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In today's episode I sit down with coach and author Amina AlTai to talk about what she calls the Ambition Trap and how it can push us toward stress and burnout instead of a life we actually enjoy. We share our own stories of chasing “perfect” success in work and money, getting sick and tired, and then slowly learning to listen to our bodies, heal old hurts, and make choices that fit who we really are. Amina explains how big goals, toxic work culture, and doing everything alone can hurt women and especially women of color, and we talk about building community, setting kind boundaries, and creating careers and businesses that support both our health and our wallets.

About our guest:
Amina AITai (pronounced AH-MIN-UH) is an executive coach and leadership trainer, proud immigrant and chronic illness advocate. A leading coach to notable leaders, executives, and founders—Amina's mastery is in connecting us to our brilliance and teaching us to live and lead from it each day. She is the bestselling author of The Ambition Trap: How to Stop Chasing and Start Living, with Penguin/The Open Field.

Amina has partnered with progressive companies such as Google, Meta, Roku, Snap, Outdoor Voices, NYU and HUGE. She's an Entrepreneur Magazine expert-in-residence, a Forbes contributor and was named one of Success Magazine’s Women of Influence. Additionally, she's been featured in goop, Well+Good, The New York Times, Yahoo, NBC, Adam Grant’s Next Big Idea Club and more.

Amina AlTai's Website
The Ambiion Trap by Amina AlTai

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In today's episode, I talk with Angel Mathis about how she paid off a big debt, saved a lot, and made work optional as a nurse. We share simple steps you can copy, like tracking your money, using your benefits, and investing a little each month. Angel also tells the real story of burnout and how clear boundaries and a plan helped her heal. We talk about buying a home with cash, taking time off to hike and travel, and building a life you love without fancy math.

About our guest:
Angel Mathis is the founder and CEO of Nurses Investing For Wealth. She’s been a nurse for 23 years and an NP for 17. She’s served as President of the King County Nurses Association in Seattle, WA and is a former American Nurses Association Advocacy Institute Fellow. Her work has been featured in journals like the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, and Journal of Infectious Diseases.

When Angel became a nurse, she started building her own money method with a singular goal: to break her family’s generational poverty cycle. Even though her first nursing job paid her just $16/hr, she was able to pay off $200,000 of debt, buy her home in cash, cars in cash, and make work optional by her mid-thirties. She’s so glad she did, because the realities of nursing left her exhausted, and she took 5 years off to recover.

Now she has turned her money method into a State Board of Nursing Continuing Education program, called Ultimate Nurse Investing. In it she teaches nurses how to fund their future using small portions of their paycheck so they can work less (and still retire early) if they want to. You can learn more, and even get her free training on her website at https://learn.nursesinvesting.com/

Fellow Nurses: How to Become Work Optional in One Hour a Month 

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In today's episode I sit down with Terry Kirk to talk about money lessons from the 1929 market crash and the Great Depression. Terry tells real stories from his book Pitfall and from life on the Chicago trading floors. We break big ideas into simple steps you can use today like how to stay calm when markets drop how to protect your savings and how to keep a long term plan. We also talk about mindset shame and starting over after a loss. By the end you will know what went wrong back then what still happens now and what you can do to be ready.

About our guest:
Terry Kirk holds a Juris Doctor (Law) and a master’s degree focused on tech innovation. After practicing law and several executive leadership roles, Kirk plunged into Canada’s fintech and innovation sectors. As a Founder & CEO of three investor-backed ventures, she oversaw capital raising and shareholder exits into large-scale companies. She also served as a Director, Private Capital Markets Association of Canada, and was named Top Female Innovator and Entrepreneur by the Advanced Technology Alliance of Canada. Following the sale of Fundingportal.com, Kirk has achieved success writing fast-paced historical fiction stories about cataclysmic events. Her debut novel, Pitfall, was published in June 2025, named A Top Book to Read by CBC Books, and is for sale on major book-selling platforms, including Indigo and Amazon. Her second novel, Plunder, expected to hit bookshelves in 2026, follows the character in the build-up to World War II. Kirk, a popular public speaker, has appeared on BNN-Bloomberg’s The Pitch, delivered a TEDx Talk on financing innovation, and is presenting Pitfall on podcasts and morning television and at literary and financial events Canada-wide.

