Money Tales

In this episode of Money Tales, our guests are Uma Viswanathan and Johann Berlin. What if the most powerful money tool is not a spreadsheet, but a pause? In this episode, Uma and Johann, cofounders of TruWorth, explore how our earliest experiences and cultural expectations shape the way we save, spend, give and talk about money, often without us realizing it. From immigrant family sacrifice to the lasting imprint of losing a home in the savings and loans crisis, they show how money stories can create both strength and shadow. Johann is the co-founder of TruWorth, where he helps first-generation wealth builders, high earners, and leaders understand the deeper motivations shaping their financial decisions. His work sits at the intersection of behavior change, investing and identity, grounded in both lived experience and two decades of leadership across sustainable investing, fund management, leadership development and neuroscience-based tech. Johann brings a pragmatic and rigorous approach to helping people shift their behavioral patterns around wealth and worth. Uma is the co-founder of TruWorth, where she helps people – especially women and first-generation wealth builders – rewrite the money stories that no longer serve them. Her work lives at the intersection of identity, culture, and finance, shaped by years of navigating those tensions in her own life. Before launching TruWorth, Uma led over $200 million in mission-driven investments through major foundations and collaboratives focused on racial equity, healing and systems change. She brings two decades of experience in psychology, philanthropy, and narrative strategy to help people move out of shame and into clarity, so they can shape a life that feels both aligned and abundant. Explore More Resources on Money Stories and Behavior Looking to go deeper? Explore more Money Tales episodes alongside insights from Fathom, Aspiriant’s blog, for practical guidance on uncovering the beliefs and experiences that shape your financial decisions—and how to shift them with greater awareness and intention. If you’d like to work with an Aspiriant advisor to better align your financial plan with your values, behaviors and long-term goals, connect with us here. Subscribe to Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more thoughtful conversations on the intersection of money, identity and personal growth.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Elisa Henry. For the first time in her life, Elisa Henry did something that felt almost impossible for a high performing dealmaker. She stopped. She took six months off work to disconnect from the constant noise of achievement, spend real time outdoors, and sit in the quieter questions beneath every money goal: Who am I if I am not producing? What do I want this next chapter to be about? In that pause, Elisa realized how tightly identity can fuse with work, how health and presence can become the real scarce resources and why the most meaningful financial plan is the one that supports a life you actually have time to live. Elisa has spent over 20 years scaling communications and technology businesses — from building Communications Platform as a Service companies to being on the ground floor of commercializing artificial intelligence before it went mainstream. Most recently, she grew a CPaaS company over 7x in six years, culminating in a 10x earnings exit. Today, through her consulting firm Konversaitions, she partners with founders and CEOs to sharpen their commercialization efforts and build the operational infrastructure that helps founders increase the value of their business so they can get the most out of their exit. But this episode is about something more personal. Life has a way of shifting how you think about money, time, and what truly matters – and for Elisa, that shift is now. She opens up about raising her 10-year-old son with intention, living in the present, and what it means to build a life — not just a portfolio — with no regrets. When she’s not working, you’ll find her in the mountains, snow skiing with her family, traveling, and cherishing the moments that money can’t buy. Preparedness, Perspective and Purposeful Wealth This conversation underscores the importance of staying actively engaged in your financial life. From reviewing insurance beyond autopay to planning for unexpected events, Elisa’s story shows that true security comes from regularly reassessing your coverage and aligning it with real-life risks. Her approach to negotiation and investing also highlights that money decisions are both strategic and human, requiring awareness, adaptability and a clear understanding of what matters most. Through hands-on conversations with her son about earning, investing and recognizing opportunity, she demonstrates that financial legacy is built through everyday actions and shared perspective. If you want to align your financial decisions with your goals and values, an Aspiriant advisor can help you create a strategy grounded in purpose. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more insights on making thoughtful, intentional money decisions.

