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Send us Fan MailWhat if your best years are ahead? On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Tamara Cortoos, midlife coach and founder of Midlife Crossroads Academy, about making your next chapter your best one by aligning your time, energy, and money with who you're becoming.Key Takeaways
Send us Fan MailIn financial services, three voices dominate the conversation: regulators, institutions, and technology.Julia Chin believes there's a fourth voice we need to hear more clearly: the human voice trying to make sense of it all. On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Julia Chin, financial crime fighter and founder of JFourth Solutions why financial crime prevention must start with human understanding, how financial resilience protects families from scams, and why financial literacy is one of the most powerful tools for navigating today's financial systems.Key Takeaways
Send us Fan MailEnd-of-life planning is about more than death, it's about leaving your family with clarity, stability, and peace of mind.On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Greg Barnsdale, death doula and author of Do Not Ignore Your Mortality about why end-of-life planning is one of the most meaningful acts of preparation we can make for our families.
Send us Fan MailThe best financial plans start with who you are and the life you want to live.On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Mike Milligan, CFP and author of The One of a Kind Financial Plan Book about how to build a personalized financial plan and retirement strategy that aligns your money, values, and relationships with the life you want to live.Takeaways
Send us Fan MailWhat if the next chapter of your career is an opportunity to design a life filled with meaning, contribution, and new possibilities?On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Maria Dastur, Founder of Second Half Community about rethinking retirement and designing a portfolio life that blends purpose, contribution, and financial security.Key Takeaways:
Send us Fan MailAre you trading your health for money? On this episode, I speak with Stevyn Guinnip, author of Grow Wellthy, about the idea of “health net worth,” the compounding effect of daily habits, and why retirement planning should focus on health span, not just life span. Key Takeaways:
Send us Fan MailAre you making financial decisions consciously, or being nudged by forces you do not see?On this episode, I speak with Ceres Chua, Money Psychologist and Financial Coach about the hidden psychology shaping our financial decisions. We explore how unconscious biases, money scripts, and marketing language influence the way we think about spending, saving, and sufficiency. Key Takeaways
Send us Fan MailWith the right financial plan and clear intention, your goals become achievable, not abstract.On this episode, I speak with Dr. Severine Bryan, Accredited Financial Counselor and host of The Dr. Sev Talks Money Podcast about how our money story shapes our decisions, how to process financial setbacks without shame, and why community, clarity, and a plan can help turn goals into reality.Key Takeaways:
Send us Fan MailWhen control shapes financial decisions, listening becomes the most important tool we have.In Part 2, I spoke with Joy Slabaugh, CFP, about how advisors and advocates can thoughtfully respond when they suspect a power imbalance is shaping financial decisions.
Most people don't think about financial risk until something goes wrong. A policy lapses. A parent sends 00,000 to a scammer. A spouse passes away and no one can find the documents. In this episode of The Retirement Fiduciary, Adam Koós, sits down with Tony Steuer, financial readiness advocate, award-winning author, and host of the podcast Get Ready Before Life Happens. Tony brings 30+ years of insurance and financial literacy experience to the conversation. Together, they dig into the most overlooked risks families face, the truth about cash value life insurance (and why it's almost never what it's sold as), the scam tactics targeting retirees and their aging parents right now, and what financial readiness actually looks like in practice. This one's packed. Episode Timestamps 03:00 – How to do a risk assessment before buying any insurance 05:00 – Cash value life insurance, LIRPs, and the "infinite banking" myth 09:00 – Surrender charges, borrowed money, and how policies collapse 15:00 – The in-force illustration: what it is and why you need one 22:00 – Adam's story: losing his brother and building the My Promise Vault 25:00 – How AI is making financial scams more personalized and harder to detect Key Takeaways
Send us Fan MailFinancial abuse often begins quietly, with small patterns of control that slowly reshape someone's financial agency.In part one of this two-part episode, Joy Slabaugh, CFP® and I explore what financial abuse is, how it shows up in relationships, and what advisors and families should be listening for.Key Takeaways
Send us Fan MailAI is moving fast. The real question isn't whether it will replace jobs. It's which skills will still matter.In this episode, Chris Heye and I explore how AI may reshape financial planning, why communication and coaching are rising in importance, and what advisors must develop to stay relevant in the next 3–5 years.
