Is The Wizard of Oz really a “good” guy, or just a charlatan deceiving an entire nation? We’re following the Yellow Brick Road to find out as the 82 Toothpicks team breaks down the surprising lessons on legacy and guidance hidden in the 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz.

This episode explores how Dorothy’s journey through Oz mirrors a client’s journey through the estate planning process. We discuss how death acts as a trigger for major events (hello, ruby slippers!) and the importance of planning for the unknown, like a spouse’s dementia. Ethan also explains the evolution of trusts, detailing how they went from a tool for the ultra-wealthy to a common strategy for protecting your family and avoiding probate. You’ll never see the Emerald City the same way again!

Tune in as we cover:

😇 The debate over whether Glinda and the Wizard are truly “good” characters.

📜 The Munchkin coroner’s official (and musical) declaration of death.

🐶 Was Toto a good judge of character for biting Miss Gulch?

✨ Favorite moment? [26:50] — Ethan explains how probate still follows you over the rainbow.

If you’ve ever wanted to understand estate planning through flying monkeys and ruby slippers, this one’s for you.

You can find The Wizard of Oz on IMDB here.