The Most Hated F-Word Shaun Maslyk

Dr. Ted Klontz Ph.D | Associate Professor | Researcher | Author | Speaker







Intro:







In this episode, we have a conversation with Dr. Ted Klontz, who is often referred to as "The People Whisperer". He is an associate professor of Practice and Financial Psychology at Creighton University, a professional consultant for major entertainment management groups, an international speaker, a published researcher and author who has contributed to 6 books, and the Director of the Financial Psychology Institute®.







Why You Should Listen:







This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the power of listening and how it can help us change our money story. Dr. Klontz discusses the importance of embracing the discomforts that present themselves around money instead of fleeing or avoiding the discomfort. He shares how listening is the most important part of helping people change and how experiences, and not telling, are the most effective ways to make meaningful change. Dr. Klontz provides practical insights and tools that can help listeners understand and change their money story. He emphasizes that if we learn to listen to our own truth, the money will take care of itself. Dr. Klontz also suggests music is one of the most powerful ways to communicate with our authentic selves. When we hear the words being sung back to us, it’s like no other feeling to be heard. It’s a way people can feel heard.







Highlights:







- The power of first money memories and how they shape our beliefs about money







- The importance of understanding our financial flashpoints







- Embracing discomfort around money and learning from it







- The importance of listening and how it can help us change our money story







- How to take off the armour we have built up around our money story







- Why engage with experiences over "being told" what do to is most effective at changing money beliefs







- Dr. Klontz explains how the authentic part of us speaks in metaphors and analogies, pictures; it is a sensory voice, and music excites more areas of the brain than anything else







Quotes:







“If you can learn to honour your own truth, the money will take care of itself” Dr. Ted Klontz







“Every kind of tear has a message” Dr. Ted Klontz







"Telling is not teaching" Dr. Ted Klonz







“We run out of life before we realize it’s not about the money” Dr. Ted Klontz







Links:- Dr. Ted Klontz's website: CLICK HERE







- John Fox's poem "When Someone Deeply Listens to You" CLICK HERE

Dr. Michael Thomas Ph.d | Lecturer | Researcher | Author |







Intro:







In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Michael Thomas, an Accredited Financial Counselor, lecturer at the University of Georgia, and founder of Modom Solutions - a virtual financial coaching service. Dr. Thomas's research focuses on financial empathy, self-compassion, financial behaviours, and the connection between brain function and money. In our conversation, we explored what it means to be financially whole, the importance of financial empathy, and the impact of internal and external financial systems on our financial journeys. We also discussed Dr. Thomas's upcoming book, "Black Financial Culture: Building Wealth from the Inside Out."







Why You Should Listen:







In this episode, Dr. Thomas shares his insights on how we can find financial freedom through self-awareness, empathy and finding our whole self. He discusses the importance of understanding our whole selves, aligning our spending with our authentic voice, and cultivating empathy to deepen our connections with others. You'll also hear about his upcoming book, which is a unique blend of financial advice and personal storytelling that encourages readers to reflect on their own money stories. Whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking for ways to deepen your understanding of your money beliefs, this episode offers practical insights and guidance to help you find and navigate your money story.







Highlights







- Understanding what it means to be financially whole and aligning our spending with our authentic selves.







- The importance of cultivating financial empathy and how it can lead to more meaningful communication and understanding.







- The impact of internal and external financial systems on our financial journeys and how recognizing these systems can help us make more informed financial decisions.







- Dr. Thomas's upcoming book, "Black Financial Culture: Building Wealth from the Inside Out," and how it serves as a love letter that incorporates financial topics written from the heart.







- The power of recognizing and acknowledging our financial stories to find greater financial freedom and live authentically.







LINKS:







- Black Financial Culture (Dr. Thomas' website for his book): CLICK HERE







- Modom Solutions: CLICK HERE







- LinkedIn: CLICK HERE

Dr. John Grable | Professor | Researcher | Certified Financial Planner ®







Intro:







In this episode, Dr. John Grable, a professor of financial planning at the University of Georgia, discusses the importance of understanding our risk tolerance and how it impacts our overall financial health. He shares personal stories that illustrate the profound effects that personal finances can have on people's lives and stresses that we all need to care about personal finances, from an individual, policy, and systems level. John's research lab focuses on better assessing our true risk tolerances, including our behavioural loss tolerance, to align them with our financial aspirations. He advocates for more evidence-based research in the financial planning field and emphasizes the emotions behind risk that impact our perceived risk tolerance. John also discusses the Disappointment Dilemma (which suggests lowering our expectations might be beneficial - if you can believe it) and how we can use this knowledge to manage our financial goals more effectively.







Why You Should Listen:







This episode provides valuable insights into the importance of risk tolerance in financial decision-making, including the emotional and psychological factors that influence it. Listeners will also gain an understanding of the Disappointment Dilemma and its implications for financial goals, as well as the need for evidence-based research in the financial planning field. Furthermore, this episode explores the wider impact of personal finances on individuals, policies, and systems.







