Money Tales

Aspiriant
  • 4.9 (64)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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 what’s most important to us. Money Tale$ gives a voice to this uncomfortable topic. Co-hosts Sandi Bragar and Cammie Doder bring more than 35 years of combined professional experience in personal finance to each episode to demystify money and demonstrate what it’s like to speak openly about personal financial matters. Join us for interviews with modern day movers and shakers who share how money decisions intertwine with their daily lives and the wisdom they gained from those experiences.

  1. 3D AGO

    The Art of Negotiation and Knowing When to Walk Away

    In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Elisa Henry. For the first time in her life, Elisa Henry did something that felt almost impossible for a high performing dealmaker. She stopped. She took six months off work to disconnect from the constant noise of achievement, spend real time outdoors, and sit in the quieter questions beneath every money goal: Who am I if I am not producing? What do I want this next chapter to be about? In that pause, Elisa realized how tightly identity can fuse with work, how health and presence can become the real scarce resources and why the most meaningful financial plan is the one that supports a life you actually have time to live. Elisa has spent over 20 years scaling communications and technology businesses — from building Communications Platform as a Service companies to being on the ground floor of commercializing artificial intelligence before it went mainstream. Most recently, she grew a CPaaS company over 7x in six years, culminating in a 10x earnings exit. Today, through her consulting firm Konversaitions, she partners with founders and CEOs to sharpen their commercialization efforts and build the operational infrastructure that helps founders increase the value of their business so they can get the most out of their exit. But this episode is about something more personal. Life has a way of shifting how you think about money, time, and what truly matters – and for Elisa, that shift is now. She opens up about raising her 10-year-old son with intention, living in the present, and what it means to build a life — not just a portfolio — with no regrets. When she’s not working, you’ll find her in the mountains, snow skiing with her family, traveling, and cherishing the moments that money can’t buy. Preparedness, Perspective and Purposeful Wealth This conversation underscores the importance of staying actively engaged in your financial life. From reviewing insurance beyond autopay to planning for unexpected events, Elisa’s story shows that true security comes from regularly reassessing your coverage and aligning it with real-life risks. Her approach to negotiation and investing also highlights that money decisions are both strategic and human, requiring awareness, adaptability and a clear understanding of what matters most. Through hands-on conversations with her son about earning, investing and recognizing opportunity, she demonstrates that financial legacy is built through everyday actions and shared perspective. If you want to align your financial decisions with your goals and values, an Aspiriant advisor can help you create a strategy grounded in purpose. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more insights on making thoughtful, intentional money decisions.

    33 min

  2. MAR 26

    How to Talk to Your Kids About Money (Pre-College Years)

    In this Money Tales Deep Dive, Sandi Bragar and Cammie Doder explore one of the most meaningful and often avoided conversations: how to talk to kids about money before they leave home. They discuss why these conversations can feel uncomfortable for parents and reminding listeners that this guidance applies not only to your own kids, but also to nieces, nephews, and young people in your broader circle. Drawing on insights from past Money Tales guests—including Vincent Valeri, Tim Ranzetta, Joyce Chung, Betsy Miller, and Dr. Marianne Cooper—they highlight how early money experiences shape a child’s understanding of security, independence, and decision-making. Throughout the episode, Sandi and Cammie offer a practical approach: start earlier than you think, use everyday moments as teaching opportunities, and focus on building confidence rather than perfection. They discuss the importance of normalizing money conversations in age-appropriate ways, giving kids hands-on experiences with earning, spending, and saving, and allowing room for small mistakes that lead to meaningful learning. As reflected in many of the stories shared across Money Tales, the goal isn’t to raise financially perfect kids, but to raise capable, thoughtful adults who can make informed decisions and engage in healthy, open conversations about money throughout their lives. Explore More Resources on Kids and Money Looking to go deeper? Explore our curated Money Tales episodes alongside insights from Fathom, Aspiriant’s blog, for practical guidance on teaching kids about money—from building healthy habits to gaining financial literacy and confidence. If you’d like to work with an Aspiriant advisor to align your financial plan with your goals and values, connect with us here. Subscribe to Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more inspiring stories on purpose, money and personal growth.

