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Inflation can feel like an invisible thief. Your groceries cost more, your budget feels tighter, and your retirement plan may need to stretch further than expected.   In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina breaks down 10 key things to understand about inflation, from why prices rise to how the Federal Reserve uses interest rates to slow things down. She also explains why prices do not always fall back to where they were, why deflation can create its own problems, and how inflation can affect your long-term portfolio and retirement lifestyle.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:31 - A simple way to understand inflation 1:14 - What inflation actually means 2:29 - Why inflation keeps making headlines 3:59 - How inflation impacts daily life 5:06 - The Fed's role in managing inflation 5:59 - How higher interest rates help slow demand 8:04 - Why prices do not always come back down 9:28 - The risk of deflation 10:37 - Inflation through history 11:44 - How inflation can impact your portfolio 14:21 - Why inflation matters in retirement planning 15:29 - Action item and episode wrap-up   ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org   Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.   For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

Nicola Wood, Senior Editor of Travel at U.S. News & World Report, joins Megan Lynch with a look at the river cruise industry.

Self-storage might not be the first thing you think of when you hear "real estate investing," but it can open the door to a very different conversation about diversification, passive income, and long-term planning. Regina McCann Hess sits down with Corinn Altomare, co-founder of Hearthfire Holdings, to talk about passive self-storage investments, why some investors look beyond traditional stocks and bonds, and how income-producing assets can fit into bigger retirement conversations. They also talk about patience, long-term thinking, 1031 exchanges, the emotional side of work and family, and the importance of asking one big retirement question early: how will you replace your paycheck?  Episode Highlights:  0:00 - Welcome to Women and Wealth 0:31 - Why self-storage can be an interesting investment topic 1:06 - Meet Corinn Altomare 2:23 - Building Hearthfire Holdings from a side hustle 5:17 - Diversification beyond stocks and bonds 7:13 - How private investors can access larger real estate projects 9:24 - Storage vs. apartments 13:28 - Long-term investing and avoiding daily market noise 14:32 - 1031 exchanges and compounding over time 17:01 - Where to learn more about Corinn 17:40 - Balancing ambition, family, and fulfillment 23:16 - Corinn's vision for retirement 25:01 - Passive income and replacing your paycheck in retirement 26:46 - Regina's action item    ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CORINN ALTOMARE   Website: https://hfirecapital.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinn-altomare/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org   Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

May 2026 Sustainable Stock and ETF Picks. Podcast includes articles on hydrogen/fuel cell stocks and the world's most influential companies. By Ron Robins, MBA Transcript & Links, Episode 167, May 29, 2026 Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to my podcast episode 167, published on May 29, 2026, titled "May 2026 Sustainable Stock and ETF Picks." Now, before I begin, I want to apologize if my voice at any time sounds a little rough! This podcast is presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your go-to site for vital global, ethical, and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources. Remember that you can find a full transcript and links to content, including stock symbols and bonus material, on this episode's podcast page at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts. Also, a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, and I don't receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal any investments I have in the investments mentioned herein. I have a great crop of 32 articles for you in this podcast! Note: Sometimes companies are covered more than once. Now with so many articles to potentially cover, I've chosen 3 to quote from. Titles and links to the other 29 can be found on the webpage for this podcast edition. ------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Best Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Stocks to Buy Now from insidermonkey.com Many of you are interested in hydrogen stocks, so I thought this article would be good to start this podcast. It's titled 9 Best Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Stocks to Buy Now from insidermonkey.com and is by Fatima Gulzar. Here are some quotes. "We used screeners to identify Best Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Stocks and limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks are also popular among analysts and elite hedge funds. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. 9. FuelCell Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCEL) On March 23, 2026, FuelCell Energy announced the introduction of a standardized '12.5-megawatt' packaged power block that offers on-site electricity to data centers… It positioned the system as a speedier deployment option in power-constrained markets… FuelCell Energy is a firm that develops, designs, manufactures, constructs, and services high-temperature fuel cells for clean electricity generation… It operates in three geographical segments: the United States, South Korea, and Europe. 8. Ballard Power Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:BLDP) Ballard Power Systems designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and services fuel cell products. It specializes in power products for bus, truck, rail, marine, stationery, and developing market applications, as well as service delivery, which includes technical solutions, after-sales services, and training. 7. Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ:PLUG) On April 9, 2026, Susquehanna analyst Charles Minervino updated Plug Power's price target to $2.75 from $2.50. It maintained a Neutral rating on the stock… Plug Power is an alternative energy technology firm. It designs, develops, commercializes, and manufactures hydrogen and fuel cell systems for the material handling and stationary power fields. 6. New Jersey Resources Corporation (NYSE:NJR) On April 21, 2026, Mizuho analyst Gabriel Moreen increased New Jersey Resources Corporation's price objective to $61 from $54. It maintained an 'Outperform rating' on the shares… New Jersey Resources Corporation is a holding company. It provides regulated natural gas distribution, transmission, and storage services, as well as certain unregulated enterprises. It works in five segments: natural gas distribution, clean energy ventures, energy services, storage and transportation, and home services and other. 5. Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE:BE) On April 14, 2026, Reuters reported that Bloom Energy will supply Oracle with up to '2.8 gigawatts' of fuel cell capacity under an upgraded deal, which shows rising power demand due to artificial intelligence. The corporations have already signed for an initial 1.2 gigawatts… Bloom Energy manufactures and installs power production platforms based on solid oxide fuel cells. Bloom Energy Server turns conventional low-pressure natural gas or biogas into electricity using an electrochemical method that does not include combustion. 4. BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) BP is an integrated oil and gas corporation that provides carbon products and services. It operates in three segments: gas and low-carbon energy, oil production and operations, and customers/products. 3. Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI) On April 20, 2026, Truist analyst Jamie Cook raised the Cummins price objective to $730 from $703. It retained a Buy rating on the stock… On April 13, 2026, Wells Fargo lifted its price objective for Cummins to $693 from $630… Cummins is a U.S.-based firm that designs, manufactures, and services diesel and natural gas engines, electric and hybrid powertrains, and related components. Its segments include Engine, Distribution, Components, Power Systems, and Accelera. 2. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD) On April 24, 2026, RBC Capital raised Air Products and Chemicals' price target to $338 from $325. It maintained an Outperform rating… On April 24, 2026, Air Products and Chemicals declared that it will build, own, and operate a brand new air separation facility in Cocoa, Florida. The facility will produce liquid oxygen, nitrogen, and argon… Francesco Maione, president of the Americas, said that the location will help space launch operators in Florida and also position the corporation to meet increased demand from the booming space launch industry… Air Products and Chemicals manufactures and distributes atmospheric gases. It operates in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, India, and Corporate and Other. 1. Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) On April 24, 2026, TheFly reported that RBC Capital analyst Arun Viswanathan raised Linde's price objective to $552 from $512. It retained an Outperform rating… Linde is a global industrial gas and engineering firm. It designs and manufactures industrial gas production equipment. The company also provides gas production and processing services for olefin plants, natural gas plants, air separation plants, hydrogen and synthesis gas plants, and other plants." End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- TIME Reveals the 2026 TIME100 Most Influential Companies in the World from time.com This article offers a unique company ranking that will interest many of you. TIME Reveals the 2026 TIME100 Most Influential Companies in the World from time.com. It's by TIME PR. Now some quotes – however, note that many of the highly ranked companies are private! "The 2026 TIME100 Most Influential Companies issue features three worldwide covers, each spotlighting top executives from a company on the list with an in-depth profile, including: Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet (GOOG) and Google; Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast), founder of Beast Industries; and Hailey Bieber, co-founder of Rhode… To assemble the list, TIME solicited nominations across sectors, and polled its global network of editors and correspondents, as well as outside experts. The result is a diverse group of 100 businesses helping chart an essential path forward.  In addition to the 100 companies featured on the list, TIME unveils the TIME100 Companies Impact Awards—recognizing five standout companies making meaningful contributions in the fields of AI, Health, Sustainability, Equality, and Culture.  The 2026 TIME100 Companies Impact Award recipients are: Waystar (WAY) for Impact in AI, Xenco Medical for Impact in Health, Sun King for Impact in Sustainability, CareMessage for Impact in Equality and Depop for Impact in Culture.  See the complete 2026 TIME100 Most Influential Companies list: here." End quotes ------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Alternative Energy Stocks Poised to Benefit From Wind and EV Growth from zacks.com Now, an article featuring a sector that interests all ethical and sustainable investors. The article's title is 3 Alternative Energy Stocks Poised to Benefit From Wind and EV Growth from zacks.com and is by Tanvi Sarawagi. Here's some of what the writer has to say about their picks. "1. Bloom Energy (BE - Free Report) Based in San Jose, CA, the company generates and distributes renewable energy… The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Bloom Energy's 2026 sales implies an improvement of 80.3% year over year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings suggests an improvement of 151.3% year over year. The company currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). 2. Montauk Renewables (MNTK - Free Report) Based in Pittsburgh, PA, the company is a fully-integrated renewable energy company. Montauk specializes in the management, recovery and conversion of biogas into renewable energy… The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Montauk Renewables' 2026 sales implies an improvement of 21.5% year over year. The consensus estimate for 2026 earnings suggests an improvement of 700% year over year. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). 3. FuelCell Energy (FCEL - Free Report) Based in Danbury, CT, the company makes ultra-clean, highly efficient power plants that can run on fuels like renewable biogas and natural gas, producing electricity with far less pollution and fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fossil-fuel plants… The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's fiscal 2026 sales implies an improvement of 0.9% year over year. The estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings implies 50.6% growth year over year. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2." End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- 29 more articles from around the world with Sustainable Investment Picks for May 2026. 1. Title: 5 Top-Ranked AI Infrastructure Bigwigs for Sparkling Returns in 2026 from finance.yahoo.com. By Nalak Das. 2. Title: Top Ethical ETFs Of 2026 from fool.co.uk. By Zaven Boyrazian. 3. Title: Best Green Energy ETFs for Beginners in 2026: Top Picks from ecodweller.com. By Mangaleswaran. 4. Title: Linde's Ethics Recognition Meets Premium Valuation And ESG Investor Interest from uk.finance.yahoo.com. By Simply Wall St. 5. Title: Trade Brains Smallcase Picks: 4 Halal Stocks (Ethical) Theme Stocks to keep on your radar from tradebrains.in. By Manideep Appana. 6. Title: Top sustainable funds to invest in from msn.com. By Dan McEvoy. 7. Title: The Best 2 Renewable Energy Stocks to Buy and Hold for Decades from finance.yahoo.com. By Leo Sun, The Motley Fool. 8. Title: Meet the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Infrastructure Stock That Has Crushed Nvidia and Broadcom With a 270% Jump. It Can Still Fly Higher from /finance.yahoo.com. By Harsh Chauhan, The Motley Fool. 9. Title: 7 Best Renewable Energy Stocks to Buy from wtopnews.com. By U.S. News & World Report. 10. Title: 3 Multi-Energy Stocks to Consider for Powering the Future from theglobeandmail.com. By the Motley Fool. 11. Title: 3 Utility Stocks Built for a World of High Energy Prices and Grid Strain from finance.yahoo.com. By James Brumley, The Motley Fool. 12. Title: As Oil Shocks Accelerate The Quest For Alternative Energy, This ETF (KGRN) Could Benefit from kraneshares.com. By Brendan Ahern. 13. Title: 2 Stocks That Should be on Your Radar as the Iran War Shifts Global Energy Markets from fool.com. By Matt DiLallo. Continuing 14. Title: Ethical Investing: Top Shares on the ASX To Consider from thebull.com.au. By The Bull Team. 15. Title: A Few Winners Dominate Canada's Sustainable Fund Market from global.morningstar.com/en-ca. By Kimberly Hart. 16. Title: Green energy stocks outperform fossil fuels amid Iran war from nltimes.nl. By NL Times. 17. Title: 5 ASX Lithium Stocks Set to Rally After Albemarle's 672% Profit Boom from stocksdownunder.com. By Ujjwal Maheshwari. 18. Title: Wind Energy ETFs to Rally on Profit Beats and Iran War Energy Shift from theglobeandmail.com. By Zacks Investment Research. 19. Title: SA Asks: What's the long-term outlook for wind energy stocks? From seekingalpha.com. Remarks by Melissa Tucker and Ritabrata Das. 21. Title: Prediction: AI Infrastructure Stocks Will Crush the S&P 500 in 2026 from fool.com. By Adria Cimino. 22. Title: Celebrate Earth With These 2 Unstoppable Green Energy Stocks from fool.com. By Reuben Gregg Brewer. 23. Title: My Top 3 AI Infrastructure Stocks to Buy for May 2026 on fool.com. By Stefon Walters. 24. Title: 3 Calvert Mutual Funds to Help Manage Market Volatility - May 14, 2026, from zacks.com. By Zacks Equity Research. 25. Title: Best AI Energy Stocks to Buy Now Down 30%: CEG, VST - May 15, 2026 from zacks.com. By Benjamin Rains. 26. Title: 3 Space Infrastructure Stocks to Watch Ahead of SpaceX IPO from marketbeat.com. By Ryan Hasson. Reviewed by Clare Titus. 27. Title: Top Renewable Energy Companies in Solar, Wind & clean Power from fortunebusinessinsights.com. By Energy & Power. 28. Title: 1 Canadian Company Set to Make a Fortune From the $650 Billion Data Centre Buildout from fool.ca. By Demetris Afxentiou. 29. Title: 7 Clean Energy ETFs to Buy Now from wtop.com. By U.S. News & World Report. ------------------------------------------------------------- Ending Comment These are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips for this podcast, "May 2026 Sustainable Stock and ETF Picks." Please click the like and subscribe buttons wherever you download or listen to this podcast. That helps bring these podcasts to others like you. And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope and prosperity in these tumultuous times! Contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for listening. Again, I want to apologize for my voice sounding, at times, a little rough! My next podcast will be on June 26th. See you then. Bye for now.   © 2025 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