In this Money Tales Deep Dive, Sandi Bragar and Cammie Doder explore one of the most meaningful and often avoided conversations: how to talk to kids about money before they leave home. They discuss why these conversations can feel uncomfortable for parents and reminding listeners that this guidance applies not only to your own kids, but also to nieces, nephews, and young people in your broader circle. Drawing on insights from past Money Tales guests—including Vincent Valeri, Tim Ranzetta, Joyce Chung, Betsy Miller, and Dr. Marianne Cooper—they highlight how early money experiences shape a child’s understanding of security, independence, and decision-making. Throughout the episode, Sandi and Cammie offer a practical approach: start earlier than you think, use everyday moments as teaching opportunities, and focus on building confidence rather than perfection. They discuss the importance of normalizing money conversations in age-appropriate ways, giving kids hands-on experiences with earning, spending, and saving, and allowing room for small mistakes that lead to meaningful learning. As reflected in many of the stories shared across Money Tales, the goal isn’t to raise financially perfect kids, but to raise capable, thoughtful adults who can make informed decisions and engage in healthy, open conversations about money throughout their lives. Explore More Resources on Kids and Money Looking to go deeper? Explore our curated Money Tales episodes alongside insights from Fathom, Aspiriant’s blog, for practical guidance on teaching kids about money—from building healthy habits to gaining financial literacy and confidence. If you’d like to work with an Aspiriant advisor to align your financial plan with your goals and values, connect with us here. Subscribe to Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more inspiring stories on purpose, money and personal growth.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Janet Brunckhorst. What if your charitable dollars could do more than sit and wait to be granted out? In this episode, Janet shares how she began rethinking her donor advised fund as a giving vehicle and as a tool for investing in climate solutions. That shift opened the door to deeper money conversations about risk, liquidity, partnership and how to assign value to uncertain outcomes. Janet is a climate tech advisor, investor, and fractional executive. She provides strategic and operational support to climate founders in the US and Australia. Janet has led cross-functional teams building software products for the last 20 years, with her time at Aurora Solar cementing her commitment to the energy transition. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, kids, and cat, writes songs about science, swims in the Bay, and misses Melbourne coffee. Curiosity, Risk and Rewriting the Rules Janet Brunckhorst’s story shows how early experiences with money can shape our comfort with risk and uncertainty. Growing up with financial anxiety and later seeing a family safety net disappear taught her that wealth can be unpredictable. Those lessons helped her take thoughtful risks, from traveling on a loan as a student to moving across the world with a young child and no job lined up. Her journey also highlights that money conversations are rarely just about numbers. Whether navigating different budgeting styles with her husband or deciding how to think about equity compensation in the tech world, Janet shows the value of curiosity, flexibility and honest dialogue. Today, Janet is exploring how capital can be used more intentionally for impact through her work connecting philanthropic capital with climate technology startups. For more insights on the economic possibilities that addressing climate change can create, listen to the episode with Tito Jankowski here. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more real stories that inspire thoughtful, intentional decisions about money.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Sid Kim. Sid didn’t become an entrepreneur by following a master plan. He taught himself how to write a business plan from a book, raised venture capital during the dot com boom, and found himself running a company before fully understanding what success or responsibility would actually demand. As the son of immigrants who rebuilt their lives from scratch, Sid saw entrepreneurship as a way to create stability and agency. In this conversation, he reflects on the lessons that came from early wins, sudden losses and building businesses across borders, and how those experiences reshaped his relationship with money, risk and purpose. Sid is a global entrepreneur and business expansion strategist with nearly 30 years of leadership experience across Asia and the United States. His career has centered on building, scaling and diversifying ventures that bridge cultures, markets and industries. As Founder of Vatos Urban Tacos, Urban Mix, Sid Burger & Craft Beer and KoMari, Sid has launched and managed over 20 restaurants and businesses across Singapore, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and the U.S. As Chairman of Vatos Capital Partners, he continues to oversee concept creation, fundraising, investor relations and brand growth. At SAGE Partners Group, where he serves as CEO, Sid leads cross-border consulting initiatives helping Asian brands expand into the U.S. and guiding North American brands into Asia. From strategy and compliance to design-build and operations, he helps companies navigate the complexities of global expansion while focusing on execution and growth. Beyond F&B, Sid founded GolfX, Singapore’s leading indoor golf facility, and serves on the Singapore Golf Association’s Golf Development Task Force, promoting the sport’s growth and accessibility in the region. Sid recently founded a golf import, export and distribution company for U.S. brands wanting to expand to Asia. A frequent speaker and mentor, Sid shares insights on international expansion, entrepreneurship and cross-cultural leadership with founders, executives, and students worldwide. A Fulbright Scholar and former UC Berkeley Graduate Scholarship Advisory Board member, he combines academic rigor with entrepreneurial instinct—specializing in business development, financial strategy and scalable global ventures. Risk, Reinvention and Redefining Legacy Sid’s journey shows that money is more than a measure of success. From his immigrant upbringing to building businesses across continents, his story reflects a thoughtful evolution in how he approaches risk, ambition and stability. Wealth, when guided by intention, creates freedom to pivot, tell meaningful stories and invest in the next generation. Through open conversations with his son about investing and career choices, he illustrates that financial legacy is shaped as much by dialogue and example as by assets. Lessons about money come from experience and shared perspective. If you want to align your resources with the life and legacy you want to create, an Aspiriant advisor can help you design a strategy grounded in purpose and discipline. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more stories that guide smarter, more intentional money decisions.

Feeling financially successful on paper but trapped in real life can change everything. In this episode, C-suite executive and board director, Leilani Latimer, shares how unintentionally becoming house poor while living in Italy as a young adult forced her to confront anxiety, control and independence. When she sold the house, those lessons ultimately set the foundation for her to achieve a healthier, more balanced relationship with money. Leilani is a global C-suite executive and NACD Certified Board Director who leads companies through critical inflection points. She drives growth, connects strategy to execution and builds operating models designed for scale and resilience. Her track record spans B2B, SaaS, Marketplace, AI/ML and Enterprise Technology companies across public, PE-backed and venture-backed organizations. She has held executive roles in sales, marketing, commercial operations, product and customer success, bringing a comprehensive understanding of how these functions integrate to drive performance. She is currently a strategic advisor to growth-stage technology companies, partnering with Founders, CEOs, VCs and PEs to shape business models, strengthen go-to-market execution and design the teams and structures required to scale. She has led early-stage companies in supply chain, retail and medtech through transformational growth, building commercial and marketing engines from startup through acquisition, delivering significant revenue growth and improved forecasting. Leilani’s deep technology expertise includes 25 years with Sabre Inc. (NASDAQ: SABR), a global leader in travel, hospitality and transportation technology. In leadership roles spanning sales, product, marketing, strategy and sustainability across North America and Europe, key achievements include repositioning the hospitality business for IPO, developing award-winning enterprise sustainability systems and products, restructuring global product investment plans and helping build the Southern European division from inception to 15% market share. Leilani currently serves as an Independent Board Director at Black Diamond Group (TSE: BDI), Sedex and Narratize, and as an Advisory Board Member at Fiutur and FoodMesh. Her board contributions span governance, strategic capital allocation, compensation and risk oversight. Her unique perspective on corporate risk and reputation is shaped by her expertise in sustainability, over 15 years of leadership in European markets and extensive experience across multiple industries. Based in San Francisco, she is a dual US and Italian citizen. Independence, Investing and Intentional Choice Leilani’s story reminds us that financial independence is not a fixed destination but an evolution. From navigating cross-border careers and complex benefits systems to rethinking what fairness means in partnership, she shows how money can either create anxiety or expand possibility. Today, her focus on teaching her children to invest early, supporting female founders and building values-aligned portfolios reflects a deeper truth: wealth is a tool for choice. The freedom to decide where you live, what you support and how you show up in the world is the ultimate return on investment. If you are considering board service, navigating career transitions or thinking more intentionally about how and where you invest, an Aspiriant advisor can help you align your wealth with your values and design a strategy that supports both independence and impact. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more real stories that inspire smarter, more intentional decisions with your money.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Stephanie Ellis-Smith. Marriage caused Stephanie to face two hard truths at once. The medical career she had poured herself into did not fit the life she wanted to build with her husband. And perhaps even more unsettling, a career in medicine was not clicking the way she had always assumed it would. When she stepped away, Stephanie felt like she was walking out on an identity her family had invested everything in. Then, in the middle of that uncertainty, Stephanie said yes to a small volunteer opportunity. That single yes ended up rerouting her life into a decades long career in philanthropy, including founding three nonprofits and Phila Engaged Giving. Stephanie is the CEO and founder of Phīla Engaged Giving, a philanthropic advisory firm established in 2017 that works with donors who are ready to activate their assets for social change. As an advisor and social impact specialist, she works toward a world where philanthropy is a nurturing and equity-centered practice that connects wealth to the people and communities who need it most. Stephanie is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) with extensive experience in advising high-impact individuals and companies. She believes strongly in being a compassionate and generous member of society and brings nearly 30 years of professional and personal life experience in governance, family wealth and nonprofit leadership to the social sector. In the wake of the racial uprisings of 2020, she co-founded Giving Gap, an online database to help donors find and support Black-founded and led organizations in their communities. Having served in a variety of professional capacities—non-profit CEO, social enterprise COO, foundation and non-profit trustee and corporate board member—Stephanie’s extensive background and deep knowledge makes her uniquely well-positioned to be a trusted advisor to the world’s most generous families and institutions. Stephanie’s expertise in navigating wealth, impactful generosity and civic engagement is frequently sought by leading philanthropic institutions and mainstream publications and she has frequently appeared as a keynote speaker at major social sector convenings. Several Seattle mayors and former Washington Governor Gary Locke have appointed Stephanie to serve on a variety of boards and public commissions. She is currently a member of the Seattle Art Museum’s Museum Development Authority Board and the board of the National Center for Family Philanthropy. She was appointed a Dean of Philanthropy in 2022 by The Purposeful Planning Institute. Stephanie has BA degrees from UCLA in both English Literature and Biochemistry. Given her keen interest in science, Stephanie’s post-graduate years were spent in university labs working on stem cell and AIDS-related research. She has two adult children and lives in Seattle with her husband, the historian Douglas Smith. Finding Purpose Through Philanthropy Stephanie’s journey shows that philanthropy is far more than writing checks or serving on boards. It is a deeply human practice that shapes relationships, careers and how we understand money, power and purpose. From her own career pivot to the way she helps families navigate charitable giving, her story illustrates how generosity can change the giver as much as the causes they support. By speaking openly about her own money story, identity and career reinvention, she reminds listeners that meaningful giving begins with honest conversations and a willingness to learn. If you are thinking about how to align your wealth with your values, an Aspiriant advisor can help you clarify your purpose, structure your giving and build a thoughtful philanthropic plan that fits your family. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more real stories that help us make smarter, more intentional decisions with our money.

