Hi,
Thanks for being part of The Get Ready Movement, focusing on navigating lifeβs what-ifs by changing how we think and talk about money.
This year, I had the privilege of hosting conversations with nearly 100 guests across podcasts, panels, and media appearances. While the topics were diverse, clear patterns kept showing up.
The biggest takeaway: financial readiness is about listening, curiosity, human connection, purpose and the decisions youβll need to make before (and when) life happens.
So instead of a βbest ofβ list, this weekβs newsletter organizes every episode from this year using the 10 domains of the Get Ready Playbook (launching early 2026) the same framework families and professionals will be able to use to prepare for real life transitions.
βFeatured Picks
If you only listen to one episode in each area, start here:
Domain 1: Stepping In Plan
π Mom and Dad, whatβs your plan? With Pam Ostrowski, Cameron Huddleston, Ruschelle Khanna
Domain 2: Personal Missions, Values and Decision Compass
π Living the life that means the most to you with George Kinder
Domain 3: Life & Care Plan
π Connecting wealth and health with Chris Heye
Domain 4: Your Support Team
π Building your financial dream team with Alissa Maizes, Julie Pinkerton, Maxwell Schmitz
Domain 5: Risk Protection Plan
π Is Whole Life Insurance Really Worth It? With Charlene Cong
Domain 6: Estate & Final Wishes
π Creating an inheritance playbook with Chad Holmes
Domain 7: Property, Assets and Digital Life
π The key to wealth is balance with Dr. Preston Cherry
Domain 8: Financial Dashboard
π Financial fluency is the next evolution of financial literacy with Bernadette Joy
Domain 9: Philanthropy and Impact
π Making a real impact in philanthropy with Dien Yuen, Donna Bandelloni
Domain 10: Transitions, Work and Next Chapters
π Finding your passion in Refirement with Kathleen Rehl
ποΈ Check out The Get Ready Money Podcast β [Apple] | [YouTube]
ποΈ This Week on the podcast:
Elevating Financial Voices: Building Community & Credibility with The Plutus Awards
π The future of financial literacy depends on more than numbersβit depends on credibility, inclusion, and community.
On this episode of the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Harlan Landes, founder of The Plutus Foundation and The Plutus Awards, about the evolving world of financial content and why community matters.
π Financial literacy is stronger when all voices are represented.
ποΈWatch or listen to the podcast (here) (also available on YouTube and your favorite podcast app)
𧩠The Get Ready Money Podcast (year in review)
Below is every episode from the year, grouped by the 10 financial readiness domains, so you can jump directly to what resonates.
ποΈ Check out The Get Ready Money Podcast β [Apple] | [YouTube]
Domain 1: Stepping In Plan
π Putting the personal back into personal finance with Elliott Appel, Faith Teope, Laura Adams and Marguerite βRitaβ Cheng
π Achieving financial dignity with Christine Luken
π Breaking Money Silence with Kathleen Kingsbury
π Financial empowerment with David Gatchell
π Is financial literacy the ultimate global challenge with Peter Asare Nyarko, Charlene Cong and Robin Taub
π Rethinking community, caregiving and financial planning with Merridith Gonzalez
Domain 2: Personal Mission, Values & Decision Compass
π Living the life that means the most to you with George Kinder
π Say yes, and to money with Katherine Pomerantz, Rhianna Basore and Joe Saul-Sehy
π Listening, Trust & Curiosity: What Improv Teaches Us About Money with Rhianna Basore, Katherine Pomerantz, Joe Saul-Sehy
π Maximizing your joy with Cara Macksoud
π Why money is a vehicle for your journey with Jedidiah Collins
π Adding meaning to your money with Derrick Kinney
π Daring to dream big with Cady North
π The power of believing in yourself with Odonoo Idersaikhan
π Does money equal happiness with Jessica Moorhouse
π Your self-worth is more than your net worth with Shannon Lee Simmons
π Knowing yourself, knowing your worth with Marla Sofer
π How self-awareness transforms our relationship with money with Tim βJaiβ Baker
π Rewriting our money story with Tokiso βTKayβ Nthebe
Domain 3: Life & Care Plan
π Mom and Dad, whatβs your plan? With Pam Ostrowski, Cameron Huddleston, Ruschelle Khanna
π Connecting wealth and health with Chris Heye
π How to grow your Wellth (wealth and health) with Stevyn Guinnip
π Long-term care planning with Barry Fisher
π The double-edged sword of longevity with Michael Banner
π Special needs financial planning with Bryan Jepson
π Helping women build wealth on their own terms with Sandy Yong
π Retirement health planning with Xavier Serrano
π Rethinking health care planning with Drew Shockley
Domain 4: Your Support Team
π Building your financial dream team with Alissa Maizes, Julie Pinkerton, Maxwell Schmitz
π The power of the Fiduciary In All Things (FIAT) movement with George Kinder
π How couples can turn money conflicts into connection with Prudence Zhu
π Revolutionize life insurance agent training, retention and compensation with Derek Notman, Adam Holt, Dick Weber
π Applying psychology to financial planning with Matt Goren
π Integrating financial behavior into planning with Dr. Joshua Wilson
