As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, NAIFA Secretary Carina Hatfield reminds us that the American Dream has always depended on people willing to take a chance on themselves, their businesses, and their futures. In her article published in InsuranceNewsNet, The Freedom to Dream, the Courage to Build, Carina reflects on her own journey as a third-generation insurance agency owner and the role financial professionals play in giving others the confidence to pursue their own dreams

Financial professionals can help consumers stay disciplined during market swings by establishing dependable income before focusing on long-term growth opportunities

By Jason Mickool,  guest contributor

Many Americans retire with strong savings and well-constructed plans, but their confidence can unravel quickly once market uncertainty begins to affect their everyday financial security.

A sharp downturn stops feeling temporary and starts feeling like a threat to their lifestyle, healthcare plan, or ability to remain retired. Even people with substantial savings can become hesitant investors once unpredictability takes over. They pull back from equities, claim Social Security earlier than expected, hold excessive cash, or delay spending because the entire strategy begins to feel fragile.

Ryan Scritchlow, an insurance agent with COUNTRY Financial in Bloomington, IL, brings an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for building into his work in financial services.

Before entering the industry, Ryan was already starting businesses, launching his first company in college and developing a strong interest in creating systems, solving problems, and working with people. What ultimately drew him to financial services was the realization that it offered the same opportunity to build, just in a different way. From developing a business and structuring policies to building long term client relationships, the role aligned naturally with his strengths.

Les Robinson’s path into financial services was shaped by a deeply personal experience. While studying finance in college, his family faced a series of crises at once. His grandmother required care, and at the same time his father suffered a heart attack. Watching how overwhelming and financially disruptive that period became left a lasting impression. It also sparked a realization that there had to be a better way for families to prepare. That moment set the direction for a career focused on long-term care and helping others avoid the same challenges.

InvestmentNews’ fourth annual Rising Stars is now open for nominations, recognizing the next generation of standout professionals under 40.

The Fourth of July is always an inspirational holiday that evokes pride amongst Americans and remembrance of our illustrious history. This year, of course, marks a great milestone as the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. A month from now, we will celebrate America250 with flags, parades, and fireworks and also acknowledge our thankfulness that we live in a country built upon the bedrock principles of freedom and liberty.

Stan Walton has spent decades building a career centered on people, purpose, and long-term impact. Based in Edmond, Oklahoma with State Farm, Stan serves as a sales leader supporting 56 independent contractor agents across the Oklahoma City market. His work spans both property and casualty and financial services, with a particular passion for helping customers and agents navigate the often-overlooked areas of life insurance, retirement planning, and legacy strategies.

More financial professionals are revisiting older permanent life insurance policies as long-term care costs rise, hybrid solutions gain traction, and consumers look for ways to reposition existing assets without triggering taxes.

By Louis Slagle, guest contributor

Few planning conversations create more emotional hesitation than long-term care (LTC). Most people understand the possibility exists, but many still push the topic aside because it feels expensive, uncomfortable, or too far away to address right now. Eventually, though, concerns about healthcare costs, independence, and the protection of family members become impossible to ignore.

Congratulations to Life Happens for receiving a prestigious Silver Telly Award for Best Not-for-Profit Video in the 47th Annual Telly Awards. This national recognition honors the outstanding work Life Happens is doing to educate consumers, elevate the importance of financial protection, and share powerful stories that move people to take action.

Thomas Petersen did not set out to build a career in insurance. In fact, for much of his early life, he ran in the opposite direction.

Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the business, insurance was a constant presence at the dinner table. His father, who entered the disability insurance field in the late 1940s after witnessing firsthand how the lack of coverage cost his own family their farm, viewed the profession as a calling. To him, disability insurance was not a product. It was a way to protect livelihoods and preserve dignity in moments that could otherwise be devastating.