Do you struggle with money? You’re not alone. Money is a means, not an end. It’s a necessity of life for sure, but more money does not always guarantee a “good ...
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.
In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(01:06) - Separating politics from portfolios
(04:26) - Five potential negatives of Trump's economic policies
(14:28) - Five potential positives of Trump's economic policies
(29:32) - Investment strategy and final thoughts
Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money.
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney.
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Awakening Financial Wisdom with Tim “Jai” Baker
Tim “Jai” Baker is the CEO of Luminous Wealth and a veteran of the financial advice industry. His mission is to guide his clients toward their deepest desires and true fulfillment by fostering a healthy, stress-free environment where financial and personal well-being are seamlessly integrated. He believes that wealth management should not occur in isolation, but rather as part of a holistic approach that considers the whole person.
In this episode, I talk with Tim about the deep psychological and emotional ties we have to money, how Wall Street manipulates investors, and why self-awareness is key to financial success. We explore how knowing yourself leads to better money decisions, reducing financial anxiety while building true prosperity. If you want to rethink your relationship with money and gain clarity, this conversation is for you.
In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(00:59) - Meet Tim "Jai" Baker
(03:00) - What Tim learned about money growing up
(09:34) - How Tim got his Start as a financial advisor
(14:24) - The Awakened Investor
(18:24) - The path to self-awareness and financial mastery
(21:53) - The Human Archetype Assessment and Family Genogram
(24:15) - Integrating wealth management with holistic well-being
(28:51) - The role of meditation and mindfulness
(32:05) - Financial planning and client interests
(36:51) - Final thoughts and takeaways
Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money.
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney.
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12 Markers of an Excellent Financial Advisor
What makes a truly excellent financial advisor? In this episode of Mindful Money, we explore 12 key qualities that set the best advisors apart—from asking the right questions and providing clear, honest fee structures to offering proactive solutions and helping you stay on track during turbulent times. We also discuss why trust, emotional intelligence, and long-term planning matter more than flashy investment strategies. If you’ve ever wondered whether your advisor is truly working in your best interest, this episode will give you the tools to assess their effectiveness—and determine whether it’s time to seek a better financial partner.
In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(04:46) - What defines an excellent financial advisor
(05:59) - The 12 Markers of an excellent financial advisor
(06:05) - Asking questions
(07:19) - A clear fee structure
(08:31) - Not afraid to challenge
(10:02) - Clear explanations of process
(11:28) - A commitment to continuous learning
(12:29) - Emotional intelligence
(14:25) - Attention to detail
(15:33) - Time management and organization
(16:34) - A strong professional network
(17:18) - Proactive problem solvers
(18:07) - Stick to the plan
(18:58) - High client retention
Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money.
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney.
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Christine Benz — Rethinking Retirement: How to Plan for Wealth, Health, and Purpose
Christine Benz is director of personal finance and retirement planning for Morningstar and senior columnist for Morningstar.com. In that role, she focuses on retirement and portfolio planning for individual investors. She also co-hosts a podcast for Morningstar, The Long View, which features in-depth interviews with thought leaders in investing and personal finance. She is a frequent public speaker and is widely quoted in the media, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, CNBC, and PBS. In 2020, Barron’s named her to its inaugural list of the 100 most influential women in finance; she appeared on the 2021 list as well. In 2021, Barron’s named her as one of the 10 most influential women in wealth management.
In this episode, I talk with Christine about some key lessons from her book, How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement. We cover everything from smart withdrawal strategies to healthcare planning and the deeper question of purpose in retirement. Christine shares expert insights on balancing financial security with personal fulfillment, helping you prepare for a meaningful life post-career. Whether you’re planning ahead or already retired, this conversation offers valuable guidance for making the most of your next chapter.
In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(01:21) - Meet Christine Benz
(02:53) - Christine's experiences with money and entrepreneurship growing up
(05:06) - Christine's career journey
(10:22) - Writing a book on retirement
(15:24) - Finding your retirement style
(22:10) - Health and retirement
(25:59) - The importance of relationships in retirement
(29:16) - Finding purpose in retirement
(32:55) - The Role of financial advisors in retirement planning
(35:20) - Best advice for a successful retirement
(36:44) - One habit to stop for a happier retirement
(37:42) - Personal reflections and key takeaways
Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money.
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney.
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Maggie Jackson — The Hidden Power of Uncertainty: Why Not Knowing Is a Strength
Maggie Jackson is an award-winning author and journalist with a global reach. Her new book, Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure, explores why we should seek not-knowing in an era of angst and flux.
In this episode, I talk with Maggie about the transformative power of uncertainty, challenging cultural assumptions about certainty and success. Maggie explains how embracing uncertainty fosters creativity, resilience, and well-being. Drawing from neuroscience and personal insights, we discuss strategies for tolerating and even thriving in the unknown. From the surprising role of ambivalence in leadership to daily practices that build confidence in uncertainty, we dive into practical wisdom for navigating life’s unpredictability with grace and curiosity.
In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(01:15) - Meet Maggie Jackson
(02:36) - Maggie's background and early life
(04:14) - Defining uncertainty
(06:49) - The importance of embracing uncertainty
(11:29) - Cultural and individual perspectives on certainty
(18:17) - The myth of certainty
(21:45) - The benefits of embracing uncertainty
(26:05) - Choosing thoughtfulness over fear
(28:59) - Curiosity and tolerating the stress of the unknown
(34:44) - Sitting with discomfort and using uncertainty as a tool
(36:51) - Applying uncertainty in decision-making
(40:47) - Personal reflections and final thoughts
Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money.
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney.
Do you struggle with money? You’re not alone. Money is a means, not an end. It’s a necessity of life for sure, but more money does not always guarantee a “good life”. Money enables many aspects of modern life, but as a dominant consideration it becomes destructive. The paradox is that more time and energy spent on personal finance does NOT create better outcomes. Unlike many other parts of life, we can’t create better outcomes by being smarter, spending more time, or putting in more effort. 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. Each episode will draw the line between the “enough” activities that the academics tell us are additive to family outcomes, and those “little bit more” efforts that take time and sap energy, but do NOT improve outcomes.
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