Money decisions often feel like a tug of war between two “right” instincts. Protect the children or prepare the children. Spend for what you need today or save for what you might need tomorrow. In this episode, Betsy A. Miller, J.D., ACC., a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, brings a powerful framework to those tensions by introducing polarities. Polarities are pairs of interdependent opposites where the goal is not to land in the middle, but to get the benefits of both and avoid the overuses of either. Her perspective is grounded in her own story, growing up around affluence while her family stayed disciplined and worked hard. This shaped her relationship with saving, spending and security, and still guides how she values her work and makes big financial decisions today. What If the Answer Isn’t Either/Or—But Both/And? The most important challenges can’t be solved by choosing sides. Whether it’s navigating stability and change, flexibility and structure, or task and relationship, the Both/And Mindset is at the foundation of this work—transforming either/or deadlocks into a sustainable path forward. Betsy is a strategic advisor, keynote speaker, author and Lecturer at Harvard Law School. She helps clients and students navigate one of the hardest challenges: integrating opposing values instead of choosing between them. For more than 25 years, Betsy has worked in law firms, government and academia—holding leadership positions, prosecuting and defending high-stakes cases, advising clients under investigation, coaching senior executives and teaching the next generation of lawyers. She has led billion-dollar settlement negotiations, served as Chief of Staff to the D.C. Attorney General, worked as Nominations Counsel on the United States Senate Judiciary Committee, and guided family offices through generational transitions. At Harvard Law School, Betsy created and teaches the university’s first course dedicated to the Both/And Mindset, “Polarities: Harnessing the Power of Opposites to Lead and Negotiate in a Complex World.” Her range of experiences—from the courtroom to the boardroom to the classroom—enables Betsy to connect dots others can’t see and to create value from opposites that need each other over time to succeed. Betsy’s scholarship has been published in the Harvard Negotiation Law Review, the Leadership Edition of the ABA’s Law Practice Magazine, The American Lawyer, The National Law Journal, Law360 and Law.com. She has written on topics including the Both/And Mindset, change management, talent development, effective feedback and law firm governance. Betsy’s work in the classroom has been featured in the Harvard Gazette and in Harvard Law Today. Betsy is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School. She is an ICF-accredited leadership coach with Certificates in Leadership Coaching and in Polarities (the study of interdependent opposites) from Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership. When Both Can Be True Betsy’s reflections show that some of our most meaningful money questions are not “either/or” choices but living tensions we navigate over time. Through the lens of polarities such as reveal and conceal, save and spend, present and future she illustrates how families can move beyond false trade-offs and instead seek the benefits of both. Her story reminds us that clarity comes not from picking a side, but from curiosity, intentionality and an openness to holding complexity with care. If you’re thinking about how to navigate difficult family conversations about wealth, values or expectations, an Aspiriant advisor can help you frame the discussion, build shared understanding and create a plan that honors both relationships and resources. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more real stories that help us make smarter, more intentional decisions with our money.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Brad Lichtman. Brad’s money story moves through moments many people wrestle with but rarely say out loud. Walking away from a prestigious career path. Hitting financial free fall with young children at home. Starting over when a risk does not work out. What makes Brad’s story land is the heart and soul he brings to it. He meets setbacks with humility, people with compassion and each chapter with a steady commitment to help others flourish. Across decades as an educator and leader, he came to believe that money alone does not create wealth. Vision, purpose and accountability are, also, key ingredients. Raised in Palo Alto, California in the middle of the turbulent 1960s and early 1970s, Brad’s parents fostered in him the importance of living a life of meaning and purpose. As a young 14-year-old political activist who spent the following four summers walking disadvantaged neighborhoods to register voters, Brad felt willing to take risks to improve the lives of others. Ten years later he found himself in law school after graduating from UCSD (and honored by delivering the commencement address). He was preparing for a future in politics when he became disenchanted with that direction and found himself teaching history and coaching sports at a private high school in San Diego. Surprisingly, he found his niche and gifts as a teacher and later a principal of two large public high schools, “retiring” twelve years ago as an Assistant Superintendent (HR) of a midsized, unified school district in San Diego County. During that journey, he had the opportunity to help build and begin a brand-new high school, which received a rare highest award for a new school from the State of California. As principal, he led a staff of nearly two hundred employees and oversaw a $15 million budget. As one of three leaders of the district, he oversaw seventeen principals, many directors, 2,500 employees and a $150 million budget. Through trial and error, successes and failures, he learned that people flourish when organizations place a primacy on two core values equally: A challenging environment that simultaneously cares for each member with dignity and support. Along the way, he gained significant experience in coaching leaders and helping to build high quality teams where everyone has the best opportunity to thrive. He has continued coaching leaders about organizational culture throughout his retirement and enjoys seeing people’s lives changed in the process. While working alongside world-renowned business leader, Ken Blanchard, on a two-year project, Ken once told Brad that he was one of the two best leaders he’d ever worked with. While Brad and Diane, his wife of forty years, should not be considered as having high wealth, they have benefited from having been with their current Aspiriant advisors for nearly eighteen years, who treat them as family, frequently referring to them as being “the poster children for retirement.” Brad still lives out the focus of his very early formative