The Runway Decade

Early Detection is the Key

Episode Summary

Bill and Pete get personal about a shared health detour—early-detected prostate cancer—and how “health meets wealth” shows up in real life. They unpack the emotional and practical steps (baselines, deltas, options, decisions), then pivot to Pete’s new niche venture: Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) work and the launch of The Confident Exit podcast for business owners.

Time-Stamped Show Notes
  • 00:00 – Welcome & context
  • Bill opens the show and explains they’ve been on a brief hiatus; Pete joins remotely from San Francisco (actual hotel room, not a virtual background).
  • 00:43 – Where’s Pete?
  • Pete’s calling in from San Francisco, CA; quick banter about travel and being “alongside on screen.”
  • 01:13 – Why the hiatus
  • It’s “been a minute.” They tee up a candid health conversation and a new podcast announcement.
  • 01:30 – Health Meets Wealth (Chapter call-back)
  • Bill frames the pause through the lens of the book’s “health meets wealth” theme.
  • 01:39 – Pete’s health journey (early detection)
  • A year-long series of tests escalates from “yellow flag” to “red flags.” Diagnosis: prostate cancer, caught early. Pete opts for surgery (early May), good recovery, and gratitude for proactive care and skilled medical teams.
  • 03:18 – Bill’s parallel path
  • Family history heightens vigilance. Bill tracks PSA trend (delta) even while within “normal,” leading to MRI → biopsy.
  • 04:34 – Valentine’s Day twist: both brothers end up getting biopsies the same day—unknowingly.
  • 04:45 – Diagnosis details & options
  • Bill’s Gleason score is a bit lower; he explores alternatives (incl. TULSA-PRO) and clinical trials comparing it to standard surgery. Randomized to surgery; undergoes laparoscopic removal at end of July. Two months post-op at recording—healing well.
  • 06:32 – The headspace & decision process
  • Choosing among credible options; balancing personal values, family impact, and medical clarity. Pete’s approach: execute step-by-step (don’t over-project), while noting loved ones may process differently.
  • 10:24 – September awareness
  • It’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month; heightened appreciation this year.
  • 10:36 – Community support: Blue Ribbon Soirée involvement becomes part of their ongoing advocacy.
  • 10:51 – “Snakes on the runway”
  • Bill’s milestone moments: heart scare at 50; prostate surgery at 60. The “snake in the grass” metaphor from the book—find it, step over it, deal with it—and the humor (what happens at 70/80?).
  • 11:35 – The big takeaway: baselines
  • Be proactive: get baseline labs and track the delta annually. You owe it to yourself and your tribe (family, partners, employees). Tie-in to CYA360 themes: key-person health risk to a business.
  • 12:54 – Bites & Insights + “Glimpse of the Future”
  • At Horizon lunches, they use the handout to project yourself—and your tribe—forward in 5-year increments. Planning for your future self is easier when you visualize loved ones aging too.
  • 15:28 – Cognitive risk in later years
  • Stats awareness (e.g., dementia/Alzheimer’s prevalence in the 80s) reminds listeners to pre-plan for wealth protection as cognition can decline—even for once-meticulous stewards.
  • 16:26 – Making the future “feel real”
  • Bill’s example of projecting his daughter’s milestones to make his future tangible (weddings, timing, costs).17:16 – Time flies
  • 59½ used to feel far away; now it’s in view or in the rear-view. Keep thinking ahead; stay systematic about savings, investing, and health check-ups.
  • 18:02 – Programming note: Pete’s new focus
  • This is Pete’s last regular Runway Decade episode for a while. He’s leaning into exit planning (CEPA) with a new podcast: The Confident Exit.
  • 18:29 – Why exit planning now
  • Background: client exits, Horizon’s own acquisitions, and a maturing ecosystem (valuation, legal, tax). Show format returns to guests—experts surrounding business owners.
  • 20:08 – Where to find it
  • HorizonFG.com → Business Exit Planning page; podcast hosted there and on Apple/Libsyn. Three episodes recorded and rolling out.
  • 20:34 – The niche
  • Just like Runway Decade targets 50-somethings, The Confident Exit targets owners with most of their wealth locked in one illiquid asset—the business. Goal: help monetize and design “what’s next.”
  • 21:36 – Wrap & contacts

Key Takeaways
  • Early detection saves futures: Get annual baselines and watch the trend (delta), not just “normal ranges.”
  • Decisions are personal: Multiple credible pathways (surgery, radiation, ablation/TULSA-PRO, etc.); choose with your values, facts, and family in mind.
  • Health ↔ wealth: Your wellbeing is a key-person risk to your family and business; plan accordingly.
  • Future-you planning: Use “glimpse of the future” to make timelines, costs, and care needs real.
  • New resource for owners: Check out Pete’s The Confident Exit for valuation, legal, tax, and deal-prep insights.

Pull Quotes / Sound Bites
  • “Get a baseline on everything—and track the delta.”
  • “Step over the snake: find the problem, choose the path, execute.”
  • “Life goes fast—think ahead: health and wealth both reward early action.”
Resources & Links
  • Runway Decade site & contact: RunwayDecade.com
  • Horizon Financial Group: HorizonFG.com → Business Exit Planning
  • The Confident Exit podcast (Pete) — also on Apple/Libsyn
  • Email: Bill — bbush@horizonfg.com | Pete — pbush@horizonfg.com

Disclosure

The views depicted in this material are for information purposes only and are not necessarily those of Cetera Advisors LLC. They should not be considered specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Neither Cetera Advisors LLC nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice.

Bill Bush, Andy Bush, and Pete Bush are registered representatives offering securities and advisory services through Cetera Advisors LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, a broker-dealer, and registered investment advisor. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

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