Get Ready! with Tony Steuer

Send us Fan MailHelping parents as they age starts with better conversations, clearer plans, and realistic expectations.Elliott Appel, founder of Kindness Financial Planning and author of How to Help Your Parents As They Age joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast to share practical ways families can talk about aging, understand wishes, organize documents, plan for care, and set healthy boundaries. Key TakeawaysAging plans work best when conversations start early.Parents' wishes, values, and goals deserve clear discussion.Caregiving works better with realistic expectations and shared roles.Healthy boundaries help families support each other with clarity.Care costs should be researched before care is needed.Legal documents and elder care planning create better options.Regular communication helps families prepare and adjust as needs change.Tony's Take: Caregiving is a journey, it's a series of decisions. The families who are best prepared usually have the conversations early. They understand wishes, organize documents, talk about care options, and know what each person can realistically do. Connect with Elliott Appel, CFP®, CLU®, RLP®:Website: https://kindnessfp.com/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elliottappelFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KindnessfpBooks: How to Help Your Parents As They AgeMoney Lessons for Change: What They Should Have Taught You in School (Amazon)Podcasts and media: Elliott Appel: YouTube (here)Me and Money Podcast with Elliott Appel and Matt Fizell: (Apple Podcasts)Resources Mentioned:Carescout Cost of Care Calculator and Survey (here) The Aging Plan Every Family Needs with Anna Lee Kruger on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast (here) How To Create An Aging Plan That Works with Carol Chiang on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast (here)Bios: Elliott Appel, CFP®, CLU®, RLP® is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planner and the founder of Kindness Financial Planning, LLC, which focuses on helping widows, caregivers, and retirees gain control of their financial life. Outside of the office, Elliott enjoys playing tennis, hiking, biking, and photography. 

Send us Fan MailYour relationship with money shapes how you think, feel, give, and make decisions.Ellen Rogin, CPA, CFP®, Author, Speaker and consultant joined me on Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about building a healthier, more intentional relationship with money. Ellen shares how money beliefs are formed, why early money memories matter, and how generosity, visualization, and self-awareness can create more confidence and possibility.Key TakeawaysYour relationship with money influences every financial decision.Early money memories can shape beliefs that guide your choices.A belief can be examined, questioned, and updated.Confidence grows when people understand their money story.Generosity can support happiness, purpose, and prosperity.Visualization helps people connect money with meaningful goals.Advisors can create calm by listening beyond the numbers.Tony's Take: Money is personal before it is technical. The numbers matter, but they rarely tell the whole story. Our beliefs, memories, fears, hopes, and habits shape how we make decisions.Connect with Ellen Rogin, CPA, CFPLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenrogin/Website: https://www.ellenrogin.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EllenRoginBooks: Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money by Ellen Rogin (Amazon) Picture Your Prosperity: Smart Money Moves to Turn Your Vision into Reality by Ellen Rogin and Lisa Kueng (Amazon)Bio: Ellen Rogin, CPA, CFP®, is a money expert, intuitive, and New York Times best-selling author of Picture Your Prosperity and the Amazon best-seller Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. A former financial advisor, Ellen combines deep financial and business expertise with a strong intuitive ability that helps people see their financial lives, opportunities, and next stage of success with a deeper level of clarity.Ellen works with successful individuals and organizations who sense there is more available to them and want to see money, opportunities, and what's next from a deeper perspective, revealing new possibilities and a more aligned path forward.Ellen is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and TEDx presenter whose work has been featured in The New York Times, Money, Time.com, and Forbes.com.

Send us Fan MailRetirement is a life transition, not just a financial event. In this episode, Tony Steuer talks with Andrea Maizes, author of Your Next Edit, about planning for life after work with intention.Andrea shares why retirement often involves identity, purpose, connection, time, family expectations, and experimentation. Her message is clear: do not wait until you retire to figure out what comes next.Key TakeawaysRetirement is a life transition that unfolds over time.Life planning deserves as much attention as financial planning.Work can provide identity, purpose, structure, and connection.A strong next chapter starts with something meaningful to move toward.Testing new interests before retirement builds confidence.Clear conversations with family create better expectations.Your next edit can grow through small steps, patience, and curiosity.Tony's Take: Retirement is about more than having enough money. Money gives you options, but it does not automatically create purpose, connection, or joy. Your next chapter is not something you have to solve all at once. You can test, learn, adjust, and build your next edit before life happens.Connect with Andrea Maizes, ACC, CPRC:Website: https://www.andreamaizes.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamaizes/Substack: The Next Edit: https://thenextedit.substack.comBook:"Your Next Edit": 30 Thought-Provoking Exercises to Build the Retirement of Your Dreams (Amazon) Bio: Andrea Maizes is an executive transition coach and former Chief Human Resources Officer with more than 30 years of experience leading global organizations. Today she helps high-achieving professionals navigate one of life's most underestimated transitions — life after the title.She is the author of Your Next Edit and creator of The Next Edit newsletter, where she writes about identity, reinvention, and designing the next chapter after high achievement. Andrea works with founders, CEOs, and senior leaders navigating retirement, reinvention, and major life transitions.

