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Today’s episode is with Emily Guy Birken — Plutus Award–winning financial writer, author of five personal finance books, and a longtime friend of the show. Emily is back with a story you need to hear.

If you’ve followed Emily’s work — from The 5 Years Before You Retire to End Financial Stress Now — you know she makes complex financial topics feel clear, relatable, even comforting. She’s written for AARP, Fast Company, Yahoo Finance… and she’s been helping readers make smart money decisions for over a decade.

But today, Emily’s not here to talk about retirement, Social Security, or gamification.

Today, she’s here to share something far more personal — and honestly, shocking.

Because despite being raised by a financial planner… despite knowing estate planning backwards and forwards… despite doing everything “right”… Emily lived through a $5.5 million inheritance nightmare that will make you rethink how you set up your own estate plan.

What went wrong, how it could’ve been prevented, and the lessons we all need to hear — that’s what this conversation is about. Here’s Emily Guy Birken.

You can find Emily at emilyguybirken.com and all of her books on Amazon or anywhere books are sold.

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If you’re married — or if you ever plan to be, which I hope you do — today’s conversation is a must-listen. I’m in conversation with  Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier of Lakewood, New Jersey — author of Ten Really Dumb Mistakes That Very Smart Couples Make. You might know Rabbi Shafier already from TheShmuz.com, or from some of his books. Today we bring you an incredibly practical, eye-opening conversation.

Here’s something you’ve asked many times and Rabbi Shafier addresses head on: Whose responsibility is it to provide financially for the family? And what about when the husband is in kollel? 

Rabbi Shafier also boils the 10 Really Dumb Mistakes that very smart couples make down to just two. And trust me, you’ve probably made them.

We get into the one thing that causes every single fight in marriage. Spoiler: it’s not money.

We discuss the role of financial provision and the role of managing the finances — and who should really be doing what. The answer may surprise you.

And if you want to improve communication with your spouse, Rabbi Shafier gives you the exact question to ask yourself before you speak — plus the acronym that will transform your shalom bayit (and honestly, every relationship in your life).

Here’s Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier.

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Is Astrology part of Judaism? Are we allowed to use it? If so, how do we use it? In today’s conversation we explore:

Rabbi Yitzchok Pinkesz is the Author of Kosher Astrology: A Jewish Guide to Celestial Wisdom. Rabbi Pinkesz is a Torah-observant astrologer who has been practicing astrology in accordance with the Torah for over 15 years. His fascination with personal transformation led to extensive research in Jewish philosophy, psychology, and astrology.

Buckle up because the topic of this conversation is on the one hand really out there, and on the other hand it can be something that really grounds us. So if you’re going through a time where you feel like you’re all over the place, or you’re stumbling, or feeling like you’re fumbling in the dark, or you’re being really challenged in a particular way, I think you will find this conversation really comforting. I never imagined saying those words about astrology. But, alas here we are.

Here’s Rabbi Yitzchok Pinkesz.

You can find the book on Amazon or on his website kosherastro.com where you can also learn more, and even sign up for a Birth Chart Reading.

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Download the Mindful Spending Plan at yaeltrusch.com/msp

Download the 10-Day Marriage Reset at offers.yaeltrusch.com/reset

This week Yael Trusch will help listeners with the following questions on Ask Yael:

The post 454: Ask Yael: I’m single and all my money is going on milkshakes and vacations! appeared first on Yael Trusch.

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This episode is brought to you by The Zionista Project. Check out the collection and join the community of proud zionistas at thezionistaproject.org.

Today I’m joined by Rabbi Zalman Duchman, Executive Director of Colel Chabad. We’re talking about tzedakah and the many ways in which Colel Chabad has revolutionized tzedakah, including bringing the tzedakah pushka to your pocket through the MyPushka App. We speak about the origins of Colel Chabad and the tzedakah that Colel Chabad provides in the Land of Israel. Colel Chabad is the oldest continuously operating tzedakah organization in Eretz Israel. You won’t only learn about Colel Chabad and its activities, but you’ll learn about tzedakah itself. Rabbi Duchman shares some beautiful insights from the book of Tanya and from the different Chabad Rebbes that I hope will have a positive impact on your relationship with money, infuse your tzedakah with meaning, and with a sense of urgency.

