Something Personal

Organizational Behavior: Where Psychology Meets Business

“Organizational behavior” is a field that blends business with psychology, sociology, and even elements of anthropology. But the core of the science is understanding the human experience of the workplace. Professors Jessica Siegel Christian and Michael Christian, both of the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, join Palisades Hudson’s Senior VP/CIO Ben Sullivan for an exploration of how organizational behavior can illuminate how we behave at work. From how sleep deprivation affects ethical decision-making, to strategies for avoiding groupthink, to the ways that Luke Skywalker can help you find meaning in your work life (and beyond), this wide-ranging conversation illustrates that understanding people is key to career success. Thank you for joining us for season three of “Something Personal.” Season four will arrive in autumn 2026, so we hope you’ll subscribe and join us then.  * Jessica Siegel Christian bio [https://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/faculty/directory/jessica-christian/⁠ ] * Jess on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-christian-75863242/⁠] * Michael Christian bio [https://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/faculty/directory/michael-christian/⁠ ] * Mike on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-christian-92112028/⁠] * Organizational Behavior at UNC Kenan-Flagler [https://www.linkedin.com/company/unc-ob/posts/?feedView=all⁠] (LinkedIn) * “Investing Fundamentals [https://www.palisadeshudson.com/2023/12/investing-fundamentals-podcast/⁠ ]”, featuring Benjamin C. Sullivan, CFP®, CVA, EA * “A Financial Planner Confesses His Sins [https://www.palisadeshudson.com/2018/06/a-financial-planner-confesses-his-sins/⁠ ]” by Ben Sullivan * “Do Nothing [https://celesteheadlee.com/do-nothing-book/⁠ ]” * “Atomic Habits [https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits⁠]” * The Hero’s Journey Restorying Intervention [https://www.benarogers.com/heros-journey-intervention⁠]

Raising Division I Athletes

Palisades Hudson VP Rebecca Pavese is an experienced financial planner, a CPA, and the mother of two daughters who have played sports at NCAA Division I schools. Her elder daughter earned a cross-country and track scholarship to the University of Tennessee; her younger daughter received a scholarship to play softball at Clemson, where she has kicked off her freshman season this spring. Rebecca sat down with “Something Personal” host Amy Laburda for a discussion about what it’s been like raising young athletes from the early days in recreational leagues through college competition. As both a parent and a financial professional, Rebecca offers advice to athletes’ family members, as well as to young athletes themselves, as they progress toward whatever their ultimate level of play may turn out to be. Links: * “Navigating College Admissions [lnk.to/RgZ1Jr⁠]” (featuring Rick Clark, Georgia Tech) * “Financial Foundations: Budgets And Credit Scores [https://www.palisadeshudson.com/2024/10/financial-foundations-budgets-and-credit-scores-podcast/⁠ ]” (featuring Rebecca Pavese, CPA) * “Name, Image And Likeness Tips For Student-Athletes [https://www.palisadeshudson.com/2023/07/name-image-and-likeness-tips-for-student-athletes/⁠ ]” by Eric Meermann, CFP®, CVA, EA

Demystifying The Mortgage Process

Buying a home, especially a first home, is an exciting step. But the process can be daunting, especially when it’s unfamiliar. In this episode, private mortgage banker Doug Kenner and financial planner David Walters sit down to guide listeners through the process. How do you know you’re ready to buy? What’s the difference between prequalification and preapproval? Should you opt for an adjustable rate or a fixed rate mortgage? Doug and David explain the ins and outs, so homebuyers can proceed with confidence, whatever their situations may be. * Doug Kenner on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-kenner-b424261/] * “Love, Marriage And Prenups [https://www.palisadeshudson.com/2024/12/love-marriage-and-prenups-podcast/]” (featuring David Walters, CPA, CFP®) * “Gifting Family Assets Creatively [https://www.palisadeshudson.com/2018/12/gifting-family-assets-creatively/]” (by Benjamin C. Sullivan, CFP®, CVA, EA) * “Why Estate Planning Is For Everyone [https://www.palisadeshudson.com/2023/11/why-estate-planning-is-for-everyone-podcast/]” (featuring David Walters, CPA, CFP®)

Taxes After The One Big Beautiful Bill

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act preserved some tax provisions, altered existing rules, and introduced entirely new ones. Now that it is income tax preparation season, how should you navigate the ins and outs? Eric Meermann, CFP®, CVA, EA, has decades of tax experience to draw on for the answer. In this episode, Eric walks listeners through the major tax provisions of last summer’s omnibus legislation. Beyond details on tips, overtime, state and local tax deductions and the many other changes in play, Eric offers some broader suggestions about staying ahead of deadlines and keeping things organized. Links: * “Tariffs, Taxes And ‘All That Government Stuff’ [lnk.to/tk4KTq]” (featuring Larry Elkin, Paul Jacobs and Ben Sullivan) * “Big, But How Beautiful? [https://www.palisadeshudson.com/2025/08/big-but-how-beautiful/]” by Eric Meermann * “GOP frustrations grow over lackluster ‘big, beautiful bill’ sales pitch, [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5632658-gop-big-beautiful-bill-sales-pitch/ ]” The Hill * Occupations that customarily and regularly received tips on or before December 31, 2024 [https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/occupations-that-customarily-and-regularly-received-tips-on-or-before-december-31-2024 ] (IRS) * “Why Estate Planning Is For Everyone [https://www.palisadeshudson.com/2023/11/why-estate-planning-is-for-everyone-podcast/ ]” (featuring David Walters) * Q&A about qualified expenses for 529 plans [https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/529-plans-questions-and-answers ] (IRS) * “Building Community Around Mission [lnk.to/yh4rL0 ]” (featuring Ben Hall and Ben Sullivan)

A Life In Film (And Podcasts)

In a special behind-the-scenes episode of “Something Personal,” host Amy Laburda chats with the show’s director, editor and mixer, Joseph Ranghelli. Joe offers listeners a window into what he does for this podcast, as well as his experiences on other podcasts and on television. Amy and Joe then dive into Joe’s film background and his experiences working for productions in New York City. To wrap up, Joe shares his opinions on the upcoming Academy Awards: what should have been nominated, why “Sinners” broke through despite its genre roots, how to predict which way best picture will break and more. Links: * Art Movez [https://www.nyc.gov/site/media/radio/artmovez.page ] * BRIC TV [https://bricartsmedia.org/tv-films-podcasts/bric-tv/] * "Chill" [ https://vimeo.com/342358930 ] * National Board of Review (history) [https://nationalboardofreview.org/est-1909/ ] * Billy Crystal's opening monologue [https://youtu.be/xYR2YJhRwTU?si=aQKS_xHyUOR1PhND ], the Academy Awards (1998) * “Aspect Ratios with Sinners Director Ryan Coogler [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Ru62uFM0s ]”