The Financially Fit Couple

Matthew Gray, a certified financial planner, interviews Scott Yamamura—author of Financial Epiphany, financial coach, and TEDx speaker—about helping the next generation talk about money and build financial literacy. Scott shares his “Power of 16” rule of thumb: assuming money doubles about every 10 years, investing early can multiply initial contributions up to 16x over a roughly 40-year career, and this multiplying power effectively halves every decade as you age. 

He frames this as a motivating, loss-aversion-friendly “money athlete” analogy to prompt action, curb overspending, and avoid debt, with examples including retirement saving, opportunity cost for purchases, and a 529 plan that doubled over time. Scott points listeners to financialepiphany.com, his book, a forthcoming TEDx talk, and a free “Money Moves Guide,” and encourages starting with tools like a Roth IRA and seeking a financial professional as a coach.

00:38 Meet Scott Yamamura
02:56 Why Money Feels Taboo
05:35 Power of 16 Explained
10:50 Teaching Kids the Concept
15:45 Beating Overspending and Debt
21:24 From Wealth to Purpose
28:04 Books Tools and Free Guide
29:39 Roth IRA and Getting a Coach
33:12 Final Challenge and Wrap Up
34:26 Disclosures and Credits

Resources

Scott Yamamura

Financial Epiphany Website

Financial Epiphany Book

Free Money Moves Guide

Scott's TEDx Talk

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC 

Host Matthew Gray interviews college admissions consultant Shellee Howard of CollegeReady about preparing children for college amid AI-driven change. Howard shares her origin story helping her son earn full-ride offers (USC Presidential Scholarship; Harvard match) and argues AI will shift and expand jobs, making communication, leadership, and strategic thinking essential; she notes computer science is currently the most unemployed major due to AI replacing entry-level roles and advises evaluating whether colleges are truly pivoting (e.g., Vanderbilt using verbal exams). She emphasizes building intellectual curiosity early through reading, hands-on play, and limiting device dependence, and starting service as soon as kids can participate. 

Howard outlines a timeline: eighth-grade promotion starts the “college clock,” summers are critical for exploration (shadowing, internships, service), and high school course choices are hard to change. She stresses early financial literacy, candid cost conversations, and FAFSA timing, and describes CollegeReady’s student-centric process for clarifying goals, building a standout strategy, selecting balanced school lists, and managing application timelines, plus resources at collegereadyplan.com and her books.

00:38 Meet Shellee Howard
01:46 CollegeReady Origin Story
04:03 College Value in the AI Era
10:17 Choosing AI Ready Colleges
10:51 Curiosity Over Screens
13:31 Is College the Right Path
18:00 Middle School to High School Timeline
24:01 Picking Majors and Schools
30:43 Talking College Costs
36:42 How College Ready Helps
44:19 Resources and Final Advice
46:35 Wrap Up and Disclosures

Resources

Shellee Howard

CollegeReady

How to Send Your Student to College Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money book

The College Admissions Plan Simplified Book

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC 

Host Matthew Gray interviews Batsheva Goldstein, an Israel-based member of a multigenerational “financial family,” about why couples’ money conversations often break down and how to improve them. They discuss how financial decisions reflect deeper values, identity, and past experiences, illustrated by personal stories about buying a new car and spending on a sports jersey. 

Goldstein explains that couples must revisit money talks as life changes and that alignment between two people—each with different goals and risk tolerances—should come before technical planning. She introduces Financial Date Discussion Cards, designed to create a structured, phone-free, team-based way to practice neutral, curiosity-driven questions and build communication “reps,” even during disagreements. Listeners can purchase at financialdate.com/financiallyfit and connect with Goldstein on LinkedIn.

00:37 Meet the Guest
02:53 Why Money Talks Matter
04:21 Hidden Subtext and Values
06:34 A Car Story Example
09:16 Starting the Conversation
09:38 Financial Date Cards
15:03 Practice Like the Gym
21:13 Aligning Goals as a Couple
22:48 How to Use the Cards
28:19 Where to Get Them
29:07 Final Thoughts and Wrap Up
30:12 Listener Thanks and Disclosures

Resources

BatSheva Goldstein

Link to purchase Financial Date Discussion Cards 

Batsheva's LinkedIn

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC 

Host Matthew Gray interviews investor Lane Kawaoka about his path from buying a Seattle home in 2007 to building 11 out-of-state rentals by 2015, and later moving into multifamily value-add syndications and private placements. The conversation highlights why cash flow matters, including using the 1% rent-to-price rule as a quick screen and budgeting for maintenance and CapEx. Lane also addresses his role with property managers in “managing the manager.” 

