What if talking less could make people trust you more?

Greg Woodward, founder of Woodward Strategies, joins Elke to unpack the psychology behind persuasion, communication, and trust. From the first few seconds of a conversation to the uncomfortable power of silence, Greg explains why successful people often overwhelm others with too much information, how expertise can become noise, and why curiosity is more powerful than explanation.

They explore: • Why people resist when they feel someone is trying to influence them • How clarity and restraint can transform a conversation • Why silence can communicate confidence, empathy, and trust • The importance of being willing to walk away from a sale • How sharing the hard parts of success can shape the next generation

Whether you're building a business, leading a team, managing wealth, or simply trying to communicate better, this conversation is a reminder that more information does not always lead to better decisions. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is say less, listen more, and give people the space to think.

What if nothing is technically wrong with your life—but something inside you knows it no longer fits? In this episode of Get Your House in Order, Elke Rubach sits down with AJ Jones, founder of More, and two-time survivor of widow-maker heart attacks, to explore the uncomfortable space between success and aliveness. After his first heart attack, AJ knew he needed to change—but fear, identity, financial security, and the comfort of what he already knew eventually pulled him back into the same world. It took a second wake-up call for him to fully confront what his life was telling him.

Together, Elke and AJ explore: ● "Numb success" — what happens when achievement is high but aliveness is low. ● Why successful people postpone change: identity, golden handcuffs, fear, lifestyle expectations, and the difficulty of stepping away from a life that looks perfect from the outside. ● How to reinvent yourself without blowing up your life: AJ argues for intentional change, not recklessness, and encourages people to examine what no longer fits before making major moves. ● The five-year question: Will I be happy if this is my life in five years? If the answer is no, it may be time to start laying the foundation for change.

AJ also shares a simple exercise for anyone feeling stuck: "I want..." Write down what you truly want—without caveats, expectations, or excuses—and then look for the patterns. Sometimes clarity starts with giving yourself permission to admit what you actually want. You don't need to wait for a crisis to change your life. The real courage may be having the difficult conversations, questioning your definition of success, and making intentional choices while you still have the luxury of choosing.

Connect with AJ Jones Website: https://www.bemorealigned.com/

Connect with Elke Rubach Website: https://www.elkerubach.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elkerubach/

In this episode of Get Your House in Order, Elke Rubach sits down with Lauren Cohen, an immigration lawyer, realtor, entrepreneur, and founder of Investing Across Borders, to unpack the complexities of moving, investing, and building a life across borders. Lauren explains why buying a home, changing residency, expanding a business, or pursuing a visa can trigger consequences across your taxes, investments, estate plan, business, and—most importantly—your family.

Together, Elke and Lauren explore:

• Why your life plan should come before your financial plan—and why your situation can't be modeled on what worked for a friend.
• The hidden ripple effects of cross-border decisions, from property ownership and taxes to visas, business structures, estate planning, and family dynamics.
• Why coordination matters as much as expertise: having great lawyers, accountants, advisors, and other professionals isn't enough if no one is looking at how all the pieces fit together.
• How creating optionality and a roadmap can give families the flexibility to explore opportunities without locking themselves into a decision they may later regret.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that a major move isn't just a transaction—it's a life decision. Before you buy the house, move the money, relocate the business, or pack the boxes, start with a plan.

Connect with Lauren Cohen: Website: https://www.eb5investors.com/directories/immigration-attorneys/lauren-cohen/ Connect with Elke Rubach Website: https://www.elkerubach.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elkerubach/

What if the loudest voices aren't the most informed?

In this episode, host Elke Rubach sits down with Michelle Dor to explore how education—not outrage—is the most powerful tool we have to combat hate. Drawing from her journey from educator to nonprofit leader, Michelle shares how a shift in values led her to Stand With Us Canada and a mission grounded in critical thinking, truth, and meaningful dialogue. Together, they unpack the dangers of misinformation, the impact of social media on belief systems, and why teaching people how to think—not what to think—is more important than ever.

In this episode, you'll learn: ● Why critical thinking is the foundation for fighting hate ● How misinformation spreads—and how to challenge it ● The role of education in raising curious, informed humans

If you're ready to question what you see, think deeper, and engage in more meaningful conversations—this episode will challenge and inspire you.

Connect with Michelle Dor: Stand With us: https://standwithus.com/

Connect with Elke Rubach Website: https://www.elkerubach.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elkerubach/

What if financial planning has nothing to do with money—and everything to do with life? In this episode, host Elke Rubach sits down with global advisor Amanda Cassar to unpack what truly defines meaningful financial advice. From unexpectedly "falling into" the profession to becoming a trusted guide for families across life's biggest transitions, Amanda shares how the. real work goes far beyond investments—into trust, relationships, and human understanding. Together, they explore how great advisors help people navigate uncertainty, align their values, and build lives—not just portfolios.

Key Takeaways:

• Why relationships always come before transactions
• The shift from product-focused to purpose-driven advice
• How financial planning creates clarity, confidence, and freedom

If you've ever wondered what truly makes financial advice impactful, this conversation will change how you see the industry—and your own decisions.

🎧 Tune in and discover what it really means to "get your house in order."

Connect with the Guest Amanda Cassar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacassar/

Connect with Elke Rubach Website: https://www.elkerubach.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elkerubach/

What if true wealth isn't money—but freedom of choice? In this episode, host Elke Rubach sits down with global mobility experts Dan Brotman and Marko Peck to unpack the evolving definition of wealth in today's unpredictable world. Drawing from decades of experience advising international families, they reveal why citizenship, residency, and geographic flexibility are becoming essential tools for protecting both lifestyle and legacy.