Recessions are a normal part of the economic cycle, but they can still feel unsettling when the headlines get loud and your own budget starts to feel tighter.   In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina explains what a recession actually is and why it is not the same thing as a "down" stock market. She also talks about how recessions can show up in everyday financial decisions, from cutting back on travel and dining out to being more careful with discretionary spending.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro to Women and Wealth 0:31 - What Is a Recession? 1:14 - 1. What's in a Name? 1:39 - 2. A Recession Is Not a Down Market 2:40 - 3. Internal vs. External Shocks 3:21 - 4. The Customer Is Always Right 4:16 - 5. What Goes Up Must Come Down 4:40 - 6. We Grow More Than We Contract 5:35 - 7. Connected, But Not Always in Sync 6:03 - 8. Bad Begets Good 6:29 - 9. Not All Stocks Are Created Equal 7:24 - 10. Stocks Can Grow When the Economy Contracts 8:18 - Signs You May Feel Before a Recession Is Announced 9:01 - Call to Action: Rein in Spending 9:24 - Closing and Connect With Forge Wealth  ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.   This material was prepared by Hartford funds. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. Hartford Funds is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management

Your logo, website, colors, fonts, and visuals all tell a story before someone ever works with you. In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina is joined by Abbie O'Brien, founder of The Branding Den, to discuss creating a brand identity that feels strategic, authentic, and aligned with the people you want to serve. Abbie shares how she turned a pandemic layoff into a growing brand and web design business, why strong branding starts with deeper questions, and how small business owners can create consistency across their website, social media, and marketing materials. Regina and Abbie also talk about entrepreneurship, motherhood, making time for yourself, and stepping away from the screen to refill your own cup.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Introduction 0:32 - Why branding, logos, and design matter for small business owners 2:39 - How Abbie turned a pandemic layoff into a business opportunity 4:14 - What goes into building a strategic brand identity 7:58 - Why many small business owners rebrand after they better understand their audience 10:01 - How brand guidelines create consistency across your business 13:03 - Abbie's challenge of building a business while becoming a mom 14:27 - Abbie's vision for retirement, travel, golf, and warmer weather 15:51 - Why making time for yourself helps you show up better in work and life 17:35 - Regina's call to action: lift your chin, look around, and refill your own cup  ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com CONNECT WITH ABBIE O'BRIEN   Website: thebrandingden.com/about  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbie11/  Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org   Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

The US ranks as the 18th best country in the world according to a new report. We talk with Eric Litke, the Managing Editor for Government Rankings at U.S. News & World Report. .

* Businesses are having a hard time hiring enough qualified workers...and many people looking for jobs are having a tough time finding jobs. What gives? * The US ranks as the 18th best country in the world according to a new report. We'll talk with Eric Litke, the Managing Editor for Government Rankings at U.S. News & World Report.

Market volatility can feel uncomfortable, especially when your statement looks different than it did last quarter. But market ups and downs are a normal part of investing, and having the right perspective can make those swings easier to navigate. This week, Regina breaks down 10 things to know about stock market volatility, including why big point drops are often a matter of perspective, how the VIX measures investor fear, and why patience matters when you're investing for the long term. She also talks about how to think through your comfort level, why automatic retirement contributions can help during down markets, and what conversations to have with your advisor before volatility catches you off guard   Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Introduction  0:46 - Understanding market volatility 2:06 - What can drive market reactions 3:16 - Building a strategy for volatility 4:37 - 10 things to know about volatility 4:43 - Putting market drops in perspective 5:20 - The VIX fear index 6:32 - Extreme fear is the exception 7:20 - Volatility in 2025 8:03 - Why patience matters 8:27 - Returns are rarely smooth 9:18 - Adjusting your portfolio 9:45 - Finding opportunity in volatility 12:05 - The market's historical perspective 13:15 - Planning before volatility hits 13:56 - Episode wrap-up   ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals.   CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forgewealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.  This material was prepared by Hartford funds. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. Hartford Funds is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management

Blended families can bring a lot of love, but they can also bring confusion, tension, and emotional complexity, especially when children are navigating divorce, new caregivers, and loyalty conflicts. This week, Regina sits down with Maria Natapov, a co-parenting and step-parenting coach, to talk about what it really takes to create a healthier foundation for families after separation or divorce. Maria shares why communication, structure, emotional awareness, and clear roles are so important for both adults and children, and how step-parents can show up with care without overstepping. They also discuss rapid resolution therapy, how past experiences can shape present-day reactions, and why Maria sees her work as helping families build safer, more supportive systems for the next chapter.   Episode Highlights: 0:31 - Episode open 0:57 - Meet Maria Natapov 1:16 - Creating workable family systems 2:55 - Navigating the role of a step-parent 4:17 - Advocating without adding conflict 5:53 - Learning parenting without a playbook 7:18 - Understanding emotions as information 9:20 - The reality of overstepping 10:06 - What children carry after divorce 12:09 - Rapid resolution therapy 14:19 - Helping the body recognize safety 17:37 - Where to find Maria 18:05 - Learning to stop playing small 18:44 - Maria's vision for retirement   ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals.   CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forgewealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CONNECT WITH MARIA NATAPOV Website: https://synergisticstepparenting.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marianatapov   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

