MONEY MATTERS with Christopher Hensley

Christopher Hensley
  • 4.7 (18)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Money Matters has been airing for over a decade, providing important money management education to the Houston community. Originally launching in 2013, the show has evolved to cover a wide range of financial topics beyond just budgeting and saving. From investing and retirement planning the show explores every aspect of personal finance. With an engaging interview format, host Christopher Hensley talks candidly with both financial experts and everyday community members about their experiences with money. By sharing real-life stories and actionable advice, the show makes financial literacy accessible and interesting to a broad audience. Popular episodes over the years have addressed things like getting out of debt, affording college, planning for retirement, and teaching kids about money. Now approaching its 10th anniversary, the show continues to be a vital educational resource for Houstonians looking to take control of their finances. Stream episodes on demand at www.moneymatterspodcast.com With the Money Matters show, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to achieve your financial goals.

  1. 12/18/2025

    Money Matters Episode 339-AI Workers, Not Chatbots: How Advisors Scale with Digital Co-Workers W/Jonathan Michael

    What if financial advisors didn't just use AI tools—but had AI workers supporting their business? In this episode of Money Matters, host Chris Hensley is joined by Jonathan Michael, Director of Growth at TIFIN AXIS, to unpack what AI agents really are, how they differ from chatbots, and why they're quickly becoming a practical way for advisory firms to scale. Jonathan brings a founder's perspective from both EdTech and WealthTech and focuses on one core idea: AI should take on the operational, repetitive work that slows firms down—so advisors can spend more time where they add the most value. In this conversation, we discuss: What defines an AI agent (and what doesn't) Why AI workers are best thought of as digital co-workers Where agents outperform traditional software and manual workflows Why structured prompting is a best practice for reliability and oversight How verification loops reduce AI errors and improve confidence The role of data infrastructure in deploying AI responsibly What the RIA of the future looks like with humans and AI working together If you're a financial advisor or RIA leader trying to make sense of AI without the hype, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at how firms are actually using it today—and where it's heading next. 🔗 Guest Jonathan Michael Director of Growth, TIFIN AXIS Host, AI for Wealth Author, Wealth Management Prompts

    33 min

  2. 12/09/2025

    Money Matters Episode 338- Fiduciary in All Things w/ George Kinder

    In this powerful conversation, host Christopher Hensley, RICP®, CES® sits down once again with George Kinder—internationally recognized as the father of life planning and the visionary behind the global Fiduciary in All Things (FIAT) movement. Together, they explore what it would mean for our institutions, our democracy, and our financial systems to finally act in the best interest of the people they serve. Kinder explains how a fiduciary society—rooted in truth, people, democracy, and the planet—could dissolve many of the challenges we face today while preserving the entrepreneurial energy, innovation, and competitiveness that have fueled economic growth. From redefining the role of leadership to examining how polarization and mistrust have fractured civic life, this episode offers an inspiring blueprint for a more ethical and human-centered future. You'll learn: Why fiduciary principles shouldn't stop at financial advice, but extend to government, media, business, and technology How FIAT could reshape democracy so leaders work for the people, not their own agendas The importance of mindfulness and deep listening in building trustworthy institutions Kinder's vision for a world where business leaders become true heroes and models for future generations How AI, truth, and governance intersect—and why ethical guardrails matter now more than ever What a civilization "of the people, by the people, and for the people" looks like when fiduciary values guide decision-making Whether you're a financial professional, a policymaker, a parent, or simply someone looking for a more trustworthy world, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to imagine what a fully fiduciary society could achieve. 👉 Learn more about the FIAT movement at fiduciaryinallthings.com

    31 min

  3. 11/07/2025

    Money Matters Episode 337 – They Didn't Start with AI | Valarie Vest & Sean Van Moorleghem on Culture, Capacity & Digital Associates

    They Didn't Start with AI. They Started with People. That might sound simple—but in today's rush to automate, scale, and "transform," it's anything but. Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. took a different path. No pink slips. No blown-up workflows. No hollow promises about innovation. Just a clear goal: reduce the time it takes to open an account from 20 minutes to seconds—without losing the quality, trust, or people that made the process work in the first place. In this episode of Money Matters, I sit down with: 🟡 Valarie Vest, Chief Experience Officer 🟡 Sean Van Moorleghem, Chief Technology Officer What I love about this story is that it's not theoretical. It's not "AI someday." It's a real-world example of change done right—quietly, intentionally, and with the people in mind from day one. 📌 They trained their digital "associates" the same way they onboard human ones. 📌 They kept the existing workflow—and made it more resilient. 📌 They created new roles and opportunities instead of eliminating them. 📌 And they proved that you can scale without burning out your team or blowing up your culture. One of my favorite lines from Val was this: "Our secret sauce? It's the people. No one got into this business to do paperwork." This episode is for leaders who are serious about innovation but even more serious about getting it right. 🎧 Episode 337: Speed, Scale & Zero Layoffs 👉Click Below to Listen! Huge thanks to Val and Sean for showing what it looks like to move fast and take care of your people. #Leadership #FinancialServices #ProcessImprovement #TeamCulture #Innovation #Podcast #Cambridge #MoneyMatters #DigitalTransformation #AIinBusiness #ResponsibleAI #FintechInnovation #AutomationStrategy #FutureOfFinance #HumanCenteredTech

    31 min

  4. 11/02/2025

    Money Matters Episode 336- Why DEI Still Matters in 2025 | Cornelia Gamlem & Barbara Mitchell on Inclusion, Culture & Engagement

    Is DEI really dead — or just misunderstood? In this episode of Money Matters, workplace culture experts Cornelia Gamlem and Barbara Mitchell, co-authors of Essentials of Employee Engagement, challenge the headlines and reframe the DEI conversation with clarity and strategy. 💥 Cold Open Preview: "People started calling DEI bad, evil, even discriminatory… and it's none of those things if you truly understand it." – Cornelia Gamlem 🎧 In this episode, you'll learn: Why DEI got distorted — and what it really means in today's workplace How inclusion, not perks, drives employee engagement What Gen Z expects from company culture Why listening is the most underused leadership skill Real-world examples of companies winning (or losing) the culture game How disengagement silently shrinks your talent pool The one action any leader can take this week to re-engage their team 📘 Get the book → Essentials of Employee Engagement on Amazon 🔗 Connect with the guests: 👉 Cornelia Gamlem on LinkedIn 👉 Barbara Mitchell on LinkedIn 🌐 Website: https://bigbookofhr.com 💡 If you care about culture, retention, leadership, or HR strategy — this conversation is a must-listen.

    30 min

  5. 09/27/2025

    Money Matters Episode 335- Human Connection at Scale: Robert Sofia on AI, Trust, and Advisor Growth

    🚨 Can AI actually make financial advisors feel more human—not less? That's the bold idea Robert J. Sofia, CEO of Snappy Kraken, shares in this week's episode of Money Matters. We break down what "human connection at scale" really looks like in today's digital-first world—and why it might be the future of financial advising. Here's what we cover: ✅ Real AI implementation vs. ChatGPT tinkering ✅ Using data to personalize at scale (without losing your voice) ✅ How one firm doubled AUM from $20B → $40B with smarter marketing ✅ Why compliance + data strategy must come first ✅ How segmentation and timing can turn cold leads into real clients 💡 Key takeaway: AI isn't here to replace financial advisors—it's here to help you deliver trust, relevance, and authenticity consistently. If you've ever wondered how to scale trust without losing your edge, this episode is your blueprint. 🎧 Listen now: Click Below 🔁 Tag a fellow advisor who's "AI-curious"

    28 min

  6. 09/05/2025

    Money Matters 334- The Man Behind the 4% Rule W/ Bill Bengen

    🎙️ Episode #334 – The Man Behind the 4% Rule: Bill Bengen on Inflation, Flexibility, and a Richer Retirement What if the greatest risk to your retirement portfolio isn't a market crash—but inflation? In this episode of Money Matters, Christopher Hensley, RICP®, sits down with Bill Bengen, the creator of the legendary 4% Rule for safe withdrawal rates. Now, 30 years later, Bengen reflects on what still holds up, what's changed, and how retirees and advisors can adapt withdrawal strategies in a world of sticky inflation, volatile markets, and longer life expectancies. Whether you're planning your own retirement or advising clients on income strategies, this conversation delivers clarity, context, and practical insights from one of the most influential figures in modern financial planning. 💡 Topics Covered: Why inflation is the true enemy of retirement How Bengen's thinking on the 4% Rule has evolved in 2025 The importance of flexibility in withdrawal rates Guardrails, gifting, and building a more human retirement Why diversification now includes 7 asset classes A behind-the-scenes look at how the 4% Rule research went viral 📘 Get the Book: A Richer Retirement by Bill Bengen — available now on Amazon and major booksellers. 🎧 Host: Christopher Hensley, RICP®, CES®

    21 min

  7. 08/05/2025

    Money Matters Episode 333- The AI Visibility Crisis W/ Brian Thorp

    🔍 Why Your Next Best Client May Never Call You First — And What To Do About It In this episode of Money Matters, I sit down with Brian Thorp, founder and CEO of Wealthtender, to unpack a radical shift in how clients find financial advisors. AI tools like ChatGPT and Google's AI Overviews are now mediating the first impression—before clients ever visit your website or pick up the phone. We discuss: The "Visibility Crisis" facing independent advisors How AI tools prioritize structured data and schema Why testimonials and reviews are your new secret weapon The power of AI-Optimized FAQs for advisor discovery Practical ways to stay human-first in an AI-led search world Whether you're a financial advisor trying to stay ahead of digital trends or just curious about how AI is changing professional services, this episode is a must-listen. 🎯 Want early access to my upcoming book Digital Kaizen for Financial Advisors? 👉 Grab your spot on the list here: https://digital-kaizen-book.kit.com   #AIforAdvisors #FinancialPlanning #Wealthtender #AdvisorMarketing #ChatGPT #DigitalKaizen

    32 min

  8. 07/28/2025

    Money Matters Episode 332- The Prospecting Crisis No One Talks About W/ Eden Ovadia & Victoria Toli

    What if the real problem isn't that advisors hate prospecting—it's that the system we gave them to do it is broken? Most tools treat advisors like marketers. Spray-and-pray. Mass messaging. Cold lists. But the best advisors? They don't want to scale spam. They want to scale presence. That's what Eden Ovadia and Victoria Toli built with FINNY: ✅ An AI engine that understands who you actually connect with ✅ A matchmaking algorithm (yes, really) that gets better the more you use it ✅ Outreach that's compliant, personalized—and human This conversation blew me away. And if you're building your practice with intention (not noise), it might do the same for you. 🎧 Money Matters Episode 332: The AI Matchmaker Changing How Advisors Grow 📖 Part of the Digital Kaizen for Financial Advisors series—exploring the future of human-first, tech-assisted growth 👉 Listen to the full episode & join the Digital Kaizen community (link in comments) #FinancialAdvisor #WealthManagement #AdvisorTech #FINNYAI #ProspectingTools #LeadGeneration #DigitalKaizen #Podcast #AIForAdvisors #AdvisorMarketing #RelationshipBasedGrowth

    29 min
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4.7
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Money Matters has been airing for over a decade, providing important money management education to the Houston community. Originally launching in 2013, the show has evolved to cover a wide range of financial topics beyond just budgeting and saving. From investing and retirement planning the show explores every aspect of personal finance. With an engaging interview format, host Christopher Hensley talks candidly with both financial experts and everyday community members about their experiences with money. By sharing real-life stories and actionable advice, the show makes financial literacy accessible and interesting to a broad audience. Popular episodes over the years have addressed things like getting out of debt, affording college, planning for retirement, and teaching kids about money. Now approaching its 10th anniversary, the show continues to be a vital educational resource for Houstonians looking to take control of their finances. Stream episodes on demand at www.moneymatterspodcast.com With the Money Matters show, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to achieve your financial goals.

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