Wealth Beyond Riches

Tim Meisenheimer

Wealth is more than a number. It's a legacy. Most financial shows ask "How can I get more?" We ask "What is your wealth for?" Welcome to Wealth Beyond Riches, the podcast dedicated to helping you master the intersection of capital and contentment. Hosted by Tim Meisenheimer, financial coach to purpose-driven families and entrepreneurs for over 15 years. We explore how to leverage your financial success to build a life of profound impact, purpose, and genuine fulfillment. What You'll Discover: Each month, we sit down with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to deconstruct what "true wealth" actually looks like and you'll start to hear echoes of your own story. Impactful Living: Leverage your wealth to change the world. Purpose-Driven Work: Build a legacy that outlasts your portfolio. Deep Fulfillment: Shift from "success" to "significance." New episodes drop monthly. 🔔 Subscribe to join a community of high-impact families redefining what it means to be truly wealthy.

  1. FEB 17

    You're Either Generous or Controlling with Steve Carter

    Welcome back to the second half of this powerful conversation with pastor and author Steve Carter. In this episode, Steve and host Tim Meisenheimer pivot from the pain of transition to the surprising power of generosity and the "weird, mysterious, but lovely" way that grief and hope can coexist. Steve challenges the cultural definition of hope—once viewed by the Romans as a "mental illness"—and reclaims it as a certainty anchored in the resurrection. The conversation then moves to a masterclass on generosity, backed by both scripture and science. Steve breaks down the "happiness trifecta"—how giving releases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin while pushing away the stress hormone cortisol . They discuss why generous people live longer, the often-overlooked "Fourth T" of stewardship, and how a simple act of buying a donut can shift the spiritual atmosphere of a room. If you want to know why it is truly "more blessed to give than to receive," this episode provides the data and the soul to back it up. What We Learned Grieving with Hope: Based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13, we don't grieve like the rest of the world; we grieve with hope, allowing pain and expectation to exist in the same space. Hope is Not Wishful Thinking: While we often use "hope" to mean uncertainty (e.g., hoping for no traffic), biblical hope is the confident expectation that if the tomb is empty, anything is possible. The Happiness Trifecta: Generosity isn't just a moral good; it's a biological hack. Consistent giving releases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, effectively fighting off the body's stress response. The Volunteer Advantage: Studies from Stanford show that people who are generous with their time live, on average, four years longer than those who aren't. The 4th "T" of Generosity: Beyond Time, Talent, and Treasure, we are called to be generous with our Testimony—sharing the story of what God has done in our lives. Generosity vs. Control: You are either building the "musculature" of generosity or the prison of control. Generosity leads to freedom and lightness, while control leads to stress and suspicion. Generosity of Spirit: A story about a broken credit card machine at a donut shop illustrates how small acts of kindness can diffuse anger and "shift the atmosphere" for everyone present. Resources Mentioned Herman Miller / Mike Volkema  Ace Hardware / John Venhuizen  CDW / Tom Richards  Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & The "Harder Right" 02:46 – Why Rome Thought Hope Was a "Mental Illness" 04:00 – Biblical Hope: Certainty vs. Optimism 07:00 – The Science of Generosity: The Happiness Trifecta 10:20 – Why Volunteers Live Longer 11:36 – The 4th T: Generosity of Testimony 13:14 – Generosity vs. The Idol of Control 15:58 – Leaders Who Model Generosity (Herman Miller, Ace, CDW) 19:05 – The Spunky Dunkers Story: Generosity of Spirit 22:30 – What Steve & Tim Are Loving Right Now

