Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner TAMMA Capital

Have you ever wondered if standardized tests like the SAT or ACT are still relevant, especially when colleges offer test-optional admissions?
The debate around standardized testing has become more nuanced than ever.  With the rise of test-optional college admissions, many students and parents grapple with the question: Is taking the SAT or ACT still necessary?
I wanted to speak with Dr. Shaan Patel, the founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading test preparation company, to shed light on this topic.  Dr. Patel's expertise offers invaluable insights into why standardized tests still matter, even in a test-optional era.
Drawing from his experience of conquering standardized tests and securing scholarships, he highlights the pivotal role of motivation and resilience in achieving academic and professional goals.
From navigating the pressures of Shark Tank to finding harmony between a career in dermatology and entrepreneurship, Dr. Patel's story offers practical advice for families and valuable lessons in pursuing passions and seizing opportunities.
Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Shaan Patel.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.

Welcome to a special "Emotional Balance Sheet" graduation episode where we're diving into real-world advice for all the fresh graduates.  Congratulations on this incredible milestone in your life!  Now, let's talk about what comes next.
While the world often echoes Steve Jobs' famous 2005 Stanford speech urging graduates to follow their passion, today, we will shake things up and challenge that narrative.  Instead, I encourage you to pursue what you enjoy and what can sustain you financially because passion alone doesn't pay the bills.
To help get you started with this next phase of life, I have brought in one of my favorite writers, Morgan Housel.  Morgan wrote an article that provides unsolicited advice to recent college grads, which I wanted to share with you today, sprinkled in with a few thoughts of my own.
The beauty of this advice in typical Morgan fashion is that it applies to adults who could be in the prime of their careers.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.

Have you ever taken the time to think about who you are?  We all have multiple identities, but how do the different people we represent come together to form who we are?
Christina Gossayn, a behavioral scientist and Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior candidate, has focused her research on how identities evolve over time, especially under the mantle of responsibility that comes with age.  Our self-reflection can take a backseat as we juggle various roles, from professionals to parents.
For many, particularly working parents, the struggle to make time for reflection is real.  Christina and I discuss practical ways for individuals to prioritize and define their purpose amidst the hustle of daily life.
Here are three key takeaways:
Understanding the value of taking time to contemplate one's purpose and objectives even amidst daily responsibilities. Acknowledging that our identity is not static but constantly shaped by experiences and reflections opening doorways to authentic growth and leadership. Challenging the notion that our careers solely define us and recognizing the importance of empathy, relationships, and personal joys. So, as we prepare to embark on this journey into self, I invite you all to take a step back, reflect, and maybe discover something new about the ever-changing landscape of your own identity.
Please enjoy my conversation with Christina Gossayn.

I am the product of a tight-knit, small-town community. 
While searching for a job during college, I was fortunate to cross paths with Darrell and Melodee Hoff, who became my first career mentors.
Darrell recently passed, and I wanted to share not only the practical skills I learned from him but also the profound influence of his mentor in shaping my personal and professional outlook to this day.
Here are a few key takeaways
Mentors can deliver more than business lessons, How you define family is up to you, As Darrell always used to say, “Plan the work and work the plan.” Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.

Did you know that the path to choosing the "right-fit" college for your child could also lead to life lessons in self-advocacy?
I welcome back Holly Markiecki-Bennetts, a high school guidance counselor and college advisor who is also a mom to one + twins!  Holly is a testament to thoughtful and intentional educational decision-making.  While many high school seniors embark on the nerve-wracking odyssey of college applications, laden with standardized test scores and wide nets, Holly worked with her oldest daughter to choose a different path.
Our conversation focuses on the challenges students face when transitioning from high school to college, from mastering study habits to time management.  Holly brings her 20-year experience in education to the table, offering tangible strategies like using physical planners and the importance of study breaks to enhance learning retention.
A few critical takeaways
Don't let the fear of failure creep into your college planning journey Understand the difference between homework and study and the skills each requires Self-advocacy is an invaluable lesson to teach kids in middle and high school This conversation provides a deeper understanding of the emotional impact of the college planning process on students and parents, as well as valuable resources and parenting perspectives.
I hope you can reflect, relate, and rethink how we guide our children through one of life's most transformative passages.
Please enjoy my conversation with Holly Markiecki-Bennetts.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
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At retirement, your whole financial life essentially collapses down to one binary question: will your money outlive you, or will you outlive your money?
Volatility in the market is often seen as a risk, but it's important to differentiate between the two. The real risk lies in not having a plan that can sustain your financial needs throughout retirement. It's not about meeting a benchmark; it's about developing a plan and staying committed to it.
The dominant factor in long-term financial outcomes isn't just your investment performance – it's your investment behavior.
For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast.
Follow Paul on Facebook and LinkedIn.
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.