Comdex belongs to IBM Xmas sales outlook dismal Games get protected in Japan These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM! This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in November 1984.  As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events. Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost.  Check out his podcast here: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/ and order his book here: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book Get us on your mobile device: Android:  https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz iOS:      https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon! https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM Send comments on Mastodon @videogamenewsroomtimemachine@oldbytes.space Or twitter @videogamenewsr2 Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm Or videogamenewsroomtimemachine@gmail.com Links: If you don't see all the links, find them here:      7 Minutes in Heaven: KnightLore Video Version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/157513930     https://www.mobygames.com/game/14733/knight-lore/ Corrections: Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/ October 1984 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/october-1984-137843011      October 1994 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/october-1994-151072694         Mortal Kombat Live Tour - https://youtu.be/nbOQIheheDc 1974: 1974 - Creative Computing debuts     https://archive.org/details/CreativeComputingv01n01NovemberDecember1974 1984: Atari claims Coleco to exit UK console market     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-15/mode/1up Coleco exits the UK market     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-29/mode/1up Parker Brothers abandons UK     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-29/page/n4/mode/1up     https://www.sinclaircollection.site/?page_id=520   http://www.fruitcake.plus.com/Sinclair/Interface2/Cartridges/Interface2_RC_Unreleased.htm Hi-Tech isn't UK's savior     Financial Notebook: Hi-tech myth / Employment falls in information, technology industry, The Guardian (London), November 2, 1984      Coinop earnings crater     Play Meter November 1, 1984, pg. 32. Nintendo pushes VS. Paks and standards     Play Meter November 15, 1984, pg. 24     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_VS._System Atari Games gets into systems     RePlay November 1984, pg. 16     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_Games     https://www.mobygames.com/game/3929/star-wars/     https://www.mobygames.com/game/21280/star-wars-the-empire-strikes-back/     https://www.mobygames.com/game/17500/star-wars-return-of-the-jedi/ Konami buys Interlogic     https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19841115p/page/n13/mode/2up     Gung Ho - https://www.imdb.com/de/title/tt0091159/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_gung%20ho Twin Galaxies looking for world records     https://archive.org/details/guinness1985book00mcwh/page/570/mode/2up?q=video+game        Play Meter, November 1, 1984 pg. 25 Colecovision rides Cabbage Patch Kid coattails     Rainbow Brite, Robots Give Cabbage Patch Kids Run for Money, The Associated Press, November 20, 1984, Tuesday, AM cycle, Section: Domestic News, Byline: By ROGER GILLOTT, AP Business Writer     Cabbage Patch/Colecovision Ad - https://youtu.be/lqZsOeEWDtw?si=k3zoqYsDuL00pxmB IBM conquers Comdex     I.B.M. ENTRY UNCHALLENGED AT SHOW, The New York Times, November 19, 1984, Monday, Late City Final Edition, Section: Section D; Page 1, Column 3; Financial Desk, Byline: By DAVID E. SANGER     Current well-behaved packages leave user dreams unfulfilled, Computerworld, November 19, 1984, Section: MICROCOMPUTERS; Small Talk; Pg. 57, Byline: Eric Bender, CW Senior Editor     Denise Carabet, The San Diego Union-Tribune, November 26, 1984 Monday, Section: BUSINESS; Pg. A-16     Comdex host to myriad micro debuts; Show features few surprises, Computerworld, November 19, 1984, Section: NEWS; Pg. 1, Byline: By Eric Bender, CW Staff          PERIPHERALS;THE ALLURE OF LASER PRINTERS, The New York Times, November 20, 1984, Tuesday, Late City Final Edition, Section: Section C; Page 7, Column 1; Science Desk, Byline: By PETER H. LEWIS     Foreign vendors showcase wares at Comdex;Japanese, Australian, English vendors highlight product introductions in '84, Computerworld, November 26, 1984,Section: NEWS; Pg. 40, Byline: By Susan Blakeney, CW Staff Apple ad spree continues     Apple Goes After Share of Mind Over Market; 'Event Marketing' Has Become Core Of No. 2's Strategy, ADWEEK, November 19, 1984, Eastern Edition, Byline: By Betsy Sharkey and Paul Farhi          APPLE'S MAC TAKING ON I.B.M. The New York Times, November 22, 1984, Thursday, Late City Final Edition, Section: Section D; Page 1, Column 3; Financial Desk, Byline: By ANDREW POLLACK     No Headline In Original, U.S. News & World Report, November 19, 1984, Section: NEWSLETTERS: U.S. Business; TRENDS THAT SHAPE THE FUTURE; Pg. 75 Home computer sales slump in Xmas build up     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-22/page/n4/mode/1up     Leisure Sector Gives Madison Ave. Big Xmas Gift, ADWEEK, November 5, 1984, Eastern Edition, Byline: By Amy Saltzman, Bob Peischel, Jack Feuer, Betsy Sharkey, Paul Farhi, Dottie Enirco and Fran Brock Atari cuts price of 800XL     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-22/page/n4/mode/1up         Computer Wars: Atari Announces Price Slash     The Associated Press, November 13, 1984, Tuesday, AM cycle, Section: Domestic News, Byline: By DIANE CURTIS, Associated Press Writer     ATARI MAKES PLANS FOR STOCK OFFERINGS, The New York Times, November 14, 1984, Wednesday, Late City Final Edition, Section: Section D; Page 4, Column 5; Financial Desk     https://discord.com/channels/431269689918750731/618928892232859659/1483821277230792834          Vaughn, Mullen Get CD Posts at WRG, ADWEEK, November 19, 1984, Eastern Edition, byline: By Gail Belsky UK is"meh" on MSX     https://ia600609.us.archive.org/31/items/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-01/PopularComputing_Weekly_Issue_1984-11-01.pdf  pg. 29 India says "yes" to BBC Micro     Acorn User, November 1984, pg. 10          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-Conductor_Laboratory     https://bbcmicro.computer/scl-unicorn USSR copies Apple     Byte November 1984, pg. 134     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agat_(computer) Sinclair working on portable     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-08/page/n4/mode/1up       https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-29/mode/1up ICL goes QL     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-01/mode/1up     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Per_Desk        https://youtu.be/FdmoXjmPPHk?si=-djAjZ1Es0wDCKV2     No Headline In Original, The Associated Press, November 1, 1984, Thursday, AM cycle, Section: Business News         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROLM         Rolm workstations tie phone, micro;Desktop systems integrate voice, data communicationsions tie phone, micro, Computerworld, November 5, 1984, Section: NEWS; Pg. 2, Byline: By Eric Bender, CW Staff     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-22/mode/1up QL gets 3rd party upgrades     https://ia600609.us.archive.org/31/items/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-01/PopularComputing_Weekly_Issue_1984-11-01.pdf PC Jr gets new lease on life     THE USER-FRIENDLY VOTING BOOTH IS POISED TO COME ON LINE, The New York Times, November 4, 1984, Sunday, Late City Final Edition, Section: Section 4; Page 6, Column 1; Week in Review Desk, Byline: By DAVID E. SANGER         Local governments tap micros for electoral activities, Computerworld, November 5, 1984, Section: NEWS; Pg. 16, Byline: By James Connolly, CW Staf     PCjr's second Halloween, Computerworld, November 5, 1984, Section: VIEWPOINT; Lecht on Science; Pg. 59, Byline: Charles P. Lecht; Tandy 1000 debuts     Tandy Unveils $1,199 IBM-Compatible Computer, The Associated Press, November 8, 1984, Thursday, BC cycle, Section: Business News Hitachi shoots for 32-bit supremacy     Hitachi Plans To Challenge U.S. Makers of 32-Bit Processors, The Associated Press, November 29, 1984, Thursday, BC cycle, Section: Business News     Byte November 1984, pg. 159     XTAR introduces 3D accelerator    Byte November 1984, pg. 179         https://archive.org/details/PC_Tech_Journal_vol03_n09/page/n27/mode/2up?q=xtar+polygone         https://www.bitsavers.org/magazines/Digital_Design/Digital_Design_V15_N08_198508.pdf Thorn-EMI fires internal devs     https://ia600609.us.archive.org/31/items/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-01/PopularComputing_Weekly_Issue_1984-11-01.pdf   pg. 8        https://www.mobygames.com/company/5174/creative-sparks/ Games Workshop gets into computer games     https://www.mobygames.com/game/63565/tower-of-despair/        https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-22/page/n68/mode/1up       https://www.mobygames.com/company/3136/games-workshop-ltd/games/title:1/      Firebird buys Elite rights     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-29/page/n4/mode/1up      https://www.mobygames.com/game/1324/elite/     https://www.mobygames.com/game/46533/elite/ Timothy Leary gets into games     Timothy Leary: LSD `guru' leaps to floppy discs, The San Diego Union-Tribune, November 11, 1984 Sunday, Section: LIFESTYLE; Pg. D-1, Bline: Frank Green     https://www.mobygames.com/game/254/timothy-learys-mind-mirror/      PlayNet profiled     No Headline In Original, United Press International, November 4, 1984, Sunday, BC cycle, Section: Financial, Byline: By STEVE GEIMANN, UPI Business Writer         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayNET BBS gets busted     FREE-SPEECH ISSUES SURROUND COMPUTER BULLETIN BOARD USE, The New York Times, November 12, 1984, Monday, Late City Final Edition, Section: Section A; Page 1, Column 1; Financial Desk, Byline: By ANDREW POLLACK     https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/04/magazine/of-bytes-and-bulletin-boards.html     The Night of the Hackers, Newsweek, November 12, 1984, UNITED STATES EDITION, Section: DISPATCHES; Pg. 17, Byline: RICHARD SANDZA French paper Le Canard hacks French Nuclear program     Computer secrets tapped / France, The Guardian (London), November 29, 1984, From PAUL WEBSTER Hackers unpack     Admitted hacker says he discovered Pentagon plans, United Press International, November 22, 1984, Thursday, AM cycle, Section: Domestic News, byline: By MICHAEL D. HARRIS Move over modems, here come satellites!     SATELLITE BROADCAST NETWORK, INC.; Satellite receiver system, Computerworld, November 19, 1984, Section: COMMUNICATIONS; Network Services; Pg. 41            New service for personal computers offers direct link to satellite, Christian Science Monitor (Boston, MA), November 20, 1984, Tuesday, Section: National; Pg. 11, Byline: By David F. Salisbury, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor You haven't lived until you've died in MUD ad     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-22/page/n46/mode/1up Hackers reviewed by New York Times     PERSONAL COMPUTERS; THE BOOKS GET BETTER ON NONTECHNICAL TOPICS, The New York Times, November 6, 1984, Tuesday, Late City Final Edition, Section: Section C; Page 5, Column 1; Science Desk, Byline: By ERIK SANDBERG-DIMENT      IN SHORT, The New York Times, November 11, 1984, Sunday, Late City Final , Edition, Section: Section 7; Page 32, Column 1; Book Review Desk; Review Micro Hobby launches in Spain     https://archive.org/details/MicroHobby057/MicroHobby/MicroHobby_001/page/n31/mode/2up     https://microhobby.speccy.cz/mhforever/ Japan recognizes video game copyirghts     https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19841101p/page/n16/mode/1up      Commodore sees loophole in Amiga battle     https://ia600609.us.archive.org/31/items/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-01/PopularComputing_Weekly_Issue_1984-11-01.pdf Game music gets busted     https://ia600609.us.archive.org/31/items/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-01/PopularComputing_Weekly_Issue_1984-11-01.pdf          https://youtu.be/6kFu5ojgnQU?si=3E6Tqg2Mi1vMQEnX     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-08/page/n4/mode/1up UK PC clones get busted     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-08/mode/1up       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_86      IBM eyes Mexico for factory     BUSINESS DIGEST,The New York Times,November 28, 1984, Wednesday, Late City Final Edition, Section: Section D; Page 1, Column 1; Financial Desk; summary     https://www.nytimes.com/1985/01/19/business/mexico-rejects-ibm-control-for-new-plant.html      Computer Museum finds permanent home     First Computer Museum Opens On Boston's Waterfront, The Associated Press, November 14, 1984, Wednesday, PM cycle, Section: Domestic News, Byline: By BART ZIEGLER,         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Computer_Museum,_Boston Acorn Video profiled     https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-11-15/page/n13/mode/1up Datacopy announces Model 700 scanner     DATACOPY; Announces major new product and software offerings, Business Wire, November 1, 1984, Thursday       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datacopy IBM mainframe strategies revealed     IBM seeks mart leverage via customer revenue, Computerworld, November 26, 1984, Section: COMPUTER INDUSTRY; Pg. 97, Byline: By John Desmond, CW Staff Hong Kong transfer disrupts toy supplies     Playthings, November 1984, pg. 61      Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy goes Fourth     COSMIC HITCHHIKER, United Press International, November 24, 1984, Saturday, BC cycle, Section: Domestic News, Byline: By WILLIAM C. TROTT, United Press International      Visicorp RIP     VISICORP IS MERGING INTO PALADIN, The New York Times, November 3, 1984, Saturday, Late City Final Edition, Section: Section 1; Page 29, Column 3; Financial Desk, Byline: By ANDREW POLLACK     Spreadsheets cited most used micro software, Computerworld, November 26, 1984, Section: MICROCOMPUTERS; Pg. 90     https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1984-11-rescan/page/n11/mode/1up Franklin RIP     Franklin to free assets in effort to settle with creditors; Legal battles with Apple placed New Jersey-based manufacturer in financial, straits, Computerworld, November 12, 1984, Section: COMPUTER INDUSTRY; Pg. 138 Mylstar RIP     Play Meter November 15, 1984, pg. 8 Recommended Links: The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/ Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/ They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/ Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/ The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/ Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/ Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/ Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/ Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/ Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/ Sound Effects by Ethan Johnson of History of How We Play. Copyright Karl Kuras

Most adults were never really taught how money works. They had to figure it out on their own, often through trial and error.   In this episode, Regina McCann Hess joins CBS News Philadelphia consumer reporter Josh Sidorowicz on the In Your Corner podcast to talk about why financial literacy matters and how parents can start teaching kids about money in everyday life. From grocery store lessons and jars for saving, spending, and giving, to chores, goal setting, investing, and even the iPhone debate, this conversation breaks down practical ways to help children build healthy money habits early. Regina also shares how family dynamics, money mindset, and real-life examples shape the way kids understand earning, saving, and spending. Whether you're raising young children, guiding teens, or helping young adults take their first financial steps, this episode offers simple ideas to start the conversation.   Episode Highlights: 00:00 — Why financial literacy matters 01:15 — When should kids start learning about money? 02:05 — Grocery store lessons: teaching budgeting in real life 03:45 — Why money feels abstract in a cashless world 05:00 — The emotional tone of money at home 07:20 — Using cash, jars, and visualization to teach saving 09:10 — Needs vs. wants, and the iPhone story 11:45 — Should kids get paid for chores? 14:20 — Credit cards, college, and building credit 17:00 — Family budgeting, vacations, and tradeoffs 20:15 — Cost vs. value: spending smarter 21:20 — Introducing kids to investing early 26:00 — Schools don't teach this   ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles, and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps, and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve, and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals.   CONNECT WITH REGINA MCCANN HESS Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CONNECT WITH JOSH SIDOROWICZ Episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5k9c6LffhA  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshsid/    Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. ###########

