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. 3d ago

    Why End-of-Life Planning Is the Ultimate Gift to Your Family

    Send us Fan Mail End-of-life planning is about more than death, it’s about leaving your family with clarity, stability, and peace of mind. On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Greg Barnsdale, death doula and author of Do Not Ignore Your Mortality about why end-of-life planning is one of the most meaningful acts of preparation we can make for our families. 📝 Takeaways  🔹 Planning ahead reduces stress and confusion for loved ones.  🔹 Communication with family and advisors is the starting point. 🔹 Clear wishes and documents create emotional and financial resilience.  🔹 Preparation helps prevent family conflict during difficult times.  🔹 Thoughtful planning supports meaningful legacies and charitable impact.  🔹 Insurance protects families from unexpected financial shocks.  🔹 Planning early ensures protections are in place.  Tony’s Take: End-of-life planning is an act of love. When we organize our wishes and prepare our affairs, we leave our families with clarity, resilience, and the space to focus on what matters most. Connect with Greg Barnsdale: Website: https://www.donotignoreyourmortality.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbarnsdale/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donotignoreyourmortality/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gregbarnsdale_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GregBarnsdale Book:   Do Not Ignore Your Mortality: Practical Advice From a Funeral & Financial Insider (book website) (Amazon)  Resource: Article: How and why to help your clients prepare for their passing (here)  Bio:  Greg Barnsdale is a unique death doula. As a licensed funeral director, Certified Executor Advisor, Certified Financial Planner, Certified Grief Coach, ghostwriter and hospice volunteer, he brings a perspective shared by few others. He successfully published a well-received book, which is thought-provoking and engaging. Shortly after publication, Greg was diagnosed with a large brain tumour. Faced with prompt brain surgery or a death sentence, he emerged with a very compelling message. He stresses that estate planning helps alleviate the stress of aging, leaves survivors more financially and emotionally resilient, and increases the likelihood of harmony and reduces the risk of contesting final wishes. More meaningful legacies and greater social capital often result. Immense pressure is alleviated from the courts, and cumulatively, the economy benefits. It's a massive win for everyone. Greg is on a mission to inspire others to speak with their loved ones about their end-of-life wishes while minds are clear & time is plentiful. Although these conversations can be difficult to have, they're far better than not having them. Greg stresses that, aside from leaving our loved ones with financial security, leaving them with proper end-of-life direction is the ultimate gift of love. ☕ 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.

    26 min

  2. 6d ago

    Why Your Financial Plan Should Be as Unique as Your Life

    Send us Fan Mail The best financial plans start with who you are and the life you want to live. On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Mike Milligan, CFP and author of The One of a Kind Financial Plan Book about how to build a personalized financial plan and retirement strategy that aligns your money, values, and relationships with the life you want to live. Takeaways 🔹 One-of-a-kind lives deserve one-of-a-kind financial plans.  🔹 Retirement Chi is what you want your money to do.   🔹 A clear retirement vision includes health, community, and impact.  🔹 Understanding your past money experiences helps shape future decisions.  🔹 Diversification applies to life purpose as much as financial risk.  🔹 Community and relationships are powerful predictors of happiness and longevity.  🔹 Financial planning should align money with who you are and how you want to live. Tony’s Take: Financial planning works best when it starts with purpose. When we define what matters, build a vision for our lives, and align money with our values, our plan becomes more than numbers. It becomes a guide for living well. Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP: Instagram (1.oak Financial): https://www.instagram.com/1oakfinancial/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemilligancfp/Website: https://www.mikemilligan.com/ 1.oak Financial Website: https://1oakfinancial.com/ Podcast: Ideas By Mike: https://www.youtube.com/@1.oakfinancial Resources mentioned: 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History--and How It Shattered a Nation By Andrew Sorkin (Amazon) Bio:  Mike Milligan is a purpose-driven financial advisor, educator, and entrepreneur, whose career began in his family’s small business as a boy in North Carolina. Today, Mike is the founder of Ideas By Mike, and 1.oak Financial, and a leading voice in client-centered, impact-driven financial planning world. He holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary®credentials and has helped thousands of clients make sense of their wealth, extend their well-being, and live out their goals authentically. Mike uses active listening, health-focused strategies, and decades of expertise to turn financial jargon into actionable steps. His belief in financial wellness comes from real life—helping both clients and students design plans that support their one of a kind lives. Mike’s teaching style focuses on clarity, empathy, and fun. Students and clients alike benefit from his ability to translate complex strategies into everyday solutions. Through workshops, courses, and speaking events, Mike continues to inspire others to make a real impact, both financially and personally. ☕ 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.

