Get Ready: Before Life Happens Podcast

Tony Steuer

Get Ready: Before Life Happens brings together diverse voices, guides, and changemakers from around the world who are helping people and professionals navigate life’s what-ifs with clarity, integrity and confidence.  Hosted by Financial Readiness Advocate Tony Steuer, the show explores the insights, stories, and tools that strengthen financial readiness and reshape how we think about money, life, aging, caregiving, resilience, and purpose. Want more? Join The Get Ready Movement at www.tonysteuer.com [CLAIM:D51LCAQS]

  1. 1H AGO

    Anything Is Possible With the Right Financial Plan

    Send us Fan Mail With the right financial plan and clear intention, your goals become achievable, not abstract. On this episode, I speak with Dr. Severine Bryan, Accredited Financial Counselor and host of The Dr. Sev Talks Money Podcast about how our money story shapes our decisions, how to process financial setbacks without shame, and why community, clarity, and a plan can help turn goals into reality. Key Takeaways: 🔹 Financial success is rooted in intention. 🔹 The way we were socialized around money shapes how we handle it today. 🔹 A clear plan helps turn goals into actionable steps. 🔹 Understanding your “why” creates focus and direction. 🔹 Taking a breath before major purchases protects long-term vision. 🔹 Financial setbacks require reflection, support, and self-forgiveness. 🔹 Having a community reduces shame and helps us rebuild with clarity. Tony’s Take: When we approach our finances with intention, process our setbacks, and stay connected to community, we create the space to rewrite our money story and move forward with purpose. Connect with Dr. Severine Bryan:  Website: https://www.sevtalksmoney.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/severinebryan-financialeducator/Community: https://www.skool.com/wealth-warriors-community-1025/about Podcast: The Dr. Sev Talks Money Podcast: https://www.sevtalksmoney.com/podcast/ Resources mentioned: Get Ready Podcast: Redefining Success for Women in Finance: The Power of Your Network with Cameo Roberson and Kari Ellis (here)  Bio:  Bio: Dr. Severine Bryan is an Accredited Financial Counselor®, financial educator, and host of the Dr. Sev Talks Money podcast. She empowers women, especially those 40 and over, to rebuild after financial setbacks. Having rebuilt her own finances after divorce, she brings empathy, professional training, and lived experience to help women shift their money mindset and develop sustainable habits. Through her company, Sev Talks Money, she offers individual and group coaching as well as workplace workshops for corporations, nonprofits, and small businesses, blending the practical side of money management with the emotional side of how we relate to money. Dr. Bryan creates judgment-free spaces where women learn to use money as a tool for freedom. ☕ Support the Get Ready Movement. If these conversations help you think differently about money or prepare for life’s what-ifs, your support helps expand financial readiness education and keep this work accessible. 👉 Support (here) Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

    32 min
  2. 4D AGO

    What to Do When You Suspect Financial Abuse

    Send us Fan Mail When control shapes financial decisions, listening becomes the most important tool we have. In Part 2, I spoke with Joy Slabaugh, CFP, about how advisors and advocates can thoughtfully respond when they suspect a power imbalance is shaping financial decisions. 🔹 Financial abuse is controlling someone’s ability to acquire, use, or maintain economic resources.  🔹 Advisors should be curious and let clients describe their experience in their own words.  🔹 Focus on agency and access rather than labeling abuse directly.  🔹 Never explore sensitive concerns in front of a potentially controlling partner.  🔹 Separate meetings can safely surface power imbalances.  🔹 Move at the client’s timing and give options rather than directives.  🔹 Familiarize yourself with local resources so you can anchor support when needed.  Tony’s Take: When we listen first and protect agency, we create a safe space where clients can find clarity and options on their own timing. Connect withJoy Slabaugh, CFP®: Website: https://joyslabaugh.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyslabaugh/ Bio:  Joy Slabaugh is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, licensed therapist, and educator specializing in the psychological and relational dynamics of wealth. With advanced degrees in taxation and mental health counseling, she bridges the gap between financial strategy and human connection, helping high-net-worth individuals, couples, and financial advisors navigate the complexities of wealth with greater clarity, purpose, and impact. Joy’s expertise spans wealth management, behavioral finance, and advisor training, equipping financial professionals with the relational skills needed to build trust and deepen client relationships. She also works directly with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, guiding them through the emotional and identity challenges that often accompany significant wealth. A sought-after speaker, consultant, and industry thought leader, Joy has worked with top financial firms and private clients, reshaping the way people think about money beyond numbers. Her work challenges the traditional wealth narrative, offering a more human, values-driven approach to financial decision-making. Whether through keynote talks, advisor coaching, or client consulting, Joy empowers people to align wealth with impact, ensuring their financial success creates lasting fulfillment and meaningful change. ☕ Support the Get Ready Movement. If these conversations help you think differently about money or prepare for life’s what-ifs, your support helps expand financial readiness education and keep this work accessible. 👉 Support (here) Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

