In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier is joined by Rachel Donnelly, founder and CEO of AfterLight and author of Late to Your Own Funeral: How to Leave a Legacy and Not a Log Jam. Rachel shares the personal losses that led her to build a business around helping overwhelmed executors, and she and Jeff dig into why estate planning is about far more than a will or a trust. They discuss what families really inherit after a death, why organization matters as much as love, the added complexity of digital assets, and how planning ahead can be one of the greatest gifts you leave behind.

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Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

In this Money & Meaning Perspectives episode, host Jeff Bernier examines how artificial intelligence is changing financial advice and what that means for the future of financial advisors. Jeff explores the shift from knowledge work toward “wisdom work,” where experience, judgment, discernment, empathy, and perspective become increasingly important. He discusses where AI excels, where human advisors can continue to add value, and why the future of financial advice may combine technology’s analytical power with distinctly human guidance.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier speaks with entrepreneur and investor John Hutchinson, founder of Care Counseling and host of The Nuance Effect podcast. John shares his journey of building and exiting a fast-growing behavioral health company, only to confront deeper questions about health, family, and purpose. They examine leadership, business growth, and the tradeoffs that come with success, along with John’s perspective on aligning work with what matters most after a major transition.

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Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

Retirement is often viewed as a financial milestone. But what if one of its greatest challenges has little to do with money?

In this episode of Money & Meaning Perspectives, Jeff Bernier explores the transition from achievement to purpose, drawing on reflections from Chip Conley, founder of the Modern Elder Academy, and Arthur Brooks, Harvard professor and bestselling author of From Strength to Strength. Jeff examines why many successful people struggle more with identity than finances after leaving their careers, how our strengths evolve over time, and what it means to become an elder rather than simply grow older. Whether you're within 10 to 15 years of retirement or already retired, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective on the retirement transition, finding purpose after a successful career, and designing a meaningful next chapter.

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Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier is joined by Dr. Joy Lere, a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of Shaping Wealth. They examine retirement as more than a financial milestone, focusing on the shift in identity, purpose, and daily structure that comes with leaving a career. Joy shares how unmet expectations, loss, and identity challenges can shape the transition, along with practical ways to prepare by building a meaningful life outside of work and continuing to contribute beyond a paycheck. 

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Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com) 

In this Perspective episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier examines one of the most common questions investors ask: whether they’re missing out by not owning the latest high-profile stock or IPO. Using examples ranging from railroads and the telecom boom to NVIDIA, SpaceX, and artificial intelligence, Jeff explores why transformative companies don’t always translate into exceptional investments. He explains the difference between innovation and speculation, why market expectations matter, and how diversification allows investors to participate in long-term human progress without relying on predicting tomorrow’s winners. 

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Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com) 

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier speaks with Peter Nakada, Chief Education Officer at Stone Ridge Asset Management, about alternative investments and the role they can play in building more resilient retirement portfolios. They examine why traditional portfolios are often overly dependent on corporate profits and interest rates, and how “true alternatives” like reinsurance may provide diversification benefits that traditional alternatives cannot. Peter explains catastrophe bonds, quota shares, risk premiums, and the behavioral challenges investors face when allocating to alternative asset classes during periods of uncertainty and market volatility. 

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Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com) 

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier examines a recent discussion from The Rational Reminder podcast that challenges the common belief that stocks are always safe if held long enough. Jeff explores how market downturns often force investors to sell not because of panic, but because of income shocks, fixed expenses, and limited liquidity. He breaks down research on investor behavior during crises and explains why financial resilience depends not only on portfolio construction, but also on flexibility, liquidity, and lifestyle design.  

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Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com) 

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier is joined by Jason Lina, Founder of Golden Bell Financial Planning. Together, they discuss how thoughtful financial planning goes beyond numbers and why clarity, simplicity, and good decision-making matter more than trying to predict the future.

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About the Guest

Jason Lina is the Founder of Golden Bell Financial Planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner professional and Chartered Financial Analyst. Jason has been featured in publications such as Forbes, Money Magazine, CNBC, and U.S. News and World Report. He focuses on comprehensive financial planning and long-term investment strategy.

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Jason

Golden Bell Financial Planning

Connect with Jeff

TandemGrowth Financial Advisors, LLC

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier examines how geopolitical conflict influences oil and gasoline prices, drawing on perspectives from economist John Cochrane and JPMorgan’s Michael Cembalest. He explains how war creates supply shocks, why energy markets react quickly, and how those effects ripple through inflation and the broader economy. Jeff also outlines why the U.S. is less vulnerable today and what investors should focus on when uncertainty rises.

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Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)