Send us Fan MailSavings is an important step on the road to financial resilience.Andrew Gall, Head of Savings and Economics at the Building Societies Association and a leader of UK Savings Week joined Tony on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast to talk about why saving is about more than pounds and pence. It is about habits, confidence, security, choices, and giving your future self more options.Key TakeawaysSmall savings habits can help build financial resilience over time.Saving is personal, and the best approach is one you can stick with.Consistent saving matters, even when the amount feels small.Savings can provide security, peace of mind, and more choices.Getting started is more important than saving perfectly.Checking whether your savings are earning interest can help your money work harder.It is okay to use savings when you reach your goal or need the money.Tony's Take: Saving is one of the simplest ways to prepare before life happens. The goal is to find a way to save that fits your life, build the habit, and give your future self more choices.Connect with Andrew Gall:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-gall-uk/Connect with UK Savings Week: UK Savings Week Website: https://uksavingsweek.co.ukResources mentioned:Bristol University research: https://www.bsa.org.uk/getmedia/924bff5b-c408-4b26-99f2-ec34a73d3d72/BSA-Saving-Attitudes-Behaviours-Policy-Report-2026.pdfBio: Andrew Gall has worked for the Building Societies Association for twenty years. This is the trade body for all of the UK's building societies, customer-owned savings and mortgage providers which have their origins 250 years ago when people came together to start to save. They also represent some of the larger UK credit unions. Five years ago Andrew led the launch of UK Savings Week, a campaign to get people engaged in saving. This aims to help people to start to save, and to make the most of the money the have. The campaign has grown so that hundreds of organisations - savings providers, businesses, charities, educators, government and others have come together in a cross-sector campaign. Backed by rigorous research and working with partners, UK Savings Week is now delivering results in helping people to build their savings and financial wellbeing.In collaboration with The Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards (the MAIAs) which celebrate the increasingly important work being done to help people understand money better. Learn more: https://www.maiawards.org.  

Send us Fan MailWhat if there were more options for your life insurance than you realized?Lisa Rehburg, life settlement broker joins Tony on Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about what people should know when a life insurance policy no longer fits. Lisa explains how life settlements work, why reviewing your options matters, and how to make more informed decisions before letting a policy lapse or surrendering it.Key TakeawaysAsk whether the policy is still doing its job.A life settlement may offer another option before surrendering or lapsing a policy.Life settlements aren't just for when the insured is severely ill.A life settlement broker can help create competition among buyers.Licensing, experience, and specialized knowledge matter when working with life settlements (or anything for that matter). Regulation, transparency, and privacy protections are important parts of the process.Review all options before making a long-term policy decision.Tony's Take: Life insurance is risk protection first. If a policy protected your family, business, or estate for years, the premiums were not wasted. But life changes, and the better question becomes: is this policy still doing the job I need it to do? A life settlement is not always the answer, but knowing it exists can help people make better decisions before life happens.Connect with Lisa Rehburg:Website: https://www.rehburglifesettlements.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisarehburg/Bio: Lisa Rehburg is President of Rehburg Life Insurance Settlements, a life insurance settlements broker.  Ms. Rehburg is passionate about assisting financial, insurance, legal and non-profit professionals to help their clients benefit from their unwanted or unneeded life insurance policies.  Lisa has been in the health and life insurance industries for over 35 years.  She has presented to hundreds of organizations, including various Financial Planning Associations, Fiduciary Associations, Estate Planning Councils, Planned Giving Roundtables, NAPFA, NAIFA and Health Underwriters Associations, to raise the visibility of life insurance settlements as an option for clients, when appropriate.   She has held executive roles at carriers, general agencies and TPAs.   She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Development.  She can be reached at (714) 349-7981, lisa@rehburglifesettlements.com, lrehburg@aol.com,  or www.rehburglifesettlements.com. 

