Why don’t we require a financial literacy class in all high schools?” Many a parent – or young adult – has asked this question. Turns out the answer is not as simple as one might think. Dr. Billy Hensley, CEO of the National Endowment for Financial Education explains why. Even better, he presents a road map for creating a world where Americans – of varying incomes, education, ages – can achieve financial capability and stability. The answer is innovative, creative, and you’ll want to hear it! 

This week, in observance of the holiday, we are airing a bonus episode where we turn the microphone on our host Manisha Thakor to give us a quick aperitif and insight as to where the True WELLth team is going.

How do you commit to slowing down in a world that demands we move fast? In this episode we have a very timely conversation with Carl Honore, the acclaimed father of “The Global Slow Movement.” In May 2019, the World Health Organization recognized burnout as an official medical diagnosis. As Carl says, “When we get stuck in fast forward… it’s harming us on every single level.” Tune in to hear Carl’s prescription to inoculate ourselves against what he calls "the global virus of hurry.”

In an exceptionally competitive industry, Dave Goetsch has thrived. Co-executive producer of the Emmy-nominated sitcom "The Big Bang Theory" and long-time writer for "3rd Rock from the Sun," Dave has mastered the lonely existence of the Hollywood writer. But how? By embracing the power of human connection and collaboration. In this episode, Dave reveals the secrets behind getting things done in the boisterous writers' room and tells us why few things are better than making your friends laugh.

Imagine you wake up to find that your (now ex) husband has blown through your entire inheritance, skipped the country and left behind a $1 million tax bill. Oh, and you signed joint tax returns so that bill is now yours. Welcome to the situation Barbara Huson found herself in. Yet wow, did she ever turn those lemons into lemonade. Barbara not only paid back that entire tax liability, she’s shared invaluable lessons about women, wealth and power with thousands of others over the ensuing decades. 

What can you learn from a former Obama White House staffer currently teaching at MIT? A series of mental models to help you move beyond the daily deluge of “texts, tasks, and to do’s” so you can more effectively think ahead. For example, Bina presents living “heirlooms” (ideas, concepts, output) as a tool to create lasting, enduring work that complements our day-to-day. Or learning to measuring ourselves in the now in a manner that reflects the contribution we wish to make over our lifetime.

In this episode, internationally renowned keynote speaker, author and 4-time Oprah guest Mary LoVerde shares a foolproof recipe for regaining our footing when life turns us upside down. Spoiler alert: it’s only 3 words – and works professional and personally. Mary also shares some moving, pivotal moments where she follows this advice herself.  One instance leads to the kind of adventure most people only dream of. The other involves some hard, bittersweet choices about what matters most in life.

Feel like you have too much to do, not enough time and “crazy busy” has become your middle name?  Psychologist, NYT best-selling author and founder of the consultancy Ignite180, Ron Friedman has developed a unique program to help. In this episode Ron provides specific practices based on his very popular “Peak Performance Formula” that will enable you to reclaim your work day – and your overall life. And be sure to listen through to the very end of the episode for a surprise guest and bonus tip!

“What really matters in life?” This fundamental question was what inspired the chairman of a major multinational corporation to launch 1440 Multiversity, an innovative hub for immersion learning. In this episode, Scott Kriens shares candid, heartfelt thoughts on the importance of facing our fears head on and how "generative energy" can help us all make powerful daily micro course corrections (or major macro life shifts) to bring us closer to living from a place of true WELLth.

You might expect the award-winning journalist, prolific author and financial editor of NBC’s The Today Show to come on the true WELLth podcast to share everyday tips on improving our personal finance habits. Instead, Jean shares with us one of the most powerful arguments I’ve ever heard about why the linkage between money and safety for women – is a vital one for all genders to understand. Jean also shares with us insights from the research done for her newest book, Women With Money.