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In this episode, I spoke with Bernadette Joy, author, podcast and financial fluency advocate about why financial fluency—not just literacy—is the next evolution in how we talk about money. Bernadette shares how fluency empowers individuals to take control of their financial lives, ask better questions, and challenge outdated systems.

Key Takeaways:

• Financial education should be shame-free and accessible
• Financial fluency is like learning a new language
• Fluency is about context, communication, and intentional skill use
• Just-in-time learning is more effective than just-in-case theory
• Fluency can close the gender and racial wealth gap
• Fluency empowers people to question the system

Connect with Bernadette Joy: 

• Website (here)
• LinkedIn (here)
• Instagram (here)
• YouTube (here) 

Books:

• CRUSH Your Money Goals: 25 Smart Money Habits to Save, Invest, and Fast-Track Your Financial Freedom (Amazon) (Bookshop)

Podcast:

• Crush Your Money Goals (YouTube) 

Freebies:

• FREE GUIDE: 10 Money Tools You Need

Resources mentioned:

• Invest for Better: Check out my conversation with Janine Firpo, the co-founder of Invest for Better (here)
• Romy Pickron: Check out my conversation with Romy Pickron, the co-founder of Reducify (here)

Bio: 

Bernadette Joy is an author, podcaster and CEO of Crush Your Money Goals®, a personal finance training company serving up education with a side of pizzazz. She's featured monthly in Forbes, CNBC, and CNET and appeared on more than 30 podcasts, radio and television shows. 

As the eighth child in her father's brood of nine and a first-gen Filipina-American, Bernadette understands those who feel like they missed the money memo. Sure, she boasts two bachelors and a master's, and a decade of Fortune 100 and startup experience. But her real street cred? Paying off a jaw-dropping $300,000 of debt in three years and investing her first $1 million in her 30s! Now she works 20 hours a week to focus her financial freedom on joy: K-Pop, yoga, karaoke and spoiling her nieces and nephews as their traveling rich auntie. Today she shares strategies so simple, your pet goldfish could understand.  She's coached thousands nationwide, sharing her 5-step secret recipe for ditching debt, mastering savings and investing for financial peace. 

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On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Charlene Cong, Peter Asare Nyarko and Robin Taub about financial literacy around the world. 

In this episode we discussed:

• Why financial literacy is a global issue.
• Financial literacy is a journey, not a destination. 
• We need to incorporate our value with our money. 
• Teaching your kids to be responsible, independent and money smart for life is the wisest investment (Robin).
• Always start with your goals, your values and why (Charlene). 
• If we want to solve the global challenge that comes with financial literacy, we need to collaborate (Peter). 

Connect with Charlene Cong:

• Website
• FinFit GmbH Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Podcast

Connect with Peter Asare Nyarko

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook

Connect with Robin Taub:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Newsletter

Books: 

• Journey to Financial Freedom: Building a Strong Financial Foundation and Investment Basics by Peter Asare Nyarko
• The Wisest Investment: Teaching Your Kids to Be Responsible, Independent and Money-Smart for Life by Robin Taub

Resources: Charlene

• Budgeting and Spending Template (free): (here)
• Investment Masterclass: (here)

Charlene H. Cong, CFA, is the founder of FinFit GmbH, a finance and investment educator, podcaster, and YouTuber. With over 10 years of experience in the banking industry, including a tenure at JPMorgan Asset Management, she is a Chartered Financial Analyst based in both Hong Kong and Switzerland. Charlene is an Executive Board Member of the Swiss Capital Market Forum. 

Robin Taub, CPA, is a keynote speaker and the award-winning author of The Wisest Investment, Teaching Your Kids to Be Responsible, Independent and Money-Smart for Life (available in Canadian and US editions.). Robin began her career at KPMG, transitioned into real estate, and then landed in the complex world of derivatives marketing at Citibank. Robin lives in Toronto, where she and her husband have raised two mostly money-smart young adults. 

Peter Kwadwo Asare Nyarko is the Founding Executive Director for Center for Financial Literacy Education (CFLE Africa); a social organization that develops and promotes financial literacy skills in Africans especially young Africans. He is the Founder and Lead

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The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

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On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Allie Zendrian, Founder of AtoZ Communications and host of the Brand Stories Podcast, about how the power of storytelling can transform the way we talk about money.

