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Betterment CEO Sarah Levy explains how they are incorporating digital currency into their business strategy.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20250815/857ebb79-028b-482a-84d2-18a9c5c2d5bc/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Betterment is Dipping Their Toes into Crypto

Sarah Levy, CEO of Betterment, discusses market volatility, regulation concerns, and where she’s finding bipartisan agreement in the financial space.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20250815/5f12279a-b207-42bc-b5f1-5a34a8a1e8d7/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Betterment CEO On Government Policies Impacting Investing Habits

The exec talks crypto, advisors, and the legislation she's watching in an interview with At Barron's Andy Serwer.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20250813/676b2b97-9259-40e8-bee4-1ae231eaefb6/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Sarah Levy: From the Entertainment Industry to CEO of Betterment

Surrounding recent and political controversies at Harvard University, author and Harvard professor Arthur C. Brooks tells Barron’s Andy Serwer that it’s "not a Harvard problem, it’s a higher ed problem."

https://m.wsj.net/video/20250808/84a195a2-f0a2-4b8e-9f87-e4334c12159d/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

This Harvard Professor Sees Too Much Activism in Universities

Author and Harvard professor Arthur C. Brooks breaks down why people in leadership positions tend to have intense emotions.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20250808/aad81f06-d6bb-41bd-bd46-c5acf8136fcb/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Is Happiness at the Top? A Look at Leaders, CEOs, and Politicians.

Author and Harvard University professor Arthur C. Brooks discusses all things happiness, why he supports capitalism, and what's going on at Harvard with Editor at Large Andy Serwer.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20250807/056164ae-5083-468f-9aeb-5cf5f436861b/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

'It's Not a Feeling': A Harvard Professor on the Formula for Happiness

The Marriott business has over 30 brands including The Ritz-Carlton, Westin, and Sheraton. Anthony Capuano, Marriott International CEO, discusses why the large brand portfolio and strategy is a priority.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20250805/7aa6e4f9-ea94-4ebb-b62b-234961329bc9/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

How Many Brands is Too Many? For Marriott, 30 Is a Sweet Spot

Marriott International CEO Anthony Capuano breaks down the micro and macro effects of tariffs on the company, specifically in China.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20250805/b8b663a5-37f7-4034-976a-27044ecc58b1/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

How Tariffs are Affecting the Hotel Industry in the U.S. and Abroad

Marriott International's Anthony Capuano spoke about when he was named chief executive officer of the hotel chain after the death of Marriott's then-CEO and amid the Covid-19 pandemic. "It was, you know, on a personal level, extraordinarily emotional," Capuano said. This interview was recorded on June 2, 2025.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20250731/5e9f8f17-1e0a-407e-a18b-2f479cd6450d/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

How Marriott's CEO Was Appointed During Significant Challenges

At Barron's

Saira Malik, chief investment officer of Nuveen, makes the case for more gains in 2023.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230925/4d8aa5ee-77aa-4400-884b-1fafeff893ec/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

S&P 4700?

David Bailin, chief investment officer of Citi Global Wealth, offers his take on the latest IPO activity and what it says about the strength of capital markets.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230925/5f4d4a28-d83a-40e3-ad94-28bc25b1c3bc/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

IPOs: Making a Comeback

Chris Harvey, head of equity strategy at Wells Fargo Securities, explains what would make him more bullish on stocks and when he sees a Fed rate cut coming.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230918/1f534ddf-5da9-4d1d-9926-fda63e90468e/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Cuts on the Horizon?