years: That we should all seek to live a life of meaning and purpose. Those values continue to guide how they see their money and wealth, as means for living fruitful lives while always seeking to improve the lives of those around them. And Brad sees Aspiriant as a perfect match to his vision. Purpose, People and Impact Brad Lichtman’s life illustrates how meaning, resilience and values can shape not just a career but an enduring way of being in the world. From walking the streets to register voters at 14, to teaching students others had written off, to leading large, diverse public schools through moments of crisis and possibility, Brad has consistently used his talents in service of others. His story is a reminder that money is not the goal it is a tool that becomes powerful when guided by clear values, deep relationships and a commitment to helping others flourish. What makes Brad’s journey so compelling is how he integrates purpose with practicality through careful budgeting, thoughtful planning and disciplined stewardship in support of a larger vision for life. If you’re thinking about how to align your wealth with your values whether that’s planning for education, navigating career transitions, preparing for retirement or creating impact through mentorship and giving an Aspiriant advisor can help you clarify your vision and build a plan that supports it. They can work with you to connect your financial decisions to what matters most so your money becomes a means to live out your values with confidence and intention. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more real stories about money, meaning and how people use their wealth to shape a life of purpose.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Margarita Camarena. Margarita’s relationship with money was shaped by two extremes. As a child, she fled Mexico City after the 1985 earthquake, lost her father that same year, and arrived in the U.S. with her family starting from zero. Years later, after earning two degrees from UC Davis, a lifestyle pivot collided with the 2008 financial crisis and led Margarita to bankruptcy. That decision forced her to face the shame and fear that can come with financial collapse, along with the freedom that can follow. With a mother who taught saving and structure and a father who believed life is meant to be enjoyed while you are healthy, Margarita’s story is a powerful lesson in balance and in seeing money as an energy that needs to move. Xochitl Xiuh Ollin, also known as Margarita Camarena, is a Mayan Ajq’ij. She is also a craniosacral therapist, Reiki Master Teacher and manual therapist. She is Tenochca-Tlatelolca, born in Mexico City between the ancient twin cities of Tlatelolco and Tenochtitlan. As a child, she learned from her grandparents how to carry life in a holistic way through remedies and healing practices. Their approach to finances was conservative and rooted in respect, as money was understood to be a primary resource for security and for providing a “comfortable elderhood.” These practices were not labeled curanderismo; they were simply a way of life. As an Ajq’ij, Margarita’s role is that of a spiritual guide, carrier of time and fire priestess. She conducts many types of fire ceremonies and works with the 20 sacred Mayan energies and the 13 frequencies of life to guide people. She embraces a multidisciplinary practice that includes craniosacral therapy, Indigenous healing arts, Reiki and multidimensional bodywork. She carries the medicines of sacred lineages from the Zapotec, Maya, Toltec and Mexica traditions. She serves communities in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area. She is also an educator and offers workshops nationwide and in Mexico, sharing teachings in Indigenous healing, bodywork, medicinal astrology, energy work and Reiki. It is her passion to connect people to nature and ancestral lineages through ceremonies in natural settings and through the cultivation of ritual. Her background is in Art and Design. She comes from a lineage of female curanderas and parteras (midwives), as well as male artists and muralists—traditions she has inherited and continues to practice. When Balance Shapes Longevity Margarita’s story is a powerful reminder that money is never just about accumulation. It is about balance, resilience and the meaning we assign to our experiences. From rebuilding her life after loss and displacement to making the difficult decision to file for bankruptcy, she shows how moments often framed by fear or shame can become turning points for growth and renewal. By reframing money as an exchange of energy, Margarita invites us to consider how our financial choices intersect with health, purpose and the lives we hope to live over the long term. Her reflections on community, fear and legacy offer a more expansive view of longevity, not just in years lived, but in impact felt. If you’re thinking about how to plan while navigating financial setbacks or major life transitions, an Aspiriant advisor can help you evaluate options, restore confidence and build a plan that aligns your resources with your values. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more real stories that explore the human side of money and how thoughtful decisions today can shape resilience, renewal and the legacy we leave behind.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Joyce Chung. Joyce grew up in Honolulu with immigrant parents who modeled discipline, frugality and a deep commitment to education, even though money was rarely discussed out loud. After leaving Hawaii for MIT and later building a career in tech and venture capital, Joyce found herself learning a whole new relationship with risk, wealth and what it means to use money with intention. In our conversation, Joyce shares how those lessons shaped the biggest financial choices in her family and inspired the mission behind her foundation. Joyce began her career in operating roles in the technology industry (Cambridge Technology Partners, Sony Corporation, Adobe Systems) and transitioned to early stage venture capital (Adobe Ventures, Cardinal Venture Capital, Garage Technology Ventures), investing in technology entrepreneurs looking to change the world. She has always had a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship and working with people that are excited about using creativity, technology and hard work to solve real world problems. In 2023, she pivoted to focusing on philanthropy to help address pressing needs and challenges in the areas of community resilience, entrepreneurship and environment. Joyce and her husband set up Makahakama Foundation, a foundation to channel their efforts in giving back to their local community, helping under-resourced entrepreneurs and supporting nature through conservation and innovation. Supporting mission-driven individuals and nonprofit organizations brings together the causes of importance to her family and the skills she has developed over her career. She holds an SB in Chemical Engineering from MIT and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. When Purpose Becomes a Plan Joyce’s journey from an immigrant upbringing shaped by frugality and resilience to building the Makahakama Foundation shows how wealth can become a catalyst for meaningful change. Guided by the Aloha spirit and deeply held family values, Makahakama focuses on community resilience, under-resourced entrepreneurs, and environmental stewardship. It’s a powerful reminder that philanthropy isn’t just about giving. It’s about being intentional, taking thoughtful risks, and creating impact you can see in your lifetime. If you’re thinking about how to give back more intentionally, an Aspiriant advisor can help you explore philanthropic strategies, structure a foundation or donor-advised fund, and align your wealth with the causes and values that matter most to you and your family. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Music for more real stories about money, purpose, and using wealth to make a difference.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Kaitlin Henze. A phone call that appeared to come from her bank’s fraud department turned into a financial nightmare for Kaitlin. She shares how sophisticated scammers exploit fear and urgency to override your judgement. Kaitlin also demonstrates how bringing these stories into the open is one of the best ways we can protect ourselves and the people we love. Kaitlin lives just north of Milwaukee, WI, where she enjoys outdoor adventures with her pup Mia, practicing and teaching yoga, and volunteering for local nonprofits. She works for a business that teaches STEM and critical thinking skills to kids, inspiring the next generation with a love for data, graphing and lifelong learning. In May 2023, Kaitlin’s life was turned upside down when she fell victim to an elaborate and devastating identity theft scam that stole her entire life savings in just three weeks. Now, she’s courageously sharing her story to help others recognize, recover from, and most importantly, prevent similar cybercrimes. This episode is a powerful listen—and one worth sharing—to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. When Trust Is Weaponized Kaitlin’s story is a stark reminder that financial threats don’t always arrive as obvious red flags. Sophisticated scams are designed to mimic authority, create urgency, and exploit our instinct to act quickly—often when we’re trying to do the “right” thing. By sharing her experience openly, she shows that anyone can be vulnerable, while giving listeners the tools to recognize warning signs, slow down in high-stress moments, and safeguard what matters most. If you’re thinking about how to better protect yourself and the people you care about, an Aspiriant advisor can help you review safeguards, spot risks, and build resilience into your financial life. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Music for more real stories that help us make smarter, safer decisions.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Emily Winston. Emily, founder and CEO of Boichik Bagels, spent years obsessively reverse-engineering the “holy grail” New York bagel. She then took a hard left from saver mode into founder mode. This involved redeploying her nest egg, raising money one bagel tasting at a time and learning what financial “success” feels like when your time and most of your net worth is tied up in the business you’re building. Emily is a lifelong foodie, mechanical engineer and Founder & CEO of Boichik Bagels. She grew up in NJ, and after moving to the Bay Area in 2010, bemoaned the lack of good bagels, and eventually set out on a quest to create them herself, which has now grown into a small chain of twelve shops in California plus wholesale and supermarket sales. When Passion Becomes the Plan Emily’s journey reminds us that success isn’t just about playing it safe or following a proven path. It’s often shaped by obsession, experimentation, and the courage to redirect your savings—and your life—toward something you believe in. If you’re navigating a pivot of your own—whether launching a venture or rethinking how your money supports your goals—an Aspiriant advisor can help you explore those decisions with clarity and intention. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Music for more real stories about money and meaning.

Today’s guest, Guy Kawasaki, flips the usual “success story” on its head with a string of jaw-dropping missed opportunities that became the foundation for a life measured by impact, not just outcomes. In this conversation, Guy takes us from being a kid on the “wrong side of the tracks” in Honolulu to Stanford, Apple, and Canva—sharing how cars, connections, and a few spectacular “what was I thinking?” decisions shaped his relationship with money and ambition. Guy is a Silicon Valley original. As one of Apple’s first evangelists, he helped introduce the Macintosh to the world. Today, he’s a bestselling author, venture capitalist, podcast host, and a trusted voice on entrepreneurship, innovation, and making a positive difference through your work. Guy is the chief evangelist of Canva, host of the Remarkable People podcast and author of eighteen books including Think Remarkable. He is an adjunct professor of UC Santa Cruz and trustee of the University of Hawaii Foundation. He was the chief evangelist of Apple, trustee of the Wikimedia Foundation and brand ambassador of Mercedes-Benz. Kawasaki has a BA from Stanford University, an MBA from UCLA and an honorary doctorate from Babson College. When Success Isn’t a Straight Line Guy Kawasaki’s journey reminds us that success isn’t defined only by wins, titles, or perfect timing. Missed opportunities, unexpected turns, and “what was I thinking?” moments often shape our values, ambitions, and relationship with money just as much as the highlights do. If you’re reflecting on your own path—whether navigating career pivots, weighing new opportunities, or redefining what impact and success mean to you—an Aspiriant advisor can help you explore your financial decisions with perspective, purpose, and intention. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Music for more candid conversations about money, mindset, and the stories behind major life choices.