We explored how authentic stories and intentional communication can help shift the conversation around financial literacy—making it more relatable, engaging, and impactful.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Storytelling is a powerful tool for improving financial conversations
  
  
• Authenticity matters—find your voice and stay true to it
  
  
• Experiences often hold more value than material things
  
  
• Gratitude and perspective are key to reshaping our money mindset
  
  
• A storytelling approach can make financial literacy more accessible and memorable

Connect with Allie Zendrian:

• LinkedIn (here)
• AtoZ communications website (here)

Podcast:

Brand Stories Podcast (Apple Podcasts)

Resources mentioned:

• Nitrogen’s 2025 Firm Growth Survey (here)

Bio: 

Alexandra Zendrian, often called Allie, is the founder of AtoZ Communications, a boutique financial services, fintech and healthcare public relations company. Starting as a financial journalist at Institutional Investor's The Wall Street Letter, Forbes, and TheStreet, Allie's career now includes representing over a dozen primarily financial services and fintech firms. She brings her reporter experience as she anticipates how stories will be shaped to prep her clients. 

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The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

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On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with John Lanza, Chief Mammal of The Art of Allowance Project, about raising financially capable kids and how allowance can be a practical tool for building lifelong money skills.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Keep it simple—financial literacy for kids doesn’t have to be complicated.
  
  
• An allowance is a learning tool—it's a hands-on system for experience.
  
  
• Trade-offs build decision-making muscles—help kids understand choices and consequences.
  
  
• Normalize money talks—breaking money taboos starts at home.
  
  
• Turn mistakes into teachable moments—your past experiences can guide your kids.
  
  
• Let kids find their own money style—allowance helps them build independence.

Connect with John Lanza:

• Website (here)
• LinkedIn (here)
• Newsletter: Money Smart Mondays (here) 
• X (here)
• Instagram (here)

Books:

• The Art of Allowance: A Short, Practical Guide to Raising Money-Smart, Money-Empowered Kids by John Lanza (Amazon)
• Joe the Monkey Saves for a Goal: A Loop-Dee-Loo Story (Amazon)
• Joe the Monkey and Friends Learn about Spending Smart (Amazon)
• Joe the Monkey Learns to Share (Amazon)

Podcast:

• The Art of Allowance Podcast (here)

Bio: 

John Lanza is on a mission to help parents raise money-smart kids and help families live happier, more fulfilled lives. John Lanza is the author of The Art of Allowance: A Short, Practical Guide to Raising Money-Smart, Money-Empowered Kids, host of The Art of Allowance Podcast and creator of The Art of Allowance Project featuring The Money Mammals and now the new program for tweens and teens called Adolescent$. The Art of Allowance Project is a nationwide program for credit unions that helps them connect with families to help parents raise money-smart kids of all ages. 

An expert on youth financial literacy, John's work has appeared in the NY Times, LA Times, The Wall Street Journal, CU Broadcast and CU Insight. John, the Chief Mammal of Snigglezoo, is an avid runner. He lives in Southern California with his wife Eileen, the O.G. Money Mammal, and their two daughters, who have inspired and informed his work.

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The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

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In this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I was joined by Alissa Maizes, Erinn Andrews and Russell James. We explore how Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) can be a great vehicle for charitable giving. 

💡 Conversation Highlights:What is a Donor Advised Fund? 

• The benefits and key considerations of using a DAF.
• How DAFs can encourage multi-generational giving.
• Charitable giving isn’t just for the wealthy. 
• DAF’s can ease the process for small non-profits.

Charitable planning is more than a financial strategy—it’s a way to express your values, build legacy, and make a lasting impact. With tools like Donor Advised Funds, giving can be simple, strategic, and deeply personal.

Connect with Alissa Maizes:

• Amplify My Wealth Website (here) 
• LInkedIn (here)  
• Instagram ( @amplifymywealth ) 

Connect with Erinn Andrews:

• LinkedIn:(here)
• GiveTeam Website: (here) 

Connect with Russell James:

• LinkedIn (here)  
• Website - open access books, videos and articles (here)
• Books (Amazon) 

Bios: 

Alissa Maizes is an award-winning financial literacy content creator, is a licensed attorney and registered investment advisor who provides women and young adults with financial advice and a plan to embrace the life they want. Whether sharing financial literacy content or advising clients of Savvy Ladies with pro bono advice or clients of her firm, Alissa meets you wherever you are on your journey, whether living paycheck-to-paycheck and striving to eliminate high-interest debt or are already a millionaire. 

Erinn Andrews, the current VP and incoming President of the National Board of Advisors in Philanthropy, is a social entrepreneur, innovator, and philanthropy leader. As the Founder and CEO of GiveTeam, Erinn runs a unique philanthropic planning practice specializing in supporting donors who wish to be more intentional in their giving. Offering a new philanthropic advising model, GiveTeam collaborates closely with financial advisors to help clients develop a charitable mission statement and select local nonprofits aligned with their values.  

