Bart Wilson — Rethinking Wealth: The Moral Roots of Prosperity
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Mindful Money, I talk with Bart Wilson about the often-overlooked moral dimension of economics. We explore Adam Smith’s forgotten insights on justice and beneficence, how values shape innovation and prosperity, and why genuine wealth is created through collaboration—not extraction. It’s a thoughtful, hopeful conversation about money’s deeper purpose.Show NotesBart J. Wilson is a Professor of Economics and Law and the Donald P. Kennedy Endowed Chair in Economics and Law at Chapman University. He is a member of the Economic Science Institute, with joint tenured appointments in the Argyros College of Business and Economics and the Fowler School of Law. In 2016, he founded the Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy, where he serves as the director. Bart has published papers widely in economics and general science journals, and is the author of Meaningful Economics: Making the Science of Prosperity More Human; The Property Species: Mine, Yours, and the Human Mind; and Humanomics: Moral Sentiments and the Wealth of Nations for the Twenty-First Century.I talk with Bart about the moral roots of prosperity. We revisit Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments and how justice, beneficence, and collaboration make economic growth possible. Bart shares lessons from his farm upbringing, why commerce is more than self-interest, and how innovation thrives when we respect equality and trust. We also discuss AI, the hidden goodness in markets, and why gifts carry obligations that bind communities together. This conversation reframes economics as a profoundly human endeavor—one that can guide us toward more mindful wealth and purpose.Meaningful Economics: Making the Science of Prosperity More Human: https://www.amazon.com/Meaningful-Economics-Making-Science-Prosperity/dp/0197758150 The Property Species: Mine, Yours, and the Human Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Property-Species-Mine-Yours-Human-ebook/dp/B087JWTSZB Humanomics: Moral Sentiments and the Wealth of Nations for the Twenty-First Century: https://www.amazon.com/Humanomics-Sentiments-Twenty-First-Cambridge-Economics-ebook/dp/B07JKFLLHS Chapman University: https://www.chapman.edu Argyros College of Business and Economics: https://www.chapman.edu/business Fowler School of Law — https://www.chapman.edu/law Connect with BartWebsite: https://www.bartjwilson.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-wilson-353bba8/ X / Twitter: https://x.com/bartwilson Connect with JonathanWebsite: https://mindful.money Jonathan DeYoe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathandeyoe Mindful Money on X / Twitter: https://x.com/MindfulMoney_Ed Mindful Money on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindfulMoneyPlan Mindful Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmoneyplan Mindful Money on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoneyMindful Money ResourcesFor all the free stuff at Mindful Money: https://mindful.money/resources To buy Jonathan’s first book – Mindful Money: https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Money-Practices-Financial-Increasing/dp/1608684369 To buy Jonathan’s second book – Mindful Investing: https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Investing-Outcome-Greater-Well-Being/dp/1608688763 Subscribe to Jonathan’s Weekly Newsletter: https://courses.mindful.money/email-opt-in Capture the most important benefit of an advisor – behavioral support – without the 1% fee: https://courses.mindful.money/membership For more complex, one-on-one financial planning and investing support with Jonathan or a member of Jonathan’s team: https://www.epwealth.com/our-team/berkeley/jonathan-deyoe Subscribe and stay in touchWebsite: https://mindful.money Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindful-money/id1606822964 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/27R4mtSA2PjojGtoAsjEvc Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/25ed40d3-eb57-4dda-bad4-c15262fa291c/mindful-money YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney
--------
36:41
--------
36:41
Navigating Politics and Portfolios: Separating Financial Decisions from Election Fears
In this episode of Mindful Money, we break down the emotional reactions to elections and why we should separate politics from our portfolios. As election-driven fear and speculation rise, it’s important to understand why making investment decisions based on political headlines is a mistake. Markets react to policies, not personalities, and long-term financial success requires discipline, diversification, and patience. In this episode, we’ll explore both potential risks—like tariffs, inflation, and debt—and possible benefits, such as business growth incentives and deregulation. No single election will make or break your financial future, but your mindset and strategy will.
--------
32:33
--------
32:33
Lindsay Barnett — Reclaiming Your Energy in a Culture of Overwork
Over the past two decades, Lindsay has dedicated her career to transforming workplace cultures, leaders, teams, and individuals. She has held progressively larger roles often in fast-growing companies in industries such as advertising, biotech, consumer products, and education. She most recently served as the Head of Talent Development and Inclusion at Kite Pharma, a Gilead company, and is now the Founder and CEO of Barnett Coaching, a boutique coaching and consulting firm.
