Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner: Recent Episodes
TAMMA Capital
Emotional Balance Sheet is a show focused on working parents and families who are struggling to balance the pressures of multiple financial priorities and life transitions. It is a guide to help you manage life, money, and multiples. Each episode we’ll provide insights on successfully sustaining an active lifestyle, career, and family through comprehensive wealth management strategies, financial education, and lifestyle planning specific to parents raising twins, triplets and more.
Your Host, Paul Fenner, President and Founder of TAMMA Capital, is a Certified Financial Planner®, a Registered Investment Advisor, and parent to 4 amazing children, including one set of triplets.
Learn more, subscribe to the show, or connect with Paul at TammaCapital.com.
Work with Paul: Schedule a 30-minute conversation
What if your money problem was never a behavior problem?
I keep coming back to the idea that doing well with money is mostly about patience and long-term thinking. I believe that. But what if you're already cleared that bar, and not where you want to be?
You saved through every downturn since 2008. You never panic sold. But your financial lives are still not where you want them to be, and it costs real money.
I walk through what actually goes wrong: two 401(k)s that were never looked at in the same window, a household stock allocation that nobody chose on purpose, equity comp that quietly builds concentration and leaves a tax gap that shows up in April, and beneficiary forms that have not been touched in over a decade.
None of these is a behavior failure. They are decisions with no deadline attached, which is a different problem entirely. I also talk about the deadline I had to invent for myself, and why it's still uncomfortable to say it out loud.
Connect with Paul
If you're a working parent juggling a senior-level career and a growing family, and you're tired of coordinating four different advisors to run your financial life, I offer complimentary 30-minute conversations. Schedule one here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Can we Really Do That?
When Savers and Spenders Share a Life
Aligning Assets and Liabilities: Temporal Diversification
Work with Paul: Schedule a 30-minute conversation
When was the last time you actually read the beneficiary designation on your 401(k) at your previous employer?
In May, I sent every family I work with a current readout of their beneficiary designations across every account I track for them. It was the highest-response email I sent all year.
For some families, everything was clean. For others, there were gaps we addressed that week. In this episode, I walk through what's actually on those forms, why a beneficiary designation overrides your will, and the technical points that catch busy working families off guard: ERISA spousal consent on 401(k)s, the HSA tax bomb for non-spouse beneficiaries, the SECURE Act 2.0 ten-year rule now in full enforcement, and the difference between per stirpes and per capita.
The action this week is simple. Pull up the beneficiary designation on one account, any account, and just read it. If you can't find it, that's the result. Then set a recurring calendar reminder once a year to do the same for every account in the household.
Connect with Paul
If you're a working parent juggling a senior-level career and a growing family, and you're tired of coordinating four different advisors to manage your finances, I offer complimentary 30-minute conversations. Schedule one here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Why Stories Move Us More Than Numbers
Why Quiet Time Is Your Most Valuable Financial Skill
Your Biggest Financial Risk Isn't the Market
Work with Paul: Schedule a 30-minute conversation
What if you already know the financial principles you need? What if the problem isn't strategy, but execution across a life that's grown too complicated to coordinate yourself?
This week, I work through a Morgan Housel idea pulled from a John Reed book. Most fields or industries have three to twelve core principles, with the rest focused on implementation.
In finance, the principles are stable. Your life is not. I share a story about a dual-income family with three kids and six accounts spread across three custodians, where nobody was actually steering the ship. And a personal story about how long it takes to act on principles you already know.
The action this week is small. Write down the five to eight financial principles you actually live by. Audit your decisions over the last six months against them. The gaps aren't a strategy problem. They're an application problem.
Connect with Paul
If you're a working parent juggling a senior-level career and a growing family, and are tired of coordinating four different advisors to run your financial life, I do complimentary 30-minute conversations. Schedule one here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
How a Financial Planner Can Help You
Aligning Personal Interests with Financial Objectives: A Five-Step Guide to Effective Wealth Planning
Spring Clean Your Finances; 5 Ways to Get Financially Organized
Work with Paul: Schedule a 30-minute conversation
When was the last time you actually updated your financial life to match the person you've become, instead of the person you were when you first set everything up?
This week, I break down two questions about disagreement and experience and turn them inward. I share the story of a senior director whose retirement contribution rate, cash reserve target, and investment allocation were all set for a version of her that hadn't existed in over a decade. And I share what 13 years of moving taught me about how my 30-year-old instincts still fire in a life that no longer needs them.
Try this in the next week: pick one financial habit you've held for more than five years. Ask when you formed it, what's changed in your life since, and whether the habit has actually changed too. Most people find at least two updates waiting.
Connect with Paul
If you're a working parent juggling a senior-level career and a growing family, and are tired of coordinating four different advisors to run your financial life, I do complimentary 30-minute conversations. Schedule one here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
The Questions We Forget to Ask Ourselves
The Story That Spent Your Money
The Scoreboard We Never Chose
Work with Paul: Schedule a 30-minute conversation
As I reflect on the ideas in this podcast, I realize they all point to the same underlying principle: the importance of creating a gap in my financial life. That gap is the distance between what I earn and what I spend, between the plans I make and the unexpected events life inevitably brings. True freedom isn't about having unlimited wealth; it's about having enough margin to make choices on my own terms and adapt when circumstances change.
What stands out to me is how easy it is to confuse financial success with financial security. I can have a strong income, be saving for retirement, and appear to be doing everything right, yet still be financially fragile if every dollar is already committed. Without a gap, any disruption—a job loss, medical expense, or major life change—can quickly become a crisis. The ability to make important life decisions often comes not from certainty, but from having enough financial flexibility to absorb uncertainty.
The biggest lesson I take away is the importance of defining what "enough" means for me. If I never answer that question, I'll always be chasing more, constantly moving the goalpost and sacrificing time, attention, and peace of mind in the process. Financial progress isn't simply about accumulating more money; it's about maintaining the margin that gives me resilience, flexibility, and the freedom to live the life I actually want.
Connect with Paul
If you're a working parent juggling a senior-level career and a growing family, and are tired of coordinating four different advisors to run your financial life, I do complimentary 30-minute conversations. Schedule one here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Work with Paul: Schedule a 30-minute conversation
What is it about May that makes time feel both five months long and two days short?
Dr. Jennifer Dragonette is back with me to unpack the season we now call Maycember. The graduations, the finals, the last concerts, the last games, the recitals, stacked on field trips, stacked on state testing. The season that asks senior‑level parents to be in three places at once and bring snacks to all of them.
We get into a concept called time travel and why most of us are constantly five minutes ahead or three days behind, but rarely where our feet are. I share a confession about the part I hate most when I am at my own kids' events, even though I know these are the moments I will later wish I could rewatch.
Dr. Jen and I also talk about a reframe I use with families I work with that has changed how I think about my own time. Would you actually trade places with the version of yourself from five years ago, knowing what you know now? Almost no one I have asked says yes. So what does that say about right now?
This week, try one thing. When you catch yourself rehearsing the next event while still inside the current one, name one thing you can hear, see, or feel in the room. That is the entire intervention. The presence does not have to be philosophical to count.
Connect with Paul
If you're a working parent juggling a senior-level career and a growing family, and are tired of coordinating four different advisors to run your financial life, I do complimentary 30-minute conversations. Schedule one here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
You Can Always Make More Money, But You Can't Make More Time
The Questions We Forget to Ask Ourselves
Work with Paul: Schedule a 30-minute conversation
What if the long-term financial plan I built five years ago is now describing a family I no longer have?
That is the question I have been sitting with. December 9, 2010, is the day my triplets were born, and the day I founded TAMMA. Fifteen years in, I can tell you neither plan I wrote that day survived. And that was never the goal.
In this episode, I share the number of short runs I did not account for in my own life, walk through a family that has been through five major transitions in five years, and unpack why senior professionals can be sophisticated about iterative planning at work and unsophisticated about it at home. The conflict is not capability; it's flexibility that is a maintenance burden, and most plans have nobody carrying it.
The action step this week takes fifteen minutes. Name the last three transitions your family went through in the past five years. Then ask, for each one, what financial decisions in your current plan still assume you are the person you were before. That is the work.
Connect with Paul
If you're a working parent juggling a senior-level career and a growing family, and are tired of coordinating four different advisors to run your financial life, I do complimentary 30-minute conversations. Schedule one here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Preparing for the Next Life Chapter
Wealth Planning is For Everyone
Funded Contentment
Work with Paul: Schedule a 30-minute conversation
What if the long-term financial plan I built five years ago is now describing a family I no longer have?
That is the question I have been sitting with. December 9, 2010, is the day my triplets were born, and the day I founded TAMMA. Fifteen years in, I can tell you neither plan I wrote that day survived. And that was never the goal.
In this episode, I share the count of short runs I did not account for in my own life, walk through a composite client family who has been through five major transitions in five years, and unpack why senior professionals can be sophisticated about iterative planning at work and unsophisticated about it at home. The dissonance is not capability. It is that flexibility is a maintenance burden, and most plans have nobody carrying it.
The action step this week takes fifteen minutes. Name the last three transitions your family went through in the past five years. Then ask, for each one, what financial decisions in your current plan still assume you are the person you were before. That is the work.
Connect with Paul
If you're a working parent juggling a senior-level career and a growing family, and are tired of coordinating four different advisors to run your financial life, I do complimentary 30-minute conversations. Schedule one here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Places to Hide Aren't Roadblocks
Why Behavior Beats Spreadsheets
Can We Really Do That
Work with Paul: Schedule a 30-minute conversation
What happens when you spend all your patience at work and come home with nothing left for the conversations that actually matter?
If you're a senior professional managing a demanding career and a growing family, you know this tension. You hold complexity all day. By evening, you're running on fumes.
Today, I unpack Morgan Housel's idea of saving like a pessimist and investing like an optimist, and why the real challenge for busy parents isn't choosing between optimism and pessimism. It's having the energy left to hold both at the same time when it counts.
I share a personal confession about becoming more patient with my TAMMA families and less patient with my own family, and what that pattern looks like in the dual-income households I work with every day.
This week's action step: before your next financial or logistical conversation at home, ask yourself whether you're showing up with the patience it deserves, or whether you're running on what's left. If it's fumes, reschedule. The conversation matters too much to rush.
Connect with Paul
If you're a working parent juggling a senior-level career and a growing family, and are tired of coordinating four different advisors to run your financial life, I do complimentary 30-minute conversations. Schedule one here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Staying the Course: How Long-Term Investing Builds Wealth Through Market Cycles
Funded Contentment: Am I Going to Be Okay?
Case Study: How A Growing Family Designed a Wealth Management Plan for Now and for Life
Work with Paul: Schedule a 30-minute conversation
What's the difference between being busy and being afraid? For many families who earn well and work hard, the two look identical from the outside.
Today, I share something that's been sitting with me since losing a client earlier this year. It changed how I think about the financial decisions that busy families keep not making, and why the problem usually isn't information, time, or money. It's fear, just showing up in two very different ways.
One fear keeps you moving without asking why. The other keeps you from making decisions you know you need to make. This week, I'm asking you to notice which one is running your financial life right now, and whether it's actually taking you somewhere you want to go.
Connect with Paul
If you're a working parent juggling a senior-level career and a growing family, and are tired of coordinating four different advisors to run your financial life, I do complimentary 30-minute conversations. Schedule one here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Estate Planning: Details That You Need to Know to Protect Your Family & Assets
Funded Contentment: Am I Going to Be Okay?
Work with Paul: Schedule a 30-minute conversation
Have you ever looked at where your money actually goes and felt a little uncomfortable? Not because you were irresponsible — but because the numbers didn't match the values you'd say out loud? That gap is what this episode is about.
Morgan Housel draws a line between the science of spending and the art of spending. The science is teachable — budgets, bargains, automation. The art is harder: figuring out whether your spending reflects who you actually are or who you've been conditioned to be. I share what I've seen with clients and what I've lived in my own household — and why the most important financial question isn't 'how much' but 'what for.'
Before your next few purchases this week, pause and ask: does this reflect what I actually value, or what I'm trying to signal? You don't need to change anything yet. Just notice what the answer tells you.
Connect with Paul
If you're a working parent juggling a senior-level career and a growing family, and are tired of coordinating four different advisors to run your financial life, I do complimentary 30-minute conversations. Schedule one here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Optimize Your Spending to Increase Your Happiness
Aligning Personal Interests with Financial Objectives
Work with Paul: Schedule a 30-minute conversation
When is the last time you had an uninterrupted thought? Not about logistics. Not about money. About your actual life and whether the direction you're running is still the direction you chose?
Today, I want to explore why the most productive thinking rarely happens when we're at full speed, and what that costs us as parents and as people trying to make good financial decisions.
I share a conversation with a family who named something most busy families feel but rarely say out loud, and reflects on what a pandemic parking lot moment taught me and Theresa about the pace they'd built into their lives.
The action step is simple: ten minutes of intentional nothing this week. One question to sit with. No journaling required.
Connect with Paul
If you're a working parent juggling a senior-level career and a growing family, and are tired of coordinating four different advisors to run your financial life, I do complimentary 30-minute conversations. Schedule one here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
How to Recognize When to Take a Break and When to Seek Support
You Can Always Make More Money, But You Can't Make More Time
Creating Balance With Tech, Money, and Family Life
Have you ever noticed that when things feel uncertain, you already seem to know how it's going to turn out?
You're not predicting. You're confirming.
In this episode, I explore why the story you're already telling about your financial life shapes every piece of information you take in and how that filter quietly drives some of the most expensive decisions families make.
I walk through two real family situations where fear and overconfidence each created blind spots, and why the problem isn't the information available to us. It's what we choose to look at.
This week, I'm asking you to name the story you're currently telling about your finances: fear-based or confidence-based. Spend ten minutes with one source that doesn't confirm it. You don't have to change your mind. Just widen the filter.
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
What Game Are You Playing
Why Behavior Beats Spreadsheets
Places to Hide Aren't Roadblocks
Why do so many people feel financially behind — even when the numbers say they're not?
Often, the problem isn't the plan. It's the expectation. Charlie Munger, near the end of his life, gave a one-sentence answer that cuts straight to the point: reasonable expectations.
In this conversation, I look at the gap between the life we imagined and the life we're living, and what happens when we never examine where our financial expectations came from in the first place, which may be one of the most underrated financial insights there is.
I share the story of a family that had done almost everything right but couldn't shake the feeling of being behind because the scoreboard they were measuring against had been set decades earlier.
The action step this week is small but not easy: pick one area where you feel financially behind and ask where that expectation actually came from. Not to fix it. Just to notice it. Because you can't rewrite a story you haven't read yet.
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Optimize Your Spending to Increase Your Happiness
Wealth Planning is For Everyone
Why did a three-minute sideline conversation with another parent almost make me rethink my entire financial plan?
This week, I'm digging into why the financial stories we absorb from the people around us, the casual mentions, the social media posts, the dinner table comments, are doing more to shape our decisions than any spreadsheet or data point ever could.
I share what I see when families come into my office feeling behind, even though their numbers say otherwise. I talk about how stories hijack our sense of enough and keep moving the goalpost, and why Theresa and I wrestle with the exact same thing. This one is about recognizing whose narrative is actually running your financial life.
Your action step: This week, notice one financial story that gets under your skin, a post, a conversation, a comparison, and ask yourself: Is this my story, or someone else's story trying to rewrite my plan?
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Inflated Expectations: The Hidden Force Undermining Financial Peace
Are You Rich Yet? Why Families Still Struggle to Feel Wealthy
How much of what you believe about money, success, and parenting is actually true, and how much is just where and when you happened to grow up?
This week's episode digs into the uncomfortable questions we rarely ask ourselves about our own blind spots, and gives you a practical filter to sort values worth protecting from scripts worth questioning.
I share stories about the gap between what we think we know and what we've actually experienced. From parents struggling to accept their kids' different paths to the life transitions that revealed how little we understood, this episode is about getting honest with ourselves without getting paralyzed by second-guessing.
This week, when you feel a strong "should" about money or your kids, ask yourself: is this my value, or someone else's script? Use the "says who?" test to check whether your certainty is based on what actually matters to your family, or on something you inherited without realizing it.
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Not All Struggles Are Due to Laziness
Why Your Goals Keep Failing
Why "Just Waiting" Is Holding You Back in Life and Finance
Why does bad news feel so convincing while good news feels like a sales pitch?
If you've ever caught yourself doom-scrolling financial headlines and then second-guessing your entire plan, you're not alone.
In this episode, I explore why pessimism sounds smart, why optimism has been the better long-term bet, and how busy parents can filter out the noise without burying their heads in the sand. I share a story about a client who almost made a fear-driven decision and talk about my own battle with pessimistic thinking.
This week's action: notice where your financial anxiety is actually coming from. Is it your own analysis, or someone else's headline?
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Staying the Course - How Long-Term Investing Builds Wealth Through Market Cycles
Parenting and Portfolios: How Life's Chaos Brings Unexpected Calm
Wealth Planning is For Everyone
You made the plan. You ran the numbers. You did everything right. So why does it feel like you're one unexpected expense away from starting over?
This week, I am focusing on what happens when the plan stops working, and why that might not be the disaster you think it is.
I share a story about a family whose perfect five-year projection fell apart after an unexpected health diagnosis, and what they discovered in the rebuilding. I also cover my own experience navigating career changes and raising triplets +1 when plans rarely survive contact with reality.
Your action step: Look at your current financial plan and ask yourself what happens when it breaks. What would you protect? What would you let go? That awareness is the beginning of real resilience.
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Wealth Planning is For Everyone
Funded Contentment: Am I Going To Be Okay
The Longest Relationship You Will Ever Have
What happens when the opportunities we give our kids become the pressure we put on ourselves?
Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, our resident therapist expert, is back with us to dig into the gap between what we want for our families and what our families actually want. It started with a cruise my triplets didn't enjoy, a conversation with another dad at a basketball game, and an NHL hockey player from our local high school who was the star goalie in the recent winter Olympics.
Our conversation focuses on the instinct to provide our kids with opportunities we never had, and how that instinct can quietly turn into pressure on everyone, especially parents. Dr. Jen shares her own stories of loosening the reins on family adventures and learning to ask rather than guess what her kids want.
We explore why teenagers pulling away is developmentally normal, why honest answers from our kids are an act of trust, and how reframing our goal from raising teenagers to raising adults changes everything.
If you've ever spent money on a vacation and wondered why no one seemed grateful, or felt the weight of the countdown to when your kids leave home, this one's for you. Try asking your kids one question this week: "What would feel really good to you?" And then actually listen.
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
You Can Always Make More Money
Why Families Should Stop Waiting for the "Perfect" Time to Travel
Why Your Goals Keep Failing
What happens when you're doing everything right on paper but still feel one car repair away from a financial meltdown? Or when you're fully present with your kids today but have no idea how you'll pay for college in five years?
Most families I work with fall into one of these two camps, and both are fragile in different ways.
This week, I'm exploring Morgan Housel's idea that the best way to deal with uncertainty is to save like a pessimist and invest like an optimist. I share stories of two families on opposite ends of this spectrum, why holding both mindsets at once feels so uncomfortable, and what I've learned about building margin without hiding from life.
Your action step: Look at your actual situation this week. Do you have real cash reserves sitting accessible? Are you consistently investing for the future? If one piece is missing, that's where your fragility lives.
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Why "Just Waiting" Is Holding You Back in Life and Finance
Finding The Meaningful Moments in Career, Parenting & Life
Helping Your Kids Develop Good Money Habits
I'm wrestling with a question that's been on my mind lately: Have we given money a job it simply can't do?
There is a complicated relationship between money and our emotions, and how we sometimes hope numbers and bank balances will take away our fear or anxiety, even though those are emotions, not equations.
Inspired by Carl Richards' book "Your Money," I talk about how our financial lives and our feelings are tangled together, especially for those of us in the thick of parenting, where there's never really an "off season." With insights from thought leaders like Morgan Housel, I explore the challenge of defining your goals and finding what "enough" really means, even as the goalposts keep moving.
If you've ever wondered why having more money doesn't quite silence your worries or how your money beliefs shape your life, you're not alone.
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in 101 Simple Sketches
Running Towards the Challenge of Why and Enough
5 Timeless Financial Truths That Will Never Change
You're earning more than ever, but do you actually control your time? Most families discover that financial success came at a cost they didn't expect to pay.
In this episode, I explore the real dividend money provides: not fancy stuff, but time autonomy. I share the pattern I see in families who've achieved financial success but lost control of their schedules, and why the finish line with kids at home comes faster than you think.
This week's challenge: Name three things you did for money that cost you time. Then ask if the trade was worth it.
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Scaling Yourself
Learning How to Use Time as a Resource
An Emotional Balance Sheet Can Guide Hard-to-Quantify Financial Choices
Ever feel stuck between wanting to start something new and actually making it happen? Whether it's launching a business, updating a resume, or initiating a difficult conversation, something often gets in the way—and it's not always what we think.
We often label our hesitation as "roadblocks," but more often than not, those roadblocks are actually places we hide from fear—fear of the unknown, failure, or disappointment. Roadblocks are often external barriers we point to, such as busy schedules or endless tasks, which usually cover our inner fears.
What's the thing you've been thinking about—and what's stopping you from moving forward? Let's start calling things what they are and make progress toward what matters to us.
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
How to Use Emotions as Information
Fear of the Unknown
3 Reasons Why We Worry About the Wrong Things
Have you ever wondered why two families with nearly identical financial situations can end up in completely different places?
It's not because the math was wrong, but because of how they responded when it mattered. Today, I am digging into why financial success has less to do with what we know and more to do with what we actually do when we're staring down competing priorities.
I walk through two real client situations in which both families had solid plans but were facing trade-offs among mortgage payoff, 529 contributions, retirement investing, and home upgrades. Same numbers, different behavior. One family saw flexibility as freedom, the other saw debt elimination as emotional relief.
I also explore how our sense of security, fear of missing out, and guilt about not doing enough for our kids quietly drive the financial decisions we think are purely logical, and why Morgan Housel's idea that optimism is about perseverance, not perfection, applies to how we parent and plan.
Your action step this week: pick one financial behavior that tends to trip you up and simply notice it. Don't judge it. Just observe because you can't improve what you can't see.
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Rethinking the Relationship Between Money and Happiness
Inflated Expectations: The Hidden Force Undermining Financial Peace
Money is a Number, Emotions are Stories
How do you put a value on memorable experiences?
After reading a moving LinkedIn post from my friend Samantha Russell, who lost her husband and is now raising three kids on her own, I found myself reflecting on my own family's journey. Our triplets started high school this year and our plus-one daughter tackles her own busy calendar.
With the chaos of managing busy schedules, there is a temptation to worry about what's next, which can easily cause precious moments to slip by. To help with this chaos, I talk about a meaningful tool I use in my financial planning practice that really puts into perspective just how many summers we have left with our kids.
For me, it's not about planning big, lavish vacations, but about making our time intentional, whether it's a dream trip, a simple backyard hangout, or a concert I've waited years to see. Unlike money, once a moment is gone, it can't be replenished. The number of summers left with loved ones is finite, and being aware of this helps us prioritize what matters.
I hope by the end of this dialogue, you can ask yourself, what's one simple way you're being intentional with your time this week?
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Bucket List Items Don't Need To Be Big
Samantha Russell LinkedIn Post
Time is the Ultimate Planning Killer
Why does it feel like everyone else can afford the vacation you can't?
You make good money. You're doing everything right. But your Instagram feed is full of beach photos while you're staring at a windchill warning and wondering what you're missing.
In this episode, I talk about the trap of comparing your entire financial situation to someone else's highlight reel. I share a recent conversation with a family who was crushing their financial goals but felt like failures because they couldn't keep up with their friends' travel schedule. And I explore why the real question isn't "how can they afford that?" but rather "what game am I actually trying to win?"
This week: Take five minutes and name your game. Write down what you're actually trying to accomplish with your money so you can stop checking the scoreboard of a game you're not even playing.
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Running Towards the Challenge of Why and Enough
Uncovering Core Values for Financial Clarity and Emotional Balance
Why do most resolutions fail by mid-January?
Maybe because we're starting in the wrong place. Before we can sustain any meaningful change, we need to know why we're doing it in the first place.
Dr. Jennifer Dragonette and I dig into the difference between purpose and objectives, and why confusing the two can leave you feeling empty even when you hit your goals. We talk through George Kinder's three questions, a powerful framework that uses time horizons to cut through the noise and reveal what actually matters.
We also explore the unusual eulogy exercise, the permission trap that keeps people stuck even when they have the means to act, and why retirement may be one of the most underrated transitions you'll ever face.
This week, try writing your own eulogy or obituary. Not to be morbid, but to get clear on what you want people to say about how you lived. That clarity can become the foundation for every objective you set.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonnette.
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Squeezing All The Juice Out Of Retirement
How to Use Emotions as Information
Are You Rich Yet? Why Families Still Struggle to Feel Wealthy
Today's economy doesn't just create wealth. It creates the ability to show off wealth, and that visibility inflates expectations so quickly that even high-achieving parents often feel behind, overwhelmed, or financially stretched.
Today, I break down why expectations rise faster than real progress, how that impacts family decisions, and why the small behaviors you repeat consistently are far more important than dramatic financial moves.
If you've ever felt like your life looks "successful" on paper but still feels stretched or pressured in real time, you'll want to hear this episode.
Connect with Paul
If you're a family with multiple kids who feel like your money should be working harder but aren't sure where to start, I do complimentary 30-minute financial reviews. Schedule a meeting here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Getting the Goalpost to Stop Moving
Uncovering Core Values for Financial Clarity and Emotional Balance
You Can Do Most Things, But Not All: A Realistic Approach to Family Goals and Money
I came across a Wall Street Journal article about families making over $250,000, putting them in the top 10% of all household incomes in the country, who still don't feel wealthy. One family earning $350,000 (in the top 4%) owns two homes, has three kids in club sports, and can't shake the feeling that they're struggling.
In this episode, I explore why modern life makes it so hard to feel like you have enough. How our standards of living have improved dramatically, but we've just created different problems. Why kids' activities drain families more than almost anything else. And how the real challenge, as Morgan Housel says, is getting the goalpost to stop moving.
This week: Look back at where you started instead of comparing yourself to some moving horizon ahead. Check your household income against national percentiles. You might be surprised how far you've come.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
They're in the Top 10% of Earners. They Still Don't Feel Rich.
Are You Living a Life Less Ordinary?
The Gap and the Gain – Navigating Purpose
When was the last time you said yes to something small that mattered?
Last year I checked something off my bucket list. Not a grand adventure or expensive trip, just a concert I'd been wanting to see for 30 years. The Barenaked Ladies finally made it happen, and what surprised me was how much emotion came with something so small.
In this episode, I talk about why we wait for the big moments while ordinary experiences slip past us. Why music can take you back to exactly who you were. And why little adventures with the people you love might matter more than the trip you keep postponing.
This week: Put one small thing on your bucket list. Something you could do this month, not someday.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Barenaked Ladies
Wealth Planning is For Everyone
Aligning Personal Interests with Financial Objectives: A Five-Step Guide to Effective Wealth Planning
What if not all success is earned and not all struggle is deserved?
This week's episode digs into something we don't talk about enough: the role of luck, circumstance, and timing in how our lives turn out. When you're managing money, kids, and everything else, it's easy to believe you earned every good thing and failed at every hard thing. But that's not the whole story.
I share a few stories from my generational Family Office practice, working with families across different starting lines, and reflect on what advantages compound across generations and what that means for how we judge ourselves, others, and what we teach our kids about success.
This week, identify three things that went right in your life that weren't just about hard work. Not to diminish your effort, but to recognize the full picture of how you got here.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Reflections of a Layoff While Raising Triplet Girls
Funded Contentment: Am I Going to Be Okay?
Experiencing Career & Life Transitions from Multiple Angles
I'm wrestling with a question that's been on my mind lately: Have we given money a job it simply can't do?
There is a complicated relationship between money and our emotions, and how we sometimes hope numbers and bank balances will take away our fear or anxiety, even though those are emotions, not equations.
Inspired by Carl Richards' book "Your Money," I talk about how our financial lives and our feelings are tangled together, especially for those of us in the thick of parenting, where there's never really an "off season." With insights from thought leaders like Morgan Housel, I explore the challenge of defining your goals and finding what "enough" really means, even as the goalposts keep moving.
If you've ever wondered why having more money doesn't quite silence your worries or how your money beliefs shape your life, you're not alone.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Just Wait: Fuel for Financial and Emotional Anxiety
Understanding and Managing Anxiety: Practical Steps for a Balanced Life
Building Healthy Habits: Overcoming Fear and Anxiety Through Tiny Changes
Are you keeping score in your relationships with your spouse, kids, or friends?
I welcome back our resident therapist expert, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, for an eye-opening conversation about the ways our perspectives can shape every aspect of our relationships—at home and beyond. Dr. Jen introduces us to the idea of "positive vs. negative sentiment override." It's all about how we subconsciously gather evidence to support the story we're telling ourselves about our partner, our kids, or even our coworkers, and how that can tip our emotional balance, for better or worse.
