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. 1D AGO

    How Financial Trauma Shapes Our Relationship With Money

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Rahkim Sabree, financial therapist and author of Overcoming Financial Trauma, about how our earliest experiences with money shape our behavior, stress responses, and sense of safety, often long before we have the language to understand what’s happening. Rahkim explains that financial trauma isn’t a personal failure or a lack of knowledge. It’s a response to real threats, systemic forces, and lived experiences that affect everyone, regardless of income or privilege. We explore how survival states influence financial decisions, why financial literacy alone isn’t always the answer, and how healing begins by addressing root causes rather than symptoms. 🔑 Key Takeaways 🔹 Financial trauma often begins early in life, before we have the awareness or tools to understand it 🔹 Stress responses around money are shaped by perceived threats to safety, not intelligence or discipline 🔹 Financial trauma affects people across all income levels and backgrounds 🔹 Living in survival mode can make traditional financial advice feel out of reach or even harmful 🔹 Financial trauma is not a personal failing. It reflects systemic conditions and lived experiences 🔹 Building generational wealth requires shared values, trust, and collective buy-in, not just assets 🔹 Community and connection are essential to healing financial trauma and creating sustainable wealth This conversation reframes money struggles as a shared human experience and highlights the importance of community, context, and compassion in building lasting financial resilience. Connect with Rahkim Sabree: LinkedInWebsite Books: Overcoming Financial Trauma: How to Break Free from Guilt, Build Wealth, and Redefine SuccessFinancially IrresponsibleMentorship: The PlaybookJourney to Financial Wellness: Exploring Emotions, Money Beliefs and HealingMoney TALK$: Uncut Convos with Financial Experts on How to Grow, Leverage and Protect Your Assets (Money TALK$: Uncut Convos With Power Couples About Love, Money & Entrepreneurship) Bio:  Rahkim Sabree is an award-winning Financial Therapist, Accredited Financial Counselor®, author, and keynote speaker with an emerging voice in the fields of financial therapy and financial empowerment. He is the author of the book Overcoming Financial Trauma, which explores the intersection of money, trauma, and healing. Rahkim is particularly renowned for his efforts to demystify financial trauma among underserved communities. With a dynamic background that bridges financial services, public speaking, and inclusive financial wellness, he is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations challenge traditional views of financial freedom and personal growth. ☕ Support the Get Ready Movement. If these conversations help you think differently about money or prepare for life’s what-ifs, your support helps expand financial readiness education and keep this work accessible. 👉 Support (here) The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

    44 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Why Financial Resilience Is the Next Evolution of Financial Literacy

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Els Lagrou, author and financial literacy expert, about why financial literacy alone isn’t enough and how financial resilience, inclusion, and wellbeing must be part of the conversation. Els explains that even people with strong financial knowledge can experience stress and insecurity if they lack resilience. We explore what it means to absorb financial shocks like job loss or divorce, why shame keeps people from asking for help, and how inclusion ensures everyone can participate fully in financial life.We also discuss the role of employers, leaders, and technology in supporting better money decisions, and why real progress starts with small actions and consistent habits. 🔹 Financial literacy is knowing what to do, while financial resilience is the ability to absorb life’s shocks like job loss, divorce, or illness 🔹 Even people with strong financial knowledge can experience stress if they don’t feel secure or prepared 🔹 Financial stress directly impacts wellbeing, confidence, and participation in everyday life 🔹 Inclusion matters because people who lack resilience often disengage or are left without support 🔹 Shame affects everyone and prevents open, productive conversations about money 🔹 Financial education works best when it focuses on action and habit-building, not just information 🔹 Progress starts with small steps, including making regular “financial appointments” with yourself 🔹 Leaders and CEO’s struggle to talk about money when they don’t have personal experience with money Connect with Els Lagrou: LinkedInLinkedIn (dagelijiks geld)WebsiteBook:   Waarom we meer over geld moeten praten – Dagelijks Geld Bio:  Els Lagrou is the inspirator and co-founder of Dagelijks Geld . During her career in the financial sector, she worked for seven years at Wikifin, the financial education program of the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority. Her extensive expertise in financial education and literacy led her to the OECD in Paris, where she led projects on financial literacy, well-being, and resilience in seven different countries. Through the international network on financial education (OECD/INFE), she was able to gather and share knowledge, insights, and best practices with experts from 130 countries.  In 2023, she founded Dagelijks Geld (Daily Money). Previously, she worked as a senior policy analyst and coordinator on financial literacy at the OECD in the Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affaires. She coordinated the work of the OECD/INFE Technical Assistance project on financial education in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).  In collaboration with The Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards (the MAIAs) celebrate the increasingly important work being done to help people understand money better. Learn more: https://www.maiawards.org.    ☕ 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 ( 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.

    42 min

  3. APR 17

    Why Human Connection Still Matters in an AI-Driven World

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Julie Pinkerton, CEO and founder of Evozen and creator of the ClientFirst platform, about why human connection, not algorithms, drives meaningful professional relationships. Julie shares why the most effective way to grow your business often comes through peer relationships, how understanding behavioral styles improves communication, and why authenticity matters even more in a technology-driven world. We also explore how AI can support connection without replacing it, and why you don’t need to be an extrovert to be a strong networker. 🔑 Key Takeaways 🔹 The best way to be able to bring in new clients is to be able to work with other peers in the same industry. 🔹 Networking is shaped by how people experience you, not just how often you show up 🔹 Understanding behavioral styles helps you communicate more effectively with others 🔹 Being cognizant of your style allows you to make adjustments 🔹 Meaningful relationships are built through small, thoughtful actions, not big gestures 🔹 Remembering what matters to others helps people feel seen and valued 🔹 AI can support connection, however it can’t replace human judgment and trust 🔹 You don’t need to be an extrovert to build strong professional relationships Technology should make us more human, not less. Our ability to connect authentically may become our greatest differentiator in an increasingly automated world. Connect with Julie Pinkerton ClientFirst Website (here)LinkedIn (here) Bio:  Julie Pinkerton, CLU®, ChFC®, LUTCF® is the CEO of Evozen, LLC. Evozen's ClientFirst™ community unites independent Rainmakers in insurance, investments, law and tax as Centers of Influence. ClientFirst™ is solving the most challenging problem these professions face - the continual need for organic client growth. ClientFirst™ is the only national, fully-diverse digital community that creates the right environment for people to connect in order to provide top service to their clients and solve their most challenging problems.   Julie is a contributing writer for U.S. News & World Report, focusing on financial topics since 2021. She is in the midst of authoring a book, "BLINK,  ☕ Support the Get Ready Movement. If these conversations help you think differently about money or prepare for life’s what-ifs, your support helps expand financial readiness education and keep this work accessible. 👉 Support (here) The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

    33 min

  4. APR 14

    How Women Use Money With Intention in Retirement

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Eric Blake, host of The Simply Retirement Podcast and founder of Blake Wealth Management to talk about how women are redefining retirement, decision-making, and what it means to use money intentionally. As women become the primary recipients of the great wealth transition, Eric explains why traditional financial conversations need to evolve. We explore why women often approach money through the lens of goals and family impact, how caregiving and pay gaps shape financial outcomes, and why listening, education, and partnership matter more than perfect plans. 🔑 Key Takeaways 🔹 Women tend to connect money decisions to goals, family, and life impact rather than benchmarks 🔹 Pay gaps and caregiving responsibilities impact savings 🔹 Taking an active role in money decisions builds confidence and clarity 🔹 Advisors should proactively include both partners and focus on listening first 🔹 Women will go to advisors who listen to them  🔹 Education-first conversations help people feel informed and empowered 🔹 Money works best as a tool to support goals, not a scorecard to measure success 🔹 Retirement should be a journey rather than an end point This conversation is a reminder that retirement is a journey shaped by intention, confidence, and alignment with what matters most. Connect with Eric Blake, CFP®: LinkedIn  (here)Blake Wealth Management Website (here)Facebook (here)  Podcast: The Simply Retirement Podcast (here)(YouTube)  Resource: Ultimate Guide to Women’s Social Security Success (here) :  www.womenssocialsecurityguide.com.  Bio:  Eric Blake, CFP® is the founder of Blake Wealth Management, specializing in helping women 55+ navigate retirement with clarity and confidence. With more than 25 years of experience, Eric provides strategies t o optimize investments, create reliable income, and minimize taxes. Inspired by his mother and grandmother's financial journeys, Eric has a personal passion for empowering women to take control of their financial future. Eric is also the host of The Simply Retirement Podcast.  ☕ Support the Get Ready Movement. If these conversations help you think differently about money or prepare for life’s what-ifs, your support helps expand financial readiness education and keep this work accessible. 👉 Support (here) The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

    33 min

  5. APR 10

    How to Navigate Divorce and Money With Confidence

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Taj Chiu, divorce coach, about navigating divorce as both a financial and emotional transition, and how clarity, communication, and planning can help people move forward with greater confidence. Taj reframes divorce not as a failure, but as a forcing function that invites reflection, growth, and better alignment with what comes next. We explore why knowledge is one of the strongest antidotes to fear, how emotional and legal divorces differ, and why having a real plan for your money matters more than simply tracking balances. Key Takeaways 🔹 Walking into the storm can help you move through divorce with more clarity and intention  🔹 Divorce is both a financial and emotional grief process, often with multiple stages  🔹 Knowledge and information are powerful tools for reducing fear  🔹 The emotional divorce can outlast the legal divorce, especially when there are kids.   🔹 Clear communication helps both parties get on even ground and reduces unnecessary conflict  🔹 Differences are not weaknesses and deserve acknowledgment and respect  🔹 Financial literacy alone isn’t enough, experience and application matter This episode is a reminder that readiness during divorce comes from understanding yourself, your money, and your next chapter, not from avoiding hard conversations. Connect with Taj Chiu: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tajchiu/Website: https://tajchiu.com Resources mentioned: Financial Date Discussion Cards Website (here) Check out my conversation with BatSheva Goldstein the creator of the Financial Date Discussion cards: The Power of Money Conversations: Emotions Over Dollars (here). Bio:  Taj Johnson Chiu is a Certified Divorce and Financial Coach. She works with parents who are trying to keep their footing during one of the hardest chapters of their lives. She helps people sort through the choices, the money questions, and the day to day realities of separating a family, especially when they want to stay out of court and keep things steady for their kids. A lot of her work is simply helping people feel less alone while they figure out what comes next. Before she ever became a divorce coach, Taj spent more than twenty years in technical consulting and running a small business. That experience shaped the way she supports families today: practical, calm, and focused on what actually helps. She especially loves working with LGBTQ+ parents and neurodivergent families, and she cares deeply about helping people move through divorce without losing themselves or the relationships that matter most. ☕ Support the Get Ready Movement. If these conversations help you think differently about money or prepare for life’s what-ifs, your support helps expand financial readiness education and keep this work accessible. 👉 Support (here) The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

    39 min

  6. APR 7

    What a Video Game Can Teach Kids About Money

    Send us Fan Mail What if learning about money felt more like running a lemonade stand than sitting in a classroom? Can a video game improve financial literacy for kids? In this episode, Mac Gardner joins me to explore how Berryville teaches money, entrepreneurship, and real-world financial habits through hands-on experience. Key Takeaways 🔹 Financial literacy sticks when it’s fun, practical, and interactive. 🔹 Berryville teaches money through entrepreneurship, showing how earning connects to spending and saving. 🔹 Early financial habits shape long-term outcomes, often more than income level. 🔹 Financial education starts at home and empowers parents to have better money conversations. 🔹 Games can democratize financial literacy by making it accessible and engaging. 🔹 Teaching kids to realize, recognize, and rationalize builds stronger financial judgment. 🔹 Staying curious about money builds lifelong financial confidence. 💭 Tony’s Take Financial readiness starts earlier than we think. When we make learning about money engaging and habit-based, we give the next generation a powerful head start. Connect with Mac Gardner, CFP®  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macgardner/The Four Money Bears: https://www.thefourmoneybears.comFinlit Tech Website: https://finlittech.comMNY Fraternity Website: www.MNYFraternity.org Books:   Motivate Your Money!: Plan Spend Save Invest Gift (Amazon)The Four Money Bears - Mac Gardner (Amazon) Berryville Books  Bio:  Mac Gardner, a Certified Financial Planner practitioner, has served in the financial services industry for more than 20 years. Mac is the author of “Motivate Your Money!” and "The Four Money Bears" which teaches children about the four basic functions of money.  Mac also serves as Founder and Chief Education Officer of FinLit Tech.  The company's mission is "Building a Bridge Between Financial Literacy and Financial Technology". FinLit Tech develops Financial Education tools to start the personal finance education journey from as early as elementary school.  Mac's passion to bring more young people into the Financial Services industry led him to create the first co-ed Professional Fraternity for Financial Planning degree seeking students.  Mu Nu Upsilon (MNY) Fraternity, helps to bring high achieving students together with industry professionals to help them along their financial career journey. ☕ Support the Get Ready Movement. If these conversations help you think differently about money or prepare for life’s what-ifs, your support helps expand financial readiness education and keep this work accessible. 👉 Support (here) The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

    33 min

  7. APR 3

    How Financial Literacy Builds Confidence and Changes Family Patterns

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Get Ready: Before Life Happens, I spoke with Sharan Kaur Varaitch, founder of Build and Conquer Financial Literacy, about her journey growing up paycheck to paycheck, supporting her family from a young age, and discovering how saving, investing, and asking better questions helped her build stability and purpose.  🔑 Key Takeaways 🔹 Financial literacy begins with lived experience rather than formal education 🔹 Starting early, even with small steps, creates long-term impact through time and patience 🔹 Teachers and intermediaries need financial confidence before they can effectively teach others 🔹 Talking openly about money helps reduce shame and normalizes these conversations 🔹 Financial literacy strengthens resilience at both the household and community level 🔹 Money decisions are most effective when they align with personal goals and values, not comparisons with others 🔹 Money and prosperity are everyone’s birthright Tony’s Take: Financial literacy starts with mindset, teachers play a critical role, and open conversations about money can help break generational cycles and create a more equitable future. Connect with Sharan Kaur Varaitch: Build & Conquer Financial Literacy Website https://www.buildconquer.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharan-kaur-v-75780928b/ Bio:  Sharan Kaur Varaitch is the Founder and Director of Build & Conquer Financial Literacy, dedicated to lifelong financial education through a whole organisation approach. With over 15 years’ experience in Organisational Development, HR, Learning & Development, and Change Management, she blends strategic insight with a passion for financial empowerment. A committed investor for over 15 years, Sharan knows how financial literacy transforms lives. Her mission is to make financial education accessible, practical and embedded in everyday learning, helping young people, educators and adults build confidence, make informed decisions and create lasting 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) 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.

    34 min

  8. MAR 31

    Scams, Digital Literacy, and How to Stay Safe With Your Money

    Send us Fan Mail Frances Yong, Founder of White Byte and anti-scam evangelist joined me on this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast in collaboration with the Better Money with the MAIA’s podcast. We talked about digital financial literacy, fraud prevention, and how communities can work together to create a safer and more inclusive digital world. Key Takeaways 🔹 Reporting fraud quickly increases the chances of recovery 🔹 Digital financial literacy includes the ability to communicate and transact safely using technology 🔹 Scams can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background, or education 🔹 Seniors often engage with technology differently, which requires patience and understanding 🔹 Simple family check-ins can help spot red flags like unknown numbers or unfamiliar apps 🔹 Open, respectful conversations with parents and loved ones build awareness and trust 🔹 A safer digital ecosystem is a shared responsibility across families and communities 🔹 Digital literacy expands access to financial services and opportunities for marginalized groups This conversation is a reminder that readiness today includes digital awareness, community support, and ongoing conversations that help everyone feel safer and more confident online. Connect with Frances Yong: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-yong-074703a8/Whitebyte Website: https://www.whitebyte.orgWhite Byte's LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/white-byte/?viewAsMember=true Resources mentioned: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Scammers on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast (watch or listen) Bio:  Frances Yong was a Fraud Risk and Cybercrime Risk professional, globally responsible for the learning strategy and frameworks for a Fortune500 multi-national bank. When her mother was scammed off her pension in 2021, she left her banking job and founded White Byte.   Through White Byte, Frances promotes cyber integrity and digital inclusion; sharing her professional knowledge with a wider audience and in a customised manner to make it relatable to less savvy communities. Her vision is a cyber space that is ethical and inclusive for all users to interact and transact safely in.   Frances won the Anti-Scam category in the 2025 Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards (MAIA). She is named one of Singapore's 100 Women in Tech, and honoured as MAIA’s 50 Changemakers to watch.  The Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards (the MAIAs) celebrate the increasingly important work being done to help people understand money better. Learn more: https://www.maiawards.org.    ☕ 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: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/tonysteuer 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
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 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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