Money Tales

In American society, money is a taboo topic. By not talking with loved ones and friends about money, we miss opportunities to sort through the noise and learn the vocabulary and skills we need to effectively understand, evaluate and financially plan for w

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Recent Episodes

Personal Financial Fraud, with Kaitlin Henze

Posted January 22, 202600:37:44

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.

Bagel-Rich, with Emily Winston

Posted January 15, 202600:32:27

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.

$600 Million Money Mistakes, Priceless Meaning, with Guy Kawasaki

Posted January 8, 202600:37:23

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.

What They Don’t Tell You About Selling Your Business, with Lindsay Pinchuk

Posted December 24, 202500:32:34

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.

Balancing Health and Wealth, with Valerie Ortiz

Posted December 18, 202500:30:19

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.