    35 min
  3. 6D AGO

    How Financial Abuse Begins and Why It’s Often Missed

    Send us Fan Mail Financial abuse often begins quietly, with small patterns of control that slowly reshape someone’s financial agency. In part one of this two-part episode, Joy Slabaugh, CFP® and I explore what financial abuse is, how it shows up in relationships, and what advisors and families should be listening for. Key Takeaways 🔹 Financial abuse is about control, using money to limit another person’s autonomy. 🔹 It often begins subtly and develops gradually over time. 🔹 Many abusive relationships involve multiple forms of abuse simultaneously. 🔹 Advisors should look for patterns, language, and imbalance in shared decision-making. 🔹 In couples, listen for shared ownership and whether both voices are heard. 🔹 It exists on a spectrum, from account restriction to hidden assets and coercion. 🔹 Intergenerational financial control can carry harmful “strings”. 🔹 Financial abuse can exist at any income level and in any type of relationship. 📊 By the Numbers 1 in 5 men and 1 in 7 women experience financial abuse in their lifetime.14% report currently experiencing financial abuse. Tony’s Take: Financial readiness includes recognizing coercion, imbalance, and control in money relationships. Listening carefully may be one of the most important skills advisors develop. Connect withJoy Slabaugh, CFP®: Website: https://joyslabaugh.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyslabaugh/ Bio:  Joy Slabaugh is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, licensed therapist, and educator specializing in the psychological and relational dynamics of wealth. With advanced degrees in taxation and mental health counseling, she bridges the gap between financial strategy and human connection, helping high-net-worth individuals, couples, and financial advisors navigate the complexities of wealth with greater clarity, purpose, and impact. Joy’s expertise spans wealth management, behavioral finance, and advisor training, equipping financial professionals with the relational skills needed to build trust and deepen client relationships. She also works directly with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, guiding them through the emotional and identity challenges that often accompany significant wealth. A sought-after speaker, consultant, and industry thought leader, Joy has worked with top financial firms and private clients, reshaping the way people think about money beyond numbers. Her work challenges the traditional wealth narrative, offering a more human, values-driven approach to financial decision-making. Whether through keynote talks, advisor coaching, or client consulting, Joy empowers people to align wealth with impact, ensuring their financial success creates lasting fulfillment and meaningful change. Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

    32 min
  4. MAY 15

    AI Will Accelerate the Shift from Advisor to Coach

    Send us Fan Mail AI is moving fast. The real question isn’t whether it will replace jobs. It’s which skills will still matter. In this episode, Chris Heye and I explore how AI may reshape financial planning, why communication and coaching are rising in importance, and what advisors must develop to stay relevant in the next 3–5 years. 🔑 Key Takeaways 🔹Most technologies create more jobs than they destroy, but AI’s speed makes this moment different. 🔹AI may not replace advisors, but it can replace technical skills and levels of expertise. 🔹Research from David Autor suggests technology reshapes tasks, not entire professions. 🔹The future of advising leans toward the consigliere model: guide, coach, communicator. 🔹Clients value help during life transitions, health events, and uncertainty more than technical reports. 🔹Low client satisfaction is a warning sign the industry cannot ignore. 🔹Advisors have a choice: use AI to augment their expertise or risk being replaced by it. Tony’s Take: AI can democratize access to financial tools and knowledge. The differentiator becomes human judgment, empathy, curiosity, and relationship. Develop the skills AI cannot replicate. Use AI to elevate your impact. Connect with Chris Heye, PhD: LinkedIn (here)Whealthcare Planning Website (here)Whealthbot (here)Whealthchat (Whealthchat.ai) Resources: The Whealthcare Wire - LinkedIn newsletter (here) Working with AI: Measuring the Applicability of Generative AI to Occupations from Microsoft (here) Bio:  Chris Heye, PhD is the Founder of Whealthcare Planning LLC and Whealthcare Solutions, Inc. He is a technology entrepreneur, writer, researcher, speaker, and product innovator with a passion for crafting solutions to the challenges and opportunities that reside at the intersection of personal finance, health, and longevity.  Chris is also a published author and frequent industry conference speaker, excelling in both internal and external communications and guiding teams and clients through change and innovation. He has a unique ability to translate complex concepts and problems into actionable plans and products. Extensive experience aligning activities, strategies, and messaging across product development, marketing, and sales teams. ☕ Support the Get Ready Movement. If these conversations help you think differently about money or prepare for life’s what-ifs, your support helps expand financial readiness education and keep this work accessible. 👉 Support (here) Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

