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JULY 2025
GIVE US A CALL! 303-922-4304 federalbenefitsmadesimple.com Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M–F
HEALTHY, WEALTHY,
& WISE
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HOW I TURNED MY FEAR OF SPEAKING INTO MY SUPERPOWER OVERCOMING THE NERVES
I used to dread public speaking. And now? I teach it.
Preparation is usually the best way to overcome nerves. The more you know about your topic and the more practice you put in before you set foot on a stage, the better. It makes a world of difference when you feel confident in a subject and have tried your talk a few times. One of the first presentations I had to give in my role was in front of 300 people, and I knew my nerves would be more intense than anything I had ever experienced. I practiced over and over again, even asking employees and peers to be my practice audience. On the day of my big speech, I felt prepared and comforted that I had two hours before it was my turn on stage. Yes, I was nervous, but I thought I had time to get past that. It was only moments after arriving when a senior vice president told me the schedule had changed and I would need to go on … NOW. I agreed and was immediately shuffled onto the stage and handed a microphone. To this day, I believe I blacked out for at least the first minute and a half of my presentation. However, to my pleasant surprise, when I later watched the video, no one seemed to notice I was afraid, and because I had practiced so much, I apparently went into autopilot and gave an excellent speech. That experience taught me that no matter whether I was teaching a class on federal benefits or doing a large webinar, I would succeed as long as I was prepared. All of us have been afraid of public speaking at one point or another. Regardless of career, it’s a skill we each need to accomplish and a fear we need to overcome. Having found ways to improve my public speaking skills, I can positively impact the lives of thousands of federal employees whose worlds are being turned upside down by presenting a single webinar with critical information to help them move forward. If you blackout on stage for a few minutes, you will likely be the only one to notice! Remember, a bit of nervousness is a good thing, but with the right preparation and practice, you can move from fear to confidence, and it might just help others more than you know.
Ever since high school, I’ve had the fear of presenting to others. Back then, I would never have expected that one day my career would involve public speaking, but these days I regularly stand up in front of crowded rooms and provide information. At one point, I finally decided to conquer my anxiety and become better at this essential skill. Although I still get nervous sometimes, I’ve found ways to prepare and manage the nerves so they don’t control me. July is Freedom from Fear of Speaking Month, which I think everyone can relate to. No matter how skilled you are or how much practice you’ve had, we all feel nervous when speaking in front of a crowd. One of the most important things to remember is that nerves don’t equal failure or lack of ability. Nerves just mean you care, and that’s a great place to start. Quite frankly, if you’re not just a little bit nervous, you’re probably not invested in whether or not your audience pays attention to your presentation. A little bit of anxiety is good because doing well matters to you. You want your audience to gain something, and you understand the value in what you’re doing.
–Jeremy Rafferty
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No-Cost Federal Benefits Workshops for You and Your Team SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST
At Federal Benefits Made Simple, we understand the intense pressure federal employees are facing nationwide. Budget cuts, hiring freezes, and growing workloads are making planning for one’s future more challenging than ever. To support you and your teams, we are offering our full federal benefits training virtually, free of charge, through Sept. 30, 2025. This is our way of standing beside you, ensuring you still have access to critical retirement and benefits information you need, even if your agency can’t fund training right now. Our virtual program covers a wide range of essential topics for federal employees to help plan retirement. From detailed information about pensions and your Thrift Savings Plan to managing sick leave, our training ensures you and your
we’re here to help. Our virtual program is ideal for busy employees who currently do not have time or funds to complete in-class training. These sessions will provide vital resources to your agency, even if your budget is tight. If you are interested in signing up your team for one of our free informational sessions, visit FederalBenefitsMadeSimple.com/ workshops-for-federal-agencies and fill out our request form, or call us at 303-922-4304 . We still provide in-person and private virtual sessions for agencies looking for more direct training. We’re available for on-site visits and tailored online classes for groups.
team have the knowledge to make informed decisions at every stage of your career. Whether you’re nearing retirement or just starting out, we’ve designed our expert-led sessions to clarify complex rules and help you feel confident about the future, even when things are so uncertain. If you are a federal employee looking for clarity or an agency leader trying to support your team under these tough constraints,
We know this is a difficult season for many agencies as they try to balance limited budgets, reduced staff, and many unknowns. That’s why we want to support you. Whether you’re looking for no-cost training opportunities for your teams now or planning ahead for customized sessions in the fall, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn how we can help your agency provide crucial benefits training during this time of transition.
STAYING CLOSE TO FARAWAY GRANDKIDS Bridging the Miles
Many parents look forward to spending their preretirement and golden years with grandchildren, cuddling on the couch, mixing cookie dough, or planting seeds in a garden. Yet that comfy dream eludes half of today’s grandparents because their grandchildren live more than 200 miles away. According to a 2023 AARP survey, distance is currently the biggest obstacle to grandparents spending as much time as they want with grandchildren. A growing number of grandparents are closing that gap by using FaceTime, Google Hangouts, or other video-chat apps for virtual get-togethers with grandkids. The rewards of mastering those apps are well worth the effort. Here are two strategies for making the most of virtual family visits. Let Kids Lead Children often revel in a grandparent’s undivided attention and delight in hosting
a room tour or a show-and-tell session featuring their latest project or toy. A grandchild might enjoy showing you how they play with a train set or blocks. Others might like modeling their latest superhero costume or showing you how they make slime. Many games and conversations you would have when you are physically together can also work virtually, such as telling a joke,
posing a riddle, showing a magic trick, or reciting a song, or poem. Take turns creating stories or holding two-way conversations with hand puppets. Kids also love scavenger hunts, guessing games, or playing “I Spy”. Mind Their Moods When you call, your grandchildren may feel tired, excited, silly, or sad. Don’t take it personally if your grandchild checks in briefly, then breezes away to do something else. Children live in the moment. Some days, they may be eager to engage in a lively conversation, while on others, they want to roam free. They may also want to “hang out” with you without talking. As hard as it may be, many grandparents learn to just “be in the room” as a presence on the screen. Some grandparents keep the same toys, puzzles, or craft materials on hand that their grandchildren enjoy. Then, you can either invite your grandchild to teach you how to use the items or just play alongside them.