We dig in and make some interesting connections to my world of financial planning, comparing these emotional patterns to the affirmation bias investors often face. There are many parallels between managing money and managing emotions, particularly in breaking old habits, letting go of scorekeeping, and learning to see the positive in the people we care about.
If you're a parent struggling with expectations, a partner trying to reconnect, or just someone looking for more balance, I think you'll find this episode both relatable and practical.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Building Bridges in Relationships: The Impact of 'Yes And' on Understanding
Breaking the Habit of "Make Sure-ing": How Letting Go Builds Trust and Confidence
Learning How to Use Time as a Resource
I've found a surprising overlap between being a parent and serving as a wealth advisor. As the dad of teenage triplets plus one, I know firsthand how both roles bring their share of chaos and noise.
Whether I'm spending weekends at humid, high-energy swim meets supporting my competitive swimmer daughter, or helping families navigate a financial landscape filled with political turmoil, inflation, and AI uncertainty, the challenges are real—but so are the rewards.
What I've learned is that hope keeps us coming back, both as parents and advisors. Being around fellow swim parents reminds me of the importance of community, and how being a calming influence is vital—whether for a child after a tough meet or a family facing big financial decisions.
Drawing inspiration from experts like our resident therapist, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, and my friend Hal Hirschfeld, author of "Your Future Self," I explore how stepping back, keeping perspective, and focusing on growth can help us turn lemons into lemonade.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Finding Harmony in Life, Work & Family: Reflections
Every Dollar is a Choice: Parenting & Building Families with Conscious Spending
Breaking the Busy Stereotype: Redefining Time Management for Parents
Are you trying to survive, or do you want to thrive this holiday season?
I welcome back our resident psychologist, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, to tackle the emotional whirlwind of the year-end holiday season.
Both Dr. Jen and I felt it was time to reframe the usual "surviving the holidays" narrative. Instead of just getting through it, we talk about how you can actually enjoy and find meaning in this busy, sometimes stressful time.
Together, we dig into four areas that create holiday pressure: financial strain, tricky family dynamics, the pain of losing a loved one, and dealing with career changes, especially job loss—all of which are heightened by the expectations we set for ourselves and others.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Just Wait: Fuel for Financial and Emotional Anxiety
Understanding and Managing Anxiety: Practical Steps for a Balanced Life
Building Healthy Habits: Overcoming Fear and Anxiety Through Tiny Changes
Are you feeling behind financially? Are you a parent juggling everything from college savings to daily expenses?
Dr. Jennifer Dragonette returns for her much-anticipated monthly conversation, and we dive deep into a timely and universal theme: why so many families, even those who are objectively doing well, still feel like they're falling behind emotionally and financially.
A recurring theme during my "planning season" has revealed a common thread among the families I work with: a persistent sense of anxiety and not-enoughness surrounding our personal and financial lives. Dr. Jen unpacks why these feelings are valid, the impact of social comparison, and how our nervous systems are being stretched thin by not only money matters but also the broader stresses of today's world.
We focus on actionable strategies for managing anxiety, from reframing distorted thoughts to embracing simple, foundational self-care. Whether you're overwhelmed by competing financial priorities or just trying to keep your head above water emotionally, this episode will leave you with practical ways to reclaim a sense of safety, connection, and control.
I hope you catch the secret message within our conversation: sometimes, the simplest steps are the most powerful.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Bridging the Gap Between Financial Anxiety and Reality
Just Wait: Fuel for Financial and Emotional Anxiety
How to Find Fulfillment Beyond Achieving Your Biggest Goals
How much tech do you let into your life? Do you even know why you let certain tech into your life?
I'm thrilled to welcome back my friend and Microsoft VP, Scott Hanselman. It's been almost four and a half years since our last conversation, and so much has changed for both of us—at home, at work, and everywhere in between.
Scott and I dive into the heart of his recent TEDx Talk, where he questions whether technology is truly delivering on its promises of convenience, connection, and community. We discuss the concept of the "third place"—those spaces outside of home and work where real community forms, and how the pandemic and our increasing reliance on technology have shifted those boundaries.
Scott gets personal about his own life transitions, raising teenagers in a hyper-connected world, and the realities of tech overload. He shares the emotional story of how his parents once sold their van to buy him a Commodore 64 computer—a singular act that changed the course of his life and continues to shape his perspective on investing in our kids' potential.
We also explore the emotional side of money—how we manage stress, organize family finances, and have those sometimes tough conversations with our partners. Scott even shares the allowance system that's kept the peace in his own marriage for 25 years!
Whether you're navigating new technology at home, feeling overwhelmed by all life throws at you, or simply longing for a little more harmony, I think you'll find our conversation both insightful and relatable, with some serious nostalgia along the way.
Please enjoy my conversation with Scott Hanselman.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Scott Hanselman
Scott Hanselman - LinkedIn
Tech Promised Everything. Did it deliver?
Scaling Yourself
How long have you been planning that trip of a lifetime?
Our resident travel expert, Jill Benedict, is back with us for a lively deep dive into the unpredictable world of family travel. From international cruises and unexpected illnesses to the logistics of planning multi-city adventures, Jill and I swap personal stories, travel mishaps, and insider tips you won't want to miss.
We dig into why cruises can simplify travel logistics, the value of private guides, and even compare dining across cruise lines. Jill also shares why booking excursions through the cruise company often pays off.
Our conversation goes deeper into the choices families face: balancing kids' sports schedules versus family vacations. From my daughter's swim meet to Jill's client balancing baseball with a Hawaii trip, we explore how to prioritize memories over moments that may not matter as much years from now
If you're on the fence about that "big" family trip, remember: you'll never regret time spent together, but you might regret the experiences you missed.
Please enjoy my conversation with Jill Benedict.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Wishes & Wonders Travel Agency
The Ultimate Guide to Stress-Free Family Vacation Planning
How to Master and Save Money on Family Vacations
Have you ever wondered why you get sick on vacation?
I share my all-too-relatable experience of getting sick on my recent anniversary trip across Italy, Greece, and Turkey with our resident therapist, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette. Dr. Jen dives into why our bodies often choose downtime to recover, exploring our hidden demands we carry and how American work culture fuels our "earn your rest" mentality.
But, as always, our conversation expands, weaving in discussions about present-moment awareness, how to build restorative habits into daily life, and why those five-minute "mini-vacations" might be just what your nervous system needs. Dr. Jen and I also tackle bigger questions: When do you know it's time to seek professional help, whether that's in therapy or financial advice? What stigma holds us back, and how much can talking to the right person or connecting with others change our experience?
From the pressures of social comparison to embracing change as parents, this episode is packed with relatable stories and actionable advice. Whether you're guilty of pushing through without a break, curious about the real signs it's time for extra support, or just looking for ways to slow down time and savor life's moments, I hope this conversation provides a little reassurance that you're definitely not alone.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Finding Harmony in Life, Work, and Family
Inside the Family Office: A Family's Journey Working with a Financial Advisor
What If You Didn't Need a Wake-Up Call to Change Your Life?
Have you ever wondered why you buy what you buy? There are so many reasons under the surface for our purchases from social status to taking care of our future selves.
I have the perfect guest to help break down these spending thoughts for us. Dr. Michael Barbera, associate professor of marketing at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, explores the fascinating world of "Costco therapy" and the deeper psychology behind our shopping habits.
Mike and I delve into what truly drives us to fill our carts—not just at Costco, but at big-box stores everywhere—and how the thrill of discovery, exclusivity, and even our future selves influence the decisions we make every time we shop.
You'll also hear about how brands use subtle psychological tactics—think those rotating aisles, shiny new objects, and exclusive memberships—to keep us coming back for more. The conversation covers everything from customer loyalty, subscription traps, and the emotional calculus behind "saving money," to the powerful role of social media and the human urge to keep up with the Joneses.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Michael Barbera.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Dr. Michael Barbera
What Is "Costco Therapy"—And Why Is It So Effective?
Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today
Do you know how the new “One Big Beautiful Bill” will impact you during your retirement years?
I’m wrapping up my One Big Beautiful Bill series by exploring the unique challenges and opportunities of financial planning for retirees. I walk you through the key highlights of the new legislation and what it means for those who are already in retirement, as well as for those helping parents and loved ones navigate these waters.
From expanded senior deductions to strategic Roth conversions and increased estate tax limits, I explain why retirees stand to benefit the most from these new changes. You’ll learn about crucial tax strategies, the ins and outs of leveraging deductions, how to make the most of gifting, and even ways to maximize after-tax returns in your golden years.
Whether you’re just starting planning for retirement or living it now, this episode is packed with actionable insights for you and your family. If you’re looking to simplify your financial future or want to help your parents or kids avoid costly mistakes, this conversation provides you with the guidance you may need.
As we close out this informative series, don’t forget to share the episode with anyone you know who could benefit from comprehensive financial planning.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Do you know what one of the most underrated life transitions is? And how the “One Big Beautiful Bill” may impact it?
Today, I delve into the often-overlooked yet pivotal transition of entering the empty nest and pre-retirement phase. Drawing on years of experience working with families, I share personal reflections and practical insight about the emotional and financial shifts that occur at this stage of life.
I explore why maintaining strong relationships with partners is more important and challenging than ever, especially as statistics show divorce rates spike for those in their 50s and 60s. I also unpack the impact of the OBBB does and, more importantly, what it doesn’t do for your tax planning, retirement catch-up contributions, deductions, healthcare, and gifting strategies.
From actionable advice on Roth conversions and sequence withdrawals to navigating health insurance before Medicare eligibility, I cover the complex landscape that pre-retirees face. I candidly share why now is the time to prioritize clear objectives, family communication, and a thoughtful financial plan, blending both heartfelt perspective and practical analysis.
Whether you’re approaching this life stage or helping a loved one through it, this episode is packed with critical insights to help you maximize your emotional and financial well-being.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Parents, are you juggling high school schedules, college plans, and the ever-growing list of financial and personal priorities?
This doesn’t leave much time to understand how the new “Big Beautiful Bill” will affect you. However, this is the life stage we will tackle today, drawing on my firsthand experiences as a parent of triplets (plus one!).
I highlight the positives of the new legislation, like the increased standard deduction and stable marginal tax rates. But, I also unpack the complexities and challenges hidden in the fine print, such as SALT deduction limits, tight retirement catch-up contributions, business owner perks, and what’s really happening with those much-hyped vehicle and energy credits.
If you’re looking for smart strategies for balancing college savings and retirement, managing capital gains, and understanding why tax diversification should be on your radar, we cover these topics as well.
If you’re feeling pulled in every direction and trying to make sense of how the latest tax changes intersect with your family’s goals, this episode is packed with actionable advice and thoughtful perspective, whether you’re a parent, business owner, or just trying to keep up with life’s financial demands.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
As a busy parent trying to manage your family and career, do you even have time to understand what he new One Big Beautiful Bill will mean to you?
Today, I am going to explore the winds and losses through the “One Big Beautiful Bill” during this pivotal life stage of career and family growth. Drawing from my own experience as a parent of triplets (plus one!), I dive into the financial and emotional challenges parents face when juggling careers, raising children, and planning for the future.
I break down what recent legislation means for families in this life stage, including significant updates to tax brackets, standard deductions, the SALT deduction, child tax credits, dependent care benefits, and the new “Trump account” investment option for kids.
I also share proactive strategies for maximizing FSAs and HSAs, making the most of state-specific and charitable deductions, and finding harmony in your savings plan—no matter what life throws your way.
If you’re feeling pulled in a hundred directions by kids, careers, and finances, or want to stay ahead of the latest tax changes, this episode is packed with real stories, valuable strategies, and honest encouragement to help you build a solid roadmap for your family’s future.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What does the new One Big Beautiful Bill mean to parents and young adults?
I am kicking off the "Big Beautiful Bill" series by breaking down what the new legislation means for those just starting their financial journeys—think high schoolers, college students, and anyone landing their first job.
I deep dive into the bill's highlights, including the extension of marginal tax rates, increased standard deductions, and hot topics like deductions for reported tips, overtime pay, and vehicle interest—clearly outlining who benefits, the real dollar impact, and the fine print you need to know.
I also highlight the bill's downsides, including tighter student loan limits, the phasing out of home energy credits, and EV incentives.
If you're wondering how these changes could shape your financial future, or that of your kids or grandkids, this series offers practical advice.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
"That's something that I wrestle with on a daily basis. It's like showing up at the Masters every year; it's like why do I want to win this golf tournament so badly? Why do I want to win the Open Championship so badly? I don't know because, if I win, it's going to be awesome for two minutes."
That is a quote from the world's top golfer, Scottie Scheffler, before he tees it up to try and win another major golf tournament. Scottie's point is also the topic of conversation today with our resident psychologist expert, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Dr. Jen and I explore how the thrill of big wins fades quickly and why major milestones, whether in sports, career, or personal life, rarely satisfy us for long. Together, we also unpack common traps around goal-setting, retirement, and the pursuit of "enough," all while examining the importance of focusing on values over simple achievements.
There are many great personal stories we share in this discussion, so I hope you can take away a few strategies from the conversation to help you along your journey.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Dr. Jennifer Dragonette
Scottie Scheffler's take on success in golf: 'What's the point?'
Focusing on What Never Changes
According to The Kaplan Group, tax scams have resulted in 2025 YTD reported financial losses of $5,742,463.91. Monthly tax scam reports rose 62% year-over-year, from 227 in 2024 to 368 in 2025, and have increased by 323% since 2020. So what can you do to protect yourself?
To help you stay safe, here are three key takeaways:
- The IRS will almost always contact you by MAIL first. If you get a text, email, or surprise phone call demanding personal information or payment, it's almost certainly a scam.
- Phishing and "smishing" are at an all-time high. Scammers try to lure you with messages about fake refunds, threats, or "unusual activity." Never click suspicious links or share your personal info.
- Double-check everything. Unsure about a tax communication? Review it with your tax professional, or check official IRS resources (linked on the podcast and IRS website). Remember—the IRS won't email or text you unless you've explicitly given permission.
Stay vigilant, and don't let scammers get between you and your hard-earned money!
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
How to know it's the IRS
Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2025: IRS warns taxpayers to watch out for dangerous threats
Understanding your IRS notice or letter
Time is the most valuable asset we have. But unlike money, you can’t earn more of it. And once it’s gone, it’s gone.
In this episode, I talk about something I see every day, with clients and in my own life: how a lack of time becomes the excuse for putting off financial decisions. The irony is, delaying those decisions often creates more stress and complexity down the road—costing us even more time.
I share a few stories, including my own, about why we procrastinate, what that delay costs us emotionally, and what changes when we finally decide to act. Not out of motivation—that comes and goes—but out of clarity and purpose.
Life doesn’t slow down. But your priorities can become clearer. And often, the smallest step forward creates momentum you didn’t think was possible.
If you’ve ever said, “I’ll get to it when things calm down,” this episode is for you.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
The Science of Motivation and Strategies to Help You Achieve Your Purpose
Funded Contentment: Am I Going to Be Okay?
Rethinking the Relationship Between Money and Happiness
Have you ever caught yourself just waiting for the next economic downturn, a family milestone, or the "right moment" to act?
Just wait for the market to crash. Just wait until your kids hit middle school, or high school—or college—and then just wait for the real challenges to begin. I hear it constantly in the financial world and in conversations with fellow parents. And I've come to realize this phrase—"just wait"—is one of the sneakiest ways we let anxiety and fear rob us of the joy in front of us.
I'm diving into why "just waiting" is often a trap—whether it's about what the markets might do or what life could throw our way. Instead of waiting for the next shoe to drop, what if we shifted our mindset to "just do it"? What if we focused on investing in our families, finances, and relationships right now?
If you're tired of feeling stuck in the cycle of worry and anticipation, this episode is for you. Let's talk about how to stop waiting and start living.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Bridging the Gap Between Financial Anxiety and Reality
Helping Families Navigate Financial and Emotional Worries
Mastering Financial Anxiety: A Strategic Approach to Market Volatility
Ever notice how you and your partner seem to "think out loud" differently—or not at all?
Our resident therapist expert, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, is back to talk about how differences in processing and communication styles can shape our relationships (and even our financial decisions!).
You'll hear us share stories from our own families (yes, even the awkward silences and eye rolls), explore why venting isn't always an invitation for advice, and break down the nonverbal cues that can say so much more than words. Dr. Jen offers some incredible, practical tips on how to name our patterns, set expectations, and really invest in understanding where our partners are coming from—emotionally and financially.
So, whether you're trying to navigate a disagreement with your spouse, feeling misunderstood, or want to strengthen your connection at home, I think you'll find a lot to take away from this honest and relatable discussion. Let's dive in!
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
How Parenting Challenges Shape Real-World Financial Advice
Building Bridges in Relationships: The Impact of ‘Yes And’ on Understanding
How to Stay Focused on Your Financial Goals During a Politically Charged Summer
I recently spent some time away on vacation, which got me thinking deeply about retirement, purpose, and the ongoing challenge of finding meaning in our everyday lives. While watching some older couples spend hours together on their boats, I found myself questioning not just what they talked about, but also how I view my own future and the idea of slowing down.
From leaving a corporate career I couldn’t stand to building a financial advisory firm that truly fulfills me, I share my ongoing struggle with the gap between knowing we want change and actually taking the necessary steps. I’ve learned, both as a podcast host and advisor, that self-awareness is just the first step; turning that awareness into action is often the hardest part, especially without a dramatic wake-up call pushing us forward.
As we celebrate 200 episodes, I wanted to pass along three key takeaways from this milestone episode that might spark some reflection in your own life and career:
· Awareness is the First Step, But Action is Hardest
· Financial Planning is (Mostly) Emotional
· Strive for Harmony, Not Balance
Thank you to everyone who has tuned into the podcast, whether it’s been for one episode or 200. Here’s to continuing the conversation and helping more people find their own version of harmony.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Scaling Yourself
How to Stay in Love
5 Timeless Financial Truths That Will Never Change
I'm diving into a topic that's been on my mind lately: the idea of "time wealth"—and, just as importantly, "time debt." After coming off a busy stretch like tax season, I often find myself trying to catch up on everything I put on hold, only to realize I'm paying for it in stress, exhaustion, and those lost moments I wish I'd shared with my family.
Inspired by insights from Greg McKeown and Ann Laure Lecomte, I reflect on the many faces of time anxiety—from the frantic rush of daily life to worries about the future to that existential feeling that time with my kids and wife is slipping away too fast. Additionally, I share some perspectives on defining what "time well spent" really means.
I hope this creates awareness to be more intentional about your own time, reduces the anxiety that comes with always feeling behind, and reminds you—and myself—that it's never too late to focus on what truly makes us happy.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Time Wealth: How High Achievers Get It Right
Time anxiety: is it too late?
How to Turn Curiosity into Creation
Ever wonder what really happens when you decide to work with a financial advisor for the first time, especially when life already feels like a full-time juggling act?
I sat down with Marisa Lonic—author, coach, and founder of Mama Work It—to talk about the emotional side of money, career pivots, and raising four kids, including twins.
We dive into what it's like to navigate big life changes like moving states, the vulnerability that comes with opening up about your finances, and why timing and trust matter so much when you're leaning on experts. Marisa also shares a powerful personal story about motherhood and a surprising tattoo that taught her something unexpected about growth.
Please enjoy my conversation with Marisa Lonic.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
We live in a world obsessed with what’s new. The latest tech, the next headline, tomorrow’s market forecast. But beneath all that noise, some things stay the same. And maybe—just maybe—that’s where the real wisdom lies.
Born out of a moment of reflection after a volatile April in the financial markets, I found myself returning to Morgan Housel’s work, especially his book Same as Ever. It reminded me that the most important lessons aren’t about predicting the next move—they’re about understanding the truths that don’t change.
In this episode, I highlight five timeless ideas that I believe are always worth remembering: the constancy of human emotion, the quiet power of compounding, the weight of expectations on our happiness, the surprise of risk, and the challenge of holding two competing ideas—like optimism and pessimism—in balance. These aren’t hot takes. They’re not meant to be. They’re principles that have held up over decades and likely will hold up for decades more.
So, if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by all that’s shifting, I invite you to slow down with me—and focus on what never changes.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Same as Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes
Money Can Buy Happiness: Up to a Point
Finding Inspiration in the Gaps: The Power of Free Time
Have you ever thought about the moments that help shape your beliefs and emotions?
I want to share how being a dad to triplets (plus one!) has completely reshaped how I think about financial planning.
From cheering at swim meets to navigating tough parenting moments, I've learned that raising kids isn't so different from guiding families through financial decisions. Both are emotional, both are messy at times, and both require a ton of empathy.
I'll share some personal stories that changed how I work with clients — how understanding someone's money story is just as important as crunching the numbers. And how learning to manage expectations (my kids, my clients, and my own) has made me a better advisor — and a dad.
One key point I hope you takeaway is that emotional awareness — not just financial knowledge — can help you make better decisions for your family's future.
If you've ever felt the weight of trying to do it all — save for college, plan for the future, and still be present with your family — this one's for you.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Do you ever feel like you and your partner speak different languages regarding money?
You're not alone.
Our resident psychologist, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, is back for a conversation that's equal parts practical, personal, and surprisingly fun. We're talking about the classic clash between spenders and savers—why it happens, how to navigate it, and what it takes to turn financial friction into a stronger connection.
From our walk-and-talks to exploring the deeper stories we carry about money, this episode is full of honest, relatable moments, therapist-approved guidance, and even a few good laughs (wait until you hear the bit about pickles).
Whether you're deep in financial negotiations with your partner or want to understand your own patterns better, this episode is packed with real-life insights, proven strategies, and stories that will hit home.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
As summer heats up, two words are dominating headlines: the “Big Beautiful Bill” and—still hanging around—tariffs.
In this episode, I break down:
· What’s really inside the new tax legislation
· Why tariff uncertainty is rattling corporate decision-making
· How political theater might spike volatility (just in time for the 4th of July)
· Why long-term investors should stay grounded—despite media noise
While the news cycle may create short-term anxiety, your investment strategy should align with your long-term purpose and personal goals. Whether you're planning for retirement, saving for college, or just trying to sleep well at night, staying focused matters.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Cutting Through the Noise: Removing Distractions for Decision Making
The Impact of Politics on Financial Planning: Navigating Market Trends
Why Politics Should Stay Out of Your Portfolio
What's the first thing you think about when you hear the term farmland? Most people have likely never thought about investing in farmland, but today, I have the perfect guest to explain why you might want to consider it.
Rob Moore, general manager at AcreTrader, dives into the details of farmland investing appeal as an asset class and why it can be a powerful addition to a diversified portfolio, especially during uncertain economic times. Rob breaks down the fundamentals of farmland investing, explaining how AcreTrader's platform works, what makes farmland investments unique, and the logic behind buying a finite resource in a world with growing demand and shrinking supply.
Rob and I contrast farmland ownership with other forms of real estate, clear up myths about big corporations taking over family farms, and discuss the mechanics of lease agreements, appreciation, and investor returns. We highlight the intersection of technology, generational farming, and accessible investing, reminding you why sometimes the best asset class is the most boring one in your portfolio.
Growing up in multiple farming communities, I have wanted to have this conversation for some time.
Please enjoy my conversation with Rob Moore.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
In the ever-fluctuating world of economics, navigating the complexities of investment and savings often feels like treading turbulent waters.
One of the critical aspects of managing these complexities is aligning your assets to match your liabilities for long-term financial stability. Whether you're planning for retirement, saving for a child's college, or contemplating future investments, understanding and utilizing temporal diversification can pave the way for a more predictable financial future.
In this episode, I break down what temporal diversification means and how it relates to dealing with the emotional rollercoaster of a fluctuating stock market.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Cutting Through the Noise: Removing Distractions for Decision Making
The Impact of Politics on Financial Planning: Navigating Market Trends
Why Politics Should Stay Out of Your Portfolio
What if you had a front-row seat to the world's stage in the Oval Office? Sounds like a cool gig. But what if it required giving up much of your personal life?
I welcome back former AP White House correspondent Ben Feller for a candid conversation about the evolving landscape of the media, the importance of journalistic integrity, and the personal journey of navigating high-stakes careers.
Ben shares stories from his front-row seat covering Republican and Democratic presidents and discusses why real-time press access to pivotal moments—like the Oval Office meetings with world leaders—matters for democracy and public accountability. We break down the history and unique mission of the Associated Press, unpack how information is shared and sourced across news organizations, and reflect on the increasingly complex challenge of finding and trusting unbiased news today.
Just as important, we dive deeper into broader themes of personal growth, identity, and the emotional transition from a demanding career into new chapters of life—touching on the difficulty of balancing ambition, self-reflection, and gratitude.
With plenty of wisdom for professionals, families, and anyone curious about the media's role in society, this episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to sort facts from noise and find emotional balance in a fast-paced world.
Please enjoy my conversation with Ben Feller.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
There feels like a pervasive nature of worry in today's world, particularly in politics, financial markets, and emotional well-being. Now more than ever, we need to understand our emotional needs and what we are seeking out for advice.
Are we seeking advice that is personal or financial? Are we looking to be heard? Or do we want to feel comforted in an uncertain time?
How we communicate with each other and the people we trust, such as financial advisor, can lead to better support in navigating our concerns and making informed decisions.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Cutting Through the Noise: Removing Distractions for Decision Making
The Impact of Politics on Financial Planning: Navigating Market Trends
Why Politics Should Stay Out of Your Portfolio
Have you ever had a well-meaning conversation with a spouse, friend, child, or co-worker that went sideways? What if we could help ourselves prepare for some of our most important conversations?
Our resident psychologist expert, Dr. Jen Dragonette, is back with us to explore the nuances of communication in relationships, particularly focusing on the importance of language and emotional dynamics. We cover the impact of phrases like 'yes, but' versus 'yes, and' and how these can shape interactions.
Our conversation emphasizes the need for preparation before difficult discussions, the use of interpersonal effectiveness skills like the DEAR MAN technique, and the significance of regular check-ins to foster connection. We also highlight the importance of reinforcing positive communication patterns and enjoying the journey of growth in relationships.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Morgan Housel has inspired a great deal of my thoughts on the intricacies between money and happiness.
Today, I wanted to share a personal story about the interconnectedness of money and happiness, along with five key points that challenge the conventional wisdom around wealth and satisfaction.
From understanding that money provides freedom rather than fulfillment to the notion that true wealth is peace of mind, I invite you to reflect on your own financial journey and its impact on your happiness.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What matters most when it comes to portfolio returns?
Video Version
Here's what it's not: who is President or the crisis of the day.
From the unpredictable daily swings of the S&P 500 to the long-term probabilities of success, I cover how aligning your assets with your objectives —whether short-term or for retirement—can safeguard your financial future. Plus, I unfold an important factor that will impact your portfolio returns.
This episode is designed to provide you with peace of mind and a reassuring strategy for when the next market downturn inevitably arrives. Let's get started and uncover the power of purposeful planning.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How do you bridge the gap between the anxiety you may be feeling and the realities of your current situation?
Our resident therapist, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, explains the core principles of ACT, a behavioral therapy developed by Dr. Steven Hayes, designed to foster present-moment awareness, acceptance of reality, and cognitive diffusion.
Dr. Jen makes these concepts accessible, helping listeners visualize their thoughts as separate entities that can be managed rather than overtaken by them. Our conversation focuses on a listener question regarding a significant life transition—retirement—and how deeply ingrained financial anxieties clash with aspirations like generosity.
We tie the realms of financial planning with understanding the psychological complexities that impact our financial decisions. Whether you're on the cusp of retirement or navigating any transitional phase, this insightful dialogue will equip you with the tools to align reality with your aspirations.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
How to Use Emotions as Information
The Science of Motivation and Strategies to Help You Achieve Your Purpose
Living Intentionally - Aligning Financial Decisions with Your Core Values
Modern life often throws us into "hair on fire" moments where stress feels insurmountable and overwhelming. Whether it's work demands, family responsibilities, or unforeseen challenges, we all experience these times when it seems impossible to maintain balance.
Understanding and preparing for these "hair on fire" periods is crucial. Communicating with those around us can be beneficial when we anticipate a challenging season. Alerting family members or colleagues ahead of high-pressure events sets realistic expectations and opens pathways to much-needed support.
A particularly common scenario for me occurs during tax season, symbolizing those stress-filled periods. As I put a cap on the 2024 tax season, I wanted to reflect upon an insightful conversation with my friend and coach, Dennis Mosley Williams, about navigating these intense moments.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Interrupting Stress with Microdoses of Relaxation
The Science of Motivation and Strategies to Help You Achieve Your Purpose
Finding Balance in the Face of Career Transitions
Does the current stock market volatility have you wondering what's next?
It's a normal emotional response to feel anxiety or even a little bit panicked when events around you seem to be in chaos, which can apply to personal events, politics, and, yes, the stock market.