    27 min
  2. FEB 3

    Grief Is Not a Problem to Solve with Steve Carter

    A leadership calling can unravel faster than anyone expects. Tim Meisenheimer sits down with Steve Carter, bestselling author and former lead teaching pastor at Willow Creek, to talk about integrity, grief, and what it means to choose the right path when the cost is public, painful, and personal. Steve shares the story of preparing to step into one of the most visible church leadership roles in the country—only to watch it dissolve as scandal surfaced around his mentor and organization. In the middle of uncertainty, pressure, and loss, Steve was forced to confront a defining question: Would he choose what was easier, or what was right? Anchored by the West Point Cadet Prayer's line "help us to choose the harder right," the conversation explores how values like integrity, humility, wisdom, and discernment become essential guides when fear clouds decision-making. Steve also opens up about grief—why you can't achieve your way out of it, why silence matters, and how seasons of waiting often become the soil where transformation takes root. This conversation is for leaders, parents, and high-capacity people navigating loss, transition, or disappointment—and looking for a way forward that doesn't cost them their soul. What We Learned Why choosing the right thing is often hardest when identity and security are at stake How values act as filters when fear and pressure distort decision-making Why integrity is formed long before it's publicly tested Why grief cannot be solved through productivity or achievement How unprocessed grief quietly turns into resentment The importance of honoring grief rather than rushing past it How the framework of Good Friday, Silent Saturday, and Easter Sunday shapes a healthy theology of loss and hope Why waiting is not wasted time, even when answers don't come quickly How children and families learn courage by watching adults choose integrity What surrender looks like when the future remains unclear Resources Mentioned Grieve, Breathe, Receive — Steve Carter A book on grief, loss, and learning how to receive life again after disappointment. The Thing Beneath the Thing — Steve Carter Exploring the deeper drivers beneath behavior, leadership, and decision-making. The West Point Cadet Prayer Referenced for the line: "Help us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong."   00:00 Introduction to Wealth Beyond Riches  01:02 Steve's Journey: From Dream Job to Crisis 02:58 Lessons from Career Transitions  04:59 The Harder Right: Integrity and Legacy  13:36 Guiding Values: Curiosity and Humility  20:07 Developing and Assessing Resources  22:02 Learning to Grieve  27:53 The Power of Surrender 31:23 Preparing for Transitions

    39 min
  3. JAN 20

    You Can't Grow and Control Everything with Justin Whitmel Earley

    In Part 2 of this conversation, Tim Meisenheimer and Justin Whitmel Earley shift from habits and formation into the deeply human realities of business, leadership, generosity, and trust. Justin pulls back the curtain on what really happens when people buy, sell, or transition businesses — and why the hardest parts are rarely technical. Drawing from his work as a business attorney and firm owner, Justin explains why the best outcomes come from building the right team early: trusted advisors, honest friends, and spiritual mentors who can help carry the emotional and ethical weight of major decisions. The conversation moves from contracts to character, from delegation to humility, and from financial planning to generosity. Justin shares how his parents modeled generosity through time and presence, how his wife Lauren shaped the way their family thinks about giving, and why intentional rhythms — from delegation to morning coffee — can become anchors of joy and gratitude in a demanding life. This episode is a reminder that wealth, work, and leadership are never just about money — they are about people, limits, trust, and the kind of life you are quietly building every day. What We Learned Selling a business is deeply emotional — preparation isn't just financial, it's relational and spiritual. The best business owners build teams early — including a great accountant, wealth advisor, attorney, trusted friend, and spiritual mentor. Legal structures are meant to preserve trust — contracts exist to steward relationships, not replace them. You can either control everything or grow — healthy growth requires delegation and surrender. Good habits and good leadership share the same foundation — admitting your limits and asking for help. Generosity is most often modeled, not announced — especially through time, presence, and attention. Giving requires intentional planning — thoughtful generosity often needs as much strategy as saving or investing. Joy is found in embodiment — daily rituals like movement, rest, writing by hand, or making coffee can reawaken gratitude. Healthy ambition has guardrails — growth should never come at the cost of people, integrity, or family. Life is formed through practices — small, repeated actions shape who we become far more than intentions.  Resources Mentioned The Body Teaches the Soul — Justin Whitmel Earley A book on embodied habits and spiritual formation. https://a.co/d/g0Gwszb  The Common Rule — Justin Whitmel Earley A practical framework for daily and weekly rhythms. https://a.co/d/cUo0gKH  Habits of the Household — Justin Whitmel Earley Applying habit formation to family and parenting. https://a.co/d/7WEib8c  Made for People — Justin Whitmel Earley Rebuilding friendship and community in adulthood. https://a.co/d/iZvLQ0N  Analog Weekly Planner (Ink + Volt) Referenced as a tool for reflection and intentional planning. http://www.inkandvolt.com  AeroPress Coffee Maker Mentioned as part of Justin's morning ritual and embodied joy. http://www.aeropress.com  Sparrow Coffee (Chicago) Coffee brand referenced during the conversation. http://www.sparrowcoffee.com   00:00 The Human Side of Corporate Law 01:27 Building a Business Team 06:43 The Emotional Journey of Selling a Business 10:18 Fostering Trust in Transactions 12:07 The Challenge of Team Building 18:15 Growth with Integrity 19:44 The Impact of Generosity 26:15 Finding Joy in Simple Pleasures

    32 min
  4. JAN 6

    You Can't Think Your Way to Change with Justin Whitmel Earley

    In this episode of Wealth Beyond Riches, Tim Meisenheimer sits down with Justin Whitmel Earley—business lawyer, author, former missionary, and habit-builder—to explore why lasting change doesn't start with willpower or ideas, but with practices. Justin shares how an intense season of anxiety and burnout early in his legal career forced him to confront a painful disconnect between what he believed and how he was actually living. Though his theology and values were strong, his habits—sleep, work pace, phone use, rest, and embodiment—were quietly shaping him into someone he didn't want to become. Together, Tim and Justin unpack why modern life trains us toward busyness, isolation, and disintegration, and why recovery doesn't come from "thinking harder" but from rebuilding small, faithful rhythms. From keystone habits and embodied spirituality to friendship, movement, and reflection, this conversation offers a hopeful path for anyone who feels stretched between success and sanity. What We Learned You don't notice habits—but they notice you Habits operate beneath awareness, quietly shaping who we become over time. You can't think your way out of a life you practiced your way into Change happens at the level of daily rhythms, not intentions alone. Habits form the bridge between belief and experience When habits and values are misaligned, anxiety and fragmentation often follow. Keystone habits create outsized impact Small practices—like exercise, reflection, or honest friendship—can reshape sleep, health, finances, and emotional life. The body teaches the soul Physical habits (sleep, movement, rest) are not separate from spiritual formation—they are central to it. Culture trains us more than we realize Busyness, phone-checking, and constant productivity are learned norms, not neutral behaviors. Community accelerates change Even one trusted relationship marked by honesty can radically improve emotional and spiritual health. Reflection is a leadership discipline Reading, journaling, prayer, and engaging "old wisdom" create clarity in a distracted world. Resources Mentioned The Body Teaches the Soul Justin's newest book exploring the connection between physical habits and spiritual formation. https://a.co/d/g0Gwszb  The Common Rule A practical framework for building daily and weekly habits that foster stability and depth. https://a.co/d/cUo0gKH  Habits of the Household Applying habit formation to family life, parenting, and the home. https://a.co/d/7WEib8c  Made for People A guide to rebuilding friendship and community in adulthood. https://a.co/d/iZvLQ0N  Keystone Habits (Behavioral Science Concept) Small practices that trigger widespread positive change (e.g., exercise, reflection, relational honesty). Vizio Divina / Lectio Divina Ancient Christian practices of reflecting prayerfully on visual art or Scripture as a way of shaping attention and desire. 00:00 Choosing the Harder Right 03:07 Navigating Career Transitions 06:03 The Importance of Values 08:53 Integrity and Trust 12:12 Grief and Its Role in Transition 15:06 Curiosity and Humility in Leadership 18:00 Adjusting Expectations 20:51 The Process of Grieving 23:49 The Holy Weekend Metaphor 26:47 Experiencing God's Goodness 30:10 Strength in Surrender 33:01 The Journey of Transition

