Smart People Lose Money | Daniel M. Kopp | Growing Money with Sean Trace

Smart People Lose Money | Daniel M. Kopp | Growing Money with Sean Trace

I sat down with Daniel Kopp, CFP and founder of Wise Stewardship Financial Planning, for one of the most honest conversations I've had on this show about what financial planning actually means. Daniel specializes in two groups that most advisors overlook - active duty military families and young widows, and the way he approaches both completely reframes how I think about money.  We talked about why grief and financial anxiety are so deeply intertwined, how to slow down decision-making in the middle of a life crisis, and why the biggest financial mistakes people make have almost nothing to do with math.  What's one money belief you grew up with that you've had to completely unlearn as an adult?

Your Enough Number | Ohan Kayikchyan | Growing Money with Sean Trace

I sat down with Ohan Kayikchyan, Ph.D., founder and Chief Harmony Officer of Alohana Financial, for a conversation about money, meaning, purpose, and why so many people can look financially successful on paper but still feel burned out, stressed, or empty inside.  Ohan brings a unique perspective as a CFP professional, Ph.D. in economics, enrolled agent, and registered life planner, but what stood out most to me was how deeply he connects money back to life itself. We talked about why money should be treated as a tool, not the finish line, and how chasing “more” without knowing your values can leave you running in circles. We also got into fatherhood, legacy, death, burnout, consumerism, emotional spending, and what it really means to live in harmony with your finances. This episode is about financial peace, not just financial success. What does “enough” actually look like for you?

Money Plays Tricks | Dan Allison | Growing Money with Sean Trace

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Dan Allison, a 22-year veteran consultant in the wealth management space with a background in clinical and behavioral psychology, to unpack why our relationship with money is rarely about logic.  Dan opens up about selling his first company in his 20s for 8 figures, then buying Maseratis and a Range Rover chasing validation he didn't even realize he needed, and how recognizing that pattern changed everything.  We dig into the psychology of referrals, why most financial advisors are stuck waiting passively for business instead of building intentional systems, and why a great service alone doesn't guarantee growth.  Dan also shares the simple 20% savings rule his mother taught him at 12 years old, a habit that quietly built the foundation for his financial freedom decades later.  What's one money habit from your childhood that still shapes how you spend or save today?

Money Needs Grace | Linda Grizely | Growing Money With Sean Trace

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Linda Grizely, a certified financial planner and financial wellness speaker, to talk about why money feels so emotional, confusing, and sometimes intimidating for so many people.  We get into how our childhood money stories shape the way we spend, save, avoid, and judge ourselves financially. Linda breaks down why traditional financial advice can feel too rigid, especially when it ignores personality, habits, shame, and real life. I loved her idea of financial confidence because it is not about being rich or perfect. It is about understanding your cash flow, knowing your values, and making money decisions without guilt taking over. We also talk about her “Me Money Method,” which gives people permission to spend intentionally while still staying financially responsible.  This conversation is all about making personal finance feel more human, practical, and less shame-filled. What is one money habit you learned growing up that you are still trying to unlearn today?

Born Into Broke | Alina Paula Burlacu | Growing Money with Sean Trace

I sat down with financial coach, educator, and mentor Alina Paula Burlacu for one of the most honest conversations I've had about money.  We dove deep into why so many of us feel trapped by our finances, not because we lack knowledge, but because we're carrying emotional baggage we never even knew we picked up.  Alina breaks down how money stress shows up quietly, in the unopened bills, the low-level anxiety, the constant mental math running in the background, and how those old childhood money scripts like "people like us don't get wealthy" keep running our lives long after we've grown up.  We talked about the powerful link between financial independence and emotional freedom, why workplaces are only just starting to wake up to how financial stress destroys performance, and why women in particular face a uniquely complex relationship with money that goes way beyond numbers. What's one money belief you grew up with that you're still trying to unlearn?