Send us Fan MailIncome creates options when it is supported by strong financial systems.Kahlilah Dowe, CFP®, founder of TrueWealth Solutions, joined me on Get Ready: Before Life Happens to talk about how education, structure, goals, and values can build confidence and economic empowerment.Key TakeawaysFinancial education builds confidence and expands opportunity.Strong systems help income support long-term goals.Knowing your numbers creates financial peace.Liquidity, goals and systems create stability.A financial do-over can begin with one courageous step.Your money should support what brings you peace and purpose. Economic empowerment grows when money is used to create impact.Tony's Take: Strong financial infrastructure helps turn income into confidence, choices, and impact.Connect with Kahlilah Dowe, CFP®:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kahlilahdowe/True Wealth Solutions Website: https://truewealthsolutionstws.comYouTube True Wealth Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueWealthSolutionstwsResources mentioned: The Financial Do-Over Series by Kahlilah Dowe, CFP Part 1: More Money, Same Problems.  (LinkedIn) Part 2: We Outside! / The Do-Over(LinkedIn) Part 3: Seriously, What Will It Take? The Infrastructure (LinkedIn) Part 4: Learning Enough. (LinkedIn)How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie (Amazon) Bio: Kahlilah Dowe is a Certified Financial Planner™ with more than 15 years of experience helping families build financial freedom through personal financial planning and coaching. She began her career at Vanguard, one of the world's largest financial institutions, where she developed financial strategies for high net worth families. Today, she is the founder of TrueWealth Solutions, a financial planning and coaching firm based in the Philadelphia area, where she helps clients strengthen the financial infrastructure that supports their lives.Kahlilah's passion for financial planning is deeply personal. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, in a family where resources were limited, she became focused early on creating financial security for herself and her family. That experience shaped her belief that financial success is not simply about making great money, but about using money in ways that create stability, freedom, and long term economic empowerment. She lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband, their three children, and two grandchildren, and loves loud, joyful Friday nights spent with five generations of family.

Send us Fan MailMoney shapes our choices, relationships, and confidence. On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I sit down with Wally Luckeydoo, educator and founder of Money Secret. We explore why money conversations matter, how anonymous money secrets help people feel less alone, and why financial literacy works best when it includes emotions, behavior, and real life.Key TakeawaysMoney conversations build trust and confidenceMoney secrets reveal the emotions behind financial decisionsSharing money stories helps people feel less aloneFinancial literacy depends on both content and deliverySports gambling is an important conversation for students and familiesPartners benefit from talking openly about money habits and expectationsMoney mistakes can become learning momentsTony's Take: Money secrets are money stories. Financial literacy is more than information. It is also about emotions, behavior, trust, and communication. When we talk more openly about money, we help people learn, connect, and make better decisions before life happens.Connect with Wally Luckeydoo, Ed.D.Money Secret Website: https://moneysecret.netLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wallyluckeydoo/Resources mentioned:Sammy Rabbit - Money School and Books for kids: https://sammyrabbit.comThe Four Money Bears - Book by Mac Gardner and Berryville Game: https://www.thefourmoneybears.comBio: Dr. Wally T. Luckeydoo holds multiple professional degrees and is an award-winning educator and leader in financial literacy with a strong commitment to experiential learning. He teaches Work-Based Learning and Personal Finance at Smyrna High School, where he prepares students with practical, career-ready skills through hands-on experiences. He also serves as an adjunct professor, teaching Sports Management courses at Abilene Christian University and Cumberland University, as well as Dual Enrollment Personal Finance at Bethel University.Dr. Luckeydoo is the creator of MoneySecret.net, a platform that uncovers real, anonymous financial stories to spark meaningful conversations and deeper understanding of personal finance. His work has earned him numerous recognitions, including the 2026 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education Educator of the Year Award, the 2026 Jump$tart Corey Carlisle Public Policy Award, the 2025 Tennessee Educational Technology Association Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, the 2024 Tennessee Jump$tart Educator of the Year Award, and honors from Next Gen Personal Finance as a Distinguished Educator and Extra Mile Award winner.He is dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in school, career, and life.In collaboration with The Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards (the MAIAs) which celebrate the increasingly important work being done to help people understand money better. Learn more: https://www.maiawards.org.  

