Betty's Smart Friends

Second marriages bring more than love to the table, they come with financial history, family ties, and planning decisions that can't be ignored. In this episode, Betty sits down with CPA and CFP® DeDe Smolen to unpack the financial, tax, and estate planning realities of blending lives later in life. From prenups and retirement accounts to protecting your children and navigating those sometimes-unc...

Join Betty as she speaks with Christopher Dale, Certified Financial Planner and Certified Financial Transitionist, about navigating financial decisions during times of grief. Drawing from his own experiences with loss and caregiving, Christopher shares practical guidance on what to do, what to avoid, and how to find support when life changes unexpectedly. This conversation offers reassurance, clar...

What if the biggest barrier to financial confidence isn't your income or strategy, but the money story you've carried since childhood? Betty sits down with financial therapist Wendy Wright to explore why up to 90% of financial decisions are emotionally driven and how early experiences shape the beliefs we carry into adulthood. Wendy unpacks patterns many women share, perfectionism, scarcity, guilt...

What if the smartest real estate move in your next chapter isn't the one that looks best on paper? Betty sits down with mortgage expert Shannon Denham for a conversation that will change how you think about buying in this time in your life, covering tools like ARMs, bridge loans, recasts, and refinancing, and why flexibility often matters more than a low rate. They also tackle the question nobody...

What happens when the traditional estate plan isn't enough? Join Betty for an eye-opening conversation with elder law attorney Susie Germany to discuss the vital differences between elder law and traditional estate planning. Learn about the critical gaps most families don't know exist in their planning. Susie reveals why elder law goes far beyond wills and trusts, including the red flags of financ...

Ever wonder why that diet worked for your friend but not for you? Join Betty for a real talk with Dr. Angela Tran, a double board-certified physician specializing in internal and obesity medicine. They're cutting through the noise around weight loss, metabolism, and those GLP-1 medications everyone's talking about. Dr. Tran breaks down the myths keeping us spinning our wheels and reveals why manag...

Ever wondered what it takes to create an unforgettable luxury event? Betty welcomes Jaala Sheldon, a sought-after luxury event planner who traded the fashion world for entrepreneurship, and never looked back. In this candid conversation, Jaala pulls back the curtain on the event planning industry, sharing hard-won wisdom on pricing your worth, managing client expectations, and setting boundaries t...

Betty interviews Dr. Sonia Novotny, a board-certified OB-GYN and Menopause Society member, about perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Novotny explains the biological and hormonal changes women experience, addresses common symptoms, and discusses evidence-based treatment options. Listen in to learn more from Dr. Sonia Novotny. Check out the show notes here.   RESOURCES: Join Betty in a free consultatio...

Betty interviews long-term care insurance specialist, Theresa Klewsaat about the realities of long-term care (LTC), its rising costs, and the importance of early planning. Teresa explains the differences in LTC insurance, the underwriting process, and key policy features like benefit periods and cost-of-living adjustments. Listen in to learn more from Bonnie Wan. Check out the show notes here.   R...

Betty interviews Medicare specialist Julia Wiswell to demystify Medicare and healthcare planning for retirement. Together, they break down the different parts of Medicare and discuss key factors to consider when choosing a plan.  Listen in to learn more from Bonnie Wan. Check out the show notes here.   RESOURCES: Join Betty in a free consultation call for your financial goals Subscribe to the Bett...

Betty interviews Jenny Reynolds, an aging life care specialist and founder of Graceful Guidance Care Management. Betty and Jenny explore the emotional and practical challenges of caring for aging parents, offering advice on initiating sensitive conversations, recognizing when to seek help, and supporting both caregivers and loved ones. Listen in to learn more from Bonnie Wan. Check out the show no...

Betty interviews Kylee Bandy, CEO of After Loss Advisors, on the emotional and logistical challenges of legacy and estate organizing after a loved one's death. Kylee shares her personal experiences and explains how after loss, professionals support families with estate management, legacy preparation, and digital assets.    Listen in to learn more. Check out the show notes here.  

