Meaningful Mischief

Feelings About Finances

Feelings About Finances Most of us think money is about numbers, goals, and returns - but what if it’s more about fear, shame, love, and purpose? In this conversation, Mary and James dive into the psychology of money: why we avoid talking about it, how our past shapes our financial behavior, and how wealth management is often more about values than value. From billionaires with hidden fears to new earners trying to get it right, this is a conversation about what money really means - and how we can have a healthier, more intentional relationship with it. Highlights: * Why people would rather talk about death than their finances * The emotional drivers behind wealth accumulation - fear, shame, and validation * The critical role of a wealth advisor * How to raise financially aware kids in a world of instant gratification Resources: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel - Book [https://a.co/d/d6UOYw5] Acquired Podcast - Interview with Howard Schultz - Link [https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/starbucks-with-howard-schultz] Simon Sinek TED Talk: Start With Why - Video [https://youtu.be/u4ZoJKF_VuA?feature=shared]

The Power of Pause

This one’s raw and real. Mary and James dive into recent personal wake-up calls - Mary’s experience with deep fatigue and burnout, and James’ unexpected bout with shingles. Despite their high-performance habits and wellness tracking tools, both found themselves laid flat by the one thing they thought they were managing: their energy. Highlights: * Why being “on it” doesn’t mean you’re immune to burnout * The illusion of being fine (until you’re really not) * The tension between doing all the “right things” and still crashing * Relearning to rest (and why meditation keeps coming up even if you keep resisting it) * The truth about being “optimized” vs being well All in all, this episode is part confession, part strategy session, and part loving nudge for anyone trying to do too much for too long. Resources: Whoop Band (for tracking sleep, strain, and recovery) - Link [https://www.whoop.com/ca/en/] Atomic Habits by James Clear - Book [https://a.co/d/0bZZayE] High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard - Book [https://a.co/d/eopQmxy] 4-7-8 Breathing Technique - Video [https://youtu.be/1Dv-ldGLnIY?feature=shared] What a Farmer Wants You to Know About Food by Dennis Bulani - Book [https://a.co/d/i4YXRCm]

Therapy or Coaching?

In this conversation, Mary and Stel explore the sometimes-blurry lines between therapy and coaching: when each is helpful, what they’ve personally gained (or not gained) from both, and how feeling safe, seen, heard, and understood is the foundation for transformation. They talk about the importance of inner and outer vision, emotional self-regulation, and how to shift your focus away from self-preoccupation and toward purposeful action. If you're curious about whether coaching or therapy might be right for you - or what it looks like to fully commit to your own growth - this episode offers a thoughtful, compassionate place to begin. Resources: Iron John: A Book About Men by Robert Bly - Book [https://a.co/d/4Equ98N] Becoming Your Vision by Angela Petal – Book [https://www.visiontherapyconsulting.com/becoming-the-vision] What's in it for them? by Joe Polish - Book [https://a.co/d/ixSxOUF]

Joy in the Unexpected

When was the last time you felt joy; not the big, Instagram-worthy kind, but the small, quiet, surprising kind? In this episode, we talk about joy: where we find it, how it sneaks up on us, and how to stay open to it even when life is messy, mundane, or downright hard. Mary, Stel, and James explore what it means to find joy when you're not actively looking for it. From a broken coffee machine that turns into a three-hour espresso-and-leadership-training adventure, to a high-stakes night at a Jelly Roll concert with unexpected emotional resonance, the crew shares how joy can be created, discovered, or reframed - especially in the mundane or the messy. Resources: “I Am Not OK” – Song by Jelly Roll - Link [https://youtu.be/Qop5XLgwkNc?feature=shared] Dale Carnegie Courses - Website [https://www.dalecarnegie.com/en] Mary’s One Thing Thursday email newsletter - Website [https://onprpose.com/category/one-thing-thursday/]

The End of Us

In the final episode (we think) of our mini-series on relationships, we explore one of the trickiest terrains of human connection: endings. From romantic splits and friendship fades to workplace goodbyes, we unpack what it means to consciously, gracefully – or awkwardly – close a chapter. Along the way, we detour through ego death, emotional resilience, identity shifts, and a surprisingly emotional rescue kitten story. We talk about: * Why not every relationship is meant to last – and why that’s okay * Ghosting, dissolving, and directness: different endings for different situations * Why endings can feel like rejection, even when they’re necessary for growth * How purpose, clarity, and personal energy guide the hard choices * That one dinner party where we knew the friendship was over – and we never scheduled another Resources mentioned: * Prime Concerns – website [https://www.heidiheron.com/nlp-prime-concerns/] * When Harry Met Sally – movie [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Harry_Met_Sally]