Money Tales

This episode of Money Tales is all about how our self-worth can get deeply entangled in our work that we get so caught up in what we do for a living that we lose touch with who we are as an individual. Our guest this week is Ashley Paré. As an HR insider with access to tech's most guarded secrets - C-suite dynamics, salary data, and negotiation playbooks - Ashley started her career fearlessly advocating for her worth. As she said, "I had bills, I was valuable, I had an education - why not ask?" But the higher Ashley climbed, the more the corporate world's unwritten rules and fear of consequences weighed her down. When she finally made her "infamous ask" for a raise, channeling the bold moves she'd coached countless colleagues through, it backfired. Ashley’s boss wasn't just saying no - he was angry she'd even asked. That moment sparked Ashley’s mission to help people reclaim that early fearlessness and master the art of negotiation.

Ashley Paré is the CEO & Founder of Own Your Worth®. She’s helped thousands of women grow careers on their own terms by being authentic in tough conversations, building bridges through negotiation, and trusting “no” is not the end. As an Executive Coach & Keynote Speaker, Ashley gives clients the tools to own their worth in order to create wealth, power and impact. Ashley is a TEDx Speaker with more than a decade of corporate experience in global Human Resources. She’s been featured in The New York Times, Glamour, CNN Money, Good Morning America and more. She resides with her husband and two sons in Boston, MA. You can connect with her on Instagram @Iamashleypare and learn more about her work at https://ashleypare.com/.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Anthony Thomson, who also goes by his initials “AT”. Anthony is a marketing professional who transitioned into entrepreneurial banking with one key belief: the power of data to create opportunity. Athony tells us a heartwarming story about a Metro Bank initiative that made banking exciting for kids: coin-counting machines that turned their loose change into a guessing game with prizes. This is a conversation about how small innovations can make a big difference and how Anthony has brought that mindset into his incredible career evolution.

Anthony is at heart, a marketer, who believes passionately that profit should be the by-product of giving the customer a better product, service or experience. He has built, scaled and exited multi-million-dollar fintech businesses in the UK and Australia.

He is currently co-founder and chair of archie, a global growth accelerator for fintechs, a non-executive director of Wio Bank in the UAE and ekko A UK based international business that empowers financial services companies to integrate sustainability.

Previously, Anthony was Founder and CEO of Europe’s largest financial services specialist agency, which sold to Publicis. He was also the Founder and former chairman of two of the UK’s leading challenger banks, Metro Bank (with a market cap of over $5 billion) and atom bank (with a market cap of over $1 billion), and the co-Founder and chair of 86 400, Australia’s first smart bank (acquired by National Australia Bank for over $440m).

He is co-author (with Lucian Camp) of No small change, why financial services needs better marketing, published by Wiley.

From 2011 to 2014 he served as visiting professor to London Metropolitan University Business School. He also served as the David Goldman Visiting Professor of business innovation and enterprise at Newcastle University Business School from 2017 to 2018.

When he’s not working, Anthony collects wine and guitars and races cars. Not all at the same time.

This episode is all about the unwavering search for purpose and fulfillment. Hugh Massie is our guest this week on Money Tales. From accountant to behavioral specialist, Hugh realized that what truly drives financial decisions isn’t just the numbers; it’s the human behavior behind the numbers. From observing patterns in how people act under pressure to bringing in a behavioral psychologist to decode money habits, Hugh’s story is about blending expertise with empathy. He even uprooted his life to build a groundbreaking system in the U.S., all to help people understand their own financial DNA.

Hugh is the Executive Chairman and Founder of DNA Behavior International – the Behavior and Money Insights Company. As a Titan 100 CEO and widely recognized Behavioral Solutions Architect, Hugh addresses every opportunity and challenge from the proven perspective of “behavior makes money”. With his unique analytical approach, Hugh helps growth-minded leaders create an Exponential Future by building “category king” people-centric businesses, and in the process, enhance financial decision-making, culture and performance.

Hugh’s purpose is to empower people worldwide to optimize the alignment of their natural “hardwired” talents and financial behaviors to make quantum leaps for creating an Exponential Future with reduced stress, thereby enabling greater happiness, more success and improved health for longer. Applying the pioneering behavioral finance research Hugh has undertaken since 2001, his moonshot goal is to commercialize DNA Behavior’ AI-driven BeSci Tech Platform so that by 2030 fully it informs over 1 billion people annually on how to enhance their decision-making and relationships for increasing life, financial and business longevity by 30 or more years.

Hugh partners with clients to create an Exponential Future by developing trail-blazing financial behavior apps for building the “New BeFi Economy” impacting all key areas of life, finance and business.

In this episode of Money Tales, we sit down with bestselling author, Daniel Pink, who shares the bold decisions that transformed his life and career. At a pivotal moment in his early 30s, Dan made the choice to leave his job as a political speechwriter to pursue his passion for writing. His leap of faith wasn’t blind. With his wife’s support, careful planning, and a frugal mindset, Dan charted a rational path through uncertainty, balancing existential and financial risks.