What if the clothes you're putting on your body, or your child's body, every single day… were quietly poisoning you? In this explosive solo episode, Darin exposes a shocking and largely ignored reality: fast fashion clothing, especially brightly colored, cheap garments, may be loaded with toxic heavy metals like lead. Backed by a 2026 study from the American Chemical Society, this conversation reveals how these chemicals don't just sit on fabric, they leach into your skin, enter your bloodstream, and accumulate over time. From the hidden chemistry behind synthetic dyes to the devastating neurological effects of lead exposure in children, this episode pulls back the curtain on one of the most overlooked "fatal conveniences" in modern life—and gives you the tools to make safer, smarter choices starting today.     What You'll Learn The shocking discovery: children's clothing exceeding federal lead limits Why bright, cheap fast fashion items are the most toxic How heavy metals like lead are used to fix dyes into fabrics Why your skin is not a barrier, but a direct absorption pathway The connection between clothing, sweat, and chemical absorption The devastating effects of lead exposure on children's brains and development Why there is no safe level of lead exposure The hidden chemical load in fast fashion: PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde How the fast fashion industry cuts costs at the expense of health Practical steps to protect yourself and your family     Chapters 00:00:00 – Opening: introducing the fast fashion heavy metal crisis 00:00:17 – The "cheap t-shirt" scenario and hidden danger 00:00:46 – Speaking directly to parents and caregivers 00:01:30 – The shocking claim: clothing may contain neurotoxins 00:02:45 – 2026 study: children's clothing tested for lead 00:03:14 – Every sample exceeded federal safety limits 00:04:20 – Lead exposure happening through daily wear 00:05:33 – Fast fashion industry scale: $150B+ and growing 00:06:20 – 1,000 new styles per day: the system behind overproduction 00:07:09 – How cheap clothing is actually manufactured 00:07:49 – Chemical dyes and fixatives explained 00:08:20 – Why lead is used in fabric dyeing 00:08:49 – Study details: methodology and testing process 00:09:21 – Research team and origin of investigation 00:10:52 – Advanced testing: spectroscopy and EPA protocols 00:11:40 – Results: every shirt failed safety standards 00:12:10 – Bright colors = higher toxicity 00:13:05 – Secondary experiment: ingestion and mouthing behavior 00:14:00 – Children chewing clothing: real-world exposure 00:14:49 – Skin is not a barrier—it's a delivery system 00:15:30 – Sweat and heat increase chemical absorption 00:16:28 – Microplastics and chemical leaching through skin 00:17:13 – Exercise increases toxin absorption 00:18:00 – Flame retardants and systemic circulation 00:18:50 – Long-term exposure: accumulation over time 00:19:36 – No safe level of lead exposure—global consensus 00:20:15 – Effects on children: brain damage and development issues 00:21:14 – Behavioral, cognitive, and neurological consequences 00:22:00 – Broader chemical exposure: 8,000+ compounds in clothing 00:23:01 – Solutions begin: awareness and behavior change 00:23:40 – Immediate action: always wash new clothes 00:24:10 – Choosing safer fabrics: organic and natural materials 00:24:50 – Avoiding synthetic blends and bright dyes 00:25:20 – Buy less, buy better philosophy 00:26:01 – Supporting ethical and non-toxic brands 00:26:40 – Using your consumer voice to create change 00:27:10 – Educating others and spreading awareness 00:27:40 – Final message: protecting your body and your children 00:28:00 – Closing: reclaiming control and living a SuperLife     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Our Place – Non-toxic cookware that keeps harmful chemicals out of your food. Get 10% off at fromourplace.com with code DARIN. Tru Niagen – Boost NAD+ levels for cellular health and longevity. Get 20% off with code DARIN20 at truniagen.com.     Find More From Darin: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "Your skin is not a shield—it's a gateway. And when you start to realize that the things you wear every day can carry toxic chemicals directly into your body, everything changes. Because this isn't about fear—it's about awareness. And once you're aware, you have the power to choose differently, protect your family, and stop participating in a system that was never designed with your health in mind."     Bibliography/Sources The Primary Study American Chemical Society. (2026, March 23). Initial tests find lead in children's fast-fashion clothing [Press release]. https://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2026/march/initial-tests-find-lead-in-childrens-fast-fashion-clothing.html Deavers, K., Avello, C., & Espinoza, P. (2026, March 22–26). Lead contamination in fast fashion children's clothing [Paper presentation]. ACS Spring 2026 Meeting, Atlanta, GA, United States. HealthDay. (2026, March 24). Cheap children's clothing tainted with lead, study says. U.S. News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2026-03-24/cheap-childrens-clothing-tainted-with-lead-study-says Marian University. (2026, March 23). Marian University students warn of lead in children's fast-fashion clothing. Marian University Newsroom. https://www.marian.edu/newsroom/2026/03/marian-university-students-warn-of-lead-in-childrens-fast-fashion-clothing ScienceDaily. (2026, April 2). Initial tests find lead in children's fast-fashion clothing. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260402042737.htm Texfash. (n.d.). Lead found in fast-fashion children's clothing as preliminary tests exceed federal safety limits. Texfash Update. https://texfash.com/update/lead-found-in-fast-fashion-children-s-clothing-as-preliminary-tests-exceed-federal-safety-limits Lead Toxicity & Children's Health Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (n.d.). Lead toxicity: What are possible health effects from lead exposure? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://archive.cdc.gov/www_atsdr_cdc_gov/csem/leadtoxicity/physiological_effects.html American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. (n.d.). Lead exposure in children affects brain and behavior. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Lead-Exposure-In-Children-Affects-Brain-And-Behavior-045.aspx Brain Injury Association of America. (2021). Chronic lead exposure: A non-traumatic brain injury. https://biausa.org/public-affairs/public-awareness/news/chronic-lead-exposure-a-non-traumatic-brain-injury Canfield, R. L., et al. (2004). Intellectual impairment in children with blood lead concentrations below 10 μg per deciliter. New England Journal of Medicine, 348, 1517–1526. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Risk factors and children. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/risk-factors/children.html Hubbs-Tait, L., et al. (2005). Neurotoxicants, micronutrients, and social environments: Individual and combined effects on children's development. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 6(3), 57–121. Lanphear, B. P., et al. (2005). Environmental lead exposure and children's cognitive function. Environmental Health Perspectives. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4675165/ Liu, J., et al. (2013). A clinical study of the effects of lead poisoning on the intelligence and neurobehavioral abilities of children. BMC Pediatrics. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3598508/ Needleman, H. L., & Bellinger, D. (2001). Recent developments in low-level lead exposure and intellectual impairment in children. Environmental Health Perspectives. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1247191/ Skin Absorption & Transdermal Chemical Exposure Abafe, O., et al. (2024). Flame retardants leach from microplastics into human sweat; absorption through skin demonstrated. Environment International. Corinti, D., et al. (2018). Chemicals from textiles to skin: An in vitro permeation study of benzothiazole. PubMed Central. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6133113/ EveryRep. (2025). Non-toxic activewear: The BPA, PFAS and polyester risk. https://everyrep.com/synthetic-toxins-endocrine-safety/ University of Birmingham. (2024, April). Toxic chemicals from microplastics can be absorbed through skin. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2024/toxic-chemicals-from-microplastics-can-be-absorbed-through-skin Fast Fashion: Industry Scale, Chemicals & Health Impacts Cobbing, M., Wohlgemuth, A., & Panhuber, T. (2022). Greenpeace investigation: Hazardous chemicals in SHEIN garments. Greenpeace International. Earth Day Network. (n.d.). Hazardous hems: How fashion wreaks havoc on health. https://www.earthday.org/hazardous-hems-how-fashion-wreaks-havoc-on-health/ Earth Day Network. (n.d.). Toxic textiles: The chemicals in our clothing. https://www.earthday.org/toxic-textiles-the-chemicals-in-our-clothing/ Enhesa. (2026). Toxic chemicals in fast fashion supply chains: Risks, impacts, and regulation. https://www.enhesa.com/resources/article/toxic-chemicals-in-fast-fashion-supply-chains-risks-impacts-and-regulation/ Giró-Palau, A., et al. (2025). The health impact of fast fashion: Exploring toxic chemicals in clothing and textiles. MDPI Encyclopedia, 5(2), 84. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8392/5/2/84 Green America. (n.d.). Unpacking toxic textiles. https://greenamerica.org/unraveling-fashion-industry/unpacking-toxic-textiles Million Marker. (2024). Fast fashion: A toxic trend and the path to sustainable change. https://millionmarker.com/blogs/blog/fast-fashion-is-toxic OsloMet Clothing Research. (2025). From clothes to skin: Chemical safety in ultra-fast fashion and luxury brands' clothes. https://clothingresearch.oslomet.no/2025/06/03/from-clothes-to-skin-chemical-safety-in-ultra-fast-fashion-and-luxury-brands-clothes/ Fast Fashion Industry Statistics & Environmental Scope Center for Biological Diversity. (n.d.). At what cost? Unravelling the harms of the fast fashion industry. https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/sustainability/fast_fashion Earth.org. (2026). Fast fashion and its environmental impact. https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/ Niinimäki, K., et al. (2020). The environmental price of fast fashion. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-020-0039-9 The Sustainable Agency. (2026). Environmental & human impact of fast fashion: 2026 facts. https://thesustainableagency.com/blog/impact-of-fast-fashion-stats-and-facts/ Uniform Market. (2025). Environmental impact of fast fashion statistics. https://www.uniformmarket.com/statistics/fast-fashion-statistics Certifications & Resources for Cleaner Clothing bluesign. (n.d.). bluesign standard. https://www.bluesign.com Global Organic Textile Standard. (n.d.). GOTS. https://global-standard.org Oeko-Tex. (n.d.). Oeko-Tex Standard 100. https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/oeko-tex-standard-100 Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals. (n.d.). Roadmap to zero. https://www.roadmaptozero.com

The photos we almost skip often become the ones we wish we had most.   In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina sits down with family photographer and entrepreneur Jessica Hinds to talk about preserving the moments that matter, even in the middle of chaos, motherhood, and busy careers. Jessica shares how she built her photography business, why she always encourages moms to get in the frame, and how family photos become part of the legacy we leave behind.   They also talk about the challenges of balancing business ownership with family life, the pressure professional women put on themselves, and why health is one of the most important investments we can make if we want to enjoy the wealth we're building.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:35 - Episode open, meet Jessica Hinds 3:57 - A glimpse into what it's like to be a professional photographer 11:05 - Why Jessica became an entrepreneur 14:07 - Where you can go to learn more about Jessica and her photography 14:41 - Challenges Jessica has faced as a professional woman 19:40 - Jessica's vision for retirement 21:38 - Action item and wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CONNECT WITH JESSICA HINDS   Website: https://www.jessicahindsphotography.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicahindsphotography/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org   Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.   For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.comToday's episode is available in full for paid subscribers. You can upgrade right here. Thank you so much for your support!This is Part 2 of my conversation with Leslie Schilling, and we get into the harder, thornier stuff—the cultural forces that make all of this so difficult to navigate, and the clinical tools Leslie uses to help people find their way through.We cover:— What weight suppression actually means, and why it has nothing to do with body size — The physical toll of even "light" under-eating, and why it can feel like it's working until it suddenly isn't — GLP-1 medications, informed consent, and what most prescribers aren't telling their patients — The way exercise intersects with GLP-1s and why being told to work out more while your hunger cues are suppressed is a problem — Muscle loss, sarcopenia, and why fueling your body matters more as you age — RED-S and why it's not just for elite athletes — "Weaponized compassion" and the way diet culture and the medical system dress up restriction as care — How belonging and community drive so many of our behaviors around food, movement, and medication — Body grief and the real, valid loss that comes with a changing body — Why lowering the bar is not giving upThis episode is available in full for paid subscribers. Upgrade here to listen to the whole thing.Part 1 is free and available wherever you listen to podcasts.Find Leslie: Instagram: @LeslieSchilling Website: leslieschilling.comFind Full Plate: Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Substack: abbieattwoodwellness.substack.comAbout Leslie: Leslie Schilling, MA, RDN, CSCS, CEDS-C, owns a Las Vegas-based private practice specializing in nutrition counseling for disordered eating and performance nutrition for professional athletes, performers, and military personnel. In her more than 20 years in the fields of sport nutrition, eating disorders, and strength and conditioning, Leslie has served in many settings, including as a performance nutrition consultant for Cirque du Soleil and the NBA, and as an expert contributor to U.S. News & World Report. One of her favorite things to do is support registered dietitians, coaches, and other professionals working at the intersection of eating disorders and sport through professional supervision and mentorship in the Dietitian Development Hub Mighty Network Community. Check out Leslie's latest book, Feed Yourself, about how diet culture shows up in our safest places, which is available anywhere books are sold.Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribeApply for Abbie's Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group

