Modern Husbands Podcast

The Emotional Intelligence of Financial Planning: A Conversation with Nick Ashburn

Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team. I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I now provide. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com or you can email me at brian@modernhusbands.com. For today’s podcast we welcome Calibrate Founder & CEO Nick Ashburn. Mr. Ashburn is the former Managing Director and Head of Responsible Investing at PNC and former Senior Director at Wharton with 15+ years in human-centered financial services and product strategy. In this conversation, we discuss the significance of aligning financial goals with personal values, the challenges of lifestyle creep, practical strategies for couples to manage their finances collaboratively, and a framework for evaluating spending decisions. Enjoy the show. Show Notes 00:00 Introduction 01:18 What inspired you to start Persona Wealth, and how does your approach differ from traditional financial planning firms? 03:39 You talk about helping clients “align money with purpose.” What does that mean for couples trying to merge their financial lives? 04:59 What’s one mistake you often see couples make when trying to apply cookie-cutter financial advice? 07:23 How do you help dual-income households navigate financial decisions when one partner is more financially savvy—or simply more interested—than the other? 15:40 Many couples argue about money. In your experience, what role does financial planning play in reducing that tension? 18:40 What’s your advice to couples struggling with lifestyle creep, especially when both partners are progressing in their careers? 25:31 How do you incorporate behavioral finance principles when advising couples with very different money mindsets? 28:35 What strategies have you found to be most helpful in managing money as a team in your marriage? 32:24 What’s one actionable step a couple could take today to feel more aligned financially and emotionally? https://calibrateintelligence.com/  Subscribe or follow Modern Husbands on social media! Newsletter [https://www.modernhusbands.com/newsletter] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/modernhusbands] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iSpjEJwd9JOeOhgDj1s5Q] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/81937091/admin/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/modernhusband/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/ModernHusbands] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@modernhusbands] Substack [https://modernhusbands.substack.com/p/coming-soon?r=1rnp21&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web]

How Men Can Support Their Partner’s Career

Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team. I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I provide as an Accredited Financial Counselor and Fair Play Facilitator. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com. We have three incredible leaders joining us for today’s special edition. Dr. David Smith of the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and author of Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace, Dr. Corinne Low who teaches at Penn’s Wharton School and author of Having It All, and Paul Sullivan – Founder of The Company of Dads and former NYT columnist. This conversation explores the concept of allyship, particularly in the context of the workplace and home. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing gender roles, the division of labor in dual-career families, and the impact of parenting on career trajectories.  Enjoy the show. Subscribe or follow Modern Husbands on social media! Newsletter [https://www.modernhusbands.com/newsletter] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/modernhusbands] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iSpjEJwd9JOeOhgDj1s5Q] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/81937091/admin/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/modernhusband/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/ModernHusbands] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@modernhusbands] Substack [https://modernhusbands.substack.com/p/coming-soon?r=1rnp21&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web]

Sex, Money, Marriage (and Pickleball): A Conversation with Jonathan Kolmetz, MBA, MS Licensed Professional Counselor

Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team. I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I now provide. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com. For today’s podcast we welcome Jonathan Kolmetz, one of just 50 professionals in the U.S. licensed in both finance and mental health. We’ll explore how money, sex, and attachment patterns intersect in marriage—and how couples can build deeper connections, break negative cycles, and manage their home and money as a true team. Jonathan also shares practical ways to navigate financial stress, keep intimacy alive, and even bring more fun and play into your relationship. But we must get started today by talking about the world’s greatest sport for middle-aged men: pickleball. Enjoy the show. Show Notes 00:00 Introduction 03:40 Before we get to the practical takeaways from the episode, let’s talk about why Pickleball is the world’s greatest sport for middle-aged folks like us. 12:42 You are one of only 50 professionals licensed in both finance and mental health. How does this unique combination shape the way you help couples with their relationships and money? 18:52 What does a typical non-trauma related sex therapy session look like? Money and sex are often cited as two of the top stressors in marriage. Why do these topics feel so emotionally charged, and how do they connect at a deeper level? 21:26 You specialize in attachment-based therapy. How do attachment styles influence how couples manage money, conflict, and intimacy? 26:04 Many couples feel stuck in recurring arguments about money or domestic responsibilities. What steps can they take to break those cycles and respond differently? 32:38 Our views about money often form in childhood. How do those early experiences shape couples’ dynamics at home, and how can they rewrite unhelpful money scripts? 35:36 If a couple is struggling with both money stress and intimacy challenges, what are one or two first steps you recommend they take today to get on the same page? Subscribe or follow Modern Husbands on social media! Newsletter [https://www.modernhusbands.com/newsletter] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/modernhusbands] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iSpjEJwd9JOeOhgDj1s5Q] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/81937091/admin/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/modernhusband/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/ModernHusbands] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@modernhusbands] Substack [https://modernhusbands.substack.com/p/coming-soon?r=1rnp21&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web]