Lane breaks down neighborhood classes (A–D), the tradeoffs between better rent ratios and more headaches in lower-class areas, and why many high-priced markets don't work out. He also explains how remote purchases can work through inspections and local property manager input. Lane reviews four return drivers (cash flow, mortgage paydown, appreciation, and tax benefits like depreciation), and clarifies accredited investor status and the opportunities it can open. 

00:37 Meet Lane Kawaoka
01:42 First Rentals and Early Wins
04:14 Lessons and Property Managers
06:30 Down Payments and Deal Math
08:29 Neighborhood Classes Explained
10:16 Value Add and Scaling Up
11:57 Buying Out of State
15:22 Cash Flow and Tax Benefits
23:59 Accredited Investor Basics
27:04 Syndications and Wealth Elevator
33:00 Getting Started and Wrap Up

Resources

Lane Kawaoka

TurnKey Resources

The Wealth Elevator Book

Your First Rental Property Podcast

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC 

Matthew Gray hosts The Financially Fit Couple and interviews Kyle Glenn, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, about selling a business as part of retirement planning. Glenn explains common triggers for selling—retirement, margin pressure from inflation, employee turnover, and burnout. He also notes research showing roughly 80% of listed businesses don’t sell, making exits less likely to succeed than surviving a startup’s first decade. They discuss what makes an exit “successful,” emphasizing liquidity outside the business and readiness for life after ownership. 

Key obstacles include overestimating value, poor financial records, key-person dependency, and psychological hesitation that can derail deals. Glenn outlines finding buyers via networks or M&A advisors, using teasers and NDAs, and preparing 3–5 years in advance. He also reviews asset vs. stock sale tax implications, allocation to goodwill, QSBS, and charitable strategies. Kyle recommends every business owner build a core team of CPA, exit planner, and financial planner plus resources like the Exit Planning Institute’s State of Owner Readiness survey.

00:37 Meet Kyle Glenn
03:12 Why Owners Sell
07:30 What Makes an Exit Work
12:05 Top Sale Obstacles
16:28 Mindset and Motivation
21:54 Finding the Right Buyer
26:08 Taxes and Deal Structure
32:22 Build Your Exit Team
36:39 Resources and Wrap Up

Resources

Kyle Glenn

Kyle's bio

Kyle's LinkedIn

Exit Planning Institute's Research on Owner Readiness

Glenn Financial is not affiliated with Schrock Financial or LPL Financial.

Neither LPL Financial nor it's affiliated advisors provide business valuations or any activity that matches buyers and sellers. 

Schrock Financial and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services.  Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC 

Matthew Gray interviews mortgage banker Sol Skolnik (“Professor Home Loan”) about financing residential investment properties. Skolnik explains his background entering lending in 2006 and why sustainable loan fit matters after seeing risky pre-crash products. They cover who should consider rentals, including portfolio diversification, landlord responsibilities, and using managing agents. 

Skolnik outlines key financing options, evaluating areas and rental markets, using inspections, lender qualification factors, and pre-approvals vs TBD commitment letters. Sol also goes through the differences between brokers, mortgage banks, and depository banks. Stay tuned to the end to learn how to contact Skolnik for a free book and lending coverage.

00:37 Meet Professor Home Loan
01:36 Saul’s Mortgage Journey
04:08 Why Sustainability Matters
06:31 Should You Buy Rentals?
08:23 Financing Options Overview
13:33 Rates Terms and Down Payments
15:21 Picking Markets and Pros
17:14 Inspections and Risk Checks
18:34 What Lenders Evaluate
20:33 Picking the Right Market
21:26 Financing and Preapproval Limits
23:25 TBD Commitment Letters
26:02 Choosing Lenders and Brokers
32:18 Refinancing and Doing the Math
33:41 Landlord Responsibilities Reality
37:01 Wrap Up and Disclosures

Resources

Sol Skolnick

914-380-0600

[email protected]

https://solskolnick2.book.live/mortgage-lenders-buyers-book

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC 

Matthew Gray interviews Harrisonburg/Shenandoah Valley REALTOR® Brad Cohen about moving from solo agent to building Connexa, a boutique brokerage. Brad shares his early start in real estate as a college student, selling 27 homes his first year by networking, taking undesirable leads, and learning business-building skills not taught in licensing. 

Brad explains the necessity and vision behind starting Connexa. He highlights the grind of the first year, leaving significant income, hiring his first full-time employee, adding agents, and buying an office in 2024. He discusses unexpected management demands, mentorship, turnover, and balancing marriage with business ownership. Stay tuned at the end for his brief thoughts on the value of a college education based on his life experience!