Tom Kennedy, chief investment strategist for J.P. Morgan Global Wealth Management, explains why he thinks concerns around a slowdown in China are overblown.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230918/09304272-5f0c-49df-892a-3a3d4622c9c3/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Evaluating China Risk

Liz Young, head of investment strategy at SoFi, discusses how market moving the August inflation data could be.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230911/50b8c6b4-8fd3-4d6f-adff-dd0a024a57d7/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Inflation in the Spotlight

Lindsey Piegza, chief economist at Stifel, offers her take on the biggest risks to the economy right now.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230911/cac885e4-b322-40f8-876c-ebd443fe9d29/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Assessing Economic Headwinds 

Dan Ives, managing director and senior equity analyst at Wedbush Securities, explains why he thinks Apple will continue to be a market leader.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230905/1a48f030-5a5a-401c-a571-ec9115a0155e/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Prove-me Moment

Ross Mayfield, investment strategy analyst at Baird, highlights bullish catalysts that could drive the market higher between now and year-end.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230905/729974df-4594-4fc6-a385-5457b1d87e32/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Gearing up for a Rally

Matthew Luzzetti, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank, discusses what’s next for the Federal Reserve and the economy.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230501/7264fcc9-eea9-4d99-b839-4cd4c20500c9/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Recession Ahead 

MarketBrief | Clips

MarketBrief Clips

David Bailin of Citi Global Wealth and Saira Malik of Nuveen debate the probability of a recession and discuss where they’re finding opportunities in equities and fixed income.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230925/a61dd831-40b8-4727-934f-077d2b880711/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Investing in a Slowing Economy 

Take stock of your investments in less than 10 minutes with new show from Barron’s and MarketWatch.

Chris Harvey of Wells Fargo Securities explains why he believes the Federal Reserve is done hiking interest rates while J.P. Morgan Global Wealth Management’s Tom Kennedy makes the case for multi-asset investing.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230918/84e9a4a4-4e50-4b7b-934c-9a532f9803fc/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Rate Hikes in the Rearview?

Lindsey Piegza of Stifel discusses the upside risks for inflation while SoFi’s Liz Young explains why she’s cautious on the market through year-end.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230911/395ecb74-e349-45b0-a6b8-f91b8874aaf8/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Pricing Pressure & Frothy Valuations

Baird’s Ross Mayfield makes the case for a better than expected September for stocks while Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities explains why big tech can rally another 15%.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230905/156bf778-e13d-41ef-b750-55e2ef1c0162/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

September to Remember? 

Kristen Bitterly of Citi Global Wealth Management explains why the strong start to the year is nothing more than a bear market rally while Eric Winograd of AllianceBernstein offers his outlook for the Fed, inflation, and the labor market.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230220/ae07e591-f017-4e82-babb-c80144e7d42f/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Time to be Skeptical?

Anastasia Amoroso of iCapital explains why she thinks the stock market rally is nearing a ceiling while U.S. Bank Wealth Management’s Lisa Erickson discusses where she’s finding investment opportunities in an uncertain environment.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230213/61be15a3-f5ac-4a25-b944-edd15e605e30/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Hitting a Wall

Jack Manley of J.P. Morgan Asset Management explains why now is the time to leg back into risk assets while BlackRock’s Rick Rieder offers his top fixed income opportunities.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230206/0be0daa9-d29a-4350-b277-a9ee6ed9a2ea/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Two Ways to Play

Amid impressive January gains, Cameron Dawson of New Edge Wealth discusses how she’s positioning her portfolio and Mark Zandi of Moody's Analytics explains why he thinks the economy can still avoid a recession.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230130/a8c37d62-592b-4830-9466-65c3824205fe/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Gauging Upside Potential

Mike Schumacher of Wells Fargo Securities explains why he’s nervous about stagflation while Sylvia Jablonski of Defiance Investments offers her top portfolio picks.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230123/1e752a76-b7d4-4802-821a-837d6176f979/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Wall Street’s Biggest Risk

MarketBrief | Full Episodes

MarketBrief Full Episodes

After 10 straight hikes, the central bank switched gears and opted to keep rates steady. But that doesn't mean the Fed's inflation fight is over.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230616/9dce6e5c-4c62-4aa6-b432-d3407ac41aea/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

The Fed's Rate Pause, Explained

A publicly traded company can increase it's number of shares available by splitting its stock. Here's why companies may do it and how it affects investors.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20221115/f37dedad-4403-4f6d-bd22-067d0fb148df/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Stock Splits Are Big This Year. Here's What They Mean for Investors.

Here's why a publicly traded company may decide to go private and what it means for its shareholders.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20221025/9fb3fa20-e2ac-485b-aa4d-8fcf3ebd3151/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

What Happens When a Stock Goes Private?

What Happens When a Public Company Goes Private?

When saving for retirement, there are many different accounts and tax strategies to consider. Here's how to tell if a Roth IRA conversion could be right for you.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20221021/624f992c-db58-4144-93cc-b888c6948059/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

What to Know About Roth IRA Conversions

As recession fears loom, here are three ways investors can prepare and protect their portfolios.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20221020/5d94fa79-7b6d-4c51-8ac7-8c523c99d487/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Preparing Your Portfolio for a Recession

Retiring abroad could lower your cost of living, so you can make your savings go further in your golden years. But a permanent move to a new country could be more complicated than you think. Here's what you should know.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20220823/7a028383-44a0-4957-a070-0018f046ec97/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Thinking Of Retiring Abroad? Here's What to Consider.

Billionaire-backed space companies have made space tourism a reality. How to participate in a potential private-sector space boom.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20220818/99bac587-9be5-48e6-9376-48f3bb8d55cf/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

How To Invest In Space Tourism

When you hear the words 'electric vehicle', you might immediately think 'Tesla'. But as more automakers enter the EV competition, Tesla might have trouble holding its lead. Here's what investors need to know.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20220722/111776c7-d9d2-4cd2-8194-4c58b0cb7e57/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Is Tesla Miles Ahead of Others in the Electric Vehicle Race?

Chinese tech company DiDi Global, which runs a ride-sharing app, has announced it plans to delist from the New York Stock Exchange. Investors are watching and waiting to see what other Chinese giants with U.S. listings, like Alibaba and JD.com, will do. Here's what delisting entails.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20220722/eacf026e-7303-4eb7-80ab-3e2344e2b120/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

What Happens When a Stock Delists?

Barron's Explains

CEO Cristiano Amon has a plan to shrink Qualcomm’s reliance on phones and grow its role in AI, cars, and beyond. Investors are skeptical—should they be?

https://m.wsj.net/video/20241127/99579ccd-a5c1-4acc-ac31-32469f7d8b1c/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

What's Next for Qualcomm?

On the Barron's Streetwise Podcast, Barron’s senior writer Al Root sits down with Jack Hough to discuss Toyota’s recent success with hybrids, the coolest cars at the New York Auto Show, and what’s ahead for Tesla stock.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20240329/f163bbd7-0cb6-4c6f-b7f9-a85ae5cd2553/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Is Electric Vehicle Demand Cooling Off? 

On the Barron’s Streetwise podcast, Rystad Energy’s Alexandre Ramos Peon discusses how U.S. oil producers have boosted profitability and production despite fewer wells.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20240326/0a4b30c7-379c-460f-abc3-838a7f1eb1a9/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

The Outlook for Oil

On the Barron’s Streetwise Podcast, Jack Hough pushes back against one of Bitcoin’s most popular valuation models.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20240318/b38cc34a-5064-4a6a-a47c-4c855de11973/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Bitcoin as 'Digital Gold' 

On the Barron’s Streetwise podcast, Raphael Zagury of Swan Bitcoin shares his bitcoin price model with Associate Editor Jack Hough.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20240312/c0acb0bf-e4e3-46ca-8fd5-13af6fa401e5/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

The $600,000 Case for Bitcoin

Kathy Jones, Chief Fixed Income Strategist at Schwab, says it might not matter. Plus, the outlook for yields and the national debt.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20240305/0505813c-e38b-47cb-ade2-e7c3aff68dbd/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Bond Funds or Individual Bonds?

Brian Niccol on developing new customer favorites, taking menu tips from TikTok, and the outlook for growing the business.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230725/dec91556-4dbe-49e6-85d9-ed0e8233ac02/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Chipotle's CEO on How He Plans to Double the Business. Again.

