What does it really take to thrive in finance - and in life -  without losing yourself along the way?

In this conversation, I’m joined by Chris Doughty, a financial advisor and coach who believes that human nature is a failed investment policy. Chris shares his journey from Wall Street corner offices to building a values-driven practice, and why discipline, patience, and faith are at the heart of long-term success.

Chris is the founder of Gentian Financial Inc., where he specializes in retirement planning as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. His insights have been featured in Forbes, Barron’s, and The Financial Times. Based in Mequon, WI, Chris is a lifelong learner, family man, and co-founder of Globall Giving, a nonprofit dedicated to helping underprivileged children access sports and healthy lifestyles.

We dive into:

• Why so much frustration is a choice  -  and how to reframe it

• The role of faith, values, and mindset in decision-making

• Human nature vs. long-term planning -  and why discipline beats emotion every time

• Lessons from clients who didn’t stick to their plans (and what we can learn from them)

• Why even Nobel Prize-winning economists need advisors

• The ongoing work of self-improvement and “living your eulogy”

Chris also shares insights from his upcoming book, Becoming a Better Human, and explains why small daily improvements -  what he calls “Pringles” -  add up to a meaningful life.

This is a conversation about more than money; it’s about building resilience, respecting yourself, and leaving a legacy through the way you live each day.

Connect with Chris Doughty

🌐 Website: genianfinancial.com

📖 Book: Becoming a Better Human (forthcoming)

📩 Email: [email protected]

🔗 Connect with Nina Cooke

✍️Want to know what’s stopping you from making more money? Take the Millionaire Mindset Mastery Scorecard here.

👉 Feeling stuck? Do you want more, but don't know how to achieve it? Schedule a call now

🎧 Subscribe to my podcast for more actionable advice to grow your profits - no fluff, just real results.

If this episode sparked new ideas or gave you fresh insights, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating and review helps us reach more listeners who can benefit from these conversations - plus, it lets us know what’s resonating with you. I truly appreciate your support!

 

Join me for an honest and engaging conversation with Justin King - Chartered Financial Planner, Registered Life Planner, and founder of MFP Wealth Management - who talks about how one’s values, purpose, and vision can and should inform financial planning.

• A remarkable personal journey: From being turned away from the Air Force, clocking in as a tea boy at 16, globetrotting, experiencing a near-fatal motorcycle crash, to ultimately launching his own successful financial planning firm.

• Beyond the technical: Justin argues that true financial advice stems from understanding what lies beneath the surface - dreams, fears, values - not just pensions and investments.

• The human edge in an AI era: Technical knowledge is fleeting; emotional connection and deep listening are timeless.

• A blueprint for reinventing your business: Downgrade the noise and imagine your ideal advisory practice from scratch - then work toward that vision.

• Life lessons that stick: Life is short. Your time is your greatest asset. And if you’re constant in small actions, the results are, too.

Key Takeaways

1. Find the iceberg beneath the problem - getting to the emotional core drives true transformation.

2. Design your business from a blank page - choose only the clients, vision, and values that suit your future path.

3. Clarity + Vision + Coaching = Freedom - knowing what you want and working through obstacles turns dreams into plans.

4. Consistency isn’t glamorous - it’s powerful - regular habits in money, health, or relationships yield inevitable results.

 

 

Resources & Links

• YouTube Channel – The Retirement Café with Justin King Watch on YouTube: The Retirement Café with Justin King (YouTube channel)

• Book – The Retirement Café Handbook: Nine Accelerators for a Successful Retirement: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Retirement-Cafe-Handbook-Accelerators-Successful/dp/1739410300

• Podcast – The Retirement Café Listen to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6V5bxaakGWh8NLq7ypB9LO?si=183a9e8b44c24f9e

• Justin’s Website – MFP Wealth Management Visit the site:  https://www.mfpwealthmanagement.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Nina Cooke:

✍️Want to know what’s stopping you from making more money? Take the Millionaire Mindset Mastery Scorecard here.

👉 Feeling stuck? Do you want more, but don't know how to achieve it? Schedule a call now

🎧 Subscribe to my podcast for more actionable advice to grow your profits - no fluff, just real results.

