Growing Money with Sean Trace

In this episode, I bring on CFP and enrolled agent Kyle Luetters to talk about making real money moves that actually fit your life. We go deep on the mindset shift from “I am bad with money” to “I just never learned the rules yet” and how a single paycheck and a newborn pushed Kyle to build a system that now helps his clients thrive. We hit on tax planning as a superpower, not a fear, how to stop...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with financial planner Anthony Degli Obizzi Jr. to talk real life money, not fantasy TikTok finance. We break down the debt avalanche vs snowball methods, how to actually pick the one that fits your personality, and why having a money plan beats winging it every single time. I share parts of my own journey paying off credit cards, and A...

I sat down with financial advisor Rick Luchini to talk real financial freedom, not the grindy misery version.  We get into living within your means without living small, beating lifestyle creep, and the simplest budget that actually works, pay yourself first with separate accounts, then spend the rest guilt free. We talk return on life over return on investment, building experiences with your fami...

What’s up everyone! In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, it’s just me today, and I’m hyped to share a huge win. I finally paid off my credit card! And the reason I was able to do it is because I started using something that completely changed how I handle money in my business: The 5 Buckets of Profit First. I’ve always been the type who struggled with managing money, but after working...

I sit down with CPA firm owner Zee Barfoot to talk real money mindset, not just spreadsheets. We get into why driving a paid off beater can beat flex culture, how to avoid credit card traps, and the non negotiables like paying your taxes on time, building an emergency fund, and getting simple term life insurance. We jam on couples and cash, aligning goals before budgets, and why treating yourself...

I brought on Lillian Turner, a Certified Financial Planner and Registered Life Planner, to talk about money the way real people live it. We dig into money stories, mindset, and why most of us were never taught this stuff in school. Lillian shares how growing up around money stress shaped her beliefs, how she dug out of credit card debt, and why knowledge without implementation keeps people stuck. ...

I sit down with Paulina from Mindset Mastery Tribe to unpack how ex corporate pros can rewire their thinking, scale fast, and actually enjoy the climb. We get real about breaking old programming, using time, space, repetition to shift identity, why daily accountability beats New Year hype, and how money beliefs either block or attract clients.  We riff on You Squared, the Science of Getting Rich,...

I sat down with Austin Preece, a 28 year old planner out of Wisconsin, to talk about money the way real people live it. We started with the human side, trust first, numbers second, because if you cannot say your priorities out loud, the spreadsheet will not save you. Austin breaks it down like a coach, track your spending, actually read your tax return, know what is coming in and what is leaking o...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Certified Financial Planner Nicholas Bunio to talk about real retirement planning for real people, especially teachers, doctors, nurses, and federal workers who want confidence, not hype.  Nick shares how bad brokerage advice hit his own family, why discipline beats drama, and how a written financial plan gives you calm when markets...

We are back, and Money School is now co-branded with Growing Money with Sean Trace and Professor Heath’s Money Misfits. I open with a very human confession, I literally forgot to hit record on a different show, two hundred plus episodes in, which is a perfect reminder that progress beats perfection. From there we get into what actually moved my money forward this month. I worked with a financial p...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Joseph Rutakangwa, co-founder of Rwazi, to unpack how decision AI, powered by zero party data, helps real companies capture market share, lower acquisition costs, and grow customer lifetime value.  We get practical about starting where the problem is, from my daughter’s eraser stand in Vietnam to lemonade stand logic, and why useful...

In this solo episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I open up about my own financial journey of finally setting up my Roth IRA and solo 401(k) at 46, tackling debt, and learning the discipline I should have had decades ago. Working with a financial planner has been eye-opening, and I’ve started using the classic envelope method to regain control over my spending. I share what I’ve learned abou...

On this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Patrick Negado, author of The Canoe and The Current and a retirement income and wealth transfer strategist with 28 years in the trenches.  Patrick explains why most people are paralyzed by noise and conflicting hot takes, and how a simple, predictable plan beats complexity for the average retiree. We break down his Canoe and Current...

On this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with Michael Rodriguez, CFP, the founder of Equanimity Wealth, to talk about bringing real calm and clarity to our financial lives. We unpack why so many of us avoid money conversations, how that fuels constant low-grade anxiety, and why financial planning is really life planning. Michael explains equanimity, mental calmness and composu...

On this solo episode of Growing Money, I open up about something that’s been on my mind: the real value of time.  I grew up in a family that didn’t talk about money, and for years I avoided the topic altogether. But when my daughter Ailani started asking me questions about money and how we spend our time, it forced me to face these lessons head-on. From teaching her about balance through piano and...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with money and career coach Laura Sexton to talk about turning money shame into ownership, raising kids who understand money, and building a legacy that lasts.  We unpack her journey from a bankruptcy scare and 370k in debt to a positive net worth and a fully debt free life. We get practical about time in the market, compound interest, 4...

On this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with Thao Truong, CFP® and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, to talk about the lessons she’s learned about money, both personally and professionally.  Thao shares her unique perspective on how culture and family shape our money mindset, from growing up in Vietnam to building a career in the U.S. We dive into why wealth management isn...

On this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with Jason Blumer, CPA, to unpack why accounting is “the truth” for entrepreneurs. We dive into how owners go broke by siphoning too much from their businesses, why building savings and treating the company like its own entity matters, and the smart versus dangerous ways to use debt. Jason also shares insights on value pricing, money ha...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with Caroline Piehl to explore the emotional side of money and why financial planning is about much more than numbers. We talk about money stories, the beliefs we pick up as kids that shape how we spend or save as adults, and how those stories impact everything from oversaving with a scarcity mindset to overspending because we assume mo...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with Kevin Thompson, CFP, RICP, EA, for a conversation that blends his incredible personal journey with his professional insights on money and life. Kevin’s path started in Major League Baseball with the Yankees, and after an injury ended his career, he discovered his passion for finance. That journey included losing money to a Ponzi sc...

I sit down with Rachel Onamusi to unpack practical, step-by-step strategies for growing a creative career, rebuilding mindset, and making money without losing yourself. We talk about surviving the pandemic, overcoming faux positivity, navigating the music industry for midcareer artists, finding the right collaborators like songwriters and producers, and why identity and money are inseparable. If y...

In this episode I sit down with CFP Mando Sallavanti III to talk practical money rules for entrepreneurs and high earners. Mando explains why separating business and personal finances matters, why most founders need a bookkeeper and CPA, and how to keep 1 to 3 months of operating expenses in your business account. We dig into hiring for leverage, the accumulation versus distribution mindset, and M...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Brendan Frazier, the Chief Behavioral Officer at RFG Advisory, to explore the human side of money. We dig into why smart, successful people still make emotional decisions, how loss aversion quietly drives our choices, and why simple, consistent actions often beat complex plans. I share my own story about facing financial fears, the...

In this episode, I sit down with Bernie Youngblood, a self-described “serial entrepreneur by accident,” to explore the real meaning of wealth. We dive deep into how money can be both a tool and a gift, why health and relationships matter more than a bank balance, and how success means little if you don’t lift others along the way. We share stories from Costa Rica, lessons from MrBeast’s hometown l...

Join me for a powerful conversation with Aja Evans, financial therapist and author of Feel Good Finance . We unpack the deep connection between money and emotions, exploring how our beliefs and habits shape our financial lives. Aja opens up about her personal journey, revealing what led her to help others overcome money anxiety and build healthier financial habits. Together, we dig into the psycho...