Jim Farley on competing with Tesla, and why Ford is favoring Level 3 autonomy over full self-driving capability.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230519/9aa4288a-39a1-4fb8-8b9d-3be0c58adc18/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Ford CEO On the Outlook for EVs and Robo Cars

J.P. Morgan Asset Management's David Kelly says inflation is like a rollercoaster: It will come down again.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20230505/5d8d3d70-598d-4ee4-a76e-21381c911e40/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Inflation, Attractive Bonds, and Value Abroad

Barron's Streetwise

Stocks are expensive, risks abound, and AI is about to change the world. Other than that, building a calamity-proof retirement portfolio should be a cinch. Tune in as two veteran money managers size up the markets and share their investment ideas.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20250211/17a5e7d6-7c36-44b0-a35e-bf5ac3a24194/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Saving for a Sunny Day

Research shows that people greatly underestimate the healthcare costs they’ll face in retirement. Learn from experts how to estimate those costs, prepare for potential long-term care needs, and manage healthcare expenses in retirement.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20250211/e7c022d9-badf-4e95-8e7c-0b6fce9f7823/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Are You Fiscally Fit?

Surging power demand, new energy sources, and growing competition have spurred the utility industry to become more innovative than ever before. Our panelists will unpack the changes afoot and explore what lies ahead for companies, customers, and investors.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20240917/001ea098-1fcc-4da5-9f0e-a3b149bbb2fb/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Not Your Father's Utility

Modernizing America's grid will take creativity and money -- lots of money. Learn how players across the power sector can achieve their electrification goals and serve new customers without breaking the bank for consumers.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20240917/bd6bd43a-bb07-4b7f-9d1c-6ae04220bea9/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Ready for a Revamp?

The launch this year of Bitcoin ETFs has made it easier for investors to buy and trade the cryptocurrency. But is that a wise move, and if so, how much crypto should you own?

https://m.wsj.net/video/20240529/cbb77f15-ef70-445d-85ae-5f02c24ea1ef/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Investing in Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin and other digital currencies reside on software networks that aim to revolutionize everything from finance to art. Barron's talks to industry experts about the outlook for blockchain technology and its potential uses.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20240529/8f60a5ea-6de4-4c3c-b7c2-12b11aaa99f3/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Is Crypto Really a Game-Changer?

Persistent inflation means retirement savings don't go as far as they once did. We discuss the best inflation hedges, and how retirees can benefit from higher-for-longer interest rates.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20240429/69577ad6-cbaf-4d34-96f1-c42136e26aa2/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Protecting Your Nest Egg from Rising Prices

The impact of inflation is felt unevenly across the economy and markets. Learn which industries, and companies do best in a “sticky” inflation era, and how fixed income, alternative assets, and gold can help investors hedge against further price growth.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20240429/bfee3cb8-715f-4323-929f-43a73fd58877/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Don’t Trim Your Inflation Hedges

Science, tech, and better healthcare delivery are helping people live longer and improving quality of life. Two healthcare investment experts tell us about some of the most promising developments in medicine, and the companies behind them.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20240305/33bed2b1-bdef-401f-bb72-18f7a43f2548/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Longevity: An Investor's Playbook

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The Cassaday & Co. financial advisor discusses how advisors can help clients overcome financial flashpoints and spend without guilt in the decumulation phase of retirement. He also explains why mentoring financial advisors has proven so gratifying.

https://m.wsj.net/video/20250814/a329f18f-65c8-41ad-9e72-005a2bb283a1/1/hls/manifest-hd-wifi.m3u8

Riley Saunders: The Power of Perseverance, Psychology, and Purpose

At the end of the day, you need to understand your own thoughts, feelings, and emotions around money and why and how you got there before you can even begin providing an experience or a journey with your client.