    29 min
  5. 12/16/2025

    Ep 38: Hope Can Be Measured with Riley Fuller

    In Part 2 of this conversation with Riley Fuller, we move from origin story to impact story — the daily, tangible work of Humanity & Hope United and what Riley has learned about leadership, hope, and living generously. Riley and Tim Meisenheimer explore how his leadership shifted from managing by force in the corporate world to leading as a servant — listening first, empowering others, and building leaders in the communities he serves. Riley explains how his team measures hope scientifically, how generational poverty is being broken through education, entrepreneurship, and leadership development, and why joy and responsibility can exist side by side. This episode is a practical, inspiring look at what happens when holy ambition grows into a movement: homes rebuilt, businesses launched, women empowered, recovery introduced, and young leaders returning to serve the very communities that raised them. 💡 What We Learned Hope Is a Mindset You Can Build — scientifically defined by goals, pathways, and agency. Servant Leadership Works — authority is meant to bless, not control. Hope Compounds — once someone learns to hope, it creates new neural pathways that make future hope easier. Local Leadership Changes Communities — the most powerful transformation comes when people rise from within the community. Faith + Measurement = Impact — combining spiritual hope with data and six development pillars (health, education, economy, community, leadership, infrastructure). Innovation Matters — preschool + women-owned chicken business, recovery programs, and home-building trips. Legacy Is Built Daily — small, consistent acts of generosity and service create long-term change. Proximity Creates Aliveness — the people most moved to action are those who go, see, and participate. Resources Mentioned Here are the concrete books, articles, organizations, and websites referenced in Part 2: 1. Humanity & Hope United Foundation Riley's nonprofit empowering communities in Honduras through hope-based development. http://www.humanityandhope.org 2. Generous Coffee Coffee company donating 100% of profits to humanitarian work. http://www.generouscoffee.com 3. Global Leadership Summit (GLS) Where Riley learned the principles of servant leadership. http://www.globalleadership.org 4. Brookings Institution Nonpartisan Washington D.C. think tank partnering with Riley to create a measurable hope-assessment tool. http://www.brookings.edu 5. Bible – Hebrews 6:19 ("Hope as an Anchor") A recurring foundation for the episode's conversation on hope. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+6%3A19&version=NIV 6. Book – The Big Short by Michael Lewis (context for Riley's finance career) http://www.amazon.com/Big-Short-Inside-Doomsday-Machine/dp/0393338827 7. AA / 12-Step Recovery Resources Referenced as part of Riley's personal transformation and future plans for Honduras. https://www.aa.org 00:00 Leadership Evolution at Humanity and Hope United 02:49 The Power of Hope in Community Development 06:02 Measuring Hope: A Scientific Approach 08:55 Transformative Leadership and Personal Growth 11:59 Innovative Strategies in Nonprofit Work 14:50 Engaging with Humanity and Hope United 18:12 Personal Reflections and Life Lessons

    25 min
  6. 12/02/2025

    Ep 37: Privilege Isn't Yours to Keep With Riley Fuller

    What happens when your life plan collapses — and a moment of unexpected clarity forces you to redefine purpose? In Part 1 of this conversation, Tim Meisenheimer talks with Riley Fuller, founder of Humanity & Hope United and Generous Coffee. Riley grew up as the seventh generation in his family's Indiana food business, destined for stability and success. But heartbreak, addiction, and eventually jail time pushed him into survival mode — and then into an unexpected trip to Honduras that changed everything. There, Riley came face-to-face with what he calls the birth lottery — the truth that where you're born shapes the opportunities you get. What he saw stirred anger, grief, and clarity that turned into redemptive action. This episode traces the early arc of Riley's story: from self-focused ambition to the spark that would eventually lead him toward a life built around hope, service, and rebuilding what's broken. What We Learned The Birth Lottery — how the circumstances we're born into can create enormous privilege or enormous weight. Anger as a Catalyst — the moment Riley's frustration transformed into a desire for redemptive action. Selfish Ambition vs. Holy Ambition — why the drive to "be somebody" can crumble, and why it's not the end. The Power of Exposure — how proximity to suffering reshapes assumptions, priorities, and purpose. How Timing Shapes Calling — why Riley couldn't receive the vision at 19, but at 21 it hit with force. The False Promise of Success — chasing money, status, and achievement left Riley emptier than ever. Legacy Questions — how a single conversation with a homeless man cracked open Riley's understanding of meaning. Resources Mentioned Here are the actual resources directly referenced in the episode: 1. Humanity & Hope United Foundation The nonprofit Riley founded after his life-changing trip to Honduras. http://www.humanityandhope.org 2. Generous Coffee Riley's coffee company that donates 100% of profits to humanitarian work. http://www.generouscoffee.com 3. The Big Short (book + film) Referenced while discussing Riley's time as a derivatives trader in the 2008 financial crisis. Book: http://www.amazon.com/Big-Short-Inside-Doomsday-Machine/dp/0393338827 Film info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596363 4. AA / Recovery Programs Mentioned as part of Riley's story of sobriety and long-term healing. https://www.aa.org 5. Bible – Themes of Legacy & Hope Riley's turning point includes wrestling with purpose and meaning: Hebrews 6:19 — "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul." http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+6%3A19&version=NIV 00:00 The Birth of Humanity and Hope United 22:05 From Despair to Purpose: A Journey to Honduras 38:03 Vision and Sacrifice: Building a Legacy