Send us Fan MailLife can change quickly. Planning ahead, having the right conversations, and using tools like trusts can help protect what matters most.Will Spencer, founder of Rest Easier joined me on Get Ready Before Life Happens to explore why estate planning is important for everyone, how families can protect assets from disappearing over time, and why early money conversations create more clarity and confidence across generations. Will shares practical ways to simplify planning, update beneficiaries, and help families prepare before life happens.Key TakeawaysEstate planning helps protect families and is valuable at every stage of lifeMany assets go unclaimed because loved ones do not know they existEarly conversations about money create clarity and reduce future stressUpdating beneficiaries and organizing important information are simple but powerful stepsFinancial literacy grows when people openly share knowledge and support one anotherYounger generations can help start meaningful conversations around money and planning with aging parents

Send us Fan MailYour story is one of your greatest assets. Jed Collins, author of Fourth & Goal: An NFL Memoir, Grit, Survival, & Stories From Inside My Helmet joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast to explore the power of journaling, why reflection helps shape personal growth, and how authenticity becomes even more valuable in the age of AI. Jed shares lessons from football, failure, entrepreneurship, and financial education, along with why capturing your story can help you better understand yourself, your goals, and the value you bring to the world.Key TakeawaysJournaling helps capture experiences, reflect on growth, and develop original thinkingReflection creates greater self-awareness around decisions, goals, and personal identityAuthenticity and perspective are becoming more valuable as AI expands access to informationGrowth often comes through challenges, setbacks, and learning from failureFinancial education becomes more powerful when people can apply ideas in real lifeCapturing your story over time helps clarify your voice, values, and directionSmall, consistent habits like journaling can create long-term personal and professional growthBecome the person you needed when you were young

Send us Fan MailThe way we think shapes the way we spend, invest, and make decisions. Colin Hodge, founder and author of Outrageous Startup Growth joined me on this episode of the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast to explore how psychology impacts financial decisions, why cognitive biases shape more of our lives than we realize, and how slowing down can help us make clearer and more intentional choices. Colin shares insights on growth mindset, entrepreneurship, AI, and the hidden forces that influence how we think, spend, and respond to risk.Key TakeawaysCognitive biases influence how we make financial, business, and everyday decisionsSlowing down important decisions creates space for clearer and more intentional thinkingSystem 1 thinking helps us react quickly, while System 2 thinking supports deeper analysisUrgency and fear can push people toward reactive decisions and reduce critical thinkingAdding friction to decisions can help reduce impulse spending and improve long-term outcomesUnderstanding your identity, emotions, and personal story improves self-awareness around moneyAI can become a powerful tool for learning, leverage, and expanding opportunity when used intentionally

Send us Fan MailAging planning starts with conversations. Lauren Clough, Co-Founder and CEO of bQuest joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast to explore why aging plans matter, how early family conversations create clarity, and the important role financial planners and care professionals play in helping families navigate caregiving decisions. Lauren shares practical insights on aging in place, building support systems, and creating a plan that aligns with a family's wishes and values.Key TakeawaysAging planning begins with understanding a person's wishes and long-term goalsEarly family conversations help reduce stress and improve decision-making laterCaregiving often evolves over time and requires different types of support along the wayAging in place requires planning around home safety, caregiving, and financial resourcesFinancial advisors can play an important role in facilitating family conversations and long-term planningTrusted professionals and vetted service providers help families navigate complex caregiving decisions with greater confidence Tony's Take: When families talk openly about wishes, care, and support before a crisis happens, they create a stronger foundation for the future. That clarity becomes a gift for everyone involved.Connect with Lauren Clough:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-tracy-clough-13053819/bQuest Website: https://thebquest.comResources mentioned:Aging Wishes GuideHow to Create an Aging Plan That Works with Aging-in-Place Expert Carol Chiang on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast (here)Bio: Lauren Clough is the Co-Founder and CEO of bQuest, the first Care Intelligence Platform purpose-built for the financial services industry. bQuest partners with wealth management firms, RIAs, and family offices to ensure families receive timely, coordinated support during aging, end-of-life, and after-loss transitions. Drawing on more than a decade as a senior manager in her family's global logistics business, Lauren brings deep operational expertise in scaling complex, fragmented systems. Her leadership is also shaped by her family's multi-generational Alzheimer's journey, which exposed firsthand the gaps between financial planning and aging care support. At bQuest, Lauren is building the infrastructure that bridges wealth and health equipping financial advisors to show up for clients not only in markets, but in life's most personal and vulnerable moments. Her mission is to transform financial services by making longevity planning and care coordination a standard offering so that every family under the guidance of a trusted advisor has clarity, advocacy, and real support as they navigate caregiving and aging.