Welcome to Barron's Advisor, "The Way Forward" next generation. A special series spotlighting the emerging leaders shaping the future of financial advice. Twice a month we'll be digging into the strategies, insights and game changing moves that will help you take your practice to the next level. I'm your host, Alyson Tucci, and today with me is Riley Saunders, a financial advisor at Cassaday and Company. And today we're gonna be talking about that intersection between perseverance, psychology, and purpose. Let's start with your journey Riley, you received a Master's in personal financial planning, is that correct?

That is correct. From Kansas State University.

That's fantastic. I don't think a lot of financial advisors have had that experience. Can you tell me a little bit about what drew you to receiving your Master's?

I had just finished getting my CFP, the COVID-19 pandemic had hit, so I had some more time on my hand since I wasn't going outside. And really I wanted to find a niche within the financial planning space, particularly within that kind of the psychology of financial planning. So I did some research across different schools and organizations that offered some sort of higher level education program, and I came across Kansas State's program. And they really are, in my opinion, pioneers because the psychology of financial planning is such a newly recognized space within the financial planning industry.

Why is it important for a financial advisor to understand the deeper insights of the psychology of money and the behaviors behind it?

I would say the psychology of financial planning does not provide at all a quantifiable return. You can't say, we did this deduction and because of that you saved $10,000. However, I would say that the alpha, if you're truly emotionally intelligent and in tune with your clients, is almost infinite. Because it's not about providing a quantifiable dollar amount of value, it's about creating a sticky relationship and having them remaining as a client.

Money scripts. Can you explain really what money scripts are? How can a financial advisor leverage them to really help have a conversation with their clients?

So if we take a step back, before we get into money scripts, I wanna talk about financial flashpoints. And financial flashpoints are effectively an event, typically in childhood, that are so emotionally powerful that it leaves a lasting imprint into your adult life. I think a very common example is a mother and a father fighting over money, having an argument about money.

That makes sense.

Arguments around money tend to be more intense and actually last longer than arguments around any other subject. And because of that high stress, high energy subject that effectively can create events that are sort of passed down to next generation. So, a family member losing a job could be one, financial infidelity could be another one. For example, your parent buys a present off Amazon, but instead of having it shipped to their house, they have it shipped to the neighbor's house so that when the other parent comes home, they don't see the box at the door.

Gotcha. So financial infidelity is more like you're buying something without your spouse or your partner really being in the loop about it.

Right.

And I'm assuming then like the larger purchases are probably a little bit more catastrophic to those conversations.

Right. Right. And these two researchers, Gudmunson and Danes, they basically came up with a definition it's called, "Family financial socialization." And effectively the core of the message there is that so much of what we learn about money, our lessons, our thoughts, feelings, emotions around money are directly related to your family and your parents.

Yeah.

So, what I did at Kansas State that I thought was really helpful for me personally and would encourage other financial planners to do, and if they want do it with their clients is actually make a genogram.

What's that?

A genogram is effectively, imagine on a piece of paper, just a family tree.

Okay.

Okay. And you can use a genogram to understand a whole plethora of information, so it could be, these are common illnesses in my family, so what are the likelihood that I'll have XYZ illness?

Oh wow. Okay.

Or you know, for example, my grandmother had XYZ mental health issue, how does that flow down to me? And what we did is sort of all that, but also we peppered in the money scripts, which I promise I'm gonna get to. And basically if your parent or grandparent or aunt, uncle is money avoidant, money worship, money vigilant, you kind of see the ripple effects of how that was passed down generation to generation.

And that corresponds to their financial health probably in each of those situations and how they dealt with the money during that time.

Sure. Yes, exactly. So money scripts are basically, they're unconscious beliefs that you have around money that typically stem from those financial flashpoints that I alluded to earlier. So it was established by Brad Klontz, and effectively there's four money scripts.

Okay.

It's money avoidance, money vigilance, money status, and money worship. So let's start with money avoidance. Typically these types of people, I know it's in the title, but they don't really want to face the reality of what money is in society today. And that could be as simple as not looking at bank statements, or I think a very common one many people can relate to is maybe you have a night out on the town, you wake up the next day and you don't wanna see the credit card bill of what you bought-

Yeah, exactly.

the night before.