Dr. Jennifer Dragonette is back to walk us through how we can navigate these personal and financial anxieties. We delve into finding harmony between our rational and emotional minds, especially when facing fluctuations in the financial market and the anxiety it can bring.
Even during stressful situations, having a positive outlook, establishing relationships with trusted advisors, and using practices like gratitude lists can help maintain calm in times of uncertainty. Dr. Jen also sheds light on how these strategies can be applied beyond finance, such as in recovery from personal challenges or handling political anxiety.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What happens when two financial advisors get together for a conversation about non-financial planning topics? A dynamic conversation that dives into current culture and the broader landscape of behavioral finance.
My friend and colleague Matt Zeigler joins me for a first-of-its-kind Emotional Balance Sheet podcast episode. There was no agenda, pre-scheduled questions, or thoughts on how the conversation would go. It is completely unfiltered.
We explore the importance of community and continuous learning, sharing their experiences from being part of Brian Portnoy's Building the Behavioral Advisor group and why behavioral finance is a topic the public should know more about.
We navigate the concept of remaining connected in a world that feels increasingly disconnected, uninformed, and calloused, emphasizing the value of turning consumers into creators to break the cycle. We explore the challenges of creating a personal archive for complete thoughts amidst the constant barrage of information, touching on Matt's innovative Cultish Creative YouTube channel.
Please enjoy my conversation with Matt Zeigler.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Matt Zeigler
Cultish Creative
Cutting Through the Noise: Removing Distractions for Decision Making
The Fourth Turning
What does rock climbing have to do with mental and financial health?
While Dr. Jennifer Dragonette offers her compassionate expertise to communities in crisis, she also shares a passion for rock climbing—a pursuit that intertwines with her professional insights.
Dr. Jen explains how this adventurous sport complements her work as a therapist. She reveals how rock climbing's demands for balance, mental fortitude, and fear management mirror the complexities of navigating life's emotional challenges.
We also uncover Dr. Jen's career transition journey, from holding significant leadership roles in healthcare organizations to establishing her private practice. Her story is a testament to the power of aligning one's career with personal values and overcoming societal expectations to find true professional fulfillment.
I think this conversation can provide valuable insights for anyone grappling with career transitions, anxiety, or simply seeking to understand the interplay between physical activities and mental well-being.
Whether you're scaling rock walls or facing life's everyday challenges, I hope this conversation inspires and resonates with you.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
As busy parents on the go, it’s hard not to opt for the convenience of quick meals, which may not be the best option for our kids. As chaotic as schedules can get, we still want to find the most optimal meal options for our kids.
Dr. Teryn Clarke is back with us to break down why proteins are indispensable, not just for muscle maintenance and growth but also for brain health. We discuss the challenges parents face in ensuring their kids, especially active ones like my swimmer daughter Madison, get the right amount of protein amidst hectic schedules.
Dr. Clarke provides practical advice on choosing healthier fast-food options, like Chipotle, and emphasizes the importance of aiming for quality proteins, even on the go. We also tackle some misconceptions about deli meats and intermittent fasting, offering insightful strategies to make more informed dietary choices without feeling overwhelmed or restricted.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Teryn Clarke.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
We live in an age where the 24-hour news cycle perpetuates political controversy and sensational headlines. It's tempting to believe that staying informed means consuming every detail these channels broadcast.
Yet, in our personal and financial lives, this noise often creates anxiety rather than clarity. It's crucial to recognize that not every news story or social media post warrants our attention or reaction. Instead, we must cultivate an environment where significant matters—those directly impacting our lives and well-being—take precedence.
So, how can we filter out this noise and focus on what truly matters? Today, I cover a few insights into managing this overwhelming influx and aligning your priorities toward genuine fulfillment.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
The Fine Line Between Support and Control
The Impact of Politics on Financial Planning: Navigating Market Trends
How to Fight Stress: Harnessing Microdoses of Relaxation
Have you ever asked yourself what the best credit card to use for my family and me is? I get this question a lot and it is a topic I have wrestled with myself.
Today, I am talking with someone who can help all of us navigate the complexity of credit card points and rewards systems. Spencer Howard is the founder of Straight To The Points. Spencer has built an entire business around helping individuals and families save money on travel and go to places they never would have dreamed of.
Our conversation focuses on how to choose the right card based on individual spending habits and travel needs. We cover the importance of having a credit card strategy, the differences between cash back and points, and the significance of paying off credit cards to avoid high interest rates.
We also talk about family travel strategies, cost-effective flight options, and the importance of choosing the right credit cards to maximize rewards.
Please enjoy my conversation with Spencer Howard.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever heard of the term "make sureing?"
Today, we delve into a term coined by Dr. Jennifer Dragonette to describe our frantic attempts to control situations or emotions beyond our control. Though often well-intentioned, we explore how this behavior can lead to unintended consequences, especially within family dynamics and relationships.
Dr. Jen sheds light on the evolution of “make sureing” and its impact on those doing the make sureing and those being made sured. Dr. Jen explains how this behavior can inadvertently undermine the competence of others, leading to feelings of resentment and power struggles.
I share personal anecdotes about the balancing act of managing a large family, while Dr. Jen offers practical advice on how to shift from controlling behaviors to more supportive approaches. We also touch upon how these concepts apply beyond the family setting, especially in career transitions and times of emotional stress.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for
How do you manage stress in the face of small or large-scale traumatic events?
Dr. Teryn Clarke is back with us to tackle a pressing issue—how to manage stress when trauma feels like it is all around us, especially in the face of large-scale traumatic events like the recent fires in California. Dr. Teryn, who is based in Orange County, shares firsthand accounts of the devastation, highlighting the emotional toll on displaced families and communities.
Our conversation centers on effective techniques for managing stress, emphasizing the importance of microdoses of relaxation through simple breathing exercises. Dr. Teryn explains the physiological impacts of stress on the body, particularly elevated levels of cortisol, and how they can be mitigated.
We also cover the benefits of maintaining good nutrition, the critical role of socialization in mental health, and practical tips to help both adults and children handle anxiety and stress in their daily lives.
Whether you’re dealing with minor daily stressors or major life events, this episode provides actionable insights to help you maintain emotional balance.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Teryn Clarke.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you missed me on Instagram or Facebook?
It's been two months since I shut down my accounts on those platforms, and I have not received one request for me to come back on.
My point gets to the heart of the topic I am talking about today, the concept of 'noise' in decision-making, particularly in financial planning and portfolio management.
There is a strong need to filter out irrelevant information, especially political noise, to focus on what truly impacts your personal and financial life.
I share a few personal anecdotes to illustrate how I manage the noise in my life and work, advocating for a mindful approach to information consumption.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
The Impact of Politics on Financial Planning: Navigating Market Trends
It's All Inside Your Head
Build for Tomorrow: An Action Plan for Embracing Change
In this conversation, Dr. Jen Dragonette and Paul Fenner explore the pervasive issue of anxiety, particularly during the start of a new year and in the context of recent societal events. Dr. Jen highlights the physical manifestations of anxiety, the importance of understanding its nature, and the role of mindset in managing anxious thoughts.
Our conversation emphasizes the concept of agency, the need for connection, and the power of communication in overcoming feelings of isolation and fear. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, they provide listeners with strategies to cope with anxiety and foster emotional wellness.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jenifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
We all know this time of year spurs great interest in setting goals and resolutions, but do you know the difference between the two?
Dr. Teryn Clarke, our resident neurologist expert, walks us through the difference between goals and resolutions and why we should focus on goals and not resolutions. Specifically, we address the acronym SMART when setting goals. We explore the vital role of tiny wins in habit building and the rewarding shift in medicine and financial planning towards a more collaborative, lifestyle-centric approach.
As an added bonus, Dr. Teryn and I reflect on the transitions from daily parenting struggles to the satisfaction of seeing our children become independent adults.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Teryn Clarke
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Welcome to "Emotional Balance Sheet," and a Happy New Year to all our listeners!
Back from a refreshing holiday break with my family, I wanted to take a retrospective look at the financial markets in 2024—a year marked by fascinating highs and lows.
I'll break down the key moments that drove the S&P 500 to a 23% gain, highlighting just 16 critical trading days among 252. Most importantly, we'll discuss the implications for your wealth management and portfolio strategies as we navigate the new year.
Whether you're just starting out or planning for retirement, staying diversified and consistently invested are crucial takeaways.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Why Politics Should Stay Out of Your Portfolio
Uncovering Core Values for Financial Clarity and Emotional Balance
The Science of Motivation and Strategies to Help You Achieve Your Purpose
Do you wish you had more time? If you did have more time for yourself, what would you do?
Managing time and anxiety in a busy world, especially for parents, is an everyday occurrence. Our resident therapist expert, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, and I continue to press forward with our conversations around defining our purpose and supporting them with our time.
During our conversation, we explore the importance of mindfulness, the myth of multitasking, and practical strategies for finding time for self-care and meaningful activities. Dr. Jen emphasizes the need for boundaries, the value of saying no, and the significance of tracking time to gain awareness of how it is spent.
An action item Dr. Jen has found beneficial with her patients is introducing the concept of a 'could-do' list and the 'pride practice' to help people focus on their values and celebrate their achievements. As always, we highlight the parallels between time and financial planning.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Dr. Teryn Clarke – Preventing Alzheimer's: The Power of Cognitive Exercise
What if you could prevent cognitive decline such as dementia or Alzheimer's? Would you do it, even if it meant you had to make significant life changes?
Dr. Teryn Clarke, our resident neurologist expert, discusses the significance of cognitive exercise for maintaining brain health and preventing cognitive decline, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
Our conversation explores various cognitive exercises, the importance of lifelong learning, and the role of motivation in making lifestyle changes. Dr. Clarke emphasizes that while cognitive exercises can help preserve brain function, reversing cognitive decline is challenging once symptoms appear.
The episode highlights the need for early intervention and the adoption of healthy habits to promote brain health. We discuss gamified cognitive programs, manual brain exercises, and the crucial concept of cognitive reserve, all actionable strategies for better brain health.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Teryn Clarke.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Summary
Where do you want to take your family on vacation? What vacation would work best for you and your family?
These are the questions I explored with Jill Benedict, our resident vacation planning expert. Jill and I explore the various vacation options, including cruises and all-inclusive resorts, and provide insights on choosing the best vacation type based on family needs and preferences.
Our conversation delves into the differences between cruise experiences and resort stays, highlighting factors such as room size, activities, and nightlife. We also touch on important budgeting for vacations, including drink packages and overall costs, helping you navigate your travel decisions effectively.
Jill and I discuss the various aspects of travel planning, focusing on the cost comparisons between cruises and all-inclusive resorts, the hidden costs associated with theme park vacations, and the importance of budgeting for excursions. We also delve into managing additional costs on cruises, the best times to book, looking for deals, and future travel topics such as Europe and Alaska.
Please enjoy my conversation with Jill Benedict.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Imagine trying to find your way in the dark without a light. Even if you have a plan, do you have a light to help show you the way?
Our purpose and values are the light that helps to guide us along our lives and weaves itself into our financial plans. Our resident therapist expert, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, helps us explore how deeply our emotions and core values influence financial decisions, especially as we transition through various life stages.
Dr. Jen shares a fascinating exercise to help you quickly identify your core values, providing a clear lens through which you can assess and make financial choices that resonate with what truly matters to you. We also discuss the how confidence, fear, and intentionality play critical roles in managing finances effectively.
Whether you're grappling with aligning financial actions to your life values or simply curious about understanding the barriers to your personal goals, this episode offers compelling perspectives and practical tools to help navigate your financial and emotional landscape.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever set a goal and wondered why is this really important to me? Or did you set an objective and lose your motivation while trying to achieve it?
I welcome back to the show Professor Ayelet Fishbach, Eric J. Gleacher Distinguished Service Professor of Behavioral Science and Marketing at the University of Chicago. Ayelet is a motivation scientist and author of Get it Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation. Ayelet is also known as the godmother of motivation!
Ayelet sheds light on the low correlation between wealth, happiness, and success and emphasizes the importance of knowledge over sheer willpower. We discuss the role of situational awareness and the art of reframing to navigate obstacles and stay on track with your goals.
Throughout the conversation, Ayelet shares actionable strategies for reframing discomfort as growth, anticipating obstacles, and continuously refining our understanding of what drives us. Whether you're facing financial decisions or personal growth challenges, we identify strategies to help you align your goals with your life's purpose.
Please enjoy my conversation with Professor Ayelet Fishbach.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
By the time this episode is released, I sure hope we have an answer to who won the 2024 presidential election.
I wanted to take a few minutes to explain my strategy of how I have handled this current election cycle, highlighting what I have done and, more importantly what I have not done.
While tuning out the noise of the election is hard, patience and long-term strategies must win out vs. over-reactive decision-making based on political outcomes. Market performance is not solely dictated by what party is in power but rather by fundamental company performance and economic indicators.
I encourage you to focus on your financial plan and the best ways to achieve it through our spending, savings, and investment strategies.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Dr. Teryn Clarke – Building Healthy Habits: Overcoming Fear and Anxiety Through Tiny Changes
Do you ever wonder why fear takes over when trying to gain traction when it comes to your physical or financial health?
Dr. Teryn Clake, our resident neurologist expert, is back to discuss why negative feedback loops are stronger than positive ones, making change difficult.
Making changes is challenging due to the conflict between the primitive "lizard brain" (focused on immediate gratification) and the human prefrontal cortex (capable of long-term planning). Successful habit formation requires a three-pronged approach: resetting mindset, implementing tiny habits, and providing self-rewards.
With insights from books like "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, Dr. Teryn explains how tiny, incremental changes can lead to significant, lasting improvements. Additionally, we cover how visualizing long-term success and using practical tools like habit trackers can help solidify new behaviors.
Listen as we uncover strategies for overcoming fear to harness the benefits of time and compounding in health and finances.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Teryn Clake.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Every day, we are surrounded by our emotions. But how can we use our emotions as information rather than be bullied by them?
Our resident therapist expert, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, joins us once again to discuss the concept of emotions as information and explore how our feelings significantly impact our financial decisions, careers, and overall life choices.
Dr. Jen shares practical techniques to navigate powerful emotions like fear and anger, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, grounding, and understanding our values. She also introduces the concept of agency, helping us recognize that we have more control over our lives than we might realize.
Whether you're dealing with a career setback, relationship challenges, or just seeking to improve your emotional intelligence, this conversation offers invaluable insights and actionable advice. We also highlight the crucial role of a supportive inner circle and how to effectively utilize our emotions to make better decisions and move forward.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
If you haven't heard, a presidential election is happening this year. This often leads to a topic of conversation or a series of questions about what will happen to the stock market, depending on who wins.
In this episode, I dive into why politics should stay out of your portfolio. Why time invested in the market is better than trying to time the market. And there is data that squarely proves this concept.
This is the first episode that might be better to watch/listen to on our YouTube channel as I utilize various charts to illustrate that investment success isn't tied to whether a Republican or Democrat is in office but rather to consistently staying invested over time.
There is actionable advice for navigating the emotional roller coaster of investing, especially in politically charged times. My objective with this conversation is to equip you with the knowledge to stay focused on long-term financial health, regardless of who occupies the White House.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Dr. Teryn Clarke is back with us to delve into a topic affecting our health in surprising ways: seed oils. Have you ever wondered about the hidden impacts of common cooking oils on your brain and overall well-being? Dr. Clarke explains what seed oils are, where they come from, and how they contribute to inflammation—a key factor in diseases like Alzheimer's.
In this episode, you'll gain clarity on which oils to avoid, discover healthier alternatives for your cooking, and understand how processed foods are a major source of these oils. We also address the significant role inflammation plays in chronic diseases and provide practical action steps to help you reduce your intake of harmful oils.
We also discuss how small changes can make a big difference in your health journey. Stay with us as we explore the science and offer actionable insights to promote your brain health and overall wellness!
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Teryn Clarke.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
I am often asked how families master planning for vacation from a financial and experience standpoint.
Jill Benedict, a seasoned travel agent who runs a unique travel agency, emphasizes that vacations aren't just about booking trips—they are about creating memorable experiences that align with personal and financial goals.
Jill shares her insights on navigating family cruises, optimizing vacation costs, and making the most of the trip experiences. I have personally found that working with someone like Jill makes vacation planning less stressful while creating some unexpected enjoyable moments. Jill sheds light on the benefits of using a travel agent, from saving money to accessing exclusive perks, and how her hands-on travel experiences inspire her clients.
Life is full of transitions, so we delve into Jill's journey from corporate marketing to running her own successful travel agency. Jill shares personal stories highlighting the significance of supportive relationships and the true essence of balancing life's emotional and financial aspects in travel and life.
Please enjoy my conversation with Jill Benedict.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
You have more power and control than you realize, has become a powerful theme emerging from my recent planning sessions with families.
In this episode, we'll explore how taking control of your emotional and financial well-being can profoundly impact your life. Drawing insights from my own experiences and the wisdom of expert guests like neurologist Dr. Taryn Clark and psychologist Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, we'll discuss practical ways to focus on the positive aspects of life and harness your inner strength.
Why is this conversation so important? Because your emotional decisions impact your financial decisions, and your financial decisions impact your emotions!
Whether you're navigating career challenges, relationship hurdles, or financial uncertainties, this episode is a reminder that you have more power than you think to shape your future.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How do you have money conversations with your spouse or partner? And just as important, what are you trying to achieve by having them?
Today, we're diving deep into the intricate dance of relationships, communication, and money with our resident therapist, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette. We explore the importance of understanding each other's upbringing and values, particularly hot-button topics like finances.
Dr. Jen stresses how curiosity can replace fear in these conversations while sharing techniques to bridge communication gaps and foster empathy by delving into each other's painful stories and experiences.
Fear and shame frequently serve as roadblocks to open communication, but Dr. Jen offers insights on how vulnerability and openness can help break down these barriers, leading to a stronger, more intimate connection.
Together, we'll discuss practical strategies like regular "walk and talk" sessions and financial date nights to keep the lines of communication open and reduce anxiety around tough conversations.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Dr. Teryn Clarke – Unlocking Brain Health: The Power of Time-Restricted Eating
I am excited to have Dr. Teryn Clarke join us once again. Dr. Clarke also sheds light on the power of mindful and balanced eating over restrictive diets, sharing her insights from her research and personal experiences. We'll discuss practical tips for implementing time-restricted eating, including Dr. Clarke's meal timing and composition recommendations, ways to identify true hunger, and the importance of consulting doctors for personalized fasting schedules.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Clarke and I share our journeys with time-restricted eating and highlight the significance of empathy, grace, and trial-and-error in making sustainable lifestyle changes. Additionally, Dr. Clarke touches upon her new book, "Brain Health Action Plan," and how starting healthy habits early can yield long-term benefits, much like college and retirement savings.
So, whether you're looking to enhance your brain health, improve your eating habits, or simply understand the science behind time-restricted eating, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Teryn Clarke.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Can you find trust and comedy within the highly personal and emotional arena of financial planning?
Tom McCarthy has built a successful 24-year career in the mortgage industry based on trust, doing what is in the best interests of his clients, and with a little comedy. Tom shares his unique perspective on the current housing market, including the impact of fluctuating interest rates, while providing valuable insights for potential homebuyers navigating mortgage decisions in this environment.
Buying a home or going through a refinance of an existing loan is often an extremely emotional process. After a 15-year hiatus from the comedy industry, Tom shares how his passion for two completely different industries interweaves together to help build lasting client relationships.
By the end, you'll have a fresh take on the housing market and a newfound appreciation for taking chances in life and career. Tom's wit and optimistic outlook shine through, especially when discussing the joys of his work, his supportive spouse, and parenting his two children.
Please enjoy my conversation with Tom McCarthy.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How do you find harmony between your personal and professional lives? Do emotions such as fear hold you back from finding your unique purpose?
Dr. Benjamin Ritter rejoins us as we discuss his new book, "Becoming Fearless, 65 Strategies to Journey from Self-Doubt to Self-Mastery."
Ben and I dive deep into the importance of focusing not just on our financial well-being but also on our emotional well-being. Ben shares strategies from his book for creating space for personal and professional growth, including time blocking and how it can help us prioritize the things that truly matter in our lives.
Identifying obstacles that can stand in our way is critical to our ability to move forward and cultivate a mindset of fearlessness and resilience. Ben and I also discuss the idea of "never having too much work to do" as a way to manage our workload more effectively and find a better balance between our work and personal lives.
So whether you're a high-achieving professional looking to redefine your approach to success or simply someone who wants to live a more fulfilling and purposeful life, there are actionable items to take away from this discussion.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Benjamin Ritter.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Are you frustrated with your current job but aren't taking the first step you know you need to make to implement a positive change?
Carrie Schochet, executive recruiter and founder of Purple Squirrel Advisors, rejoins us as we navigate career challenges and changes. We dive deep into the importance of networking and making meaningful connections, even in unexpected places. A concept we explore is "net giving" as opposed to simply "networking," drawing inspiration from the book "The Go-Giver" by Bob Burg.
We also tackle the fear and uncertainty many individuals face when considering a career change, particularly when receiving counteroffers from their current employers. Carrie shares her personal experience with this situation and emphasizes the significance of understanding one's purpose and level of commitment to one's job.
There are multiple challenges to managing career dissatisfaction within dual-income families. We cover the crucial role of communication and support when seeking job changes or transitioning careers. Carrie offers valuable advice on utilizing LinkedIn discreetly to signal interest to recruiters without alerting current employers.
Please enjoy my conversation Carrie Schochet.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Ep.153 – Two Pieces of Data Tells the World About You
What if I told you that only two pieces of data would tell me everything I needed to know about you? Could you guess what they would be?
These two data points show where your money goes and how you prioritize your time. I'll explore how understanding these elements can help align your spending and scheduling with your core values and life goals.
Whether it's uncovering your financial patterns or evaluating how you allocate your time, small tweaks can lead to significant improvements in finding harmony between your financial and emotional life.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
The Gap and the Gain - Navigating Purpose
The Longest Relationship You Will Ever Have
Reducing Friction to Change Behaviors
Follow the Show And Never Miss an Episode
Follow the show on Apple Podcast |Podurama | Amazon Music | Spotify
Whether you're a parent looking for guidance on supporting your child through the college planning process or a high school student trying to figure out your own path, this episode is packed with relatable insights and practical advice from a student's perspective.
19-year-old Megan Brissette shares her journey from developing her college list to transitioning socially and academically into her freshman year at Michigan State University. You'll get a front-row seat to the challenges, surprises, and triumphs that come with this major life milestone.
Megan and I dive deep into the importance of open communication between parents and kids regarding college planning, especially finances. We discuss strategies for affording college, the value of setting clear expectations, and the pride that comes with contributing to your education. Megan also opens up about the social challenges of leaving high school friendships behind and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone in college.
Get ready to take some notes as we share our wisdom on making the leap from high school to higher education.
Please enjoy my conversation with Megan Brissette.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Follow the Show And Never Miss an Episode
Follow the show on Apple Podcast |Podurama | Amazon Music | Spotify
When does a cost stop being an expense and start being an investment?
The answer to this question is part of a broader search for helping people identify and develop their purpose and supporting objectives, not solely from a financial perspective but more from a personal and lifestyle perspective.
Ultimately, the transition from expense to investment often involves a shift in mindset. It requires thinking beyond immediate gratification and considering the long-term impact of your decisions.
The secret to determining when a cost stops being an expense and becomes an investment is that there isn't a formula to calculate. You can put a value on your time, but how much value do you put on doing the things in life you really want to do?
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Emotional Decision Making
How to Lose Time and Money
Understanding the Link Between Life Transitions and Financial Planning
Follow the Show And Never Miss an Episode
Follow the show on Apple Podcast |Podurama | Amazon Music | Spotify
When you think of the word productivity, what is your first thought?
Today, we're diving into a fascinating discussion on productivity, but not in the way you might expect.
Recently, I had a conversation with one of my clients about what it means to raise productive children and the challenges parents face in this endeavor. Whether you have one child or several, the struggle to balance keeping them active and not overwhelming them is a familiar one.
In this episode, I'll share my personal experiences with my four kids and the insights I've gathered from working with numerous families. We'll discuss the importance of helping our children find their intrinsic motivation and the potential pitfalls of over-scheduling.
As always, I'm eager to hear your thoughts and strategies on this topic. Let's get started!
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary – Parents & Kids Working Together to be Better Digital Citizens
Cathy Adams – Parenting With No Age Limits
Ben Feller – Big Problems, Little Problems; A Father & Son Journey
We are taking a break to spend time with friends and family this week as we celebrate the 4th of July holiday.
Be sure to check out our 150th episode from last week, where I highlight some of my favorite conversations over the past four years of hosting the show. You can access that show here to find an episode I am sure you will love.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Want more? Check out all of our past episodes by following the show using the links HERE.
Welcome to the 150th episode of the Emotional Balance Sheet podcast! I can hardly believe it's been nearly four years since we launched our journey in October 2020. Through the ups and downs, your support has kept us going, and today, I want to celebrate this milestone by highlighting some of the most meaningful conversations we've had.
In this special episode, we revisit insightful discussions with remarkable guests like Brian Portnoy on "funded contentment," Dr. Joy Leary on the deeper issues couples face, and Bruce Filer on navigating life's transitions. You'll also hear about fascinating talks with people like divorce attorney Jim Sexton, productivity expert Scott Hanselman, and renowned author Dan Pink.
Whether it's learning about the concept of "enough" with Carl Richardson, exploring parental insights with Josh Brown, or digging into economic complexities with Neil Dutta, these moments have shaped our podcast and provided invaluable lessons.
Join me as we reflect on these enriching conversations that emphasize awareness, life transitions, and the emotional intricacies tied to financial planning. Thank you for being part of this journey, and enjoy our special montage of the last 150 episodes.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Inspired by a quote from psychologist Amos Tversky, I wanted to dive into the detrimental effects of over-scheduling and the importance of allowing ourselves time to wander and be creative.
Cognitive scientist Scott Barry Kaufman's research finds that 72% of our best ideas often come to us in the shower. Why is that? And what other places could we generate that level of creativity and space to think about the important aspects of our lives?
As we transition into the summer months, embrace the art of wasting time and make room for true efficiency by intentionally leaving gaps in our schedules.
Remember, all who wander are not lost!
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
As we dive into the summer vacation season, a frequently asked question arises: should I buy a vacation home or rental property?
I share personal insights and experiences from when my family purchased a vacation home in Traverse City, Michigan, diving into the various considerations and decisions involved in such a significant financial commitment.
Here are some key takeaways to consider
- Understand the purpose: investment property vs. future retirement home
- Factor in costs: property management fees, higher taxes, maintenance/repairs
- Rental income may not cover all expenses, especially for a future retirement home
- Limits ability to travel elsewhere if frequently using the vacation home
I hope this episode provides helpful guidance as you navigate the complexities of owning a second home. Learn what factors you should weigh before taking the plunge into vacation home ownership.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Vacation Real Estate You Can Understand
HGTV Host Provides Insights on How to Make a Second Home a Reality
Understanding Capital Gains Taxes on Home Sales
Recently, a massive breach at Ticketmaster potentially affected over 500 million people. While this is not an isolated incident, data breaches are becoming increasingly common. So what can you do?
In this episode, I'll be sharing practical steps you can take to safeguard your personal information, including investing in a credit monitoring service, using a password manager, and possibly freezing your credit.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
ID Shield
Dashlane
Ticketmaster, Live Nation sued: Millions of customers' personal data listed on black market, suit claims
Do you believe the U.S. government is going bankrupt?
It's becoming more of a common question as our national debt levels have ballooned to epic proportions. It might even conjure up emotions of fear if you listen to mainstream media sources.
However, if we go beyond the headlines, we will find that the U.S. is not going bankrupt, and we should likely be thankful for the wealth we have created in part from our increase in national debt.
I call on my friend and economic expert Cullen Roche's writing to help us see that America's fiscal health is far from critical. Why the government, with its monetary might and 'printing press' capability as seen during the COVID crisis, cannot go bankrupt like a typical household.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever wondered if standardized tests like the SAT or ACT are still relevant, especially when colleges offer test-optional admissions?
The debate around standardized testing has become more nuanced than ever. With the rise of test-optional college admissions, many students and parents grapple with the question: Is taking the SAT or ACT still necessary?
I wanted to speak with Dr. Shaan Patel, the founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading test preparation company, to shed light on this topic. Dr. Patel's expertise offers invaluable insights into why standardized tests still matter, even in a test-optional era.
Drawing from his experience of conquering standardized tests and securing scholarships, he highlights the pivotal role of motivation and resilience in achieving academic and professional goals.
From navigating the pressures of Shark Tank to finding harmony between a career in dermatology and entrepreneurship, Dr. Patel's story offers practical advice for families and valuable lessons in pursuing passions and seizing opportunities.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Shaan Patel.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Welcome to a special "Emotional Balance Sheet" graduation episode where we're diving into real-world advice for all the fresh graduates. Congratulations on this incredible milestone in your life! Now, let's talk about what comes next.
