GWP Podcast

What if becoming rich and becoming wealthy are two completely different things?

In this episode of Grow With Papa, Papa Quainoo sits down with financial advisor Andy Ferguson, CFP®, for a powerful conversation about faith, money, stewardship, generosity, legacy, and the pursuit of an abundant life.

Andy explains why money can be an incredible tool but a terrible master, how Christians can think about ambition and wealth, and why endless accumulation rarely leads to fulfillment.

They also discuss estate planning, generational wealth, generosity, how to choose a financial advisor, why Andy prefers to understand a client's story before looking at their financial documents, and whether AI can ever replace the human side of financial advice.

The bigger question behind the conversation:

Are you using money to build a meaningful life—or building your life around money?

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, financial or investment advice. Any strategies, tips, or information shared in this episode are solely for the purpose of general knowledge and discussion. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified financial professionals and conduct their own research before making any financial decisions. The hosts and guests do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information presented. Investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should exercise caution and discretion when considering any financial actions, and their personal circumstances and goals should always be taken into account.

She survived 9/11 from the 73rd floor of Two World Trade Center. Then her financial life fell apart.

In this episode of Grow With Papa, Papa Quainoo sits down with Rev. Dr. Nicole B. Simpson, CFP®, a financial planner with 35 years of experience, for a powerful conversation about financial trauma, wealth, faith, and rebuilding after everything changes.

Dr. Nicole shares her experience escaping the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001—and how the aftermath took her from earning over $100,000 to less than $18,000 while raising a family and carrying a mortgage.

But this conversation goes far beyond 9/11.

Why can someone make $250K and still feel broke? How does childhood scarcity affect the way we handle money decades later? What happens when you become your parents' retirement plan? And can you be financially successful while still carrying financial trauma?

We also explore lifestyle inflation, generational wealth, estate planning, financial resilience, faith on Wall Street, and what it actually means to be wealthy.

Because making more money doesn't always heal your relationship with money.

Harvest Wealth Financial Planning
🎟️ September 11 · Tickets: https://standonbusinesswithme.com/ashes-to-aftermath
From Ashes to Aftermath —25 years later. One story. A global impact.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, financial or investment advice. Any strategies, tips, or information shared in this episode are solely for the purpose of general knowledge and discussion. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified financial professionals and conduct their own research before making any financial decisions. The hosts and guests do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information presented. Investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should exercise caution and discretion when considering any financial actions, and their personal circumstances and goals should always be taken into account.

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Three years ago, Growing Wealth Platform wasn't a startup.

It was a podcast recorded in a bedroom in New Jersey.

The goal was simple: document what I was learning about building wealth and make it easier for young adults to take action.

In this episode, my co-founder Elias Wambugu and I share the story behind how that podcast evolved into Growing Wealth Platform—and the lessons we've learned while building it.

We talk about:

•  How GWP started as a podcast with help from my friend Jomar. 
•  How Elias and I met after moving to San Francisco. 
•  Why finding the right co-founder takes time. 
•  The cost of building a startup and what it really takes to keep going. 
•  Why talking to users forced us to rethink our product. 
•  How our original AI consumer assistant evolved into an AI platform for financial advisors. 
•  The Schwab meeting that changed how we thought about financial advice. 
•  The thinking behind the GWP Score and our onboarding experience. 
•  How we're helping advisors spend less time gathering information and more time giving advice. 
•  How young adults can measure, benchmark, and improve their financial progress. 
•  Why distribution matters just as much as building. 

If you're building a company, trying to grow your wealth, or curious about what really happens behind the scenes of a startup, this episode is for you.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, financial or investment advice. Any strategies, tips, or information shared in this episode are solely for the purpose of general knowledge and discussion. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified financial professionals and conduct their own research before making any financial decisions. The hosts and guests do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information presented. Investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should exercise caution and discretion when considering any financial actions, and their personal circumstances and goals should always be taken into account.

You have five financial apps. You check them every day. And you're still stressed about money. This episode explains exactly why — using peer-reviewed behavioral finance research, real cost calculations, and the same institutional risk framework used by professional portfolio managers.

We break down the five forces of financial fragmentation, put a dollar number on each one, and explain what a unified financial view actually does to your wealth-building trajectory. Plus: how the GWP Wealth Score factors fragmentation into your financial health.

LINKS: GWP Waitlist | Get Your GWP Score Early Access 

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, financial or investment advice. Any strategies, tips, or information shared in this episode are solely for the purpose of general knowledge and discussion. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified financial professionals and conduct their own research before making any financial decisions. The hosts and guests do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information presented. Investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should exercise caution and discretion when considering any financial actions, and their personal circumstances and goals should always be taken into account.

43% of Gen Z and 41% of Millennials feel financially behind — even as Federal Reserve data shows young adults are wealthier than any previous generation at their age. In this episode, we break down exactly why this disconnect happens, what 'money dysmorphia' and 'phantom wealth' actually mean for your financial decisions, and how to stop measuring your financial progress against a broken benchmark. Plus: the GWP Wealth Score — a 0-to-850 score that gives you the number most young adults are missing.

If you want to get your GWP score early, join the newsletter here: https://grow-with-papa-podcast.kit.com

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, financial or investment advice. Any strategies, tips, or information shared in this episode are solely for the purpose of general knowledge and discussion. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified financial professionals and conduct their own research before making any financial decisions. The hosts and guests do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information presented. Investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should exercise caution and discretion when considering any financial actions, and their personal circumstances and goals should always be taken into account.

I went quiet for a reason I couldn't talk about — until now.

In this episode: why I stopped, what happened during the silence, and why everything I went through brought me back with something bigger than a podcast.

17 minutes. The full story.

If you want to follow the journey and get early access to what I’m building with GWP, join the newsletter here: The GWP Newsletter.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, financial or investment advice. Any strategies, tips, or information shared in this episode are solely for the purpose of general knowledge and discussion. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified financial professionals and conduct their own research before making any financial decisions. The hosts and guests do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information presented. Investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should exercise caution and discretion when considering any financial actions, and their personal circumstances and goals should always be taken into account.

This episode explores the intersection of beauty, science, and wealth through the story of Dr. Maryam Mardkhe, founder of Stirbar Lab — a zero-waste, sustainable beauty lab where ancient rituals meet modern chemistry.

Maryam’s journey begins in a land rich with poetry and art — where the first rose distillation took place over a thousand years ago — and evolves into a mission to redefine how we experience beauty today. She brings a rare blend of scientific precision and artistic spirit, showing how chemistry can become a creative language for self-expression, sustainability, and empowerment.

At the heart of this conversation is a bold question:

What if wealth wasn’t just about accumulation — but about creation, connection, and care?

Timestamps:
00:00 // Intro 
05:55 // The Truth About Beauty Products
11:27 // Making Beauty Products at StirLab 
15:15 // Long-term Effects of Ingredients 
20:51 // The Story Behind Maryam’s Success 
23:53 // Beauty then and Beauty Now 
26:00 // The Dangers Cosmetics Industry

32:09 // Top Beauty Products StirLab Creates 
37:17 // What to Lookout For in Your Lotion 
40:50 // Skincare Routines 
50:00 // The Natural Beauty Industry 
57:59 // StirLab Minimizes Beauty Products Waste 
01:01:00 // Lessons from the Founder Journey 
01:12:00 // The Future of StirLab 

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, financial or investment advice. Any strategies, tips, or information shared in this episode are solely for the purpose of general knowledge and discussion. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified financial professionals and conduct their own research before making any financial decisions. The hosts and guests do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information presented. Investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should exercise caution and discretion when considering any financial actions, and their personal circumstances and goals should always be taken into account.

How neuroscience, emotions, and technology intersect to shape our financial decisions and long-term wealth.

 Dr. Forenza — Mobile Technology Executive, Startup Founder, and Inventor with over 250 patents issued worldwide. He’s also an FAA-certified pilot and a pioneer in the intersection of neuroscience, mindfulness, and emotional well-being. Today, he’s building Awear, a wearable device designed to track emotions and improve mental health and performance.

Our emotions silently control our decisions — including how we spend, save, invest, and build wealth. Dr. Forenza reveals how stress, anxiety, and depression are not just mental health issues but wealth blockers that sabotage productivity, creativity, and long-term success.

He explains how Awear uses neuroscience and biometric data to track emotions in real time, helping people understand when they’re in states of stress or clarity — and how that awareness can improve financial decision-making, relationships, and performance.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, financial or investment advice. Any strategies, tips, or information shared in this episode are solely for the purpose of general knowledge and discussion. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified financial professionals and conduct their own research before making any financial decisions. The hosts and guests do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information presented. Investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should exercise caution and discretion when considering any financial actions, and their personal circumstances and goals should always be taken into account.

What does it take to build a next-generation social platform—and the grit to get there?

In this conversation, I sit down with D’Angelo Senat, first-generation Haitian-American engineer and founder of AllPeeP, a Web3 community platform putting power back into the hands of creators and brands. From his parents’ immigrant journey to his own pivots through engineering, e-commerce, and big-tech roles, D’Angelo shares how purpose and resilience shaped his path.

We explore:
00:00 // Intro

07:45 // Lessons from starting (and selling) his first company 

11:30 // How his family’s story sparked a Fortune-500-size vision 

19:45 // Why embracing pivots is essential for every founder 

36:00 // How AllPeeP is redefining social media, ethics, and data privacy 

54:18 // Navigating today’s tough funding climate and finding global tech talent in Ghana 

01:03:00 // What the next five years of community-owned social networks could look like 

1:06:00 // Building long-term wealth by owning the company you create 

If you’re a founder, creator, or anyone curious about the future of digital communities and financial independence, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

🎧 Listen in and discover why the future doesn’t belong to platforms—it belongs to people.

#AllPeeP #Web3 #Startup #CommunityBuilding #GrowWithPapa #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #TechInnovation #DigitalOwnership #FounderStory

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, financial or investment advice. Any strategies, tips, or information shared in this episode are solely for the purpose of general knowledge and discussion. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified financial professionals and conduct their own research before making any financial decisions. The hosts and guests do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information presented. Investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should exercise caution and discretion when considering any financial actions, and their personal circumstances and goals should always be taken into account.

In this episode of Grow With Papa, I sit down with the CEO and co-founder of CloudFO, Afiya Chohollo an AI-powered business intelligence platform that's changing how modern teams work with data.

We talk about her journey from engineer to founder and what it really takes to stay relevant in a world being reshaped by artificial intelligence. If you're a student, builder, or professional wondering what to learn next, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 // Intro 

03:59 // Coming back to San Francisco 

10:00 // How to create wealth with the company you build or join 

13:00 // Before you jump to become an entrepreneur listen to this 

18:00 // What CloudFO does?

22:17 // The AI effect on our daily lives 

27:00 // Pessimism or optimism about the future of AI

40:16 // How you work is not going to be the same 

48:00 // AI, Data Privacy and Trade Secrets 

53:00 // What you should be learning now 

01:06:00 // Surprises about being a founder 

Disclaimer: The content provided in this episode is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, financial or investment advice. Any strategies, tips, or information shared in this episode are solely for the purpose of general knowledge and discussion. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified financial professionals and conduct their own research before making any financial decisions. The hosts and guests do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information presented. Investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should exercise caution and discretion when considering any financial actions, and their personal circumstances and goals should always be taken into account.