    27 min

  3. MAR 19

    Climate Investing within a Donor Advised Fund

    In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Janet Brunckhorst. What if your charitable dollars could do more than sit and wait to be granted out? In this episode, Janet shares how she began rethinking her donor advised fund as a giving vehicle and as a tool for investing in climate solutions. That shift opened the door to deeper money conversations about risk, liquidity, partnership and how to assign value to uncertain outcomes. Janet is a climate tech advisor, investor, and fractional executive. She provides strategic and operational support to climate founders in the US and Australia. Janet has led cross-functional teams building software products for the last 20 years, with her time at Aurora Solar cementing her commitment to the energy transition. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, kids, and cat, writes songs about science, swims in the Bay, and misses Melbourne coffee. Curiosity, Risk and Rewriting the Rules Janet Brunckhorst’s story shows how early experiences with money can shape our comfort with risk and uncertainty. Growing up with financial anxiety and later seeing a family safety net disappear taught her that wealth can be unpredictable. Those lessons helped her take thoughtful risks, from traveling on a loan as a student to moving across the world with a young child and no job lined up. Her journey also highlights that money conversations are rarely just about numbers. Whether navigating different budgeting styles with her husband or deciding how to think about equity compensation in the tech world, Janet shows the value of curiosity, flexibility and honest dialogue. Today, Janet is exploring how capital can be used more intentionally for impact through her work connecting philanthropic capital with climate technology startups. For more insights on the economic possibilities that addressing climate change can create, listen to the episode with Tito Jankowski here. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more real stories that inspire thoughtful, intentional decisions about money.

    38 min

  4. MAR 12

    The Menu of Success

    In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Sid Kim. Sid didn’t become an entrepreneur by following a master plan. He taught himself how to write a business plan from a book, raised venture capital during the dot com boom, and found himself running a company before fully understanding what success or responsibility would actually demand. As the son of immigrants who rebuilt their lives from scratch, Sid saw entrepreneurship as a way to create stability and agency. In this conversation, he reflects on the lessons that came from early wins, sudden losses and building businesses across borders, and how those experiences reshaped his relationship with money, risk and purpose. Sid is a global entrepreneur and business expansion strategist with nearly 30 years of leadership experience across Asia and the United States. His career has centered on building, scaling and diversifying ventures that bridge cultures, markets and industries. As Founder of Vatos Urban Tacos, Urban Mix, Sid Burger & Craft Beer and KoMari, Sid has launched and managed over 20 restaurants and businesses across Singapore, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and the U.S. As Chairman of Vatos Capital Partners, he continues to oversee concept creation, fundraising, investor relations and brand growth. At SAGE Partners Group, where he serves as CEO, Sid leads cross-border consulting initiatives helping Asian brands expand into the U.S. and guiding North American brands into Asia. From strategy and compliance to design-build and operations, he helps companies navigate the complexities of global expansion while focusing on execution and growth. Beyond F&B, Sid founded GolfX, Singapore’s leading indoor golf facility, and serves on the Singapore Golf Association’s Golf Development Task Force, promoting the sport’s growth and accessibility in the region. Sid recently founded a golf import, export and distribution company for U.S. brands wanting to expand to Asia. A frequent speaker and mentor, Sid shares insights on international expansion, entrepreneurship and cross-cultural leadership with founders, executives, and students worldwide. A Fulbright Scholar and former UC Berkeley Graduate Scholarship Advisory Board member, he combines academic rigor with entrepreneurial instinct—specializing in business development, financial strategy and scalable global ventures. Risk, Reinvention and Redefining Legacy Sid’s journey shows that money is more than a measure of success. From his immigrant upbringing to building businesses across continents, his story reflects a thoughtful evolution in how he approaches risk, ambition and stability. Wealth, when guided by intention, creates freedom to pivot, tell meaningful stories and invest in the next generation. Through open conversations with his son about investing and career choices, he illustrates that financial legacy is shaped as much by dialogue and example as by assets. Lessons about money come from experience and shared perspective. If you want to align your resources with the life and legacy you want to create, an Aspiriant advisor can help you design a strategy grounded in purpose and discipline. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more stories that guide smarter, more intentional money decisions.

    40 min

  5. MAR 5

    From Saving to Investment

    Feeling financially successful on paper but trapped in real life can change everything. In this episode, C-suite executive and board director, Leilani Latimer, shares how unintentionally becoming house poor while living in Italy as a young adult forced her to confront anxiety, control and independence. When she sold the house, those lessons ultimately set the foundation for her to achieve a healthier, more balanced relationship with money. Leilani is a global C-suite executive and NACD Certified Board Director who leads companies through critical inflection points. She drives growth, connects strategy to execution and builds operating models designed for scale and resilience. Her track record spans B2B, SaaS, Marketplace, AI/ML and Enterprise Technology companies across public, PE-backed and venture-backed organizations. She has held executive roles in sales, marketing, commercial operations, product and customer success, bringing a comprehensive understanding of how these functions integrate to drive performance. She is currently a strategic advisor to growth-stage technology companies, partnering with Founders, CEOs, VCs and PEs to shape business models, strengthen go-to-market execution and design the teams and structures required to scale. She has led early-stage companies in supply chain, retail and medtech through transformational growth, building commercial and marketing engines from startup through acquisition, delivering significant revenue growth and improved forecasting. Leilani’s deep technology expertise includes 25 years with Sabre Inc. (NASDAQ: SABR), a global leader in travel, hospitality and transportation technology. In leadership roles spanning sales, product, marketing, strategy and sustainability across North America and Europe, key achievements include repositioning the hospitality business for IPO, developing award-winning enterprise sustainability systems and products, restructuring global product investment plans and helping build the Southern European division from inception to 15% market share. Leilani currently serves as an Independent Board Director at Black Diamond Group (TSE: BDI), Sedex and Narratize, and as an Advisory Board Member at Fiutur and FoodMesh. Her board contributions span governance, strategic capital allocation, compensation and risk oversight. Her unique perspective on corporate risk and reputation is shaped by her expertise in sustainability, over 15 years of leadership in European markets and extensive experience across multiple industries. Based in San Francisco, she is a dual US and Italian citizen. Independence, Investing and Intentional Choice Leilani’s story reminds us that financial independence is not a fixed destination but an evolution. From navigating cross-border careers and complex benefits systems to rethinking what fairness means in partnership, she shows how money can either create anxiety or expand possibility. Today, her focus on teaching her children to invest early, supporting female founders and building values-aligned portfolios reflects a deeper truth: wealth is a tool for choice. The freedom to decide where you live, what you support and how you show up in the world is the ultimate return on investment. If you are considering board service, navigating career transitions or thinking more intentionally about how and where you invest, an Aspiriant advisor can help you align your wealth with your values and design a strategy that supports both independence and impact. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more real stories that inspire smarter, more intentional decisions with your money.

    38 min

  6. FEB 26

    An Unplanned Journey into Philanthropy

    In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Stephanie Ellis-Smith. Marriage caused Stephanie to face two hard truths at once. The medical career she had poured herself into did not fit the life she wanted to build with her husband. And perhaps even more unsettling, a career in medicine was not clicking the way she had always assumed it would. When she stepped away, Stephanie felt like she was walking out on an identity her family had invested everything in. Then, in the middle of that uncertainty, Stephanie said yes to a small volunteer opportunity. That single yes ended up rerouting her life into a decades long career in philanthropy, including founding three nonprofits and Phila Engaged Giving. Stephanie is the CEO and founder of Phīla Engaged Giving, a philanthropic advisory firm established in 2017 that works with donors who are ready to activate their assets for social change. As an advisor and social impact specialist, she works toward a world where philanthropy is a nurturing and equity-centered practice that connects wealth to the people and communities who need it most. Stephanie is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) with extensive experience in advising high-impact individuals and companies. She believes strongly in being a compassionate and generous member of society and brings nearly 30 years of professional and personal life experience in governance, family wealth and nonprofit leadership to the social sector. In the wake of the racial uprisings of 2020, she co-founded Giving Gap, an online database to help donors find and support Black-founded and led organizations in their communities. Having served in a variety of professional capacities—non-profit CEO, social enterprise COO, foundation and non-profit trustee and corporate board member—Stephanie’s extensive background and deep knowledge makes her uniquely well-positioned to be a trusted advisor to the world’s most generous families and institutions. Stephanie’s expertise in navigating wealth, impactful generosity and civic engagement is frequently sought by leading philanthropic institutions and mainstream publications and she has frequently appeared as a keynote speaker at major social sector convenings. Several Seattle mayors and former Washington Governor Gary Locke have appointed Stephanie to serve on a variety of boards and public commissions. She is currently a member of the Seattle Art Museum’s Museum Development Authority Board and the board of the National Center for Family Philanthropy. She was appointed a Dean of Philanthropy in 2022 by The Purposeful Planning Institute. Stephanie has BA degrees from UCLA in both English Literature and Biochemistry. Given her keen interest in science, Stephanie’s post-graduate years were spent in university labs working on stem cell and AIDS-related research. She has two adult children and lives in Seattle with her husband, the historian Douglas Smith. Finding Purpose Through Philanthropy Stephanie’s journey shows that philanthropy is far more than writing checks or serving on boards. It is a deeply human practice that shapes relationships, careers and how we understand money, power and purpose. From her own career pivot to the way she helps families navigate charitable giving, her story illustrates how generosity can change the giver as much as the causes they support. By speaking openly about her own money story, identity and career reinvention, she reminds listeners that meaningful giving begins with honest conversations and a willingness to learn. If you are thinking about how to align your wealth with your values, an Aspiriant advisor can help you clarify your purpose, structure your giving and build a thoughtful philanthropic plan that fits your family. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more real stories that help us make smarter, more intentional decisions with our money.

    38 min

  7. FEB 19

    Money Polarities

    Money decisions often feel like a tug of war between two “right” instincts. Protect the children or prepare the children. Spend for what you need today or save for what you might need tomorrow. In this episode, Betsy A. Miller, J.D., ACC., a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, brings a powerful framework to those tensions by introducing polarities. Polarities are pairs of interdependent opposites where the goal is not to land in the middle, but to get the benefits of both and avoid the overuses of either. Her perspective is grounded in her own story, growing up around affluence while her family stayed disciplined and worked hard. This shaped her relationship with saving, spending and security, and still guides how she values her work and makes big financial decisions today. What If the Answer Isn’t Either/Or—But Both/And? The most important challenges can’t be solved by choosing sides. Whether it’s navigating stability and change, flexibility and structure, or task and relationship, the Both/And Mindset is at the foundation of this work—transforming either/or deadlocks into a sustainable path forward. Betsy is a strategic advisor, keynote speaker, author and Lecturer at Harvard Law School. She helps clients and students navigate one of the hardest challenges: integrating opposing values instead of choosing between them. For more than 25 years, Betsy has worked in law firms, government and academia—holding leadership positions, prosecuting and defending high-stakes cases, advising clients under investigation, coaching senior executives and teaching the next generation of lawyers. She has led billion-dollar settlement negotiations, served as Chief of Staff to the D.C. Attorney General, worked as Nominations Counsel on the United States Senate Judiciary Committee, and guided family offices through generational transitions. At Harvard Law School, Betsy created and teaches the university’s first course dedicated to the Both/And Mindset, “Polarities: Harnessing the Power of Opposites to Lead and Negotiate in a Complex World.” Her range of experiences—from the courtroom to the boardroom to the classroom—enables Betsy to connect dots others can’t see and to create value from opposites that need each other over time to succeed. Betsy’s scholarship has been published in the Harvard Negotiation Law Review, the Leadership Edition of the ABA’s Law Practice Magazine, The American Lawyer, The National Law Journal, Law360 and Law.com. She has written on topics including the Both/And Mindset, change management, talent development, effective feedback and law firm governance. Betsy’s work in the classroom has been featured in the Harvard Gazette and in Harvard Law Today. Betsy is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School. She is an ICF-accredited leadership coach with Certificates in Leadership Coaching and in Polarities (the study of interdependent opposites) from Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership. When Both Can Be True Betsy’s reflections show that some of our most meaningful money questions are not “either/or” choices but living tensions we navigate over time. Through the lens of polarities such as reveal and conceal, save and spend, present and future she illustrates how families can move beyond false trade-offs and instead seek the benefits of both. Her story reminds us that clarity comes not from picking a side, but from curiosity, intentionality and an openness to holding complexity with care. If you’re thinking about how to navigate difficult family conversations about wealth, values or expectations, an Aspiriant advisor can help you frame the discussion, build shared understanding and create a plan that honors both relationships and resources. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more real stories that help us make smarter, more intentional decisions with our money.

    39 min

  8. FEB 12

    Redefining Wealth

    In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Brad Lichtman. Brad’s money story moves through moments many people wrestle with but rarely say out loud. Walking away from a prestigious career path. Hitting financial free fall with young children at home. Starting over when a risk does not work out. What makes Brad’s story land is the heart and soul he brings to it. He meets setbacks with humility, people with compassion and each chapter with a steady commitment to help others flourish. Across decades as an educator and leader, he came to believe that money alone does not create wealth. Vision, purpose and accountability are, also, key ingredients. Raised in Palo Alto, California in the middle of the turbulent 1960s and early 1970s, Brad’s parents fostered in him the importance of living a life of meaning and purpose. As a young 14-year-old political activist who spent the following four summers walking disadvantaged neighborhoods to register voters, Brad felt willing to take risks to improve the lives of others. Ten years later he found himself in law school after graduating from UCSD (and honored by delivering the commencement address). He was preparing for a future in politics when he became disenchanted with that direction and found himself teaching history and coaching sports at a private high school in San Diego. Surprisingly, he found his niche and gifts as a teacher and later a principal of two large public high schools, “retiring” twelve years ago as an Assistant Superintendent (HR) of a midsized, unified school district in San Diego County. During that journey, he had the opportunity to help build and begin a brand-new high school, which received a rare highest award for a new school from the State of California. As principal, he led a staff of nearly two hundred employees and oversaw a $15 million budget. As one of three leaders of the district, he oversaw seventeen principals, many directors, 2,500 employees and a $150 million budget. Through trial and error, successes and failures, he learned that people flourish when organizations place a primacy on two core values equally: A challenging environment that simultaneously cares for each member with dignity and support. Along the way, he gained significant experience in coaching leaders and helping to build high quality teams where everyone has the best opportunity to thrive. He has continued coaching leaders about organizational culture throughout his retirement and enjoys seeing people’s lives changed in the process. While working alongside world-renowned business leader, Ken Blanchard, on a two-year project, Ken once told Brad that he was one of the two best leaders he’d ever worked with. While Brad and Diane, his wife of forty years, should not be considered as having high wealth, they have benefited from having been with their current Aspiriant advisors for nearly eighteen years, who treat them as family, frequently referring to them as being “the poster children for retirement.” Brad still lives out the focus of his very early formative years: That we should all seek to live a life of meaning and purpose. Those values continue to guide how they see their money and wealth, as means for living fruitful lives while always seeking to improve the lives of those around them. And Brad sees Aspiriant as a perfect match to his vision. Purpose, People and Impact Brad Lichtman’s life illustrates how meaning, resilience and values can shape not just a career but an enduring way of being in the world. From walking the streets to register voters at 14, to teaching students others had written off, to leading large, diverse public schools through moments of crisis and possibility, Brad has consistently used his talents in service of others. His story is a reminder that money is not the goal it is a tool that becomes powerful when guided by clear values, deep relationships and a commitment to helping others flourish. What makes Brad’s journey so compelling is how he integrates purpose with practicality through careful budgeting, thoughtful planning and disciplined stewardship in support of a larger vision for life. If you’re thinking about how to align your wealth with your values whether that’s planning for education, navigating career transitions, preparing for retirement or creating impact through mentorship and giving an Aspiriant advisor can help you clarify your vision and build a plan that supports it. They can work with you to connect your financial decisions to what matters most so your money becomes a means to live out your values with confidence and intention. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more real stories about money, meaning and how people use their wealth to shape a life of purpose.

    34 min
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4.9
out of 5
64 Ratings

About

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 what’s most important to us. Money Tale$ gives a voice to this uncomfortable topic. Co-hosts Sandi Bragar and Cammie Doder bring more than 35 years of combined professional experience in personal finance to each episode to demystify money and demonstrate what it’s like to speak openly about personal financial matters. Join us for interviews with modern day movers and shakers who share how money decisions intertwine with their daily lives and the wisdom they gained from those experiences.

Information

  • Creator
    Aspiriant
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    281
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Aspiriant © 2025.
  • Show Website
    Money Tales

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