Meaningful Mischief

Feelings About Finances

Most of us think money is about numbers, goals, and returns - but what if it’s more about fear, shame, love, and purpose? In this conversation, Mary and James dive into the psychology of money: why we avoid talking about it, how our past shapes our financial behavior, and how wealth management is often more about values than value. From billionaires with hidden fears to new earners trying to get it right, this is a conversation about what money really means - and how we can have a healthier, more intentional relationship with it.

Highlights:

• Why people would rather talk about death than their finances
• The emotional drivers behind wealth accumulation - fear, shame, and validation
• The critical role of a wealth advisor
• How to raise financially aware kids in a world of instant gratification

Resources:

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel - Book

Acquired Podcast - Interview with Howard Schultz - Link

Simon Sinek TED Talk: Start With Why - Video

This one’s raw and real. Mary and James dive into recent personal wake-up calls - Mary’s experience with deep fatigue and burnout, and James’ unexpected bout with shingles. Despite their high-performance habits and wellness tracking tools, both found themselves laid flat by the one thing they thought they were managing: their energy.

Highlights:

• Why being “on it” doesn’t mean you’re immune to burnout
• The illusion of being fine (until you’re really not)
• The tension between doing all the “right things” and still crashing
• Relearning to rest (and why meditation keeps coming up even if you keep resisting it)
• The truth about being “optimized” vs being well

All in all, this episode is part confession, part strategy session, and part loving nudge for anyone trying to do too much for too long.

Resources:

Whoop Band (for tracking sleep, strain, and recovery) - Link

Atomic Habits by James Clear - Book

High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard - Book

4-7-8 Breathing Technique - Video

What a Farmer Wants You to Know About Food by Dennis Bulani - Book

In this conversation, Mary and Stel explore the sometimes-blurry lines between therapy and coaching: when each is helpful, what they’ve personally gained (or not gained) from both, and how feeling safe, seen, heard, and understood is the foundation for transformation. They talk about the importance of inner and outer vision, emotional self-regulation, and how to shift your focus away from self-preoccupation and toward purposeful action.

If you're curious about whether coaching or therapy might be right for you - or what it looks like to fully commit to your own growth - this episode offers a thoughtful, compassionate place to begin.

Resources:

Iron John: A Book About Men by Robert Bly - Book

Becoming Your Vision by Angela Petal – Book

What's in it for them? by Joe Polish - Book

When was the last time you felt joy; not the big, Instagram-worthy kind, but the small, quiet, surprising kind? In this episode, we talk about joy: where we find it, how it sneaks up on us, and how to stay open to it even when life is messy, mundane, or downright hard.

Mary, Stel, and James explore what it means to find joy when you're not actively looking for it. From a broken coffee machine that turns into a three-hour espresso-and-leadership-training adventure, to a high-stakes night at a Jelly Roll concert with unexpected emotional resonance, the crew shares how joy can be created, discovered, or reframed - especially in the mundane or the messy.

Resources:

“I Am Not OK” – Song by Jelly Roll - Link

Dale Carnegie Courses - Website

Mary’s One Thing Thursday email newsletter - Website

In the final episode (we think) of our mini-series on relationships, we explore one of the trickiest terrains of human connection: endings. From romantic splits and friendship fades to workplace goodbyes, we unpack what it means to consciously, gracefully – or awkwardly – close a chapter. Along the way, we detour through ego death, emotional resilience, identity shifts, and a surprisingly emotional rescue kitten story.

We talk about:

• Why not every relationship is meant to last – and why that’s okay
• Ghosting, dissolving, and directness: different endings for different situations
• Why endings can feel like rejection, even when they’re necessary for growth
• How purpose, clarity, and personal energy guide the hard choices
• That one dinner party where we knew the friendship was over – and we never scheduled another

Resources mentioned:

• Prime Concerns – website
• When Harry Met Sally – movie

What makes someone truly attractive – not just in romance, but in leadership, friendship, and everyday life? In this episode, we talk about alignment (and how it’s not the same as sameness), self-sabotage, and the quiet things that either deepen connection or slowly erode it. There’s a story about a 10th anniversary trip that turned into a strategy masterclass, a reminder that kindness still wins, and a question that might change how you show up in all your relationships: Are you the kind of person your person is looking for?