Stay tuned for a fun fact regarding what’s become a Jewish household staple, the pushkah. And of course, I truly hope that after listening to this interview, you download the MyPushkah app immediately on your phone and make use of it on a daily basis, as you’ll hear today about the power of continuous giving.

To download the My Pushkah App, request a pushkah for your home or office, donate to Colel Chabad, and learn more head over to colelchabad.org

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This episode is brought to you by The Zionista Project. Check out the collection and join the community of proud zionistas at thezionistaproject.org.

Today on Ask Yael, Jewish Money Matters Host Yael Trusch answers a listener whose getting stressed about her husband’s financial stress. Another listener heard that there are tax benefits to saving for kids’ weddings through custodial investment accounts. Is that the best way for her to save for her kids weddings?

Sign up for the Ten Day Marriage Reset HERE.

Sign up for The Art of The Money Date HERE.

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This episode is brought to you by The Zionista Project. Check out the collection and join the community of proud zionistas at thezionistaproject.org.

David is the author of two books: I Never Met The Rebbe Many Times and David’s Harp. He’s a renowned speaker, rabbi, publisher, journalist, author, musician, and filmmaker. Today you’ll hear how his interview with former Dean of the Washington Press Corp Helen Thomas changed his life, well, and hers – as it revealed her antisemitism and led to the demise of her 60 year career in journalism. Stay tuned for that story.

This conversation is packed with life lessons as David shares pieces of his journey towards Jewish observance, leaving his role as a Conservative Rabbi, not only to become fully immersed in Torah but in the world of business. This is a perfect conversation to get us into the “mundane” of Cheshvan with gusto and zest. Here’s the wise David Nesenoff.

The post 451: David Nesenoff, Author of I Never Met the Rebbe Many Times (Replay) appeared first on Yael Trusch.

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This episode is brought to you by The Zionista Project. Check out the collection and join the community of proud zionistas at thezionistaproject.org.

Today on Ask Yael, Jewish Money Matters Host Yael Trusch answers a listener whose husband doesn’t like her to interfere in the financial affairs of the household. Another listener is wondering how to regain respect for her husband if she’s lost it because he’s not driven to provide. Yael also answers to a listener who’s never had a money conversation with her husband, and to one who is resentful that her husband took a full time job and has less time to learn Torah.

Sign up for the Ten Day Marriage Reset HERE.

Sign up for The Art of The Money Date HERE.

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This episode is brought to you by The Zionista Project. Check out the collection and join the community of proud zionistas at thezionistaproject.org.  

You’re not going to believe what I’ve dug from the archives for you. My very first interview with visual artist Yaeli Vogel, back in May of 2019. It was episode 97 on this show. You heard Yaeli Vogel recently on the show, and today you get to hear a lot more about the early days of her career as an artist – how she got started, G-d closing a door on her in order to open another one, the risk taking leap of faith, the resourcefulness, grit, and the unwavering support of her husband. So many lessons in entrepreneurship, pursuing your talents, getting things done, and more in this episode. And wait till you hear how she sold a painting to Ivanka Trump while she was in the White House. Here’s Yaeli Vogel. 

The post 449: The Beginnings of Yaeli Vogel Art (Encore) appeared first on Yael Trusch.

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This episode is brought to you by The Zionista Project. Check out the collection and join the community of proud zionistas at thezionistaproject.org.

Get Yael’s 10-Day Marriage Reset HERE.

In this episode of Ask Yael, Jewish Money Matters Podcast Host, Yael Trusch answers a listener who’s looking for her opinion on bitcoin. Also, a listener is concerned about a husband wanting the wife to work and make money. But at the same time, he doesn’t want her to have a say in the financial decisions, management of the money.

Get The Art of The Money Date HERE

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