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Lindsay Pinchuk. When Lindsay Pinchuk sold her company, everyone assumed she had become a multimillionaire. The truth was far more complicated, and for years she wasn’t allowed to say so. A former ad sales executive turned accidental founder, Lindsay built a national community for new parents. She ultimately sold her business under conditions that looked very different from the outside. Lindsay opens up about the unseen money realities behind entrepreneurship, selling a company, and charting a new path helping other founders. Lindsay is an award-winning entrepreneur, consultant, and small business mentor who’s among the less than 1% of female founders to successfully lead her company through an acquisition. She built her first company, Bump Club and Beyond, from just $500 into a 7-figure brand with partnerships that included Target, Nordstrom, Huggies, and Unilever, reaching over 3 million people every month before selling the business to a large agency holding company. Today, Lindsay is the founder of Dear FoundHer…, a top 1.5% podcast and community supporting women business owners over 40. Through her podcast, newsletter, mentorship program, and her signature SWEEP framework, she helps entrepreneurs simplify their marketing, grow their businesses, and build long-term success. When It’s Time to Sell Selling a company can be a defining moment, but the real impact often unfolds long after the deal closes. As Lindsay shares, the assumptions others make don’t always reflect the reality founders face. If you’re approaching a potential sale or reflecting on what an exit could mean for your future, connect with an Aspiriant advisor to explore your options with clarity and intention. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Music for more thoughtful perspectives on money, mindset, and major life decisions.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Valerie Ortiz. If money were a muscle, would you treat it like part of your daily training routine, strengthening it with intention, commitment, and care? In this episode, Valerie Ortiz, a registered dietitian nutritionist, health coach and personal trainer shares how she helps people transform their physical health. We discuss how these same patterns, barriers, and breakthroughs show up in our financial lives too. Valerie is passionate about advancing wellness by focusing on nutrition, staying active, practicing mindfulness, and supporting mental health. These core principles guide her daily approach and commitment to improving quality of life. She is dedicated to educating, promoting and supporting others in the adoption of these advantageous practices. In 2010, Valerie earned her certification as a personal trainer, followed by a Health and Wellness Coach Certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2011. She continued her academic pursuits at Rutgers University, enrolling in the Nutritional Sciences/Dietetics Program and graduating in December 2018 with a Bachelor of Science. Subsequently, she completed her Master of Science in Nutrition, with a dietetic internship focused on Community and Public Health, at Saint Elizabeth’s University in Morristown, NJ. In 2021, Valerie achieved the credential of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Valerie is the owner of Focused On Wellness, LLC, a private practice providing medical nutrition therapy, nutrition counseling and personal training services. Valerie is also a Registered Dietitian with Nourish, Fay Nutrition and Kickoff. Nourish Your Financial Well-Being Just as proper nutrition fuels your body, intentional habits and mindful choices can strengthen your financial life over time. If you’d like to explore how aligning your financial habits with your values can support long-term well-being and confidence, connect with an Aspiriant advisor to start the conversation. Subscribe to Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Music for more insights on money, mindset, and living well.

We’re excited to bring back a powerful Money Tales conversation with Cicley Gay. In this encore episode, we revisit Cicley’s journey from scarcity to abundance. As the founder of The Amplifiers and now Chair of the Board of Black Lives Matter’s Global Network, Cicley’s insights into money, mindset, and meaning are as relevant today as ever. Whether it’s the bag-lady syndrome or the fear that money will vanish no matter how much we earn, Cicley’s story reminds us that personal awareness is the first step toward a healthier financial mindset. As the visionary founder of The Amplifiers, a pioneering social enterprise at the intersection of cause and communications, and Chairwoman of the Board for the Black Lives Matter, Cicley brings a wealth of expertise to the forefront of social justice initiatives. She embarked on her civic service journey by participating in two terms in AmeriCorps, then assumed a pivotal position as the founding director of STAND (Students Take Action for New Directions), where she empowered students by educating them on the ramifications of federal budget allocations on under-resourced communities. Cicley’s unwavering dedication to uplifting marginalized communities is shown through her decade-long commitment to catalyzing change at The Women’s Sports Foundation. In her roles as the founding director of GoGirlGo! and later as the National Director of Education and Alliances, she tirelessly spearheaded initiatives aimed at expanding access to physical activity for millions of young women in under-resourced areas across the nation. Her passion for mentorship and empowerment further propelled her to serve as the Director of National Initiatives at the National CARES Mentoring Movement, where she played a central role in establishing a multi-million-dollar national mentoring initiative for children, earning the financial support of the U.S. Department of Juvenile Justice. Cicley’s impact extends beyond her professional achievements. She has been recognized for her outstanding contributions, receiving accolades such as the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the Obama Administration in 2013 and the Catalyst Award from the Global Center for Social Change through Women’s Leadership in 2015. Additionally, Cicley is a proud member of the inaugural class of WEI (Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative) and has been honored as one of Georgia’s 40 Under 40, awarded a SPANX Red Backpack grant for Women’s Entrepreneurship, ATL+ most powerful women in Atlanta in 2024 and 2025 and one of SUCCESS magazine’s 50 Women of Impact in 2025. She holds an honorary Doctoral degree from Trinity International University. Her greatest accomplishment was winning “Mom of the Year ” as a mom to three sons. Cicley often says, “I spent decades intentionally preparing my sons for the world, I am now focused on also preparing the world for my sons.” Take Action and Make a Difference Learn how leadership, mentorship, and thoughtful philanthropy can create lasting impact—for yourself, your community, and the world. If you’d like to explore ways to align your personal or professional goals with impact-driven strategies, including charitable giving and philanthropic planning, connect with an Aspiriant advisor here. Subscribe to Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Music for more stories and practical tips on purpose, money, and making a difference.