π The power of money conversations with BatSheva Goldstein
π How authenticity and storytelling build stronger relationships with Hillary Gale
π How storytelling improves money conversations with Allie Zendrian
π Teach your kids to be smart about money with Anthony Delauney
π How to raise money smart kids with John Lanza
π Empowering the next generation through financial literacy with Mohsen Siddiqui
π What parenting can teach us about money with Rebecca Gao
Domain 5: Risk Protection Plan
π Is whole life insurance really worth it? With Charlene Cong
π How to analyze your life insurance with Steven Zeiger
π Dreams to disability with Tanya Taylor
π Changing how we think about credit scores with Paul Ryan
π Rethinking elder fraud prevention with Walt Laskos
π Debunking the top 10 life insurance myths with Luke Rother
Domain 6: Estate & Final Wishes
π Creating an inheritance playbook with Chad Holmes
π Build lasting generational wealth with Diana Kahn
π Why estate planning fails without communication with Paul Deloughery
π Legacy, money and the power of conversation with Kerri Fernsworth
Domain 7: Property, Assets & Digital Life
π The key to wealth is balance with Dr. Preston Cherry
π Change your savings mindset with Robin Growley
π Asset revesting with Chris Vermeulen
π Investing in debts and notes with Scott Carson
π Maximize your travel rewards with Michael Gandara
π Changing how we think about credit scores with Paul Ryan
Domain 8: Financial Dashboard
π Financial fluency is the next evolution of financial literacy with Bernadette Joy
π Transforming your future money story with Katherine Pomerantz
π The impact of executive functioning on money with Stina Borth
π Changing your relationship with money with Misty Lynch
π Overcoming your tax fears with Farnoosh Torabi
π What drives money behavior with Dennis Harhalakis
π How our money mindset changes the way we think about money with Dave Won
π How psychology unlocks better financial decisions with Derek v
π Understanding the psychology behind your financial decisions with Ashley Quamme
π Making confident, stress-free money decisions with Miguel Ferreira
π Lived experience is the best teacher with Natasha Bonsu
π Proactive tax planning with Catherine Tindall
Domain 9: Philanthropy & Impact
π Making a real impact in philanthropy with Dien Yuen, Donna Bandelloni
π How Donor-Advised Funds can transform your charitable giving with Alissa Maizes, Errin Andrews and Russell James
π Sharing your money knowledge with Nate Hoskin
π Elevating financial voices with the Plutus Awards with Harlan Landes
Domain 10: Transitions, Work & Next Chapters
π Finding your passion in Refirement with Kathleen Rehl
π Achieve financial independence with Bernadette Joy
π How we can all achieve financial freedom with Prisca Benson
π Whatβs holding you back from financial freedom with Shannah Game
π Building financial confidence in your 20s with Nick Batchelder
π Women should feel empowered with their money with Cary Carbonaro
π Empower women to take control of their finances with Shelby Nicholl
π Empowering first-generation women with financial confidence with Linda Ta Yonemoto
π The power of your network with Cameo Roberson, Kari Ellis
π How AI is changing the world of money with Sumedha Rai
π How AI is transforming financial planning with Sumedha Rai, Lily Vittayaruskul
π Closing the financial literacy gap with tech-driven advice with Meghna Gangway
π Rethinking the American Dream and financial equity with Ashlyn Brooks
π The importance of having purpose in retirement with John Kailunas
β This Weekβs Action Item: Review The Get Ready Habits
π€ Why it matters: The financial world can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to know where to start and what really matters.
π‘ Hereβs what works: Review the Get Ready Habits.
- Goals defined: What are they, are they important, and what is their time period?
- Educate yourself: Know how to use what you learn and keep it fresh.
- Think about how you think: Have a positive mindset and act with intent.
- Relevancy to you: Align decisions with you are and what you value.
- Evaluate your options: Choose wisely, and monitor fees and expenses.
- Assemble the pieces: Understand how everything fits together and whatβs missing.
- Detailed focus: Review the details, seek balance, and know when you need help.
- Yearly review: Keep up to date and follow the Get Ready Action Items.
π Tonyβs Take: The Get Ready Habits will empower you to take control of your financial life.
π οΈ Resources:
π Access your resources for this week's action item (#1) from your Get Ready dashboard (Monthly Focus Area 1: Habits and Planning):
- The Get Ready Blueprint week 1 worksheet where youβll review the Get Ready Habits in more detail.
π§ Final Thought
Financial readiness isnβt about mastering one area of money, itβs about understanding how all the pieces of life fit together.
Across every category, the message was clear: financial clarity from better conversations, self-awareness, and intentional planning. Thatβs how we move from reacting to life to being ready for it.
Letβs change the way we think (and talk) about money this year!
Tony
