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Women's Money Wisdom

Author: Melissa Joy, CFP®

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You’re working hard, caring for everyone else, and managing a thousand details a day—but when was the last time you focused on your finances?

As a woman, you might carry the emotional and logistical weight of caregiving, parenting, career-building, and household management. It’s no wonder financial planning tends to fall to the bottom of your list—yet it’s one of the most important tools you have for protecting your future, your family, and your peace of mind.

Women’s Money Wisdom is here to change that.

Hosted by Melissa Joy, CFP®, founder of Pearl Planning in Dexter, Michigan, this weekly podcast is your space for practical insights and relatable advice to help you take control of your financial life. From investing and retirement to navigating life transitions and shifting your money mindset, you'll gain the clarity and confidence you need to make empowered decisions.

Maybe you’re preparing for retirement, juggling the needs of both kids and aging parents, or growing a business you’ve built from the ground up. You want to build wealth in a way that reflects your values. You want guidance that honors your full life—not just your portfolio. And most of all, you want a trusted partner who sees the whole picture, not just the numbers.

If you’re ready to stop putting yourself last—at least financially—this podcast is your starting point.

Subscribe to Women’s Money Wisdom and make your financial future a priority.


The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https:...

304 Episodes
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As the year comes to a close, Melissa Joy, CFP® invites you to slow down. This short, reflective solo episode is a pause button — a chance to step off the financial treadmill, release guilt, and reset how you think about money before jumping into goals, resolutions, or to-do lists. Rather than focusing on what still needs to get done, Melissa encourages listeners to notice what worked, acknowledge invisible financial wins, and reconnect with a definition of wealth that goes beyond account bal...
As we close out the year, Melissa Joy, CFP® steps back from the day-to-day headlines to examine the biggest money trends and economic stories that shaped 2025. Instead of reacting to weekly market noise, this episode offers a thoughtful top-10 look at the forces influencing markets, households, and financial planning — and what they may signal for the year ahead. From the rise of artificial intelligence and shifting government policy to persistent affordability challenges and changing investm...
Student loans aren’t just a financial obligation — they’re a moving target. Rules shift, repayment plans evolve, forgiveness programs get redefined, and big deadlines are on the horizon. To help make sense of it all, Melissa Joy, CFP®, sits down with student loan expert David Gourley, founder of K-12 Planning, to break down the latest changes and what they mean for borrowers today. David brings deep expertise from years of helping educators, public service professionals, and families navigate...
We’re revisiting one of our most-requested conversations — a practical, myth-busting look at estate planning with Melissa Joy, CFP®, and Ashley Waddell-Tingstad, founder of Treetown Law. Trusts often sound complicated or “for someone else,” but Ashley breaks them down into simple, everyday tools that protect families, minimize stress, and provide clarity during life’s biggest transitions. What You’ll Learn: • The essentials: Why powers of attorney and healthcare directives are the corn...
Creativity isn’t just inspiration — it’s a practical tool for better work, clearer thinking, and a more sustainable career. For our 300th episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, sits down with Dr. Natalie Nixon, CEO of Figure 8 Thinking and author of Move, Think, Rest, to rethink productivity and build a healthier operating rhythm for the year ahead. Natalie draws on her background in anthropology, fashion, global business, and academia to explain why traditional “always-on” productivity models no longe...
When three dementia diagnoses hit her family at once, Nicole Smith, Author of Diagnosis Dementia, didn’t plan to become an expert—she had no choice. In this episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, talks with Nicole about navigating the overwhelming realities of caregiving for aging parents while raising kids, maintaining a career, and trying to hold everything together. Nicole shares her personal story of managing care for three parents across multiple states during COVID, the lessons she learned about e...
If you’ve been hearing more talk about health insurance costs lately — you’re not alone. From higher renewal premiums to open enrollment decisions, healthcare has become one of the biggest line items in many household budgets. In this episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, talks with Cole Craven, co-founder of Move Health, about what’s really happening with health insurance in 2025 and how to make confident decisions for your family or your retirement. Cole works closely with financial planners to help ...
What if your money mindset mattered as much as your money habits? 💭 This week, Melissa sits down with Aja Evans, licensed mental health professional, president of the Financial Therapy Association, and author of Feel Good Finance, to explore how emotions, upbringing, and self-worth shape the way we earn, spend, and save. Together, they unpack how to identify your money story, recognize emotional spending triggers, and find balance between saving, spending, and satisfaction. From “Target trips...