A lot of women have no idea they may still be entitled to Social Security benefits tied to an ex-spouse. In this week's episode, Regina unpacks what divorced spouses, widows, and widowers need to know, including the rules that apply, how much may be available, and why filing too early can cost you far more than you realize. She also walks through real examples that show how a smart claiming strategy can make a meaningful difference in your long-term retirement income.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:52 - Rules first! 5:24 - 2 factors to consider for the spousal benefit 7:12 - The survivor benefit 10:04 - Calculating and using or 'turning on' the benefits 14:01 - Circling back to the survivor benefit 15:17 - The drawback of taking it earlier 20:48 - Call to action   ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org  Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

In today's episode, I chat with Leslie Schilling, a registered dietitian who specializes in working with athletes and disordered eating, about what it looks like when our relationship with exercise is no longer healthy. We get into so much, including:- what exercise dependence actually means (and why it's often missed)- why it's not about quantity—but compulsion, rigidity, and fear- the overlap between exercise dependence and eating disorders- signs your relationship with exercise might need support- why rest days can feel so distressing- exercise as a coping mechanism for anxiety, stress, and discomfort- the subtle difference between: “I want to move” vs. “I have to move”- how body image, food rules, and weight concerns drive compulsive movement- why most people are under-fueling (even when they don't realize it)- “if you fuel it, you can do it”—and what happens when you don'tAbout Leslie: Leslie Schilling, MA, RDN, CSCS, CEDS-C, owns a Las Vegas-based private practice specializing in nutrition counseling for disordered eating and performance nutrition for professional athletes, performers, and military personnel. In her more than 20 years in the fields of sport nutrition, eating disorders, and strength and conditioning, Leslie has served in many settings, including as a performance nutrition consultant for Cirque du Soleil and the NBA, and as an expert contributor to U.S. News & World Report. One of her favorite things to do is support registered dietitians, coaches, and other professionals working at the intersection of eating disorders and sport through professional supervision and mentorship in the Dietitian Development Hub Mighty Network Community. Check out Leslie's latest book, Feed Yourself, about how diet culture shows up in our safest places, which is available anywhere books are sold.Find more on Leslie: https://www.instagram.com/leslieschillinghttps://schillingnutrition.com/https://a.co/d/0blRJV9zSupport the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribeApply for Abbie's Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-groupSocial media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellnessSupport comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

In this "Giants in Plastic Surgery" episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Karol Gutowski, a board-certified plastic surgeon, educator, and nationally recognized leader in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. With a career spanning academic leadership, surgical innovation, and private practice, Dr. Gutowski reflects on the journey that brought him to the United States, why he chose medicine, and how his training and residency experiences shaped the opportunities that followed.   We discuss some of his happiest memories from residency and academia, the achievements he is proudest of, and the realities of serving in major leadership roles, including as Chief of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Gutowski also shares what prompted his transition from academia to private practice, how he navigated the uncertainty of leaving a fixed income to build his own business, and his perspective on what it takes to start and sustain a successful private clinic. Along the way, he offers thoughtful insights into handling patient dissatisfaction, avoiding short-lived trends, and distinguishing lasting innovation from fad in plastic surgery.   Beyond surgery, this conversation explores the personal side of a long career in medicine: what it is like working alongside his wife, balancing work and family life, and how he thinks about success across both professional and personal spheres. We also talk about whether different personalities are drawn to aesthetic versus reconstructive surgery, the future of the specialty, and what he sees as the next big thing in plastic surgery and medicine more broadly.   Read a classic PRS Global Open article by Dr. Gutowski and co-authors, "What Influences a Plastic Surgery Resident to Pursue an Academic Career?": https://bit.ly/Academic_Influences_GOX   Dr. Gutowski is an award-winning Chicago-based plastic surgeon known for advanced aesthetic treatments of the face, breast, body, and skin, as well as for his extensive contributions to education, research, and national professional leadership. He has authored over 100 publications and book chapters, served in numerous chief and professorial roles, and has been recognized as a Top Doctor by U.S. News & World Report, Castle Connolly, and others.   Your host, Dr. Vimal Gokani, is a senior Specialty Registrar in plastic surgery in London, England. Your producer & editor, Charlene Kok, is a Year 4 Medical Student in Imperial College London, England, with a keen interest in Plastic Surgery.   #PRSGlobalOpen #DeepCutsPodcast #PlasticSurgery #GiantsPlasticSurgery

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Wednesday, April 8, 2026. #1 – From WV ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - TCL Specialties selects WV for growth and expansion TCL Specialties has announced its decision to expand operations in West Virginia, pointing to the state's valuable resources, workforce, and welcoming business climate as key factors. The company's investment adds to the state's growing portfolio of advanced manufacturing and chemical production, reinforcing West Virginia's position as a competitive location for industry. Leaders say the expansion reflects continued momentum in attracting companies that value efficiency, access to resources, and long-term growth potential. Read more: https://westvirginia.gov/tcl-specialties-says-yeswv-due-to-its-valuable-resources-and-welcoming-attitude/ #2 – From US NEWS - WV destination featured among most underrated in U.S. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the New River National Park & Preserve as one of the nation's best underrated travel destinations, highlighting the area for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, and authentic experiences. From mountain landscapes to small-town charm, the state continues to attract visitors seeking destinations that offer adventure without the crowds. Travel experts say West Virginia's combination of accessibility, affordability, and natural beauty makes it a standout choice for travelers looking to explore something new. Read more: https://travel.usnews.com/rankings/best-underrated-destinations-usa/ #3 – From VISUAL CAPITALIST - WV part of leading U.S. natural gas growth region New data shows that the Ohio–West Virginia–Pennsylvania region is leading natural gas production growth in the United States, making it one of the most important energy hubs in the world. Since 2008, the region has seen significant increases in output, outpacing other parts of the country and providing a reliable, low-cost energy source that supports manufacturing and economic development. Industry analysts say this growth continues to position West Virginia as a key player in energy production and a driver of industrial competitiveness. Read more: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/sc01-who-is-growing-u-s-natural-gas-leaders/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

This Day in Legal History: Seventeenth Amendment RatifiedOn April 8, 1913, the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution became part of the Constitution after receiving the necessary number of state ratifications. This amendment fundamentally changed the method of selecting U.S. senators, shifting the power from state legislatures directly to voters. Prior to its adoption, senators were chosen by state lawmakers, a process that had increasingly drawn criticism for corruption and political deadlock. Reformers argued that legislative selection allowed special interests to exert undue influence over Senate seats. The amendment emerged during the Progressive Era, a period marked by widespread efforts to make government more democratic and transparent. By mandating direct elections, it aimed to increase accountability and restore public trust in the federal government. The change also reduced the frequency of vacancies caused by legislative gridlock in the states. Supporters viewed the amendment as a necessary correction to a system that had strayed from democratic principles. Critics, however, warned that it weakened the role of states within the federal structure. The ratification process itself reflected strong public pressure for reform across many states. Over time, the amendment reshaped the political dynamics of the Senate, making senators more responsive to public opinion. It also aligned the Senate more closely with the House of Representatives in terms of democratic legitimacy. Today, the Seventeenth Amendment remains a cornerstone of how Americans participate in federal elections, illustrating the enduring impact of Progressive Era reforms.Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said that Donald Trump has both the right and responsibility to influence federal investigations, including those involving people Trump views as adversaries. Speaking publicly for the first time since taking the role, Blanche rejected claims that the Justice Department was improperly targeting Trump's opponents. He argued that a president is expected to guide national priorities, even when that includes investigations tied to personal or political conflicts.The Justice Department has recently pursued multiple investigations involving individuals connected to past inquiries into Trump, as well as political opponents and donors. Some of these efforts have faced resistance in court, with judges and grand juries limiting or dismissing certain cases. Blanche pointed to past prosecutions against Trump as justification, saying the president is seeking accountability for what he views as misuse of the legal system.Blanche's appointment followed Trump's firing of former Attorney General Pam Bondi, reportedly due to frustration over the pace and results of investigations. Blanche did not say whether he wants to remain in the role permanently, emphasizing that the decision rests with Trump. He also indicated he would step aside if asked, expressing loyalty to the president.Acting DOJ chief Blanche says Trump has ‘right' to influence investigations | ReutersYale Law School lost its long-held No. 1 position in the latest U.S. News & World Report law school rankings, marking the first time in 36 years it has not topped the list. Stanford Law School now holds the sole No. 1 spot, while Yale is tied for second with University of Chicago Law School. A slight drop in Yale's employment rate for graduates appears to have contributed to the shift, though other metrics like bar passage and LSAT scores remained stable.The rankings also saw broader changes among the traditionally top 14 law schools, known as the “T-14.” University of California, Berkeley School of Law and Georgetown University Law Center both fell out of that group, while Cornell Law School and Vanderbilt University Law School moved up in the rankings. Other schools, including University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and University of Virginia School of Law, saw smaller gains, while Harvard Law School remained steady.These fluctuations reflect changes in the ranking methodology introduced in recent years after several top schools, including Yale and Berkeley, criticized the system. The updated approach relies more heavily on data reported to the American Bar Association, making small differences in employment and bar passage rates more influential.Yale loses longtime No. 1 spot on latest US law school ranking | ReutersAI startups are increasingly targeting law students as part of a broader effort to capture the legal services market. Companies like Harvey AI and Legora are offering free access and training at top law schools, hoping students will continue using their tools once they enter law firms and corporate legal roles. This strategy comes as the legal AI sector expands rapidly, fueled by advances in generative AI since the rise of ChatGPT.These startups compete with established providers like LexisNexis and Westlaw, which have long dominated legal research and are now integrating AI into their platforms. While legacy companies rely on proprietary legal databases, newer entrants build tools on large language models and focus on tasks like drafting, research, and litigation preparation. Some partnerships have even emerged between startups and traditional providers to combine strengths.Law students are already using these tools for exam preparation, memo writing, and simulating legal arguments. Schools and companies also view this exposure as a way to teach both the benefits and risks of AI, including issues like inaccurate or “hallucinated” outputs. The broader goal is to create familiarity early, making future lawyers more likely to adopt these tools in practice.Other legal tech companies, including Clio and Spellbook, are pursuing similar partnerships, expanding access across hundreds of law schools. As competition grows, early access and training are becoming key battlegrounds for shaping the next generation of legal professionals.AI startups court law students in fight for lawyer market | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

So many women are taught to downplay their accomplishments, even when they've done something extraordinary.    In this episode of Women and Wealth, Nicole Stephenson joins Regina McCann Hess for a conversation about confidence, community, and what it means for women to show up unapologetically in their careers.    A lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and the founder of Narrativa Consulting, Nicole has spent years helping professional women recognize their value, own their stories, and move forward with greater confidence.   In this conversation, she shares how more than a decade of leading women's professional development programs shaped her perspective on mentorship, self-worth, and the power of women championing one another. She also talks about the inspiration behind her new book, the challenges women face in owning their accomplishments, and why community can be the catalyst for meaningful change.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Meet Nicole Stephenson 5:27 - "How to get your kudos", defining accomplishments 14:59 - Where to find more about Nicole and her book 18:20 - Some of the challenges Nicole has faced as a professional woman 22:41 - Nicole's vision of retirement 27:57 - Action item and episode wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CONNECT WITH NICOLE STEPHENSON   Website: https://narrativaconsulting.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-stephenson/   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org   Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.   For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.  

