How Did We Get Here?

Join us as Shana Orczyk Sissel, founder of Banríon Capital, shares her journey into finance without a traditional finance degree. From her experiences in sports, theater and pageants to overcoming ADD and navigating challenges in a demanding industry, Shana’s story highlights resilience and creativity. She talks about building her business and balancing life as a single mom, offering valuable insi...

In this episode, Lara Crigger talks about her journey from studying astrophysics to becoming a writer and working in commodities and ETFs. She shares how she followed her passion for storytelling, turned down scholarships, and balanced a busy career with motherhood. Lara also talks about overcoming challenges like burnout and grief, rescuing her dog after Hurricane Katrina, and the lessons she’s l...

Aaron Klein’s childhood struggles with money and near foreclosure shaped his approach to risk and opportunity in his career. Despite early failures, he founded Riskalyze (now Nitrogen), a company that revolutionized financial advising by creating a way to measure risk with a "risk number." Through his story, Aaron touches on resilience, timing, and innovation, as well as the challenges o...

In this episode, we share the inspiring story of Derek Hagen, who overcame poverty and started working at a young age to eventually become a successful financial advisor. Derek’s journey shows how hard work, education, and perseverance can change your life. He talks about finding his passion for finance, navigating career choices after college, and balancing full-time work with further education....

In this episode of “How Did We Get Here?”, Cullen Roche shares his journey from a unique childhood to becoming a leader in finance. Raised on a farm in Washington, DC, Cullen’s large family helped shape his independent yet team-oriented mindset. Cullen discusses how his wife’s influence guided him from stock picking to financial planning, and how moving to California became a pivotal turning point...

In this episode, we explore how unexpected career twists can lead to fulfilling paths. Nick Gertsema shares his journey from concert promoter to financial advisor, showing how embracing change can open new opportunities. We also discuss the story of a father and son who took unconventional career routes, offering lessons in resilience and finding one's true calling. The episode dives into inv...

In this episode, we talk with Bob Seawright, who went from being a paperboy in his hometown to becoming a Chief Investment Officer and a well-known writer. Bob shares how his early jobs, like delivering newspapers in the cold and umpiring baseball games at 14, taught him important lessons that shaped his career. He also opens up about his journey from an unsatisfying legal career to finding his tr...

In this episode, we talk with Arlene Moss about her 30-year journey in the financial world. Arlene shares how she stayed true to herself, even in an industry that often pushes people to fit in. Starting on Wall Street in the early 2000’s, Arlene faced challenges like gender bias but used these experiences to grow and change. She also discusses balancing work with family and the importance of mento...

What if everything you know about money is wrong? Join us as Stoy Hall, the founder of Black Mammoth and host of the NoBS Wealth podcast, shares his story—from growing up with a hardworking single mom to delivering appliances. Stoy's experiences teach us what real wealth means. We also explore four common money mindsets and how they shape your financial decisions. This episode will help you r...

In this episode of "How Did We Get Here?", we chat with Christine Benz, an expert in retirement and investment planning. Christine shares her unique career journey, starting from proofreading medical journals to building a long career at Morningstar. We explore how her dedication and curiosity led her from being a copy editor to a mutual fund analyst, and eventually, to managing a team....

In this episode, we sit down with Meg Bartelt, a financial planner with a background in tech writing, to talk about smart money moves for your 20s, 30s, and 40s. Meg shares her personal journey, from working in IT during the dot-com boom to helping people navigate their finances today. She explains why your habits and emotions often matter more than math when it comes to money and offers tips for...

Ever wondered what it takes to make a big career shift or take a life-changing sabbatical? In this episode, we chat with Dave Nadig, who shares his journey from Hollywood screenwriter to finance professional. Dave talks about pursuing an MBA and diving into finance, showing how understanding money and embracing the unknown can lead to unexpected, fulfilling careers. We explore how curiosity, inspi...

Ever wonder how a college dropout becomes a top financial advisor? In the very first episode of "How Did We Get Here?," hosts Jess Bost and Mark Newfield share their own remarkable career journeys. From Mark's days under the hood of cars to his rise in finance, you'll find inspiration in their stories. Jess adds a heartwarming touch with an anecdote about her daughter's lo...