Catholic Money Mastermind - Financial Planning conversations with Catholic CFP® Practitioners

Today, Ben welcomes Matthew Bearth for a thoughtful conversation on estate planning, legacy, and the deeper purpose behind wealth stewardship. Together, they explore how financial planning extends far beyond simply passing down money, instead centering on how families can communicate values, intentions, and faith across generations. The discussion emphasizes the importance of preparing not only le...

Today, Ben welcomes Aiden Murillo of Wolfpack Wealth Management for a timely, post–tax season conversation on what actually defines a good tax professional—and why many people may be settling for less than they realize. Drawing from real client experiences, the two unpack the difference between transactional tax preparation and relationship-driven advisory work, highlighting how missed details, la...

Today, Ben sits down with Kenny Senour of Legacy Wealth Partners for a candid and deeply practical conversation on the role money plays within married life—and how couples can transform it from a source of conflict into a foundation for unity. Drawing from his personal upbringing and professional experience, Kenny explores why financial tension so often emerges in marriage, especially when couples...

Today, Ben welcomes Shane Littleton of Clarity Wealth Development for a rich and practical conversation on charitable giving—why Catholics are called to give, and how to do so with both generosity and prudence. Drawing from Shane’s unique background in seminary formation and years working inside Catholic nonprofits, the two explore the spiritual foundation of stewardship through the lens of the pa...

Today, Ben sits down with Dominick Anton, a Catholic financial advisor based in Boise, Idaho, for a wide-ranging conversation that traces Dominick’s vocational journey into financial planning and the deeper convictions that shape his work. Dominick shares how his early experiences, professional formation, and faith gradually converged into a calling centered on service, prudence, and long-term ste...

Today, Ben is joined by fellow Catholic Financial Planners Network members Joe Petry and Nick Shiver for a thoughtful conversation on the enduring relationship between risk and reward—and how prudence, discipline, and faith shape wise financial decision-making. Together, they unpack why higher returns always require greater risk, why “get rich quick” strategies prey on greed and impatience, and ho...

Today, Ben is joined by Michael O’Rourke—Apex-based financial advisor, RICP®, and former environmental engineer—for a rich and human-centered conversation about what it really takes to transition from earning a paycheck to generating reliable retirement income. Drawing on years of advising and his work with the Retirement Income Style Awareness (RISA) framework, Michael shares how differences in t...

Today, Ben sits down with fellow Catholic financial planners Nick Orenduff and Charlie Horonzy for a rich roundtable on what it truly means to live a generous, ordered, and faith-centered life. Together, they wrestle with the tension between self-giving and self-preservation—how to pour ourselves out for God, family, and community without crossing into burnout or misplaced busyness. Nick reflects...

Today, Ben is joined by Chris Schilmoeller—Orlando-based financial advisor and former FOCUS missionary—for a deep dive into what it might mean to have Thomas Aquinas as your financial advisor. Chris reflects on his own journey from campus evangelization to financial planning, sharing how Aquinas’s emphasis on order, integration, and the proper end of human life continues to shape his work. The con...

Today, Ben welcomes KJ Smith—financial advisor, theologian, and founder of Ethos Logos Investments—for a conversation about what it means to bring Catholic social teaching into the heart of financial life. KJ shares how his unlikely pairing of finance and theology has become a vocation, shaping his mission to help Catholics invest in ways that honor both prudence and conscience. Their discussion e...

Today, Ben welcomes Jessica Chominski—financial advisor, Army Reservist, and mother of six—for a conversation that explores the intersection of vocation, sacrifice, and financial stewardship through a deeply Catholic lens. Jessica shares her journey from aspiring social worker and crisis pregnancy center founder to military officer and faith-driven financial planner, reflecting on the quiet streng...

Today, Ben is joined by fellow Catholic financial planner Tim Mayer to unpack the meaning of “Catholic money”—a vision of wealth shaped by stewardship, detachment, and generosity. Grounded in their shared experiences in religious life, Ben and Tim reflect on how faith transforms financial decision-making, shifting the focus from accumulation to service. They explore money’s historical roots in the...