Dan is the author of five New York Times bestsellers, including his latest, The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward. His other books include the New York Times bestsellers When and A Whole New Mind — as well as the #1 New York Times bestsellers Drive and To Sell is Human. Dan’s books have won multiple awards, have been translated into 46 languages, and have sold millions of copies around the world. He lives in Washington, DC, with his family.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Sara Eversden. Sara grew up in a neighborhood where labels like 'the lower-income side of town' were casually tossed around. But for her, it wasn’t about what her family didn’t have, it was about what they gained. In a community rich with diversity, both socioeconomically and racially, Sara developed a deep comfort and appreciation for being in all kinds of environments. That early exposure shaped how she navigates the world today, including her relationship with money and identity.

Sara Eversden is a leader in healthcare finance, and operations with over two decades of experience driving success for physician organizations and medical groups across the U.S. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a master’s in healthcare administration, Sara has a proven track record of optimizing organizational performance, transforming complex organizations, and leading high-performing teams.

Currently serving as Senior Vice President of Women & Children’s Operations at Envision Healthcare, Sara manages a multi-state portfolio spanning 15 states, 70 hospitals, and 500+ clinicians. Previously, Sara held pivotal roles such as Market President & CEO at Women’s Health USA, where she integrated multiple practices post-acquisition, and as a CFO within McKesson’s US Oncology Network, where she spearheaded financial strategies for Network practices. Sara’s expertise spans startups, turnarounds, post-merger integrations, and complex reorganizations, making her uniquely positioned to navigate challenging healthcare environments.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sara is passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders through education and service. She is a former board member at the National Charity League and co-founded a nonprofit aimed at providing college scholarships to high school graduates from underserved populations. A four-time participant in the Phoenix Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon, Sara is also an avid adventurer, having completed the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim trek three times.

Today’s Money Tales episode is about purpose. Purpose is something we often talk about on Money Tales because, in our experience, when people align their relationship with money to their purpose, they make more satisfying and confident money decisions. Dr. Jordan Grumet joins us again on Money Tales. Since we last spoke with him, Jordan has been spending a lot of time talking and speaking about purpose. When he shared his message about purpose with audiences, he encountered something surprising: people weren’t leaving inspired, they felt anxious. This “purpose anxiety,” as Jordan calls it, comes from society’s obsession with what he dubs, “Big P Purpose”, the idea that happiness lies in discovering some grand, singular mission in life. Jordan invites us to embrace “Little p purpose” instead. It’s about finding joy in the everyday; the simple things we love doing, the processes that light us up. By focusing on these small, tactile joys, we can take the weight off the search for “Big P” purpose and make it something approachable, fulfilling, and even fun.

Jordan, born in Evanston, Illinois in 1973, found the spark to become a doctor after a deeply personal event reshaped his life's trajectory. The unexpected loss of his father, an oncologist, ignited a passion within him to practice medicine and instilled a unique vantage point that later melded seamlessly with his financial expertise. This convergence of roles has spurred him to explore profound notions like wealth, abundance, and financial independence with a thoughtful and critical lens.

Completing his studies at the University of Michigan, Jordan earned his medical degree from Northwestern University before embarking on a journey in Internal Medicine in Northbrook, Illinois. Presently, he serves as an associate medical director at Unity Hospice.

With a profound understanding of both medicine and finance, Jordan unveiled his thoughts through blogging, specifically focusing on financial independence and wellness. This passion culminated in the launch of the Earn & Invest podcast in 2018. His dedication bore fruit in 2019 when he was honored with the Plutus Award for Best New Personal Finance Podcast, followed by consecutive nominations for Best Personal Finance Podcast of the year in 2020 and 2021.

In August 2022, Jordan's literary pursuit took shape as his book, Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor’s Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life was published by Ulysses Press. His second book, The Purpose Code, will be published January 2025 by Harriman House Press. Jordan's journey intertwines medical insight and financial wisdom, resonating deeply with those seeking a balanced, meaningful life.

This episode of Money Tales is about grit and pushing yourself and others forward. We’re joined by Shira Yevin, a fearless disruptor who’s never been afraid to challenge the status quo. When she noticed a glaring lack of women on stage at the Vans Warped music tour, she didn’t just ask questions. Shira took bold action. Crashing the festival in a pink RV with her band, Shira ultimately created a platform that showcased over 300 female-fronted bands, including legends like Paramore and Joan Jett, and earned a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Shira is on a mission to empower female freelancers and transform male-dominated industries.

