From Abundance to Wealth: Financial Fulfillment Through a Torah Framework

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From Abundance to Wealth cuts through the noise for high earners who want more than money, they want meaning. In each quick-hit episode, financial coach Josh Eisenberg delivers real talk, smart tools, and timeless wisdom to help you build wealth with purpose.

3D AGO

Term Life Insurance: The Boring But Essential Defense for Families

Have you ever really stopped to think about how an unexpected death could instantly change your family’s financial reality? It’s not a comfortable topic, but it’s an important one. In this episode of From Abundance to Wealth, Josh Eisenberg tackles the often-avoided but critically important next step in building a defensive financial foundation: term life insurance. On the heels of the conversation about emergency funds, Josh explains why this simple, affordable protection is a non-negotiable pillar for anyone with dependents, a mortgage, or dreams for their family’s future. Using frank, compassionate reasoning, Josh breaks down why term insurance isn’t about complex investment schemes but about a straightforward “negative bet” that guarantees your family’s stability. He shares a personal perspective on the dual purpose of life insurance: providing a tax-free financial lifeline for your loved ones and eliminating the silent, costly anxiety that can haunt a household for years. This episode cuts through the confusion of whole-life policies and focuses on the practical, accessible power of term coverage. Josh provides a clear framework for thinking about how much coverage you might need and why securing this protection is the essential step that finally frees you to focus on growth without fear. Key Takeaways Term life insurance is a foundational defensive tool, not an investment Emergency funds and insurance work together to create financial safety Primary earners carry the responsibility that must be planned for realistically Term policies provide high coverage at a relatively low cost Financial uncertainty affects emotional stability and family dynamics True wealth allows you to plan forward without fear Protection comes before growth in every strong financial plan In This Episode [00:00] Introduction [00:30] The importance of a defensive financial network [01:36] Facing mortality and the need for term life insurance [02:44] Term life insurance basics and costs [03:48] Impact of losing a primary earner [04:55] Psychological and practical benefits of term life insurance [05:20] How to calculate coverage needs [05:58] Conclusion and call to action Notable Quotes [02:36] “For somewhere south of $1,000 a year, a year, not a month, a year, you can get in the range of a million dollars worth of coverage.” — Josh Eisenberg [04:15] “If something were to happen to me, how would she earn? How would she cover the basic needs of the family to help everybody move forward with their lives and not have it be beyond the setback of losing a loved one, but a setback in the actual plan to move the family forward?” — Josh Eisenberg [04:41] “The fear that something could happen is enough to change the dynamic in the household.” — Josh Eisenberg [04:55] “You really have two reasons to get a term policy. One... if something actually happens and the other one is the sleep that you lose thinking about what might happen.” — Josh Eisenberg [04:56] “You really have two reasons over here to get a term policy. One of them is if something actually happens. And the other one is the sleep that you lose thinking about what might happen.” — Josh Eisenberg

6 min
FEB 8

Emergency Fund First: Why Safety Comes Before Investing

A young, cash-flow-positive couple with three kids and a growing home-based business wants to start investing for their dream home, but they have almost no savings. Where should they begin? In this episode of From Abundance to Wealth, Josh Eisenberg walks through the foundational, non-negotiable first step for any financial plan: building an emergency fund. Using the couple’s real-life scenario, Josh explains why chasing investment returns before securing a financial safety net can put families at unnecessary risk. He breaks down the practical differences between FDIC-insured savings accounts and higher-yield money market accounts, and why liquidity and safety are essential for what Josh calls your “sleep-well-at-night” money. Along the way, he shares a striking insight from a $100 million CEO who keeps three years’ worth of living expenses in cash, not as extravagance, but as a strategic pillar of true financial security. This episode provides a clear, actionable blueprint for anyone with positive cash flow who feels ready to invest but isn’t sure how to start without compromising their family’s stability. Josh shows that true wealth begins with safety and then grows from there. Key Takeaways Positive cash flow does not replace the need for an emergency fund Liquidity provides safety, independence, and emotional stability Emergency funds should cover at least two to three months of living expenses Money market accounts can offer higher returns while remaining accessible FDIC insurance trades higher interest for government-backed protection True financial growth starts after safety is established Even sophisticated investors intentionally hold large amounts of cash In This Episode [00:00] Introduction [01:14] Coaching a young family with positive cash flow [02:14] Emergency funds and financial independence [03:17] Savings accounts vs. money market accounts [04:22] Why wealthy individuals keep large cash reserves [05:25] The correct order: debt, safety, then investing [05:50] Closing reflections and next steps Notable Quotes [01:46] “You have to make sure you have an emergency fund. Let's say two to three months of your monthly living expenses saved away in a savings account.— Josh Eisenberg [03:24] “The main goal is not to make money on it; it's just to put it away so you have the safety and comfort of knowing that if anything were to happen, you would have access to cash.” — Josh Eisenberg [04:15] “It's not irresponsible to keep money in cash and in liquid form, because it provides a very strong level of safety.” — Josh Eisenberg [05:26] “The first thing to do is pay off debt, or at least get on a program to pay off the debt over time.” — Josh Eisenberg

6 min
JAN 25

Speculation case study: The $8 Stock That Went to $300 and Back Again

What would you do if a stock you bought for $8 suddenly surged past $300? Would you sell, or convince yourself it was just getting started? In this episode of From Abundance to Wealth, Josh Eisenberg shares a personal investing story that unfolded during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as a small, clearly labeled speculative position in Novavax quickly turned into a front-row seat to one of the most dramatic market runs of the decade. Josh recounts buying the stock in February 2020 at around $8 per share, just as uncertainty about the virus was spreading. As lockdowns began and government funding poured in, including a $1.6 billion award from Operation Warp Speed, the stock soared past $300. But delays, competition from mRNA vaccines, and shifting realities eventually brought the price crashing back to where it started. Using the timeless framework of Benjamin Graham, Josh revisits the three criteria that separate true investments from speculation: the ability to analyze value, a margin of safety, and a productive asset. While this opportunity met two of the three, the absence of real analyzable fundamentals made it speculative, something Josh admits he momentarily forgot as momentum and hype took over. This episode is a vulnerable, practical look at how easily price can be mistaken for value, how discipline erodes during winning streaks, and why honest risk labeling and knowing when to exit matters most when everything seems to be going right. If you have ever ridden a market wave and wondered, “Should I sell?”, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways Speculation can deliver fast gains, but losses come just as quickly without fundamentals Graham-style criteria: analyzable value, real margin of safety, and productive cash flow Hype, funding, and FOMO can disguise speculation as certainty; discipline is critical Holding through euphoria often wipes out gains; define exits early Partial revenue is not enough if future value cannot be analyzed Real wealth comes from honest labels and protecting principal In This Episode [00:00] Introduction and investment framework [01:17] Discovery of Novavax and initial investment [02:20] Early stock movements and COVID-19 news [03:24] Government funding and stock surge [04:27] Decision to hold and stock volatility [05:21] Peak price and missed selling opportunity [06:26] Reflection on speculation vs. investment [07:25] Key takeaways and closing Notable Quotes [05:57] “The bad news is I did not sell the majority of my shares when it went over 300. Would've been a great opportunity.” — Josh Eisenberg [06:10] “I forgot that this was a speculative investment.” — Josh Eisenberg [06:42] “So that limitation made it speculative. And when the market said that this was a $300 stock, which I paid $8 for, I forgot that it didn't have any revenues and I forgot that there was nothing to analyze.” — Josh Eisenberg [07:08] “I counted my money without thinking about it, and next thing I knew, I turned around and the stock had gone back down to $8.” — Josh Eisenberg [07:15] “I did sell a little bit along the way, so I made a little bit of money, but nothing near what I would have made if I had acted on this as I had originally planned.” — Josh Eisenberg [07:44] “It was relatively safe. It was a good bet. It turned out to be. I forgot that there was no dollar amount above $8 that I could really ascribe to this other than what the market was willing to pay. An example of pure speculation.” — Josh Eisenberg

8 min
JAN 11

Investment or Speculation: Know the Difference

Markets rise. Markets fall. Fortunes are made and lost. But what really separates long term wealth from financial whiplash is understanding one critical distinction: investment versus speculation. In this episode of From Abundance to Wealth, Josh Eisenberg steps back into history to unpack one of the most famous financial manias of all time, Tulip Mania in 1600s Holland. What began as a luxury flower became a symbol of status, then a get rich quick scheme, and finally a painful lesson in human behavior and financial risk. Josh traces how speculation fueled the tulip bubble, how leverage and confidence magnified losses, and why the crash still matters today. From the dot com boom to real estate bubbles, meme stocks, crypto, and AI hype, the same pattern repeats across centuries. Drawing on the teachings of Benjamin Graham, the father of value investing, Josh outlines three clear criteria that define a true investment and explains why confusing speculation for investing is where real damage happens. The episode closes with a practical framework for evaluating opportunities before emotions and hype take over. If you want to build wealth intentionally, not accidentally, this conversation is a must listen.. Key Takeaways Speculation is not evil, but confusing it with investing is dangerous Market bubbles repeat because human behavior stays the same Leverage magnifies gains but also accelerates collapse True investments are based on fundamentals, not hope Speculation should never use money meant for essential life goals Understanding risk starts with honest labeling In This Episode [00:00] Introduction [01:20] Tulip mania in 17th century Holland [02:25] The tulip crash and its aftermath [03:30] Lessons from tulip mania: investment vs. speculation [04:48] Benjamin Graham’s philosophy [05:44] Modern American financial bubbles [07:37] Graham’s three criteria for investment [08:37] Explaining the three criteria [10:30] Summary and practical takeaways [11:43] Closing remarks Notable Quotes [05:10] “The danger is not in speculating, but in thinking you are investing when you're speculating.” — Josh Eisenberg [03:49] "People watched a luxury item turn into a path to status and wealth, a way to get rich quick, and then watched the dream evaporate."— Josh Eisenberg [05:15] “Speculation is not bad. It’s different. And it must be treated differently.” — Josh Eisenberg [05:41] “If you gamble and you win, you end up with a bigger house. But if you gamble and you lose, then you won’t get to buy a house at all..” — Josh Eisenberg [12:30] “True wealth comes from within.” — Josh Eisenberg

13 min
12/28/2025

The First Rule of Debt: Treat It Like Fire

Forget "debt-free" as the only goal. What if strategic debt is the very thing that builds your wealth? In this episode of From Abundance to Wealth, Josh Eisenberg discusses the first rule of debt: treat it like fire, a powerful tool not a toy. Through a case study of a religious couple in their 40s with multiple children approaching marriage age, he illustrates how major life expenses can make debt not just likely but necessary. After the husband increases his income, the couple saves $60,000 in a year, but the first wedding will cost $100,000. A responsible approach, Josh explains, is to use a home equity line of credit at a low interest rate, borrow only the $40,000 needed, pay it down over eight months, and then resume saving for future weddings. He contrasts this with the common alternative: unplanned borrowing, lifestyle creep, and high-interest credit card debt that spirals into long-term instability.Josh emphasizes that the key to borrowing without burning yourself is simple: plan before you borrow, control it while you carry it, and have a strategy to extinguish it. If you’ve ever wondered how to borrow money wisely without falling into a debt trap, this episode is for you. Josh walks you through key principles for managing debt with intention and a clear payoff plan. Don’t miss it! Key Takeaways Debt is like fire: powerful and useful but dangerous if mishandled. Do not borrow without a specific planned use and a clearly defined source. You must be able to control the debt, financially and relationally. Always have a plan and a backup plan to extinguish the debt. Failing to plan leads to runaway borrowing, lifestyle creep, and stress. Responsible borrowing increases flexibility and reduces long-term risk. Even if you are not in debt now, mentally rehearsing your plan prepares you for future decisions. In This Episode [00:21] Topic introduction [00:28] Case study, a family facing repeated large wedding expenses [01:07] New income, no savings, and the looming cost [02:10] Why borrowing may be necessary and appropriate [03:13] Debt as fire: danger, usefulness, and control [04:12] When and how to borrow responsibly [05:16] Planning the source of debt in advance [06:28] Home equity line example and disciplined paydown [07:24] What happens when you do NOT plan ahead [08:26] Lifestyle creep and high-interest chaos [09:25] Universal takeaway, planning before borrowing [10:27] Closing: True wealth comes from within Notable Quotes [02:43] “The first rule of debt is to treat debt like fire… Fire is not a toy, it's dangerous. But fire is a very powerful tool.” — Josh Eisenberg [03:57] “You don't borrow unless you have a specific use, either a benefit or a need.” — Josh Eisenberg [04:41] “If you think about debt as being like fire, especially if it comes with an interest rate, you have to make sure that you have the cash flow to service the debt.” — Josh Eisenberg [08:56] “It's very common, unfortunately, to see families that have spiraled out of control and fallen way behind, never really understanding what it is that they could have done better, but just feeling overwhelmed.” — Josh Eisenberg [09:10] “The bottom line lesson over here is treat debt like fire. Be very, very careful. Use it when appropriate. Make sure you control it, make sure you have a plan, and ideally a backup plan as well to make sure you can pay it off.” — Josh Eisenberg

11 min
12/14/2025

The First Basic Rule of Building Wealth

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck every month, or worse, finding yourself in debt before your next one arrives? What if true wealth isn’t about earning more but mastering how you use what you already have? In this episode of From Abundance to Wealth, Josh Eisenberg discusses the importance of living within your means, emphasizing the first basic rule: spend less than you earn. He shares a story of a young couple in Brooklyn who, despite their financial struggles, were actually breaking even. After coaching, they improved their financial planning, which led to a $10,000 raise and later an additional $15,000. Josh highlights the practical, behavioral, and perceptual benefits of this rule, such as building a cash reserve, fostering discipline, and gaining confidence. He explains how following this simple principle can reduce stress, create opportunities, and shift your mindset from survival to growth. He also suggests a simple test to assess your financial health by checking whether your bank balances increase over time. If they do not, this episode offers insight into why and how to make lasting changes that move you toward true wealth. Key Takeaways The first rule of wealth: In a normal month, spend less than you earn. Living by this rule builds security, independence, and confidence. Practical benefits include cash reserves and readiness for opportunities. Behaviorally, saving more than you spend builds discipline and better habits. Perceptually, it shifts your identity from anxious to empowered. Overspending erodes confidence and traps you in short-term thinking. A simple “12-month test” helps you measure your financial direction instantly. In This Episode [00:00] Introduction: From Abundance to Wealth [00:30] Story of a young couple learning the first basic rule [02:10] How their budgeting and communication built confidence [03:20] The benefits of spending less than you earn [04:26] The practical advantages: cash reserves and opportunity [06:43] The behavioral benefits: discipline and long-term focus [07:49] The perceptual shift: seeing yourself as capable and secure [08:49] Consequences of not following the rule [10:46] The 12-month spending test: How to measure your financial habits [12:00] Closing thoughts: True wealth comes from within Notable Quotes [00:27] “The first basic rule is simple. In a normal month, spend less than you earn.”— Josh Eisenberg [06:46] “Spending less than you earn is a habit that shapes you. It builds discipline, it motivates you to earn more and spend more carefully.” — Josh Eisenberg [08:04] “If your bank balance isn't growing, there's something that has to be adjusted in there. If it is growing, it confirms that you're on the right track.” — Josh Eisenberg [10:39] “In a normal month, make sure your bank balance rises. Make sure that you are spending at least a little bit less than you earn.” — Josh Eisenberg

13 min
11/30/2025

What is Money?

Ever wondered what makes money, money? In this episode, Josh Eisenberg explores the true nature of money through a powerful historical story and a practical self-discovery exercise. He begins with the haunting tale of Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler, whose family lost everything during the Russian Revolution when the once-stable ruble collapsed overnight. The experience reshaped Dessler’s entire understanding of wealth, teaching that true security does not come from accumulation but from alignment with purpose and giving more than you receive. Josh then breaks down the three essential qualities that define money: a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and a store of value. He explains why losing any one of them destroys its meaning. Imagine you’ve just won $10 million. How would you spend it? Give it? Save it? And more importantly, why? Through engaging examples and a reflective exercise, listeners are invited to redefine their own relationship with money by identifying what truly matters to them. You will walk away not just understanding what makes money money, but discovering what makes your life meaningful beyond dollars, digits, or possessions. Key Takeaways Money is only useful when it retains its purpose of exchange, measure, and value. Wealth without fulfillment is no wealth at all. True security does not come from accumulation but alignment with purpose. Your "why" determines how you use your "what." Fulfillment grows when you connect financial goals to spiritual values. In This Episode [00:01] Introduction [01:13] Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler and the collapse of the ruble [02:21] Lessons from Rav Dessler’s life [03:27] Defining money: what makes something money [04:51] Medium of exchange explained [05:59] Unit of account explained [07:18] Store of value explained [08:24] Money’s limits and true purpose [09:41] Financial goals exercise: setting up [11:05] Allocating wealth: charity and taxes [12:27] Personal spending, saving, and investing [13:38] Identifying core motivations [15:04] Action steps toward fulfillment [15:04] Conclusion and call to action Notable Quotes [02:21] "The collapse of the ruble left a deep impression on him, one that would shape his perspective on wealth and security for the rest of his life." — Josh Eisenberg [02:55] "Rav Dessler's lesson is designed to teach us that security and good fortune come from God, who also gives more than he receives, rather than from the accumulation of assets." — Josh Eisenberg [08:10] "Money on its own has no intrinsic value. Just like when you start trading cows for chickens. You're not necessarily better off with a chicken. It depends what you need the chickens for." — Josh Eisenberg [14:24] "The process of developing wealth has to have along with it a strong sense of what will be fulfilling." — Josh Eisenberg [14:33] "Somebody who knows what he wants and knows what will make him feel fulfilled can probably live a very meaningful life even without becoming extremely rich." — Josh Eisenberg Resources and Links From Abundance to Wealth Podcast Link Lottery Fulfillment Journal

16 min
11/16/2025

Vessels – The Prophet’s Path to Financial Success

Why didn't the prophet Elisha simply create money for the widow in 2 Kings 4? In this debut episode, Josh Eisenberg shares a moving story of a couple who spent two decades chasing stability but never quite found it until they learned a lesson hidden in an ancient miracle. Through the story of Elisha and the widow’s oil, Josh unpacks a powerful truth: having a source of income isn’t enough. You also need systems and habits that can hold what you receive. Using the metaphors of the jug and the vessels, he shows how discipline, structure, and purpose work together to create lasting results. This episode invites you to reflect on your own life. What’s your jug, and what vessels have you built to sustain it? You’ll walk away with a simple exercise that helps you uncover the deeper purpose behind your financial goals and daily choices. Key Takeaways Success depends on both creation and containment Your jug is the source, your skills, job, or business Your vessels are the systems that preserve what you earn Growth stops when your capacity ends Fulfillment comes from aligning money with meaning In This Episode [00:01] Introduction [00:01] The young couple’s financial struggles [00:58] Marriage priorities and financial discipline [01:53] Biblical story: Elisha and the widow [02:44] Deeper analysis of the miracle [03:45] Lessons from the story: source and vessel [04:48] Applying the lessons: practical financial planning [05:49] Coaching the couple: building systems [07:06] Reflection and call to action Notable Quotes [05:03] “There needs to be an appropriate vessel to hold the wealth the one generates.” — Josh Eisenberg [05:15] “We will not be provided with more than we can hold. If we have no vessels to hold our wealth, we will not experience the flow of good fortune.” — Josh Eisenberg [06:12] “We do not rely on miracles nowadays. However, the way that God interacts with us has not fundamentally changed, it is just cloaked.” — Josh Eisenberg [06:30] “Give some consideration: what is your jug of oil? Your source of wealth generation, your career, and your investments? Are they reliable?.” — Josh Eisenberg [06:57] “If you made a million dollars tomorrow, what would you do with it? If you don't have a good answer to this question, you probably will not make a million dollars tomorrow.” — Josh Eisenberg

8 min
08/18/2025

Trailer

From Abundance to Wealth cuts through the noise for high earners who want more than money, they want meaning. In each quick-hit episode, financial coach Josh Eisenberg delivers real talk, smart tools, and timeless wisdom to help you build wealth with purpose.

1 min

9 Episodes

From Abundance to Wealth cuts through the noise for high earners who want more than money, they want meaning. In each quick-hit episode, financial coach Josh Eisenberg delivers real talk, smart tools, and timeless wisdom to help you build wealth with purpose.

Creator

Josh
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

9
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Josh
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From Abundance to Wealth: Financial Fulfillment Through a Torah Framework