Send us Fan MailPhil Weiss, Founder of Apprise Wealth joined Tony on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about how understanding your financial situation, aligning your resources with your values, and having regular money conversations can help you navigate major life changes with more confidence and intention. Life transitions require clarity and confidence.Key TakeawaysYour money story shapes how you make financial decisions.Knowing your financial situation helps you see what's possible.Moving from your accumulation (saving) phase to your spending (decumulation) phase requires a mindset shift.Align time, energy, attention, and money with what matters most.Regular “money dates” strengthen communication and clarity.During major transitions, pause and avoid rushed decisions.Asking questions builds confidence and better outcomes.

Send us Fan MailWhat can 300 conversations teach us about making thoughtful financial decisions and preparing for life?After 300 conversations with guests from around the world, I've learned that access to financial information is only the beginning.In this special solo episode, I share the Six Principles of Financial Readiness, a practical framework for connecting financial information with our goals, responsibilities, relationships, and real lives.I explore why curiosity matters, how to recognize what may be missing, and what it takes to prepare the people who may one day need to step in.Key takeawaysStart with purpose. Understand what you want your money and decisions to make possible.Seek understanding. Learn about the choices, costs, risks, benefits, trade-offs, and interests behind a recommendation.Know what's missing. Look for the unanswered question, missing document, needed conversation, or person who should be involved.Think long-term. Consider how a decision may affect you and the people around you as life changes.Protect what matters most. Prepare the people, information, relationships, and resources that support what you value.Exercise good judgment. Take a beat, verify the information, involve the right people, and choose a responsible next step.Prepare people as well as plans. Organization and communication help trusted people understand your wishes, locate essential information, and step in when needed.Tony's Take: I began this podcast believing the primary challenge was helping people access the right financial information. Three hundred conversations taught me that information becomes more useful when curiosity activates it, context connects it with real life, and good judgment turns it into thoughtful action.

Send us Fan MailA simple pause can change your financial life. On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Karen Holland, founder of the nonprofit Gifting Sense and creator of the DIMS “Does It Make Sense?” Score Calculator.We explore how slowing down leads to better decisions, why mindful friction improves spending, and how the DIMS framework helps you evaluate purchases with clarity. Karen shares how to understand trade-offs, avoid common buying mistakes, and build habits that support long-term financial confidence for both adults and kids.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailMoney conversations build clarity and confidence. On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Tricia Daniel, TEDx speaker and founder of the Starting Over Wealth Network about how early, open money conversations create confidence, reduce fear, and help families stay prepared through life's changes. Tricia shares how to overcome shame, communicate with clarity, and build a plan that supports both you and the people you care about.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailYou can earn a solid income and still feel uncertain about your next financial step. This episode shows how to build clarity, confidence, and momentum.On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I sit down with Sandra Park, founder of Prosperous Panda and host of the Engineer Her Path Podcast.We explore how earning more creates opportunity, and how clarity, identity, and communication turn that opportunity into progress. Sandra shares how to advocate for your value, strengthen your negotiation skills, and use your income intentionally to build flexibility, confidence, and long-term freedom.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailYour value grows when you learn how to combine AI with what only you can do as a human.Nikki Barua, author, speaker and CEO & Co-Founder of FlipWork joined me on Get Ready Before Before Life Happens to talk about how AI is transforming how we work, earn, and create value.Nikki shares how individuals and advisors can stay relevant by reinventing themselves, developing AI fluency and focusing on the skills that remain distinctly human. From empathy and judgment to action and accountability, this conversation explores how to thrive in an AI-driven world.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailYour money decisions show what matters most to you.Cecile Biccari, sustainable finance specialist and author of Your Money and the World, joins me on the Get Ready: Before Life Happens Podcast to talk about sustainable finance, impact investing, and how everyday choices about spending, saving, investing, and giving can influence the world around us.Cecile shares how sustainable finance connects everyday financial decisions with real-world impact. We also explore how to align money with your values, how environmental, social, and governance factors shape investment decisions, and why early money conversations can influence lifelong beliefs.Key TakeawaysSustainable finance applies to everyday financial decisions.Your spending and investing reflect what you value.Investment choices influence real-world outcomes.Sustainability includes environmental, social, and governance factors.Impact can come from money, time, and attention.Early money conversations help shape lifelong beliefs.You can align your money with your goals and values.

