On this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Thao Truong, CFP® and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, to talk about the lessons she’s learned about money, both personally and professionally. 

Thao shares her unique perspective on how culture and family shape our money mindset, from growing up in Vietnam to building a career in the U.S. We dive into why wealth management isn’t just for the rich, the importance of patience and starting early, and why cash flow matters as much as returns. 

Whether it’s gold, real estate, or stocks, Thao explains how to approach investing with clarity and balance, and how financial planning can help everyone make smarter decisions for the future.

On this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Jason Blumer, CPA, to unpack why accounting is “the truth” for entrepreneurs. We dive into how owners go broke by siphoning too much from their businesses, why building savings and treating the company like its own entity matters, and the smart versus dangerous ways to use debt. Jason also shares insights on value pricing, money habits that support growth, and the importance of having trusted counselors to keep your decisions grounded.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Caroline Piehl to explore the emotional side of money and why financial planning is about much more than numbers. We talk about money stories, the beliefs we pick up as kids that shape how we spend or save as adults, and how those stories impact everything from oversaving with a scarcity mindset to overspending because we assume money will always flow in.

Caroline shares her passion for bringing financial literacy to college athletes, showing them how the skills they’ve mastered in sports can translate into financial success. We also dig into why the best advisors aren’t just technically skilled, they’re the ones who can connect, simplify, and guide clients through the emotions money brings.

I loved this conversation because it highlights what I believe: money is never just about spreadsheets and investments. It’s about people, emotions, and the stories we tell ourselves. If you want to understand your own money mindset and learn practical ways to take control of your finances, this episode is packed with insights.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Kevin Thompson, CFP, RICP, EA, for a conversation that blends his incredible personal journey with his professional insights on money and life. Kevin’s path started in Major League Baseball with the Yankees, and after an injury ended his career, he discovered his passion for finance. That journey included losing money to a Ponzi scheme, which gave him a firsthand understanding of why transparency and trust are so vital in this industry.

Kevin and I dive deep into what true wealth really means. He explains the difference between being “rich” and being “wealthy,” why guaranteed income can sometimes matter more than millions in assets, and how consumption culture has distorted our sense of financial wellbeing. We also talk about the quiet, understated wealth that often carries more influence than flashy displays, and the importance of planning not just for retirement savings, but for what life will look like on day one after you stop working.

This conversation is about more than finance, it’s about security, community, and redefining what success looks like, all through the perspective of Kevin.

I sit down with Rachel Onamusi to unpack practical, step-by-step strategies for growing a creative career, rebuilding mindset, and making money without losing yourself. We talk about surviving the pandemic, overcoming faux positivity, navigating the music industry for midcareer artists, finding the right collaborators like songwriters and producers, and why identity and money are inseparable. If you want honest, actionable advice on booking gigs, scaling creative projects, shifting limiting beliefs, and turning small daily tasks into big wins, this episode is for you, listen to learn how I stopped overthinking and started doing.

In this episode I sit down with CFP Mando Sallavanti III to talk practical money rules for entrepreneurs and high earners. Mando explains why separating business and personal finances matters, why most founders need a bookkeeper and CPA, and how to keep 1 to 3 months of operating expenses in your business account. We dig into hiring for leverage, the accumulation versus distribution mindset, and Mando’s bucket and reservoir systems that make saving automatic while giving you permission to spend. If you want clear cash flow habits, a plan to protect your income, and real steps to turn wealth into freedom, this one is for you.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Brendan Frazier, the Chief Behavioral Officer at RFG Advisory, to explore the human side of money. We dig into why smart, successful people still make emotional decisions, how loss aversion quietly drives our choices, and why simple, consistent actions often beat complex plans. I share my own story about facing financial fears, the power of awareness and mindfulness, and how a good planner can be that flashlight in a dark basement. Brendan breaks down practical ways to overcome money avoidance, build momentum with tiny steps, and reshape identity through consistent wins. We talk about compounding, community, and why money is a tool to fund a meaningful life, not the finish line. If you want clear next steps and a calmer relationship with money, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, I sit down with Bernie Youngblood, a self-described “serial entrepreneur by accident,” to explore the real meaning of wealth. We dive deep into how money can be both a tool and a gift, why health and relationships matter more than a bank balance, and how success means little if you don’t lift others along the way. We share stories from Costa Rica, lessons from MrBeast’s hometown loyalty, and the dangers of chasing trends without purpose. From purpose-driven finance to filling your cup by pouring love into others, this conversation will inspire you to rethink your relationship with money, and with the people around you.

Join me for a powerful conversation with Aja Evans, financial therapist and author of Feel Good Finance. We unpack the deep connection between money and emotions, exploring how our beliefs and habits shape our financial lives. Aja opens up about her personal journey, revealing what led her to help others overcome money anxiety and build healthier financial habits. Together, we dig into the psychology of financial wellness, how to break free from generational money patterns, and practical ways to create open, honest conversations about money.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with my friend Stephen Heath to talk about something a little different, but incredibly important—the psychology behind how we think about money. We explore a concept called “money scripts,” which are the unconscious beliefs we form early in life that shape our financial decisions as adults.

We share some pretty funny and personal stories, from finding a Rolex at the bottom of a pool to the heartbreak of giving back a money clip full of cash. Stephen opens up about his family’s legacy of wealth and how one decision led to generations of financial difference. I talk about my own upbringing, the influence of conservative views on money, and how those beliefs still show up in my life today.

We break down the four core money scripts: money avoidance, money worship, money status, and money vigilance. And as we talked, we realized something was missing, so we introduced a fifth one—money balance. Because the truth is, most of us carry a mix of all these scripts, and the goal should not be perfection, but awareness and balance.

This conversation is part financial therapy, part storytelling, and part good old-fashioned real talk. If you have ever felt weird about money, struggled to spend it, save it, or make peace with it, I think this episode will really hit home.