The 3rd Decade Podcast

Financial freedom gets thrown around like a buzzword, but we’re not interested in vague promises. Dr. Paris Woods joins us to redefine it as agency: having control over your time, your labor, and your choices, with money as the tool that makes your life possible. That one shift changes how you budget, how you say yes or no to debt, and how you plan for the future without feeling trapped. 

Paris shares her own path from growing up in poverty in St. Louis to earning a full scholarship to Harvard, then following the “do everything right” script and still ending up broke and in debt. We talk about what she had to unlearn, how a powerful visioning exercise helped her write The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom, and why financial education is essential for real economic mobility. We also dig into why so many families stay silent about money, how early kids absorb money habits, and how honesty can break the shame cycle. 

You’ll hear practical personal finance strategies through Paris’s make, manage, multiply framework: earning, money management, and investing basics like 401(k) match, Roth IRA goals, index funds, automation, and the long game of compound interest. We also name the traps, especially how easy it is to slide into debt at 18 and how “greed plus speed equals broke” applies to today’s investing noise. If you want to become a better money mentor for younger people while building your own financial independence, this conversation will give you both the mindset and the next steps. Subscribe, share this with someone you talk money with, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

Resources:

• Instagram: @AuthorParisWoods
• Dr. Paris Woods' Website

In this episode, Nikita is joined by former professional athlete turned CFP®, Jeff Locke, to explore a surprising truth: when it comes to money, pro athletes and everyday earners are playing the same game—just with different stakes.

From locker rooms to living rooms, the financial challenges are more alike than you might think. Jeff shares firsthand stories from his time in professional sports, revealing how even high earners struggle with overspending, credit, family expectations, and the pressure to “keep up.” Along the way, he and Nikita break down the core financial principles that apply to everyone—no matter your income.

They dive into the fundamentals that never change: building an emergency fund, following a smart investing order, and avoiding lifestyle creep. They also unpack the unique realities athletes face—like short career windows, sudden wealth, and high-risk investment pitches—and what those extremes can teach the rest of us.

At the heart of the conversation is one key idea: financial success isn’t about how much you make—it’s about behavior, discipline, and systems that support your goals.

Whether you’re managing a steady paycheck or navigating more variable income, this episode offers practical, actionable lessons to help you build a more secure financial future—without getting caught up in comparison or complexity.

Resources:

• Jeff Locke's LinkedIn
• Start here: Build your financial foundation 
• Protect yourself first: Emergency fund basics 

Nikita Wolff is joined by Uziel Gomez, CFP®, AFC®, and founder of Primeros Financial, as he shares the personal experiences that inspired his mission to serve communities traditionally left out of the financial conversation. Together, they explore what makes “primeros” such a powerful and overlooked demographic, why advisors should be paying attention, and the importance of grace, celebration, and embracing the strengths that come from a first-gen upbringing. Tune in for a thoughtful, energizing conversation between two changemakers tackling financial inequity from different angles. 

Find Uziel on Social Media:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Instagram

Money can bring couples closer—or quietly build tension over time. In this episode, Nikita & Adam Van Deusen dive into one of the biggest relationship questions: Should we combine our finances? And if so, what's the best approach for us?

They explore the three main approaches couples take (fully combined, partially combined, or fully separate), break down the pros and cons of each, and share tips for navigating this conversation with curiosity and mutual respect. You’ll also hear practical tools and ideas—from budget apps to financial agreements—to help you and your partner stay on the same page.

Whether you’re just moving in or years into a long-term partnership, this episode is your guide to building trust and making money work together.

Resources:

• Common Cents: Bank Account Structure and Couples’ Relationship Dynamics
• Money for Couples (By Ramit Sethi)

They say money can’t buy happiness… but is that really true? In this episode, Nikita & Adam Van Deusen explore the complicated relationship between money and well-being — from what the research says to how our everyday spending choices shape our joy.

They break down findings from landmark studies, explore the difference between emotional well-being and life satisfaction, and ask a deeper question: Are you spending your money in a way that aligns with the life you actually want?

You’ll also hear how money can reduce stress and increase freedom—but only if you’re intentional with how you use it. From prioritizing experiences over stuff to giving generously and buying back your time, they share practical ways to use money as a tool for more meaning and happiness.

Resources:

• Income and emotional well-being: A conflict resolved
• Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending

In this episode, Nikita & Katherine Chatmon (3rd Decade Volunteer Mentor), discuss how a scarcity mindset & trauma around money impact our financial beliefs, progress, and wellbeing. This discussion includes: how it shows up, root causes, and ways to heal/rewrite your money script.

Resources:

• "Money Story" worksheet download
• Financial Archetype Quiz

In this episode, Nikita & Katherine Chatmon (3rd Decade Volunteer Mentor), discuss lifestyle creep. We all experience some amount of this as our income rises, but this episode covers: personal examples, how to recognize when it's happening, why it matters, prevention techniques, and ways to manage it. 

Resources:

• Avoiding Lifestyle Creep (Presentation by Kohler Credit Union)
• NerdWallet – What Is Lifestyle Creep and How Can You Avoid It?
• Book: Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez 
• The Minimalists (blog, podcast, and Netflix documentary)
• r/BuyItForLife

In this Episode, Nikita welcomes Co-founder & CEO of Waterlily, Lily Vittayarukskul, on to discuss the need for Long-Term Care Planning. Lily's professional path was redirected after she experienced first-hand the financial and familial stress that long-term care costs put on her family when her family member became ill. In this episode, they discuss what average costs are for care, what types of care may be needed in old age, why it matters, and ways to plan for its potential financial impact.

Lily's company uses AI to help analyze your own likelihood for needing care, and which type of insurance policy may be most suitable for you. 

Resources:

• Waterlily
• Waterlily Waitlist
• Genworth Cost of Care Survey
• LongTermCare.gov

Nikita is joined by Adam Van Deusen (Volunteer Mentor & CFP®) for a discussion on the steps you can take for a higher credit score.

Furthermore, this episode covers:

• What a credit score is
• What makes up a credit score
• Accessing credit reports
• Myths

Resources:

• Annual Credit Report
• FICO

Nikita is joined by Adam Van Deusen (Volunteer Mentor & CFP®) for a discussion on how a person can make money on credit cards and dip their toes into the world of "travel hacking".

Furthermore, this episode covers:

• Who is a good candidate for these strategies
• Types of credit card rewards
• Categories of spending
• Sign-up bonuses
• When/if to cancel or downgrade
• Premium cards
• Travel perks beyond free flights
• Pitfalls to avoid

Resources:

• Frequent Miler Blog
• Skyscanner
• PointsYeah