    46 min
  5. MAY 12

    Why Everyone Needs a Long-Term Care Plan

    Send us Fan Mail Long-term care will impact most families, the question is whether you plan for it or react to it. In this episode, Nathan Sanow breaks down what long-term care really means, how insurance works as a leverage tool, and why planning early protects both dignity and relationships. Key Takeaways 🔹 Everyone needs a long-term care plan whether or not it includes insurance. 🔹 Medicare and traditional health insurance do not cover most long-term care costs. 🔹 Long-term care insurance is a leverage tool that transfers risk. 🔹 Planning early reduces family conflict and preserves control. 🔹 Long-term care planning protects dignity and the people you love. 🔹 Since you usually get one chance to qualify for long-term care insurance and carriers assess risk differently, specialist guidance matters. 💭 Tony’s Take: Risk management is about being prepared for life’s what ifs. Long-term care planning allows families to make decisions thoughtfully instead of under pressure. Connect with Nathan Sanow:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathansanow/Mastercare Website: https://www.mastercareco.comLTC Consumer Website: https://ltcconsumer.com Bio:  Nathan Sanow is President and owner of MasterCare and LTCConsumer.com.  He has held senior leadership positions and provided consulting for several of the nation’s largest insurance companies.  Nathan’s focus is changing the insurance industry through technology to allow consumers, employers, and employees to choose products that protect what is most important to them.  He joined MasterCare America in 2012, a leading national Long Term Care planning firm, to bring innovation and technology to the Long Term Care industry.   Nathan is a frequent speaker at industry conferences on the future of the insurance industry and how technology will play a role in that future.  In his spare time he is a car enthusiast and enjoys traveling with his wife and 5 kids. ☕ Become a Get Ready Insider Support the mission to help more people become financially ready and receive the Financial Readiness Plan as a thank you. 👉 Support (here) The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

    38 min
  6. MAY 8

    Philanthropy: Creating the World You Want to Live In

    Send us Fan Mail Philanthropy is more than writing a check, it’s an opportunity to shape the world you want to live in. In this episode, Deborah Goldstein, Philanthropic Advisor and Founder of Enlightened Philanthropy, shares how philanthropy becomes a reflection of your values, your legacy, and your vision for the future. Key Takeaways 🔹 Philanthropy is an opportunity to create the world you want to live in. 🔹 Giving starts with your values and aligns best when it reflects who you are. 🔹 Philanthropy is for everyone and can include time, talent, ties, testimony, truth, and treasure. 🔹 Donor-advised funds and family foundations help structure intentional giving. 🔹 Philanthropic advisors help families design strategies that maximize impact. 🔹 Modeling generosity teaches the next generation how and why to give. 🔹 The most meaningful gifts often reflect clarity, courage, and compassion. 💭 Tony’s Take: Financial readiness includes thinking about impact, legacy, and generosity. When we give with intention, philanthropy becomes a powerful expression of who we are and what we value. Connect with Deborah Goldstein: Enlightened Philanthropy Website (here)LinkedIn (here)Instagram (here) TEDx Talk: Are you a philanthropist? | Deborah Goldstein | TEDxSantaCatalinaSchool - Watch on (YouTube)  Resources mentioned: The Donor Bill of Rights: https://afpglobal.org/donor-bill-rights Bio:  Deborah Goldstein, founder of Enlightened Philanthropy, is dedicated to guiding philanthropists in giving. Drawing from more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit field, she supports clients on their philanthropic journey helping them align their values with their giving so they can give with clarity and confidence. Goldstein particularly enjoys helping families give collaboratively and experience meaningful moments together as the next generation engages in this process. She is also the creator of Philanthropy Camp for Women, an opportunity for women to explore their giving and learn in community. Goldstein holds a BA in Biology from Wittenberg University and a Master’s Degree in Marine Policy with a Certificate in Museum Studies from the University of Delaware. She has worked for Oregon State University, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Goldstein is a 21/64-certified consultant. She is also co-Dean of Philanthropy for the Purposeful Planning Institute.  ☕ Support the Get Ready Movement. If these conversations help you think differently about money or prepare for life’s what-ifs, your support helps expand financial readiness education and keep this work accessible. 👉 Support (here) The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