Work Family Balance: A Conversation Jennifer Sabatini Fraone, MSW, MBA

Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team. I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I provide as an Accredited Financial Counselor and Fair Play Facilitator. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com. For today’s episode, we welcome Jennifer Sabatini Fraone, MSW, MBA, former Executive Director for the Boston College Center for Work & Family.  Jennifer received her BS in Clinical Psychology from Tufts University and her Master of Social Work and Master of Business Administration from Boston College. For today’s episode we discuss how organizations, couples, and families can find work life harmony. Enjoy the show. Show Notes 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Over your years leading the Boston College Center for Work & Family, what major shifts have you seen in how couples balance work and family life? 04:21 What do you think has been the most impactful research the Center has published in its 35 year tenure? (Fatherhood/parental leave/flex) 11:27 What are the biggest stressors you’ve found that high-achieving dual-career couples face today—and how can they navigate them without burning out? 18:40 Your research has explored changing gender norms. How are men’s roles in caregiving and domestic life evolving, and what still needs to change? 22:16 Remote and hybrid work promises flexibility, but often leads to blurred boundaries. What have you learned about how couples can protect personal time while working flexibly? 25:48 If you could redesign the “ideal” workplace for modern families, what would it look like—and how would it reshape the home lives of dual-career couples? 31:08 The Center closed at the end of 2025. How did you prepare for this upcoming transition after this work being an integral part of your life for 20 years?  33:59 What is one piece of simple and actionable advice you would like to share with our listeners? Subscribe or follow Modern Husbands on social media! Newsletter [https://www.modernhusbands.com/newsletter] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/modernhusbands] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iSpjEJwd9JOeOhgDj1s5Q] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/81937091/admin/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/modernhusband/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/ModernHusbands] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@modernhusbands] Substack [https://modernhusbands.substack.com/p/coming-soon?r=1rnp21&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web]

Navigating Parenthood: Insights from Alex Trippier

For today’s episode we welcome Alex Trippier, a dad of three who has been married for 18 years and is the host of the popular podcast, “Be a Happier Parent.” His mission is to help parents connect and grow. Alex shares insights on parenting, the mental load carried by women, and the dynamics of relationships. He humorously discusses the concept of a 'brain rental fee' charged by his wife for asking where things are, highlighting the often unrecognized mental labor women perform in households. The discussion delves into the importance of humor in communication, the challenges men face with shame and vulnerability, and the insights gained from motherhood literature. The conversation concludes with actionable advice on appreciation and conflict resolution in relationships, emphasizing the need for curiosity and recognition of each other's efforts. Enjoy the show. Show Notes 00:00 Introduction 01:38 Let’s start with you sharing a bit about yourself and your family? 04:35 Your wife charges you a “brain rental fee?” You’ve gotta tell us about that! 22:01 Why did you start reading motherhood books? 35:25 What are three things you’ve learned from doing the podcast that you wish you’d known earlier in marriage? 42:25 What’s the biggest problem you see caused by inequity in the home? 46:02 What’s the biggest win in your relationship compared to today? 48:03 Where can listeners learn more about you and your podcast? 48:53 What is one piece of simple and actionable advice you can leave with our listeners? * Click here [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/be-a-happier-parent/id1814419814] to listen to Alex’s podcast: “Be a Happier Parent” * Click here [https://www.instagram.com/beahappierparent/] to follow Alex on Instagram * Below you can click and order the books mentioned on the podcast * Motherhood Complex * What’s On Her Mind * Having It All * Equal Partners * Fair Play Subscribe or follow Modern Husbands on social media! Newsletter [https://www.modernhusbands.com/newsletter] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/modernhusbands] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iSpjEJwd9JOeOhgDj1s5Q] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/81937091/admin/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/modernhusband/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/ModernHusbands] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@modernhusbands] Substack [https://modernhusbands.substack.com/p/coming-soon?r=1rnp21&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web]