Regina breaks down one of the biggest retirement decisions people make too quickly: when to claim Social Security.  In this episode, she walks through how benefits are calculated, why filing early can permanently reduce your income, and how waiting can add meaningful dollars to your retirement plan.  It's a practical, no-nonsense episode for anyone who wants to make a smarter Social Security decision instead of just grabbing benefits at 62.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:32 - Why Social Security timing matters more than people think 2:07 - How Social Security benefits are calculated 3:34 - Cost-of-living adjustments and inflation 4:39 - The age you can claim vs. the age you should claim 6:07 - What claiming at 62 really costs you 7:20 - Real dollar examples: 62 vs. 67 10:15 - Why waiting until 70 can increase your benefit 11:28 - Smart claiming strategies for spouses 13:16 - How survivor benefits work 14:41 - 2026 Social Security numbers and max benefits 18:04 - Working while collecting Social Security 20:23 - Regina's takeaway: build a strategy, don't guess ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.   This material was prepared by MFS Fund Distributors, Inc.   For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management  

Divorce does not have to mean a drawn-out court battle.  In this episode, Regina is joined by attorney and divorce mediator Sandra Zell for a candid conversation about how mediation can help families save time, money, and unnecessary heartache. They unpack the difference between mediation and litigation, why more control often leads to better outcomes, and what women should know before paying a legal retainer.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:53 - Meet Sandra Zell 2:17 - The difference between mediating and going to court 6:32 - The timeframe for mediation, the level of control you have 14:23 - "What if my spouse is controlling?" 17:51 - Where you can learn more about Sandra 20:35 - A challenge Sandra has faced as a professional woman 21:53 - Sandra's vision for retirement 23:36 - Call to action, episode wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.   Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com CONNECT WITH SANDRA ZELL   Website: https://www.zdsmediation.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-l-zell-esq-752a022/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zelldivorcesolutions/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org   Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.Forge Wealth Management

Taxes are complicated, the rules keep changing, and missing one detail could cost you.  This week, Regina joins CBS News consumer reporter Josh Sidorowicz on the "In Your Corner" podcast to bring clarity and calm to this hectic and oftentimes, stressful event. Regina breaks down the deductions, credits, and filing strategies that could make a real difference this year. From staying organized to avoiding common mistakes and protecting your refund, this conversation helps make tax season feel a whole lot more manageable.   Episode Highlights:   00:00 — What's new this tax season? 01:30 — Your must-have tax checklist 03:20 — Missing forms, delays & brokerage statements 04:40 — Major life changes that impact your taxes 05:58 — Big new deductions & credits you should know 10:00 — State & local tax cap boost + child tax credit changes 12:41 — Standard deduction vs. itemizing: Which wins now? 20:02 — Lightning round: Fastest refunds & protecting your identity ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org   Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.Forge Wealth Management

Paul Glastris is a journalist and political columnist. Born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri area, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in History in 1981 and a Master's Degree in Radio in 1982, both from Northwestern University. Upon graduation, he moved to Washington, D.C., began working as a freelance writer, was a correspondent and editor for U.S. News & World Report from 1988-1998, speechwrote for President Bill Clinton from 1998-2001, and has been Editor-in-Chief of Washington Monthly since. Paul has two children with his late wife Kukula and lives in Washington, D.C.

Clutter doesn't just steal space, it steals time, energy, and peace of mind. In this episode, Regina sits down with Janet Bernstein of The Organizing Professionals to talk about what it really looks like to get help getting your home under control. They dig into how professional organizers can support everything from closet systems and everyday decluttering to major life transitions like downsizing, estate cleanouts, and moving. Janet shares how her team helps clients decide what stays, what goes, and even whether your favorite furniture will actually fit in the new place before the movers show up. They also get into one of the most emotional projects families avoid for years, organizing old photos, digitizing what matters, and making sure those memories don't end up dumped in a box someday. It's a practical conversation with a bigger point behind it: don't wait for retirement to start building a life that feels lighter, more intentional, and easier to live in.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:43 - Meet Janet Bernstein! 2:51 - Moving is a 'top-3' stressful event 6:18 - Helping people determine what will "fit" in the new home 11:31 - Pictures 17:02 - Where you can go to learn more about Janet 17:50 - Some challenges Janet has faced as a professional woman 19:50 - Janet's vision for retirement 23:05 - Wrap-up and action item ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CONNECT WITH JANET BERNSTEIN   Website: https://theorganizingprofessionals.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-bernstein-cpo%C2%AE-5269a518/   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org   Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.Forge Wealth Management

Air Date: 3/7/2026  Welcome to this episode of the Award-Winning Best of the Left Podcast. Today we examine the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson civil rights icon, two-time presidential candidate and one of the most consequential political figures of the 20th century. Be part of the show! Leave a voice message, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Join our Discord community! TOP TAKES KP 1: Remembering Jesse Jackson - Here & Now Anytime - Air Date 2-17-26 KP 2: I Am Somebody - Jesse Jackson -Sesame Street - Air Date 2-17-26 KP 3: Why Jesse Jackson Mattered - Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie -Air Date 2-23-26 KP 4: Slap in the Face. Speaker Mike Johnson Declines to Honor Rev. Jesse Jackson - Roland S. Martin - Air Date 2-21-26 KP 5: Ryan Grim: "We've Got People: From Jesse Jackson to AOC..." - The Zero Hour with RJ Eskow - Air Date 4-29-19 KP 6: Was The Rev. Jesse Jackson A Man Before His Time? Part 1 - In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - Air Date 10-20-25 KP 7: From the Archives: Jesse Jackson's Speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention - CBS News - Air Date 2-17-26 KP 8: The Historic Presidential Campaigns Of Rev. Jesse Jackson - Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast - Air Date 2-29-24 KP 9: Jesse Jackson Fought for Justice at Home & Abroad: Juan González & Bishop William Barber - Democracy Now! - Air Date 2-18-06 (00:47:43) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Don't hate the game, change the rules DEEPER DIVES (00:58:53) SECTION A: PRESIDENTIAL RUNS A1: Rev. Jesse Jackson Speaks at 1988 Democratic National Convention During 2nd Presidential Run - CBS Chicago - Air Date 2-17-26 A2: "Keep Hope Alive": Remembering Rev. Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Icon Who Twice Ran for President - Democracy Now! - Air Date 2-17-26 A3: Making Jesse Jackson - Making - Air Date 10-26-22 (01:36:11) SECTION B: RAINBOW COALITION B1: The Original Rainbow Coalition - Code Switch - Air Date 1-24-23 B2: Is a New Rainbow Coalition of Voters Possible? - Some of My Best Friends Are - Air Date 2-15-23 B3: The Life and Times of a 'revolutionary Hillbilly' - The Real News Podcast - Air Date 9-1-21 B4: We Can't Erase the Radicalism of the Rainbow Coalition - The Real News Podcast - Air Date 3-19-21 (02:14:46) SECTION C: THE MAN C1: Rev. Jesse Jackson's 1975 Message to America - THIRTEEN PBS - Air Date 2-18-26 C2: Bomani Jones Reflects on the Life of Jesse Jackson: The Last Civil Rights Icon - The Right Time with Bomani Jones - Air Date 3-19-26 C3: Jesse Jackson Interview: Marching the Righteous Path with Martin Luther King Jr - Life Stories - Air Date 8-26-24 C4: "I Am – Somebody:" Reflecting on the Life and Legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson - Amanpour and Company - Air Date 2-19-26 (02:49:46) SECTION D: HIS LEGACY D1: Was The Rev. Jesse Jackson A Man Before His Time' Part 2 - In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - Air Date 10-20-25 D2: Jesse Jackson's Legacy: From Marching with MLK to Building the Rainbow Coalition - Democracy Now! - Air Date 2-17-26 D3: Jesse Jackson: Crash Course Black American History #44 - CrashCourse - Air Date 8-9-22 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Black and white photo of Rev. Jesse Jackson in 1983 Credit:"Jesse Jackson, half-length portrait of Jackson seated at table, July 1, 1983" via Wikimedia Commons | U.S. News & World Report collection at the Library of Congress. No known copyright restrictions.   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

A 529 can be a game-changer for paying for education, but only if you use it the right way. In this episode, Regina breaks down 10 expenses that typically qualify for tax-free 529 withdrawals, so you can avoid surprise taxes and penalties when the college bills start hitting. She covers the obvious stuff like tuition, but also the categories that trip people up most, like room and board for off-campus living, groceries, academic fees, and technology. Regina also gets into newer, often-missed uses for 529 funds, including trade programs, K–12 tuition, student loan repayment, and the rules around rolling leftover 529 money into a Roth IRA. If you've ever wondered what a 529 really covers, this is your clean, practical guide to spending it confidently.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:35 - Episode open, 529 overview 2:32 - Tuition 3:27 - College alternatives 4:30 - Living on/off campus 7:11 - Groceries 8:40 - Academic fees 9:35 - Computers, software and internet access 10:15 - Books and supplies 10:31 - Tuition for K-12 12:00 - Student loan repayment 12:52 - Roth IRA conversion 15:34 - Wrap-up and action item ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.   This material was prepared by Hartford funds. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. Hartford Funds is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management

When you have checked every box, career, family, community, and still feel that quiet question of "what about me?", this episode is for you.   On this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina sits down with Michele Garrett, a women's life and transition coach who helps successful women 45+ get clear on what they want next and how to move forward without blowing up their whole life to do it.   Together, they talk about what retirement and "the next chapter" can really look like today, how to reconnect with your values when life finally slows down, and why small, consistent mindset shifts can change your direction more than any big, overwhelming plan. Michele also shares a peek at her four-pillar approach for helping women rebuild clarity, confidence, and purpose in a season of change.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Meet Michele Garret 2:51 - Michele's "4 Pillar Program" 6:14 - Michele's impact as a coach 7:57 - the '1% change' 9:12 - Where you can go to learn more about Michele 11:01 - Some challenges Michele has faced as a professional woman 14:06 - Michele's vision for retirement 16:19 - Action item   ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.  Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals.   CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CONNECT WITH MICHELE GARRETT Website: https://www.mgarrettcoaching.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtregogarrett/   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.   For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

It's tax paperwork season, and capital gains can sneak up on you if you're not paying attention.  In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina breaks down 10 key things to know about capital gains and capital gain distributions, including why you might get a distribution even if you didn't sell anything (or even if a fund is down). She also covers the difference between short-term vs. long-term gains, what changes in taxable accounts vs. retirement accounts, which 1099 forms to look for, and how fund turnover can impact what shows up on your statements.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:34 - Episode beginning 1:05 - Tip #1 4:22 - Tip #2 5:06 - Tip #3 6:37 - Tip #4 7:56 - Tip #5 9:14 - Tip #6 10:08 - Tip #7 12:01 - Tip #8 13:13 - Tip #9 14:54 - Tip #10 16:04 - Long-term capital gains tax rates 19:23 - Call to action   ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.   This material was prepared by Hartford funds. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. Hartford Funds is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management

