Calm Is Strategy | Dr. Karthik Ramanan | Growing Money with Sean Trace

Simple Builds Wealth | Don Bennyhoff | Growing Money Podcast

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Don Bennyhoff, a longtime investment professional and fractional Chief Investment Officer, to talk about why successful investing is often much simpler than people think. Don shares why so many investors get pulled in by scary headlines, financial media, market predictions, and the pressure to “do something” when fear sets in.  What stood out to me most is that investing success is not just about being smart or having more information. A huge part of it comes down to behavior, emotional control, keeping costs low, staying diversified, and avoiding unnecessary mistakes over time. We also talk about compounding, long-term investing, why even high-income professionals can overcomplicate money, and why simple strategies often beat complicated ones.  This conversation is a great reminder that real wealth is usually built by staying patient, staying invested, and not letting fear or ego take over. What do you think is harder for most people: learning how investing works, or controlling their emotions when the market gets scary?

Money Got Emotional | Andrew Trammell | Growing Money with Sean Trace

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Andrew Trammell, founder of Trammell Wealth, to talk about why money is never just about numbers. Andrew is a CFP, enrolled agent, and retirement income certified professional who helps retirees, Florida public employees, and medical professionals build clearer, more intentional financial plans.  We get into why smart people still make emotional money decisions, how retailers understand impulse spending better than most of us do, and why making more money can sometimes create more stress instead of less. We also talk about lifestyle creep, keeping up with the Joneses, Social Security, retirement planning, budgeting, compound interest, and why a good financial plan should bring peace, not panic. One of my favorite parts of this conversation is Andrew’s reminder that the best plan is the one that lets you sleep at night. Financial confidence starts with knowing where you stand and making decisions that match the life you actually want to build. What’s one money decision you made that gave you more peace instead of more stress?

Invest With Courage | Max Kulyk | Growing Money with Sean Trace

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Max Kulyk, founder and CEO of Chicory Wealth, to talk about money in a way that goes far beyond budgets, portfolios, and retirement accounts. Max shares how his own complicated relationship with money led him into financial planning, and how he now helps people think about wealth through the lens of identity, safety, freedom, and values. We talk about the financial challenges many LGBTQ individuals and families still face, including estate planning, healthcare decisions, legal protections, marriage, emergency reserves, and the need for real financial security in uncertain times. Max also shares a powerful perspective on socially responsible investing, why your money should reflect what you believe in, and how asking “who benefits?” can change the way we look at financial decisions. This conversation is about more than investing. It is about freedom, courage, resilience, and using money as a tool to protect the people and communities we care about. What does financial freedom mean to you beyond just having more money?

Money Stress Never Sleeps (And More Money Won’t Fix It) | Growing Money with Sean Trace

Money stress never sleeps. Many people believe they'll finally relax once they earn more money, but the truth is that financial anxiety often follows us no matter how much we make. In this video, I share some of the biggest reasons money stress keeps people awake at night, including lifestyle inflation, financial comparison, tying self-worth to income, avoiding money conversations, and the belief that happiness exists at some future income level. I also share some of the lessons I'm learning in my own financial journey and practical ways to build something far more valuable than wealth alone: financial peace. In this video:  • Why making more money can create more stress  • The danger of lifestyle inflation  • How financial comparison steals happiness  • Why your net worth is not your self-worth  • The importance of financial clarity and automation  • How open money conversations reduce anxiety  • Why emotional regulation matters as much as financial growth  • Defining your personal "enough" Financial freedom isn't just about dollars and cents. It's about creating a life that feels peaceful, sustainable, and aligned with what truly matters. What does financial peace mean to you? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.

Embrace Boring Wealth | Morgan J Brown | Growing Money with Sean Trace

In this episode of Growing Money with Chandra's, I sit down with financial coach Morgan Brown to talk about what it actually takes to get a handle on your money, especially when your income isn't steady.  Morgan breaks down why financial stress isn't just a low-income problem, why separating your business and personal finances is non-negotiable, and how the income smoothing account method can take the emotional rollercoaster out of variable income. We also get into the psychology behind money shame, why clarity is more powerful than any investment strategy, and how building financial confidence really just starts with one small goal at a time.  Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or just someone who feels behind, this conversation is a reminder that managing money is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned. What's one money habit you've been putting off that you know would actually change things for you?