 If this episode sparked new ideas or gave you fresh insights, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating and review helps us reach more listeners who can benefit from these conversations - plus, it lets us know what’s resonating with you. I truly appreciate your support!

 

From managing over $2 billion in assets at Alliance Bernstein to leading a global nonprofit funding cutting-edge research, Joshua Herring’s career path is anything but traditional. In this episode, Joshua shares his journey from private wealth management into longevity science, and the mindset principles that have fueled his success in both industries.

We explore how confidence, relationship-building, and a service-first approach set apart top financial advisors, and how those same qualities translate into leadership, fundraising, and making an impact on global health. Joshua also opens up about his personal story, the lessons cancer in his family taught him, and why mindset and gratitude remain at the core of his philosophy.

What you'll discover in this episode:

• Joshua’s journey from private wealth management to nonprofit leadership

• How mindset shapes success in finance, philanthropy, and beyond

• Why relationship-building is the real currency of trust

• The types of questions that unlock deeper client needs

• Confidence vs. arrogance: the difference in high-performing advisors

• How to lean on team structures and resources to strengthen credibility

• The biggest life lessons Joshua has learned so far: gratitude and choice

Resources & Links:

• Longevity Science Foundation

• Follow the Longevity Science Foundation on LinkedIn and Twitter/X

• Join their newsletter for updates on longevity research and initiatives

🔗 Connect with Nina Cooke:

✍️Want to know what’s stopping you from making more money? Take the Millionaire Mindset Mastery Scorecard here.

👉 Feeling stuck? Do you want more, but don't know how to achieve it? Schedule a call now

🎧 Subscribe to my podcast for more actionable advice to grow your profits - no fluff, just real results.

If this episode sparked new ideas or gave you fresh insights, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating and review helps us reach more listeners who can benefit from these conversations - plus, it lets us know what’s resonating with you. I truly appreciate your support!

In this inspiring conversation, Lorie Jones, founder of Fearless Financial Advisors, shares how her mindset has shaped her journey from back-office operations to running her own successful financial advisory practice.

Lorie opens up about the challenges of entering a male-dominated industry, the importance of role models, and how surrounding herself with fearless women gave her the courage to step fully into the role of financial advisor. She explains why mindset and attitude are crucial to business growth, how to balance the roles of “advisor” and “therapist,” and why process and people matter as much as numbers.

From handling setbacks with grace to building a company culture that empowers others, Lorie’s approach is grounded in curiosity, continuous learning, and the belief that people are fundamentally good. She also shares her perspective on risk-taking, leadership, and the ripple effect that happens when you help others reach their potential.

Whether you’re a financial professional, an entrepreneur, or simply someone looking for a dose of motivation, this episode will leave you with practical ideas and a renewed belief in what’s possible.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How mindset shifts can transform your career path

• The role of role models in breaking through limiting beliefs

• Why the financial advisor’s job is about more than numbers

• The importance of strong processes to support client relationships

• How to decide when to delegate and trust others with key tasks

• Strategies for bouncing back from setbacks and learning from them

• The ripple effect of building people up in business and life

Connect with Lorie Jones:

🌐 fearlessfinancialadvisors.com 

🔗 Connect with Nina Cooke:

✍️Want to know what’s stopping you from making more money? Take the Millionaire Mindset Mastery Scorecard here.

👉 Feeling stuck? Do you want more, but don't know how to achieve it? Schedule a call now

🎧 Subscribe to my podcast for more actionable advice to grow your profits - no fluff, just real results.

If this episode sparked new ideas or gave you fresh insights, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating and review helps us reach more listeners who can benefit from these conversations - plus, it lets us know what’s resonating with you. We truly appreciate your support!

 

How do you deliver exceptional service to high-net-worth clients without burning out? In this episode, Shannon Paul, Chief Operating Officer at Axiom Wealth Management, reveals the mindset, boundaries, and strategy it takes to serve at the highest levels -  without losing your sense of self in the process.