Send us Fan MailLong-term care will impact most families, the question is whether you plan for it or react to it.In this episode, Nathan Sanow breaks down what long-term care really means, how insurance works as a leverage tool, and why planning early protects both dignity and relationships.Key Takeaways
Send us Fan MailPhilanthropy is more than writing a check, it's an opportunity to shape the world you want to live in.In this episode, Deborah Goldstein, Philanthropic Advisor and Founder of Enlightened Philanthropy, shares how philanthropy becomes a reflection of your values, your legacy, and your vision for the future.Key Takeaways
Send us Fan MailInvesting confidence begins with asking better questions and taking consistent action.In this conversation, Diana Perkins shares how curiosity, emotional regulation, and asking better questions can shift you from reactive to confident, especially for women who've been conditioned to stay on the sidelines. Key Takeaways
Send us Fan MailMoney decisions are rarely just about numbers. They're shaped by identity, lived experience, values, and psychology, especially for people who are highly sensitive or hold marginalized identities.In this conversation, Diana Yanez, Certified Financial Planner and host of the Highly Sensitive Money Podcast explores how understanding who you are and what you care about can help you build a healthier, more values-aligned relationship with money.
Send us Fan MailRetirement today looks nothing like it did a generation ago. With fewer pensions, longer lifespans, and more personal responsibility, the real question isn't when you retire, it's who you become next.In this conversation, Joy Levin, Certified Professional Retirement Coach reframes retirement as an encore chapter; one rooted in values, meaning, community, and intentional experimentation.Key Takeaways
Send us Fan MailOn this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Rahkim Sabree, financial therapist and author of Overcoming Financial Trauma, about how our earliest experiences with money shape our behavior, stress responses, and sense of safety, often long before we have the language to understand what's happening.Rahkim explains that financial trauma isn't a personal failure or a lack of knowledge. It's a response to real threats, systemic forces, and lived experiences that affect everyone, regardless of income or privilege. We explore how survival states influence financial decisions, why financial literacy alone isn't always the answer, and how healing begins by addressing root causes rather than symptoms.
Send us Fan MailOn this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Els Lagrou, author and financial literacy expert, about why financial literacy alone isn't enough and how financial resilience, inclusion, and wellbeing must be part of the conversation.Els explains that even people with strong financial knowledge can experience stress and insecurity if they lack resilience. We explore what it means to absorb financial shocks like job loss or divorce, why shame keeps people from asking for help, and how inclusion ensures everyone can participate fully in financial life.We also discuss the role of employers, leaders, and technology in supporting better money decisions, and why real progress starts with small actions and consistent habits.
Send us Fan MailOn this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Julie Pinkerton, CEO and founder of Evozen and creator of the ClientFirst platform, about why human connection, not algorithms, drives meaningful professional relationships.Julie shares why the most effective way to grow your business often comes through peer relationships, how understanding behavioral styles improves communication, and why authenticity matters even more in a technology-driven world. We also explore how AI can support connection without replacing it, and why you don't need to be an extrovert to be a strong networker.
Send us Fan MailOn this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Eric Blake, host of The Simply Retirement Podcast and founder of Blake Wealth Management to talk about how women are redefining retirement, decision-making, and what it means to use money intentionally.As women become the primary recipients of the great wealth transition, Eric explains why traditional financial conversations need to evolve. We explore why women often approach money through the lens of goals and family impact, how caregiving and pay gaps shape financial outcomes, and why listening, education, and partnership matter more than perfect plans.
Send us Fan MailOn this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Taj Chiu, divorce coach, about navigating divorce as both a financial and emotional transition, and how clarity, communication, and planning can help people move forward with greater confidence.Taj reframes divorce not as a failure, but as a forcing function that invites reflection, growth, and better alignment with what comes next. We explore why knowledge is one of the strongest antidotes to fear, how emotional and legal divorces differ, and why having a real plan for your money matters more than simply tracking balances.Key Takeaways
Send us Fan MailWhat if learning about money felt more like running a lemonade stand than sitting in a classroom?Can a video game improve financial literacy for kids? In this episode, Mac Gardner joins me to explore how Berryville teaches money, entrepreneurship, and real-world financial habits through hands-on experience.Key Takeaways
Send us Fan MailOn this episode of Get Ready: Before Life Happens, I spoke with Sharan Kaur Varaitch, founder of Build and Conquer Financial Literacy, about her journey growing up paycheck to paycheck, supporting her family from a young age, and discovering how saving, investing, and asking better questions helped her build stability and purpose.