Send us Fan MailFinancial success grows when your money aligns with the life you truly want.Danqin Fang, CFP®, CFA, RLP®, founder and CEO of Wealth Beyond Math joined Tony on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about how holistic financial planning evolves through a process of awareness, clarity, and alignment. Even people who appear to have everything in place often feel held back by fear, scarcity, or limiting beliefs.This conversation explores how understanding your relationship with money helps you make more intentional decisions and build a more meaningful life.Key TakeawaysHolistic financial planning is an ongoing process, not a one-time plan.People who “have it all” can still feel stuck or unfulfilled.Scarcity and fear often shape financial decisions.Core beliefs about money serve a purpose and can evolve over time.Clarity about priorities helps you make more intentional choices.Awareness creates space to pause and choose differently.Money is a tool to support experiences, impact, and quality of life.

Send us Fan MailSmall, daily habits can turn financial confusion into confidence.Emily Boxall, Founder of the 2Mins App joined Tony on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about how gamification and bite-sized learning can transform financial education.From quirky characters to two-minute lessons, Emily shares how making money more approachable, interactive, and judgment-free can help people build confidence and lasting financial habits. Key TakeawaysFinancial education works best when it is simple and accessible.Two-minute lessons make it easier to build consistent habits.Gamification helps people engage without fear or judgment.Repetition and interaction improve long-term retention.Many people feel money is “not for them” due to how it's taught.Confidence grows when people apply what they learn.Financial education should start early and continue over time. 

Send us Fan MailThe best financial decisions happen when emotion opens the door and logic helps shape the plan.Bill Comfort and Maxwell Schmitz joined Tony Steuer on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens for a lively debate about whether people make better insurance and financial decisions through numbers and probabilities, or through a clear understanding of the real-life impact on the people they love?This conversation explores where emotion, logic, and lived experience intersect, and why the best planning conversations need all three. Key TakeawaysEmotion often helps clients engage with difficult financial decisions.Logic and data help quantify how much a risk truly matters.Insurance decisions are often driven by responsibility and love.Statistics should inform design, not drive fear.Lived experience often makes risk feel more real than probabilities alone.Risk protection must be part of every financial plan.The strongest decisions combine heart and numbers. 

Send us Fan MailMoney works best when it supports the life you want to live.Dana Miranda, author, content creator, and money writer joined me on Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk  about what it means to build a healthier, more empowering relationship with money.We explored why traditional money advice often misses the lived experiences of women, people of color, and LGBTQ communities, and how understanding financial tools can replace fear with confidence and choice.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailFinancial decisions are becoming more complex every year. This episode explores how to find trusted expertise, ask better questions, and build confidence in the advice you follow.Tom Dickson, founder of the Financial Experts Network joined me on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens to explore why trusted expertise matters in today's complex financial world, how advisors can better serve clients through collaboration and lifelong learning, and why understanding a person's background and credentials is essential before following financial advice.Key TakeawaysFinancial planning requires expertise across many different and evolving areasUnderstanding a professional's credentials and background helps build confidence in financial adviceLifelong learning is essential in a rapidly changing financial landscapeSpecialized expertise can help people navigate complex financial decisions more effectivelyConsumers should research financial professionals and understand the source of advice before actingTrusted advisors often work collaboratively with specialists to better serve clientsIn a world full of information, trusted expertise becomes even more valuable. The right guidance usually comes from people who understand their specialty deeply and continue learning as the world changes. Asking better questions about credentials, experience, and expertise helps people make more confident financial decisions.Connect with Tom Dickson:Website: www.financialexpertsnetwork.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialexpertsnetwork/Bio: Tom has over 40 years of experience in many sectors of the financial services industry, including asset management, brokerage, custody, trust, mortgage and fintech. It's Tom passion for personal finance education that led to the development of the Financial Experts platform.  Launched in 2008, Financial Experts has educated tens  of thousands of Financial Planners with LIVE webinars that feature true subject matter experts. Support the showThe Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer. 