With over 15 years of experience, Shannon shares what it really takes to thrive in wealth management, especially in the ultra-affluent space. She opens up about her journey from South Africa’s private banking world to leading a U.S.-based advisory team, and the intentional choices that have fueled her long-term success.

You’ll learn:

• Why mindset matters more than pedigree when serving high-net-worth clients

• The hidden dangers of “over-servicing” and how to avoid them

• How to build relational equity that withstands market downturns

• Why assumptions can destroy client trust — and how to lead with curiosity instead

• How to scale service excellence through team support and systems

• The power of saying “no” and setting boundaries early in your career

Whether you’re an advisor looking to break into the high-net-worth space, or a seasoned professional seeking sustainability, this conversation will challenge your thinking and offer deeply practical advice to enhance your practice..

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• You don’t have to “earn” the right to be in the room -  your value comes from how you serve, not your background.

• Not every advisor is suited for ultra-high-net-worth clients  -  and that’s okay. Find your niche and honor it.

• Over-servicing kills scalability -  boundaries protect both you and your clients.

• Build a team that shares your service standard -  excellence shouldn’t fall on one person alone.

• Assumptions erode trust -  clarity comes from asking questions, not guessing.

• Relational equity pays off during hard times -  invest in the relationship, not just the transaction.

• A growth mindset is key -  be willing to become an expert in what you don’t yet know.

🔗 Connect with Shannon Paul & Axiom Wealth:

• 🌐 Website: axiom.nm.com

• 📱 LinkedIn: Follow Axiom Wealth

• 📸 Instagram & Facebook: @axiomwealthnm

• 🎥 Webinars: Reach out via any platform for invites

🔗 Connect with Nina Cooke:

✍️Want to know what’s stopping you from making more money? Take the Millionaire Mindset Mastery Scorecard here.

👉 Feeling stuck? Do you want more, but don't know how to achieve it? Schedule a call now

🎧 Subscribe to my podcast for more actionable advice to grow your profits - no fluff, just real results.

 

If this episode sparked new ideas or gave you fresh insights, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating and review helps us reach more listeners who can benefit from these conversations - plus, it lets us know what’s resonating with you. We truly appreciate your support!

 

In this powerful conversation, I sat down with Gary Sinderbrand - veteran financial advisor, nationally recognized coach, and founder of Better Path Training. With over four decades of experience, including 22 years at Merrill Lynch, Gary shares his remarkable journey from a fresh college graduate to a million-dollar producer, mentor, and coach to some of the industry’s top advisors.

He delves deeply into the roles of mindset, purpose, and disciplined focus—revealing how the best financial advisors are not just skilled with numbers but also committed to making a lasting impact on their clients’ lives. Gary also opens up about transforming the traditional approach to advice, why most advisors struggle with clarity and connection, and how the next generation can inherit not just wealth, but wisdom.

Whether you’re an advisor at the start of your journey, a seasoned professional thinking about succession, or simply someone who values purpose-driven work - this episode will inspire you to think bigger, act with intention, and stay true to your vision.

🧠 Topics Covered:

• Gary’s unconventional path into financial services and why vision trumped conformity

• Lessons learned from his father about legacy and service

• Transitioning from a transactional mindset to purpose-led advice

• Why focusing on client outcomes - not products - changes everything

• How to instill “constructive doubt” and educate clients for long-term trust

• The importance of aligning your client book with your values

• How mindset trips up advisors - and how to build a resilient, focused one

• The power of leadership, clarity, and discipline during crises like 2008

• Why senior advisors must rethink how they’re training and empowering successors

• What skiing, muscle memory, and financial coaching have in common

• The biggest lesson life has taught Gary (hint: it’s not about money)

🛠️ Resources & Links:

• Gary’s Website: BetterPathTraining.com

• Connect on LinkedIn

• Gary’s Podcast: If The Public Only Knew – Honest conversations for advisors and clients alike

Connect with Nina Cooke:

✍️Want to know what’s stopping you from making more money? Take the Millionaire Mindset Mastery Scorecard here.

