Pt. 1 of Redefining What It Means to Show Up: Masculinity, Money, and Equity at Home

Pt. 1 of Redefining What It Means to Show Up: Masculinity, Money, and Equity at Home

Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team. Today is part one of a two part series on money, masculinity, and equity at home. For today’s episode we welcome Will and Ellie Windle.  Will Windle is an MMA fighter and EMT. Ellie Windle is the Founder and Chairperson of Persist. Together, they have busted through the gender norms that can suffocate the space they both need to grow in their careers and work as teammates to manage their home and be parents.  For today's episode, they share practical advice for couples navigating economic realities, emotional labor, and parenting together. Enjoy the show. 00:00 Introduction 01:38 Will, you’ve lived several “manly” archetypes—firefighter, EMT, MMA fighter, ski patrol, athlete. How did those experiences shape your early ideas about what it meant to be a man, a provider, and a partner? 05:27 Ellie, you said you sometimes fantasize about the Don Draper era because of the “freedom to perform.” What does that reveal about the pressure modern couples carry compared to past generations? 09:15 Will, you went from contributing 50 percent of the household income to 100 percent during Ellie’s startup years. What were the invisible pressures—financial or emotional—that came with being the sole earner for a period of time? 17:26 Ellie, what do you think women sometimes misunderstand about men who are truly trying to lean in at home? 27:05 Conclusion Persist Free Careload Assessment: https://www.timeforpersist.com/free-careload-assessment  #masculinity #partnership #relationships Subscribe or follow Modern Husbands on social media! Newsletter [https://www.modernhusbands.com/newsletter] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/modernhusbands] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iSpjEJwd9JOeOhgDj1s5Q] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/81937091/admin/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/modernhusband/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/ModernHusbands] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@modernhusbands] Substack [https://modernhusbands.substack.com/p/coming-soon?r=1rnp21&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web]

The Emotional Intelligence of Financial Planning: A Conversation with Nick Ashburn

Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team. I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I now provide. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com or you can email me at brian@modernhusbands.com. For today’s podcast we welcome Calibrate Founder & CEO Nick Ashburn. Mr. Ashburn is the former Managing Director and Head of Responsible Investing at PNC and former Senior Director at Wharton with 15+ years in human-centered financial services and product strategy. In this conversation, we discuss the significance of aligning financial goals with personal values, the challenges of lifestyle creep, practical strategies for couples to manage their finances collaboratively, and a framework for evaluating spending decisions. Enjoy the show. Show Notes 00:00 Introduction 01:18 What inspired you to start Persona Wealth, and how does your approach differ from traditional financial planning firms? 03:39 You talk about helping clients “align money with purpose.” What does that mean for couples trying to merge their financial lives? 04:59 What’s one mistake you often see couples make when trying to apply cookie-cutter financial advice? 07:23 How do you help dual-income households navigate financial decisions when one partner is more financially savvy—or simply more interested—than the other? 15:40 Many couples argue about money. In your experience, what role does financial planning play in reducing that tension? 18:40 What’s your advice to couples struggling with lifestyle creep, especially when both partners are progressing in their careers? 25:31 How do you incorporate behavioral finance principles when advising couples with very different money mindsets? 28:35 What strategies have you found to be most helpful in managing money as a team in your marriage? 32:24 What’s one actionable step a couple could take today to feel more aligned financially and emotionally? https://calibrateintelligence.com/  Subscribe or follow Modern Husbands on social media! Newsletter [https://www.modernhusbands.com/newsletter] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/modernhusbands] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iSpjEJwd9JOeOhgDj1s5Q] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/81937091/admin/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/modernhusband/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/ModernHusbands] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@modernhusbands] Substack [https://modernhusbands.substack.com/p/coming-soon?r=1rnp21&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web]

How Men Can Support Their Partner’s Career

Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team. I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I provide as an Accredited Financial Counselor and Fair Play Facilitator. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com. We have three incredible leaders joining us for today’s special edition. Dr. David Smith of the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and author of Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace, Dr. Corinne Low who teaches at Penn’s Wharton School and author of Having It All, and Paul Sullivan – Founder of The Company of Dads and former NYT columnist. This conversation explores the concept of allyship, particularly in the context of the workplace and home. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing gender roles, the division of labor in dual-career families, and the impact of parenting on career trajectories.  Enjoy the show. Subscribe or follow Modern Husbands on social media! Newsletter [https://www.modernhusbands.com/newsletter] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/modernhusbands] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iSpjEJwd9JOeOhgDj1s5Q] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/81937091/admin/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/modernhusband/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/ModernHusbands] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@modernhusbands] Substack [https://modernhusbands.substack.com/p/coming-soon?r=1rnp21&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web]