    36 min
  7. MAY 5

    How Women Can Build Investing Confidence

    Send us Fan Mail Investing confidence begins with asking better questions and taking consistent action. In this conversation, Diana Perkins shares how curiosity, emotional regulation, and asking better questions can shift you from reactive to confident, especially for women who’ve been conditioned to stay on the sidelines.  Key Takeaways 🔹Curiosity builds investing confidence by shifting you from reacting to responding. 🔹Women are often conditioned away from investing, even though they tend to generate strong long-term returns. 🔹Markets run on fear and greed, so emotional control creates an edge. 🔹Time in the market matters more than timing the market. 🔹You can start investing with what you have and within your risk tolerance. 🔹Small action reduces fear and weakens limiting beliefs. 🔹An abundance mindset expands what feels possible financially. 🔹Save and invest first so you can spend the rest guilt-free. Connect with Diana Perkins: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-perkins-cpa-6513498/Trading with Diana website: https://tradingwithdiana.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradingwithdiana Mentioned: Acorns: https://www.acorns.comGreenlight: https://greenlight.com Bio:  Diana Perkins is the Founder of Trading with Diana, a financial education and coaching platform that helps professionals build wealth through the stock market with clarity and confidence. She is a CPA with over 20 years of experience across equity options trading, management consulting, and business advisory roles, bringing both technical expertise and a practical, real-world perspective to investing. Diana works with individuals at different stages of their investing journeys who want to understand how to navigate the financial markets, make informed decisions with their money, and develop an approach to investing that feels structured and sustainable rather than overwhelming or intimidating. Her approach focuses on technical analysis, risk management, and mindset, helping clients develop a clear plan and invest in the stock market with confidence. ☕ Support the Get Ready Movement. If these conversations help you think differently about money or prepare for life’s what-ifs, your support helps expand financial readiness education and keep this work accessible. 👉 Support (here) The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

    39 min
  8. MAY 1

    How Highly Sensitive People Can Align Money

    Send us Fan Mail Money decisions are rarely just about numbers. They’re shaped by identity, lived experience, values, and psychology, especially for people who are highly sensitive or hold marginalized identities. In this conversation, Diana Yanez, Certified Financial Planner and host of the Highly Sensitive Money Podcast explores how understanding who you are and what you care about can help you build a healthier, more values-aligned relationship with money. 🔹 Aligning money and work with your values builds clarity, energy, and purpose. 🔹Highly sensitive people relate to money through empathy, overwhelm, and deep processing. 🔹Community investing uses money to strengthen solidarity and shared good. 🔹Knowing who you are helps clarify who you are best positioned to serve. 🔹Values-aligned investing can be simple, starting with where you choose to invest. 🔹Marginalized experiences shape money beliefs through both harm and resilience. 🔹Self-trust is key to money confidence 🔹Your worth is not your net worth 💭 Tony’s Take: Financial readiness includes emotional safety and self-trust. When people understand that money is a psychological and values-based decision rather than a measure of worth, they gain permission to engage with it on their own terms. Connect with Diana Yanez, MA, CFP: LinkedInAll The Colors websiteAll The Colors InstagramNatural Investments WebsiteHighly Sensitive Money Podcast:  AudioYouTubeReferenced:  Impact Philanthropy Advisor program - Daylight AdvisorsHow Financial Trauma Shapes Our Relationship With Money with Rahkim Sabree on the Get Ready Before Life Happens PodcastThe Psychology of Money by Morgan HouselBari TesslerBio:  Diana Gisel Yañez, CFP®, is a money coach at All the Colors and wealth manager at Natural Investments. As an individual and group coach, Diana specializes in helping women of color entrepreneurs create sustainable money systems for themselves, their loved ones and their communities. Through Natural Investments, Diana supports impact investors in aligning their values and investments. Diana is also the host of Highly Sensitive Money, a podcast that provides resources for highly sensitive people to align their money and their values.  Diana earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner designation and the Registered Life Planner™ designation. Diana completed Compassionate Inquiry™ training to enhance her facilitation skills in a trauma informed way.  ☕ Support the Get Ready Movement. If these conversations help you think differently about money or prepare for life’s what-ifs, your support helps expand financial readiness education and keep this work accessible. 👉 Support (here) Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

    41 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Get Ready: Before Life Happens brings together diverse voices, guides, and changemakers from around the world who are helping people and professionals navigate life’s what-ifs with clarity, integrity and confidence.  Hosted by Financial Readiness Advocate Tony Steuer, the show explores the insights, stories, and tools that strengthen financial readiness and reshape how we think about money, life, aging, caregiving, resilience, and purpose. Want more? Join The Get Ready Movement at www.tonysteuer.com [CLAIM:D51LCAQS]

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