Women & Wealth

Hosted by Regina Hess

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100

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the Women & Wealth podcast brought to you by Regina McCann Hess, a CFP with over two decades of experience. This show is for professional women who want guidance in working towards their Retirement Vision – learning, building, planning, striving for your dreams and putting the work in now so that you can pursue your Financial Independence. You can watch the Founder's video Regina created for you to learn more about her and how she can guide you towards your financial independence at www.forgewealth.com. * The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listeners' personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized financial, legal or tax advice. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate qualified professional prior to making a final decision. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Private Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor. Private Advisor Group and Forge Wealth Management are separate entities from LPL Financial. Our show guests and their companies are not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group or Forge Wealth Management.

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June 10, 202615 min

10 Things About Inflation

Inflation can feel like an invisible thief. Your groceries cost more, your budget feels tighter, and your retirement plan may need to stretch further than expected. In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina breaks down 10 key things to understand about inflation, from why prices rise to how the Federal Reserve uses interest rates to slow things down. She also explains why prices do not always fall back to where they were, why deflation can create its own problems, and how inflation can affect your long-term portfolio and retirement lifestyle. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:31 - A simple way to understand inflation 1:14 - What inflation actually means 2:29 - Why inflation keeps making headlines 3:59 - How inflation impacts daily life 5:06 - The Fed's role in managing inflation 5:59 - How higher interest rates help slow demand 8:04 - Why prices do not always come back down 9:28 - The risk of deflation 10:37 - Inflation through history 11:44 - How inflation can impact your portfolio 14:21 - Why inflation matters in retirement planning 15:29 - Action item and episode wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

June 3, 202628 min

Diversifying with Real Estate with Corinn Altomare

Self-storage might not be the first thing you think of when you hear "real estate investing," but it can open the door to a very different conversation about diversification, passive income, and long-term planning. Regina McCann Hess sits down with Corinn Altomare, co-founder of Hearthfire Holdings, to talk about passive self-storage investments, why some investors look beyond traditional stocks and bonds, and how income-producing assets can fit into bigger retirement conversations. They also talk about patience, long-term thinking, 1031 exchanges, the emotional side of work and family, and the importance of asking one big retirement question early: how will you replace your paycheck? Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Welcome to Women and Wealth 0:31 - Why self-storage can be an interesting investment topic 1:06 - Meet Corinn Altomare 2:23 - Building Hearthfire Holdings from a side hustle 5:17 - Diversification beyond stocks and bonds 7:13 - How private investors can access larger real estate projects 9:24 - Storage vs. apartments 13:28 - Long-term investing and avoiding daily market noise 14:32 - 1031 exchanges and compounding over time 17:01 - Where to learn more about Corinn 17:40 - Balancing ambition, family, and fulfillment 23:16 - Corinn's vision for retirement 25:01 - Passive income and replacing your paycheck in retirement 26:46 - Regina's action item ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com CORINN ALTOMARE Website: https://hfirecapital.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinn-altomare/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

May 27, 202610 min

10 Things About Recessions

Recessions are a normal part of the economic cycle, but they can still feel unsettling when the headlines get loud and your own budget starts to feel tighter. In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina explains what a recession actually is and why it is not the same thing as a "down" stock market. She also talks about how recessions can show up in everyday financial decisions, from cutting back on travel and dining out to being more careful with discretionary spending. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro to Women and Wealth 0:31 - What Is a Recession? 1:14 - 1. What's in a Name? 1:39 - 2. A Recession Is Not a Down Market 2:40 - 3. Internal vs. External Shocks 3:21 - 4. The Customer Is Always Right 4:16 - 5. What Goes Up Must Come Down 4:40 - 6. We Grow More Than We Contract 5:35 - 7. Connected, But Not Always in Sync 6:03 - 8. Bad Begets Good 6:29 - 9. Not All Stocks Are Created Equal 7:24 - 10. Stocks Can Grow When the Economy Contracts 8:18 - Signs You May Feel Before a Recession Is Announced 9:01 - Call to Action: Rein in Spending 9:24 - Closing and Connect With Forge Wealth ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. This material was prepared by Hartford funds. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. Hartford Funds is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management