Russell James, J.D., Ph.D., CFP® is a chaired professor in the School of Financial Planning at Texas Tech University where he directs the on-campus and online graduate program in Charitable Financial Planning (planned giving). He graduated, cum laude, from the University of Missouri School of Law where he was a member of the Missouri Law Review and received the United Missouri Bank Award for Most Outstanding Work in Gift and Estate Taxation and Planning. He also holds a Ph.D. in consumer economics from the University of Missouri, where his dissertation was on charitable giving. Prior to his career as an academic researcher, Dr. James worked as the Director of Planned Giving for Central Christian College in Moberly, Missouri for 6 years and later served as p

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The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Kerri Fernsworth—advisor, storyteller, and legacy planning advocate—to explore how personal narratives can transform the way we think about money, family, and the future.

We discuss how legacy isn’t just about what you leave behind, but how you live—and how storytelling and recorded conversations can build empathy, bridge generations, and spark meaningful planning.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Recording helps you reflect. It’s not just about memory—it’s about asking better questions and creating shared understanding.
• Storytelling is a legacy tool. Stories give your wealth context and create empathy across generations.
• Your life is a story in progress. Legacy planning starts now, not just later.
• Money is perception. The way we talk about money tells a deeper story about our values.
• Legacy videos are powerful. They help families engage in meaningful, less awkward conversations.
• Advisors can lead the way. Be the communication hub that helps clients connect the dots across generations.
• Stay curious. Your clients’ stories are still unfolding—ask, listen, and guide with empathy.

🎧 Why It Matters:

This episode is for advisors, educators, and anyone who wants to bring more meaning into their financial conversations. Legacy isn’t just estate planning—it’s a living process. The sooner you have these conversations, the better. 

Connect with Kerri Fernsworth:  

Website: (Authentic Legacy Video)

• LinkedIn: (here)

Bio: 

Kerri Fernsworth is the Founder of Authentic Legacy Video. She started this business after interviewing her own elder family members, finding joy and meaningful connection in the experience. Kerri brings over a decade of experience with independent filmmaking and improv comedy, applying her empathetic story skills to financial advisors and insuretech startups in two prior ventures, Authentic Advisor Video and Concurrent. 

She is published on video, marketing, and compliance topics in: The Journal of Financial Planning, NAPFA, Wealthtender, Vimeo, Hearst Bay Area, and Zapier. In addition to being a traveler, she loves studying energy healing, herbalism and is curious about most things! 

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The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Donna Bandelloni and Dien Yuen—two trailblazers in the world of philanthropy. 

We explore the evolving intersection of wealth, values, and giving—and how financial professionals can guide meaningful conversations. 

Key takeaways

• The changing face of philanthropy: How generational shifts are creating new opportunities and challenges.
• Why family dynamics matter: Philanthropy opens the door to inclusive conversations across generations.
• Don’t be afraid of philanthropy: Your clients are already thinking about it—they just need your guidance.
• You don’t need to have all the answers: Collaboration and listening go a long way.
• The role of the advisor is evolving: Learn how the Impact Philanthropy Advisor Certificate empowers you to support your clients at a deeper level.
• What’s your impact? How to define, deepen, and align your practice with purpose.

If you’re a financial advisor, planner, or coach—this episode will challenge you to rethink how you support clients on their giving journey. It’s not about being an expert—it’s about showing up, asking better questions, and helping them create lasting impact.

Connect with Dien Nguyen:

• LinkedIn
• Daylight Website
• Daylight LinkedIn
• Daylight Instagram
• Daylight BlueSky
• Daylight YouTube

Connect with Donna Bandelloni:

• LinkedIn:(here)

Bios: 

Dien Yuen, JD, LLM, CAP®, AEP®, IPA is the Founder and CEO of Daylight. Dien also serves as the lead faculty for philanthropy at Singapore’s Wealth Management Institute (WMI), where she was instrumental in launching Asia’s first professional philanthropic certification program. She was inducted into the 2023 National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) Hall of Fame and recognized for her academic leadership with the Distinguished Faculty Award from WMI. Previously, Dien founded the Center for Philanthropy and Social Impact at The American College of Financial Services, where she also developed and taught courses in the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) program as the Blunt-Nickel Professor in Philanthropy.  Dien’s early career included senior roles in wealth management and global development organizations.

Donna Bandelloni is an experienced gift-planning consultant dedicated to building and sustaining nonprofit organizations by advancing their mission through legacy gifts. She has served as a director of gift planning for leading healthcare organizations and senior director and director of charitable gifts for world-leading financial institutions for more than 25 years. In addition, Donna held VP director positions at large financial institutions such as Merrill Lynch Trust, Wells Fargo Charitable Management, and BNY Mellon Wealth Management, where she successfully expanded charitable services across the United States to the nonprofit sector. Director of Gift Planning, California Pacific Medical Center Fou

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The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

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On the latest episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I’m joined by Walt Laskos, podcaster and Elder Fraud Prevention Advocate. 