Her author site is: https://www.TerryKirkBooks.com

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Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.

Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

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In today's episode, I sit down with Jack Howard to talk about money in a real and simple way. We share our first money memories, why feelings shape how we spend, and how to make a plan that fits your life. Jack explains Money Roots from Ally and how it can turn worry into calm. We talk about values based budgeting, easy money dates you can do with a partner, and why more people use prenups to protect love and goals. You will learn small steps you can try today like naming what you value, setting one weekly check in, and choosing one habit to practice.

About our guest:
Jack Howard serves as a leading voice in financial health and wellness, with a focus on money psychology and behavioral financial education. As a passionate advocate for financial social inclusion, Jack is committed to be a change-maker by creating programs that help prepare Brown and Black communities with tools for wealth creation that recognize the significant historical wealth disparities faced by those communities.

Ally Bank
Ally Money Roots

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Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

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In today's episode, I sit down with Jeremy Cordon to talk about simple money ideas you can use today. We chat about why prices keep going up, what gold has meant in the past, and how Goldbacks work like small, spendable pieces of gold. I ask the questions you would ask, and Jeremy gives clear answers in plain words. You will learn easy steps to start saving, spending, and gifting in a smarter way. If you want your money to hold its value, this show is for you.

About our guest:
Jeremy Cordon, Founder & CEO of Goldback Inc., is passionate about precious metals and sound money. During an internship at the Libertas Institute, he connected with Larry Hilton, which led to a role at the United Precious Metals Association (UPMA). There, he helped grow membership from 400 to 25,000. Jeremy later focused his efforts on creating Goldbacks—a physical gold currency designed to preserve wealth and strengthen local economies. Under his leadership, Goldbacks have expanded to multiple state series, empowering individuals and communities with a practical tool for financial stability.

Learn more about Goldback here
Get a free Goldback

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Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

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Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

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In today's episode I talk with Mike Dwyer about simple steps to find work and grow your career right now. We share an easy plan you can do in five hours or five days or five weeks to build momentum and take more shots on goal. We show how to make a small personal board of three or four people who will give you honest feedback and help you try new things. We also talk about durable skills like telling a clear story and using basic tools, plus ways to explore paid paths like Salesforce training and platforms such as LinkedIn and Upwork.

About our guest:
After a long career in private and public sectors, consulting stints with Ernst & Young and Deloitte Consulting and a Master's Degree in Management from Salve Regina university, Michael Dwyer and a select group of advisors developed Emplana, the career pathway.

Emplana Career, based at Cambridge Innovation Center, 50 Milk Street, Boston, primarily helps seniors discover their next chapter and white-collar professionals, especially in tech, financial services and accounting, law, risk, professional services.

Emplana Career

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Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.

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In today's episode, I sit down with Gino Barbaro, an investor and certified money coach, to talk about money, family, and simple steps to take control of your future. We dig into money stories from childhood, how they shape our habits, and how to heal them so we can find peace with our spouse and teach our kids with confidence. We break down how banks make money and what it means to become the boss of your money with values based choices, cash flow, and real estate you can understand. By the end, you’ll have small, clear moves you can start today to build wealth and feel good about money at home.

About our guest:
Gino Barbaro is an investor, Certified Money Coach®, entrepreneur & podcast host. As an entrepreneur, he has grown his real estate portfolio to over 1,800 multifamily units & $450,000,000 in Assets under management.

His mission, through Barbaro 360, is to empower families to build lasting legacies by focusing on restoring traditional values in family life, finance, and helping families create a healthier relationship with money.

Gino is the best-selling author of Happy Money Happy Family Happy Legacy. He resides with his beautiful wife Julia and their six children in St. Augustine, Florida.

Barbaro 360
Happy Money Happy Family Happy Legacy: How to Use Money as a Tool to Create Happiness in Your Family’s Life

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Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.

Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

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In today's episode, I talk with Tim Smith, a Certified Financial Planner, about how to make money simple for families. We share easy ways to teach kids about saving, spending, and giving. We also talk about the real cost of college and how to plan before loans pile up. Tim explains why small habits like using cash envelopes, checking your bank app, and setting clear goals can help you feel calm and in control. We cover how to start money talks at home, even if you feel nervous, and how to make a plan you can actually follow.

