When he was about 6 or 7 years old, Rob Bartenstein’s parents got divorced. The rest of childhood had its ups and downs, with some emotional and, at times, physical abuse caused by the men in his mother’s life.
His family also faced financial hardships, especially when his stepfather declared bankruptcy. Living on government cheese, processed cheese provided to welfare beneficiaries, the family had very little money to get by, putting further strain on the adults raising him. He eventually found his way into the military, which put him on a better path. But then an unexpected hospitalization and risky heart operation ended his military career and changed his perspective on life.
In this episode, Diana Britton, managing editor at WealthManagement.com, speaks with Bartenstein, CEO at Kestra Private Wealth Services. He shares some painful memories of his upbringing and describes how he ended up in financial services.
Rob Bartenstein (right) in military school.
You will learn:
- What Rob’s childhood was like;
- The emotional and physical abuse Rob dealt with at a young age;
- How Rob navigated through the dark moments in his life;
- How his life experiences informed his worldview and, ultimately, his path to financial services.
Rob in the army.
Listen now to hear Rob’s life story and how several events led him to where he is now.
If you have a struggle and wish to share your experiences and help others in similar situations, please reach out to Diana at [email protected].
The Transparency with Diana B. podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever podcasts are found.