Fear Runs Your Wallet | Joy Slabaugh | Growing Money with Sean Trace

Fear Runs Your Wallet | Joy Slabaugh | Growing Money with Sean Trace

Money is never just money - and this episode of Growing Money proves it.  I sat down with Joy Slabaugh, a CFP turned licensed trauma counselor, who's spent her career at the exact intersection of finance and emotional healing.  Joy walked me through why our anxiety around money almost always traces back to three deep human needs: safety, freedom, or connection.  We got into the "eating cat food alone" fear that shows up again and again in her sessions with wealthy clients, why financial advisors are rarely trained to sit with emotion, and how compulsive spending, hoarding, or even chasing the next dollar often has nothing to do with logic and everything to do with a story we inherited.  What's the earliest memory you have about money, and do you think it's still shaping how you handle it today?

Stop Gambling Wealth | Brian Wagman | Growing Money with Sean Trace

I sat down with Brian Wagman, a public equities investor and Bentley University grad, to break down what actually builds wealth versus what just feels exciting.  We get into why dollar cost averaging beats chasing meme stocks and crypto hype, how social media and 24/7 market news have made investing more emotional than ever, and why fear and greed are both equally dangerous depending on who you are.  Brian shares why most people approach investing more like gambling with better vocabulary, how to size risk relative to your own financial situation, and why comparing yourself to professional investors can be a trap.  Be honest - when it comes to your money, are you more driven by fear or by greed?

Skip The Debt Trap | Robert Farrington | Growing Money with Sean Trace

I sat down with Robert Farrington, founder of The College Investor, and we went deep on something no one is being truly honest about: the real cost of a college degree.  Robert has spent nearly 20 years breaking down the intersection of education and money, and the clarity he brings to this conversation is something every student, parent, and young professional needs to hear.  We talked about why federal student loans are actually some of the most flexible debt available, yet most borrowers don't even know what options they have.  We broke down why master's degrees are the most financially dangerous education decision people are making right now, why the average borrower doesn't finish their degree, and why that's the most expensive outcome of all.  Are you still carrying student loan debt — and do you actually know all the repayment options available to you?

Luxury Trips, Tiny Price | Brandon Okamoto | Growing Money Podcast

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with credit card points consultant and travel concierge Brandon Okamoto to uncover how everyday spending can unlock unforgettable travel experiences. Brandon began studying credit cards and travel rewards at just 15 years old, eventually learning how to book international flights and luxury vacations for a fraction of their normal cost. We discuss why earning points should never mean spending more money, how business owners may be leaving thousands of dollars in travel value unused, and why choosing the most popular premium credit card is not always the smartest strategy. Brandon also explains the difference between redeeming points through travel portals and transferring them directly to airline or hotel partners. Beyond credit card points, we explore the value of time, freedom, meaningful experiences, and building a business around work you genuinely enjoy.  This conversation proves that smart financial planning is not only about saving more, it is also about using what you already spend to experience more of life.

Is Your Advisor Biased? | Thomas J. Manetta | Growing Money with Sean Trace

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Thomas Manetta, a 35-year wealth management veteran and independent firm owner based in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Thomas pulls back the curtain on something most financial advisors won't admit - for decades, the industry was built on information asymmetry, incentive misalignment, and selling products that served the firm, not the client.  We get into why money feels so overwhelming for most families, how AI is reshaping financial services from the inside out, and what Thomas calls his three pillars: clarity, confidence, and care.  He also shares a deeply personal story about losing his mother at age seven and nearly burning himself out building his business, and why slowing down was the move that saved everything. When it comes to your finances, what's one area where you feel like you still don't have clarity?