Especially, if you're going out in New York.

Right. Exactly. Exactly, I'm realizing that quickly too. So, the next one I'll talk about money vigilance. Money vigilance is commonly seen in my opinion as the good script.

Okay.

And I don't agree with that and I can get to that later, but effectively, money vigilance is having a understanding of how money operates and works and using that to your advantage. And typically that involves a lot of accumulation of money. You know, not wanting to spend top dollar on the best brand when the next brand down does the job just the same and is half the price. So simple things like that. Being very cognizant of how you're spending and how you are living your life 'cause you understand that money is a tool to live the life that you wanna live.

Because you were the one that accumulated it, it sounds like during that time.

Right.

Okay.

Right. But the reason why I think it's not as black and white, good or bad is because the biggest issue I have as a financial advisor, quite frankly, is convincing our clients that they can live above the means that they're currently living in.

Oh, interesting.

Right. So, if you think about it, it actually makes sense. So, I like to equate it to going to the gym. If you go to the gym for 10, 20, 30 years, every week, you start to build those muscles up and you start to get stronger and stronger and stronger and stronger, and that's effectively what people are doing when they're saving, when they're being money vigilant, they're saving and saving and saving for decades of their life, the majority of their life. And one day out of nowhere the switch just arbitrarily flips, and you go from a working person to a retired person. So from the accumulation to the decumulation phase. And it's really hard when you've been effectively working out for so long and doing things so routinely to effectively give yourself the permission to spend the money that you work so hard for.

That makes sense. It's that accumulation to now spending transition that you have to make.

Right. Right. Exactly.

Okay. What are the other two money scripts?

The other two that I didn't mention are money status and money worship, which actually sound very, could be very similar. And there's certainly overlap, but the key difference in my mind is effectively, money status is the belief that your self-worth is equal to your net-worth.

Oh, interesting. And I feel like there's a lot of that actually today, especially with people being on social media and seeing, you know, going to Europe on the yachts in the summer and various different things, they oftentimes equate money with status or self-worth.

Right. Right. Exactly. And then money worship, while similar is more of the belief that not necessarily my self-worth is equal to how much money I have or that, it's more of, oh man, if I just had a little bit more money, my issues would be gone. It's the idea that really it's never going to be enough, and you basically just try to get as much money as possible to solve the current problem. But what we often find is that as soon as you solve one problem, another one comes with it. Ultimately, at the end of the day, our job as financial planners is to help clients achieve the goals that they're aspiring for. And quite frankly, I don't believe that you can truly understand what they're trying to do at a fundamental level without understanding who they are and how they arrive to their thoughts, feelings, and emotions around money. So it's all about connection. And the deeper connection you have with a client, the more likely the client's gonna stay on and still be your client. And the more likely you're gonna have success in getting what they truly want. It can be awkward, it can be uncomfortable at time to talk about emotions, or trauma, or just stories that shaped how they feel today around money. But the quicker we're able to sort of go past that barrier and push through that, the quicker you're gonna have a connection with a client that is much deeper than just financial planner to client.

So what's harder to talk about, money or feelings?

Ooh. That's a tough one. I think it depends on the client, I think it depends on the person too. I think there's stigmas with both talking about your emotions and talking about money. But in my opinion, I actually think despite what my job is, I think it's harder for me to talk about money, at least personally with my social circle than it is to talk about my feelings. I mean, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and if I'm upset or if I feel a certain way that a person made me feel they're gonna know. And I'm not rash or brash but I'm just really straightforward and honest, and I'm happy to be the person that wore his heart on the sleeve and told the truth about how he's feeling than hold resentment. There's not enough energy in the world to hold grudges or resentment. So I try to nip it in the bud and then march to the next day. So definitely money, well, to me is harder to talk about, mostly 'cause I'm a little money avoidant. Some people that are money avoidant, when people ask how much they make, a money avoidant person's gonna undercut themselves. They can make a $100,000 a year and they'll say $75,000 a year or $80,000 a year because they almost feel a sense of shame or guilt over the fruits of their labor and others not having the same opportunities or resources as them. And that's kind of, for better or worse kind of where I lie on that issue.

