A Better Way to Money

What does it actually take to build a good life? Dr. Robert Waldinger has spent decades studying that question—and he has 85 years of data to back up his answer. As director of one of the longest-running studies of human life ever conducted, the esteemed Harvard professor joins host Jennifer Borget to unpack what actually makes people thrive: why relationships matter more than your résumé, how chr...

We spend a lot of time on this show talking about how to grow, protect, and plan with your money. But today’s guest has spent most of his career asking a different question: Once you have money, can the way you spend it actually change how happy you are? Harvard Business School Professor Michael Norton’s research points to something most of us have backward—it’s not how much money you have; it’s h...

Everyone tells you childcare is expensive. But knowing that and actually living it are two very different things. Host Jennifer Borget sits down with author and childcare expert Christina Eaglin—author of Who's Watching My Baby? and expert on navigating the childcare maze —to talk through the stuff nobody prepares you for: what childcare really costs beyond the monthly invoice, how to vet a provid...

Thinking about a career pause to take care of your growing family? Host Jennifer Borget sits down with Neha Ruch–Stanford MBA, founder of The Power Pause, and USA Today bestselling author—to talk through the benefits of a pause when you plan it out with purpose. We cover the budgeting conversations, the identity shift, and how to come back stronger on your own terms. Download your free Family Fina...

Most people picture a financial advisor behind a mahogany desk, running spreadsheets for people with serious money. Jonathon Gais grew up thinking the same thing—until he became one. Now, as VP of Client Experience and Personalized Planning at Northwestern Mutual, Jonathon shapes how NM advisors across the country think about financial planning. His core message: You don’t need to have it all figu...

Most people dealing with debt don’t talk about it. They rationalize, minimize, or wait for a “better time” that never seems to arrive. Lynnette Khalfani-Cox did the same—reporting on personal finance for a living the whole time—before she confronted it, paid it all off, and built the kind of financial stability she now helps others find. Host Jennifer Borget sits down with    New York Ti...

Great news! AI will answer any financial question you have. The catch? It learned everything it knows from strangers on the internet. And despite that fact, a surprising number of millennials are using it to tell them how to manage their money. Host Jennifer Borget sits down with research scientist and author Janelle Shane, one of the clearest minds on how AI actually works behind the screen, to f...

If you’re raising kids while also keeping an eye on your aging parents, you’re in good company—about half* of middle-aged Americans are right there with you. But most are figuring it out on the fly, making the squeeze that much harder. Host Jennifer Borget sits down with estate planning attorney and Sandwich Generation Survival Guide podcast host Candace Dellacona to unpack what the sandwich gener...

Want your relationship to go the distance? One of the best things you can do—especially if you’re getting married—is have an honest money conversation. Family law attorney and HelloPrenup founder Julia Rodgers joins host Jennifer Borget to show how prenuptial and postnuptial agreements give couples a powerful framework for doing exactly that. Julia reframes these contracts from top to bottom: not...

The career ladder you planned to climb? It’s looking a lot shakier these days. Host Jennifer Borget is joined by author Simone Stolzoff—author of The Good Enough Job and How to Not Know —to explore what building a career looks like when the old rules no longer apply and why learning to thrive in uncertainty might be the single most valuable skill you can build. Together, they unpack how to stay gr...

Buying a home has never felt more daunting—and for a lot of people, it feels impossible to buy the right property for the right price. Real estate investor and podcast host Henry Washington has been there. He went from living paycheck to paycheck to building a portfolio of 100+ properties. He’s not here to make it sound easy; he’s here to make it feel possible. In this episode,...

How is it that we can know exactly what to do with our money ,  and still not do it? Host Jennifer Borget sits down with behavioral scientist Dr. Wendy De La Rosa to shed light on the structural forces that make it so much easier to spend than save—and what to do about it. From blocking off a “Financial Health Day” to changing your credit card due date, you’ll learn how to...