You've probably heard about real estate before as a great way to grow or invest your money for the long-term.   But that doesn't mean that you can just start with no strategy, or plan, however.   In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina talks with Lindsay Davis, CEO and co-founder of Spartan Invest, about building passive income through single-family real estate.   Lindsay explains what "turnkey" investing looks like, why the Southeast has been a strong target for investors, how she evaluates neighborhoods, and the real risks to understand before buying. They also get into retirement planning and why diversifying your income streams early matters, so you can work because you want to, not because you have to.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Episode open and intro to Lindsay 3:27 - Landlord/tenant laws, residential properties 6:38 - How Lindsay targets areas 10:42 - Explaining risk to newcomers 18:12 - Where you can learn more 19:35 - Challenges Lindsay has faced as a professional woman 22:45 - Lindsay's plans for retirement 25:03 - Action item ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CONNECT WITH LINDSAY DAVIS   Website: https://spartaninvest.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spartanlindsaydavis/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the latest U.S. News & World Report university rankings and question their relevance to archaeology and cultural resource management (CRM). They argue that Ivy League prestige and rankings have little to no impact on hiring or success in archaeology, emphasizing that program quality, practical skills, and experience matter far more than a school's name. The panel shares examples where Ivy League graduates were not stronger candidates and notes that perceived academic “elite” advantages are often statistical noise or social bias. Overall, the episode encourages students and parents to focus on strong, field-relevant programs rather than chasing rankings or prestige.TranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/crmarchpodcast/325LinksU.S. News & World Report: Best CollegesBlogs and Resources:Bill White: Succinct ResearchDoug Rocks-MacQueen: Doug's ArchaeologyChris Webster: DIGTECH LLCAndrew KinkellaKinkella Teaches Archaeology (Youtube)Blog: Kinkella Teaches ArchaeologyArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN ShopAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the latest U.S. News & World Report university rankings and question their relevance to archaeology and cultural resource management (CRM). They argue that Ivy League prestige and rankings have little to no impact on hiring or success in archaeology, emphasizing that program quality, practical skills, and experience matter far more than a school's name. The panel shares examples where Ivy League graduates were not stronger candidates and notes that perceived academic “elite” advantages are often statistical noise or social bias. Overall, the episode encourages students and parents to focus on strong, field-relevant programs rather than chasing rankings or prestige.TranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/crmarchpodcast/325LinksU.S. News & World Report: Best CollegesBlogs and Resources:Bill White: Succinct ResearchDoug Rocks-MacQueen: Doug's ArchaeologyChris Webster: DIGTECH LLCAndrew KinkellaKinkella Teaches Archaeology (Youtube)Blog: Kinkella Teaches ArchaeologyArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN ShopAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Paperwork. Nobody wants to deal with it. But cleaning up your 'financial clutter' doesn't need to be a task we dread. In this week's episode, Regina is becoming your cleaning buddy and guide for your personal paperwork clean-up. She'll take you through what to keep vs. what to toss as well as some tips and tools to stay more organized in the future. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:33 - Episode open, 'financial clutter' 1:21 - What's worth keeping vs tossing  3:33 - Easy stuff to throw away 4:38 - Cleaning safely (shred it) 5:06 - Medical bills 6:14 - Utility bills and the 'big docs'  8:04 - Taxes and home improvement receipts 13:00 - Buy a shredder 21:00 - Action item and final thoughts  ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. This material was prepared by Hartford Funds. Hartford Funds is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management.

Lori Woolridge and Lauren Weinberg are the co-founders of Freedom to Flourish, where they help women rebuild from the inside out through self-love, mindset, and soul-aligned growth. Lori is a love & relationship coach focused on self-love and healthy relationships, and Lauren is a "Becoming Coach", a former psychologist and family therapist turned wellbeing and empowerment coach. Together they join Regina and discuss why "January is divorce month," and how to approach divorce with support instead of going it alone.    They examine how divorce is "85% emotional / 15% legal" and why emotional regulation can save time, money, and pain – and they even dive into their signature program "Your F.A.B. Divorce" and how that can help you, should you ever need it.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:33 - Episode open 0:51 - Meet Lori and Lauren 3:44 - More about Lori and Lauren's program 8:22 - Dealing with fear and uncertainty 10:08 - More details about the program 18:26 - Shifting your mindset, where you can learn more 23:18 - Action item and wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CONNECT WITH LORI WOOLRIDGE AND LAUREN WEINBERG   Website: https://www.freedom-toflourish.com/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

Sheila Brennan is a seasoned divorce coach with nearly 15 years of experience, known for helping clients navigate divorce with a clear, practical plan, as well as coordinating the legal, financial, emotional, and parenting pieces so they can move forward feeling empowered and in control. She joins Regina McCann Hess to discuss why divorce is best handled like a business transition, how a divorce coach helps you, why "fair" is the wrong target and how to aim for reasonable outcomes that keep your spouse at the table and out of court.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:36 - Episode open 1:02 - Meet Sheila Brennan 3:06 - "These are business decisions" 4:53 - The impact that Sheila makes 9:20 - Timeline and know-how 17:19 - Nothing is 'fair' about divorce 20:13 - The rules are different everywhere 22:44 - Where to find more about Sheila and her services 24:20 - Action item ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CONNECT WITH Sheila Brennan   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilabrennandivorcecoach/   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

A divorce can have a ripple effect that can be felt by others, close family members especially. When you add in the challenges and complexity of raising a special needs child, that's when you need to get in touch with Dr. Juliet Marciano. Juliet is a mindset coach, retired pediatrician, PCI Certified Parent Coach®, and mother of four young adults. Her job? To bring joy back to parents (and really, families) when they face difficult life events. Juliet joins Regina in "divorce month" to discuss the unique challenges families face during this stressful process, and what other factors can impact how parents and individuals navigate this situation. Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:31 - Episode open 1:08 - Meet Juliet 5:45 - Lack of resources, getting help 10:15 - Telling a special-needs child about divorce 16:01 - How often should you talk to your children about divorce? 19:02 - Talking to adult children 23:23 - Where you can find more about Juliet 26:18 - Action item and wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CONNECT WITH DR. JULIET MARCIANO   Website: https://www.julietmarciano.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-marciano-md-4814249/   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

Divorce drains wallets and energy faster than almost any other life event.   This month, Regina is exploring the topic of divorce with expert guests to help connect you with resources, information and insights into what you should (and shouldn't do), what options are available and how to navigate this process.   This episode features Kristen Shearin, an attorney, Certified Family Financial Mediator, and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. She has 15 years of family law litigation experience, has mediated over 150 cases, and has testified as a financial expert witness.   She joins Regina to unpack why January sees a spike in filings, when mediation beats court, and when court is necessary for safety. They dig into the financial side of divorce, why a CDFA can protect your net worth the documents to organize before you make any moves and much more! Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:35 - Episode beginning 3:01 - January is "divorce month" 6:36 - The IDFA and what Kristen does for it 11:15 - Financial statements, utilizing professionals 16:39 - How you can find more info (and a CDFA) 19:12 - What's upcoming for the IDFA 21:02 - Mediation 23:54 - Where you can learn more about the IDFA 24:43 - Challenges Kristen has faced as a professional woman 28:34 - Kristen's vision of retirement 30:01 - Episode wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CONNECT WITH KRISTEN   Website: https://www.shearinlegal.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-shearin-b1581562/   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

Erin Clifford, JD, MA, LPC, is a wellness expert who helps professionals build healthier, more balanced, and more fulfilling lives. A Corporate Wellness Consultant, Licensed Professional Counselor, and National Certified Counselor, Erin integrates her background in mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle management to deliver impactful wellness coaching. Her holistic approach emphasizes the interconnected nature of well-being and meeting people where they are with practical, evidence-based tools for lasting change. Erin is the author of the USA Today National Bestseller Wellness Reimagined: A Holistic Approach to Health, Happiness, and Harmony, and her work has been featured in Shape, U.S. News & World Report, and Prevention. She holds a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law and a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. Her global training adds depth to her integrative approach to wellness.  In this episode, host Shay Beider and Erin Clifford explore what it means to reimagine wellness in a demanding world. Erin emphasizes the importance of identifying core values as a "north star" for building a sustainable wellness plan and aligning daily life with what matters most. She shares her holistic framework for well-being—integrating physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health—and introduces the Wheel of Harmony, a practical tool for assessing life domains and adapting wellness practices through changing seasons and milestones. The pair discuss the power of boundaries, self-compassion, reframing limits as liberating and reminding listeners that saying no is often saying yes to themselves. Together, they address burnout, caregiving, and the need to simplify wellness by returning to the basics while also embracing accountability and mindset shifts that support lasting change. This conversation invites listeners to find what feels supportive, realistic, and meaningful for their own lives.  Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing  Show Notes: Find more about Erin here Learn more about her services here Read her bestseller: Wellness Reimagined: A Holistic Approach to Health, Happiness, and Harmony This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through connection, wellness and healing. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. The success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people online and in person through the Integrative Touch Healing Center, and national programs. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate and Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org  

On this episode of Women & Wealth, Regina welcomes Lauren Reed Williams, founder of Reed Public Relations and co-founder of Wealth of a Woman. Lauren shares why she stepped down as CEO after 14 years, how she's building safe spaces for women to talk about money, and what sparked her mission. They also dig into money mindsets, confidence with advisors, aligning finances with core values, and why "peace and freedom" now define Lauren's vision of wealth. Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:31 - Episode beginning 4:22 - The Equal Credit Opportunity 8:14 - Women and financial advising 11:23 - What's next and where to learn more 14:50 - Some challenges Lauren has faced (as a professional woman) 18:23 - Lauren's plan for retirement 22:34 - Action item and episode wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CONNECT WITH LAUREN   Website: https://www.reedpublicrelations.com/team/lauren-reed/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-reed-9151183/   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. This material was prepared by Franklin Templeton. Franklin Templeton is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group or Forge Wealth Management.

As we near the end of the year, an important, yet often forgotten task awaits your attention.. The year-end checklist Most people think, "cue the scary music", but in reality – it hurts less than you think, and the benefits could be.. Significant. This week, Regina walks through a simple year-end checklist. From rebalancing after a strong market, smart tax moves (loss harvesting, QCDs, Roth moves), retirement to-dos (catch-ups, RMDs) to family gifting/beneficiary clean-ups – you'll be heading into 2026 confident and on track. The only question is, which action are you going to take first? Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Intro 0:31 - Episode beginning 1:06 - Keeping investments on track 2:26 - Identifying opportunities to save on taxes 6:30 - Focusing on retirement planning 13:32 - Understanding options for gifting to charity 16:16 - Creating a legacy 21:43 - One last thing 23:07 - Action item ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. This material was prepared by Franklin Templeton. Franklin Templeton is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group or Forge Wealth Management.

Michael Crow is the president of Arizona State University, which U.S. News & World Report has called the most innovative school in the country for 11 years running. He tells Steve about why higher education needs to change, and how A.S.U. is leading the way. Plus: Steve has an announcement about the podcast. SOURCES:Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University. RESOURCES:The Fifth Wave: The Evolution of American Higher Education, by Michael Crow (2020)."College Admissions Shocker!," by Frank Bruni (New York Times, 2016).New American University.Dreamscape Learn.University Innovation Alliance.FYI.AI. EXTRAS:"Chemistry, Evolved," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2025)."America's Math Curriculum Doesn't Add Up," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).Data Science 4 Everyone. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Marketing has always been a handful, but with the rise of digital marketing – it's become harder than ever to manage. Enter Lorrie Thomas, CEO of Web Marketing Therapy and a self-described 'Marketing Therapist'. Lorrie's  team has helped "intentional leaders" simplify marketing, build systems that last, and grow on their terms. She joins Regina this week and shares why the healthiest marketing starts with relationships, not shiny tools, and how clear values, service, and boundaries lead to happier clients and better results. They also discuss how Lorrie started the business, her retirement plans, biggest challenges she's faced and more! Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Episode beginning 0:31 - Meet Lorrie 2:17 - What Lorrie helps people with 5:31 - What makes people say "I need help with this"? 9:01 - Consultant, or therapist? 12:44 - Where you can connect with Lorrie 13:26 - Biggest challenges and growing w/ the business 20:57 - Lorrie's vision of retirement 22:27 - Episode wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   CONNECT WITH LORRIE THOMAS   Website: https://www.webmarketingtherapy.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorriethomasross/   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

How do we measure quality care in a way that truly supports families? In this episode, Nicole sits down with Ben Harder, Managing Editor and Chief of Health Analysis at U.S. News & World Report, to explore the heart and science behind the 2026 Best Nursing Homes ratings. Together, they break down the updated methodology, what makes top-performing facilities stand out, and how families can use these insights to make confident, compassionate decisions, whether navigating short-term rehab or long-term care. This conversation brings clarity to a system that often feels overwhelming, offering a grounded look at how data, transparency, and thoughtful evaluation can guide better care for the people we love most. View US News & World Report Best Nursing Homes HERE.    Thank you to our Sponsor Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers.   We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather

'Tis the season for joy, generosity…and budget creep. In this Women and Wealth episode, Regina McCann Hess, shares a simple playbook to enjoy holiday shopping without sabotaging your 2026 self. You'll learn how to set a per-person budget, avoid "buy now, pay later" traps, use last year's statements to right-size spending, and swap pricey presents for experiences. Plus: smart ways to use rewards points, online shopping tips, and one simple action for your savings plan for a stress-free holiday next year. Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Episode beginning 2:41 - Avoiding adding debt 4:35 - Try 'white elephant' or a gift exchange 6:54 - D.I.Y. gifts 8:09 - Secret santa 9:04 - Finding discount deals 12:11 - Using reward points 15:12 - Start saving early 17:11 - Action item ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.  