What was that moment that you look back at and go, yeah, I wanna do this?

I think the moment where I said, "Okay, I think I'm doing the right thing," is when actually I started volunteering. When I started volunteering for organizations that are financial planning oriented and basically giving my time back and mentoring people that are truly the next generation of financial planners. Obviously, I was a part of that and I'm still a part of that, but I'm starting to get phased out the next generation and it's really wonderful for me to look back and see any young aspiring planner and being able to help him or her in any way, shape or form, really, that's what gets me up in the morning. That's what makes me feel good. That's what energizes me is really knowing that the next generation of planners are gonna be strong and I can't wait to see what they become.

When we prepped we talked about the CFP.

Riley: Right.

So in terms of the CFP, I know you're comfortable with me sharing this, you didn't pass the first time.

Right.

Can you talk a little bit about your perseverance, what it felt like to not pass the first time, what you had to do to get yourself up the next time and go take it the second time?

It was a bummer. You know, I'm a second generation CFP, I don't work with my dad, but he basically taught me everything that I know about money from a very young age. So I almost feel like money to me is familial. But having not passed the first time, that was, it was necessary. I was, let's see here, probably 23 years old when I took it the first time, and my priorities were not straight. That's not to say I didn't prep or study, I studied so much, but I was also doing a bunch of different things. I was just starting a new job, I moved, I didn't even have a place to live, I was living with my friend's parents. And effectively I was always in some way, shape or form distracted, not necessarily socially from the standpoint of going out to bars, but it was more like, okay, I have the CFP exam in three weeks and I have to move in two weeks. You know?

Oh, yeah, that's not setting yourself up for success.

No, no, not at all. Not at all. But it was good because it taught me something I already knew, but it just really cemented it is, you have to be passionate about this industry, you have to have the perseverance and grit to take one on the chin and just brush your shoulders off and get back up. Another thing that I really lean into is that, I'm really thankful for people that may not have full faith in me. I always say I'm thankful for my haters. And I am honestly truthful about that because it's the doubt that drives me to prove them wrong. And maybe that's just my arrogance, but I'm just using the arrogance as a steam to power my dream. So, when I didn't pass the CFP, I actually had a coworker come up to me and he goes, "I don't know if you should study for this round of the CFP. I think you should get to understand concepts a little bit more in greater detail." That was a tough blow to my own ego, but I'll tell you what, it really drove me to get in the books, get in the library and study hard because I wanted to make my dad proud, I wanted to make my company proud. But being who I am, I just wanted to prove that coworker wrong.

I always like to ask guests if there's just one thing, or piece of advice, or item that you can really provide that next generation on learning about the different things that you mentioned today. So what would be that advice that you'd give that next gen?

Be comfortable being uncomfortable. I know that's a cliche, but whether it's sharing your feelings or sharing your thoughts or views and emotions around money. I've always found in my life that the more open and honest I am, although, albeit uncomfortable, it's opened up avenues for people to understand me at a deeper level as a human. So be comfortable with uncomfortable. And then my other piece of advice would must certainly be don't be afraid to get back up. You're gonna get knocked down, you're not gonna be a hundred percent every day, you're not gonna hit home runs every single game, but don't be afraid when you fall down to get right back up because everyone falls down. No one knows what they're doing. Absolutely no one. They're all flying by the seat of their pants. And some people are just really good at showing composure, and coolness, and being calm, cool, and collected. But just know that they were once in your shoes and no one knows what they're doing until really, until it's almost done. You know, they're building the plane as it's flying too. And the quicker you realize that, the quicker you realize that you do belong.

Well, Riley, thank you so much for sharing your story, your insights. I very much appreciate you being here today.

I appreciate you having me on Alyson.

Riley Saunders: The Power of Perseverance, Psychology, and Purpose

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