While the world often echoes Steve Jobs' famous 2005 Stanford speech urging graduates to follow their passion, today, we will shake things up and challenge that narrative. Instead, I encourage you to pursue what you enjoy and what can sustain you financially because passion alone doesn't pay the bills.
To help get you started with this next phase of life, I have brought in one of my favorite writers, Morgan Housel. Morgan wrote an article that provides unsolicited advice to recent college grads, which I wanted to share with you today, sprinkled in with a few thoughts of my own.
The beauty of this advice in typical Morgan fashion is that it applies to adults who could be in the prime of their careers.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever taken the time to think about who you are? We all have multiple identities, but how do the different people we represent come together to form who we are?
Christina Gossayn, a behavioral scientist and Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior candidate, has focused her research on how identities evolve over time, especially under the mantle of responsibility that comes with age. Our self-reflection can take a backseat as we juggle various roles, from professionals to parents.
For many, particularly working parents, the struggle to make time for reflection is real. Christina and I discuss practical ways for individuals to prioritize and define their purpose amidst the hustle of daily life.
Here are three key takeaways:
- Understanding the value of taking time to contemplate one's purpose and objectives even amidst daily responsibilities.
- Acknowledging that our identity is not static but constantly shaped by experiences and reflections opening doorways to authentic growth and leadership.
- Challenging the notion that our careers solely define us and recognizing the importance of empathy, relationships, and personal joys.
So, as we prepare to embark on this journey into self, I invite you all to take a step back, reflect, and maybe discover something new about the ever-changing landscape of your own identity.
Please enjoy my conversation with Christina Gossayn.
I am the product of a tight-knit, small-town community.
While searching for a job during college, I was fortunate to cross paths with Darrell and Melodee Hoff, who became my first career mentors.
Darrell recently passed, and I wanted to share not only the practical skills I learned from him but also the profound influence of his mentor in shaping my personal and professional outlook to this day.
Here are a few key takeaways
- Mentors can deliver more than business lessons,
- How you define family is up to you,
- As Darrell always used to say, “Plan the work and work the plan.”
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Did you know that the path to choosing the "right-fit" college for your child could also lead to life lessons in self-advocacy?
I welcome back Holly Markiecki-Bennetts, a high school guidance counselor and college advisor who is also a mom to one + twins! Holly is a testament to thoughtful and intentional educational decision-making. While many high school seniors embark on the nerve-wracking odyssey of college applications, laden with standardized test scores and wide nets, Holly worked with her oldest daughter to choose a different path.
Our conversation focuses on the challenges students face when transitioning from high school to college, from mastering study habits to time management. Holly brings her 20-year experience in education to the table, offering tangible strategies like using physical planners and the importance of study breaks to enhance learning retention.
A few critical takeaways
- Don't let the fear of failure creep into your college planning journey
- Understand the difference between homework and study and the skills each requires
- Self-advocacy is an invaluable lesson to teach kids in middle and high school
This conversation provides a deeper understanding of the emotional impact of the college planning process on students and parents, as well as valuable resources and parenting perspectives.
I hope you can reflect, relate, and rethink how we guide our children through one of life's most transformative passages.
Please enjoy my conversation with Holly Markiecki-Bennetts.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Follow the Show And Never Miss an Episode
Follow the show on Apple Podcast |Podurama | Amazon Music | Spotify
ubscribe to the show on Apple Podcast |Google Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify
At retirement, your whole financial life essentially collapses down to one binary question: will your money outlive you, or will you outlive your money?
Volatility in the market is often seen as a risk, but it's important to differentiate between the two. The real risk lies in not having a plan that can sustain your financial needs throughout retirement. It's not about meeting a benchmark; it's about developing a plan and staying committed to it.
The dominant factor in long-term financial outcomes isn't just your investment performance – it's your investment behavior.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What does the mainstream media get wrong in their economy and stock market coverage? How much does the economy influence the stock market and vice versa?
Neil Dutta, a noted business economist from Renaissance Macro Research and father of 1 plus twins, takes us on a journey into investment advice's economics and shattering stereotypes mainstream media dishes out.
Neil will debunk the myth of the 'doomer' in investment circles and offers a fresh perspective on current economic conditions, including inflation and the labor market.
My conversation goal with Neil is to help you not accept what economic headlines you read or hear. Our economy is a complex organism that cannot be explained in a two-minute segment. This is why I rely on experts like Neil who can help me dig deeper and provide meaningful information to you and families I work with.
Please enjoy my conversation with Neil Dutta.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Follow the Show And Never Miss an Episode
Follow the show on Apple Podcast |Podurama | Amazon Music | Spotify
Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcast |Google Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify
In the midst of disappointment, our emotions can run hot.
Whether it's parenting, finances, or life in general, understanding the impact of emotions on our choices is crucial. Making decisions in the heat of the moment rarely leads to positive outcomes.
Instead, creating space to step back, breathe, and gain clarity allows for better, more informed decisions. By being aware of our emotions, we can make strides toward achieving balance and clarity in our decision-making process.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Most couples think they end up in a therapist's office to talk about sex and money. But it's really deeper underlying issues couples are looking to hash out.
Dr. Joy Lere, a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of Shaping Wealth, is a leading voice in the psychology of money and applied behavioral finance.
In her practice, Joy has observed that individuals find it easier to disclose the details of their intimate encounters than to reveal the figures in their bank accounts. Joy's expertise lies in unraveling the profound connection between money and self-esteem, understanding it as an emotional flashpoint for couples and parents.
Key Takeaways
- Self-awareness is a Superpower - Learn to wield the power of understanding your own and your partner's money script to build a stronger financial future together.
- Financial Wellness is a Team Sport - Embrace financial discussions and check-ins with your partner as a path to closer bonding rather than a chore. Hint: Check out temptation bundling to make this process more enjoyable!
Joy discusses the complexities that arise when individuals in a relationship come from diverse financial backgrounds, acknowledging that such differences are frequently the seedbed for conflict. Joy's insights shed light on people's silent struggles when discussing earnings, identifying money as a cornerstone of personal identity that people fiercely guard.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Joy Lere.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Do you give an honest answer when someone asks, "How are you doing?" Or do you give the typical generic response about how "busy" you are?
Paul Graham is an investor who has worked with thousands of startup companies and is also a prolific writer. I imagine that Paul has some valuable insights into what it means to be busy.
The central thesis behind our discussion is Paul's essay "How to lose time and money." Within it, I go deep into the idea that the most dangerous way to lose time is not to spend it having fun but doing fake work.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Trust that today's conversation holds valuable guidance for those grappling with the emotional hurdles of a career change or fine-tuning work-life balance, especially busy parents.
We welcome back our resident career expert, Carrie Schochet of Purple Squirrel Advisors, to discuss everything from the delicate balance of flexibility in the workplace to maintaining privacy during a job search.
Here are a few key topics
- The strategic use of AI to navigate resumes, job applications, and interview questions,
- The subtle art of exploring new opportunities without commitment and
- The psychology of changing careers or jobs while understanding the emotional hurdles between the two.
The pandemic has reshaped the work environment. We confront the challenges and benefits of remote work, considering parents' perspectives, the desire for flexibility and social interaction, and what this means for the future of workplaces.
Please enjoy my conversation with Carrie Schochet.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
The Gap and The Gain
Do you see the horizon, but it’s not moving?
Our purpose is a lot like the horizon; it is helpful to figure out your direction and to plan your journey, but you can’t reach your purpose any more than you can arrive at the horizon.
A few years ago, I came across a book by Dan Sullivan titled The Gap and The Gain. It was somewhat life-changing at the time and continues to hold a theory I wrestle with today. A theory I discuss with the families I work with and even my kids.
The idea we discuss in this episode is how we measure progress by looking back from where we started, rather than comparing ourselves to an ever-changing endpoint.
Follow the Show And Never Miss an Episode
Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music,
Work With Paul
Contact Paul at https://www.tammacapital.com/contact or use this scheduling tool to set up your free alignment meeting.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Christina Gravert, a behavioral scientist and a new mother, has something to say about motivation and habits. Ten months after welcoming a baby into her life, Christina confronts a reality familiar to many: the struggle of balancing personal objectives, like returning to the gym, with the demands of parenthood. Her experiences have led her to probe deeper into the nature of motivation and its limitations.
Christina understands firsthand that motivation, like any fleeting emotion, can wax and wane. Through her research, Christina concludes that sheer willpower is not a sustainable strategy for long-term behavior change. Instead, Christina advocates for a more strategic approach in her insightful article, Why Triggering Emotions Won't Lead to Lasting Behavior Change
By reducing the "costs" associated with desired actions—making it to the gym, engaging in bedtime storytelling, or cooking healthy meals at home—we can make it easier to maintain these practices even when our motivation dips.
Her thoughts resonate with many who have found themselves setting ambitious New Year's resolutions, only to see their determination fade into daily life's distractions and competing priorities. Christina Gravert's insights encourage us to rethink our reliance on motivation and to create environments and systems that support our objectives, making desirable behaviors more effortless.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Christina Gravert
Why Triggering Emotions Won't Lead to Lasting Behavior Change
Hal Hershfield – Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today
Follow the Show And Never Miss an Episode
Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music,
Work With Paul
Contact Paul at https://www.tammacapital.com/contact or use this scheduling tool to set up your free alignment meeting.
Do you know what the difference between tax planning and preparation is? Were you even aware that this is a difference between the two?
Today, we delve into the often-misunderstood differences between tax preparation and tax planning. With tax season upon us, it's crucial for everyone to grasp the objectives and intricacies of both.
We discuss practical examples of tax planning, from retirement account contributions to college planning and charitable contributions. Additionally, we outline the numerous benefits of tax planning, including long-term savings, improved investment efficiency, enhanced retirement planning, and overall peace of mind.
Tax planning is an essential part of a holistic approach to personal finance, aligning closely with your family's purpose and objectives, which are both personal and financial.
Taxes touch every part of your personal and financial life. By understanding and utilizing tax prep and tax planning, your family can make more informed decisions supporting your short and long-term objectives.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Follow the Show And Never Miss an Episode
Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music,
Work With Paul
Contact Paul at https://www.tammacapital.com/contact or use this scheduling tool to set up your free alignment meeting.
oday, we're diving into the second part of our insightful series with college planning expert Heidi King. If you thought college planning was just about selecting the right campus vibes for your kids, prepare to think again.
We continue unraveling the complexities of the modern financial aid landscape, a terrain changed by replacing the expected family contribution with the new student aid index, shifting how college costs are calculated and how families can prepare.
Get ready to dive into the nuances of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), its role in college marketing, its simplification, and why even those who might not expect to qualify for aid should still fill it out.
Heidi brings us personal stories from the frontlines of college tours and campus visits, insights into the often-overlooked details of financial aid packages, and the finer points of scholarship stacking and its pitfalls.
Please enjoy my conversation with Heidi King.
Part 1 - Heidi King - The High Stakes of College Planning for Parents
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Follow the Show And Never Miss an Episode
Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music,
Work With Paul
Contact Paul at https://www.tammacapital.com/contact or use this scheduling tool to set up your free alignment meeting.
Are you feeling overwhelmed with college planning? If you're a high school senior or a parent navigating the college search process, it's understandable if you're feeling anxious.
To help guide you through this process, our host Paul Fenner shared a comprehensive list of questions to ask during your college search in the latest episode of Emotional Balance Sheet.
Paul outlines key questions to ask during your college search, covering academic, social, and lifestyle aspects. From admissions and financial aid to campus life and academic support, we've got you covered.
Plus, we've included a handy list in the show notes for your reference. Stay tuned for expert insights on maximizing financial aid and tax implications.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Follow the Show And Never Miss an Episode
Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music,
Work With Paul
Contact Paul at https://www.tammacapital.com/contact or use this scheduling tool to set up your free alignment meeting.
When is the right time to talk with your kids about planning for college? Why is finding the "right fit" school so critical, and what criteria do you use to choose it?
Heidi King has a front-row seat in helping parents guide their kids through the college planning process, especially regarding the tough emotional side. Heidi entered college advising after a mid-career change driven largely by not finding the resources her family needed as she went through the college planning journey with her two sons.
Three Key Takeaways
- There are real costs to not finding the "right fit" school. Transferring schools can increase the cost of college by $14,000 - $24,000. With 38% of students ending up transferring, it's crucial to consider the 'right fit' before commencing.
- It's essential to start early conversations about college expenses, financial affordability, and how much parents are willing to support their kids.
- The 'right fit' includes evaluating academic, social, and financial aspects. Considering the learning style, competitiveness, experiential learning (academics), size, Greek life, sports, and location (social), along with the cost (financial), is critical to finding that perfect fit.
We also touch on why tuition costs have skyrocketed and how the college planning landscape has changed due to COVID-19. Whether you're a parent exploring college options with your high schooler or wondering when to begin having conversations with your middle schooler, there is something in this conversation for every parent and family.
Please enjoy my conversation with Heidi King.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/102.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Today I reflect on the milestone of my triplets turning 13 years old and the anniversary of starting his firm, Tama Capital. I share the significance of the name "Tama" and how it represents families helping families. Through personal anecdotes and engaging conversations with others, I delves into the concept of time, emphasizing the importance of cherishing moments and being present in both parenthood and relationships. Join me as we explore the profound impact of the phrase "the days are long, but the years are short," and its relevance to navigating life's milestones and chaotic moments.
Follow the Show And Never Miss an Episode
Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music,
Work With Paul
Contact Paul at https://www.tammacapital.com/contact or use this scheduling tool to set up your free alignment meeting.
Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify
UCLA Professor and author Cassie Holmes helps us unravel the intricacies of time management and emotional investment, offering valuable insights that can reshape the way you approach your daily life.
We delve into the challenges of balancing a busy life, the inspiration behind "Happier Hour," and strategies to maximize productivity and happiness. Cassie's journey from being an assistant professor and a new mom to crafting a fulfilling schedule will resonate with anyone grappling with time constraints.
Our conversation concludes with a powerful message – intentional time investment is the key to transforming time poverty into time prosperity. By savoring ordinary moments, investing attention in relationships, and finding joy in everyday activities, you can reshape your emotional balance sheet for a richer and more satisfying life.
Please enjoy my conversation with Cassie Holmes
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Cassie Holmes
Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most
Hal Hershfield - Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today
For additional resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
In this episode of Emotional Balance Sheet, I dive into the topic of predictions and why it's crucial to steer clear of them, especially when it comes to the stock market and the economy. Join me as I share insights on the impact of predictions and why having a flexible approach is key to successful portfolio management. This episode is brought to you by Tamma Capital.
Key Takeaways:
-
The stock market and the economy are not always aligned. Understanding the distinction is crucial in making informed financial decisions.
-
Short-term market movements may not significantly impact your long-term financial plan. Keeping a focus on long-term goals is essential.
-
Avoid getting caught up in predictions propagated by social media and mainstream news. Stay informed, but don't let predictions dictate your financial decisions.
Tune in for a deeper dive into this important topic and gain valuable insights for your financial journey. Listen to the full episode on Emotional Balance Sheet.
Follow the Show And Never Miss an Episode
Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music,
Work With Paul
Contact Paul at https://www.tammacapital.com/contact or use this scheduling tool to set up your free alignment meeting.
Allison Schrager is an economist and writer who has taken on the complex subject of risk in her illuminating works. With astute perception and a flair for engaging storytelling, Allison seeks to debunk commonly held myths about risk—challenging the widely accepted mantra of 'no risk, no reward.'
Allison's work probes into the subtleties of risk management, emphasizing that while society often chooses to ignore the inherent trade-offs of pursuing greater rewards, acknowledging these risks is crucial for not only successful investing but in every aspect of life
Two Key Takeaways
- Financial planning must transcend beyond portfolio performance to include risk management and lifestyle planning.
- Consideration of inflation uncertainty and purchasing power is vital for the health of your financial future.
Please enjoy my conversation with Allison Schrager.
Eight years ago, I was introduced to someone who helped change the direction of my life. I am quite positive that I am not the only person whose life has been impacted by this one person. The funny thing, this is the first time that I have been able to speak with and thank Scott Hanselman.
Scott Hanselman is a programmer, teacher, and speaker. Although Scott maintains a full-time role for the Web Platform Team at Microsoft, it is his obsession and enthusiasm for technology and deliberate practice that I have found him to be an impactful person in my life.
I strongly encourage you to watch Scott's talk, Scaling Yourself, which is applicable for parents, younger people beginning their careers, and for people who find themselves in the throes of a life transition. Our conversation is wide-ranging, covering how we can give ourselves the gift of grace, asking ourselves if we are saving babies, and how to be intentional with our time and those around us.
Please enjoy my conversation with Scott Hanselman.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Scott Hanselman
Scaling Yourself - Video
We all know the importance of taking a breather, stepping away from our daily grind and responsibilities to recharge and rejuvenate. But how many days of vacation do we truly need to achieve that state of zen, that perfect balance between work and life?
In the whirlwind of life, we often find ourselves caught up in the vortex of work, family, and societal obligations. It's like a never-ending marathon, and we sometimes forget the necessity of pausing, of taking a breather. But, let's be honest, a single day off isn't enough to unwind. It's like taking a quick sip of water during a marathon; it helps but doesn't quite quench the thirst.
Spend some time exploring the connection between the duration of vacations and their impact on decision-making. As some research has pointed out, eight days could be the optimal length for a break to enhance cognitive function and financial planning abilities.
Ultimately, the perfect vacation is not about the number of days off but how well you can disconnect, rejuvenate, and return to your life with renewed energy and a fresh perspective. Whether that takes four days, eight days, or two weeks is entirely up to you.
So, go ahead and plan your vacation. Your financial plan will thank you for it.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How many life transitions have you been through? What did you learn about yourself going through them?
Bruce Fieler is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers and an avid collector and analyzer of life stories.
Years ago, Bruce began a journey when he embarked on a project to document the experiences of Americans from all walks of life. Little did he know that this venture would lead him to delve into the realm of transitions, a concept that seemed foreign to him initially.
Bruce introduces the term "lifequakes" from his countless conversations to describe massive disruptions lasting up to five years. It's astounding to learn that the average person goes through three to five lifequakes, spending nearly half of their life in transition.
Bruce and I discover how these "lifequakes" intertwine and impact our financial lives throughout the three stages of transitions: the long goodbye, the messy middle, and the new beginning.
From my discussion with Bruce, I hope it helps you find a better way to understand how life transitions can help us grow and uniquely shape our lives by identifying our purpose and aligning our actions with our values.
Please enjoy my conversation with Bruce Feiler.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/123.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Strategically using a bonus can boost your financial health, increase your peace of mind, and even enjoy the fruits of your labor with limited regret.
Instead of spending a bonus all at once, consider intentionally distributing it to different areas of your financial plan. This includes paying down debt, funding an emergency account, investing in retirement plans, investing in children's future (like a 529 college savings plan), and even some self-celebration.
A balanced wealth management plan, considering lifestyle and financial objectives, allows for better decision-making, stress reduction, and faster progress toward financial goals. It's crucial to ensure that the allocation of resources aligns with your purpose both personally and financially.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/122.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How would your life change emotionally, physically, and mentally after the loss of a child?
Debbie Gail is a strong, resilient woman who has transformed her pain into her purpose. Her journey began when she faced the challenges of her son's mental illness and addiction, eventually leading to his tragic loss.
Throughout our conversation, Debbie takes us on her journey of finding peace and purpose amidst the challenges of her loved one's mental illness and addiction struggles. Debbie realized early on that her need for certainty fueled her fear and prevented her from finding inner peace.
Replacing the need for certainty with a desire to contribute and help others was a powerful way for Debbie to choose peace over fear. Debbie discovered her true calling - to support and guide other parents and family members who were going through similar struggles.
Waiting for circumstances to be perfect is unnecessary, and Debbie encourages parents to embrace their children as they are, starting from now. Debbie's passion for helping other parents contributed to her writing a book, Finding Peace and Purpose amidst the Tears, so no parent feels alone.
The most important point in our conversation is this; living in peace and not fear is a choice.
Please enjoy my conversation with Debbie Gail.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
One aspect or secret to happiness can be found through strategic spending— not just spending on possessions or experiences but on what truly holds purpose in your life.
It's not about how much money you have, but how you spend it significantly affects your happiness. Research supports the idea that spending money on experiences rather than things leads to greater happiness, as the novelty of new possessions tends to fade quickly.
Additionally, trying to keep up with wealthier peers, even if you're relatively well-off, can lead to dissatisfaction and unhealthy spending habits.
To enhance your happiness and financial stability, align your spending with your purpose and long-term life objectives. This might involve investing in people, causes, or long-term projects you care about.
When we mismanage our money or our spending patterns go awry, we can feel sick and broke. How you spend your money and your physical health can have a strong correlation. When you spend money in a way that serves the purposes you intend it for, you can create happiness as well as financial stability.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/102.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever thought about a mid-career pivot? Staring down the uncertainty of making a bold decision when a new opportunity arises?
Toby Brooks, a professor at Texas Tech University, has made his fair share of career pivots. With a background in athletic training, Toby and his wife crisscrossed the country trying to secure a position with a professional sports team.
A pivotal life transition came to Toby when he realized he was missing out on precious time with his family. Upon seeing his nine-month-old daughter walk for the first time after returning from a work trip, Toby shifted his focus and prioritized his role as a husband and father.
That transition led Toby to pursue a full-time position in academia, where he could still significantly impact students pursuing their dreams. Toby uses his personal experience to motivate and guide students, reminding them to find harmony between ambition and family.
A theme of our conversation that represents itself repeatedly, especially as parents, is to savor the moments. As our relationships evolve with our children, the importance of staying connected with their interests and savoring the precious "lasts" each year as they grow older are priceless.
Please enjoy my conversation with Toby Brooks.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Imagine waking up one day, taking a moment to reflect on everything you've done, only to realize that everything should have been… well, more. Not in the materialistic sense, but more in-depth, more in enthusiasm, more in meaning.
This isn't about being greedy or trying to avoid regrets. If you've read Dan Pink's book "The Power of Regrets," you'll understand it's not about regret avoidance. It's more about truly understanding and defining what 'enough' feels like for you.
Discover the three key steps to redefine your life and unlock your full potential in wealth management.
- Expect more of yourself.
- Redefine what you think is possible for yourself.
- Re-evaluate your strategy, and when necessary, change it.
The challenge to ask yourself today is, are you living a life less ordinary? Take time to reflect on what 'more' looks like for you and whether you're on that path.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What would you do as a parent to save your struggling relationship with your kid?
Ann Coleman is a former attorney who specialized in divorce, child custody, and adoption cases. Through raising her adopted son, Ann found herself deep in research, becoming a parenting expert on how to talk with teenagers struggling with anxiety, substance abuse, and mental health challenges.
Sharing the details of her experiences as a parent, Ann walks us through her extensive research on the teenage brain and how it shaped her approach to parenting and led her to create resources for parents to use.
Throughout our conversation, Ann provides practical advice and highlights the need for self-awareness and intentional reactions in dealing with children's emotions.
Remember, reasoning with a child during emotional meltdowns often proves ineffective. Wait for a calm moment to have a thoughtful conversation.
Please enjoy my conversation with Ann Coleman.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ann-coleman-parenting-emotional-wellness/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Understand how financial decisions, big or small, can impact your family's happiness and well-being while equipping your children with an understanding of financial responsibility that ensures they make informed, conscious decisions aligned with their values and life purpose.
Conscious financial decision-making contributes to happiness: Every expenditure, big or small, reflects our priorities and affects our overall happiness and well-being.
Teaching financial responsibility is essential for kids: Instilling an entrepreneurial mindset and an understanding of financial responsibility from an early age is crucial.
A valuable parenting lesson is to teach our kids early that every dollar represents a choice, a step towards a future they have the power to shape.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/102.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What would frequent relocations mean to your career? How would you be able to handle the constant transitions?
Michelle Zak has seen her share of transitions as a former Army officer. But as Michelle moved from military to civilian life, her husband remained in the military, requiring constant relocation. Finding a career that could move with her was a daunting task.
Ultimately deciding to control her own destiny, Michelle was able to carve out opportunities on her own, leading to her launching Four Tabs Design. Michelle shared her process of identifying her passions and strengths, creating opportunities for herself, and acknowledging the element of luck involved in finding the right clients and platforms for her work.
As someone with a military background, Michelle discussed the importance of autonomy and flexibility in leadership while recognizing the military's emphasis on following a formula. She sees her current situation as an opportunity to exercise autonomy and achieve her goals on her own terms.
Please enjoy my conversation with Michelle Zak.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/115.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever wondered what Instagram would look like if it showed the real financial stories behind those perfect snapshots — the bills, budgets, and sacrifices — and how it could transform our understanding of wealth and financial planning?
An honest reflection of our lives on platforms like Instagram, including the financial challenges and sacrifices behind the scenes, would provide a more realistic understanding of wealth and lifestyle.
While it's easy to be enticed by the glamorous life that Instagram often portrays, it's crucial to understand the realities behind those snapshots. An honest Instagram, one that includes not only the highlights but also the challenges and sacrifices, would give a more accurate portrayal of what everyday life truly is.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/114.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
The Covid pandemic impacted all of us in some way, but for some, it changed their lives for better and worse.
As a mental health counselor at an academic institution, Dr. Erin Halligan-Avery needed a creative and effective way to connect students with the help they needed without meeting 1:1 with every student. This difficult situation ultimately set the foundation for Erin to become an entrepreneur.
There are often negative connotations associated with reaching out for mental health support. However, Erin discusses how reporting someone in need and reframing it as an act of care and support from the community highlighted the intention behind helping individuals become their best selves and improving together.
As a highly sensitive person, Erin shared her personal struggle with the decision to stay in her current job or take a leap of faith and start her own business running the Concern Center full-time. It took her a few months to accept this decision and embrace the role of a risk-taker.
Erin stressed the importance of finding trusted advisors and meaningful connections. She shared how relying on a community-based approach, asking for help, and embracing support can lead to success.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Erin Halligan-Avery.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/113.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What do we do when we reach a crossroads in life? How can we transform a tragedy into something meaningful that helps others?
Damon Parker comes from a family of educators, with his parents and grandparents all having careers in teaching. But after reaching a crossroads in his teaching career, Damon found an opportunity in coaching wrestling and public speaking.
After successfully building a championship wrestling team, Damon's perspective shifted, which led him to help co-found the Jones Project in memory of Josh Jones, the nonprofit's namesake who died of suicide in March 2021.
The Jones Project's mission is to bring a message of hope and healing to secondary students through the power of storytelling. Damon's gripping 60-minute presentations are not solely directed at students who are in crisis; they also are for those in the audience who don't have firsthand experience with mental health illnesses.
Mental health matters, and it begins with all of us being aware of each other as parents, kids, and friends.
Please enjoy my conversation with Damon Parker.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/112.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Do you feel unsupported in your current career position? Is the grind of your current corporate role more than you can bear?
After being laid off multiple times, including once during her maternity leave, Sarah Kahn felt unsupported by her employers multiple times, including during the pandemic lockdown. Sarah decided to detox herself from the corporate programming that had run her life and begin a new journey as an entrepreneur, specifically working with women.
Sarah's rehab transition made her realize that the corporate mindset of equating time spent with money earned needs to be re-examined. Sarah points out the importance of cultivating the ability to trust oneself in entrepreneurship and focusing on the foundational aspects of starting a business, such as identifying the ideal client and engaging in revenue-generating activities.
For any parent out there deliberating a career change, Sarah's story points out; you can be a parent and an entrepreneur; the two are not mutually exclusive.
Please enjoy my conversation with Sarah Kahn.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/110.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
As parents, what does it mean to have harmony between your personal and financial life? A demanding career, demanding kids, demanding spouse?
As a mom of four, including a set of twins, Marisa Lonic checked all those boxes (except for maybe the demanding husband) but was also asking, "What about me?"
Marisa, like most parents, was not in a position to just quit her job and start something new, especially considering that her career was part of her ambitious self. However, eventually, she transitioned from her full-time corporate career into her own business.
Throughout our conversation, Marisa shares great advice on developing reasonable objectives that work with your lifestyle, finding an accountability partner, and recognizing and managing your inner work to achieve long-term success.
Please enjoy my conversation with Marisa Lonic.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/109.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you reached a point where you want to sleep in a different room because you can no longer physically sleep in the same bed as your spouse or partner?
Full disclosure, my wife and I had reached this point where sleep loss was negatively impacting both of us. This is where internationally recognized sleep expert Dr. Wendy Troxel comes into play.
Wendy is a Senior Behavioral and Social Scientist at the RAND Corporation and holds adjunct faculty positions at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Utah. A licensed clinical psychologist and certified behavioral sleep medicine specialist, she is passionate about helping people get the sleep they need to perform at their best and live life to its fullest.
Sleep, or lack thereof, has ramifications throughout our lives with our personal relationships and financial decisions. "When people are not rested, or at their best, they don't make sound personal or financial decisions."