In a world that often dismisses the extraordinary as mere fantasy, the Webby Award winning podcast, The Telepathy Tapes, dares to listen instead.What began as a documentary investigation into the remarkable telepathic abilities of non-speaking individuals with autism has expanded into a global exploration of consciousness itself – the science behind it, the mysteries within it, and the lived experiences that refuse to be ignored.In Season One, non-speaking autistic individuals revealed striking abilities that challenge everything we thought we knew about the mind. In Season Two, the lens widens to extraordinary phenomena that invite us to rethink reality itself. From near death experiences to telepathic communication with animals, energy healing to plant intelligence, and the origins of creativity to sudden savant abilities -- each episode offers a rare glimpse into the vast terrain of consciousness beyond the brain.Most people do not live at the extremes of blind belief or hard-nosed skepticism and nobody wants to be fooled in either direction. Award-winning filmmaker Ky Dickens is your host in this paradigm-shifting series that navigates the space between proof and possibility, where transparency, curiosity, and open-minded skepticism meet to help listeners uncover answers to the mysteries that science hasn't fully explained. What have we dismissed that may be true? Is consciousness something we access, or is it bound to the brain? Does it survive death? Can it connect across time and space? And what might it mean for all of us?Step inside a conversation that sits between science and mystery, skepticism and wonder. This is The Telepathy Tapes.BioKy Dickens is an award-winning filmmaker celebrated for her transformative documentaries that tackle complex social issues, influence public policy, and ignite cultural change. Known as a storyteller at the intersection of film and societal impact, she has received numerous accolades, including the Focus Award for Achievement in Directing and the Change Maker Award for advancing social change through art and film.Ky's fifth film, Show Her the Money, featuring Elizabeth Banks and Sharon Gless, was named one of the decade's best financial films by U.S. News & World Report. The film has won three Jury Prizes for Best Documentary, including from the Los Angeles International Film Festival.In 2024, Ky created The Telepathy Tapes, a podcast exploring telepathy within the nonspeaking community and raising profound questions about consciousness, language, and inclusion. The series went viral upon release, and in December 2024, it surpassed Joe Rogan as the number one podcast in the world. In 2025, The Telepathy Tapes won a Webby Award for Best Indie Podcast and was nominated for Podcast of the Year by iHeartRadio. The series is currently being developed into a documentary feature film set for release in 2026.Her film Zero Weeks (Amazon), about America's paid leave crisis, debuted its trailer at the White House Summit on the State of Women, hosted by Oprah and Michelle Obama. Ky's other notable projects include The City That Sold America (Freestyle Releasing), a deep dive into Chicago's pivotal role in American consumer culture, and Sole Survivor (CNN Films), a haunting profile of lone survivors of otherwise fatal plane crashes. Her film #TimeToCare, which premiered at SXSW and was screened for the United States Congress in 2021. The film explores caregiving through the lens of social influencers whose journeys captivated millions on TikTok.Between 2019 and 2021, Ky directed the award-winning short film series Critical Condition, On the Edge, and Left Behind, which highlighted Americans suffering due to the Medicaid Gap. Her first narrative film, In the Jungle, is set to be released in 2024. Collectively, Ky's films have garnered over 20 awards, including audience choice, best film, and best directing honors.In addition to her feature work, Ky directs commercials for major global brands, including Netflix, Google, TikTok, and Johnson & Johnson. She is an active member of Film Fatales Los Angeles and the Directors Guild of America.A lifelong advocate for the special needs community, Ky spearheaded her district's inclusion program when she was in high school. She graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University and lives in Los Angeles, California, with her family, rescue dog, Devon Rex cats, and Kombucha scoby.https://thetelepathytapes.com/ https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/ourparanormalafterlifeMy book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's YOUR time to #EdUp In this episode, part of our EdUp Extra series (because who doesn't love a little extra goodness in their life), & sponsored by the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 17-19,YOUR guest is Dr. LaMont Jones, Managing Editor for Education, U.S. News & World ReportYOUR cohost is Darius Goldman, Founder & CEO, Career-BondYOUR host is ⁠⁠Elvin FreytesHow can families leverage U.S. News' 8 billion yearly impressions, free rankings & 10,000 plus scholarship database to find the right educational path?Why do outcomes based metrics like Pell Grant graduation rates & high paying associate degree programs matter more than traditional prestige for ROI?What strategies can higher education leaders use to strengthen mission clarity, increase transparency & demonstrate value proposition in a changing landscape?Listen in to #EdUpThank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Elvin Freytes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠⁠⁠⁠● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp ExperienceWe make education YOUR business!P.S. Want to get early, ad-free access & exclusive leadership content to help support the show? Then ⁠​subscribe today​⁠ to lock in YOUR $5.99/m lifetime supporters rate! This offer ends December 31, 2025!

In this episode of Wonderland on Points, we sit down with Elizabeth Von Tersch from U.S. News & World Report to dive into the brand-new 2024 Best Hotel Rewards Program Rankings. We talk through what surprised us, what didn't, and what travelers like us can actually take away from the data.Elizabeth explains why Choice Hotels jumped from #4 to #1, what makes Wyndham stand out (including their all-inclusive options you can book with points!), and why our beloved Hyatt didn't take the top spot despite being first in our hearts. We dig into fixed award charts versus dynamic pricing, what's happening with Citi ThankYou Rewards and Capital One transfers, and why keeping a diversified points portfolio matters now more than ever.Of course, the conversation wanders into cruises — from Disney to Viking River Cruises — and Elizabeth even teases upcoming U.S. News rankings for the best cruise lines. We also swap Costco-versus-Aldi grocery hacks for maximizing points, talk about the elusive dream of a cruise loyalty program worth its salt, and hear where Elizabeth is headed next on points (spoiler: it involves pastries in Copenhagen).If you've ever wondered how to stretch your hotel points further, which programs are really delivering value right now, or just need inspiration for your next family trip, this episode is packed with insights (and plenty of laughs).Comfrt Hoodie Youtube ComparisonComfrt Hoodie 15% OFF!Facebook GroupWonderland On Points BlogFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoAffiliate LinksCapitalOne Venture and Venture X LinksChase Sapphire Preferred LinksFlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!30% off the CardPointers subscription!Tripiamo Driving TutorialsOur Favorite Travel NecessitiesWe receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards! We SO appreciate when you choose to give back to the podcast in this way!

Why This Episode Is a Must-Listen Credit doesn't just open doors. It can make or break your financial future. In “Unlocking the Power of Credit for Financial Success,” Andy Wang and a panel of experts demystify the secrets of credit scores, break down new innovations in fintech, and reveal actionable tactics for building—and protecting—your financial reputation. Whether you're just starting out, rebuilding after a setback, or looking to leverage credit for new opportunities, this episode has the clarity, insight, and real-world strategies that LinkedIn professionals need right now.  I want to thank our sponsor Seeking Alpha Premium, the investment research platform that helps you make smarter decisions with institutional-grade analysis and proven stock ratings. Get $30 off your first year plus a 7-day free trial at www.inspiredmoney.fm/alpha. Meet the Expert Panelists Howard S. Dvorkin, CPA, is a nationally recognized debt and credit expert, two-time author, and Chairman of Debt.com, where he has dedicated his career to helping Americans achieve financial freedom. A pioneer in financial education and consumer advocacy, he has shaped state and federal legislation, led national credit counseling associations, and appeared as a trusted voice in major media outlets including The New York Times, CNN, and Fox News. https://www.howarddvorkin.com Anthony Davenport is the founder and CEO of Regal Credit Management, a leading firm that helps professional athletes, entertainers, and high-net-worth individuals build, restore, and protect their credit. A best-selling author of Your Score and a certified FICO® credit expert, he is a sought-after speaker and media commentator featured in outlets such as Forbes, USA Today, and Oprah Magazine. https://anthonymdavenport.com Cullen Canazares is the Co-Founder & CEO of Rental Kharma, the pioneers in the rent reporting industry for over 12 years, having helped more than 125,000 families build credit by reporting rent payments to major credit bureaus. A Stanford Graduate School of Business alumnus and serial entrepreneur, he has dedicated his career to advancing financial inclusion and empowering renters to raise their credit scores, achieve homeownership, and access better financial opportunities. https://www.rentalkharma.com https://www.rentalkharma.com Reyna Gobel, MBA, MPH, is an award-winning freelance journalist and keynote speaker whose work on personal finance, nutrition, travel, and wellness has appeared in The Atlantic, Scientific American, Money, Reuters, AARP, and U.S. News & World Report. She is also the author of seven books—including Graduation Debt, a Washington Post Book of the Month—and has educated audiences at hundreds of colleges, alumni associations, and organizations nationwide. Her nutrition course is available at www.bestnutritionclassever.com and you can find her content at www.walletsandwaistlines.com. https://reynagobel.com Key Highlights: 1. The Real Credit Score Formula—Demystified Howard Dvorkin breaks down the evolution of credit scoring from subjective loan office assessments to the current data-driven FICO model. He emphasizes, “If you take credit out, pay it off. If you can't pay it off immediately... try to keep the utilization under 10%.” Focusing on payment history and credit utilization gives you control over the score that controls so many major financial moments. 2. Insider Secrets to Credit Optimization Anthony Davenport reveals how timing and reporting dates can cause credit scores to fluctuate—even if you pay off your cards monthly. He recommends, “Find out the reporting dates for each of your credit cards and set up your auto payment to pay it off a few days in advance before that date. That way, your credit score is going to stay optimal every month, in and out.”  3. Building Credit Without Going into Debt Cullen Canazares shares how rent (and now, utility) payments can count toward your credit score, thanks to new fintech solutions and imminent industry upgrades. For those without credit cards or thin files, this is a groundbreaking way to build creditworthiness—without taking on new debt.  4. Develop a Mindset for Long-Term Credit Health Reyna Gobel underscores the importance of confidence, knowledge, and bite-sized action. “A lot of people don't know the nutrients they're eating either,” she says, connecting personal finance to health. Starting with small, manageable steps, like pulling your credit report or disputing an error, can yield big results. Call-to-Action Here's my challenge to you this week: Pull your credit report. It's free at AnnualCreditReport.com, and reviewing it is the first step in taking control. Look for errors, understand what's driving your score, and make one small improvement... whether that's paying down a balance, setting up autopay, or reporting your rent. As we heard from our guests, small actions can have a huge impact over time. Find the Inspired Money channel on YouTube or listen to Inspired Money in your favorite podcast player. Andy Wang, Host/Producer of Inspired Money