Send us Fan MailFrances Yong, Founder of White Byte and anti-scam evangelist joined me on this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast in collaboration with the Better Money with the MAIA's podcast. We talked about digital financial literacy, fraud prevention, and how communities can work together to create a safer and more inclusive digital world.Key Takeaways
Send us Fan MailOn this episode of the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Michael Ervolini, author and active management thought leader, about how behavior and emotions shape financial decision-making and why having a simple, intentional process matters more than chasing perfect outcomes.We explore how the unconscious mind influences choices, why emotions are not the enemy of good decisions, and how slowing down helps align actions with long-term intentions.Key Takeaways:
Send us Fan MailOn this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Dr. Lalua Rahsiad, the Money Queen, author and podcast host, about digital financial literacy, inclusion, and building financial peace in a modern world.We explore how technology can empower underserved communities, why financial literacy must meet people where they are, and how redefining our relationship with money can lead to greater confidence and well-being.Key Takeaways
Send us Fan MailOn this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, Tony sits down with Linda Grizely, creator of the MeMoney™ method and host of the Real Money, Real Life podcast, to explore how women can build a healthier, more empowered relationship with money.Linda shares why putting yourself last creates long-term stress, how fear around spending can actually be protective, and why reconnecting with your personal money patterns is the key to confidence. This conversation reframes money as a tool for self-trust, choice, and readiness rather than guilt or restriction.
Send a textWhat changes when women decide what “enough” really looks like?On this episode of The Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, Tony spoke with Melissa Joy, CFP®, President of Pearl Planning and host of the Women's Money Wisdom podcast, to explore how defining “enough” can change the way women think about money. The conversation dives into why women are capable, confident decision-makers and how judgment-free financial conversations create trustKey Takeaways:
Send a textOn this episode of The Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Dr. Julia Myers, founder of Generational Wisdom about what it means to leave a legacy that lasts.Key Takeaways:
Send a textAfter 250 conversations with guests from around the world, one truth stands out: money works best when we start with people, not products.Episode 250 turns the tables. Guest host Faith Teope puts Tony Steuer in the hot seat to reflect on what he's learned from more than 250 conversations with financial experts, advocates, and changemakers from around the worldThe result is a global, human-first look at money as a readiness mindset shaped by identity, access, emotion, and lived experience rather than a product perspective. Key Takeaways
Send a textOn this episode of The Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, Tony talks with Maxwell Schmitz, Disability Insurance Specialist and Co-Founder of Dingo Technologies, about why income protection is the core building block of a real financial plan.
Send a textOn this episode of The Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, Tony sits down with Adam Koos, President of Libertas Wealth Management and host of The Retirement Fiduciary Podcast to explore why great financial planning starts with relationships, curiosity, and clarity.Key Takeaways:
Send a textOn this episode of The Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Meghan Dwyer, CFP®, Certified Money Coach®, and host of the Money Isn't Scary podcast, about why money isn't scary when you understand your money story and build confidence. Key Takeaways:
Financial confidence doesn't come from knowing everything. It comes from knowing what questions to ask.In this episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, is joined by Tony Steuer, a longtime personal finance educator, insurance analyst, and host of the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast.Tony shares how his early career as an insurance agent led him to a deeper mission: helping people understand why smart, capable individuals often end up with financial products that don't truly serve them. Over decades of consulting with financial planners, attorneys, and trust officers, Tony saw firsthand how complexity, commissions, and behavioral blind spots can quietly derail good financial decisions.Together, Melissa and Tony unpack how behavioral finance shows up in real life, especially around insurance and risk management. They discuss why permanent insurance products are often misunderstood, how surrender charges and commissions impact long-term outcomes, and why many people feel emotionally stuck in policies that no longer fit their lives.The episode wraps with an important discussion on financial scams and red flags, including pressure tactics, secrecy, and “too good to be true” promises, and why these warning signs matter not just for ourselves, but for aging parents and the next generation.Key TakeawaysWhy financial fluency starts with asking better questions, not memorizing answersHow behavioral finance influences insurance and investment decisionsWhen permanent life insurance can make sense and when it usually doesn'tWhat surrender charges really mean and why they matterCommon red flags of financial scams and bad actorsHow values, communication, and education shape long-term financial confidenceTo learn more about Tony's work, tools, and resources, visit tonysteuer.com and listen to Get Ready Before Life Happens wherever you get your podcasts.The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING's investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING's current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https:...
Send a textMajor life changes can shake your financial confidence. In this episode, Tony sits down with Chris Olofson, Founder of DIVEE Financial, to discuss how to take control of your money during transitions like divorce, retirement, or other major shifts.Key Takeaways:
Send a textOn this episode of the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Carol Chiang, aging-in-place expert and author of Age in Place or Find a New Space, about how to take control of your aging journey with an aging plan.
