In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Dori Zinn, a seasoned personal finance journalist whose work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, and more. Dori shares her personal journey with money, from ignoring student loans to becoming a finance writer helping others navigate their financial future. We discuss why money is such a taboo topic, the importance of financial literacy, and the power of asking the right questions. Whether you're a parent teaching your kids about money, a freelancer trying to budget, or just someone looking to take control of your finances, this episode is full of practical insights, real-life lessons, and empowering mindset shifts to help you grow your money.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Kole Owen, the 22-year-old founder of Unburied Talents Financial Coaching and Career Coaching. Kole shares his personal journey into finance, which started when he got married and realized just how little he knew about managing money. That realization led him down a deep rabbit hole of financial literacy, where he discovered a huge gap in knowledge among young professionals. This inspired him to start coaching others and helping them build better financial futures.

We dive into some critical topics, including:

• Why Gen Z needs financial education early and how being young in the finance space gives Kole a unique advantage.
• The most common money mistakes young professionals make, like living paycheck to paycheck and not taking full advantage of savings opportunities.
• The importance of early investing—why opening a Roth IRA as soon as you start earning can be a game-changer.
• The dangers of unintentional career choices—why college students need to research earning potential before choosing a major and how “holding over” jobs can trap people for longer than they expect.
• The power of personal branding—how confidence, networking, and understanding perception can completely shift career success.
• The mindset shift needed for financial freedom, including budgeting strategies and the importance of finding a financial system that actually works for you.
• The "Ikigai" framework—how aligning passion, skill, societal need, and financial sustainability can lead to a fulfilling career.
• Why community matters in personal finance—Kole emphasizes how crucial it is to find people to talk about money with, whether that’s a spouse, friends, or mentors.
• Actionable financial steps young professionals can take today, like zero-based budgeting, building a personal brand, and creating multiple income streams.

Kole also shares some of his top book recommendations, including The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel and The Millionaire Mission by Brian Preston.

We wrap up the episode with a message of hope: No matter where you are in your financial journey, it’s never too late to take control, adjust your course, and work toward long-term financial success.

This is a powerful conversation packed with insights—don’t miss it!

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace I sit down with CPA and entrepreneur Jennifer Nesmith to hear her journey from communications major to financial expert. She shares how she transitioned into accounting the challenges of passing the CPA exam and what it has been like to run her own business while working toward financial independence and raising a family.

Jennifer and I explore the dangers of consumerism the importance of financial literacy and how accounting reveals the truth behind money decisions. We also talk about avoiding lifestyle creep being resourceful and teaching children about smart spending. Whether you are a small business owner a parent or just someone looking to improve your financial habits this conversation is full of practical insights on financial freedom and mindful money management.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace I sit down with Jesse Ernst a financial coach and business owner to talk about financial freedom budgeting and the importance of being intentional with money. Jesse shares his journey of building two businesses Claire’s Creperie and Ernst Financial Solutions and how he and his wife overcame financial challenges including paying off their mortgage in just over seven years.

We dive into the importance of setting financial goals how debt impacts personal freedom and practical strategies for achieving financial independence. Jesse breaks down the snowball method for paying off debt the power of delayed gratification and how cutting unnecessary expenses can accelerate financial growth. He also shares insights on increasing income leveraging skills to build wealth and making smart spending decisions that align with personal values.

Together we explore the psychology of money why financial literacy should start early and how even simple financial habits like saving and budgeting can completely transform your financial future. We wrap up with a powerful reflection on what true financial freedom looks like and how small intentional steps can lead to a life of choice and security.

In this inspiring episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Samantha Claudio, a financial coach and founder of Claudio Financial. Samantha opens up about her journey from $20,000 in debt to financial freedom and how her struggles with health and finances sparked her passion for helping others escape the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. Together, we dive into the power of mindset, the importance of transparency, and practical strategies for building better financial habits. We discuss topics like budgeting (or "monthly spending plans"), tackling convenience spending, and finding your "why" to stay motivated. Whether you're just starting out on your financial journey or looking for new tools to level up, this episode is filled with actionable advice and relatable stories to inspire change.

In this insightful episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Brad Klontz, a financial psychologist and author of Start Thinking Rich. Dr. Brad shared his personal journey of overcoming destructive financial behaviors and becoming a leading expert in financial psychology. Together, we explored the emotional and psychological roots of financial habits, such as hoarding, spending, and investing, and how trauma and family history shape these behaviors. We discussed practical ways to reframe money management, emphasizing the importance of financial education for both kids and adults. Dr. Brad and I also shared personal stories, including how we’re teaching our own children the value of money through creative methods like storytelling and personal finance games.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, Sean is joined by Dr. Maria Nemeth, celebrated author of The Energy of Money and founder of the Academy for Coaching Excellence. Together, they dive into the concept of money as energy, exploring how financial habits reflect and influence every aspect of life. Dr. Maria shares her six forms of energy, the role of balance in achieving life’s goals, and the transformative power of starting small. Sean and Dr. Maria also discuss the importance of aligning actions with values to live without regret and introduce practical tools, like budgeting and mindset shifts, to create financial abundance. Packed with inspiration and actionable advice, this conversation is a roadmap to unlocking your full potential.

In this episode, we dive into Chapter 2 of my Zombie Personal Finance series: Budgeting Basics for Limited Resources or Surviving on a Budget. Join me as I take you into a zombie apocalypse scenario where budgeting becomes a literal life-saving skill. Follow Ailani as she faces survival challenges, learns to ration her resources, and discovers the importance of planning for emergencies. Whether you're preparing for the end of the world or just trying to make your paycheck last, this episode has lessons for everyone. Don't forget to create your own "ration plan" and share your experience in the comments!