👉 Feeling stuck? Do you want more, but don't know how to achieve it? Schedule a call now

🎧 Subscribe to my podcast for more actionable advice to grow your profits - no fluff, just real results.

 

If this episode sparked new ideas or gave you fresh insights, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating and review helps us reach more listeners who can benefit from these conversations - plus, it lets us know what’s resonating with you. We truly appreciate your support!

 

After two decades in corporate finance, Susan Glusica had a crisis of legacy and shifted paths - choosing a client-first, energy-based approach to wealth building. In this episode, she shares why mindset and energy are inseparable for building wealth and how advisors can step into financial power by shifting their self-image.

We dive into Susan’s signature framework, the Seven Money Realities and Seven Levels of Money Consciousness, and discuss the hidden money blocks that hold back advisors from keeping, growing, and giving more. If you’re ready to feel more empowered around your finances, this conversation is packed with game-changing insights.

🧠 Key Topics & Takeaways:

• The moment Susan left her six-figure corporate job for a more meaningful path

• How your self-image (both inner and outer) shapes your financial outcomes

• The role of mentors, masterminds, and coaches in achieving quantum leaps

• What the “Seven Levels of Money Consciousness” are - and how they affect your wealth

• Why energy precedes mindset, and how to align both

• The #1 frequency to embody for instant transformation: Gratitude

• How women are underserved in finance - and what needs to change

• Selling and serving in alignment with your authentic energy

• Letting go of resistance to become magnetic to the right clients

• How to stand out by embracing your “Unique Value Blueprint”

🔗 Connect with Susan:

• Coaching & Mindset Work: www.susangca.com

• Financial Planning (US only): www.libelleprosperitysolutions.com

• Find her on social media @SusanGlusica

🔗 Connect with Nina Cooke:

✍️Want to know what’s stopping you from making more money? Take the Millionaire Mindset Mastery Scorecard here.

👉 Feeling stuck? Do you want more, but don't know how to achieve it? Schedule a call now

🎧 Subscribe to my podcast for more actionable advice to grow your profits - no fluff, just real results.

 

If this episode sparked new ideas or gave you fresh insights, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating and review helps us reach more listeners who can benefit from these conversations - plus, it lets us know what’s resonating with you. We truly appreciate your support!

 

What if the fear that’s holding you back started with a single moment in childhood? In this deeply honest and inspiring interview, former financial advisor turned TEDx speaking coach Michael Davis shares how he overcame a fear of public speaking, rejection, and self-doubt to build a fulfilling second career helping others find and share their voice.

Michael’s story is a masterclass in mindset, resilience, and the power of storytelling. From redefining failure to challenging lifelong beliefs, this episode is packed with practical insights for anyone who wants to speak, sell, or lead more effectively - especially financial professionals looking to connect with their clients on a deeper level.

🔑 Topics Covered:

• The pivotal moment that launched Michael’s journey into public speaking

• Why storytelling is a learnable skill (and essential for advisors)

• The three mindset shifts that changed everything

• How early childhood experiences shape our adult behaviours…and our results

• The root causes of fear and rejection - and how to move past them

• How to build trust and rapport with your clients through asking deeper questions 

• Why your “mental movie” affects every client interaction and how to make it work effectively for you

In this powerful episode, I speak with Michael Davis - founder of Speaking CPR, retired financial advisor, and TEDx coach whose clients’ talks have been viewed over 5 million times. Michael shares the remarkable story of how a single piece of tough feedback changed his life, setting him on a path of personal growth, storytelling mastery, and helping others find their voice.

Together, we explore why mindset is the true driver of success in business, why public speaking is a skill anyone can learn, and how our childhood beliefs subtly shape our adult fears and behaviors. Michael also opens up about the discovery that helped him double his income and transform his relationships - not through working harder, but by finally believing he was worth it.

If you’re an advisor struggling with confidence and are ready to stop letting fear drive your decisions - this episode will leave you feeling empowered and inspired to change your story.

  🌐 Learn More about Michael Davis:

📍 Website: speakingcpr.com

📧 Email: [email protected]

 

Connect with Nina Cooke:

✍️Want to know what’s stopping you from making more money? Take the Millionaire Mindset Mastery Scorecard here.

👉 Feeling stuck? Do you want more, but don't know how to achieve it? Schedule a call now

🎧 Subscribe to my podcast for more actionable advice to grow your profits - no fluff, just real results.

 

If this episode sparked new ideas or gave you fresh insights, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating and review helps us reach more listeners who can benefit from these conversations - plus, it lets us know what’s resonating with you. We truly appreciate your support!

In this episode, I sit down with Mike Freemire, BFA and founder of Full Circle Financial of Colorado, for a deep dive into the often-overlooked emotional side of retirement planning. With over 15 years guiding clients through major life transitions - and a fascinating background as a serial entrepreneur and former mayor - Mike shares how true financial planning is about far more than dollars and spreadsheets.

We explore how lifestyle financial planning helps clients redefine their identity, rediscover their purpose, and design a life that feels meaningful long after the paychecks stop. Mike offers valuable insights for both financial advisors and business owners who are wrestling with their own next chapters.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

• Why focusing only on the numbers leaves most retirement plans incomplete

• How to help clients emotionally prepare for life after work

• The process Mike uses to connect money with personal meaning

• Essential strategies for business owners navigating transitions

• What it really means to build a “client-first” advisory practice

About Mike Freemire:

Mike Freemire, BFA, is the founder of Full Circle Financial of Colorado. Before entering the financial world, he spent decades as a successful entrepreneur across multiple industries -  even serving as mayor of Bettendorf, Iowa. Today, he brings this rich life experience to help his clients design retirements filled with purpose, freedom, and confidence.Resources & Links:

• 💼 Learn more about Full Circle Financial of Colorado: https://www.fullcirclefinancialcolorado.com/

• 🤝 Connect with Mike Freemire on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikefreemire/

Connect with Nina:

✍️Want to know what’s stopping you from making more money? Take the Millionaire Mindset Mastery Scorecard here.

👉 Feeling stuck? Do you want more, but don't know how to achieve it? Schedule a call now

🎧 Subscribe to my podcast for more actionable advice to grow your profits - no fluff, just real results.

💬👉 If this episode sparked new ideas or gave you fresh insights, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating and review helps us reach more listeners who can benefit from these conversations - plus, it lets us know what’s resonating with you. We truly appreciate your support!

 

What if the real reason you're not showing up boldly in your business has nothing to do with strategy… and everything to do with mindset?

In this eye-opening episode, Michelle Nedelec pulls back the curtain on the subconscious beliefs that keep financial professionals playing small. If you’ve ever felt like you need to “know it all” before you can truly help someone - nor if self-doubt has you second-guessing your every move - this conversation is your permission slip to finally break free.

🎧 Listen to discover:

• The hidden mindset traps keeping you stuck in consumer mode instead of confident business owner

• Why your childhood programming still influences how you show up today - and how to rewrite it

• A powerful reframe for imposter syndrome that turns pressure into curiosity

• The surprising reason over-responsibility kills momentum (and how to release it)

• How to build deep trust in yourself—even when the path ahead is unclear

Michelle’s insights are a lifeline for anyone navigating the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship—especially in the high-stakes world of financial services.

👉 Listen now and start showing up as the leader your clients are waiting for.

About Michelle:

International bestselling author, Michelle Nedelec is an expert in Entrepreneurialism and the founder of Awareness Strategies.  She’s run her own series of companies for over 28 years and for over 15 years has been helping Sales reps, Entrepreneurs, and Executives to continually double their profits and revenues.

Michelle has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Award for her work with veterans with PTSD and she has brought that expertise to the Entrepreneurial world for the benefit of all of us.

https://mysuccesstherapy.com/

Connect with Nina:

✍️Want to know what’s stopping you from making more money? Take the Millionaire Mindset Mastery Scorecard here.

👉 Feeling stuck? You want more, but you don't know how to get it? Schedule a call now

🎧 Subscribe to my podcast for more actionable advice to grow your profits - no fluff, just real results.

💬 If you found value in this episode, please subscribe, rate the show, and leave a review - it makes a big difference.