Send a textOn this episode of the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Brandon Lovingier, Founder of Military Money, about the tactics financial predators use and how military members (and all of us) can stay one step ahead.Key Takeaways:
Send a textOn this episode of The Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Melana Carbary, Private Wealth Manager at Burning River Advisory Group and founder of enlightenHer to talk about how confidence, authenticity, and action can change the way women engage with money.Key Takeaways:
Send a textOn this episode of The Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Justyn Makarewycz, about how financial fluency fuels better career choices—and a more intentional life.
Send us a textOn this episode of The Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Annalee Kruger, President of Care Right Inc. and author of The Invisible Patient about how creating an aging plan can save time, money, and stress.
Send us a textOn this episode of The Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Shannon Ryan, Financial Literacy Advocate and author of Your Money Has Feelings about how to bridge mindset and money and aligning your money with your values.
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Send us a textOn this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Dr. Alison Schmidt, founder and CEO of Unconvention and host of the (un)conversations® podcast, about how being your own advocate can reshape not only your finances, but also your life and values.
Send us a textOn this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Michelle Petrowski, CFP®, CDFA®, founder of Being in Abundance, about one powerful question: What if it is possible?We explored how shifting from a Do-Have-Be mindset to Be-Do-Have changes everything by starting with how do you want to be, then asking how do you want to do it and then asking what could I have?
Send us a textOn this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Jose Mayora, author of Wall Street's Blind Spot, about the principles of value investing and understanding risk.
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Labor Day might be about rest, but in the basement, we're getting to work on busting some of the most persistent myths in personal finance. Joe Saul-Sehy and OG welcome insurance pro Tony Steuer to unpack the shiny marketing around infinite banking and velocity banking. Spoiler: sometimes “be your own bank” really means “make your insurer rich.” From permanent life insurance pitfalls to the real math behind these strategies, Tony helps separate clever sales pitches from solid financial planning. Then we shift gears to a conversation every parent, grandparent, and future gift-giver will love. Renowned financial journalist Chuck Jaffe joins the crew, fresh from becoming a grandfather, to share how he's setting his new grandchild up for a strong financial future. Think stock portfolios for toddlers, early Roth IRA strategies, and simple systems that keep family generosity from getting lost in the shuffle. His practical, battle-tested tips will have you thinking differently about the best ways to give kids a head start. Whether you're looking to avoid costly detours or create generational wealth, this episode is equal parts cautionary tale and inspiration. You'll walk away ready to dodge financial traps, build smarter for the next generation, and maybe even rethink your own long-term giving plans. Why infinite and velocity banking aren't the slam-dunk solutions they're often sold as How to spot the red flags in permanent life insurance pitches Smart, tax-efficient ways to save for children and grandchildren Creative strategies for gifting assets that grow with the child The importance of balancing generosity with your own long-term goals Ideas to Ponder During Today's Episode Have you ever been pitched an “innovative” financial strategy that didn't feel quite right? What tipped you off? What's the most meaningful financial gift you've ever given—or received—as a child? If you could give one piece of financial wisdom to the next generation, what would it be? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/permament-life-insurance-and-growing-your-money-1729 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Labor Day might be about rest, but in the basement, we're getting to work on busting some of the most persistent myths in personal finance. Joe Saul-Sehy and OG welcome insurance pro Tony Steuer to unpack the shiny marketing around infinite banking and velocity banking. Spoiler: sometimes “be your own bank” really means “make your insurer rich.” From permanent life insurance pitfalls to the real math behind these strategies, Tony helps separate clever sales pitches from solid financial planning. Then we shift gears to a conversation every parent, grandparent, and future gift-giver will love. Renowned financial journalist Chuck Jaffe joins the crew, fresh from becoming a grandfather, to share how he's setting his new grandchild up for a strong financial future. Think stock portfolios for toddlers, early Roth IRA strategies, and simple systems that keep family generosity from getting lost in the shuffle. His practical, battle-tested tips will have you thinking differently about the best ways to give kids a head start. Whether you're looking to avoid costly detours or create generational wealth, this episode is equal parts cautionary tale and inspiration. You'll walk away ready to dodge financial traps, build smarter for the next generation, and maybe even rethink your own long-term giving plans. Why infinite and velocity banking aren't the slam-dunk solutions they're often sold as How to spot the red flags in permanent life insurance pitches Smart, tax-efficient ways to save for children and grandchildren Creative strategies for gifting assets that grow with the child The importance of balancing generosity with your own long-term goals Ideas to Ponder During Today's Episode Have you ever been pitched an “innovative” financial strategy that didn't feel quite right? What tipped you off? What's the most meaningful financial gift you've ever given—or received—as a child? If you could give one piece of financial wisdom to the next generation, what would it be? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/permament-life-insurance-and-growing-your-money-1729 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices