Stuff About Money They Didn't Teach You In School

Handling Transitions: How to Navigate Change Without Losing Stability


Listen Later

Change is part of life—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.


Transitions—whether personal, professional, planned, or unexpected—can shake our sense of identity, rhythm, and control. Even positive change can feel disruptive when it alters what we’ve known or how we’ve operated.


In this episode, ⁠Erik Garcia⁠, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™, and ⁠Dr. Matt Morris⁠ explore how leaders can navigate seasons of change without losing their footing. They discuss the emotional toll of transition, the importance of anchoring to your values, and the power of intentional structure when everything feels uncertain. Stability doesn’t mean staying the same—it means moving forward with clarity.


Episode Highlights:

  • Matt lists common life transitions like marriage, divorce, and kids going to college, highlighting their emotional and financial effects. (02:55)

  • Erik questions whether the success of transitions is more impacted by finances or relationships. (05:44)

  • Matt notes how impulsive decisions during transitions can undermine thoughtful planning. (10:19)

  • Erik emphasizes connecting transitions to long-term goals and personal values. (15:58)

  • Erik recommends consulting entrepreneurs who’ve navigated similar changes for grounded insight. (19:12)

  • Matt discusses the importance of mindset—acceptance, action steps, and reframing change as opportunity. (21:56)

  • Matt introduces desire and timing as key mindsets when assessing transition readiness. (24:45)

  • Matt encourages committing to decisions without fantasizing about alternatives. (28:52)

  • Erik shares a personal business transition he considered, reflecting on the emotional, relational, and financial layers involved. (35:59)

  • Erik concludes that leadership carries weight and surrounding oneself with trusted advisors is essential. (44:57)

    Key Quotes:

    • “You can't control how people react to your decision or even to your communication. But you can control the information you share with them.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT

    • “If your decision was rooted in purpose, if it was rooted in what's most important to you and it's moving you towards that. Then move on to the decision.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™

      Resources Mentioned:

      • ⁠Cultivate Success Podcast Series Companion Handouts⁠
      • ⁠Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT⁠
      • ⁠Matt Morris & Associates⁠
      • ⁠Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™⁠
      • ⁠Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC⁠
      • ⁠Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors⁠
      • ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        Stuff About Money They Didn't Teach You In SchoolBy Erik Garcia, CFP® & Xavier Angel, CFP®

        • 5
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5

        5

        8 ratings


        More shows like Stuff About Money They Didn't Teach You In School

        View all
        The Holy Post by Phil Vischer

        The Holy Post

        4,427 Listeners

        Up First from NPR by NPR

        Up First from NPR

        56,541 Listeners

        The Insurance Dudes© by The Insurance Dudes: Craig Pretzinger and Jason Feltman

        The Insurance Dudes©

        168 Listeners

        Power Producers Podcast by David Carothers

        Power Producers Podcast

        116 Listeners

        The Megyn Kelly Show by SiriusXM

        The Megyn Kelly Show

        40,614 Listeners

        The Insurance Buzz by Michael and Courtney Weaver

        The Insurance Buzz

        127 Listeners