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THREE NATIONAL PARKS WORTH THE DETOUR Ditch the Tourist Traps
Whenever you hear a friend or family member say they’re going to take a road trip to visit some of America’s most beautiful national parks, they usually plan to visit the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, or Yosemite. These national parks consistently attract millions of visitors every year, but they’re far from the only must-see national parks in the country. There are 429 protected national sites within the U.S., and 63 of those have obtained the official “national park” designation in their names. (The other labels are battlefields, historic sites, monuments, recreation areas, etc.) If you want to experience the beauty of America without the crowds, consider visiting these destinations during your next vacation! Channel Islands National Park, California Often referred to as the Galapagos of North America, the Channel Islands are unique areas off the coast of Southern California. While visiting, you can expect to see seals, island foxes, and over
2,000 other plant and animal species, 145 found nowhere else on Earth. You can reach the mainland visitor center in Ventura by car, but the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats or private boats. So make reservations in advance. Cuyahoga National Park, Ohio Like many other national parks, Cuyahoga National Park features 33,000 acres of hiking, rock climbing, and photography, not to mention 1,000 species of plants and animals. However, if you want to have a unique experience, hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota Caving may not be your first thought when considering national parks, but Wind Cave is one of the longest and most complex caves in the world and has many unique features, such as frostwork, cave popcorn, and boxwork, all of which create unique sights with every step. Once outside, a beautiful mixed-grass prairie greets you; home to bison, prairie dogs, and more.
Train Your Brain!
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp This recipe is quick, easy, and promises a restaurant-quality meal from your own kitchen. It’s perfect over pasta or a green salad. Impress guests or indulge yourself on a weeknight!
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by CooktopCove.com
• 3 tbsp olive oil • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • Juice of 1 lemon
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Add shrimp to the bowl and toss until fully coated. 4. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet.
5. Roast in the oven for 7–9 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and slightly golden. 6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley and fresh lemon juice before serving.
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Give us a call! 303-922-4304 federalbenefitsmadesimple.com FAX: 303-416-4358 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M–F
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Insurance products are offered through the insurance businesses Federal Benefits Made Simple and E.A. Buck Financial Services. Federal Benefits Made Simple is an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Advisor and Buck Wealth Strategies, a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. AEWM does not offer insurance products. The insurance products offered by Federal Benefits Made Simple and E.A. Buck Financial Services are not subject to Investment Advisor requirements. AEWM is not affiliated with Federal Benefits Made Simple, E.A. Buck Financial Services, or Buck Wealth Strategies. In California, we are known only as E.A. Buck Insurance Services in all solicitations of insurance. Federal Benefits Made Simple, an E.A. Buck Company is not affiliated with or endorsed by the US government or any governmental agency. E. A. Buck Financial Services, Buck Wealth Strategies, Federal Benefits Made Simple, An E.A. Buck Company are affiliated by common ownership. CMP-52555- 6/25
INSIDE THIS ISSUE page 1 The Secret to Thriving in Front of an Audience page 2 We’ve Got Your Back in Tough Times Master the Art of Connecting With Grandkids From Afar page 3 Parks You’ve Never Heard of (But Need to Visit) Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
page 4 Celebrity Book Clubs Drive Book Popularity
How Star-Powered Book Clubs Drive Bestsellers THE CELEBRITY EFFECT
Nowadays, celebrities influence countless consumer decisions, from buying cosmetics to backing charities. However, few sectors have been more deeply affected than book publishing. Celebrities from Reese Witherspoon to Dua Lipa are triggering rising sales of an increasingly varied selection of books. Publishing industry sources credit their book clubs with creating closer reading communities and more adventurous book choices among Millennial and Gen Z readers. Oprah’s Book Club kick started the trend in the 1990s, sparking millions of book sales with a single mention. In a recent shift, other celebrities are using their clout to fast-track book choices into TV adaptations. Reese Witherspoon, who rivals Oprah in her book-selection clout, turned Celeste Ng’s “Little Fires Everywhere” into a bestseller and a TV adaptation (starring herself). Actress and producer Dakota Johnson last year founded a book club called TeaTime, which is linked to her production company by the same name. The club aims to adapt book picks such as Maria-Helene Bertino’s “Beautyland” into TV shows and movies. Actress Emma Roberts’ book club, Belletrist, has produced two TV shows based on books she recommended, “First Kill” and “Tell Me Lies.” With her friend and co-organizer Karah Preiss, Roberts tends
toward indie bookstore picks with an intellectual vibe, heavy on literary and historical fiction and memoirs.
Pop star Dua Lipa calls her Service 95 platform a “cultural concierge” that includes shopping guides, travel ideas, and book picks. The singer has recommended a global potpourri of works to broaden readers’ perspectives, including Polish author Tomasz Jedrowski’s “Swimming in the Dark,” Korean-American author Michelle Zauner’s “Crying in H Mart,” and Argentine author Hernan Diaz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Trust.” Actress Emma Watson followed a different path when she launched Our Shared Shelf in 2016. The “Harry Potter” co-star’s choices tilt more toward political and personal causes, including Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” and “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race” by Reni Eddo-Lodge. Whatever their motive, these stars deserve credit for endearing books to a much larger audience. This can only be a good thing, especially in an era when many talented authors have a hard time paying the rent!
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