Sleep is this critically important health behavior, and it happens to be the one health behavior that couples regularly engage in together.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Wendy Troxel.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/108.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcast |Google Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify
Parents, can we really have it all? A thriving career, time with our significant other, and relationships with our kids?
Lori Oberbroeckling is a wife, mom of four, author, photographer, and corporate leader. Lori helps parents, especially moms who want to be extraordinary, present, and have an amazing career.
So how can you find harmony amid the daily grind? Lori shares insights from her book Secrets of Supermom (dads, this book also applies to us, so don't let the title fool you) on real-life strategies parents can begin implementing today.
Listen as we explore setting routines for homework, and household tasks can make life easier and eliminate power struggles and conflicts. We also address the guilt we can feel as parents and the stress it places on the entire family.
Three Key Takeaways
- Establishing a routine for homework is a game-changer, reducing stress and arguments for parents and children.
- Clear communication and flexibility are crucial in managing household responsibilities, preventing misunderstandings, and promoting teamwork.
- Habits and routines can be established for anything, including morning and bedtime routines or meal preparations, freeing up our limited energy to focus on things that truly matter.
"We're going to have high schoolers that eventually, or college students that are not going to want to go on family vacations with us. And things will just continue to evolve."
Please enjoy my conversation with Lori Oberbroeckling.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Lori Oberbroeckling
Secrets of Supermom: How Extraordinary Moms Succeed at Work and Home & How You Can Too!
Jayne Monroe – A Triplet Mom's Fight For Her Kids
Are you struggling to make decisions that will benefit your future self? Are you constantly prioritizing short-term gains over long-term success?
Anne Wilson is a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University and part of Laurier's Social Psychology program. Anne is fascinated by how people behave, think, and understand themselves and their social worlds, especially regarding how people make decisions.
During our conversation, we explore the science behind motivation and decision-making for our long-term selves. We examine the concept of temporal discounting and how to combat it by making our future selves feel closer to our present selves.
Anne also points out how to balance the need for distance and reflection to cope with trauma and negative experiences. Our memories and perception of time are malleable, and we discuss how to use this to our advantage to shift our mindset and accomplish our goals.
We also discuss strategies for parents to support their children's growth mindset and handling failures.
Please enjoy my conversation with Anne Wilson.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/106.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever looked into the mirror to give your future self the time it deserves?
Hal Hershfield is a social psychologist whose research focuses on decision making. As a professor of marketing and behavioral decision making at UCLA's Anderson School of Management, he has an interdisciplinary approach to understanding how people make their decisions.
In his new book, Your Future Self, Hal delves into the philosophy and psychology of how we perceive ourselves over time, identifying three common time travel mistakes and offering practical techniques to bring the future closer. We discuss the importance of considering our present and future decisions, taking small steps towards future goals, and avoiding overloading ourselves in the present.
Three takeaways
- Research shows that people who feel a sense of similarity with their future selves tend to be more satisfied with their lives 10 years later.
- Decisions regarding trade-offs such as buying an expensive car or taking out a bigger mortgage impact us through time, and the more connected we feel towards our future selves, the more likely we are to make decisions that will benefit us in the future.
- Our future self becomes more vivid as we get older, especially as we approach mid-life. For parents, every year is a transition, and every stage of parenting is tied to them, causing you to think more about your future self in relation to your children's future.
This episode provides practical techniques for bringing the future closer and making present sacrifices feel easier
“If we start thinking about investments of time, rather than expenditures, maybe we’ll start focusing on allocating time toward the things that are more closely linked to our longer-term well-being,”
Please enjoy my conversation with Hal Hershfield.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/105.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How many life transitions have you been through? Big or small? How often?
Corrie LoGiudice has transitioned through abuse, homelessness, and divorce, to name a few life-changing events. But as a successful career and business coach, Corrie has turned her life-changing transitions into a unique ability to help others through their own life transitions.
As a mother of two, Corrie understands the pressures working parents face, so she developed a concept called the "five Cs" to help parents address overwhelming situations. "I stepped down from the family business, decided to bank in on my emergency savings. I had six months of emergency savings that I was like, you know what? It's an emergency on my soul. I'm going to build my business."
Three takeaways
- There are "five overwhelming culprits" stealing working parents' time and sanity: clarity, confidence, community, conditioning, and consistency.
- Personal mission and fulfilling impact are crucial for parents in their business or career.
- Finding the right fit for coaching is important and can be compared to finding the right fit for therapy. For example, one-on-one coaching is more focused on self-awareness, group coaching is more maintenance and accountability, and Masterminds are better for people who are further along and have done some coaching.
The big thing that stops people from moving forward is fear, and it's ultimately fear of failure, so if you can consciously make the change, it's much easier than dealing with change during a pivotal life moment.
Please enjoy my conversation with Corrie LoGiudice.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/104.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcast |Google Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify
What if you had a child on the autism spectrum who couldn’t find a job? Not because they couldn’t work but because of a lack of opportunities.
This was the challenge that Steve Bier was facing with his autistic son Sam who was highly functional. After being challenged by his wife, Barb, Steve invested $30,000 and bought a popcorn company in 2014. Today, Popcorn For The People employs between 70 and 80 men and women with some form of disability who might not have had the chance to find meaningful work.
As Steve pointed out during our conversation, a job is worth way more than the money for someone with special needs. A job could be a lifeline to being and feeling independent. To build social skills that are challenging under “normal” circumstances. And for parents, a job can be an opportunity to see their children develop in ways that they likely thought were unimaginable.
Doing good that tastes good is probably the best way I would describe Steve and the organization he has helped build.
Please enjoy my conversation with Steven Bier.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/103.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever come to a fork in the road where the home you have today is not the home you need now or in the future? How do you answer the question, do we stay and remodel our existing home, or do we look to relocate?
Steph Morris is an experienced expert in design who helps families make emotional and financial decisions regarding home living. Similar to what I do as a financial advisor and a quarterback in football, Steph and her team at North + Birth get people into the right places, communicate what needs to be done, and execute a game plan throughout life's many transitions.
As a degreed designer and parent, Steph points out what every family needs to know when considering remodeling or relocating to a new home. Critical takeaways from our conversation include factors such as function, costs, and aesthetics of what your family needs today and how those needs will change in the future.
Steph explains how she manages the many relationships that go into a home project, her custom design process, and keeping up with trends. In addition to the multi-facet support she brings to a family, being an emotional sounding board for her clients living in the trenches of life is probably her most important role.
Please enjoy my conversation with Steph Morris.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/102.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever wanted to own an investment or vacation rental property? A place that could become a long-term retirement haven for you and your family?
Katy Bertodatto and Mark Keely are co-founders of Golden Swan Management, a property management and real estate development company located in Traverse City, Michigan. Golden Swan properties extend throughout the northwest Michigan region, with a variety of rentals—intown condos, waterfront, rural escapes—available in every season.
Probably the most critical aspect of considering an investment or vacation property is asking, "does it align with my family's purpose?" If this consideration is because you think it may be cool or have seen one too many HGTV shows that make it look easy, then you need to readdress your WHY!
Most people interested in owning a second home often do not know where to begin. Katy and Mark guide us through the critical factors you must consider and some critically overlooked considerations that people can miss when investigating an investment or vacation property.
Please enjoy my conversation with Katy Bertodatto and Mark Keely.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/101.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Are you tired of constant fighting in your relationship? Can you imagine a life where conflicts are resolved with understanding and connection instead of anger and disconnection?
Railey Molinario, a renowned Love Educator & Relationship Coach, empowers individuals to live fulfilling lives through her teachings on relationship intelligence. With a remarkable journey from abandonment at birth, Railey has become a respected leader in the industry, providing couples with the skills and knowledge needed to cultivate thriving relationships and lives.
Limited beliefs and misinformation, according to Railey, sit at the heart of how our relationships can go wrong. To overcome these challenges, education, awareness, and understanding are tools within our vast arsenal that Railey believes we should be focused on.
Throughout our conversation, Railey explains what relationship intelligence is and provides tools and actionable items on how we can build healthy relationships. From creating a common vision, which is anything from normal, to having a weekly relationship review that helps to maintain and invest in our relationship with our significant other.
Please enjoy my conversation with Railey Molinario.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/100.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
As a parent, how often do you let the stress and pressure of life bury the vision you once had inside of you? How can you pull the purpose back up to the forefront of your life?
Kassy Scarcia is a certified life coach who is on a mission to help women reclaim their confidence, take charge of their personal and professional success, and move forward without holding themselves back! As Kassy put it, she helps women learn how to listen to their internal GPS again.
Kassy has built a Sustainable Success System focused on the following three components:
- Vision Blueprint
- Confident Mindset
- Compounding Action
According to Kassy, your vision should be in front of you in some capacity every day; be it visual, written, or auditory. You should see your current reality becoming your vision.
Similar to how your financial plan will change as your life changes, your vision can and should evolve as well. But, Kassy points out, "do not fear the fear of forever."
Please enjoy my conversation with Kassy Scarcia.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/99.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Parents, do you ever feel like passing ships in the night while trying to raise active kids with your spouse/partner? How can we stay better connected during this stage of life, so we don't lose each other once our kids are grown?
Dr. Jennifer Dragonette is a licensed psychologist with expertise in relationship dynamics and trauma and is trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, specializing in working with families.
According to Jennifer's work, awareness sits at the forefront of change, especially regarding listening. The key to being an active listener is being aware of the thoughts going on within your mind but having the ability to hear and, more importantly, validate what your significant other is telling you.
Jennifer talks in depth about family systems, what they are, tips for building them, and how they can help us to avoid avoidable suffering. However, similar to how we change and our kids grow, family systems need to be adaptable and change with the shifting stages of life.
Please enjoy my conversation with Jennifer Dragonette.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/98.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Did you know that research shows that 92% of people do not keep their new year's resolutions or goals? What if you could find a way to be part of the 8% who see success pursuing their lifestyle and financial goals?
With this data in mind, Jackie Ghedine and Mimi Bishop launched their firm, The Resting Mind, to help gen X women who are struggling to define themselves personally and professionally. They developed the 8% rule of taking small steps to help women determine who they want to be, where they want to go, and how to get there.
Both Jackie and Mimi left behind high-profile corporate roles to launch their firm. A life transition that started with reflecting on an Oprah Winfrey article that helped them discover that they wanted to help bridge the worth deficit gap that women are facing.
Jackie and Mimi have developed a unique approach to utilizing energy leadership and positive psychology to help propel gen X women. They take an investigated approach that empowers women to ask for help, to help them realize they are not alone and do so with confidence and conviction.
Please enjoy my conversation with Jackie Ghedine and Mimi Bishop.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/42-gen-x-women/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How do you raise financially fit kids?
Joline Godfrey has spent a lifetime helping families to do just this. Trained as a social worker, Joline has spent most of her career being involved with kids; much of it focused on resilience. Joline has focused on this issue in a way that few people have been able.
Joline believes that financial fluency is a family activity, not just something to help kids with. When the values, practices, and conversations are woven into the family culture, this work can be easy and fun, preparing our kids for the future.
To build and understand financial fluency, you should think about it in terms of it being developmental. Building blocks that include financial, intellectual, social, and human capital (FISH).
Even for kids growing up with significant abundance, there is all too little awareness of 'what things cost' and their obligations when it comes to spending, saving, borrowing, and investing.
Joline points out that we should expand the notion of what it means to be wealthy. With raising financially fit kids, we as parents have the capacity to build strength in our kids into adulthood.
Please enjoy my conversation with Joline Godfrey.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-59-joline-godfrey-raising-financially-fit-kids/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Are you trying to find time to do more things that matter to you? Are you trying to squeeze more enjoyment out of your life?
Laura Vanderkam, a time management expert, walks us through her latest book, Tranquility by Tuesday, in which she identifies 9 ways to calm the chaos and make time for what matters. A topic that we address by asking, how can you ensure you have time to work on your long-term goals?
A returning guest to our podcast, Laura previously did extensive research on the transition from working in an office environment to working from home. A focal point of this transition involved setting boundaries, a foundational element in her new research in making time to do what matters most to you.
Don't set yourself up for failure was a critical point that Laura emphasized. By ensuring objectives/goals are reasonable, we can limit the amount of resistance that could be waiting to deter us from success.
Laura helps people determine if something is important by identifying if an event occurs three or more times in one week. She also asks, if you were on vacation, would you still want to ensure this habit endures?
One of my favorite rules Laura lays out is one big adventure, one little adventure. It is a reminder that even little things in life, such as a date with your significant other or playing catch with your kids, can be an adventure that makes life more memorable.
Please enjoy my conversation with Laura Vanderkam.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/90.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever wondered how to make realistic goals that you could achieve? Maybe a goal guru could help?
After making her own career pivot which turned into a career identity crisis, Meg Wagner launched her coaching and consulting practice, The Goal Guru. A firm that helps you define your work, align your life, and design your future.
While there is a strong emphasis on outcomes in setting goals, Meg stresses the essential element of paying attention to your feelings about what you want to achieve. You should gain clarity around your goals and the process of how to achieve vs. solely the outcome.
Specifically, in working with Parents, Meg emphasizes that parents need first to be kinder to ourselves. We should start with even smaller goals and ensure that we give ourselves time to make time for ourselves. And depending upon what stage of life we may be in, we develop and categorize goals by the roles we live in, such as career, parent, and personal to us.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/43-the-goal-guru-meg-wagner/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcast |Google Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify
What can an entrepreneur teach a non-entrepreneur? What value could a relationship like that even bring? With an open mind, it may help you build for tomorrow.
Jason Feifer is the editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur Magazine. But that is not who he is or what defines what he does. Instead, Jason Feifer is a person who tells stories in his own voice.
As a successful editor, author, speaker, and podcast host (there isn't much he doesn't do), Jason doesn't work simply with entrepreneurs; he works with all of us through his valuable skill of telling stories that help us build for tomorrow. But what exactly does that mean?
It centers around not panicking when you see change coming or when it has already arrived. The ability to learn to apply filters reduces the constant and consistent noise that surrounds us. And the capability to help liberate ourselves from nostalgia and build a new narrative for our lives.
Jason lays out three important questions we should ask ourselves if we are to liberate ourselves from nostalgia and build a new narrative of our lives. Additionally, he provides great frameworks for utilizing Richard Ryan's self-determination theory and Bethenny Frankel's theory of buckets.
But one of my favorite topics we covered was at the end when we talked about how LeBron James has an intense focus on "making the main thing, the main thing."
Please enjoy my conversation with Jason Feifer.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/97.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcast |Google Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify
Are we in a recession, headed for a recession, and does it really matter given that in 2022 we experience one of the worst-performing stock and bond markets ever?
How will a continued robust job market, slowing inflation, and higher interest rates impact corporate earnings this year? These are all topics that will have some impact on your portfolio performance this year and potentially into 2024.
Jordan Jackson is a global market strategist at JP Morgan. Jordan has authored several papers on the economy and markets and is responsible for conducting research for JP Morgan's Guide to the Markets, which I utilize in managing investment portfolios.
Although the US as a whole may not be in a technical recession, if you look at industry by industry, there are certainly specific sectors that are in a downturn, such as technology, residential and commercial real estate, to name two.
Jordan and I dive headfirst into what the economic and corporate earnings data may mean to investor portfolios.
We also go deep into how much sleep Jordan is getting as a new father, and he shares the best thing about being a new dad.
Please enjoy my conversation with Jordan Jackson.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/96.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What happens when the person you most want to influence is you? Setting and achieving goals for yourself at work, home, and in relationships—is harder than it seems. So how do you know where to start?
Ayelet Fishbach, professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, has focused much of her career on determining what motivates people. From, how do you carry on in the face of roadblocks and distractions to how do you decide which tasks and ambitions to prioritize when facing multiple responsibilities.
Through her research, Ayelet discovered that there is a certain structure for getting things done. Understanding why your goals are important is a critical first step. However, there is a balancing point where your goal must be fun or intrinsically motivating. Ayelet uses an example of putting together a financial plan. Unfortunately, most people do not believe this to be a fun exercise, which is likely why families put off dealing with their financial situations until they are forced to.
Motivation is likely high when you set a goal and high when you can see the finish line. Ayelet points out that goals often die in the "middle problem," especially long-term goals. For example, take retirement planning. A goal of this type needs to be broken into sub-goals and into the smallest unit that makes sense. Rather than measuring retirement progress in days or weeks, think of it in terms of years or even decades.
An often-overlooked aspect of achieving your goals is ensuring you have the right support people around you to help. Of course, letting people know what your goals are is a great first step. However, as Ayelet discusses, people who understand your goals can encourage you to keep going when you are down, which can be a highly motivating factor in achieving success.
Please enjoy my conversation with Ayelet Fishbach.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/95.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How does knowing your ideals and purpose how help you to figure out what you want out of life? How does someone begin to identify what their ideals and purpose are?
Mercedes Coffman is a licensed marriage and family therapist. Born in Suriname, South America, Mercedes has experienced a wide range of different cultures and dynamics, which have led to a better understanding of sensitive issues among culturally diverse groups.
Having a background in working with people challenged by addictions, Mercedes has learned first-hand that when people do not have a solid understanding of their purpose, they can often turn to addictions to fill the gap. Addictions do not necessarily have to be drugs and alcohol, but instead can be behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.
When it comes to our most important relationship with our spouse or partner, Mercedes doesn’t see money as the biggest relationship issue but a lack of communication and connectedness that often drives people apart. You can have a spender and saver in the same relationship, and the couple manages money perfectly fine because they don’t stop communicating with each other.
Please enjoy my conversation with Mercedes Coffman.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/94.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Did you know that there are 12 stages of burnout? Did you also know that burnout can show up in many different forms within your life, such as physically, mentally, and emotionally?
Dr. Morgan Levy is a licensed psychologist focusing on working with executives and professionals from all over the world. As a high-achieving professional, you’ve always valued your drive, perseverance, and ability to get things done. Dr. Levy helps people to channel these skills to optimize their life in the workplace and beyond.
Throughout our conversation, two points became a point of emphasis; expectations and mindfulness.
An underlying cause of burnout can be our inability to manage expectations. Mindfulness is our ability to be present in the moment. You can also think of mindfulness as our ability to be aware of our emotional temperature.
When it comes to burnout, anxiety, or stress, Dr. Levy warns us not to wait until we are struggling to reach out for help. Pay attention to those around us who may see the warning signs of something serious before we can see it ourselves. She also encourages us to practice mindfulness when times are good, when we can build up our muscle memory, to be used when we face stressful situations.
Be sure to check out the show notes for a link to access Dr. Levy’s Mindfulness for Busy Professionals workshop on January 19th. Use the code TAMMA50, to receive 50% off!
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Morgan Levy.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/93.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Do you feel overworked and on your way to burnout? Have you returned to running a chaotic life as we move into a post-Covid world?
Burnout is the number one topic that Melody Wilding, a licensed therapist and coach is helping to address with her current clients. A year ago, Melody was on our show when she launched her book, Trust Yourself, and how she helps highly sensitive and high-achieving professionals overcome the emotional challenges of leadership, management, and success.
One of the ways Melody has seen a reduction in burnout is to take things off your plate, not expand it: adding by subtracting. To do this, you must become very clear about what you want or are trying to optimize in your life. As Melody puts it, it's not the big obligations that bring us down; it's the small death by a thousand cuts commitments.
Melody addresses three strategies that help us to stop overthinking and make decisions faster. Strategies that can also help in our quest to define what "enough" is for ourselves.
Please enjoy my conversation with Melody Wilding.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/73.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Are you setting yourself up for success, joy, and excellent and extraordinary outcomes based on the things you choose to focus on? For example, can you choose to "Think Like a Champion?"
From the locker room to the board room, Dr. Amber Selking has dedicated much of her life's work to the power of Mindset and Leadership to drive lasting change in businesses, on athletic teams, and in individual lives.
Amber has turned her knowledge of mindsets into a playbook that can bring awareness, choice, and focus into your life to help you make better life decisions. Wherever you are, and whatever you're doing, you can do it better by being better. Who we are drives what we do.
A key takeaway from Amber's work is this; our thoughts affect our emotions > our emotions affect our physiological response > our physiological response is what ultimately drives our behavior and, therefore, our performance. Bottom line, our thoughts, and our mindsets determine how we show up for life.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Amber Selking.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/69.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How can parents help their kids make the most of their studying time? And why is it okay for kids not to like their parents when it comes to studying?
Barbara Oakley is a distinguished engineering professor at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Her work focuses on the complex relationship between neuroscience and social behavior—a focus that has driven her curiosity about how people, especially kids, learn how to learn.
As a parent who struggles with getting their kids to study, Barbara reminds us that it’s okay for our kids not to like us when it comes to studying. “Other kids and teachers will tell your kids what they want to hear rather than what is best.” Parents know intuitively what is best for their kids in the long run, but in the short term, that can pose challenges.
Growing up disliking math and science because she wasn’t good at it has helped drive Barbara’s career in practical teaching and academic research. She has found that people can perform a Mindshift, which can help unlock your hidden potential regardless of age or background.
A critical key to learning that Barbara points out over and over is that consistent repetition is the strategy that leads to breakthrough learning. Barbara explains what the most helpful strategy for learning is and why. A secret, it is related to a tomato.
Finally, as many other prominent guests have addressed with kids and adults, Barbara talks about why it is not always a good strategy to follow your passion. Doing so can limit your options and ability to learn new things that you think are too hard but could help propel your life and career further than ever imagined.
Please enjoy my conversation with Barbara Oakley.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/92.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What if you woke up and suddenly realized you had more time? Not just hours, days, or weeks, but decades?
Avivah Wittenberg-Cox thinks about time in not only decades but in 25-year increments. As someone who thought in her thirties she would be retired at age 60, she now finds herself starting anew again, refreshed by the ability to start something new because she may only be at the halfway point of her life.
With this point of view, Avivah wrote a Harvard Business Review article that, instead of focusing on the challenges and stresses of being a working parent, she instead focused on the joy, knowing that this would be one of many life transitions.
There were four areas that Avivah, looking back now, wished were easier to remember while she was in the middle of raising her family. One of the most important was loving your spouse or partner and not demoting your relationship to the bottom of the pile.
According to Avivah, "longevity means that, more than ever, we need to plan for change. Using the gift of decades requires acknowledging their existence and deciding what you want to do with them. People say you can't have it all, but the gift of time gives us new options to have a lot more than we ever thought possible."
Please enjoy my conversation with Avivah Wittenberg-Cox.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/91.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Are you trying to find time to do more things that matter to you? Are you trying to squeeze more enjoyment out of your life?
Laura Vanderkam, a time management expert, walks us through her latest book, Tranquility by Tuesday, in which she identifies 9 ways to calm the chaos and make time for what matters. A topic that we address by asking, how can you ensure you have time to work on your long-term goals?
A returning guest to our podcast, Laura previously did extensive research on the transition from working in an office environment to working from home. A focal point of this transition involved setting boundaries, a foundational element in her new research in making time to do what matters most to you.
Don't set yourself up for failure was a critical point that Laura emphasized. By ensuring objectives/goals are reasonable, we can limit the amount of resistance that could be waiting to deter us from success.
Laura helps people determine if something is important by identifying if an event occurs three or more times in one week. She also asks, if you were on vacation, would you still want to ensure this habit endures?
One of my favorite rules Laura lays out is one big adventure, one little adventure. It is a reminder that even little things in life, such as a date with your significant other or playing catch with your kids, can be an adventure that makes life more memorable.
Please enjoy my conversation with Laura Vanderkam.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/90.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How would you go about staying out of a divorce attorney's office?
Find a great divorce attorney to listen to?
Jim Sexton is an accomplished New York divorce attorney who has seen it all throughout his 20 plus year career focused on divorce law. What makes Jim unique is that he took his life experience and work as a divorce attorney and created a book, How to Stay in Love: A Divorce Lawyer's Guide to Staying Together.
Jim's experience has led him to believe that marriages and other committed relationships fail for two fundamental reasons. One, you don't know what you want, and two, you can't express what you want. This lack of communication with yourself and your partner is often the relationship killer.
Throughout our discussion, Jim highlights actionable steps that you can take to help solidify your relationship, such as leaving your spouse/partner a little note of gratitude, a weekly win/fail walk, and a "hit send now" email. The basis for these actions is all focused on the need to keep checking in with yourself and your spouse/partner.
I agree with Jim that it's better to stay in love, stoke existing love, than to slowly fall out of love and try to find it again. This is a process that you control and that the person you love controls. How great is that?
Please enjoy my conversation with Jim Sexton.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-61-jim-sexton-how-to-stay-in-love/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How do you help your kids develop good money habits? How can you overcome the challenges that simply talking about money can bring?
Bill Dwight, a lifelong software engineer, faced these questions while he and his wife were raising their five kids. So, Bill did what any reasonable person would do facing a problem such as this; he started his own company, a "Virtual Family Bank." FamZoo, the company Bill created, integrates prepaid card accounts with family finance software to help parents and kids develop responsible money habits through hands-on experience.
FamZoo, short for the family zoo, which Bill said represented what he and his wife were going through, seeks to encourage certain money habits within kids, such as spending, savings, and giving responsibly. These are all tenants of Ron Lieber's book, The Opposite of Spoiled. Separating your resources into functional buckets is a skill worth developing for kids and adults.
Bill, like myself, also found inspiration to help teach our kids about money through the work of David Owen and his book, The First National Bank of Dad. The premise is that kids learn best by doing and what better way to teach sound financial habits than to let kids actually have control of how they use their money.
An unexpected benefit of helping to teach your kids about money is that it can help parents deal with their own issues surrounding money. In addition, it can create great conversations about money between kids and parents and between spouses and partners.
Be sure to listen to the end, where Bill talks about his favorite financial parenting hack, which I completely support!
Please enjoy my conversation with Bill Dwight.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/89.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How can you link hostage negotiating with building better relationships with your family, spouse/partner, and kids? How can you keep your emotions in check when situations become intense?
Gary Noesner spent over 30 years in the FBI, ten of which were as the Chief Crisis Negotiator. A few of you may know Gary from the Netflix series Waco, as Gary was one of the negotiators between the FBI/ATF and religious cult, the Branch Davidians, in Waco, TX.
From dealing with highly intense situations, Gary has turned his experience and expertise into helping people build better relationships through active listening. The ability to respond to someone shows that you were indeed listening.
Gary uses M&M candy on how to do this. Consider that in every conversation you have with somebody, the chocolate center is the story, what are they trying to tell you, while the outer shell of the candy is the reflection of emotion, how are they feeling.
From Gary's perspective, the cornerstone of being a good listener and communicator is self-control. Think of a teeter-totter; when emotions are high, our rational behavior goes down. So, we must focus on our emotions and lower our temperature when situations become tense.
Please enjoy my conversation with Gary Noesner.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/88.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcast |Google Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify
How does your view or interaction with money affect your relationships? How does your spouse or partner view money? Have you ever been challenged getting on the same page with money?
Ed Coambs, a firefighter turned financial advisor turned marriage and family financial therapist, knows a lot about walking into high-intensity situations, navigating "the flames," and walking everyone out safely. These proverbial "fires" are no stranger between spouses and their financial lives. Ed has become a thought leader in Financial Therapy- the professional field that blends personal finance and counseling psychology to effect positive, lasting change for families.
Understanding our relationship around money becomes more complex when interwoven with our closest relationships, such as a spouse, partner, or kids. Ed's work focuses on identifying the underlying issues causing marital money stress by helping to identify your attachment styles.
Your attachment style impacts all areas of your life: Your relationships, finances, work life, and parenting. There are four adult attachment styles that Ed and I discussed, which have a direct impact on the quality of your inter-personal relationships – anxious (also referred to as Preoccupied), avoidant (also referred to as Dismissive), disorganized (also referred to as Fearful-Avoidant), and Secure.
Ed and I also discuss the impact parents can have on developing our kids' views and emotions toward money, which could stick with them throughout their adult lives.
Please enjoy my conversation with Ed Coambs.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/87.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How can parents engage their kids in conversations about money? And how do those conversations shape kids' thoughts and future financial choices?
Margaret Echelbarger has spent much of her career researching the unique connections between kids and their financial decision-making processes. Currently, Margaret is an assistant professor of marketing at Stony Brook University. She also explores the behavioral side of marketing by learning how kids make those financial decisions now and into the future.
Whether we realize it or not, as parents, our children are always watching our financial decisions in what we buy, how we buy, and even how buying makes us feel. Margaret's research has shown that kids can understand competing priorities at an early age, which can help them even recognize the concept of you get what you pay for.
Most parents likely have stereotypes about money that influence their unique behaviors, but parents who talk to their kids about money can overcome their own money insecurities. In research that Margaret has reviewed, parents who talk with their kids about money can statistically help their kids financially succeed in the long term.
Teachable financial moments for our kids are abundant, so parents should not worry about finding the perfect time to discuss money-related topics. As Margaret points out, kids at an early age are trying to connect the emotional dots between spending and savings. For example, does saving feel good or bad vs. spending?