Walt and I dive into the hidden epidemic of elder financial abuse, how it often strikes close to home, and the critical role financial institutions and families play in stopping it. We also explore practical strategies for protecting our aging loved ones—and ourselves.

Key Takeaways:

• What is elder fraud? It’s not always strangers—80–90% of cases involve someone the victim knows, often a family member.
• Why financial institutions matter. Banks and credit unions have a duty to recognize and respond to red flags.
• Scams have patterns. Learn the common tactics used by fraudsters and how to recognize them.
• Pause, think, and verify. A simple moment of reflection can prevent a costly mistake.
• Helping your aging parents. From starting the conversation to setting up safeguards, you’ll learn actionable steps to make a difference.

Connect with Walt Laskos:  

• Website (here)
• LinkedIn (here)
• YouTube (here)

Podcast:

• One-on-One with Walt Laskos (here) 

Referenced in this episode:

• Gentreo (here)

Bio: 

Walt Laskos is the CEO and Owner of Laskos Communications, a private consultancy through which he provides his expertise grounded in his 40-plus years of public relations, communications, and media production experience. His professional career extends from coast to coast, groomed and influenced by a host of companies and organizations where he held positions of responsibility within the communications and media professions, from KeyCorp and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Western Corporate Federal

Credit Union; and most recently, the Cooperative Credit Union Association where he served as chief communications officer.

Walt is a Credit Union Development Educator and credit union industry veteran of more than 20 years. He hosts a nationally distributed podcast, One-on-One with Walt Laskos, and also serves as blogger and frequent speaker advocating for the education and protection of older adults from financial scams and fraud. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Siena College and a Master of Divinity from the Washington Theological Union.

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The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

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On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Steven Zeiger, Managing Director at KB Financial Services and at Veralytic about changing the way we think about money and life insurance policy analysis.

Key takeaways:

• How independent benchmarks can help.
• Why life insurance policies are complex. 
• How advisors can get started analyzing a life insurance policy.
• Why this is a new fiduciary era for life insurance. 
• The value of independent research. 

Connect with Steven Zeiger:

KB Financial Website (here) 

LinkedIn (here)

Resources mentioned:

Ethical Edge (here)

Morningstar (here)

Value Line (here)

Veralytic

Zinnia (here)

A Shot Across the Bow by Barry Flagg and Steven Zeiger - read the article (here)

Bio: 

Steven Zeiger serves as a Managing Director at KB Financial and has been asked to educate members dozens of  groups such as STEP, ACTEC, NAEPC, PLI,  THE ABA, and over 30 other organizations on the application of prudent investor guidelines to life insurance product selection and portfolio management.  These guidelines are based on established and proven asset management doctrine- benchmarking, analysis of cost, performance and risk, etc.. Steven helps fiduciaries guide their clients’ insurance decisions based on the only patented prudent process for life insurance selection and retention. Steven is published in Trust & Estates  Magazine.

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The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

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On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Stevyn Guinnip, Author, Speaker and Founder of Grow Wellthy about changing the way we think about money and growing wellthy.

Key takeaways:

• Financial wellness and physical wellness are interrelated.
• The difference between lifespan and healthspan. 
• How do you lengthen your healthspan and reduce your sick span.
• The number 1 worry in retirement is health. 
• Your money and health are integrated into every aspect of your life.
• How to turn a health debt into an asset.
• When you’re prepared for the worst case scenario, everything else is icing on the cake. 

Connect with Stevyn Guinnip:

• Website (here)
• LinkedIn (here)
• Instagram (here) 

Books:

• The Health-Wealth Playbook: A Financial Advisor's 4-Step Strategy to Live Well Longer (waitlist) 

Resources mentioned:

• How healthy are you? Quiz (here)
• I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi (Bookshop)
• The Four Pillars of the New Retirement: What a Difference a Year Makes - An Edward Jones and Age Wave Study: June 2021 (here)
• The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley (Bookshop)
• Vagus Nerve - Cleveland Clinic (here)

Bio: 

Stevyn Guinnip, the daughter of a successful financial planner, spent most of her career as an exercise physiologist. After a near death experience in Australia, she repurposed four financial concepts to turn her health around. Now her company, Grow Wellthy™, helps financial advisors invest in their health using the same system. Stevyn interviewed over 500 financial professionals for her book on this topic, and she challenges financial advisors to see their health as an asset and an integral part of financial planning. She now lives on the island of Madeira, Portugal with her husband and two teenagers.

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The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.