Send us Fan MailFinancial abuse often leaves no visible signs. Recognizing the signs can be the first step toward protecting yourself and finding hope.Sandhya Gopal, divorce financial planner joined Tony on Get Ready Before Life Happens to explore the warning signs of financial abuse and what women can do to protect themselves during major life transitions.They discuss how financial control can be subtle and invisible, the importance of access to cash and trusted support, and how small steps and community can help move someone from fear and paralysis toward clarity, confidence, and hope.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailBetter money decisions begin when we slow down enough to understand ourselves.On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, Tony sits down with DonJay Rice to explore how curiosity, reflection, and emotional awareness can help rewire the way we think about money.From scarcity mindset and workaholism to gratitude and values alignment, this conversation highlights how financial healing begins with asking better questions and taking one small step at a time.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailThe most important inheritance conversations are about trust, context, and relationships.Emily Bouchard, TEDx speaker, founder of Family Focused Wealth, and host of the Wealth Coherence Podcast joins Tony on the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast to talk about why families need safe, transparent conversations around money, trust, and inheritance.They explore how trust, communication, and shared values help families build resilience, prepare beneficiaries, and reduce the emotional impact of inheritance and loss.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailBeing named executor is more than a title. It's a responsibility most people are not prepared for.Julie Rains, author and storyteller joined me on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, to talk about the realities of settling a parent's estate and what it truly means to serve as an executor.Drawing from her personal journey, Julie shares practical lessons around cash flow, access to accounts, beneficiary designations, financial institutions, and why family conversations before a loss are one of the greatest gifts we can give.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailWhat you learn about money as a child can shape your decisions for life.On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, Tony talks with Dr. Bilal Pandow about how childhood experiences shape lifelong money habits, why even highly educated people struggle with financial decisions, and how simple, consistent conversations can help build confidence and better financial behaviors over time.Key takeaways

Send us Fan MailHow do you build financial confidence in a new country?It starts with learning how money works where you are.On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Bisola Tijani, the Whiz Queen, about building financial confidence when navigating a new country, learning how money works in a different system, and taking ownership of your financial future.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailIt's easier to be yourself, and that's what builds real trust.On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Derek Pollard, founder of Constellar Creative, about why authentic communication is the foundation of strong relationships.We explored how finding your voice, staying curious, and focusing on small human moments can help you build trust and communicate more effectively in a digital world.Key takeaways 

Send us Fan MailClear money conversations help families prepare before life happens.On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, Tony talks with Jacqui Clarke, author of Stop Worrying About Money, about how better money conversations help families navigate caregiving, loss, divorce, and rising financial pressure. They explore why money is often left unspoken, how that creates risk, and what families can do to build clarity, reduce anxiety, and prepare for what's ahead.Key takeaways

Send us Fan MailIn many financial planning conversations, the loudest voices tend to shape the outcome.Yet some of the most important perspectives in the room often go unheard.What happens when we start asking better questions and make space for every voice to be part of the conversation?On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Colleen Bowler, entrepreneur, speaker, and creator of The Passport Package, about the human side of financial planning. We explore why listening is one of the most powerful tools advisors and families have, how planning conversations can bring out quieter voices, and why meaningful financial decisions begin with understanding what truly matters to the people involved.

Send us Fan MailMany financial decisions feel logical in the moment.Yet emotions often shape the choices we make about money.Understanding that connection can help us make better decisions and build stronger financial readiness.On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Mark Crowley, author and advocate for heart-based leadership, about how emotions shape the way we make decisions, build relationships, and respond to life's uncertainties.

Send us Fan MailWhat if your best years are ahead? On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Tamara Cortoos, midlife coach and founder of Midlife Crossroads Academy, about making your next chapter your best one by aligning your time, energy, and money with who you're becoming.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailIn financial services, three voices dominate the conversation: regulators, institutions, and technology.Julia Chin believes there's a fourth voice we need to hear more clearly: the human voice trying to make sense of it all. On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Julia Chin, financial crime fighter and founder of JFourth Solutions why financial crime prevention must start with human understanding, how financial resilience protects families from scams, and why financial literacy is one of the most powerful tools for navigating today's financial systems.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailEnd-of-life planning is about more than death, it's about leaving your family with clarity, stability, and peace of mind.On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Greg Barnsdale, death doula and author of Do Not Ignore Your Mortality about why end-of-life planning is one of the most meaningful acts of preparation we can make for our families.