Please enjoy my conversation with Margaret Echelbarger.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/86.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How can parents engage their kids in conversations about money? And how do those conversations shape kids' thoughts and future financial choices?
Margaret Echelbarger has spent much of her career researching the unique connections between kids and their financial decision-making processes. Currently, Margaret is an assistant professor of marketing at Stony Brook University. She also explores the behavioral side of marketing by learning how kids make those financial decisions now and into the future.
Whether we realize it or not, as parents, our children are always watching our financial decisions in what we buy, how we buy, and even how buying makes us feel. Margaret's research has shown that kids can understand competing priorities at an early age, which can help them even recognize the concept of you get what you pay for.
Most parents likely have stereotypes about money that influence their unique behaviors, but parents who talk to their kids about money can overcome their own money insecurities. In research that Margaret has reviewed, parents who talk with their kids about money can statistically help their kids financially succeed in the long term.
Teachable financial moments for our kids are abundant, so parents should not worry about finding the perfect time to discuss money-related topics. As Margaret points out, kids at an early age are trying to connect the emotional dots between spending and savings. For example, does saving feel good or bad vs. spending?
Please enjoy my conversation with Margaret Echelbarger.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/86.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What do you want to go after in life unapologetically? Are you willing to be strategic and give yourself the intentionality you deserve?
Jenny Wood is an executive at Google who helps people thrive in their careers. So much so that she founded and led Own Your Career (go/OYC), one of Google's largest and fastest-growing career development initiatives.
"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." This quote by James Clear, author of the best-selling book, Atomic Habits, has helped lead Jenny to launch her site dedicated to helping you get what you truly want.
With Jenny, it starts with being strategic in deciding what to do or what not to do when it comes to anything in life, be it your career, parenting, or relationships. Having systems in place that help you to drop, delegate, do, or delay are all central tenants in helping you get to where you want to go.
In addition to being strategic, Jenny points out, you also need to be intentional and have pride in what you focus on and what you are going after. No apologies.
Jenny also shares how she sometimes deals with the guilt of having a demanding career and being a mom. The coordination tax levied on working parents, but that by being a hard-working mom, can have lessons her kids can learn from.
Listen to Jenny describe her FLIP system to help decide if you are ready to make a career change, launch your side hustle, or in Jenny's case, chase her future husband off a rail platform in New York City.
Please enjoy my conversation with Jenny Wood.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/85.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Why do we look to make additions when trying to solve a problem or work through one of our many life transitions? What if we reversed the equation and considered what we could subtract to improve our lives?
University of Virginia engineering professor Leidy Klotz has given this idea much thought. So much so that he wrote the book, Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less. I believe the ability to subtract helps us in our journey to define what "enough" is within our lives. A topic that has been central to many conversations as people continue to encounter expected and unexpected life transitions.
With most people, parents, in particular, the problem is we are overloaded. We have roared back from the Covid pandemic, determined to get back to our overscheduling and thus stressed-out lives. But what if we can step back and recall one of the benefits of Covid if we were lucky enough to see it? The ability to remove things from our lives which in turn make us happier?
This is the most significant takeaway from reading Leidy's book, which was reinforced during our conversation. We are biologically conditioned to feel more competent and happier when we add things to our lives. But in reality, those additions create the opposite effect.
Leidy points out that we tend to use addition as a substitute for thinking. Research has proven time and time again that when we are hurried and stressed, we make bad decisions. So slowing down, and taking our time, naturally means we must subtract something from our day to let us think to make better decisions both financially and personally.
Please enjoy my conversation with Leidy Klotz.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/84.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Am I providing my family with the best possible life I can?
That was the question that Cullen Roche, an accomplished author, writer, and expert in global macroeconomics, behavioral finance, and monetary theory, brought to our attention during our conversation.
We also discussed the topic of inflation, what it is, how to understand it, and where it is going. Do you ever wonder why the US government is not bankrupt because of the national debt? It's because the US government is not your average household, and we talk about why that is too.
Cullen and I also discuss the critical aspects that a wealth advisor provides, which do not involve stereotypical investment management. There is nothing sexy about helping people to allocate their savings to support their wealth management plans. However, it is rewarding life work to see families have the protection they need from unforeseen circumstances and help them through the transition of retirement or putting their kids through college.
The most interesting part of our conversation for me focused on defining what is "enough?" As Cullen put it, if we could simply put into perspective what we already have, our definition of "enough" would look wildly different than it currently does today.
And as a parent, listen to Cullen's closing remarks on how being a parent for him is like re-living his youth.
Please enjoy my conversation with Cullen Roche.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/83.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Ep.82 –
When you envision what retirement looks like, what comes to mind first? Bucket lists, freedom, the ability to do anything you want? What about the loss of identity, purpose, or relationships?
Our lives are full of under-rated transitions, and the transition from your career to retirement, in my mind, is one of the most critical transitions that we do not talk about enough. I'm not talking from the financial side; I am more concerned about the emotional side of retirement.
Fortunately, Dr. Riley Moynes has done the work and built the framework that could help ease the burden of the retirement transition for those who have yet to begin the new journey to those who are in the thick of it.
Riley has built what he refers to as the Four Phases of Retirement. Within these phases, a retiree can go from initial jubilation to extreme loss, trying new adventures and failing, and finally reaching breakthroughs. It is this last phase of breaking through that Riley has found most retirees to be the happiest.
Through his journey of going through all four phases, Riley shares his story of what each phase was like for him and a few stories from the hundreds of people he has interviewed through his retirement research.
Be sure to listen to the end, where Riley talks about how he and his wife helped to develop roots and wings in raising their two sons.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Riley Moynes.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/82.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Ep.82 –
When you envision what retirement looks like, what comes to mind first? Bucket lists, freedom, the ability to do anything you want? What about the loss of identity, purpose, or relationships?
Our lives are full of under-rated transitions, and the transition from your career to retirement, in my mind, is one of the most critical transitions that we do not talk about enough. I'm not talking from the financial side; I am more concerned about the emotional side of retirement.
Fortunately, Dr. Riley Moynes has done the work and built the framework that could help ease the burden of the retirement transition for those who have yet to begin the new journey to those who are in the thick of it.
Riley has built what he refers to as the Four Phases of Retirement. Within these phases, a retiree can go from initial jubilation to extreme loss, trying new adventures and failing, and finally reaching breakthroughs. It is this last phase of breaking through that Riley has found most retirees to be the happiest.
Through his journey of going through all four phases, Riley shares his story of what each phase was like for him and a few stories from the hundreds of people he has interviewed through his retirement research.
Be sure to listen to the end, where Riley talks about how he and his wife helped to develop roots and wings in raising their two sons.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Riley Moynes.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/82.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What if you had to choose between your family or your career? While the answer may seem obvious, the complications behind such a decision can be endless.
This is the precise situation that Jayne Monroe and her husband Mike found themselves in after having one of their triplet boys diagnosed with ADHD. A situation that came to a tipping point after their son was kicked out of multiple schools and childcare facilities.
While Jayne, above all else, wanted to put her family first, taking a step back within her career was made more difficult as she was on an upward track to an executive management role within her company. Not to mention the financial challenge of helping support their family of six.
Jayne talks emotionally about her nine-month journey to have her son properly diagnosed. Between waitlists and doctors who wanted to brush her aside, Jayne had to fight to get the proper care that her son desperately needed and deserved. Not only for him but the entire Monroe family.
You must be willing to tell your story repeatedly, Jayne emphasized. And while waitlists may deter you, there is a reason why the best facilities have one. There is a growing demand for the support kids like her son need.
Jayne also describes the emotional conversations with her husband, Mike, about how to manage a career-changing emotional and financial decision. She pointed out that constant and consistent communication was key in helping them through this life-changing situation. And also, not expecting your spouse to be able to read your mind was also helpful.
Please enjoy my conversation with Jayne Monroe.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/81.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What if you had to choose between your family or your career? While the answer may seem obvious, the complications behind such a decision can be endless.
This is the precise situation that Jayne Monroe and her husband Mike found themselves in after having one of their triplet boys diagnosed with ADHD. A situation that came to a tipping point after their son was kicked out of multiple schools and childcare facilities.
While Jayne, above all else, wanted to put her family first, taking a step back within her career was made more difficult as she was on an upward track to an executive management role within her company. Not to mention the financial challenge of helping support their family of six.
Jayne talks emotionally about her nine-month journey to have her son properly diagnosed. Between waitlists and doctors who wanted to brush her aside, Jayne had to fight to get the proper care that her son desperately needed and deserved. Not only for him but the entire Monroe family.
You must be willing to tell your story repeatedly, Jayne emphasized. And while waitlists may deter you, there is a reason why the best facilities have one. There is a growing demand for the support kids like her son need.
Jayne also describes the emotional conversations with her husband, Mike, about how to manage a career-changing emotional and financial decision. She pointed out that constant and consistent communication was key in helping them through this life-changing situation. And also, not expecting your spouse to be able to read your mind was also helpful.
Please enjoy my conversation with Jayne Monroe.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/81.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
As a parent, do you see raising your kids as an opportunity to improve yourself? Does being a parent help or force you to change the behavior you want to model for your kids?
Todd Adams is a regular dad trying to do extraordinary things. While maintaining a full-time career, he and his wife, Cathy, started Zen Parenting Radio over 11 years ago. A podcast that helps expand compassion through the lens of a spiritual & emotional mom and a logical & practical dad.
But being a dad, Todd wanted to focus and help other dads be better. So after a long weekend with a group of his guy friends, Todd launched Men Living, a non-profit committed to improving men’s lives through connection.
A consistent topic among parenting and health experts I speak with is that modeling the behaviors we want our kids to see starts with self-awareness. The ability to take our own temperature and realize what direction the pendulum of life is currently swinging in is a critical first step in self-awareness.
As Todd points out, we need to pause and notice events without judgment. To develop the ability to lay down our defenses and realize that our spouses or partners are here to help us.
Finally, we touch on the hot topic that all parents are dealing with: how to manage electronic devices with our kids. Todd lays out three steps he has learned and uses with his three daughters, which could help you and your family. Spoiler alert, the key is to be flexible.
Please enjoy my conversation with Todd Adams.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/80.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
As a parent, do you see raising your kids as an opportunity to improve yourself? Does being a parent help or force you to change the behavior you want to model for your kids?
Todd Adams is a regular dad trying to do extraordinary things. While maintaining a full-time career, he and his wife, Cathy, started Zen Parenting Radio over 11 years ago. A podcast that helps expand compassion through the lens of a spiritual & emotional mom and a logical & practical dad.
But being a dad, Todd wanted to focus and help other dads be better. So after a long weekend with a group of his guy friends, Todd launched Men Living, a non-profit committed to improving men’s lives through connection.
A consistent topic among parenting and health experts I speak with is that modeling the behaviors we want our kids to see starts with self-awareness. The ability to take our own temperature and realize what direction the pendulum of life is currently swinging in is a critical first step in self-awareness.
As Todd points out, we need to pause and notice events without judgment. To develop the ability to lay down our defenses and realize that our spouses or partners are here to help us.
Finally, we touch on the hot topic that all parents are dealing with: how to manage electronic devices with our kids. Todd lays out three steps he has learned and uses with his three daughters, which could help you and your family. Spoiler alert, the key is to be flexible.
Please enjoy my conversation with Todd Adams.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/80.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What if, one day, you decided to quit your job? Without having another one already lined up?
This is the email Anya Kamenetz sent, which instantly grabbed my attention. Anya covered education for many years at NPR. She speaks, writes, and thinks about learning and the future. Anya is a returning guest. You can find our previous conversation in the show notes.
Our conversation focuses on two main points
- How does someone finally reach their tipping point to make such a bold career decision, and
- The impact that Covid has had on children, which she addresses in her newest book, The Stolen Year: How Covid Changed Children's Lives, And Where We Go Now.
When reflecting on her career, Anya points out that from her perspective, a career fills three buckets – financial, day-to-day experience, and identity. Anya also talks about her struggle with the best way to use her talents and skills in service of making the world better.
The cost of closing our schools for so long during COVID, made with good intentions, has not yet been fully reckoned with. Anya makes the case that 2020 wasn't a lost year–it was taken from our children, by years of neglect and bad faith. We have failed to put them first.
To get more people involved in this critical conversation, the first five listeners who email me, I will send you a free copy of Anya's new book.
Please enjoy my conversation with Anya Kamenetz.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/79.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What if, one day, you decided to quit your job? Without having another one already lined up?
This is the email Anya Kamenetz sent, which instantly grabbed my attention. Anya covered education for many years at NPR. She speaks, writes, and thinks about learning and the future. Anya is a returning guest. You can find our previous conversation in the show notes.
Our conversation focuses on two main points
- How does someone finally reach their tipping point to make such a bold career decision, and
- The impact that Covid has had on children, which she addresses in her newest book, The Stolen Year: How Covid Changed Children's Lives, And Where We Go Now.
When reflecting on her career, Anya points out that from her perspective, a career fills three buckets – financial, day-to-day experience, and identity. Anya also talks about her struggle with the best way to use her talents and skills in service of making the world better.
The cost of closing our schools for so long during COVID, made with good intentions, has not yet been fully reckoned with. Anya makes the case that 2020 wasn't a lost year–it was taken from our children, by years of neglect and bad faith. We have failed to put them first.
To get more people involved in this critical conversation, the first five listeners who email me, I will send you a free copy of Anya's new book.
Please enjoy my conversation with Anya Kamenetz.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/79.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Eight years ago, I was introduced to someone who helped change the direction of my life. I am quite positive that I am not the only person whose life has been impacted by this one person. The funny thing, this is the first time that I have been able to speak with and thank Scott Hanselman.
Scott Hanselman is a programmer, teacher, and speaker. Although Scott maintains a full-time role for the Web Platform Team at Microsoft, it is his obsession and enthusiasm for technology and deliberate practice that I have found him to be an impactful person in my life.
I strongly encourage you to watch Scott's talk, Scaling Yourself, which is applicable for parents, younger people beginning their careers, and for people who find themselves in the throes of a life transition. Our conversation is wide-ranging, covering how we can give ourselves the gift of grace, asking ourselves if we are saving babies, and how to be intentional with our time and those around us.
Please enjoy my conversation with Scott Hanselman.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-46-scott-hanselman-scaling-yourself/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
My guest this week is Scott Kapeller, a leader in pharmaceutical sales and, more importantly, the father of triplet girls. Scott is a good friend and neighbor of mine in which we share a lot of similar life experiences, one of which is being the father of triplets.
One of the life-changing experiences that Scott and I share is that we both went through a significant job loss within our careers. I can always see with great clarity the day I was delivered the news that I was no longer wanted. Scott explains, getting the dreaded text, "I know you're traveling can you call-in quickly." Being 1,800 miles away from home and thinking nothing of what this call was about, Scott called into the home office and learned of an unanticipated fate.
In our conversation, Scott walks through the emotional roller coaster that began on that fateful day. Although he thought that hearing the news that he was being released was the bottom, Scott later learned that he wasn't even close to the bottom.
Scott published his journey on LinkedIn in what he refers to as his manifesto. Within it, Scott lays out five valuable lessons that all job seekers could benefit from, especially during these trying times of COVID-19 with so many layoffs and restructurings.
In addition to Scott's five lessons, he also provides his insights into five tips that you should be doing if you're not employed or even if you are employed that will help you get through this life transition, which includes paying it forward.
Paying it forward is another characteristic that Scott and I share, which means helping others during their time of transition, just like there was likely someone who helped you during your time of transition. Don't be the person who receives a call from someone in need and doesn't return it.
Finally, Scott talks about the impacts of losing his job had on his family. The sometimes challenging conversations that he had to have with his wife and triplet daughters. Going through a job transition can put additional stress on a relationship, especially between a spouse or partner, so be sure to have a network of people you can talk with outside of your immediate family.
Please enjoy this conversation with Scott Kapeller.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Scott Kapeller
The Go-Giver
Summer of Scott: Reflections of a Layoff - Scott's LinkedIn Manifesto
4 Retirement Account Options After a Job Change
What Would You Consider to be Your Most Valuable Asset?
How do you help your kids determine what they want to be when they grow up? Furthermore, how do you balance the emotional and financial sides of going through the college planning process to help them find their way?
These are questions that almost every parent and family wrestle with when it comes to raising kids. Fortunately, there are professionals to help parents along this journey, like Holly Bennetts, a high school guidance counselor and licensed counselor with multiple master's degrees.
One of the hidden secrets of any planning, be it financial or personal, is the pressure it can take off you, and planning for your kid's college is no different. Like wealth planning, the best time to have conversations regarding college planning is early and often.
Holly points out many times throughout our discussion that these conversations help us determine what makes sense for our kids academically and socially when it comes to selecting the best-fit college for them. But, critically important, according to Holly, is to break these conversations into bite-sized pieces that your kids can comprehend.
Please enjoy my conversation with Holly Bennetts.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/78.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Are you willing to do the work and focus on someone else besides yourself? Are you willing to be a better person for it?
These are the same questions that drive Cathy Adams, a self-awareness expert, podcast host, & author focus on helping parents and empowering families. Cathy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Parent Coach, Certified Elementary School Teacher, Certified Yoga Teacher, and teaches in the Sociology Department at Dominican University and Elmhurst College.
11 Years ago, Cathy and her husband Todd launched Zen Parenting Radio, a podcast that helps expand compassion through the lens of a spiritual & emotional mom and a logical & practical dad.
Cathy's most recent book, Zen Parenting, dives into the seven chakras and how they intertwine with our lives as parents. Cathy explains that her journey as a new mom was not quite how she originally envisioned it, which helped lead to several life transitions that led her into therapy and parental coaching.
As Cathy pointed out during our conversation, "if it's hysterical, it's historical," a reference used in recovery programs that identify the root cause of an issue is always a few layers deep and not simply on the surface.
We can't always plan for what's next, especially as parents. What is possible is our unlimited capacity for compassion and caring—for ourselves and our children.
Please enjoy my conversation with Cathy Adams.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/77.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcast |Google Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify
How are you adjusting to parenting as we move into a post-Covid world? Are you back to the rat race and overscheduling that so many parents experience before Covid?
Dr. Lindsay Malloy is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Ontario Tech University, specializing in developmental and forensic psychology. Lindsay is also the co-founder of Pandemic Parenting, a nonprofit organization providing free and accessible science-based resources to parents and caregivers.
Pandemic Parenting began as a collaboration between Dr. Amanda Zelechoski (a previous guest) and Lindsay: two psychologists, scholars, and moms committed to sharing their expertise and research with families.
Lindsay discusses strategies parents can use to help their kids adapt to an ever-changing environment. From establishing routines and maintaining adequate self-care to understanding that your vision of balance today may look completely different than the day before. Lindsay points out that "comparison is the thief of joy."
Lindsay and her team have turned Pandemic Parenting into a digital hub for parents with multiple mediums and resources, no matter what stage of parenting you may be at. It is a free resource that I encourage all parents to take advantage of as we continue navigating through this pandemic.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Lindsay Malloy.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/76.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What has a bigger impact on our brain health, genetics, or environment? And if we can't change our genetics, can we change our environment to improve our brain health?
Dr. Teryn Clarke, a board-certified neurologist with a primary focus on memory and cognitive health, rejoins us on the show to talk about how we can optimize our brain health. As Dr. Clarke puts it, genetics may load the gun, but our environment pulls the trigger when it comes to having a healthy brain.
Throughout our conversation, Dr. Clarke focused on three specific steps we could take within our environments to help optimize our brain health, especially regarding cognitive declines such as dementia, Alzheimer's, and migraines.
Dr. Clarke points out the benefits of natural alternatives to manufactured medicines that can help improve our brain health. Alternatives include specific vitamins and melatonin, not to mention proper exercise and diet. All of which lend themselves to building healthy habits that help us sustain positive health benefits.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Teryn Clarke.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/75.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Aren't we all selling something? Our time, ideas, or influence. But what are we selling to our kids as parents?
Jay Rooke is charting a new way to become a salesperson to your kids as parents; he calls it parenting with comedy, otherwise known as Gonzo Parenting!
Jay, the father of twins, considers parenting a full-contact sport, and I couldn't agree with him more. Being in the thick of the messy, authentic, barely-controlled chaos. Sharing the humorous moments and humbling lessons learned. Reminding other parents that not one among us has their sh*t together, no matter what we see on social media, and that's okay. This is the essence of what Jay has created at Gonzo Parenting.
A formula that Jay and I discuss when it comes to parenting is this: Parental Happiness = Self-care.
To make this formula work and to be a successful parent, you must fill your own bucket. You must pour empathy, compassion, and time into your spouse or partner. Although it takes a village to raise a family, it takes an entire community when raising multiples!
As Jay put it, "parenting allowed me the opportunity to do some personal work that I may never have done if I didn't have my set of twins."
Please enjoy my conversation with Jay Rooke.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/74.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Do you feel overworked and on your way to burnout? Have you returned to running a chaotic life as we move into a post-Covid world?
Burnout is the number one topic that Melody Wilding, a licensed therapist and coach is helping to address with her current clients. A year ago, Melody was on our show when she launched her book, Trust Yourself, and how she helps highly sensitive and high-achieving professionals overcome the emotional challenges of leadership, management, and success.
One of the ways Melody has seen a reduction in burnout is to take things off your plate, not expand it: adding by subtracting. To do this, you must become very clear about what you want or are trying to optimize in your life. As Melody puts it, it's not the big obligations that bring us down; it's the small death by a thousand cuts commitments.
Melody addresses three strategies that help us to stop overthinking and make decisions faster. Strategies that can also help in our quest to define what "enough" is for ourselves.
Please enjoy my conversation with Melody Wilding.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/73.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How did we go from one extreme to another with the stock market and inflation? How is inflation changing the way we go about our daily lives?
Josh Brown is the CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management and a contributor on CNBC, and these are just a few of the topics and questions we address during our conversation. Josh is a person I have been following for over a decade within the finance world who speaks with a level of energy and plain English that cuts through the noise when it comes to financial advice.
Sometimes the truth becomes an inconvenient source of advice. One of the hardest aspects of being an advisor is providing advice, while truthful and in the best interest of a family, is not one they would like to hear or accept. Josh does a masterful job of reinforcing this challenge and how critical the family/advisor relationship is.
Finally, Josh provides thoughtful insights on parenting and how much closer finalities can be for parents when they least expect it.
Please enjoy my conversation with Josh Brown.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-72-josh-brown-just-like-that-its-over/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you stopped for a moment and thought about your future self? Go ahead, take a few moments.
It’s not a natural state to think about what your future self may look like, but you could be doing yourself a huge disservice by only thinking about your present self.
Mariel Beasley is the co-director of the Common Cents Lab at Duke University, where they focus on helping people make better financial and life decisions based on behavioral science. Science that helps us determine how to treat our future self just as well as we do today.
Although we may be able to identify and name our shortcomings or biases, Mariel provides a great example around certain physical vs. cognitive limitations. Although we build tools to help us overcome these physical limitations, we try to re-train our brains around cognitive limitations.
Please enjoy my conversation with Mariel Beasley.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-71-mariel-beasley-the-mint-in-life-planning/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
My guest this week is Sandy Hodde. Sandy is a certified professional English Language Arts and Social Studies educator and taught at the high school level for 22 years. After seeing increases in high school class sizes, Sandy decided to launch her own business, Your Coach for College, to help prepare and teach kids the skills they would need to succeed in college that they weren’t receiving in high school.
In our conversation, we discuss some critical skills such as note-taking, listening, and forming good study habits that Sandy identifies as being missed within the current education system. Sandy points out why you should help develop these skills with your kids early in middle school years.
Please enjoy my conversation with Sandy Hodde
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode visit https://tammacapital.com/sandi-hodde-critical-skills-high-school-students-are-missing/.
For more episdoes go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Research shows that parents are the most influential factors in their kids' money life development. What you model to your kids growing up lays the foundation for how they think and treat money into adulthood. So how do you model good financial decision making for your kids? How do you even begin to talk with your kids about money?
Rebecca Maxcy is director of the UChicago Financial Education Initiative at the University of Chicago and leads a team of researchers who help parents talk with their kids about money. Rebecca and her team have created a unique approach that focuses on the person, behaviors, and values of money vs. dollars and cents.
Rebecca's research has found that across the nation, financial education varies by state and school district. This means most parents have to take the lead when it comes to their kids' financial education.
Financial education, similar to financial planning, never ends. It evolves continuously, and as parents, we can have a significant influence in setting our kids up for financial success by being open and having money conversations.
Please enjoy my conversation with Rebecca Maxcy.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/rebecca-maxcy-how-to-talk-with-your-kids-about-money/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What if there was a way to limit your investment risk exposure? A defined outcome where you could have a good sense of what your range of results could be?
Given the volatile stock market we have seen to begin 2022, I wanted to dedicate an episode to how I help families manage risk within our portfolio management process at TAMMA. The best way I knew how to do this was to have a conversation with Grant Copple of Innovator ETF.
Grant is a product specialist for Innovator ETFs, responsible for distribution efforts in the Great Lakes Region. He has been instrumental in the Buffer ETF landscape, helping pioneer the space over the past three years.
Grant and I discuss how Innovator ETFs™ seeks to provide investors structured exposures to broad markets, where the upside growth, downside risk management, and outcome period, are all known before investing. The result is an efficient product suite that seeks several benefits.
Please enjoy my conversation with Grant Copple.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-70-grant-copple-limiting-investment-risk/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
In this episode, Dan Pink talks about finding your motivation, figuring out what you're good at, and combining the two to create success for yourself.
How does someone become a multi New York Times best-selling author? First, ask yourself, what do you do when no one is watching?
Dan Pink, a 4-time New York Times Best Selling author, shares his story on becoming a prolific researcher and writer. How his side hustle of writing, and a conversation with his wife, turned into the journey of a lifetime.
Dan's story leads us into an inspiring conversation about the advice we give to our kids and ourselves. When we give our kids advice or try to find our own way, asking what is your passion, is not the right question we should be asking. Instead, a better question to ask is, what do you like to do, or more important, what are you good at.
Our conversation weaves together multiple topics that we all deal with in life, such as what motivates us, how to change, how our work defines our identities, and much more.
Be sure to check out the show note link below where we list several of the excellent resources that Dan brings up throughout our discussion.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dan Pink.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/38-dan-pink-motivation/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Are you setting yourself up for success, joy, and excellent and extraordinary outcomes based on the things you choose to focus on? For example, can you choose to "Think Like a Champion?"
From the locker room to the board room, Dr. Amber Selking has dedicated much of her life's work to the power of Mindset and Leadership to drive lasting change in businesses, on athletic teams, and in individual lives.
Amber has turned her knowledge of mindsets into a playbook that can bring awareness, choice, and focus into your life to help you make better life decisions. Wherever you are, and whatever you're doing, you can do it better by being better. Who we are drives what we do.
A key takeaway from Amber's work is this; our thoughts affect our emotions > our emotions affect our physiological response > our physiological response is what ultimately drives our behavior and, therefore, our performance. Bottom line, our thoughts, and our mindsets determine how we show up for life.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Amber Selking.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-69-dr-amber-selking-the-playbook-for-building-championship-mindsets/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Am I going to be okay? The question—not explicitly about money is posed by everyone from the ultra-wealthy to the just-getting-by, from the retiree to the just-getting-started. No matter the lifestyle, accent, politics, or favorite sports team, everyone I meet wants to take care of their families, remain or get healthy, be generous to others, enjoy their hobbies, and excel at work.
These words set the stage for Brian Portnoy's book, The Geometry of Wealth: How to Shape a Life of Money and Meaning. These remarks also set the foundation for an in-depth conversation with Brian, which also included key thoughts and takeaways from his latest book, How I Invest My Money.
Brian and I also discuss experienced happiness, which comes and goes, vs. reflective happiness, which requires work. I strongly encourage you to give Brian's book a read and be sure to check out the other resources we discussed during our talk.
Please enjoy my conversation with Brian Portnoy.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/funded-contentment-am-i-going-to-be-okay/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Who wouldn't want to provide their family with peace of mind during an emotionally difficult life situation such as losing a loved one? Or the ability to tell your story about how you would like your children to be cared for when you are no longer able?
There are many misconceptions about what an estate plan is and isn't, but one thing is for sure, it allows you to tell your story on how to protect your family and provide them peace of mind when you need it most.
This week I speak with estate planning attorney Kristen Rajagopal, Founder of Bequest Law in Atlanta, GA. Kristen walks us through what four critical documents make up a complete estate plan. Documents that help us through incapacity, to documents that help us protect our children and those who mean the most to us when we are no longer here.
Please enjoy my conversation with Kristen Rajagopal.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/estate-plan-how-to-create-the-best-gift-for-your-family/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Why do we tend to avoid the question of "why" when it comes to our personal and financial lives?
In over 20 years of being an advisor, I have learned that financial planning is more about feelings than numbers. And no expert epitomizes this point more than Carl Richards.
For ten years, Carl was the creator of the Sketch Guy column, appearing weekly in The New York Times. Carl, a Certified Financial Planner™ as well, works with advisors such as myself to help break down complex financial concepts into easy-to-understand ideas that we can take action on.