I talk with Lindsay about her new book, Working Hell to Working Well. Lindsay shares lessons from her two decades in corporate leadership and coaching, offering practical ways to reclaim work-life harmony without waiting for organizational change. We dig into the power of boundaries, role modeling, and mindfulness practices that restore energy and prevent burnout. From “leaving loudly” to walking meetings, Lindsay shows how small, intentional actions can spark cultural change. This conversation is filled with insights on balancing ambition with wellbeing and building workplaces where people can truly thrive.
In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(01:22) - Meet Lindsay Barnett
(05:29) – Career pivots and the inspiration behind Working Hell to Working Well
(11:07) – Rethinking work-life harmony: boundaries that actually work
(13:37) – How small signals can spark cultural change
(19:44) – Mindfulness, vulnerability, and the power of taking breaks
(25:29) – What it looks like to role model wellbeing as a leader
(40:50) – One practice every leader needs to prevent burnout
(43:00) – The last thing Lindsay changed her mind about
(44:01) – Where to find and connect with Lindsay
Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney.
--------
46:13
--------
46:13
Eric Roberge — Designing a Financial Life You Actually Want to Live
Eric Roberge is a financial advisor and the founder of Beyond Your Hammock, a wealth management firm based in Boston, helping professionals in their 30s and 40s use money as a tool to design a life they love now and in the future.
In this episode of Mindful Money, I talk with Eric about helping high-earning professionals in their 30s and 40s make smarter money decisions. We discuss how childhood scarcity can shape financial mindsets, the value of financial planning that prioritizes optionality, and why understanding your core values is critical for long-term success. Eric shares stories from his own journey—breaking into financial advising in 2007 and pioneering a subscription-based model—and gives practical advice on how to make money a tool for living well, not a source of fear or regret.
In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(02:10) - What Eric learned about money growing up
(04:45) - Childhood experiences, scarcity, shaping financial mindset
(05:08) - Eric’s career trajectory and starting his own company
(09:09) - The evolution of the subscription model
(11:01) - Avoiding regret in big financial moves
(14:11) - Optionality-focused financial planning
(16:33) - Core issues for the 30–40 demographic
(18:47) - The value of a great advisor
(21:46) - The limits of forecasting
(23:45) - One thing that would lead to better financial outcomes
(25:05) - One thing to stop doing to lead to financial success
(26:12) - Is there anything that people don’t know about you?
(28:38) - How to connect with Eric
Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money.
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney.
--------
32:13
--------
32:13
Jillian Johnsrud — Retire Often: A New Blueprint for Work and Rest
Jillian Johnsrud never expected to be able to retire early, so she hatched a plan to retire often. Inspired by the idea of sabbatical years, she set out to sprinkle retirements throughout her life. At 40, she has taken more than a dozen mini-retirements. These allowed her to pursue dreams like living abroad, traveling to 27 countries, adopting four kids (plus two biological kids), investing in real estate, and touring the U.S. in a camper. Jillian has taught, coached, and written about mini-retirements for almost a decade. She hosts the "Retire Often" podcast and is a popular speaker and consultant for mini-retirements.
I talk with Jillian about her philosophy of “retiring often” through mini-retirements—planned career breaks that promote purpose, balance, and long-term well-being. Jillian shares her personal journey from scarcity to financial freedom, how burnout affects us more than we realize, and why stepping away can actually accelerate your growth and income. We discuss the emotional and cultural hurdles that keep us chained to nonstop work and how to reframe rest as a strategic advantage. Whether you’re self-employed or climbing the corporate ladder, Jillian’s insights will inspire you to build a more intentional life.
In this episode:
(00:00) – Intro
(03:22) – The money moment that changed Jillian’s life
(04:55) – “I realized money gives you options”
(06:58) – How a 19-year-old found inspiration in the Old Testament
(08:24) – What is a mini-retirement (and why you need one)?
(09:22) – Three smart ways to take a break without blowing up your career
(11:35) – Why everyone needs a mini-retirement “go bag”
(14:30) – Why waiting for burnout is the worst strategy
(16:56) – Breaking the workaholic mindset and rewriting the narrative
(21:24) – Rest = rocket fuel for your career
(24:33) – Will I lose momentum if I step away?
(29:24) – The fear that stops most people—and how to face it
(32:39) – Mini-retirements aren’t just for the wealthy
(36:51) – Why it’s harder (but more powerful) for entrepreneurs
(40:34) – The invisible story holding you back
(43:25) – The mindset shift that changed everything for Jillian
(47:40) – How to connect with Jillian and learn more
Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money.
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney.
The Mindful Money Podcast
Do you struggle with money? You’re not alone.
Join Mindful Money author and experienced 40-year investor Jonathan DeYoe as he shares stories from artists, authors, entrepreneurs, and other advisors about how they mindfully minimize their need to think about money and get more out of life. If you aren’t happy with your finances, feel like money takes more time that it should, or want to place your financial decisions into the broader context of your life, this show is for you.
Netherlands