From diversifying passports like investment portfolios to navigating political and economic uncertainty, this conversation challenges conventional thinking about financial planning—and expands it into something far more powerful.

Key Takeaways:

• Why "optionality" is the new cornerstone of modern wealth
• How second citizenships and residencies act as risk management tools
• The growing importance of global mobility in uncertain times

If your world changed overnight, would you have the freedom to choose what comes next? This episode invites you to rethink what it really means to be secure—and to start building a life without borders.

Connect with Dan Brotman and Marko Peck

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twoguysfromnowhere/

Connect with Elke Rubach

Website: https://www.elkerubach.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elkerubach/

What if the only thing standing between you and success is a conversation you're avoiding? In this episode of Get Your House in Order, host Elke Rubach sits down with sales strategist and communication expert Klyn Elsbury, whose life story is as powerful as the message she teaches. Born with cystic fibrosis and once facing life-threatening odds, Klyn defied expectations—negotiating not just in business, but for her own survival—and ultimately rebuilt her life from disability to becoming a leading voice in sales and human connection. Together, they unpack why sales isn't about pressure or persuasion—it's about clarity, trust, and the courage to show up authentically. Klyn shares how her philosophy of "Sell the Dream" helps individuals and organizations break through hesitation and have the conversations that truly drive results.

In This Episode:

• Why hesitation—not skill—is the biggest barrier to success
• How authentic conversations outperform scripts and sales tactics
• The mindset shift that turns fear into action and opportunity

Your life and your business don't change when you learn more tactics—they change the moment you decide to speak, act, and show up differently. Because the conversation you're avoiding might be the one that changes everything.

Connect with Klyn Elsbury Website: https://klynelsbury.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klynelsbury/

Connect with Elke Rubach Website: https://www.elkerubach.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elkerubach/

What if the biggest mistake in your financial plan is that it was designed for someone else's life? In this episode of Get Your House in Order, host Elke Rubach welcomes Scott Barnes, Certified Financial Planner and Senior Advisor to Childfree Trust, for a thoughtful conversation about why traditional financial planning often overlooks one of the fastest-growing demographics: adults who are child-free. Together, they explore how meaningful financial planning begins with understanding your values, goals, and vision—not outdated assumptions about marriage, children, and legacy. Whether you've chosen not to have children, life took you on a different path, or you're simply questioning conventional financial advice, this episode offers practical guidance on creating a plan that's as unique as your life.

In This Episode:

• Why financial planning should start with your life—not a template
• The unique planning needs of child-free individuals and couples
• How to prepare for retirement, healthcare, and long-term care without relying on children
• The importance of powers of attorney, estate planning, and intentional decision-making
• Why great advisors ask better questions instead of making assumptions

Your financial future shouldn't be built on society's expectations—it should reflect your own values, priorities, and definition of success. Because the best financial plan isn't the one everyone else follows—it's the one that's built for you.

Connect with Scott Barnes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-barnes-cfp/ Childfree Wealth: https://childfreewealth.com

Connect with Elke Rubach Website: https://www.elkerubach.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elkerubach/

What if your communication problem isn't about what you're saying—but about not being fully connected to yourself? In this episode of Get Your House in Order, host Elke Rubach sits down with executive presence coach and strategic communication advisor Ann Keil Dux to explore why great communicators aren't necessarily the loudest people in the room. Drawing from her experience as a television journalist and leadership coach, Ann shares how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and intentional listening can completely change the way we show up in conversations. Together, they unpack why so many professionals feel stuck at 75% of their potential and how reconnecting with your "why" can unlock confidence, clarity, and trust.

In This Episode:

• Why communication starts with listening, not speaking
• The simple techniques that help you stay calm and clear under pressure
• How emotional intelligence can elevate your leadership and relationships
• Why understanding your audience matters more than sounding smart
• The secret to showing up as the 100% version of yourself

The way we communicate shapes our careers, our families, and our relationships. When we learn to understand ourselves better, we become better at helping others feel seen, heard, and understood. Because sometimes the most powerful message you can share is the one that finally sounds like you.

Connect with Ann Keil Dux Website: https://www.annkeildux.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annkeildux/

Connect with Elke Rubach Website: https://www.elkerubach.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elkerubach/

What if the life you're chasing isn't the life you actually want? In this episode of Get Your House in Order, host Elke Rubach sits down with financial strategist and entrepreneur Mary Lyons, The Wealth Woman, to challenge everything we've been taught about money, success, and happiness. From breaking free of scarcity mindsets to redefining what abundance really means, Mary shares why wealth should be a tool for freedom—not a scorecard for achievement.

Together, they explore how our money stories shape our decisions, why comparing ourselves to others is a losing game, and how intentional financial planning can help create a life that's rich in purpose, joy, and meaningful experiences.

In This Episode:

• Why more money doesn't automatically create more happiness
• The difference between spending to impress and spending to enrich your life
• How to align your finances with your values and dreams
• The conversations every couple should have about money
• Why true wealth is about freedom, not accumulation

At the end of the day, money is just a tool. The real question is: What kind of life are you building with it?

Connect with Mary Lyons Website: https://thewealthwoman.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marylyonswealthwoman/ Instagram: @thewealthwoman

Host: Elke Rubach rubachwealth.com | LinkedIn: Elke Rubach