How do you help your kids get into the right college—without sacrificing your financial future? Melissa Joy, CFP®, sits down with Shellee Howard, Founder and CEO of College Ready, to talk about smart, stress-free strategies for college admissions and funding. A certified college admissions strategist, Shellee turned her own experience guiding four very different kids through the college process into a mission: helping families nationwide find the best academic, social, and financial fi...
What if knowing your worth became the engine of your wealth? Strategist and former credit-union executive Bryn Conway joins Melissa Joy, CFP® for a candid, practical conversation about women, wealth, and worth—why the gaps persist and how to close them with informed choices, confident negotiation, and everyday money moves. Bryn breaks down the landscape—pay, advancement, earnings, and wealth—and how culture, career paths, and compensation structures (including equity) shape outcomes. She shar...
What if planning now could be the greatest act of care? Journalist and MarketWatch columnist Beth Pinsker joins Melissa Joy, CFP® for a compassionate, practical conversation on financial caregiving—the real work we do for the people we love (and our future selves). Beth opens up about the whirlwind that followed her mom’s surgery: hospital stays, paperwork marathons, and a long-term care scare that nearly derailed benefits. Through her new book, My Mother’s Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiv...
Fall isn’t just for cider mills, football games, and cozy sweaters—it’s also the perfect season to reset your financial life. In this solo episode, Melissa Joy shares seven practical tips to help you take advantage of seasonal opportunities and set yourself up for success before the year ends. From open enrollment decisions and maximizing workplace benefits to planning for holiday spending, reviewing your investments, and checking in on your estate plan—Melissa walks through the steps t...
What if fear could become the framework for your strength? Chiropractor, business owner, and TEDx speaker Dr. Rubina Tahir joins Melissa Joy, CFP® for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation on navigating fear, health, and money with courage and clarity. Rubina shares her journey as a BRCA1 carrier, her shocking breast cancer diagnosis just weeks before delivering her TEDx talk, and how she built a practical framework—Honesty, Options, Decisions—to move from paralysis to empowerment. Al...
What if your biggest money challenges aren’t about math at all—but about the feelings and “financial scar tissue” you’ve been carrying for years? In this episode of Women’s Money Wisdom, Melissa Joy, CFP®, welcomes fellow advisor and author Shannon Ryan, CFP®, to talk about her new book Your Money Has Feelings. Together, they explore why money is so deeply emotional, how early experiences shape lifelong financial habits, and what it takes to align money with what really matters. In this conve...
Why do so many of us struggle to follow through on the money habits we know are important? In this episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, explores the psychology behind three common money behaviors: Overspending – from emotional triggers to lifestyle creep and comparison cultureUndersaving – how present bias and scarcity mindset can sabotage long-term planningFreezing – the shame and avoidance that keep us from making financial decisions at allMelissa shares relatable examples and practical strategies t...
Gen X may be the “forgotten generation,” but they’re shaping retirement in powerful new ways. Melissa Joy, CFP®, sits down with retirement coach Joy Levin, founder of GenX Encore, to explore how high-achieving Gen X professionals can prepare for what’s next. With longer lifespans, fewer pensions, and careers built on resilience, Gen Xers are facing retirement unlike any generation before. Joy shares her research and coaching insights on navigating the identity shifts, social transitions, and ...
What do Roth accounts, Dave Ramsey, and emergency funds have in common? They all came up when Melissa Joy, CFP®, opened the floor to your questions. At the Dexter Summer Festival, Melissa asked community members to submit their burning money questions—and now she’s answering them in this special mailbag episode. From investment strategies to budgeting hacks, she covers the practical, the personal, and the myths worth busting. 💡 Topics Covered: Roth IRA vs. Roth 401(k)—which makes more sense f...
Is the Roth the secret weapon of retirement planning? Melissa Joy breaks down everything you really need to know about Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s—from how they work and who they’re best for, to why they’ve become a powerful tool for long-term financial freedom. Whether you're early in your career or already eyeing retirement, understanding the pros and cons of Roth accounts can help you make smarter tax decisions and build wealth that grows—and comes out—tax-free. Melissa covers: ✅ Roth vs. T...
What if your biggest financial setbacks were actually the foundation for your comeback? Tax professional and financial literacy advocate Michelle Campbell joins Melissa Joy, CFP® for a powerful conversation on shame-free money management, taking control of your financial future, and rising from the ashes—literally. Michelle shares her journey from five evictions and over $500K in debt to becoming an IRS-enrolled agent, nonprofit founder (Hashtag Stability), and author of the memoir Bluebird. ...
What if success didn’t have to come with stress, hustle, and emotional burnout? Performance coach Brandi Hudson joins Melissa Joy to share how high-achievers can shift from chasing external validation to building a life rooted in purpose, clarity, and peace. Brandy introduces her powerful BASE framework—Beliefs, Alignment, Self-Awareness, and Emotional Resilience—a mindset map for those ready to evolve from achievement to mastery. Together, they explore the inner work it takes to untangle lim...
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