Growing Money with Sean Trace

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with my friend Stephen Heath to talk about something a little different, but incredibly important—the psychology behind how we think about money. We explore a concept called “money scripts,” which are the unconscious beliefs we form early in life that shape our financial decisions as adults. We share some pretty funny and personal stori...

In this heartfelt episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with financial planner Hamilton Brandenburg to talk about one of the biggest transitions many people face, retirement. Hamilton shares how he helps middle-class Americans not only manage their money but also navigate the emotional and psychological shifts that come with stepping away from a career. We dive into powerful topics...

In this empowering episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with money coach Jason Madsen to explore how Christian families can break free from the financial stress cycle. We talk about creating emotional stability, building better habits, and igniting a long term vision for your future. Jason and I dive into how small daily choices, like grabbing that “after work burrito,” can shape...

In this episode, I sat down with Professor Stephen Heath to finally unpack all the major types of budgets, because let’s be real, budgeting can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. We broke down everything from zero-based budgeting and the 50/30/20 rule to the pay-yourself-first method, the anti-budget, envelope system, and values-based budgeting. We talked about how to match your b...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , Certified Financial Planner Nate Hoskin shares a powerful perspective on how to spend money without regret. He explores the often overlooked emotional side of finance and explains why saving too much can actually rob you of joy. Nate dives into the Rule of 72 to show the real opportunity cost of spending and introduces the idea that spending money...

In this episode of Money School , I’m back with the always insightful Prof. Steve Heath, and we go deep into a surprisingly relatable topic — lifestyle creep. We unpack how even small upgrades, like a new phone or a fancy dinner, can silently sabotage your financial goals. Using everything from Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible stunts to Christian Bale’s old truck, we explore how discipline, priorit...

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with Dr. Megan McCoy, a financial therapist and professor at Kansas State University, for a deep dive into the emotional and psychological roots of our money behaviors. We talk about how childhood memories, relationship dynamics, and money scripts shape our financial decisions, often without us even realizing it...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sat down with the incredible Nishaea Richardson, also known as the Play Money Coach. We went deep into the emotional and mindset side of money — the real stuff that most people avoid talking about. From getting stuck in a cycle of “comfortable misery” to learning how to set powerful financial boundaries, Nishaea shares her journey of going from...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I’m back with the one and only Professor Steve Heath for another round of Money School and this time we’re diving into budgeting. But not the boring kind. Prof. Heath kicks things off with one of the wildest stories I’ve ever heard (yes, it involves a trunk and a concert) to explain how most people handle money: unconsciously, passively, and somet...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with financial coach Angie Carlson to explore the tools couples need to overcome money miscommunication, break free from guilt, and build a real financial partnership. Angie and I dive into how childhood money stories shape our behavior as adults, why so many couples feel like they’re rowing in circles, and how to shift from blame to te...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I had an amazing conversation with Chris Harcksen-Lucero, a flight paramedic and financial coach with a really unique story. We talked about how resilience isn't just important in life — it's critical for your finances too. Chris shared how his background in emergency response shaped the way he thinks about money, mindset, and bouncing b...

What if managing your money felt less like chaos and more like following a GPS? In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with financial educator Professor Steve Heath to talk about why so many people feel overwhelmed by money. It is not because we are lazy or careless. It is because no one ever handed us a roadmap. We dive into everything from my own parenting mishaps (includi...

What if the only thing standing between you and financial freedom… is your mindset? In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with Derrick Kinney, former financial advisor, author, and founder of the Good Money Framework, to talk about what it really takes to go from middle class to millionaire. We dive into the mindset shifts that changed Derrick’s life, the power of betting o...

In this first episode of Money School, I sit down with my friend and co-host, Professor Steve Heath, to talk about why we’re starting this journey together. Steve shares his powerful story—from dropping out of school, addiction, and jail time to becoming a successful accounting professor and author of a personal finance textbook. I open up about my own struggles with debt, career setbacks, and the...

In this powerful episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with David Houston, a Ramsey Preferred financial coach, to unpack the truth about debt, budgeting, and building a strong financial foundation. From his personal stories about student loans and seven-figure debt to my own adventures teaching my daughter about money through chickens and eggs, this conversation is full of heart, h...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sat down with my good friend Tim Craven, a Nashville-based real estate agent and musician, to dig into the basics of real estate investing. We talked about why buying a home is one of the smartest ways to build wealth, especially compared to renting. Tim broke down essential real estate concepts—like escrow, down payments, PMI, and appraisal gap...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with the incredible Stephen Heath—professor, CPA, and all-around financial wisdom dropper—to talk about the money lessons no one ever taught us. We dive into everything from how college can either be a launching pad or a financial trap, to why your major might not matter nearly as much as how you use your time in school. Stephen shares...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with Dori Zinn, a seasoned personal finance journalist whose work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, and more. Dori shares her personal journey with money, from ignoring student loans to becoming a finance writer helping others navigate their financial future. We discuss why money is such a taboo topic, t...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with Kole Owen, the 22-year-old founder of Unburied Talents Financial Coaching and Career Coaching . Kole shares his personal journey into finance, which started when he got married and realized just how little he knew about managing money. That realization led him down a deep rabbit hole of financial literacy, where he discovered a hug...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace I sit down with Jesse Ernst a financial coach and business owner to talk about financial freedom budgeting and the importance of being intentional with money. Jesse shares his journey of building two businesses Claire’s Creperie and Ernst Financial Solutions and how he and his wife overcame financial challenges including paying off their mortgage in...

In this inspiring episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I sit down with Samantha Claudio, a financial coach and founder of Claudio Financial. Samantha opens up about her journey from $20,000 in debt to financial freedom and how her struggles with health and finances sparked her passion for helping others escape the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. Together, we dive into the power of mindset, the i...

In this insightful episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Brad Klontz, a financial psychologist and author of Start Thinking Rich . Dr. Brad shared his personal journey of overcoming destructive financial behaviors and becoming a leading expert in financial psychology. Together, we explored the emotional and psychological roots of financial habits, such a...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , Sean is joined by Dr. Maria Nemeth, celebrated author of The Energy of Money and founder of the Academy for Coaching Excellence. Together, they dive into the concept of money as energy, exploring how financial habits reflect and influence every aspect of life. Dr. Maria shares her six forms of energy, the role of balance in achieving life’s goals,...

In this episode, we dive into Chapter 2 of my Zombie Personal Finance series: Budgeting Basics for Limited Resources or Surviving on a Budget. Join me as I take you into a zombie apocalypse scenario where budgeting becomes a literal life-saving skill. Follow Ailani as she faces survival challenges, learns to ration her resources, and discovers the importance of planning for emergencies. Whether yo...

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace , we’re joined by Diana Perkins, a seasoned finance expert and trader with over 20 years of experience. Diana’s mission is to make trading and investing accessible for everyone—no matter your background or experience level. Together, we dive into the fundamentals of trading, including how to take your first steps, create and stick to a trading plan,...