00:38 Meet Brad Cohen
01:38 Brad’s Origin Story
03:16 First-Year Breakthrough
06:41 Brokerages and Models
12:01 Why Build a Team
17:45 Crunching the Numbers
20:45 Scrappy Startup Year One
24:49 Expected vs Unexpected
27:15 Learning to Lead People
30:55 Marriage Amid the Grind
32:25 Work Life Counterbalance
35:18 Team Turnover and Rebuild
36:56 Boutique Vision and Equity
40:39 Survive to Thrive Stage
41:47 Advice for New Owners
45:21 Is College Necessary?
48:17 Hiring for Grit and Network
49:15 Where to Connect and Wrap

Resources

Brad Cohen

https://connexare.com/agents/brad-cohen

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC 

Matthew Gray interviews Josh Hanna, of Inspire Investing, about faith-based, biblically responsible investing. Josh explains his shift from broad index funds after discovering exposure to abortion and pornography, and describes stewardship as owning part of a business and profiting from its activities. 

Inspire uses a proprietary Inspire Impact Score with eight negative screens—abortion, pornography, exploitation, LGBT activism, cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, and gambling—with a no-tolerance exclusion approach, plus a positive scoring system that rewards best-in-class ethical practices. He also details corporate engagement via proxy voting and advocacy, citing Costco’s decision not to stock mifepristone after extended engagement. 

00:38 Meet Josh and Inspire
04:28 Stewardship and Ownership
05:42 Biblical Screens vs ESG
10:05 Inspire Three Part Approach
12:02 Embrace Good and Engage
16:13 Impact Score and Exclusions
17:42 Consumer vs Investor Choices
20:27 Building Diversified ETFs
22:58 Common Objections Answered
27:12 Returns and Real Impact
30:11 How to Learn More

Resources

Josh Hanna and Inspire ETFs

InspireInsight.com

InspireETF.com

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC 

Matthew Gray interviews Rebecca Irey, founder and CEO of Blue Sky Financial and a mother of seven, about raising financially independent kids through practical, hands-on experiences. Rebecca shares early lessons like having her daughter earn money for a “My Size Barbie,” using savings interest as incentive, and teaching budgeting by assigning kids responsibility for planning and buying groceries to cook for the family. 

They discuss why many adults lack basic financial skills due to limited schooling and busy households. Rebecca emphasizes making money tangible with envelope systems and teaching “money is a game,” including playing Robert Kiyosaki’s Cashflow game. Rebecca stresses high expectations, letting kids try and fail at home to build resilience, and listening to teens’ perspectives. She also notes kids may still form different economic views as adults.

00:38 Meet Rebecca Irey
01:48 First Business at 12
04:09 Early Finance Career
05:18 My Size Barbie Lesson
08:55 Why Kids Miss Money Skills
11:55 Practical Money Training
15:15 Cashflow Game Mindset
17:29 Raising Capable Adults
24:22 Let Kids Fail Safely
26:43 Building Resilience Mindset
30:40 Generations And Money Beliefs
32:42 When Kids Reject Your Values
41:00 First Steps And Resources
43:04 Seeing Through Their Eyes

Resources

Cash Flow Game

The Coddling of the American Mind

Antifragile

The Anxious Generation

Socratic Circles

Rebecca Irey

https://blueskyefinancial.com/

LPL Financial and Blue Skye Financial are separate entities. 

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC 

Host Matthew Gray welcomes Carine Keenan, a marriage and family therapist, and Joe Keenan, a CFP and CPA, to discuss why money commonly fuels conflict in busy marriages and how couples can turn disagreements into growth. They explain that money issues often connect to safety and security, with saver–spender differences frequently rooted in childhood “money classroom” experiences and personal values like status or future security. 

Communication breaks down through avoidance, poor timing, and stress (HALTS: hungry, angry, lonely, tired, stressed), which amplifies anxiety. Tools include building self-awareness, using I-statements, scheduling regular “money talks,” creating a fun routine, and using timeouts with a commitment to resume within a day. They distinguish coaching (forward-focused planning and mindset) from therapy (healing deeper, compulsive or impairing behaviors) and describe their Keenan Financial Coaching work with couples across life transitions.

00:37 Meet the Guests
04:46 Why Money Peace Matters
07:00 Why Couples Fight About Money
08:38 Savers vs Spenders Explained
10:56 Why Communication Breaks Down
14:24 Avoidance and Better Timing
16:44 Owning Your Money Fears
20:22 Early Money Classroom Exercise
22:45 Retail Therapy and Awareness Hacks
24:16 Money Talks and Timeouts
32:17 Make Meetings Fun
33:47 Agenda And Prep System
36:10 Keep Growing Together
40:00 When To Get Help
42:55 Coaching Vs Counseling
46:30 Who Their Coaching Serves
50:05 Final Takeaways And Wrap

Resources

Carine & Joe Keenan

https://keenanfinancialcoaching.com/

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC