Episodes

Brain fog, mood changes, disrupted sleep, weight gain, and changes in sexual wellness can make perimenopause feel confusing and isolating. Christopher Hensley speaks with Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smith—OB-GYN, certified menopause practitioner, author, and founder of Complete Midlife Wellness Center—about how changing hormone levels may affect the brain and body. Dr. Hardwick-Smith discusses the phases of perimenopause and menopause, common questions surrounding hormone therapy, the importance of finding properly trained care, and practical ways women can support muscle, metabolism, and long-term health. The conversation also draws an important connection between health-span planning and financial planning: informed decisions made earlier can compound over time. This episode is educational and is not personal medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional about individual symptoms and treatment decisions.

In this episode of Money Matters, Chris Hensley welcomes Jabez Roberts, host of The Working Budget and The Boardroom Podcast. Jabez shares the story behind launching The Working Budget, a new podcast focused on practical financial education, money management, and helping everyday people understand how money moves through their personal economy. Chris and Jabez discuss the connection between Kaizen and compound interest, showing how small, consistent improvements can create meaningful long-term growth. They also explore why budgeting is often misunderstood, why money decisions are emotional, and how a working budget can help people prepare for emergencies, save for the future, and spend with more intention. Jabez also shares the books that shaped his view of money, including The Richest Man in Babylon, Rich Dad Poor Dad, and One Up On Wall Street. The conversation touches on entrepreneurship, stewardship, financial education, and Jabez’s mission to build a media-first educatio…

Episode Title Why Men Need to Read More: Chris Clinard on Books, Growth, and the Mission Behind Books4Guys Episode Description In this episode of Money Matters, Chris Hensley welcomes Chris Clinard, host of the Books4Guys podcast and founder of the Books4Guys community. Chris shares the story behind Books4Guys, a platform built to encourage more men and young people to read, explore new ideas, and build lifelong learning habits. The conversation covers why men are reading less, how books can shape critical thinking, the surprising value of fiction, and why reading is more than just a hobby — it is a tool for personal growth, leadership, and better decision-making. Chris also discusses the Books4Guys book giveaway program, which supports authors while getting books into the hands of students, athletes, and communities. From high school football programs to conversations with authors, athletes, doctors, and leaders, Chris explains how books can open doors to new perspecti…

What if the reason you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and constantly behind is because you’ve been taught that faster always means better? In this episode of Money Matters, Christopher Hensley sits down with executive coach and author Ralph Simone to discuss the ideas behind his book Slow Down to Go Faster. Together, they explore burnout, hustle culture, leadership, productivity, and the importance of intentional pauses in both business and life. Ralph shares lessons from decades of coaching leaders and entrepreneurs, explaining why many high achievers struggle to disconnect, recharge, and think strategically. From martial arts philosophy and business leadership to stress management and sustainable success, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for anyone trying to perform at a high level without burning out. Topics discussed include: Burnout and overwhelm in modern work culture Why slowing down can improve productivity Leadership and intentional decision-m…

Most men get perimenopause completely wrong. Not because they don’t care— …but because no one ever taught them what’s actually happening. On the latest episode of the Money Matters Podcast, I sat down with Sam Anderson (tag him here), author of Perimenopause: The A–Z Guide for Us Idiots—and one thing stood out: 👉 The biggest mistake men make? They try to fix it. When in reality… ✔️ It’s not something to fix ✔️ It’s something to understand ✔️ And something couples need to navigate together We talked about: • Why men take symptoms personally (and why that backfires) • What real support actually looks like day-to-day • How small changes can completely shift a relationship • And why this conversation needs to happen more in workplaces One line that stuck with me: “It’s not you vs her—it’s both of you vs the problem.” Big thanks to Sam Anderson (tag) for coming on the show and opening up this conversation—this is one more people need to hear.

What if the real reason advisory firms struggle to scale… isn’t growth? It’s what happens after the client says yes. In this episode, Christopher Hensley sits down with Ryan George (CMO at Docupace) to talk about the unsung “back office heroes” who keep advisory firms running—and why burnout, invisible operations, and misunderstood AI adoption can quietly become your biggest growth bottleneck This isn’t another “AI will write your blog posts” conversation. Ryan breaks down the difference between...

Public radio helped define trust in audio. Now AI is reshaping how audio gets made. In this episode, I sit down with Ernesto Aguilar — public radio executive, author, and the person who gave me my first big break at KPFT in Houston more than a decade ago. That opportunity launched what has now become one of the longest-running financial planning podcasts in the space. We talk about how public radio built credibility over decades, why audiences still turn to trusted voices for deeper contex...

In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why AI note-takers are just the beginning How AI assistants capture details advisors miss during meetings The difference between generic AI tools and purpose-built advisor platforms Why better listening leads to stronger trust and referrals How advisors should reinvest the time AI gives back Why AI can actually help advisors become more human, not less

What if financial advisors didn’t just use AI tools—but had AI workers supporting their business? In this episode of Money Matters, host Chris Hensley is joined by Jonathan Michael, Director of Growth at TIFIN AXIS, to unpack what AI agents really are, how they differ from chatbots, and why they’re quickly becoming a practical way for advisory firms to scale. Jonathan brings a founder’s perspective from both EdTech and WealthTech and focuses on one core idea: AI should take on the operational, repetitive work that slows firms down—so advisors can spend more time where they add the most value. In this conversation, we discuss: What defines an AI agent (and what doesn’t) Why AI workers are best thought of as digital co-workers Where agents outperform traditional software and manual workflows Why structured prompting is a best practice for reliability and oversight How verification loops reduce AI errors and improve confidence The role of data infrastructure in…

In this powerful conversation, host Christopher Hensley, RICP®, CES® sits down once again with George Kinder—internationally recognized as the father of life planning and the visionary behind the global Fiduciary in All Things (FIAT) movement. Together, they explore what it would mean for our institutions, our democracy, and our financial systems to finally act in the best interest of the people they serve. Kinder explains how a fiduciary society—rooted in truth, people, democracy, and the planet—could dissolve many of the challenges we face today while preserving the entrepreneurial energy, innovation, and competitiveness that have fueled economic growth. From redefining the role of leadership to examining how polarization and mistrust have fractured civic life, this episode offers an inspiring blueprint for a more ethical and human-centered future. You’ll learn: Why fiduciary principles shouldn’t stop at financial advice, but extend to government, media, business, and techn…

Money Matters Episode 337 – They Didn’t Start with AI | Valarie Vest & Sean Van Moorleghem on Culture, Capacity & Digital Associates They Didn’t Start with AI. They Started with People. That might sound simple—but in today’s rush to automate, scale, and “transform,” it’s anything but. Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. took a different path. No pink slips. No blown-up workflows. No hollow promises about innovation. Just a clear goal: reduce the time it takes to open an account from 20 minutes to seconds—without losing the quality, trust, or people that made the process work in the first place. In this episode of Money Matters, I sit down with: 🟡 Valarie Vest, Chief Experience Officer 🟡 Sean Van Moorleghem, Chief Technology Officer What I love about this story is that it's not theoretical. It’s not “AI someday.” It’s a real-world example of change done right—quietly, intentionally, and with the people in mind from day one. 📌 They trained their digital “…

Money Matters Episode 336- Why DEI Still Matters in 2025 | Cornelia Gamlem & Barbara Mitchell on Inclusion, Culture & Engagement 👥 Is DEI really dead—or just dangerously misunderstood? In the latest episode of Money Matters, I’m joined by workplace culture experts Cornelia Gamlem and Barbara Mitchell to unpack the real drivers behind employee engagement in 2025. We go beyond buzzwords to talk about what inclusion truly means—and how companies are quietly losing talent, trust, and competitive edge when they get DEI wrong (or abandon it entirely). 🎯 Key takeaways: ✅ Why inclusion—not perks—is the secret to long-term engagement ✅ What Gen Z actually expects from company culture ✅ How listening is the most underused leadership superpower ✅ One simple shift leaders can make this week to re-engage their teams 💡 If you lead people, build culture, or care about retention, this episode is for you. 📘 Grab their book: Essentials of Employee Engagement on Amazon 🔗 Learn mor…

Money Matters Episode 335- Human Connection at Scale: Robert Sofia on AI, Trust, and Advisor Growth 🚨 Can AI actually make financial advisors feel more human—not less? That’s the bold idea Robert J. Sofia, CEO of Snappy Kraken, shares in this week’s episode of Money Matters. We break down what “human connection at scale” really looks like in today’s digital-first world—and why it might be the future of financial advising. Here’s what we cover: ✅ Real AI implementation vs. ChatGPT tinkering ✅ Using data to personalize at scale (without losing your voice) ✅ How one firm doubled AUM from $20B → $40B with smarter marketing ✅ Why compliance + data strategy must come first ✅ How segmentation and timing can turn cold leads into real clients 💡 Key takeaway: AI isn’t here to replace financial advisors—it’s here to help you deliver trust, relevance, and authenticity consistently. If you’ve ever wondered how to scale trust without losing your edge, this episode is your bluep…

Money Matters 334- The Man Behind the 4% Rule W/ Bill Bengen 🎙️ Episode #334 – The Man Behind the 4% Rule: Bill Bengen on Inflation, Flexibility, and a Richer Retirement What if the greatest risk to your retirement portfolio isn't a market crash—but inflation? In this episode of Money Matters, Christopher Hensley, RICP®, sits down with Bill Bengen, the creator of the legendary 4% Rule for safe withdrawal rates. Now, 30 years later, Bengen reflects on what still holds up, what’s changed, and how retirees and advisors can adapt withdrawal strategies in a world of sticky inflation, volatile markets, and longer life expectancies. Whether you're planning your own retirement or advising clients on income strategies, this conversation delivers clarity, context, and practical insights from one of the most influential figures in modern financial planning. 💡 Topics Covered: Why inflation is the true enemy of retirement How Bengen’s thinking on the 4% Rule has evolved in 2025…

🔍 Why Your Next Best Client May Never Call You First — And What To Do About It In this episode of Money Matters, I sit down with Brian Thorp, founder and CEO of Wealthtender, to unpack a radical shift in how clients find financial advisors. AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews are now mediating the first impression—before clients ever visit your website or pick up the phone. We discuss: The “Visibility Crisis” facing independent advisors How AI tools prioritize structured data and schema Why testimonials and reviews are your new secret weapon The power of AI-Optimized FAQs for advisor discovery Practical ways to stay human-first in an AI-led search world Whether you're a financial advisor trying to stay ahead of digital trends or just curious about how AI is changing professional services, this episode is a must-listen. 🎯 Want early access to my upcoming book Digital Kaizen for Financial Advisors? 👉 Grab your spot on the list here: https://digita…

Money Matters Episode 332- The Prospecting Crisis No One Talks About W/ Eden Ovadia & Victoria Toli

500 hours. That’s how much time some advisors are getting back—every single year. Not from working harder. From removing the invisible work that's slowly draining them. In this week’s Money Matters Podcast, I sat down with Arnulf Hsu, founder of GReminders, to talk about what happens when AI becomes your invisible partner—not your replacement. We covered: How voice-aware AI reduces "cognitive clutter" Why compliance is the real barrier (and how GReminders solves for it) And what it really means to scale presence, not spam This isn’t about hype. It’s about freedom. Freedom to show up for your clients. Freedom to stop carrying your business in your head. If you're ready to reclaim time, reduce friction, and re-center the human side of your practice… 🎧 Episode 331 is live now. 📩 Link to join the Digital Kaizen email series is in the comments. Because technology should help you become more human, not less. #FinancialAdvisor #Fintech #VoiceAI #AdvisorTe…

Money Matters Episode 330- AI, Fraud & the Future W/ Whitney Joy Smith

Money Matters Episode 329- Federal Job Cuts 2025 W/ Brian Kuhn

Money Matters Episode 328- The Little Book of Data w/ Justin Evans 🔎 Data isn't just about numbers—it can save lives. In my latest Money Matters podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Justin Evans, author of the upcoming The Little Book of Data. One story from our conversation hit me hard. Justin shared the story of “Priya,” a data analyst using her skills to track and stop sex traffickers. By analyzing patterns and applying her expertise, Priya was able to pinpoint a trafficker and save a girl who was running out of time—a life-or-death mission made possible by data. 👉 This is the human side of data we don't talk about enough. Data is not just dashboards and KPIs. It’s a tool for justice, protection, and change—if we use it ethically. This moment reminded me why data literacy and data ethics need to be at the center of every conversation we have about tech, AI, and decision-making. 🎧 Check out this powerful clip from the episode. It will change how you …

Money Matters 327- From Paycheck to Purpose W/ Derrick Kinney What if more money wasn’t the end goal—but the beginning of your bigger purpose? In this episode of the Money Matters Podcast, host Christopher Hensley sits down with Derrick Kinney, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of Good Money Revolution and host of the Good Money Podcast. Derrick shares why traditional money advice is broken—and how you can rewrite your money story, ditch guilt, and build wealth with purpose. From asking for a raise to redefining what it means to be successful, this conversation is packed with practical tools and inspiring stories. 🔑 Topics Covered: Why money isn’t bad—and why wanting more doesn’t make you selfish The power of a Generosity Purpose and how it can unlock your income How to crush debt, save more, and earn more using the 3 Levers of Money The biggest money mindset mistakes people carry from childhood A framework to confidently ask for the raise y…

Money Matters 326- Navigating Caregiving Challenges with Isabel Melgarejo

📢 New Podcast Episode! 🎙️ 🚀 Want to make your podcast interviews unforgettable? In this episode of Money Matters 325, host Chris sits down with Matt Halloran, expert podcast coach and author of Shut the F Up and Listen, to reveal the secrets of powerful conversations, audience engagement, and podcast growth! 🔹 What You’ll Learn: ✅ The #1 interviewing mistake podcasters make—and how to fix it ✅ How listening (not talking) makes you a better host 🎧 ✅ The power of storytelling in keeping your audience hooked 📖 ✅ A Google SEO hack to grow your podcast audience FAST 🔥 ✅ How to use podcasting as a business growth tool 🎧 Listen now 📕 Grab Matt’s book 🌐 Follow Matt Halloran 🔗 Visit ProudMouth: [proudmouth.com] 🔔 Like, Share & Follow for more podcasting & business growth insights! #Podcasting #InterviewTips #Storytelling #Marketing #PodcastGrowth #BusinessDevelopment #MoneyMatters325

💤 Is Sleep the Missing Piece in Your Financial & Career Success? 💤 In this episode of Money Matters Podcast, sleep expert Dr. Meeta Singh, MD breaks down the science behind sleep, decision-making, and peak performance. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or investor, optimizing your sleep could be the key to better financial decisions, productivity, and overall well-being. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How sleep deprivation leads to poor financial & business decisions ✅ The hidden dangers of "internet loafing" at work ✅ How elite athletes & C-suite executives optimize sleep for peak performance ✅ Simple sleep hacks to improve focus, energy & success ✅ The latest innovations in sleep science & what’s next for high performers 🎧 Listen Now 🔗 Connect with Dr. Meeta Singh: 🌍 Website: MeetaSinghMD.com 📩 Sign up for her free weekly newsletter for expert sleep tips! 💬 Follow her on LinkedIn, Twitter & Instagram 💡 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, …