Hitting Pause — With Gratitude, Highlights, and Hope

Rusty Vanneman

— 2 min read

As we turn the calendar toward a new year, I’m pressing pause (for now) on Rusty’s Bridge and the Invest Well, Be Well podcast. My hope is that everything shared these past several months (nearly 70 written posts and 27 podcast conversations) has been thought-provoking, inspirational, and genuinely useful for you both personally and professionally.

Before stepping back, I want to reflect on a few of the themes and highlights that have defined this run. These ideas have become the backbone of our community, and I hope they remain helpful guideposts long after this pause.

Wiser Investing

From Weekly Market Sparks to deep-dive takeaway posts, the consistent drumbeat has been the same:

  • Stay invested — because time in the market remains one of the most reliable edges an investor has.
  • Stay diversified — because humility is a superpower, and none of us truly know which asset, theme, or factor will lead next.
  • Stay disciplined — because process beats prediction, and long-term investors win by controlling behavior more than timing markets.

We talked about evidence-based frameworks, expected returns, long-term return drivers, behavioral pitfalls, and the power of systematic approaches. We spotlighted great investors and learned from conversations with CIOs, strategists, founders, and friends. Each one reinforced the same message: discipline compounds.

Stronger Living

The “Be Well” half of Invest Well, Be Well was always more than a tagline. It was a call to action. We explored:

  • Physical resilience and mobility
  • Mental fitness and emotional clarity
  • Spiritual and personal grounding
  • Daily habits that build energy, purpose, and longevity
  • Leadership, culture, and high-performing teams

Leveraging lessons from decades working alongside incredible colleagues, the takeaway was simple: stronger bodies, clearer minds, and intentional routines make us better investors — and better people.

Relationships and Conversations That Mattered

The 27 podcast episodes stand out as some of the most enjoyable work I’ve done podcasting over the last eight or so years. The conversations were authentic, energetic, and full of wisdom. From longtime colleagues to new friends, each guest reminded me why I love this industry: people who think deeply, work hard, stay humble, and genuinely want to make others better.

And, I could not have asked for a better co-host. Robyn Murray has been awesome to work with over the years and I can not thank her enough for making me look good!

And, speaking of looking (and sounding) good, I also have to thank my long-time podcaster producer Garrett Crosby. He works with some of the top podcasts in the industry and he was more than gracious helping get this new podcast off the ground.

A Heartfelt Thank You

If you’ve read, listened, shared, commented, or simply followed along — thank you. This content has always been about connection, curiosity, and contribution. I’m grateful for your attention, your encouragement, and the conversations that have followed.

Until we meet again,  Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you and your families.

Invest Well, Be Well.

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