Send us Fan MailThe best financial plans start with who you are and the life you want to live.On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Mike Milligan, CFP and author of The One of a Kind Financial Plan Book about how to build a personalized financial plan and retirement strategy that aligns your money, values, and relationships with the life you want to live.Takeaways

Send us Fan MailWhat if the next chapter of your career is an opportunity to design a life filled with meaning, contribution, and new possibilities?On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Maria Dastur, Founder of Second Half Community about rethinking retirement and designing a portfolio life that blends purpose, contribution, and financial security.Key Takeaways: 

Send us Fan MailAre you trading your health for money?  On this episode, I speak with Stevyn Guinnip, author of Grow Wellthy, about the idea of “health net worth,” the compounding effect of daily habits, and why retirement planning should focus on health span, not just life span. Key Takeaways:

Send us Fan MailAre you making financial decisions consciously, or being nudged by forces you do not see?On this episode, I speak with Ceres Chua, Money Psychologist and Financial Coach about the hidden psychology shaping our financial decisions. We explore how unconscious biases, money scripts, and marketing language influence the way we think about spending, saving, and sufficiency. Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailWith the right financial plan and clear intention, your goals become achievable, not abstract.On this episode, I speak with Dr. Severine Bryan, Accredited Financial Counselor and host of The Dr. Sev Talks Money Podcast about how our money story shapes our decisions, how to process financial setbacks without shame, and why community, clarity, and a plan can help turn goals into reality.Key Takeaways:

Send us Fan MailWhen control shapes financial decisions, listening becomes the most important tool we have.In Part 2, I spoke with Joy Slabaugh, CFP, about how advisors and advocates can thoughtfully respond when they suspect a power imbalance is shaping financial decisions.

Send us Fan MailFinancial abuse often begins quietly, with small patterns of control that slowly reshape someone's financial agency.In part one of this two-part episode, Joy Slabaugh, CFP® and I explore what financial abuse is, how it shows up in relationships, and what advisors and families should be listening for.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailAI is moving fast. The real question isn't whether it will replace jobs. It's which skills will still matter.In this episode, Chris Heye and I explore how AI may reshape financial planning, why communication and coaching are rising in importance, and what advisors must develop to stay relevant in the next 3–5 years.

Send us Fan MailLong-term care will impact most families, the question is whether you plan for it or react to it.In this episode, Nathan Sanow breaks down what long-term care really means, how insurance works as a leverage tool, and why planning early protects both dignity and relationships.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailPhilanthropy is more than writing a check, it's an opportunity to shape the world you want to live in.In this episode, Deborah Goldstein, Philanthropic Advisor and Founder of Enlightened Philanthropy, shares how philanthropy becomes a reflection of your values, your legacy, and your vision for the future.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailInvesting confidence begins with asking better questions and taking consistent action.In this conversation, Diana Perkins shares how curiosity, emotional regulation, and asking better questions can shift you from reactive to confident, especially for women who've been conditioned to stay on the sidelines. Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailMoney decisions are rarely just about numbers. They're shaped by identity, lived experience, values, and psychology, especially for people who are highly sensitive or hold marginalized identities.In this conversation, Diana Yanez, Certified Financial Planner and host of the Highly Sensitive Money Podcast explores how understanding who you are and what you care about can help you build a healthier, more values-aligned relationship with money.

Send us Fan MailRetirement today looks nothing like it did a generation ago. With fewer pensions, longer lifespans, and more personal responsibility, the real question isn't when you retire, it's who you become next.In this conversation, Joy Levin, Certified Professional Retirement Coach reframes retirement as an encore chapter; one rooted in values, meaning, community, and intentional experimentation.Key Takeaways

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Rahkim Sabree, financial therapist and author of Overcoming Financial Trauma, about how our earliest experiences with money shape our behavior, stress responses, and sense of safety, often long before we have the language to understand what's happening.Rahkim explains that financial trauma isn't a personal failure or a lack of knowledge. It's a response to real threats, systemic forces, and lived experiences that affect everyone, regardless of income or privilege. We explore how survival states influence financial decisions, why financial literacy alone isn't always the answer, and how healing begins by addressing root causes rather than symptoms.

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Els Lagrou, author and financial literacy expert, about why financial literacy alone isn't enough and how financial resilience, inclusion, and wellbeing must be part of the conversation.Els explains that even people with strong financial knowledge can experience stress and insecurity if they lack resilience. We explore what it means to absorb financial shocks like job loss or divorce, why shame keeps people from asking for help, and how inclusion ensures everyone can participate fully in financial life.We also discuss the role of employers, leaders, and technology in supporting better money decisions, and why real progress starts with small actions and consistent habits.