Shira is the visionary founder and CEO of Gritty In Pink which is revolutionizing the music industry through her groundbreaking marketplace, INPINK. This platform empowers women and gender-expansive creators with employment opportunities, providing a space to showcase their talents, connect with employers, and secure fair pay. Backed by Live Nation Women and advisors like Melissa Etheridge, INPINK is a testament to her relentless pursuit of gender equality. Shira's influential work, recognized in reputable publications such as TechCrunch, Forbes, Billboard, NPR, and The New York Times, and her role as a recognized speaker at major events like SXSW, Music Ally Next, and New York Tech Week are a testament to her relentless pursuit of gender equality that drives transformative change across industries.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Ashli Sims. Ashli is a reporter turned nonprofit fundraiser, who takes us into the complex world of asking for support. Ashli’s current journey began with a Kickstarter campaign to fund a storytelling project in Tanzania, where the ask was clear and the purpose was powerful. But when her career evolved into professional fundraising, the stakes got higher, and so did the challenges. Ashli shares how she learned to focus on impact rather than the dollars, reframing what it means to ask for help in a way that connects people to purpose.

Ashli Sims is a storyteller who breaks down barriers and opens doors so Black entrepreneurs can build wealth for themselves, their families, and future generations. She has twenty years of experience, working as a news reporter, an advocate for vulnerable children, a fundraiser and a nonprofit leader. She’s a graduate of Northwestern University and has a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Oklahoma Center of Nonprofits. Ashli has raised more than $16 Million for four different organizations. She joined the Build in Tulsa team in April of 2021, charged with helping raise money for the effort, before she was promoted to lead the initiative in February of 2022. Since Build in Tulsa launched operations two and a half years ago, the network has grown to include 400 entrepreneurs, facilitating more than 10,000 hours of training and coaching and investing $10.5 Million with underrepresented founders. Ashli is an Aspen Institute 2023 Health Communities Fellow and serves on the board of 36 Degrees North in Tulsa and a community pantry and soup kitchen, Iron Gate. She’s been featured in Forbes, Essence, and Fortune. As Managing Director of Build in Tulsa, Ashli is helping reclaim the narrative: Black Wall Street is not a history lesson, but a blueprint. She believes the next Black-led billion-dollar company will be based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Patrick Grimes. Patrick thought he had struck gold with a high-risk, high-reward pre-development real estate project that promised big returns. But 2009 hit, and instead of achieving riches, he lost it all: the property was foreclosed, the IRS came calling and Patrick was left to rebuild from scratch. In today’s episode, Patrick shares the hard-earned lessons that reshaped his entire financial philosophy to one of cautious leverage and diversification.

Patrick is CEO and Founder of Passive Investing Mastery. Since 2007, Patrick has actively engaged in diverse alternative investments, including nearly 5,000 multifamily units and roles in commercial lending and energy. He is an international bestselling co-author of the Amazon #1 best-sellers ‘Persistence, Pivots, and Game Changers,’ and ‘Persuasive Leadership,’ also a Barnes & Noble #1 Best-Seller.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Amanda Heyman. Amanda went from journalism to a career in law, driven by a mission to serve the public interest and champion social justice. Then, life took a surprising turn when she and her husband saw a golden opportunity in fantasy soccer. Moving to a venture-backed business focused on growth and profit was a major pivot. Together, they co-founded Starting 11, a fantasy sports app that combined her husband’s 30,000-hour passion for fantasy sports with Amanda’s network and startup savvy. But stepping into the world of capitalism brought new challenges, like pitching for venture capital, raising funds, and weighing their financial goals against their principles. Amanda shares how she navigated this shift in mindset, balanced personal values with business ambition and managed the unique pressures of being in business with her husband.

Amanda is co-founder and Managing Partner of Tundra Ventures, a pre-seed venture fund investing in companies focused on health, wealth and resilience solutions with 1) exquisite founder-market fit and 2) unique insight into untapped markets and overlooked end users. Prior to founding Tundra, Amanda spent four years as a Founding Partner at Lunar Startups, a Twin Cities-based accelerator designed to supercharge high-potential startup companies founded by diverse CEOs. Amanda created her own proprietary system of business milestones linked to a curated digital platform that helped 75 Lunar cohort companies create a strong foundation for scale. Amanda has taken her proprietary system to Tundra Ventures, where it forms the backbone of Tundra’s founder support platform.

In addition to her 10+ years of experience as an attorney for startups, Amanda is a seasoned entrepreneur. She co-founded and served as General Counsel for a venture-backed global sports technology company; prior to that she co-founded a boutique law firm focused on natural food startup companies. Amanda further developed expertise in the food and agriculture sphere as an international expert on organic agriculture for the United Nations in Mauritius, a Fellow in Practice at the Vermont Law School Center for Agriculture and Food Systems and a staff attorney at a national nonprofit law firm serving family farm businesses. Amanda has also handled FEMA appeals for Hurricane Katrina survivors, managed an online news network at a Boston digital media startup (acquired by MTV) and won awards for her newspaper reporting in Wisconsin and New Mexico.

Amanda has served as an advisor and board member to various startup support organizations, including Forge North, The Nice Center at NDSU and Minnesota Cup. She was named a 2021 and 2020 Minnesota Rising Star by Super Lawyers/Thomson Reuters, a 2017 MN Cup High Tech Division Winner and a 2015 Women in Business award winner by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Amanda holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and earned a B.S. in Journalism and a Certificate in Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After many years living near the best lake in Minneapolis, she currently resides in the Bay Area with her husband and young daughter.