Carl emphasizes throughout our conversation that if security exists at all, it is a feeling, not a number. The good news from Carl’s standpoint is this means we can have some control over it; the bad news, this means it's up to us to learn how.
But how do we learn about money and these feelings around it when no one has taught us? First, Carl points out, "we largely talk around money instead of about it. When we go to talk about money, it's suddenly very emotional. We expect it to be rational, but it quickly ends up in the realm of feelings, and we say, "I'm never going to do that again."
As Carl suggests, we need to ask questions, clarify the conversation, and don't calculate but listen instead.
Please enjoy my conversation with Carl Richards.
View the show notes here: https://tammacapital.com/ep-68-carl-richards-money-feelings-why-and-enough
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Who doesn't think about resolutions and creating new goals to achieve at the beginning of the year? But what drives us to make those resolutions and goals? And more importantly, how will we reach them?
Each new year, Diane Soulliere would begin a cleanse to help detox her physical body from the toxins that had built up over the prior year and to help herself promote a healthy lifestyle. But then, she paused and asked, "I perform this cleanse for my body, but could I do a cleanse to improve my financial and emotional health?"
Through her journey, Diane discovered what was really valuable to her and began to align her spending accordingly. One critical factor that allowed her to accomplish this was to give herself a 24 hour grace period before she made any purchases. More often than not, she would not move forward with the purchase because it wasn't aligned with what she valued or, quite frankly, needed.
Since the beginning of the year, what has occurred has likely changed Diane's life forever, not necessarily from a financial perspective but from an emotional standpoint. This transition helped Diane understand that trying to "buy happiness" was not making her happy but learning to understand what she valued today and long-term did.
Please enjoy my conversation with Diane Soulliere.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/ep-67--diane-soulliere--the-journey-of-a-financial-cleanse-leading-to-emotional-understanding.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What do you think of first when you hear the term behavioral science? It is a topic that I research and read about constantly as it sits at the precipice of my work with families. Behavioral science, to me, is a toolbox that I use to help families be happier, healthier, and wealthier.
There is no better person to talk about this topic than a behavioral researcher. Allison White is just that person. Allison works for Dan Ariely at the Common Cents Lab, where she leverages behavioral science to conduct product research that aims to improve individuals' financial decision-making. Her work sits at the intersection of design research and behavioral science that help to drive behavior change.
Throughout our conversation, Allison and I tackle topics that tend to hinder families' and individuals' financial decisions and growth. Our ability to think about making tradeoffs amidst resources scarcity, whether time or money. We talk about how we can make good decisions for our present self and future self.
Most people want to be financially responsible, but we can easily fall into an attention gap where our actions do not support the values we want to achieve. Allison identifies some strategies on how we can overcome this gap.
Please enjoy my conversation with Allison White.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/allison-white-simple-joys.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
You may save for years to help pay for your kids to go to college, but what happens when they get there? Will they have the skills to succeed or know where to find the right resources to help them figure out this new life transition?
Nicole Martinez has spent her entire career in academia helping prepare kids to have a successful college career. Nicole currently works in the exploratory advising office at Purdue University Northwest. Additionally, Nicole has taught strategies for academic success and career & professional development courses that help kids develop the skills they need to succeed, such as studying, time management, and test-taking.
Throughout our conversation, Nocile provides direct tactics and strategies for both students and parents on how to navigate this new life transition. Parents need to continue paying attention to their kids' work throughout college. It is essential for parents to get proxy rights to access student files which are especially critical when it comes to the mental health aspects of their children.
A critical takeaway from our conversation for parents and students would be this; don't be afraid to ask for help. There are resources available on college campuses such as career centers, academic advisors, and professors who have open office hours who want to help make this a successful transition.
Please enjoy my conversation with Nicole Martinez.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit www.tammacapital.com/ep-65-nicole-martinez-helping-kids-prepare-for-collegetammacapital.com/65.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Starting over is hard, but what if you were starting over in a new country where you didn't even speak the language?
This is precisely where Emil Izrailov found himself as a seven-year-old when his parents made the courageous decision to immigrate to the US. Growing up, Emil found himself helping to support his father's restaurant business and learning firsthand what true grit and determination were. Traits that would serve him well when he began his own career.
Today, Emil works in helping people with one of their biggest financial decisions, buying or refinancing a home as a mortgage broker. By having a front-row seat to someone's financial life, Emil helps people discover ways to utilize equity in their homes that support their financial and lifestyle plans.
While Emil tells stories of how he has helped public service professionals such as police officers, firefighters, and first responders, he also discusses his specialization in working with young medical professionals graduating from med school or those finishing their residencies.
Specifically, Emil's firm, Lake Michigan Federal Credit Union, has developed a "medical program" tailored to help doctors, dentists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and similar medical professionals buy a home without student loan debt getting in the way.
Please enjoy my conversation with Emil Izrailov.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-63-emil-izrailov-living-the-american-dream/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What would having a better perspective mean to us? Would it allow us to see little problems for what they are, little? Or big challenges for what they are?
Ben Feller is a former award-winning Chief White House Correspondent for The Associated Press. A journalist for 20 years, Ben spent many years questioning and covering Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, gaining perspective like no other.
Through his experiences in working within the White House, Ben discusses how this unique perspective allowed him to see life through different lenses. It was a journey that allowed him to take the concept of Big Problems/Little Problems and transition into a new career helping his clients tell their stories.
Ben talks openly about finding himself at yet another crossroads, as many of us do during our life journey. Now he is writing about his personal passion: being a dad.
Ben's forthcoming book is the story of how a dad teaches his son to solve the daily challenges of life – and, in turn, the surprising ways in which a child can teach a grown-up to remember what is important, too.
As one life transition leads to another, Ben's story helps remind us that this life journey is a tale about perspective, patience, and the ability to conquer frustration no matter the problem!
Please enjoy my conversation with Ben Feller.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-63-ben-feller-big-problems-little-problems-a-father-son-journey/
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How often are we looking for the quick fix to a health, personal, or financial problem?
How often do we dismiss looking at the root cause and attacking a problem from within vs. searching outward for a quick remedy, someone to blame, or an investment that has the potential to shoot to the moon?
Dr. Thomas Kay has seen these scenarios play out within his missionary work and working with his patients as a primary care physician in a life full of transitions. Rather than going with the flow of a broken medical insurance system from Dr. Kay's perspective, he wanted to provide people with the ability to find their identity.
Dr. Kay believes that the spirit, body, and soul are all inner connected, which led him to create a holistic medical practice focused on root cause medicine and not quick-fix solutions. Dr. Kay explains how his functional medicine and direct primary care practices work together to help people find their center.
From a business standpoint, Dr. Kay's practice is unique because patients pay a monthly subscription vs. using traditional health insurance.
From a healing standpoint, Dr. Kay's practice is unique because it is forward-thinking, not reactive, to helping people live better lives.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Thomas Kay.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-62-dr-thomas-kay-a-holistic-way-to-finding-your-identity/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How would you go about staying out of a divorce attorney's office?
Find a great divorce attorney to listen to?
Jim Sexton is an accomplished New York divorce attorney who has seen it all throughout his 20 plus year career focused on divorce law. What makes Jim unique is that he took his life experience and work as a divorce attorney and created a book, How to Stay in Love: A Divorce Lawyer's Guide to Staying Together.
Jim's experience has led him to believe that marriages and other committed relationships fail for two fundamental reasons. One, you don't know what you want, and two, you can't express what you want. This lack of communication with yourself and your partner is often the relationship killer.
Throughout our discussion, Jim highlights actionable steps that you can take to help solidify your relationship, such as leaving your spouse/partner a little note of gratitude, a weekly win/fail walk, and a "hit send now" email. The basis for these actions is all focused on the need to keep checking in with yourself and your spouse/partner.
I agree with Jim that it's better to stay in love, stoke existing love, than to slowly fall out of love and try to find it again. This is a process that you control and that the person you love controls. How great is that?
Please enjoy my conversation with Jim Sexton.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-61-jim-sexton-how-to-stay-in-love/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What if you had a superpower that you didn't realize you had? A superpower that had the potential to change things from bad to good?
Karen Allen would tell you that superpower is your ability to make choices.
Karen knows the power of making choices firsthand which she describes in her TEDtalk centered on the tragic loss of her husband and instantly becoming a single mother, changing her life forever. An experience that eventually springboarded her into a career of helping others make life beautiful in the mess.
Stop and shift is a critical component that Karen describes in detail that helps to allow people to put their arms around the challenges of life. The ability to make choices, that superpower, deciding how we choose to engage can help to lead us to exponential growth.
Karen points out that your mindset is a key driver to helping you take charge to create the change you want in your life. Life presents us with ample opportunities to practice making choices, to change our mindset. Opportunities that allow us to keep showing up and doing the work.
Please enjoy my conversation with Karen Allen.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-60-karen-allen-stop-and-shift-how-to-make-life-beautiful-in-the-mess/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How do you raise financially fit kids?
Joline Godfrey has spent a lifetime helping families to do just this. Trained as a social worker, Joline has spent most of her career being involved with kids; much of it focused on resilience. Joline has focused on this issue in a way that few people have been able.
Joline believes that financial fluency is a family activity, not just something to help kids with. When the values, practices, and conversations are woven into the family culture, this work can be easy and fun, preparing our kids for the future.
To build and understand financial fluency, you should think about it in terms of it being developmental. Building blocks that include financial, intellectual, social, and human capital (FISH).
Even for kids growing up with significant abundance, there is all too little awareness of 'what things cost' and their obligations when it comes to spending, saving, borrowing, and investing.
Joline points out that we should expand the notion of what it means to be wealthy. With raising financially fit kids, we as parents have the capacity to build strength in our kids into adulthood.
Please enjoy my conversation with Joline Godfrey.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-59-joline-godfrey-raising-financially-fit-kids/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How many times per day do you tell someone that you are busy? How often do you wish you had more time?
Laura Vanderkam is the author of several time management and productivity books and whose TED talk has been viewed more than 12Million times! She is also a wife and mother to five kids, so I believe she would know a thing or two about time and being busy.
Throughout our conversation, we touched on several critical topics that go beyond what you would traditionally think about when it comes to time management or productivity. As Laura discusses, life shouldn't be about a series of hacks to save us more time. But instead, we should focus on what we want to do with the time we do have!
I believe that Laura's recent book, The New Corner Office: How the Most Successful People Work from Home, is a must-read for those of you who have transitioned from working in an office to working at home. Laura and I discuss why knowing when to stop your workday is just as important as when you start it. The best way to structure your day is to match the right work to the right time. And how bringing in "a little adventure" can help reduce the stress of working from home.
When we say we don't have time, we are really saying that this is not a priority. Time is highly elastic, which means it stretches to whatever we put into it.
Please enjoy my conversation with Laura Vanderkam.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-58-laura-vanderkam-building-the-life-you-want/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What does the future of work look like? Is it an in-person, fully remote, or hybrid situation?
Lisa Hennessey, the Chief People Officer at Happy Money, has a front-row seat answering this question. When Lisa started with Happy Money over three years ago, they were a traditional company offering in-person work. Today, they have embraced a fully remote model with employees throughout the country.
Lisa talks through the transition from in-person to completely virtual work and how they are still experimenting with how to help people feel connected and the company culture they are building. Experiments deeply rooted in the Happy Money values of love, trust, and hustle. This includes a "Party in a box" that new employees receive during their initial onboarding.
Lisa provides valuable insights on what to look for in a company and questions to ask when evaluating a new career opportunity for those of you who may be considering transitioning into a remote career. Insights that are especially useful for parents trying to juggle demanding school schedules and activities.
Please enjoy my conversation with Lisa Hennessey.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-57-lisa-hennessey-developing-work-life-harmony/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
All of us are constantly trying to navigate our digital relationships. What they mean, how we interact with others, the various platforms that we choose to use. But for parents, this is especially hard when trying to navigate the digital relationships between our kids and their devices and platforms.
I first came across Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary by watching a Diane Sawyer report, Letting your phone get between you and your child, which featured Tracy's work. The piece focused on screen time's effect on young children, which is still largely not understood. However, what is clear is distracted parents on their devices can create a negative impact.
Tracy's story is unique in how she came into the field of psychology, specifically working with kids and digital mental health. Our conversation touches on many of the concerns that parents are faced with today regarding their kids. Such as anxiety, screen time usage, and how to have conversations with our kids about technology.
Tracy is quick to point out that her research is not aimed at shaming parents. Just the opposite. Tracy advocates for parents having conversations with their kids about what they are getting out of their electronic usage and discussing opportunity costs.
Adults and kids face a similar issue in that constantly disruptive social communications can damage relationships long-term. Putting constraints around our device usage and demonstrating healthy digital habits are two ways parents and kids can work together to become better digital citizens.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-56-dr-tracy-dennis-tiwary-parents-kids-electronics-be-better-digital-citizens/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Do you feel stuck, overworked, and under-utilized in your career or life? Do you realize that your life needs to change, but you are not sure how?
At some point in our lives, most of us feel this way and arrive at this level of frustration. Dr. Benjamin Ritter was no different. Feeling incredibly reactive when it came to how he was running his life, he reached a point where the pain threshold was great enough to force him to take action.
During our conversation, Ben talks about the three C's of Self-Leadership; Clarity, Control, and Confidence. A process that can help guide you through difficult periods in your life.
We talked in great detail about how to deconstruct limiting beliefs, a topic that has become a cornerstone of guests on this show. A growth focus mindset will help lead to happiness, which can lead to success in both your career and life.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Benjamin Ritter.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-55-dr-benjamin-ritter-live-for-yourself/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
We all know that self-care is critically important to our overall health and well-being. But how do you find the time for it? Where do you even begin?
Shana Schneider helps people find time in their busy schedules for fitness where they never realized they could. Her emphasis on fitness is unique in that she helps people focus on their schedules, building habits, and changing mindsets vs. simply exercising alone.
Shana, founder of the "FitStyle Your Life" approach that brings fitness into everyday life, has developed easy tips and tricks that work for beginners and workout experts. Throughout our conversation, Shana describes the five elements of FitSyle that focus on starting right where you are.
Shana is also someone to model for those of you interested in making a career transition from the corporate world to a career that can be sustainable on its own. Shana's journey is not the "follow your passion" kind. Instead, her story is about a woman who saw an opportunity to do something which aligned to her personally, that she was good at, and there was a market for.
Please enjoy my conversation with Shana Schneider.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-54-shana-schneider-fitstyle-changing-your-mindset-on-how-you-think-about-exercising/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
If someone told you that you could land a new job, making more money, in 30 days, how interested would you be?
This is precisely the offer and what interested me in speaking with career coach and consultant Gurpreet Mann. Gurpreet, who comes from both a human resources and entrepreneurial background, re-engineered the traditional sales process to help her clients find a career that fits their personal brand.
Part of Gurpreet's journey and her focus on building her brand all began when her father died. She started asking deep questions about herself and focusing her efforts on where she could make the most impact. Gurpreet began by asking "why" and letting her authentic personality come out.
A critical element in deciding to take the first step with any significant life transition is understanding the timing of when to make that decision and the risks involved. For Gurpreet, she thought through the minimal risk involved in following her calling, which she spent meaningful time researching and then did not hesitate to seize her opportunity.
Please enjoy this emotional and raw conversation with Gurpreet Mann.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-53-gurpreet-mann-how-to-develop-your-personal-brand-when-searching-for-a-new-career/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if "this" opportunity had come about? Or, what would have happened if you did take that job? As we know, the world works in mysterious ways, and part of that mystery is having conversations about the joys of the journey.
Michael Duffy thought that he was going to work for GM some 40 years ago, but as fate would have it, the job offer fell through. So instead of working for a bigger corporation, a career in academia and college athletics began.
Coach Duffy talks through his journey of being a grad assistant to the athletic director at Adrian College. Michael has been instrumental in growing the sports programs at Adrian to a combined 50 men's and women's teams. In addition, he helps to oversee and support 1,300 student-athletes and a full-time staff of 84.
While the expansion of the sports program at Adrian College has certainly been built with an underlying business model, there has also been a focus on the student athlete's academic, mental health, and community responsibility.
Coach Duffy and I also discuss the impact that parents play in being supportive or overly involved in trying to develop their kids as athletes.
Please enjoy my conversation with Michael Duffy.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-52-michael-duffy-the-journey-of-a-lifetime-in-college-athletics/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcast |Google Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify
How can we help ourselves define what "enough" is? I have struggled with this question personally, along with many people that I care about and work with. So how would knowing the difference between an ideal and goals help us to answer this question?
Kim Butler, the founder of Prosperity Thinkers and an affiliate coach with Strategic Coach, elaborates on the financial and mental constructs we build to achieve the freedom we desire in our lives. Kim's money journey began on her farm, where she and her sister looked after their dairy cows. This responsibility instilled in Kim a desire to take ownership of her life, a love for savings, and an entrepreneurial vision.
Our conversation centers around two books written by Strategic Coach founder Dan Sullivan; Who Not How and The Gap and The Gain. Both books identify how we need to re-evaluate our personal and financial lives by understanding how our vision for life differs from the goals that we set.
Our ideal life is like the horizon, always in the distance and something we strive to achieve, while our goals are the measurable actions we need to take to help take us in that direction. However, measuring our progress by looking backward and not forward is a key concept in helping us bridge the Gap and live in the Gain!
Be sure to check out the show notes which are full of the valuable resources that we talked about and more.
Please enjoy my conversation with Kim Butler.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-51-kim-butler-breaking-through-the-ceiling-of-complexity/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for
When I say triplets, what is the first thing you think about?
What about when I say triplets + 1?
For me, the first feelings I had when I found out that my wife and I were having triplets were fear, and was my wife going to be okay?
The next thought was that I had to call the auto dealership, which was our next stop after the ultrasound appointment because we would need a bigger car!
Our one-day approach to raising our triplets+1 has turned into 11 years. And if that wasn’t enough, I decided to launch my family office (financial planning) firm the day my triplets were born!
It would take a few more years before the name TAMMA was created after the birth of our “plus one” and the creative genius of my career mentor Camille Jayne. Camille is the person who actually came up with the name TAMMA, using the first initial of my wife and kids’ first name.
For this special 50th episode edition of the Emotional Balance Sheet podcast, besides my wife Theresa (who is a little podcast shy), I couldn’t think of a more appropriate guest lineup other than my triplets +1, Aiden, Madison, Mackenzie, and Andrew. Do you see the name TAMMA now?
In this extra special conversation, I welcome you to learn and get to know more about my family. If you have ever wondered what it is like being or raising multiples, this is your chance. Along the way, you will also learn how my kids earn and manage their own money and even how they pick their own stocks!
This podcast has been an amazing experience over the past year+. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to listen and be part of the experience.
Please enjoy my conversation with the Fenner Triplets+1
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-50-the-fenner-triplets1-the-journey-of-a-lifetime-raising-multiples/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
We all know that sleep is a critical component to help us function. But what if you're a parent who is struggling to help your child fall asleep?
Bonnie Dimmick was having this exact issue with her newborn and wasn't finding the help and support she needed. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands and became a child sleep consultant. Her firm, Sleep, Love, and Happiness, provides support to parents nationwide.
Although Bonnie focuses on infants and toddlers, we talk about issues facing tweens and teens whose sleep schedules naturally adjust as they grow older. A transition that has some school districts changing their start times throughout the country based on research that shows older kids learn better later in the morning. In contrast to elementary kids who learn better earlier in the morning.
While not easy, Bonnie talks about two essential elements that help kids at any age sleep better, which include establishing a bedtime routine reflecting a sense of calmness when it is time for kids to shut it down.
Please enjoy my conversation with Bonnie Dimmick.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-49-bonnie-dimmick-helping-parents-help-their-kids-to-sleep/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Are you struggling, feeling anxious, disconnected, or know that you're operating below your full potential? Do you talk about being "stuck" or "spinning your wheels?"
These are the same questions that serial entrepreneur Elin Barton was asking herself. Elin discusses how she moved crossed the country on the belief that something else was possible. When she finally let go of "how" to make it happen and just did it.
After seeing initial success in her first business, Elin decided to launch her second business to help other entrepreneurs who believe in a growth mindset and the power of community. We also discuss Elin's new book, Ready, Set, Grit: Three Steps To Success in Life, Business & The Pursuit of Happiness.
While Elin has a drive for business and helping entrepreneurs, it pales compared to her love and passion for her family.
Please enjoy my conversation with Elin Barton.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-48-elin-barton-becoming-a-serial-entrepreneur/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Would you agree that life is too short not to get the most out of every single day? So how do we get more out of our day without burning ourselves out?
Curiosity and a drive to improve his own career and personal life led Chris Belfi to take a less-traveled path. After building a career in finance working for a large multi-national corporation, Chris found that he had a unique skill for helping others stay on top of their work.
The foundation that Chris developed to build processes and systems for work, life, and families was based upon the work by David Allen in his book, Getting Things done. A foundation built upon clarity, organization, reflectiveness, and engagement.
Please enjoy my conversation with Chris Belfi
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-47-chris-belfi-learning-how-to-accomplish-more-while-working-less/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Eight years ago, I was introduced to someone who helped change the direction of my life. I am quite positive that I am not the only person whose life has been impacted by this one person. The funny thing, this is the first time that I have been able to speak with and thank Scott Hanselman.
Scott Hanselman is a programmer, teacher, and speaker. Although Scott maintains a full-time role for the Web Platform Team at Microsoft, it is his obsession and enthusiasm for technology and deliberate practice that I have found him to be an impactful person in my life.
I strongly encourage you to watch Scott's talk, Scaling Yourself, which is applicable for parents, younger people beginning their careers, and for people who find themselves in the throes of a life transition. Our conversation is wide-ranging, covering how we can give ourselves the gift of grace, asking ourselves if we are saving babies, and how to be intentional with our time and those around us.
Please enjoy my conversation with Scott Hanselman.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-46-scott-hanselman-scaling-yourself/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Wasn't parenting already challenging before COVID hit? What if you could connect with real-world resources and parents struggling right along with all of us who are trying to figure out how to meet our children's needs amid a global pandemic?
Meet Dr. Amanda Zelechoski, a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist and attorney specializing in trauma, who decided to start a non-profit to help parents like you and me. Pandemic Parenting began as a collaboration between Dr. Zelechoski and Dr. Lindsay Malloy: two psychologists, scholars, and moms committed to sharing their expertise and research with families.
Information overload, warning signs of mental health issues with our kids, spouses, and partners, and how to treat ourselves with compassion are all topics Amanda and I discussed during our conversation.
Amanda and her team have turned Pandemic Parenting into a digital hub for parents with multiple mediums and resources, no matter what stage of parenting you may be at. It is a free resource that I encourage all parents to take advantage of as we continue to navigate our way through this pandemic.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Amanda Zelechoski.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-45-amanda-zelechoski-pandemic-parenting/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How can you develop a baseline understanding of the COVID virus? For me, it wasn't about getting political, but instead, searching for people dealing with the virus on the frontlines and reading medical journals to help develop treatments.
Dr. Teryn Clarke is a problem solver by nature. She is an MD who specializes in neurology working with high-risk elderly patients. Dr. Clarke realized early on during the COVID outbreak that to help protect her patients, she would need to dive into the data and science of COVID.
During our conversation, we covered various topics related to COVID, such as how the virus spreads, what vaccines do and don't do, and where medical data comes from.
More importantly, Dr. Clarke and I discuss how we can help protect one another and our families while reducing the spread of the virus. A topic in which Dr. Clarke presents multiple examples of when you are sick, stay home!
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Teryn Clarke
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/ep-44-dr-teryn-clarke-a-non-political-take-on-treating-covid/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever wondered how to make realistic goals that you could achieve? Maybe a goal guru could help?
After making her own career pivot which turned into a career identity crisis, Meg Wagner launched her coaching and consulting practice, The Goal Guru. A firm that helps you define your work, align your life, and design your future.
While there is a strong emphasis on outcomes in setting goals, Meg stresses the essential element of paying attention to your feelings about what you want to achieve. You should gain clarity around your goals and the process of how to achieve vs. solely the outcome.
Specifically, in working with Parents, Meg emphasizes that parents need first to be kinder to ourselves. We should start with even smaller goals and ensure that we give ourselves time to make time for ourselves. And depending upon what stage of life we may be in, we develop and categorize goals by the roles we live in, such as career, parent, and personal to us.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/43-the-goal-guru-meg-wagner/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Did you know that research shows that 92% of people do not keep their new year's resolutions or goals? What if you could find a way to be part of the 8% who see success pursuing their lifestyle and financial goals?
With this data in mind, Jackie Ghedine and Mimi Bishop launched their firm, The Resting Mind, to help gen X women who are struggling to define themselves personally and professionally. They developed the 8% rule of taking small steps to help women determine who they want to be, where they want to go, and how to get there.
Both Jackie and Mimi left behind high-profile corporate roles to launch their firm. A life transition that started with reflecting on an Oprah Winfrey article that helped them discover that they wanted to help bridge the worth deficit gap that women are facing.
Jackie and Mimi have developed a unique approach to utilizing energy leadership and positive psychology to help propel gen X women. They take an investigated approach that empowers women to ask for help, to help them realize they are not alone and do so with confidence and conviction.
Please enjoy my conversation with Jackie Ghedine and Mimi Bishop.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/42-gen-x-women/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever seen a purple squirrel? It's a term used within the recruiting industry that means a hard-to-find candidate. But the term and meaning go well beyond that.
Carrie Schochet, a mom of three, wife, and entrepreneur, founded her boutique recruiting firm Purple Squirrel to help both employers and candidates find the perfect fit with their search. A process focused on integrity, ethics, and communication, allowing her firm to stand out in a crowd, just like a purple squirrel.
We talk about the latest trends in a stressed-out job market for both employers and candidates. An environment that has made it difficult for Carrie and her team, which she openly talks about.
With the changes in workplace flexibility, Carrie discusses why candidates searching for a new career need to be deliberate in their thinking about their career path. To have transparent conversations with themselves so that they understand what they need and want from their careers.
Please enjoy my conversation with Carrie Schochet.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/41-career-search-carrie-schochet/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever wondered what makes a great conversation? How being present, curious, and creative affect the quality of our conversations?
Joe Ferraro, a high school English teacher, thinks about having conversations a lot. But, more specifically, Joe focuses is on how to have damn good conversations.
During our damn good conversation, Joe talks about his journey from being a high school teacher to launching the 1% Better Podcast over four years ago. An event that has now helped him launch a new business where he helps people do just that, have better conversations now and every single time.
Joe stresses that you need to be curious and present with the person or people you are speaking with to have great conversations. An area that I tend to struggle with within my own family. But in our daily lives, Joe also points out that asking better questions naturally leads to better conversations.
Please enjoy my conversation with Joe Ferraro.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/40-joe-ferraro-one-percent-better/
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcast |Google Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify
Are you struggling with career clarity? The ability to determine what you need or want from your career and how you would go about finding it?
Lisa Miller knows first-hand the ups and downs a career can bring, which led her to transition from a corporate role/career into a business owner/entrepreneur.
Lisa's transition did not happen overnight and required her to set aside time to honestly think about what may be possible in her career. Career transitions are one of life's most significant transitions and something we likely don't give ourselves enough time to think about until a shift is forced upon us.
We spend considerable time discussing this idea because many people believe that they can flip a switch or use an equation to find what will make them happy within their careers.
We also discuss the seasonality of careers, especially for parents trying to juggle multiple financial and lifestyle priorities. Lisa points out that there may not be a perfect or dream job for you, depending upon what season of life you may be in.
To help make career clarity a reality, Lisa talks about how she utilizes the PIVOT method in assisting people in finding career clarity.
Please enjoy my conversation with Lisa Miller.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/39-lisa-miller-career-clarity/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How does someone become a multi New York Times best-selling author? First, ask yourself, what do you do when no one is watching?
Dan Pink, a 4-time New York Times Best Selling author, shares his story on becoming a prolific researcher and writer. How his side hustle of writing, and a conversation with his wife, turned into the journey of a lifetime.
Dan's story leads us into an inspiring conversation about the advice we give to our kids and ourselves. When we give our kids advice or try to find our own way, asking what is your passion, is not the right question we should be asking. Instead, a better question to ask is, what do you like to do, or more important, what are you good at.
Our conversation weaves together multiple topics that we all deal with in life, such as what motivates us, how to change, how our work defines our identities, and much more.
Be sure to check out the show note link below where we list several of the excellent resources that Dan brings up throughout our discussion.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dan Pink.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/38-dan-pink-motivation/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you noticed how organized your parents used to be? Or maybe you see that they have stopped taking care of themselves physically when you see them in-person or via FaceTime or Zoom. If so, it may be time that you have a conversation with your parents about their health and financial well-being.
Cameron Huddleston, a mom of three awesome kids, was also a caregiver for her own mom, who had Alzheimer's disease. "It was a stressful situation I wouldn't wish on anybody, but it gave me great insight into how financially devastating Alzheimer's and dementia can be."