    40 min
  7. 11/18/2025

    Ep 36: The Courage to Stop with Liz Fay

    If the first half of Liz Fay's story was about courage and agency — choosing to step away from a 19-year teaching career — this half is about what comes next: the open space. Host Tim Meisenheimer and Liz talk about learning to rest before life demands it, the discipline of Sabbath, and why "no shoulds" became her rule for peace. Together, they explore how to practice rest without guilt, why receiving might be the bravest form of generosity, and how to reclaim agency when life feels full of non-negotiables. Liz offers wisdom not just for teachers, but for anyone facing burnout, transition, or uncertainty — reminding us that true investment isn't just in the future, but in the people and presence of today. CHAPTERS 00:00 Embracing Rest and Reflection 02:57 The Importance of Checking In 06:03 Challenging Non-Negotiables 09:05 Redefining Success and Agency 11:48 The Power of Vulnerability 15:14 Navigating the Unknown 18:13 The Gift of Community 21:04 Practicing Sabbath and Rest 24:02 Finding Joy in the Present 26:55 Preparing for a Season of Rest 29:50 The Journey of Self-Discovery 33:00 Living with Intention and Purpose  What You'll Learn How to practice Sabbath as discipline, not escape — what it means to rest on purpose, not as a reward. Why receiving is an act of generosity — and how humility allows others to love and serve you. The freedom of "no shoulds" — learning to let go of guilt, hurry, and external expectations. How to check in on others well — asking better questions that go beyond "How are you?" Why rest requires courage — especially for high-capacity, responsible people who are used to giving. The gift of modeling vulnerability — how honest sharing with family, kids, and friends strengthens relationships. Reimagining success and security — investing in today's relationships instead of tomorrow's "what-ifs."

    36 min
  8. 11/04/2025

    Ep 35: You Don't Need More to Give More with Liz Fay

    What happens when generosity becomes your answer to scarcity? In this heartfelt conversation, host Tim Meisenheimer sits down with Liz Fay — a longtime friend, fellow teacher, and his very first financial planning client — to explore how money follows values. Liz shares how she learned finance at the library before ever carrying a balance, why generosity became her response to fear, and what it looked like to open her home so friends could walk out of debt together. Together, they discuss the years of teaching through the pandemic, the yellow flags we often ignore, and the morning Liz realized she needed a different future. It's a story about courage, community, and the quiet strength that comes from aligning your finances with what matters most. If you've ever wondered "Am I allowed to change?" or "How do I help a friend who's struggling?" — this episode is for you. What You'll Learn Why money follows values — and how clarifying what matters most changes the way you spend, save, and give. How generosity dismantles fear and scarcity — the counterintuitive truth that giving actually leads to greater peace and freedom. Practical ways to walk with friends through debt — what it looks like to invite others into your home, your story, and your financial wisdom. How to recognize "yellow flags" of burnout — and why listening early can keep a good calling from becoming a crisis. What it means to start a new chapter faithfully — the courage it takes to leave a long-term role, even one you love, and trust God with what's next. Why generosity transforms both giver and receiver — how true wealth is measured not by accumulation, but by connection and character. Chapters: 00:00 The Journey of Financial Awareness 03:04 Generosity as a Response to Scarcity 05:58 Navigating the Teaching Profession 08:54 Creating a Culture of Generosity 12:11 The Impact of Generosity on Relationships 15:11 Recognizing Yellow Flags in Life 18:04 The Courage to Change Careers 20:55 The Reciprocal Nature of Generosity Resources Mentioned God and Money by Gregory Baumer & John Cortines – A biblical look at how generosity transforms the way we think about wealth and purpose. Debt-Proof Living by Mary Hunt – The book Liz found at the public library that first shaped her understanding of financial margin and living within her means.

    34 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Wealth is more than a number. It's a legacy. Most financial shows ask "How can I get more?" We ask "What is your wealth for?" Welcome to Wealth Beyond Riches, the podcast dedicated to helping you master the intersection of capital and contentment. Hosted by Tim Meisenheimer, financial coach to purpose-driven families and entrepreneurs for over 15 years. We explore how to leverage your financial success to build a life of profound impact, purpose, and genuine fulfillment. What You'll Discover: Each month, we sit down with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to deconstruct what "true wealth" actually looks like and you'll start to hear echoes of your own story. Impactful Living: Leverage your wealth to change the world. Purpose-Driven Work: Build a legacy that outlasts your portfolio. Deep Fulfillment: Shift from "success" to "significance." New episodes drop monthly. 🔔 Subscribe to join a community of high-impact families redefining what it means to be truly wealthy.