    36 min

  3. Jun 5

    Rethinking Retirement Through a Portfolio Life

    Send us Fan Mail What if the next chapter of your career is an opportunity to design a life filled with meaning, contribution, and new possibilities? On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Maria Dastur, Founder of Second Half Community about rethinking retirement and designing a portfolio life that blends purpose, contribution, and financial security. Key Takeaways:  🔹 A portfolio life diversifies multiple streams of meaning, purpose, and income. 🔹 Strong networks provide support and opportunity during career transitions. 🔹 New chapters often require learning new skills and perspectives. 🔹 Failure and discomfort often lead to the most meaningful growth. 🔹 Clear non-negotiables help guide career and life decisions. 🔹 Knowing your financial numbers allows you to pivot with confidence. 🔹 Retirement can become a phase of contribution, flexibility, and impact. 🎯 Tony’s Take: A fulfilling life after mid-career comes from clarity, curiosity, and community. When we know our numbers, stay open to learning, and surround ourselves with people who believe in us, we create the freedom to design the next chapter with purpose. Connect with Maria Dastur, MBA: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariadastur/Second Half Community Website: https://www.secondhalfcommunity.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@secondhalfcommunity Resources mentioned: Find Your Passion in Refirement! With Kathleen Rehl on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast (here)Redefining Success for Women in Finance: The Power of Your Network with Cameo Roberson & Kari Ellis on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast (here)  Bio:  Maria Dastur is an award-winning leader, career coach, and community builder dedicated to helping people break down barriers and thrive in their careers and lives. After more than 20 years in non-profit leadership, she launched the Second Half Community to help individuals realign their careers with who they are now. Maria’s mission is simple: help people create work that fits their life, not the other way around. ☕ 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.

    31 min

  4. Jun 2

    Your Health Is Your Greatest Asset

    Send us Fan Mail Are you trading your health for money?   On this episode, I speak with Stevyn Guinnip, author of Grow Wellthy, about the idea of “health net worth,” the compounding effect of daily habits, and why retirement planning should focus on health span, not just life span.  Key Takeaways: 🔹 Your health is an asset that directly impacts your financial life. 🔹 Retirement planning should consider health span, not just life span. 🔹 Small health habits compound just like financial investments. 🔹 Identifying health assets and liabilities helps reduce long-term risk. 🔹 The four-step hierarchy of health includes mindset, mend, meals, and movement. 🔹 Protecting your energy is as important as protecting your money. 🔹 You cannot separate health and wealth, they influence each other over time. Tony’s Take: If we treat health as an asset and invest in it early, we give our future selves more options, more energy, and fewer regrets. Connect with Stevyn Guinnip: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevyn-guinnip/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growwellthy/Email: info@growwellthy.com Grow Wellthy Website: www.growwellthy.com Books:   Grow Wellthy: The Financial Advisor's 4-Step Plan to Protect Your Health Like an Asset (Amazon: https://amzn.to/4pKP8Ft)(ebook: https://growwellthybook.com) Bio:  Stevyn Guinnip, MS, is an author, health coach, and international speaker dedicated to helping financial advisors and their clients live well longer. After surviving a personal health crisis, she founded Grow Wellthy™ to merge her expertise in exercise physiology with her firsthand understanding of the financial world as a financial advisor’s daughter. Today, she speaks globally, coaches advisors, and equips firms with strategies to protect health as the true retirement multiplier. Stevyn lives in Portugal with her husband and two children. ☕ 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.

    38 min

  5. May 28

    The Hidden Psychology Behind Your Money Decisions

    Send us Fan Mail Are you making financial decisions consciously, or being nudged by forces you do not see? On this episode, I speak with Ceres Chua, Money Psychologist and Financial Coach about the hidden psychology shaping our financial decisions. We explore how unconscious biases, money scripts, and marketing language influence the way we think about spending, saving, and sufficiency.  Key Takeaways 🔹 Much of our financial decision-making happens at a subconscious level. 🔹 Marketing language often leverages unconscious biases to influence spending. 🔹 Anchoring bias causes us to rely heavily on the first number we see. 🔹 Understanding your money script helps you recognize how you think about money. 🔹 Before making a decision, ask whether emotion or outside influence is driving it. 🔹 A sufficiency mindset focuses on defining what is enough rather than chasing more. 🔹 Reflecting on your beliefs about money strengthens clarity, peace, and intention. Tony’s Take: When we understand how our mindset, biases, and marketing influence shape our decisions, we gain the clarity to choose intentionally and define what “enough” truly means for us. Connect with Ceres Chua: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cereschua/The Money Mindset Lab Website & Mind Over Money Newsletter: https://www.themoneymindsetlab.com Resources mentioned: The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life Reprint Edition by Lynne Twist (Amazon) Bio:  I became obsessed with personal finance when I realized $14K a year in graduate school had to stretch far beyond what it was designed to do. I was trying to crack the code of living well on very little. That experience sparked a lifelong interest in the psychology of money and how our habits, emotions, and past experiences shape the way we make financial decisions. After 20 years in corporate, I took all those lessons—both professional and painfully personal—and was pulled toward the work behind the spreadsheets: helping women feel capable and calm about money. Along the way, it became crystal clear who I’m meant to serve: women who are thinking about starting a business or are in the messy early stages of building one—before things feel stable or predictable. Entrepreneurship is hard enough. It gets even harder when your finances feel confusing, reactive, or out of control. Now, I am building a DIY personal finance community for women solopreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. Inside, we focus on the real money questions that show up when you work for yourself—how much you actually need saved before you start, how to manage uneven cash flow and taxes, and how to plan for retirement when your income isn’t predictable. The goal is to create a community of women with confidence, clarity, and a calmer relationship with money—so money stops being a source of stress and starts to become a tool they know how to use to grow their business. ☕ 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.

    45 min

  6. May 26

    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

  7. May 22

    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

  8. May 19

    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
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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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