May 20, 202619 min

The Branding Den with Abbie O'Brien

Your logo, website, colors, fonts, and visuals all tell a story before someone ever works with you. In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina is joined by Abbie O'Brien, founder of The Branding Den, to discuss creating a brand identity that feels strategic, authentic, and aligned with the people you want to serve. Abbie shares how she turned a pandemic layoff into a growing brand and web design business, why strong branding starts with deeper questions, and how small business owners can create consistency across their website, social media, and marketing materials. Regina and Abbie also talk about entrepreneurship, motherhood, making time for yourself, and stepping away from the screen to refill your own cup. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Introduction 0:32 - Why branding, logos, and design matter for small business owners 2:39 - How Abbie turned a pandemic layoff into a business opportunity 4:14 - What goes into building a strategic brand identity 7:58 - Why many small business owners rebrand after they better understand their audience 10:01 - How brand guidelines create consistency across your business 13:03 - Abbie's challenge of building a business while becoming a mom 14:27 - Abbie's vision for retirement, travel, golf, and warmer weather 15:51 - Why making time for yourself helps you show up better in work and life 17:35 - Regina's call to action: lift your chin, look around, and refill your own cup ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com CONNECT WITH ABBIE O'BRIEN Website: thebrandingden.com/about LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbie11/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

May 13, 202615 min

10 Things About Volatility

Market volatility can feel uncomfortable, especially when your statement looks different than it did last quarter. But market ups and downs are a normal part of investing, and having the right perspective can make those swings easier to navigate. This week, Regina breaks down 10 things to know about stock market volatility, including why big point drops are often a matter of perspective, how the VIX measures investor fear, and why patience matters when you're investing for the long term. She also talks about how to think through your comfort level, why automatic retirement contributions can help during down markets, and what conversations to have with your advisor before volatility catches you off guard Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Introduction 0:46 - Understanding market volatility 2:06 - What can drive market reactions 3:16 - Building a strategy for volatility 4:37 - 10 things to know about volatility 4:43 - Putting market drops in perspective 5:20 - The VIX fear index 6:32 - Extreme fear is the exception 7:20 - Volatility in 2025 8:03 - Why patience matters 8:27 - Returns are rarely smooth 9:18 - Adjusting your portfolio 9:45 - Finding opportunity in volatility 12:05 - The market's historical perspective 13:15 - Planning before volatility hits 13:56 - Episode wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forgewealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. This material was prepared by Hartford funds. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. Hartford Funds is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management

May 6, 202620 min

Stepparenting with Maria Natapov

Blended families can bring a lot of love, but they can also bring confusion, tension, and emotional complexity, especially when children are navigating divorce, new caregivers, and loyalty conflicts. This week, Regina sits down with Maria Natapov, a co-parenting and step-parenting coach, to talk about what it really takes to create a healthier foundation for families after separation or divorce. Maria shares why communication, structure, emotional awareness, and clear roles are so important for both adults and children, and how step-parents can show up with care without overstepping. They also discuss rapid resolution therapy, how past experiences can shape present-day reactions, and why Maria sees her work as helping families build safer, more supportive systems for the next chapter. Episode Highlights: 0:31 - Episode open 0:57 - Meet Maria Natapov 1:16 - Creating workable family systems 2:55 - Navigating the role of a step-parent 4:17 - Advocating without adding conflict 5:53 - Learning parenting without a playbook 7:18 - Understanding emotions as information 9:20 - The reality of overstepping 10:06 - What children carry after divorce 12:09 - Rapid resolution therapy 14:19 - Helping the body recognize safety 17:37 - Where to find Maria 18:05 - Learning to stop playing small 18:44 - Maria's vision for retirement ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forgewealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com CONNECT WITH MARIA NATAPOV Website: https://synergisticstepparenting.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marianatapov Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