It made Cameron realize how important it is for adult children to have conversations with their parents about their finances before a health issue or other emergency leaves their parents unable to manage their finances independently. Her situation moved her to write the book, Mom and Dad, we need to talk; how to have essential conversation with your parents about their finances.
One way to spark a conversation with parents is to ask them for advice regarding financial matters. Cameron noted that this approach could ease fears and tensions around taking the first steps to determine how you may be able to help.
Please enjoy my conversation with Cameron Huddleston.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/37-how-to-talk-to-your-parents-about-finances/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What happens when life transitions occur and what was working, suddenly stops working? What if you ask yourself, even though I am good at this work or career, do I really enjoy doing it?
These are a few of the types of questions that Lisa Mallis has asked herself and her clients on her own journey from being a high school math teacher to a coach focused on time management.
Lisa shares her insights on how she helps empower business owners and parents to create a life where you focus on the most important tasks every day, leverage your time, and work less. A concept rooted in the expression, learn how to work smarter, not harder.
Please enjoy my conversation with Lisa Mallis.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/36-life-transitions/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Do you feel like you're "not good enough" or "take things too personally" at work? Or, do you feel overworked and on your way to burnout? If so, you may be a sensitive striver.
Melody Wilding, a licensed therapist, turned coach, helps highly sensitive and high-achieving professionals overcome the emotional challenges of leadership, management, and success. Her goal is to empower people to produce high-caliber work without burning out or sacrificing who they are.
Throughout our conversation, we focus on four core values that Melody identifies in her book, Trust Yourself, that can help lead sensitive strivers to a better life and path forward. These core values can also help in our quest to define what "enough" is for ourselves.
Please enjoy my conversation with Melody Wilding.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/35-melody-wilding-trust-yourself/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What if you had a heart attack, but instead of calling your spouse or partner to get medical attention, your first thought was, "I need to meet with my manager tomorrow; this isn't convenient?"
This is precisely what Jonathan Frostick, an IT lead at HSBC, experienced and explained in a LinkedIn post that went viral. A post that caught the eye of Sarah Green Carmichael, an editor with Bloomberg, and she needed to know more about why someone would think about a meeting before calling for medical help.
Sarah talks us through the process that led her to research and writing multiple articles about workaholism. A critical takeaway from Sarah's work is that workaholics often pin the blame anywhere but on themselves. Instead, it's your overbearing boss, an always-on company culture, or rising economic inequality. However, we have the power to control what we do, the ability to "reframe" our experience to choose what is best for us.
During our conversation, Sarah shares tactics on reducing workaholism from learning how to embrace trade-offs to developing other identities outside of our work/careers.
Please enjoy my conversation with Sarah Green Carmichael.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/32-2-workaholism/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever wondered what a health coach does? If you are like me, you may have assumed that a health coach primarily deals with food, nutrition, and eating. I was wrong.
Cristin Wipfler, a registered dietician and health coach, put it this way, "health coaching is to help you feel your best, and is not a one size fits all process."
Cristin takes a unique approach and is focused on helping people shift their mindsets when it comes to how they feel about themselves. While diet and nutrition are an essential part of her health coaching practice, it is far from the most critical aspect in how she helps people.
Cristin uncovers "why" people want to change their health rather than only what they want to change. Peeling back the layers of an individual's unique personality, Cristin helps people find a voice to their story. To which she then helps to identify triggers and reframe potentially negative triggers into positive ones.
Please enjoy my conversation with Cristin Wipfler.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/34-health-coach/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
For parents, have you ever thought about how your child has made you refocus your own life? For Dr. Paula Ruffin, an unexpected pregnancy forced her to re-evaluate her own life, which brought her to the brink of bankruptcy as a single mom and business owner.
While not seeking any empathy for being a single mother and entrepreneur, there is a difficult balance to be struck that all working parents tend to face. In our conversation, Paula and I talk about balance coming from our ability to make decisions (good or bad). And the ability to be able to switch our focus from one person or activity to another as seamlessly as we can.
While convenience may be all around us, Paula talks about how her mother help lead her into the healthcare field because of inconveniences growing up.
Paula talks about her strong sense of community and wanting to grow the area where she lives and works by partnering with other businesses that want to support one another. As Paula puts it, you need to like the people you are around to be effective.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Paula Ruffin.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/33-parenting/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What if you had a heart attack, but instead of calling your spouse or partner to get medical attention, your first thought was, "I need to meet with my manager tomorrow; this isn't convenient?"
This is precisely what Jonathan Frostick, an IT lead at HSBC, experienced and explained in a LinkedIn post that went viral. A post that caught the eye of Sarah Green Carmichael, an editor with Bloomberg, and she needed to know more about why someone would think about a meeting before calling for medical help.
Sarah talks us through the process that led her to research and writing multiple articles about workaholism. A critical takeaway from Sarah's work is that workaholics often pin the blame anywhere but on themselves. Instead, it's your overbearing boss, an always-on company culture, or rising economic inequality. However, we have the power to control what we do, the ability to "reframe" our experience to choose what is best for us.
During our conversation, Sarah shares tactics on reducing workaholism from learning how to embrace trade-offs to developing other identities outside of our work/careers.
Please enjoy my conversation with Sarah Green Carmichael.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/32-2-workaholism/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Do you know what financial aid optimization is or means? Or, what about the tax and financial aid implications that taking money out of a retirement account could cause?
In part three of our three-part series focused on our college planning process, we dive deep into the financial aspects of sending your child off to college. Specifically, we will address saving, how schools optimize financial air packages, loans, and much more.
My objective with this college planning series is to help educate parents on becoming better consumers with it comes to planning for college. In addition, we want to help you take the emotional and financial guesswork out of the college planning process at TAMMA.
Recall that this three-part series focused on the college planning process is not just about saving, financial aid, or loans. Instead, the college process that I am building at TAMMA is a comprehensive look at how to plan, have conversations with your kids, and the right questions to ask students and college administrators, and professors.
I hope that you enjoy part three of our college planning process series.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/31-2-college-financial-aid/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Do you know the right questions you should be asking schools for how they will be teaching your kids to learn at their institutions? Or how the skills they may learn will translate into the working world?
In part 2 of the college planning process, we build off part 1, where I spoke about the cruel optimism we face as parents when balancing all the financial and lifestyle challenges facing us. In this episode, we focus on how to find a college or university that best fits your kids. Our need to be having conversations early with our kids about college and the blunt questions we should be asking them.
Additionally, we talk about the transfer process and how it could or could not be a good option for your kids. And, we set realistic expectations with it comes to obtaining an athletic scholarship to pay for undergraduate education.
Recall that this three-part series focused on the college planning process is not just about saving, financial aid, or loans. Instead, the college process that I am building at TAMMA is a comprehensive look at how to plan, have conversations with your kids, and the right questions to ask students and college administrators, and professors.
I hope that you enjoy part two of our college planning process series.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/30-best-college-fit/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Are you concerned about the rising costs of college? What college or university would best fit your kids? Or curious about how critical a mentor for your kids in college could be?
This week I kick off a special three-part series focused on the college planning process. It’s not just about saving, financial aid, or loans. The college process that I am building at TAMMA is a comprehensive look at how to plan, have conversations with your kids, and the right questions to ask students and college administrators, and professors.
In part one, I look at the cruel optimism we face as parents when it comes to balancing all the financial and lifestyle challenges facing us. Part two is focused on how to find a college or university that best fits your kids. And part three, I cover how to take the financial guesswork out of the college planning process.
I hope that you enjoy part one of our college planning process series.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/29-college-planning-process/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What is the difference between seizing an opportunity and not? The ability to take action in the face of fear and anxiety?
Husband, father, and serial entrepreneur, Justin Bright, has believed in himself to start not one but three businesses within the last ten years. One of which he launched in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Justin felt that he had some to offer in starting each of the three businesses, which are all in completely different industries and unrelated to each other.
Like most entrepreneurs that I have met, Justin has this enate mindset to persistent, be consistent, and have an ability to always figure things out when challenges arise, which they always do with running a small business. According to Justin, having a positive mindset is a powerful asset.
"Passing the bus test," as Justin described it, meant that he was doing everything necessary to prepare his businesses and family for the unfortunate day that he would not be here for them. A noble endeavor that was cemented by a conversation that he had with his oldest son.
Please enjoy my conversation with Justin Bright.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit https://tammacapital.com/28-entrepreneur-bus-test/.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
People often ask me what it is like raising triplets? However, I have often wondered what it has been like for a mom with a full-time career to raise six boys ranging from age 29 down to 7? Leah Nauseda is just the person to help answer this question.
Transitions have been a way of life for Leah as she talks about going through a divorce, being a stay-at-home mom, and then slowly working her way back into a new sales career. A career that highlights her natural abilities to be a great networker but an even better connector of people.
The true success of Leah's ability to raise her six boys while developing her new career has been to be open with herself, her boys, and to opportunities when they uniquely present themselves. Her ability to stay open has helped to deepen the strong relationships that she has developed with her sons and the deep connections her sons have built with each other.
Please enjoy my conversation with Leah Nauseda.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/27.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever heard the phrase, "never let a good crisis go to waste?" Whether it is a global pandemic, a housing crash, or a great financial recission, recognizing and seizing an opportunity can be a life-changer.
This is precisely what Chris Dyer decided to do back in 2009 amongst one of the worse recessions we have seen since the great depression. Faced with cutting costs and laying off people to keep his business alive, Chris went from a sticks and bricks business to a completely virtual company.
To succeed in a remote working environment, Chris points out that employees need to set boundaries, communicate those boundaries (both internal and external), and have the discipline to stick with it. Chris acknowledges that there is no natural start or stops when it comes to working remotely, which is why it is so critical for people to set boundaries so they do not fall into the trap of working constantly.
Chris advises both employees and employers to figure out how to create the right environment and determine what the practical methods necessary are to make virtual work successful for all parties.
Please enjoy my conversation with Chris Dyer.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/26.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Did you know that financial planning is more emotional than it is financial? That your cognitive biases help to shape your lifestyle and financial decisions?
Daniel Crosby is a psychologist and behavioral finance expert who wrote the book on investor and financial psychology that dovetails into our individual biases. In our conversation, we talk about Daniel's New York Times best-selling book, The Behavioral Investor, where Daniel lays out the four consistent types of behavioral risks - Ego, Emotion, Attention, and Conservatism underpinning our psychological makeup.
We also discuss the impact that COVID has had on our cognitive ability to make decisions. Social connectedness is essential to good mental health, which is one reason why we likely felt more stress during the past year because of social isolation.
Daniel talks about how his life transitioned from being a clinical psychologist who wanted to help people with eating disorders to being the chief behavioral officer for a financial company. A path that was heavily influenced by his father, who is a financial advisor.
Please enjoy my conversation with Daniel Crosby.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/25.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What if you were about to make a massive investment but were unsure what you would have to pay for the investment? Add on the fact; this investment would be one of the most emotional decisions that you would make not only in your life but the life of your child.
This is the situation that most parents find themselves in when determining what they will pay for their kids to attend college. Mark Salisbury, who spent much of his career working in higher education, wanted to change this by helping parents and students be better informed when deciding what college to attend and how much it would cost them.
Mark created a company called TuitionFit. Think of it as the Kelly Blue Book of college pricing. It is a free process where parents can upload their kids' college award letters and compare apples to apples what other kids have received from various colleges and universities.
I believe in Mark's company so much that I have decided to partner with him to create a better college planning experience for families. The first ten families who contact me, Mark and I, will personally walk you through the TuitionFit process at no cost to you.
Please enjoy my conversation with Mark Salisbury.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/24.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
You often hear the phrase, "when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade." We don't need to be in a global pandemic for this phrase to ring true. Imagine a doctor staring you in the eyes and says, "congratulations, you are having triplets."
As much as we try to plan for our futures, I often tell my Family Office clients that financial and lifestyle goals will take a back seat to unexpected priorities. You cannot prepare for everything, and that is okay. Being told that I was having triplets in 2010 was just one of many unexpected surprises that I have had to start my Family Office firm TAMMA Capital.
In this episode, I answer questions that many listeners have asked, such as what is my background, why did I start TAMMA, what life transitions have I gone through, and what does Family Office really mean?
Every person and family has a story. What is your story? How can TAMMA help to create the change that you want in your family's life?
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/23.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What if you found yourself 20 years ahead of a curve that no one saw coming? Could you imagine what working remotely full-time was 20 years ago?
This is precisely where Kim Shepherd was at the turn of 2000. A common theme with this podcast is discussing both the challenges and opportunities that life transitions can bring. Kim found herself in the middle of a life and career transition from being in broadcast journalism to business owner of a virtual recruiting business.
Kim and I dive deep into the three essential elements that make working remote possible; effective communication that is disciplined, clearly identified key performance indicators are, and trust that you will get the job done.
Please enjoy my conversation with Kim Shepherd.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/22.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
"Have you filled a bucket today" is a book that I read to my kids growing up about being kind and giving back to others? When it comes to your professional and personal networks and relationships, how much are you giving back? How full is your bucket?
Brenda Meller is a person who believes strongly in helping to fill people's buckets. A lover of pie, Brenda's social media pie, which is also the title of her new book, represents how she shares her knowledge and helps others build their networks and relationships.
Brenda, a wife, mother of two, and entrepreneur at heart, realized that she was leaving learning opportunities on the table, which propelled her to write her book. Like many former podcast guest, Brenda's story involved many life transitions, which we know, can be an extremely emotional journey. How we decide to meet these challenges or opportunities is primarily determined by our mindsets. Brenda’s mindset of giving back is a motivating one for me and I hope you as well.
Please enjoy my conversation with Brenda Meller.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/21.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
80% of jobs come from networking. And 80% of those jobs come from a third level connection. A friend of a friend of a friend. Then why is it that 95% of people are not good at networking?
Someone who knows a great deal about the human side of networking is Rich Spriggle, a net-giver focused on meaningful work, helping people who are "between successes."
Rich is a Senior Vice President at Challenger, Gray & Christmas, where he supports individuals going through a career transition. One of the most traumatic life experiences that you can go through.
Rich talks about his firsthand experience in going through a career transition himself that helped lead him to do something more meaningful with his career. Rich provides actionable strategies to network more effectively now, during, and after a career transition.
Please enjoy my conversation with Rich Spriggle.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/20.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Research shows that parents are the most influential factors in their kids' money life development. What you model to your kids growing up lays the foundation for how they think and treat money into adulthood. So how do you model good financial decision making for your kids? How do you even begin to talk with your kids about money?
Rebecca Maxcy is director of the UChicago Financial Education Initiative at the University of Chicago and leads a team of researchers who help parents talk with their kids about money. Rebecca and her team have created a unique approach that focuses on the person, behaviors, and values of money vs. dollars and cents.
Rebecca's research has found that across the nation, financial education varies by state and school district. This means most parents have to take the lead when it comes to their kids' financial education.
Financial education, similar to financial planning, never ends. It evolves continuously, and as parents, we can have a significant influence in setting our kids up for financial success by being open and having money conversations.
Please enjoy my conversation with Rebecca Maxcy.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/19.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How does a husband, father of two girls, and entrepreneur whose business pre-COVID required him to be on over 150 planes a year crisscrossing the country be the light that his family needs him to be?
Knowing who you are and what you want as a person, spouse/partner, and parent are the critical elements that help people keep stress and financial strife out of their relationships. An essential component that allows Dennis Mosley Williams to do this is quite simple, every 60 days, have something fun to look forward to.
Dennis talks with great passion about building and living for the memories and experiences of life, not status or material possessions that people think may make them happy.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dennis Mosley Williams.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/18.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
No matter if you are in a job transition, looking for a new career, trying to grow your business, or simply wanting to expand your knowledge, networking is a skill that should be in your toolset. But how do you network in the age of CVOID when most everything is virtual?
Terry Bean, a foremost expert in networking, especially within LinkedIn, discusses how to utilize social networks best to help you give and get the support you need and want.
The first step of networking successfully is to be intentional about what you are trying to accomplish. Determine what specific solution you are trying to solve, who you know that can help you solve it, and how you reach that person or group.
Please enjoy my conversation with Terry Bean.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/17.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Am I going to be okay? The question—not explicitly about money is posed by everyone from the ultra-wealthy to the just-getting-by, from the retiree to the just-getting-started. No matter the lifestyle, accent, politics, or favorite sports team, everyone I meet wants to take care of their families, remain or get healthy, be generous to others, enjoy their hobbies, and excel at work.
These words set the stage for Brian Portnoy's book, The Geometry of Wealth: How to Shape a Life of Money and Meaning. These remarks also set the foundation for an in-depth conversation with Brian, which also included key thoughts and takeaways from his latest book, How I Invest My Money.
Brian and I also discuss experienced happiness, which comes and goes, vs. reflective happiness, which requires work. I strongly encourage you to give Brian's book a read and be sure to check out the other resources we discussed during our talk.
Please enjoy my conversation with Brian Portnoy.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/16.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
The fastest way to create strife within your finances is to marry or partner with someone who has wildly different spending expectations. Layer on considerable amounts of debt, either from student loans or credit cards, can be a recipe for disaster.
Mike & Lindsay Dillon may have been headed down this road, but then something changed. They changed their mindset and decided to partner together rather than blame one another for their differing financial management styles.
Lindsay and Mike talk about how their emotions changed about money when they started working together and seeing their debt levels begin to go down significantly. They realized that their debt was a heavy load to carry, which they could feel, bringing down their relationship and family.
The couple shares intimate details about their struggles and triumphs when it comes to their wealth management plan in hopes of being able to help other couples who may be in similar situations.
Please enjoy my conversation with Lindsay & Mike Dillon
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/15.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Timing in sports, just like life, can take you to places that you would never think twice about. When one door of opportunity closes, do you have the courage to open another door?
Today's conversation with former professional baseball pitcher turned family entrepreneur Anthony Tomey is focused on Anthony's story to take a risk and open a new door of opportunity when he decided to end his professional sports career.
Anthony and his family started with one Jimmy John's franchise nearly two decades ago while Anthony was a pitcher in the Detroit Tigers minor league system. Since then, they have grown their business into 50 Jimmy John's franchises in the Metro Detroit, MI area.
Anthony dives into the details and complexities of running a family business with his Dad, Uncle, Sister, and Brother, with all the challenges and opportunities it can bring. Anthony speaks candidly about the difficulties of managing the business's needs while wanting to be present for his boys and the balance he seeks to try to make it all work together.
Please enjoy my conversation with Anthony Tomey.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/14.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
How worried should we really be about kids and tech? With kids on devices more than ever due to virtual learning, where is all of this heading? And what should we actually do about it?
Today I speak with Anya Kamenetz, the author of The Art of Screen Time: Digital Parenting Without Fear. Anya is also an education correspondent for NPR, and her work can be found in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Slate, and O, the Oprah Magazine.
Specifically, we talk about the effects that screens can have on our children's eyes, sleep, stress levels, and shared family time. Our conversation dives deep into the research on these topics and more that Anya pulled together to write her book and other subsequent articles that she has written on kids and digital devices.
Please enjoy my conversation with Anya Kamenetz
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/13.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever wondered how a chance encounter with a stranger could change the total direction of your life? How life planning meets your calling and creates a new journey for you. This episode is focused on the story of an impressionable young college student whose life would be changed by a 10-year old girl named Casey Foote who was battling cancer.
In my conversation with Molly Reeser, Molly shares the details of her attending Michigan State University and working part-time teaching horseback riding lessons. A job that would lead her to meet a young girl whose journey with cancer led Molly to start Camp Casey.
Camp Casey's mission is to provide safe, fun experiences for children and families affected by childhood cancer, rare blood disorders, and other life-threatening illnesses through accessible horseback riding programs.
Please enjoy my conversation with Molly Reeser.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/12.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Are you concerned about college and career planning for your children? While this stage in your kids' lives can be an overwhelming and emotional experience, it doesn't need to be with open lines of communication and good planning.
This week I speak with Noelle Essig, College & Career Counselor in the West Bloomfield School district located in Metro Detroit. Noelle brings decades of experience working with students and families to help navigate them through the career and college planning processes. Be sure to follow Noelle on Twitter @NoelleEssig and for additional resources along with our show notes!
Please enjoy my conversation with Noelle Essig.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/11.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Going through a job transition can be an emotional situation for most people in corporate America. But what about transitioning from military life to civilian life?
Today I speak with Bill Kiefer, a corporate executive, coach, speaker, and former officer in the U.S. Army who has experienced career and life transitions from virtually all angles.
In our conversation, we discuss the difficulties of career transitions, especially for veterans transitioning from military life into civilian life. The obstacles everyone faces during a professional or personal transition, but also the keys to success in helping you define what success could look like and a path forward.
Please enjoy my conversation with Bill Kieffer.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/10.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Who wouldn't want to provide their family with peace of mind during an emotionally difficult life situation such as losing a loved one? Or the ability to tell your story about how you would like your children to be cared for when you are no longer able?
There are many misconceptions about what an estate plan is and isn't, but one thing is for sure, it allows you to tell your story on how to protect your family and provide them peace of mind when you need it most.
This week I speak with estate planning attorney Kristen Rajagopal, Founder of Bequest Law in Atlanta, GA. Kristen walks us through what four critical documents make up a complete estate plan. Documents that help us through incapacity, to documents that help us protect our children and those who mean the most to us when we are no longer here.
Please enjoy my conversation with Kristen Rajagopal.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/9.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever thought about making a mid-life career shift while raising a family? A change to a completely unrelated career you already spent thousands of hours and multiple degrees to pursue?
This week, my guest is Jillian Moutafis, a leading real estate agent in the Metro Detroit area. The mother to three girls, Jillian, discusses her non-traditional journey into real estate from being an elementary school teacher for 12 years before deciding to make a career change. Jillian talks about why she decided to change to a more flexible career that would allow her more time with her three daughters.
Changing careers is a topic that many parents grapple with. Jillian talks about the struggle to make it work, especially in the early years, when she lost money as a realtor. And how she tried being both a teacher and real estate agent part-time, and the sign she received that finally pushed her to go into real estate full-time.
Please enjoy my conversation with Jillian Moutafis.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/8.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
What if the business that you had worked your entire life to build suddenly had to shut down? During the COVID pandemic, you likely heard of many companies that had to shut down abruptly. However, what if your business was in the medical field that put yourself and your entire family at risk?
My guest this week is Dr. Pat Qatsha, a Dentist and owner of Dream Dental. This is precisely the situation that Pat faced with his business and family. To make the situation even more complicated, Pat, wife Sonia, a Physician Assistant, was also working on the front lines of the COVID battle.
We talk about Pat's personal battle pre and post COVID to balance running and growing a business, his spouse with a demanding career of her own while raising their three young children. A relatable challenge for most entrepreneurs, especially those with families.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Pat Qatsha.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/7.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
As someone who has dealt with migraines for most of my life, stress management has always been a critical component of managing my migraines. But like most people with multiple kids, a demanding career or business, and a plethora of tugging priorities, managing stress can be extremely difficult.
Additionally, to help manage my migraines, I turned to the field of Chiropractic. Chiropractic care can often be misunderstood. To explain what Chiropractic care is and isn't, my guest this week is Dr. JR Muldoon, a Chiropractic Neurologist and owner of NeuroLogic Chiropractic Center.
In our conversation, we discuss how JR chose to focus on the niche field of neurology within the Chiropractic space, making him a leader within the field and how that translates into better care for his patients. JR talks about the changes he has seen in his patients, both mentally and physically, due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Please enjoy my conversation with Nick Raich.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/6.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Are you curious as to why the stock market has skyrocketed higher when the economy feels stuck in first gear during this global pandemic? Or why, when a company reports great earnings, its stock price can go down?
This week I speak with Nick Raich, Founder, and CEO of the Earnings Scout. The Earnings Scout is the premier provider of corporate earnings data and trend analysis. Full disclosure I am a client of the earnings scout and utilize their data in making portfolio management decisions for clients at TAMMA.
In our conversation, we dive into the markets' mechanics and talk about the variables that drive stock prices. We answer the question of why the stock market is not disconnected from the economy, as so many financial pundits would like you to believe.
Please enjoy my conversation with Nick Raich.
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/5.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
Have you ever wondered why you pay what you pay for auto and homeowners insurance, also known as property and casualty insurance? Did you know that there is a greater emphasis on tickets and accidents and frequency and severity on your insurance rates for both auto and home, respectively than any other factors from a cost perspective?
Shayna Levin, a mom of twins, licensed property & casualty insurance agent, and owner of Levin Insurance Agency with her husband, Jeff, talks about all facets of the property and casualty insurance landscape. Specifically, for families with young drivers just starting, Shayna identified three ways to reduce your auto insurance costs.
Please enjoy my conversation with Shayna Levin
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/4.
For more episodes, go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
My guest this week is Sandy Hodde. Sandy is a certified professional English Language Arts and Social Studies educator and taught at the high school level for 22 years. After seeing increases in high school class sizes, Sandy decided to launch her own business, Your Coach for College, to help prepare and teach kids the skills they would need to succeed in college that they weren’t receiving in high school.
In our conversation, we discuss some critical skills such as note-taking, listening, and forming good study habits that Sandy identifies as being missed within the current education system. Sandy points out why you should help develop these skills with your kids early in middle school years.
Please enjoy my conversation with Sandy Hodde
For show notes and resources discussed in this episode visit tammacapital.com/3.
For more episdoes go to tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
My guest this week is Dr. Laura Hutchison, a licensed psychologist, specializing in helping children and their families. Laura's private practice offers psychotherapy for children aged 2 - 12, teen girls, women, and families using a humanistic, client-centered approach. As a Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT/S), Laura also supervises clinicians and is the founder/director of the Michigan Play Therapy Training Academy that provides high-quality, affordable play therapy training for clinicians.
Along with being a therapist and entrepreneur, she is the proud mom to son, Henry, and daughter, Honor. Many people know Laura as Dr. H through her blog Play Dr. Mom that focuses on her experience being a play therapist and mom.
In our conversation, we talk about the critical importance of self-care for parents when it comes to having the ability to take care of our families. Communication between spouses and partners is now more crucial than ever to ensure that we are taking the time to stop, listen, and reflect on what is being said between each other.
Parents should recognize that it's okay to make mistakes and that we should be able to tell our spouse, partners, and kids that we are sorry. Laura stresses that how we handle these situations shows the behavior that we want to model to our kids.
Laura discusses the impact that stress can have upon our kids and how each kid handles stress differently, similar to how adults handle stress differently. Being in tune with how your child handles stress will help you determine what strategies you can you to best help your child.
Finally, Laura points out that the average person needs eight hugs per day. During times of stress such as COVID-19, adults and kids need even more personal attention. Laura's advice is not to be afraid to show emotion to your kids. I have a lot of hugs to give out every day.
Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Luara Hutchison
Resources Featured In This Episode:
Back to School During a Pandemic
The Gottman Institute - Dr. John Gottman one of the Top 10 Most Influential Therapists of the past quarter-century by the Psychotherapy Networker
Play Dr. Mom
Dennis Mosely-Williams
The New Definition of Family Office
My guest this week is Scott Kapeller, a leader in pharmaceutical sales and, more importantly, the father of triplet girls. Scott is a good friend and neighbor of mine in which we share a lot of similar life experiences, one of which is being the father of triplets.
One of the life-changing experiences that Scott and I share is that we both went through a significant job loss within our careers. I can always see with great clarity the day I was delivered the news that I was no longer wanted. Scott explains, getting the dreaded text, "I know you're traveling can you call-in quickly." Being 1,800 miles away from home and thinking nothing of what this call was about, Scott called into the home office and learned of an unanticipated fate.
In our conversation, Scott walks through the emotional roller coaster that began on that fateful day. Although he thought that hearing the news that he was being released was the bottom, Scott later learned that he wasn't even close to the bottom.
Scott published his journey on LinkedIn in what he refers to as his manifesto. Within it, Scott lays out five valuable lessons that all job seekers could benefit from, especially during these trying times of COVID-19 with so many layoffs and restructurings.
In addition to Scott's five lessons, he also provides his insights into five tips that you should be doing if you're not employed or even if you are employed that will help you get through this life transition, which includes paying it forward.
Paying it forward is another characteristic that Scott and I share, which means helping others during their time of transition, just like there was likely someone who helped you during your time of transition. Don't be the person who receives a call from someone in need and doesn't return it.
Finally, Scott talks about the impacts of losing his job had on his family. The sometimes challenging conversations that he had to have with his wife and triplet daughters. Going through a job transition can put additional stress on a relationship, especially between a spouse or partner, so be sure to have a network of people you can talk with outside of your immediate family.
Please enjoy this conversation with Scott Kapeller.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Scott Kapeller
The Go-Giver
Summer of Scott: Reflections of a Layoff - Scott's LinkedIn Manifesto
4 Retirement Account Options After a Job Change
What Would You Consider to be Your Most Valuable Asset?