Sex, Money, Marriage (and Pickleball): A Conversation with Jonathan Kolmetz, MBA, MS Licensed Professional Counselor

Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team. I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I now provide. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com. For today’s podcast we welcome Jonathan Kolmetz, one of just 50 professionals in the U.S. licensed in both finance and mental health. We’ll explore how money, sex, and attachment patterns intersect in marriage—and how couples can build deeper connections, break negative cycles, and manage their home and money as a true team. Jonathan also shares practical ways to navigate financial stress, keep intimacy alive, and even bring more fun and play into your relationship. But we must get started today by talking about the world’s greatest sport for middle-aged men: pickleball. Enjoy the show. Show Notes 00:00 Introduction 03:40 Before we get to the practical takeaways from the episode, let’s talk about why Pickleball is the world’s greatest sport for middle-aged folks like us. 12:42 You are one of only 50 professionals licensed in both finance and mental health. How does this unique combination shape the way you help couples with their relationships and money? 18:52 What does a typical non-trauma related sex therapy session look like? Money and sex are often cited as two of the top stressors in marriage. Why do these topics feel so emotionally charged, and how do they connect at a deeper level? 21:26 You specialize in attachment-based therapy. How do attachment styles influence how couples manage money, conflict, and intimacy? 26:04 Many couples feel stuck in recurring arguments about money or domestic responsibilities. What steps can they take to break those cycles and respond differently? 32:38 Our views about money often form in childhood. How do those early experiences shape couples’ dynamics at home, and how can they rewrite unhelpful money scripts? 35:36 If a couple is struggling with both money stress and intimacy challenges, what are one or two first steps you recommend they take today to get on the same page? Subscribe or follow Modern Husbands on social media! Newsletter [https://www.modernhusbands.com/newsletter] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/modernhusbands] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iSpjEJwd9JOeOhgDj1s5Q] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/81937091/admin/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/modernhusband/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/ModernHusbands] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@modernhusbands] Substack [https://modernhusbands.substack.com/p/coming-soon?r=1rnp21&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web]

Work Family Balance: A Conversation Jennifer Sabatini Fraone, MSW, MBA

Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team. I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I provide as an Accredited Financial Counselor and Fair Play Facilitator. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com. For today’s episode, we welcome Jennifer Sabatini Fraone, MSW, MBA, former Executive Director for the Boston College Center for Work & Family.  Jennifer received her BS in Clinical Psychology from Tufts University and her Master of Social Work and Master of Business Administration from Boston College. For today’s episode we discuss how organizations, couples, and families can find work life harmony. Enjoy the show. Show Notes 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Over your years leading the Boston College Center for Work & Family, what major shifts have you seen in how couples balance work and family life? 04:21 What do you think has been the most impactful research the Center has published in its 35 year tenure? (Fatherhood/parental leave/flex) 11:27 What are the biggest stressors you’ve found that high-achieving dual-career couples face today—and how can they navigate them without burning out? 18:40 Your research has explored changing gender norms. How are men’s roles in caregiving and domestic life evolving, and what still needs to change? 22:16 Remote and hybrid work promises flexibility, but often leads to blurred boundaries. What have you learned about how couples can protect personal time while working flexibly? 25:48 If you could redesign the “ideal” workplace for modern families, what would it look like—and how would it reshape the home lives of dual-career couples? 31:08 The Center closed at the end of 2025. How did you prepare for this upcoming transition after this work being an integral part of your life for 20 years?  33:59 What is one piece of simple and actionable advice you would like to share with our listeners? Subscribe or follow Modern Husbands on social media! Newsletter [https://www.modernhusbands.com/newsletter] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/modernhusbands] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iSpjEJwd9JOeOhgDj1s5Q] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/81937091/admin/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/modernhusband/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/ModernHusbands] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@modernhusbands] Substack [https://modernhusbands.substack.com/p/coming-soon?r=1rnp21&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web]