April 29, 202630 min

How to teach kids about money (at every age) | In Your Corner Podcast, Ep. 18

Most adults were never really taught how money works. They had to figure it out on their own, often through trial and error. In this episode, Regina McCann Hess joins CBS News Philadelphia consumer reporter Josh Sidorowicz on the In Your Corner podcast to talk about why financial literacy matters and how parents can start teaching kids about money in everyday life. From grocery store lessons and jars for saving, spending, and giving, to chores, goal setting, investing, and even the iPhone debate, this conversation breaks down practical ways to help children build healthy money habits early. Regina also shares how family dynamics, money mindset, and real-life examples shape the way kids understand earning, saving, and spending. Whether you're raising young children, guiding teens, or helping young adults take their first financial steps, this episode offers simple ideas to start the conversation. Episode Highlights: 00:00 — Why financial literacy matters 01:15 — When should kids start learning about money? 02:05 — Grocery store lessons: teaching budgeting in real life 03:45 — Why money feels abstract in a cashless world 05:00 — The emotional tone of money at home 07:20 — Using cash, jars, and visualization to teach saving 09:10 — Needs vs. wants, and the iPhone story 11:45 — Should kids get paid for chores? 14:20 — Credit cards, college, and building credit 17:00 — Family budgeting, vacations, and tradeoffs 20:15 — Cost vs. value: spending smarter 21:20 — Introducing kids to investing early 26:00 — Schools don't teach this ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles, and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps, and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve, and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA MCCANN HESS Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com CONNECT WITH JOSH SIDOROWICZ Episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5k9c6LffhA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshsid/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. ###########

April 22, 202624 min

Priceless Memories with Jessica Hinds

The photos we almost skip often become the ones we wish we had most. In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina sits down with family photographer and entrepreneur Jessica Hinds to talk about preserving the moments that matter, even in the middle of chaos, motherhood, and busy careers. Jessica shares how she built her photography business, why she always encourages moms to get in the frame, and how family photos become part of the legacy we leave behind. They also talk about the challenges of balancing business ownership with family life, the pressure professional women put on themselves, and why health is one of the most important investments we can make if we want to enjoy the wealth we're building. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:35 - Episode open, meet Jessica Hinds 3:57 - A glimpse into what it's like to be a professional photographer 11:05 - Why Jessica became an entrepreneur 14:07 - Where you can go to learn more about Jessica and her photography 14:41 - Challenges Jessica has faced as a professional woman 19:40 - Jessica's vision for retirement 21:38 - Action item and wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com CONNECT WITH JESSICA HINDS Website: https://www.jessicahindsphotography.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicahindsphotography/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

April 15, 202622 min

Social Security Strategy for Divorcees & Widows

A lot of women have no idea they may still be entitled to Social Security benefits tied to an ex-spouse. In this week's episode, Regina unpacks what divorced spouses, widows, and widowers need to know, including the rules that apply, how much may be available, and why filing too early can cost you far more than you realize. She also walks through real examples that show how a smart claiming strategy can make a meaningful difference in your long-term retirement income. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:52 - Rules first! 5:24 - 2 factors to consider for the spousal benefit 7:12 - The survivor benefit 10:04 - Calculating and using or 'turning on' the benefits 14:01 - Circling back to the survivor benefit 15:17 - The drawback of taking it earlier 20:48 - Call to action ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

April 8, 202629 min

Unapologetic with Nicole Stephenson

So many women are taught to downplay their accomplishments, even when they've done something extraordinary. In this episode of Women and Wealth, Nicole Stephenson joins Regina McCann Hess for a conversation about confidence, community, and what it means for women to show up unapologetically in their careers. A lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and the founder of Narrativa Consulting, Nicole has spent years helping professional women recognize their value, own their stories, and move forward with greater confidence. In this conversation, she shares how more than a decade of leading women's professional development programs shaped her perspective on mentorship, self-worth, and the power of women championing one another. She also talks about the inspiration behind her new book, the challenges women face in owning their accomplishments, and why community can be the catalyst for meaningful change. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Meet Nicole Stephenson 5:27 - "How to get your kudos", defining accomplishments 14:59 - Where to find more about Nicole and her book 18:20 - Some of the challenges Nicole has faced as a professional woman 22:41 - Nicole's vision of retirement 27:57 - Action item and episode wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com CONNECT WITH NICOLE STEPHENSON Website: https://narrativaconsulting.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-stephenson/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.