In this She Lift Project conversation, Erica Yalavarthi shares why women should prioritize building and preserving muscle now, not later.

It's also a powerful business lesson.

The biggest problems in health, business, and life are often prevented long before they appear. Small, consistent habits. Proactive choices. Discipline over time.

Strong muscles. Strong finances. Strong relationships. Strong businesses.

The formula isn't flashy. It compounds.

09/22/2026

Investment risk isn't something to avoid. It's something to understand.

One of the biggest misconceptions about retirement planning is that success comes from finding the "right" investment or avoiding market volatility altogether. In reality, every decision carries risk, including the decision not to invest and potentially outliving your assets.

I enjoyed reading this article featuring my colleague Grant Edmunds, CFP®, who highlights the importance of having a liquidity runway in retirement.

The best retirement strategies aren't built around a one-size-fits-all portfolio. They're built around your goals, timing, cash flow needs, and comfort level. A well-designed plan creates protection for near-term needs while positioning long-term assets for growth.

It's not about throwing money into a program and hoping for the best. It's about understanding the tradeoffs, identifying the risks that matter most to you, and creating a plan that uses a mix of investments and assets working together to support your goals, even during market downturns.

Successful retirement planning isn't about eliminating risk. It's about knowing the risks, planning for them, and having the confidence that comes from a strategy designed specifically for your life.

Worth the read: https://financialtechtimes.com/managing-investment-risk-for-retirement/

Planning for retirement requires balancing growth potential with protection against market downturns. This article compiles proven strategies from financial

09/22/2026

How well are we living?

This week's She Lift Project episode with Dr. Erica Yalavarthi dives into hormone myths, the importance of muscle health, and why having a provider who actually has time to listen can make all the difference.

Because health span matters just as much as lifespan.

If we want to lead, serve, care for others, and pursue our goals, we need the tools to take care of ourselves too.

The written recap is now live on Substack.

The written recap of this week's episode with Dr. Erica Yalavarthi is LIVE on Substack!

We're covering the hormone myths that kept a generation of women off treatment they needed, why muscle mass is the most underrated tool for healthy aging, and what it actually looks like to have a doctor who has time for you.

Link in bio if you'd rather read than listen. 📝

09/18/2026

If you weren't here tomorrow, would your spouse know what to do?

Not just where the accounts are.
Not just who to call.

Everything.

As a financial advisor, I've guided many widows through that overwhelming transition. But when my father passed away, these lessons became deeply personal.

Grief is hard enough. Having to unravel finances, paperwork, passwords, insurance policies, and unanswered questions makes it even harder.

One of the greatest gifts we can give a surviving spouse is clarity.

In this article, I share both professional insights and personal reflections on the conversations every couple should have before they're needed.

👉 What's one thing you've done, or still need to do, to make life easier for the people you love if something happened to you?

https://team.monetagroup.com/in-her-own-words-the-greatest-gift-you-can-give-a-surviving-spouse/

Cynthia Marie Siess Kirkpatrick

Cynthia Kirkpatrick, Senior Advisor, CPA, CFP® – Compardo, Wienstroer & Janes at Moneta As a financial advisor, I have worked with many widows over the years, and I have watched firsthand how overwhelming the transition can be after the loss of a spouse. The topic became personal for my own famil...

09/15/2026

What if the goal isn't simply to live longer, but to live better?

That's one of the questions we explore with Dr. Erica Oge Yalavarthi on the next episode of The She Lift Project.

We discuss everything from women's health and hormone changes to confidence, entrepreneurship, burnout, and the power of listening when your body is telling you something isn't right.

We also talk about why so many women say,"I just don't feel like myself anymore" and what they can do about it.

I especially loved hearing how a major health challenge ultimately led Erica to a new path, a new business, and a deeper sense of purpose.

A powerful reminder that sometimes our greatest challenges become the catalyst for our next chapter.

JJ Kirkpatrick delivered another beautiful episode with great content for us to learn and know we're not facing battles alone.

Kate Sanders