Estate attorney Amy Danneil reveals the costly mistakes that can tear families apart and drain hard-earned wealth. In this conversation with Betty Wang, Danneil shares crucial strategies to protect your legacy and loved ones. Learn how to take control of your estate now, before it's too late - from avoiding probate battles to minimizing taxes. Whether you're building wealth or planning to pass it...

Meet Kim Burnett, who transformed her event planning expertise into a mission helping others achieve a "good death." In this episode, Kim reveals her path to becoming a death doula and founding Good Death Matters. Join Betty Wang for an intimate conversation about breaking death taboos, taking control of end-of-life choices, and why the way we die matters just as much as how we live. Listen in and...

Financial expert Audrey Morrison reveals critical strategies for protecting your retirement when divorcing after 50. From splitting complex assets to navigating Social Security benefits, this episode unpacks how to avoid costly mistakes during this major life transition. Betty Wang and Morrison examine real-world cases where professional guidance saved divorcees from financial devastation, making...

With host Betty Wang, Christy shares powerful insights on harmonizing Eastern healing traditions with Western medical advances to tackle the complex physical and emotional shifts of aging – from hormone balance to emotional resilience. Whether you're seeking natural solutions or curious about integrative healthcare, this enlightening conversation offers fresh perspectives on reclaiming your vitali...

Ever wonder what makes some young people bounce back from setbacks while others get stuck? Betty dives deep with Jennifer Andrews, a youth resilience coach who's cracking the code on helping kids and teens develop unshakeable inner strength. In this powerful conversation, Jennifer reveals what resilience coaching really is (and why it's not therapy), shares the three crucial skills every young per...

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Samantha Stoler from About Skin Dermatology shines light on essential skin health practices in this must-hear episode. Dr. Stoler demystifies skin cancers and sunscreen options, revealing why daily protection and regular skin checks aren't just recommendations—they're necessities. Tune in for expert insights that could save your skin and potentially your life! Lis...

During this eye-opening conversation, double board-certified functional nutritionist and herbalist Yvonne Montoya Matthews reveals game-changing strategies for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. Betty Wang explores how personalized nutrition can transform hormonal health. Discover science-backed approaches to navigate this transition while feeling your best, as two experts break down...

Senior compensation expert Tori Finucane joins Betty Wang for a data-driven examination of the gender wage gap. In this revealing conversation, they unpack how recent pay transparency laws are reshaping workplace dynamics and share battle-tested negotiation tactics that help women secure equitable compensation. From leveraging market data to navigating difficult conversations, Finucane offers acti...

Join healthcare veteran Heather Walker, and host Betty Wang for an intimate and eye-opening conversation about women's health and menopause. From navigating bodily changes across different life stages to exploring treatment options, this candid discussion breaks down complex topics into relatable insights. Drawing from both clinical expertise and personal experiences, Walker and Wang tackle the qu...

Ready to rewrite your fitness story after 45? Join Betty as she sits down with powerhouse trainer Karen "Kmax" Maxwell, whose own transformation from fitness novice to NASM-certified guru and founder of Kinisi Performance will inspire you to lace up those sneakers. In this episode of "Betty's Smart Friends," Kmax discusses age-related fitness myths and shares insider secrets that prove it's never...

Betty interviews Lisa Isom, CEO of Minerva Group, on transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship, tax planning, and work-life balance. Lisa talks about commonly missed tax deductions and how you can avoid a large tax bill if you have rental property.  Listen in to learn more from Lisa Isom. Check out the show notes here.   RESOURCES: Join Betty in a free consultation call for your financial g...

Are you feeling stuck, wondering if there's more to life than just going through the motions? What if you could design your life with the same strategic thinking used by the world's most successful brands? In this illuminating episode of *Betty's Smart Friends*, host Betty Wang sits down with Bonnie Wan, a woman who's mastered both the corporate world as head of brand strategy at Goodby Silverstei...