The world is changing fast, and your financial life is changing with it.  In Season 3 of  A Better Way to Money , host Jennifer Borget and a lineup of renowned experts help you navigate your next several money moves. From AI reshaping careers to evolving ideas about retirement and what "enough" really means, we're leaning into t...

Money isn’t just math, it’s emotions, values, and tough conversations. In this bonus episode, financial therapist Aja Evans and Northwestern Mutual’s Lauren Yoder join host Jennifer to unpack two common money challenges: balancing priorities while raising kids and navigating financial secrets in relationships. They explore why emotions run high with money, how values shape decisions, and how plann...

Have you ever felt anxious that you’re not living out your life’s purpose... or worried you don’t even know what it is? Jordan Grumet, author of Taking Stock and The Purpose Code , is a hospice physician who left private practice to follow his passion for conversations about money, purpose and life. He joins Jennifer Borget to explore why purpose doesn’t have to be one big “what” but can be a seri...

Between school drop-offs, back-to-back meetings and skyrocketing summer camp costs, parenting today can feel like a never-ending juggling act. In this episode, Dr. Whitney Casares , pediatrician, author and founder of Modern Mommy Doc , opens up about her journey from burnout to balance. She shares the moment that led her to redefine what truly matters and how she now helps other parents align the...

Worrying about the future is inevitable, but it doesn't need to be all consuming. Kate Sweeny, Professor of Psychology and Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs at the UC Riverside Life Events Lab, has spent her career studying how we approach periods of uncertainty. She shares why the unknown is stressful and how we can reduce this stress with strategies like planning ahead.  Listen t...

If the thought of managing your money has you feeling stressed, you're not alone. In this episode, best-selling author and entrepreneur Kate Northrup joins Jennifer to explore how to bring a sense of peace back into your money life.  Kate shares how changing your mindset around money can help you break free from the cycle of constant busyness. You'll hear her insights on the importance of slo...

Starting or growing your family is exciting, but it can also raise tough questions about your career and finances. In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Allison Whalen, founder and CEO of Parentaly, to talk about how to build a smarter, more supportive leave plan. From protecting your career momentum to budgeting for time off, Allison shares practical advice for parents-to-be. Plus, Northwester...

Whether you're eyeing your first place, considering an upgrade or weighing the benefits of renting, navigating today’s real estate market can feel overwhelming. Beyond price, there are many factors that can impact your decision—like location, amenities and even which side of the street you want your windows facing. In this episode, Jennifer sits down with real estate agent and YouTube personality...

Live from New York City, host Jennifer Borget sits down with Lo Bosworth, former TV personality, wellness entrepreneur and CEO of Love Wellness, and Lauren Yoder, VP of Product Management at Northwestern Mutual. They explore the major transitions Lo has navigated, from becoming a reality TV star at 17 to building a successful wellness brand and planning her upcoming wedding. Along the way, Lauren...

Money can be one of the hardest topics to talk about—especially with family. But avoiding these conversations can hold you back. In this episode, financial researcher Sonya Lutter, Ph. D., CFP®, LMFT, joins host Jennifer Borget to explore where attitudes toward money come from. She’ll also share how open, honest dialogue about money can build trust, reduce stress and boost financial confidence. Fr...

Welcome back to A Better Way to Money™ :the podcast that helps to uncover your blind spots and find smarter ways to make your money work for you. This season, we’re digging into life’s big milestones — from getting married to buying your first home and everything in between.  Join host Jennifer Borget and a lineup of expert guests for Season 2, where real life meets real financial advice.&nbs...

Money and stress often go hand in hand: When your finances feel out of control, it’s easy to spiral in other parts of your life, too. In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Scott, the author of “8 Keys to Stress Management,” shares how money intertwines with emotions and offers ways to manage stress through the holidays and beyond. Then Lauren Yoder, vice president of product management at Northwestern Mu...

Having kids changes many aspects of your life, from how much time you have to yourself to how you handle money. As your kids grow, teaching them how to manage their own money is an important part of helping them become independent adults. In this episode, Tanya Van Court, founder of the financial education app Goal Setter, discusses the importance of talking to kids about finances and explains how...