Today, Ben welcomes Wyatt O'Rourke—Denver-based financial advisor and founder of Basilic Financial—for a wide-ranging conversation on the interplay between tradition, innovation, and community within a Catholic framework. Wyatt shares his journey of entrepreneurship and reconversion to the faith, emphasizing the integration of spiritual values into financial planning. The discussion examines...

Today, Ben Martinek and financial planners Mike Acosta and Ujae Kang explore the emotional and financial complexities of preparing for retirement, emphasizing that while data and planning tools are essential, much of the work involves helping clients overcome fear, uncertainty, and guilt around spending. They discuss how financial advising often becomes a form of counseling, addressing identity, p...

Today, I sit down with Jonathan Reich, a financial advisor at Global View Capital Management and a new member of the Catholic Financial Planners Network. Jonathan shares his journey from working in high-volume client service roles at Fidelity and Equitable to finding a more fulfilling path in personalized financial planning. We dive into tactical asset allocation, a strategy designed to minimize v...

Today we’re joined for a roundtable discussion with Anthony Guzman and Phil Francois to explore the fundamentals of investing, including employer-sponsored retirement accounts, risk management, and investment strategies that align with personal values. We distinguish between investing and gambling, emphasizing that while both involve risk, investing is strategic and based on positive expected retu...

Today, we feature Logan Moore, who is a CFA charterholder from Kansas City, who shares his expertise on alternative investments and his professional journey. Logan discusses his experience managing high-yield municipal bonds, transitioning to commercial real estate, and co-managing a fund focused on real estate syndications. Alternative investments, which include real estate, private equity, and v...

Today, I’m joined by Kevin Reardon and Deb Meyer to discuss how emotions, societal pressures, and behaviors shape our financial decision-making, especially as Catholics. We explore how fear, greed, and herd mentality can lead to poor financial choices and stress the importance of discipline, diversification, and aligning our actions with core values and faith. Drawing from personal stories, we emp...

Today, Brian Wayne from LifeGuide Financial Advisors joins Ben Matinek to explore integrating Christian principles into financial planning, emphasizing faith, stewardship, and intentional living. Drawing on themes such as evangelical poverty, detachment, and trust in God’s providence, the discussion highlights the importance of aligning finances with one’s spiritual purpose. Inspired by examples l...

Today we’re joined by financial advisors Robert Franner and Tyler Myler to discuss strategies for long-term wealth accumulation, emphasizing the importance of starting early, automating savings, and maintaining consistent habits. They highlight the power of compound interest, using goals like saving $100,000 by age 30 to demonstrate how early contributions grow significantly over time. They share...

Today, Ben discusses the intersection of philosophy and financial planning with Nick Shiver, a wealth advisor from Columbia, South Carolina. Both Ben and Nick hold master's degrees in philosophy, and their conversation explores how their philosophical backgrounds inform their current roles in financial advising. They reflect on the rigorous training in critical thinking and argumentation phil...

Ben, along with advisors Bryan Smalley, Lance Peters, and Charlie Horonzy, provide valuable insights into the world of financial advising. The discussion covers the daily life of financial advisors, the industry’s various channels, client types, regulatory bodies, and the significant personal satisfaction derived from serving clients. They also explore the diverse paths to entering the financial s...

Joe Petry, a fellow member of the Catholic Financial Planners Network and founder of Mayfair Financial, shares his journey from economist to financial planner, motivated by his firsthand experience with retirement and ministry. In this episode, Joe emphasizes the importance of empathy, trust, and integrating faith into his work. From working with a refugee support initiative and the Kairos prison...

In this episode of the podcast hosted by Ben Martinek from the Catholic Financial Planners Network, guest Nick Orenduff of Orenduff Associates shares his insights on various investment vehicles and the importance of diversification. They discuss the differences between stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, and bonds, highlighting the roles these instruments play in a diversified investment portfolio. The co...

We’re all going to pay taxes, but knowing how the system works can prepare us for retirement with a little more money in our savings accounts. Today’s guest, Charlie Horonzy, returns to discuss the ways we can use the tax code to our advantage. We discuss how tax planning is one of the most critical aspects of financial planning, how much better retirement can be when well-planned for, and when yo...