The Truth About Financial Freedom (Nobody Told Me This) | Growing Money With Sean Trace

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?

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

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Karthik Ramanan, a former Wall Street professional turned naturopathic physician and emotional health mentor, and we get into the real conversation that high-performing entrepreneurs are afraid to have. Dr. K shares how he walked away from a prestigious banking career during the Great Recession, hit rock bottom more than once, and discovered that the body and mind keep score long before we're willing to admit it. We talk about the earliest warning signs of burnout that most leaders write off as normal, why chronic stress quietly hijacks your decision-making before you even notice, and what it actually means to be resilient versus just repressing everything and hoping for the best. If you've ever told yourself you'll slow down after the next milestone, this one's for you. What's one belief about money or success that you grew up with, and do you think it's actually serving you now?

Money Feels Personal | Mindy Neira | Growing Money Podcast

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Mindy Neira, a certified financial planner and chartered special needs consultant, to talk about financial planning in a way that feels real, personal, and human. We discuss why money can feel overwhelming, why so many smart people still struggle with their finances, and why the first step is often not a massive plan but one small action, like automatic savings or simply looking at where your money actually goes.  Mindy also shares why financial planning matters deeply for LGBTQ individuals, couples, and families, especially when it comes to estate planning, legal documents, healthcare proxies, name changes, parentage, family building, and protecting chosen family.  This conversation is about more than money. It is about confidence, safety, identity, and building a financial life that actually fits your real life. What is one money conversation you wish more families started having earlier?