Highlights:







- Understanding the hidden emotions, such as fear, that influence our perception of risk tolerance







- The impact of personal finances on people's lives and the need to care about financial health on the individual, policy, and system levels







- The importance of understanding risk tolerance and behavioural loss assessment to align financial aspirations and real risk tolerance







- The need to understand "risk profile" instead of just risk tolerance and the limited role of money ratios in financial discussions







- The Disappointment Dilemma: John shares how disappointment can impact our financial goals and how understanding this phenomenon can help us better manage our expectations and achieve our financial objectives.







- Psycho-physiology measures: John emphasizes the importance of considering the psychological and physiological responses people experience when dealing with money, and how this knowledge can help people make better financial decisions.















LINKS:







John's Lab: CLICK HERE

Dr. Kimberly Watkins Ph.D | Professor | Researcher |















Introduction:







In this episode of the Most Hated F-Word podcast, I speak with Dr. Kimberly Watkins, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Financial Planning, Housing, and Consumer Economics at the University of Georgia. Dr. Watkins teaches courses in the financial planning program at UGA and conducts research on financial socialization, financial well-being, and DEI.







Dr. Watkins discusses her personal journey towards better communication around money with her husband and how it has influenced her interest and focuses on self-reflection and introspection with her financial planning students. We also discuss taking DEI action in financial planning.







Why You Should Listen:







This episode sheds light on the importance of including all voices in the creation of financial planning models, methods, tools, and systems. It highlights the need for more research specific to black Americans and other people of colour and emphasizes the importance of practicing self-reflection and introspection for financial planners to build empathy and understanding with their clients.







Highlights:







- Understanding the diverse experiences of money: Dr. Watkins emphasizes the need to understand that everyone experiences money differently based on their background, culture, and values. Financial planning tools and systems should reflect this diversity.







- Building empathy and trust: Dr. Watkins encourages financial planning professionals to practice self-reflection and introspection to build empathy and understanding with their clients. This can lead to better communication, trust, and stronger relationships.







- Importance of inclusive financial planning: Dr. Watkins talks about the importance of involving all voices in creating financial planning models, methods, and tools. This can ensure that everyone's needs are being addressed







- The power of self-reflection: Dr. Watkins shares her personal journey with her husband, where their disagreements around money led them on a journey of self-reflection and introspection. This strengthened their relationship and taught them how to communicate better during their money conversations. She encourages her financial planning students to practice self-reflection for themselves, which builds more understanding and trust with their clients.

Professor John Zelensky Ph.D. | Professor | Author | Researcher |







Introduction:







Welcome to another episode of The Most Hated F-Word, where we examine our minds, money, and what matters most so we can live a deeply rich life. Today we have a special guest, Professor John Zelensky from Carleton University. John is a researcher and director of the Carleton University Happiness Laboratory, where he studies individual differences in happiness and how personality manifests itself 'in the moment' as emotional and cognitive processes.







Why You Should Listen:







In a world where we obsess over finding happiness, John argues that one of the accessible and impactful areas of life that can bring us happiness is often overlooked: nature. During this episode, John will share his research on the well-being benefits of interacting with nature in a meaningful way. He will explain how developing a connection with nature has been scientifically proven to increase our well-being and how going outside and being in nature is one of the most accessible and affordable ways to add elements of well-being to our lives. John’s research also explores the fascinating topic of “self-concept”. While many of us think that money is the best way to boost our self-concept by acquiring material possessions, status, and security, these attempts are often limited. Instead, John’s research has shown the psychological benefits that build our self-concept from having a connective relationship with nature.







Highlights:







- The well-being benefits of the relationship between nature and well-being







- How to build our self-concept by connecting with nature







- How we can cultivate deeper subjective connections with nature







- The role of nature in promoting pro-social and sustainable behaviours







- The impact of nature experiences on reducing stress and increasing attention restoration







LINKS:







- Dr. Zelensky's website: CLICK HERE

With Adam Adatto Sandel | Philosopher | Author | District Attorney |







Intro:







Welcome to The Most Hated F-Word; in this episode, we’re joined by Adam Adatto Sandel, a philosopher, Guinness World Record holder in pull-ups, and assistant district attorney in Brooklyn. Adam argues that the key to happiness is not goal-driven striving but forging a life that integrates self-possession, friendship, and engagement with nature. We’ll dive into the learning and wisdom from his book "Happiness in Action: A Philosopher's Guide to Living a Good Life" and discuss how to create a new relationship to time by embracing happiness in action.







Why You Should Listen:







Are you tired of the never-ending cycle of goal-oriented striving and the pursuit of happiness? Are you ready to live a fulfilling life that is not just defined by your accomplishments? In this episode, Adam shares his insights and wisdom on how philosophy can act as a guide to help us reflect on what it means to live a good life. He offers a surprising answer to the age-old question of happiness and explains how to find true happiness by immersing oneself in activity that is intrinsically rewarding.







Key Learning Points:







- What happiness is and why it’s difficult to articulate.







- The role of philosophy in guiding us towards a good life.







- The central theme is that we lose ourselves in our goal-oriented striving mentality when approaching a task.







- The three virtues that can help us achieve “happiness in action”: are self-possession, genuine friendship, and engagement with nature.







- How embracing “happiness in action” can help us create a new relationship to time and find fulfillment in life.







Links:







Happiness in Action: A Philosopher’s Guide to the Good Life Hardcover by Adam Adatto Sandel