The Money and Meaning Show

Hosted by moneyandmeaning

Business

Website RSS feed LinkedIn

Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

Join Jeff Bernier, CFP®, ChFC, CFS for quick insights and meaningful conversations with experienced professionals in wealth management, psychology, and personal development to help you navigate your path to a purposeful retirement.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 11, 2026Episode 3940 min

Beyond the Will: Leaving Your Family Clarity, Not Chaos with Rachel Donnelly

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier is joined by Rachel Donnelly, founder and CEO of AfterLight and author of Late to Your Own Funeral: How to Leave a Legacy and Not a Log Jam. Rachel shares the personal losses that led her to build a business around helping overwhelmed executors, and she and Jeff dig into why estate planning is about far more than a will or a trust. They discuss what families really inherit after a death, why organization matters as much as love, the added complexity of digital assets, and how planning ahead can be one of the greatest gifts you leave behind. Topics covered: Rachel's personal story: losing both parents young and settling two estates while raising small children Why she started AfterLight to be "air traffic control" for death and dying The story and meaning behind the title Late to Your Own Funeral Why Rachel avoids calling people's estate gaps "mistakes" Redefining legacy as a "thumbprint" left behind, not just assets Why families suffer from a lack of organization, not a lack of love Common feelings executors face: decision paralysis, guilt, and fear of doing something wrong The added complexity of digital assets, passwords, and online accounts Why Rachel recommends an asset and liability inventory instead of a password list Why we procrastinate conversations about death and how to normalize them The psychological payoff of pre-planning and the peace of mind it creates What AfterLight does for "after-loss" clients versus "legacy organization" clients Handling out-of-state property, ancillary probate, and other complex assets The value of outsourcing logistics to protect your time and headspace How to connect with Rachel and AfterLight Useful Links: Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffberniercfp/ TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/ Rachel Donnelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbdonnelly AfterLight: https://myafterlight.com/ Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant ( https://thepodcastconsultant.com )

August 28, 2026Episode 3815 min

Perspectives: Will AI Replace Financial Advisors?

In this Money & Meaning Perspectives episode, host Jeff Bernier examines how artificial intelligence is changing financial advice and what that means for the future of financial advisors. Jeff explores the shift from knowledge work toward “wisdom work,” where experience, judgment, discernment, empathy, and perspective become increasingly important. He discusses where AI excels, where human advisors can continue to add value, and why the future of financial advice may combine technology’s analytical power with distinctly human guidance. Topics Covered: How AI is changing the traditional role of financial advisors The shift from Peter Drucker’s “knowledge worker” to the idea of a “wisdom worker” The difference between knowledge and “metabolized experience” Analytics-driven versus empathy-driven financial advice Why some traditional financial advice may be disrupted by AI The importance of asking the right financial questions Using judgment when financial decisions involve trade-offs rather than one correct answer The value of experience in high-stakes financial decisions Separating evidence from opinion, noise, and compelling stories The role of evidence-based investing and financial planning Behavioral coaching during difficult market environments How emotions, identity, family, security, generosity, and purpose affect financial decisions Using AI to give advisors more time for listening, understanding, and life planning A hybrid future combining AI’s speed and analytical power with human perspective, empathy, and judgment What clients should expect from a financial advisor in the age of AI Useful Links: Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffberniercfp/ TandemGrowth Financial Advisors — https://www.tandemgrowth.com Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant ( https://thepodcastconsultant.com )

August 18, 2026Episode 3746 min

Beyond the Liquidity Event: Finding Purpose After Financial Success

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier speaks with entrepreneur and investor John Hutchinson, founder of Care Counseling and host of The Nuance Effect podcast. John shares his journey of building and exiting a fast-growing behavioral health company, only to confront deeper questions about health, family, and purpose. They examine leadership, business growth, and the tradeoffs that come with success, along with John’s perspective on aligning work with what matters most after a major transition. Topics covered: Building and scaling a behavioral health company with a focus on employee retention Tradeoffs in workplace culture, compensation, and benefits across industries Experiencing a health crisis and reassessing priorities around family and well-being Transitioning after a business exit and handling new opportunities Developing the concept of “nuanced leadership” and team segmentation Creating value by giving time and support without immediate compensation Common mistakes entrepreneurs make with growth, cash flow, and equity The role of habits and consistency in improving long-term health Reflections on purpose, faith, and finding meaning beyond financial success Perspectives on the U.S. healthcare system and its complexity Useful Links: John Hutchinson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-j-hutchinson/ Nuance Effect podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@NuanceEffect Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/ TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/ Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant ( https://thepodcastconsultant.com )

August 4, 2026Episode 3613 min

Perspectives: What Advice Would Your 90-Year-Old Self Give You?

Retirement is often viewed as a financial milestone. But what if one of its greatest challenges has little to do with money? In this episode of Money & Meaning Perspectives , Jeff Bernier explores the transition from achievement to purpose, drawing on reflections from Chip Conley , founder of the Modern Elder Academy , and Arthur Brooks , Harvard professor and bestselling author of From Strength to Strength. Jeff examines why many successful people struggle more with identity than finances after leaving their careers, how our strengths evolve over time, and what it means to become an elder rather than simply grow older. Whether you're within 10 to 15 years of retirement or already retired, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective on the retirement transition, finding purpose after a successful career, and designing a meaningful next chapter. Topics Covered Chip Conley’s imagined conversation with his 90-year-old self ● Why preserving past success can limit growth later in life ● Arthur Brooks’ explanation of the Four Ashramas ● The student and householder stages of life ● The “striver’s curse” and the limits of constant achievement ● Retirement as a developmental transition rather than only a financial one ● The difference between becoming older and becoming an elder ● Why identity can become a major challenge after leaving work ● Moving from being indispensable to becoming influential ● The shift from fluid intelligence to crystallized intelligence ● Teaching, mentoring, and sharing wisdom with younger generations ● Becoming a beginner again in retirement ● Redefining success through purpose, service, faith, wisdom, and relationships ● Using wealth as a tool for freedom rather than as a destination ● Questions to consider from the perspective of your 90-year-old self Useful Links: Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffberniercfp/ TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/ Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant ( https://thepodcastconsultant.com )

July 15, 2026Episode 3524 min

Preparing for the Psychological Side of Retirement with Dr. Joy Lere

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier is joined by Dr. Joy Lere, a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of Shaping Wealth. They examine retirement as more than a financial milestone, focusing on the shift in identity, purpose, and daily structure that comes with leaving a career. Joy shares how unmet expectations, loss, and identity challenges can shape the transition, along with practical ways to prepare by building a meaningful life outside of work and continuing to contribute beyond a paycheck. Topics covered: Retirement as an existential transition, not just a financial one The gap between expectations and reality in life after work Normalizing loss, stress, and emotional complexity in transitions Building a life outside of work before retiring Balancing meaningful work with other areas of life Continuing purpose and contribution beyond a paycheck Identity challenges when stepping away from a long-held role Shifting mindset from “what you do” to “who you are” Identifying needs fulfilled by work and finding alternatives Avoidance and delaying difficult transitions Processing grief and loss in major life changes Holding both joy and grief during life transitions Useful Links: Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/ TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/ Joy Lere on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-lere-psy-d Shaping Wealth: https://www.shapingwealth.com/ Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant ( https://thepodcastconsultant.com )

June 29, 2026Episode 3414 min

What's the Difference Between a Great Company and a Great Investment?

In this Perspective episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier examines one of the most common questions investors ask: whether they’re missing out by not owning the latest high-profile stock or IPO. Using examples ranging from railroads and the telecom boom to NVIDIA, SpaceX, and artificial intelligence, Jeff explores why transformative companies don’t always translate into exceptional investments. He explains the difference between innovation and speculation, why market expectations matter, and how diversification allows investors to participate in long-term human progress without relying on predicting tomorrow’s winners. Topics Covered Why investors are drawn to 'hot' stocks and IPOs The difference between a great company and a great investment What history teaches us about IPO performance SpaceX and the role of valuation versus business success Lessons from railroads and the telecom boom How artificial intelligence fits into historical innovation cycles Why market expectations matter more than growth alone Mean reversion in corporate profitability Research on the small percentage of stocks that create most market wealth Why diversification remains a powerful investment strategy Useful Links: Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/ TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/ Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant ( https://thepodcastconsultant.com )

June 9, 2026Episode 3344 min

Beyond Stocks and Bonds: Rethinking Diversification for Retirement with Peter Nakada

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier speaks with Peter Nakada, Chief Education Officer at Stone Ridge Asset Management, about alternative investments and the role they can play in building more resilient retirement portfolios. They examine why traditional portfolios are often overly dependent on corporate profits and interest rates, and how “true alternatives” like reinsurance may provide diversification benefits that traditional alternatives cannot. Peter explains catastrophe bonds, quota shares, risk premiums, and the behavioral challenges investors face when allocating to alternative asset classes during periods of uncertainty and market volatility. Topics covered: Why traditional portfolios may be overly tied to stocks and bonds The difference between traditional alternatives and “true alternatives” How reinsurance works and why it exists Understanding catastrophe bonds and quota shares Natural disaster risk as an investable risk premium Hard and soft insurance markets and how pricing adjusts after losses Why reinsurance may help improve portfolio resilience in retirement Expected return assumptions for reinsurance strategies Portfolio allocation considerations for alternative investments Behavioral challenges investors face during periods of natural disasters Probability biases and investor psychology in alternative asset classes Why staying invested through market cycles matters Useful Links: Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/ TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/ Peter Nakada on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-nakada Stone Ridge: https://www.stoneridgeam.com/ Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant ( https://thepodcastconsultant.com )

May 22, 202613 min

May Perspectives: When Life Circumstances Become Investment Risk

In this episode of Money & Meaning , Jeff Bernier examines a recent discussion from The Rational Reminder podcast that challenges the common belief that stocks are always safe if held long enough. Jeff explores how market downturns often force investors to sell not because of panic, but because of income shocks, fixed expenses, and limited liquidity. He breaks down research on investor behavior during crises and explains why financial resilience depends not only on portfolio construction, but also on flexibility, liquidity, and lifestyle design. Topics covered: Why long-term investing assumes investors can stay invested Research from The Rational Reminder podcast on investor behavior during market crashes How income shocks and liquidity challenges force investors to sell The concept of “hidden leverage” created by fixed lifestyle expenses Why risk is more than just market volatility Differences between working professionals and retirees when managing investment risk The importance of emergency reserves and liquidity buffers How lifestyle flexibility impacts portfolio decisions Reframing diversification beyond stocks and bonds Financial resilience, optionality, and staying invested through uncertainty Useful Links: Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/ TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/ Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant ( https://thepodcastconsultant.com )

April 24, 202644 min

Evaluating Financial Advice and Planning Decisions with Jason Lina

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier is joined by Jason Lina, Founder of Golden Bell Financial Planning. Together, they discuss how thoughtful financial planning goes beyond numbers and why clarity, simplicity, and good decision-making matter more than trying to predict the future. Topics Discussed Why much of the challenge in financial planning comes from filtering out poor advice How experienced advisors think about risk, uncertainty, and long-term investing The role of diversification, asset allocation, and disciplined portfolio management Considerations when making decisions like Social Security and mortgage payoff The connection between your financial resources and what matters most to you Key Takeaways Financial planning often involves making thoughtful, consistent decisions over time A well-structured plan considers a range of possible outcomes, not just one prediction Simplicity and discipline can play an important role in long-term planning Financial decisions are not just mathematical. They are personal. About the Guest Jason Lina is the Founder of Golden Bell Financial Planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner professional and Chartered Financial Analyst. Jason has been featured in publications such as Forbes, Money Magazine, CNBC, and U.S. News and World Report. He focuses on comprehensive financial planning and long-term investment strategy. Resources Mentioned The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel Happy Money by Ken Honda Your Money and Your Brain by Jason Zweig Die With Zero by Bill Perkins Connect with Jason Golden Bell Financial Planning Jason Lina on LinkedIn Connect with Jeff TandemGrowth Financial Advisors, LLC Jeff Bernier on TandemGrowth Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant ( https://thepodcastconsultant.com )

March 27, 2026Episode 410 min

April Perspectives: War, Oil Prices, and Staying Grounded as an Investor

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier examines how geopolitical conflict influences oil and gasoline prices, drawing on perspectives from economist John Cochrane and JPMorgan’s Michael Cembalest. He explains how war creates supply shocks, why energy markets react quickly, and how those effects ripple through inflation and the broader economy. Jeff also outlines why the U.S. is less vulnerable today and what investors should focus on when uncertainty rises. Topics covered: How war creates supply shocks in global oil markets Risk premiums, sanctions, and policy responses affecting energy prices The structure and limitations of global energy supply Why fossil fuels still dominate and renewable transition is slow How rising oil prices impact inflation and the broader economy The U.S. energy shift due to shale production and reduced import reliance Historical policy mistakes during energy crises Why price controls and subsidies can worsen outcomes The cyclical nature of energy shocks and market adjustment over time Investor perspective: diversification and avoiding macro speculation Building portfolios that can withstand geopolitical uncertainty Useful Links: Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/ TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/ Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant ( https://thepodcastconsultant.com )