About our guest:
Timothy L. Smith, CFP® is the Founder and CEO of Aurora Private Wealth, Inc., a financial services firm specializing in wealth management for high-net-worth clients. He co-hosts The Financial Dad podcast with his daughters, focusing on financial literacy for entrepreneurs, creatives, and families. Timothy is an advocate on investment advisor fraud and is finalizing a book offering guidance on protecting investments. He has experience in public speaking and theater, including performing for three U.S. presidents.

The Financial Dad
The Financial Dad @ Youtube
The Financial Dad @ Facebook
The Financial Dad @ Instagram

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Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.

Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

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In today's episode, I sit down with Paul Compeau, a friendly CFP who helps families pay less for college. We talk about simple steps you can take right now, like filling out FAFSA the right way, building a smart college list, and knowing the real price before you say yes. Paul shares easy tips to find money you don’t have to pay back, how to ask schools for a better offer, and what to do if you didn’t save enough. We also cover common mistakes to avoid so you don’t hurt your retirement.

About our guest:
Paul Compeau is passionate about helping families figure out how to pay for college and help students develop and continue down the right path for them. He helps parents and students confidently navigate college costs while building long-term wealth. Known for his practical, values-based approach, Paul combines deep planning expertise with relatable, real-world college advice—delivered virtually across the country. Paul is a Certified Financial PlannerTM and founder of BridgeWise College Planning, serving families since 2008.

Join "How to Plan for College Without Losing Your Financial Future" here, September 30 @ 8pm ET / 5pm PT:
https://www.crowdcast.io/c/how-to-plan-for-college

BridgeWise Financial Partner
https://www.bridgewisefinancialpartners.com/

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Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.

Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

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In today's episode, I sit down with Jason Brown to talk about money, mistakes, and second chances. Jason shares how he once lost a lot of money in the stock market, then learned simple rules to trade smarter and win back his confidence. We talk about living below your means, making a short “sacrifice season,” and building habits that help your family for the long run. Jason explains options in plain language, why taking small profits adds up, and how to keep your cool when prices jump around. You’ll hear real stories about paying off a house, starting with little, and turning lessons into a plan anyone can follow.

About our guest:
Jason Brown is a stock market expert, power options trader, entrepreneur, and author who teaches the world how to confidently own their financial situations and feel empowered while doing so. Jason’s upcoming book, 5 Year Millionaire, is inspired by the pathway that led him to making his first million in just five years. Brown grew up in Detroit, Michigan and garnered motivation from his upbringing as a child who slept in a sleeping bag on the floor in his family’s home with bars on the windows, and who boldly navigated around drugs and gangs in his neighborhood, to acquire the lifestyle he always dreamed of. The term “power trading” has emerged from his journey in addition to the understanding that truly anyone can use the stock market to trade their way into their ideal lifestyle. Jason says, “it’s all about finding the right trades, applying the right option strategy, mixed with giving the stock enough time to do what you believe it’s going to do”.

Today, Jason is completely debt free, has paid off his home, and is married with two children. The Brown Report and Power Trades University are two platforms he utilizes to help his clients retrain and rewire their thought processes for comebacks no matter the financial situation that they are currently in. In Jason’s upcoming book, he highlights the mathematical fact that the average person can become a millionaire within 5 years from the stock market. Jason has been featured on Smart Passive Income podcast, The Mind Your Business podcast, His and Her Money with Talaat and Tai, and the Passive 25k podcast.

Learn More About Jason Brown Here
Five-Year Millionaire: A Roadmap for Investing in the Stock Market, Wealth Accumulation, and Financial Independence by Jason Brown

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Grab your spot in my free Financial CPR class and learn the simple steps I used to go from paycheck to paycheck to my first million.

Please join me here, and follow me on social media, Instagram, and Facebook.

Need help getting started on your path to financial freedom? Start Here

Join the Financially Intentional Community

Oh and please subscribe and leave a review on whatever app you're using to stream this podcast.

Get my book Smart Money