As 2025 winds down, Money Tales hosts Sandi Bragar and Cammie Doder take the mic for a practical conversation packed with personal finance wisdom. This episode is all about reflection, intention and preparation—how to thoughtfully close out the year and step into 2026 with clarity and purpose. Sandi and Cammie explore everything from the power of revisiting your financial vision and refreshing goals to nurturing open money conversations with loved ones and building confidence in your financial habits. They dive deep into specific year-end planning opportunities, including tax strategies, charitable giving, Roth conversions and using health care deductibles wisely. Sandi also highlights emerging client trends like cross-border planning, financial parenting and developing a philanthropic mission. Whether you’re looking to fine-tune your cash flow, deepen your money knowledge or reset your financial mindset, this episode will leave you with actionable ideas to carry forward into the new year. Take Control of Your Financial Year Discover how reflection, intentional planning and open money conversations can help you close out 2025 with clarity and step into 2026 with confidence. If you’d like to work with an Aspiriant advisor to align your financial plan with your goals and values, connect with us here. Subscribe to Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more inspiring stories on purpose, money and personal growth.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Dr. Julia Edelman. Today’s guest is a trailblazing OB-GYN and menopause specialist who turned a frugal, hands-on childhood into a purpose-driven medical career. At a time when women in medicine were not taken seriously, or given the same opportunities, Julia persevered with grit and grace, proving that passion and persistence can pave the way for lasting impact. She shares how agency, determination, and clear values shaped her life choices, especially when money and medicine collided. About Julia Edelman: Menopause Practitioner of the Year Julia is a Yale graduate, Columbia Medical School graduate, Harvard residency-trained physician and a nationally recognized menopause expert. A board-certified gynecologist and Menopause Certified practitioner, she has been caring for women for over four decades and is highly regarded for her evidence-based compassionate approach to women’s health. The founder of Women’s Health and Gynecology of New England, Julia has trained and mentored physicians and medical students at Harvard and Brown medical schools. The North American Menopause Society awarded Dr. Edelman the honor of “Menopause Practitioner of the Year” after she published her first book Menopause Matters: Your Guide to a Long and Healthy Life. She followed with Successful Sleep Strategies for Women (Harvard Health Publications). Her new book, The Savvy Woman’s Guide to Menopause: Before, During, and Beyond (Johns Hopkins University Press, October 2025) provides clear, practical guidance to help individuals navigate the physical, emotional, and cognitive changes of midlife and beyond with confidence. In addition, Julia runs The New England Center for Body Sculpting, which offers FDA approved noninvasive antiaging treatments and functional medicine treatments for men and women with no needles, no pain, and no downtime. Some treatments build muscle, permanently eliminate fat cells, and restore collagen and muscle strength in the abdomen, love handles and other areas. The Center also offers a noninvasive face treatment that restores collagen while smoothing and tightening the skin to give a natural, more youthful appearance.  And it has an Emsella chair or “Kegel chair”, that restores urine control for men and women. Inspired by Dr. Edelman’s journey? Explore how values-driven conversations and clear decision-making can empower your career path and your relationship with money. Tune in to a podcast on Exciting & Creative Careers. If you’d like to speak with an Aspiriant advisor about aligning your financial plan with your goals and values, connect with us here. Subscribe to Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Music for more inspiring stories about purpose, money and personal growth.

Money lessons don’t have to be complicated—they can start with a batch of cookies and a generous heart. In this episode our guest is Tim Ranzetta, co-founder of the nonprofit, Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF). Tim shares how real-world money moments spark big lessons about earning, saving, giving, and growing financial confidence for life. Tim’s approach to financial education resonates with the way we think about money conversations at Aspiriant, empowering clients and their families to make informed, values-driven decisions. It’s not just about the numbers—it’s about building confidence, values, and decision-making skills that last a lifetime. Like Tim, we’ve seen how early exposure to real-world financial choices can shape a healthier relationship with money, whether it’s through a small job, a savings goal, or talking openly with family. For more practical ways to build financial confidence, explore Four Financial Tips for Young Adults on Aspiriant’s blog, fathom, where our wealth managers share simple steps for saving, spending and investing early. About Tim Ranzetta: Empowering the Next Generation Through Money Education Tim is a co-founder of Next Gen Personal Finance, a non-profit that believes all high school students deserve a high quality, engaging and relevant personal finance education prior to crossing that graduation stage (#Mission2030). NGPF serves more than 130,000 educators reaching more than 5 million students with free curriculum, professional development and advocacy tools. The team’s efforts have led to 22 states passing laws that will guarantee a personal finance course to high school students with 30 states in total (76% of students) now guaranteeing the course. Tim’s volunteer experience teaching a personal finance course at Eastside Prep (East Palo Alto) demonstrated how these lessons empowered students and their families too and inspired him to start NGPF.