Unpacked & Empowered Podcast by Marianne Agudo

Marianne Agudo
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Welcome to Unpacked & Empowered + Finances, the podcast that helps you take control of your financial future and personal growth! Hosted by Marianne Agudo, a financial security advisor in New Brunswick and an advocate for self-improvement, this podcast is designed for newcomers in Canada, those who are striving for financial independence, and anyone looking to build confidence in their financial journey. Each episode unpacks real-life money strategies, personal development insights, and inspiring stories to help you feel empowered and in control. Whether you're navigating life as an immigrant, growing your career, or simply wanting to make smarter financial decisions, this podcast is for you. 🔹 Listen & Subscribe for actionable tips on financial security, mindset shifts, and success strategies. ✨ Website: www.marianneagudo.com & www.findingjoywithless.com ✨ LinkedIn: Marianne Agudo ✨ Instagram: @marianneagudo.podcast Let's unpack financial literacy and self-empowerment together—one episode at a time! 🎙️✨

  1. Sep 24

    EP 32: You Know What to Do. So Why Aren't You Doing It? The Identity Gap Explained

    You know exactly what you need to do financially. You've read the articles. You understand the strategy. But something keeps you from actually doing it. In this episode, I sit down with Myles Daniel, a Jay Shetty Certified Coach and Alignment Architect, to explore what's really happening when you know better but can't seem to do better. We unpack the "identity gap", the disconnect between who you want to become and who you currently see yourself as. Myles shares his proprietary Aligned Operating Method and walks through how invisible beliefs, generational patterns, and self-imposed limits sabotage even your best financial intentions. Whether you're a newcomer rebuilding your financial foundation, a parent breaking generational cycles, or someone starting over at any age, this conversation will help you understand and close the gap between knowing and doing. Key Takeaways Why discipline and willpower aren't the problem when you can't execute financial goals The "identity gap": how your self-image directly sabotages or supports your financial success Four invisible beliefs that hold people back from financial progress (and how to reframe them) Myles's real example: investing $25 bi-weekly to maintain the identity "I am someone who invests" Why the goal isn't perfection, it's maintaining the identity The "gas mask" analogy: why you can't help others if your own foundation isn't secure How to choose between ego (the credit) and results (the outcome) Reframing: from "I don't want to become my parents" to "I want to be a great example for my kids" The Aligned Operating Method: Identify, Reframe, Implement, Execute Guest Profile Myles Daniel is a Jay Shetty Certified Life Coach and Alignment Architect at Insytera Coaching. Based in Hampton, New Brunswick, Myles works with purpose-driven professionals and entrepreneurs who feel stuck despite knowing what they should be doing. His work specializes in closing the gap between where people are and where they want to be through mindset shifts, belief reframing, and identity-based habit implementation. Resources Mentioned Myles's Exclusive Lead Magnet: 4-Pillar Financial Mindset Reset Worksheet (designed specifically for Unpacked & Empowered Finances listeners) Myles's Alignment Coaching: www.insytera.com Connect with Myles: coachmyles@insytera.com Connect with Myles Daniel LinkedIn: Myles Daniel on LinkedIn Connect with Marianne Instagram: @marianneagudo.nb  LinkedIn: Marianne Agudo's LinkedIn   This episode is educational content. Myles Daniel provides mindset coaching and identity-based habit implementation. Marianne Agudo, Financial Security Advisor, provides financial education and general information about Canadian financial concepts. Neither guest offers personalized financial advice, therapy, or coaching within this episode. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or mental health professional for advice specific to your personal situation.

  2. Sep 16

    EP 31: What Will Your Retirement Really Look Like? The Things You Can Control

    What do you actually want your retirement to look like? For me, it's not just about having a certain amount of money saved. I imagine simple walks with my husband, travelling, spending time with our children and grandchildren, and having the freedom to enjoy life without being financially dependent on our kids. But getting there involves thinking about both the things we can control and the things we can't. In this episode of Unpacked & Empowered Finances, I share some of the retirement-planning questions I've been thinking about as I continue my financial planning education especially as someone who started building my financial life in Canada later than I originally expected. We talk about: • Why your vision for retirement matters • The amount you save and how your spending habits can affect your goals • Thinking about when you want to retire • What you want your time to look like in retirement • Health and longevity as factors we can't fully control • How economic changes and job loss can affect a family's financial plans • Investment performance and the role of emotions and consistency • Why starting later doesn't mean you should give up on planning • Questions you can ask yourself today to create more options for your future self One simple exercise from this episode: look back at your last 30 days of spending. Not to judge yourself, but to ask: "If I keep spending this way, will I still be able to save for the things that matter to me?" Retirement planning doesn't have to start with having all the answers. Sometimes, it starts with imagining the life you want and identifying the things you can begin working on today. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not personalized financial and investment advice.   Follow me on Instagram @marianneagudo.nb

  3. Aug 31

    What To Do When You're 10 Years From Retirement (Canadian Guide)

    You're picking a retirement number from thin air. Here's why that's a problem. Most Canadians decide they need "$1 million" or "$1.5 million" to retire without ever doing the math. In this conversation, Greg Keith (Certified Financial Planner) breaks down the psychology behind anchoring to wrong numbers, and what actually matters when you're approaching retirement. In this episode, you'll learn: 1. Why picking a random retirement number is costing you clarity (and maybe your peace of mind) 2. What "sequence of returns" means and why it matters more than most advisors admit 3. How to stress-test YOUR retirement plan for market downturns 4. The real conversation around CPP timing (it's not as simple as "take it at 60") 5. Pension decisions: commute it or keep it? (spoiler: there's no one-size-fits-all answer) 6. Why retirees are afraid to spend money (and what to do about it) 7. How to spot financial advice that doesn't apply to you (looking at you, US influencers) ABOUT GREG KEITH Greg Keith is a Certified Financial Planner who specializes in helping Canadians 10+ years away from retirement consolidate scattered accounts and build comprehensive financial plans. His focus: decision architecture, not just investment returns. You can find him at gregkeithcfp.ca or on LinkedIn.  ABOUT MARIANNE AGUDO I'm a Financial Security Advisor and mom helping newcomer families and young Canadian parents build financial confidence and lasting security. After my father passed without life insurance, my mother raised five children alone. That experience shaped everything: I believe financial protection is an act of love, not fear. Through Unpacked & Empowered Finances, I'm building a community where families understand their wealth, organize their future, and break cycles of financial anxiety. My mission: Help you move from financial overwhelm to empowered decision-making one conversation at a time. This episode is educational only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Greg and I discuss general principles applicable to Canadian retirement planning. Your individual situation may differ. Before making any financial decisions, consult with a qualified professional who understands your specific circumstances. Past performance does not guarantee future results. #canadianretirement #retirementplanning #cpp #pensions #financialplanning #behavioralfinance #familymoney #financialsecurity #canada2026 #moneymindset #wealthbuilding

  4. Aug 12

    Money Stories: Why Your Childhood Beliefs Are Costing You Thousands in Growth | EP 29

    Your Money Story is Holding You Back. Here's How to Change It. Do you know where your beliefs about money come from? Research shows your core money beliefs are formed by age seven and most of us inherited them without choosing. In this episode, Marianne sits down with Greg Keith, CFP, to explore:  How childhood money stories affect your wealth-building decisions TODAY Why "playing it safe" with cash is costing you thousands in silent growth The psychology of investing fear (and how to overcome it) How to raise financially confident kids without repeating family patterns The difference between financial advice that's popular vs. advice that's RIGHT FOR YOU Guest: Greg Keith, Certified Financial Planner | Founder, Visual Wealth Project | 20+ years retirement planning & wealth preservation Topics Covered: Money scripts | Behavioral finance | Fear of investing | Generational money beliefs | Emergency funds vs. growth | Media influence on financial decisions | Building wealth with kids | Scams vs. legitimate institutions | Present bias | Loss aversion This is Part 1 of 2. Part 2 covers money decisions in retirement. 📥 REGISTER: FREE Webinar – Protecting What Matters: Estate Planning Thursday, August 20th | 12 Noon Atlantic Time Learn why every parent needs a will, what happens to your kids if something unexpected occurs, and how to plan for incapacity.  https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7a3e8ac6-c16d-42de-8279-114cfdf781ea@be8cb6fe-42eb-4039-96b9-57eb6cf300aa

  5. Jul 23

    Mid-Summer Money Reset: A No-Guilt Financial Check-In for Busy Moms

    Summer moves fast - swim lessons, beach trips, gas, and spontaneous ice cream stops! In this episode, we walk through a simple, no-guilt mid-year financial check-in: reviewing cash flow, auditing subscriptions, picking one priority for the second half of the year, and putting your savings on autopilot. We also tackle the "big decisions" that tend to get put off - insurance reviews, investment goals, and estate planning basics like wills and power of attorney. 🎉 JOIN US FOR A FREE LUNCH & LEARN WEBINAR! "Protecting What Matters: Estate Planning Lunch & Learn" Co-hosted by ClearEstate & Marianne Agudo (Wealth Plan Atlantic) 📅 Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026 🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Atlantic Time 👉 REGISTER HERE: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7a3e8ac6-c16d-42de-8279-114cfdf781ea@be8cb6fe-42eb-4039-96b9-57eb6cf300aa What we'll cover: • Why you need a will (even if you think you don't) • What actually happens to your kids if something happens to you • How to plan ahead for medical or financial incapacity -------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: This content is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial, insurance, legal, or estate planning advice. Please consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation. Marianne Agudo is a Financial Security Advisor with Wealth Plan Atlantic, Marianne is a licensed life insurance agent (includes Accident & Sickness) and investment representative in New Brunswick.

  6. Jul 15

    4 REASONS YOU'RE DELAYING YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS

    If you're planning a big financial goal but keep putting it off, this episode is for you. In this episode, I break down the 4 most common reasons why people delay important money decisions and how to move past them. Whether you're starting a side project, investing for the first time, or building financial security as a newcomer to Canada, this episode shows you that action beats perfection every time. IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general educational information about financial planning in Canada and is not personal financial advice. Your financial decisions should be based on your personal situation, goals, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment or insurance decisions. About Me: I'm Marianne Agudo, a Financial Security Advisor and Funds Investment Representative in New Brunswick. I help Canadians - especially newcomers and families - build financial security through life insurance, investments, and tax-efficient planning.

  7. Jun 19 ·  Video

    I Lost My Father at Five - Here's How It Shaped My Career in Financial Security | EP 26

    This episode is a little different. For once, I'm not the one asking the questions — my colleague and mentor Greg Keith, CFP, Senior Advisor at Wealth Plan Atlantic, is turning the mic on me. I talk about growing up in the Philippines, losing my father when I was five, and what that taught me about being prepared for life's "what ifs." I share what it was like immigrating to Canada with my husband, the misconceptions I think people have about immigrants, and how I went from being a self-described shopaholic to starting a blog about frugality that eventually became this podcast. If you've ever wondered what's behind the mission of Unpacked & Empowered Finances, or why I care so much about financial protection and family security, this episode is the answer. In this episode: Growing up in a tight-knit Filipino family and losing my father at age five What that loss taught me about financial preparedness and protection Immigrating to Canada and the realities newcomers face that often go unseen How a blog about getting out of debt turned into Unpacked & Empowered Finances What success actually means to me today Why education, not just products, is at the center of how I work with clients Marianne Agudo is a licensed Financial Security Advisor with Wealth Plan Atlantic Inc., licensed in New Brunswick (FCNB). This podcast is a gift to my community first. If something here resonates with you, I'd love to hear about it in the comments. This episode is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult a licensed professional regarding your individual circumstances.

  8. Jun 5

    Understanding Financial Planning: Tax System, Accounts, and Insurance with 16-Year Advisor Jeff Scammell | EP 25

    Have you ever wondered how the Canadian tax system actually works? Why are two incomes sometimes complicated? What's the real difference between a TFSA and RRSP for YOUR situation? This episode provides educational information on these topics. Jeff Scammell, Co-Owner of Wealth Plan Atlantic and a financial advisor with 16 years of experience, joins to discuss how the Canadian financial system works and important planning considerations. We discuss (Educational Overview): How the progressive tax system works and why it matters for planning Understanding TFSA and RRSP accounts and how they might fit different situations What happens when you have multiple income sources Why life insurance is part of comprehensive financial planning Insurance "living benefits" (disability and critical illness coverage) How to automate your savings approach What to consider before your first meeting with a financial advisor Ideal for: People new to Canada, anyone earning multiple incomes, parents managing family finances, and people wanting to understand Canadian financial planning without jargon. This is educational content designed to increase financial awareness. For personalized financial, tax, or investment advice tailored to your specific situation, consult with a qualified financial advisor, tax professional, or accountant. DISCLAIMER: This podcast episode is for educational purposes and provides general information about Canadian financial topics. It does not constitute personalized financial, tax, investment, or insurance advice. All financial, tax, investment, and insurance products are subject to individual circumstances, eligibility, underwriting, and regulatory requirements. What works for one person may not apply to another. For advice tailored to YOUR specific situation, goals, and circumstances, please consult with a qualified professional: financial advisor, tax professional, accountant, or insurance specialist. Marianne Agudo is a Licensed Life Insurance Agent and registered mutual funds representative through Quadrus Investment Services Ltd. in New Brunswick only, and a Financial Security Advisor with Wealth Plan Atlantic Inc. FREE CHECKLIST: Don't have these 5 things in place? Grab our Family Protection Checklist—the essential roadmap for protecting your family before life surprises you. Reach out to Marianne and we'll send it to you.

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Welcome to Unpacked & Empowered + Finances, the podcast that helps you take control of your financial future and personal growth! Hosted by Marianne Agudo, a financial security advisor in New Brunswick and an advocate for self-improvement, this podcast is designed for newcomers in Canada, those who are striving for financial independence, and anyone looking to build confidence in their financial journey. Each episode unpacks real-life money strategies, personal development insights, and inspiring stories to help you feel empowered and in control. Whether you're navigating life as an immigrant, growing your career, or simply wanting to make smarter financial decisions, this podcast is for you. 🔹 Listen & Subscribe for actionable tips on financial security, mindset shifts, and success strategies. ✨ Website: www.marianneagudo.com & www.findingjoywithless.com ✨ LinkedIn: Marianne Agudo ✨ Instagram: @marianneagudo.podcast Let's unpack financial literacy and self-empowerment together—one episode at a time! 🎙️✨

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