Resources:

• The Tim Ferriss Show – Episode 740 ft. Diana Chapman – website
• David Deida, Author – Amazon
• Dan Sullivan’s Strategy Circle – Strategic Coach website
• T Harv Eker’s “Warrior” Course – website

Long-term relationships are message and magical. Why do we choose our person? And what keeps us from choosing them? Expect personal stories, hard questions, and one jaw-dropping insight about handwriting that left everyone speechless.

Highlights

• Why your choice of life partner might reflect who you were when you met – and how to evolve together as you change
• Divorce: What women often know and men don't see coming
• Mary, James, and Stel get personal: Stories of choosing (and being chosen by) their life partners
• A deep dive into handwriting analysis: Your pen strokes may reveal hidden patterns in love and life
• The link between self-awareness, communication styles, and sustaining long-term intimacy
• Why personal growth (even unconventional tools like vision therapy and dancing alone) might just save your relationship

Resources:

• Helen Fisher’s TED Talk: The brain in love
• Handwriting analysis: Blog
• The book Eight Dates by John and Julie Gottman: Amazon
• Strategic Coach:Strategic Coach

You’re with yourself for life – but are you really connected to who you are?

In this episode, Stel and Mary (we missed you, James!) explore what happens when you lose touch with your true self, how survival skills can mask your real identity, and what it feels like when your life doesn’t fit anymore. Plus: practical ways to start coming back to yourself.

Highlights:

• Why we create a "survival self" to fit in
• How early experiences shape (and sometimes hide) who we really are
• What it feels like when you’re out of alignment — and what to do about it
• Tools to reconnect with your strengths, your story, and your purpose

Resources:

• Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey – website
• Book a call with Mary – Calendly
• OnPrpose CEO Coaching – website

What long-term friendships really take – and why they’re worth it.

What makes someone a ride-or-die? Relationships that go the distance change and survive big life transitions. From childhood friends to new connections that go deep fast, we explore the difference between time and trust, and why cultivating meaningful friendships as adults takes a different kind of intention.

Whether you’re feeling grateful for your inner circle or wondering who’d actually help you bury the body… this one’s for you.

Highlights:

• Why long-term friendships shift – and how to keep them strong
• The relationship between time and depth in relationships
• Relearning how to cultivate adult friendships
• How big life changes shape who stays close
• Ride-or-die vs. draining dynamics: learning who lifts you up
• The role of intentionality in friendship, and why it’s different from family
• A surprising take on who your real best friend might be

Resources:

• The Wealth Money Can’t Buy by Robin Sharma – Amazon
• The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck – Amazon
• Dr. Joe Dispenza’s Weeklong Retreats – Website
• Strategic Coach – Website

In a world overflowing with interactions, how do you decide who gets your energy – and identify who drains it? This episode takes on relationships: the intentional ones, the forgotten ones, the ones that fill your cup, and the ones that need a little more mischief to spark again. From surprise reunions and joy bombs to raising your hand (literally) for the relationships that matter, this one’s about showing up with purpose – and adding a little magic while you're at it.

Highlights:

• Battery Chargers vs. Drainers – A simple metaphor to audit your relationships and protect your energy.
• Reimagining the “Personal” in Personal Relationships – Why one host shifted the focus inward.
• How to Add a Zero – The “100 out of 10” mindset for making moments unforgettable.
• Quarterly Check-ins, but Make Them Emotional – A system to evaluate and prioritize your relationships like you would your goals.
• Micro-Moments of Meaning – How a car ride with a stranger became the most surprising connection of the week.
• Joy Bombs & Family Intentions – A personal story about choosing to show up differently (and joyfully) for the people who matter most.