Money & Purpose

Marianne Poon, CFA, sits down with Naia Richardson of HomeWell Care Services in the Maryland area. Most families face the in-home care decision in the middle of a crisis, but it does not have to be that way. And it is not just for the end of life. HomeWell's clients range from 24 to 102, many needing support after temporary events like surgery. Learn what great care looks like, how the right careg...

Marianne Poon, CFA, sits down with Jan Brito, a realtor at Compass in the DC/Maryland area, who is making her own move to St. Croix at the end of 2026. Life in the U.S. Virgin Islands is more accessible than most people realize, especially as remote work opens the door to part-time and seasonal setups. Learn what it really costs to own or rent a second home in St. Croix, the tax advantages that dr...

Marianne Poon, CFA, sits down with Jan Brito, realtor at Compass and founder of Capital Senior Solutions, a division focused on later-in-life moves. Selling the family home is rarely just a transaction. It involves decades of belongings, family dynamics, and financial decisions that can materially impact outcomes. Learn what most people overlook when selling a long-held home, the tax consideration...

Marianne Poon, CFA, sits down with Micah Snitzer, estate planning attorney at Pasternak and Fidis and multiple-time Super Lawyer honoree. Learn why we all procrastinate on wills and trusts, what can go wrong when beneficiary designations don't match your wishes, the documents most people overlook, and the surprising sense of relief clients feel once it's finally done. Learn more: pasternakfidis.co...

What if money isn't the goal, but the tool? Marianne Poon, CFA, sits down with Laura Rowley, journalist and author of Money and Happiness. Learn why money is just a tool to achieve your values, how to be intentional when the world is designed to make you spend, how to teach your kids about money without shame, and the creative risk that led Laura to her upcoming novel, The Glassmaker's Secret. Lea...

Want to have better conversations with clients about charitable giving? In this episode, Rebecca Rothey from the Greater Washington Community Foundation introduces the Enterprise Impact Philanthropy Advisor certification, a 20-week program that equips financial advisors, estate planning attorneys, accountants, insurance agents, and trust officers with the tools to guide clients in meaningful, valu...

Marianne Poon, CFA, sits down with Broc Buckles, co-founder of BC Brokerage, an independent insurance brokerage working with fee-only financial advisors. Learn why the one question about carrier access can save you thousands, what to know about long-term care premium increases before buying a traditional policy, when term insurance beats whole life (and the rare cases when it doesn't), and why wor...

Marianne Poon, CFA, sits down with Bettina Ristau, probate paralegal at Pasternak & Fidis, with 17 years of experience administering estates. Learn why signing your will is just the beginning, how a forgotten beneficiary designation can override your entire estate plan, why proper asset titling matters more than most people realize, and how the "three-legged stool" of estate planning, financia...

Marianne Poon, CFA, sits down with Carl Richards, creator of the Behavior Gap sketches and former New York Times columnist. Learn why financial planning is more about behavior than math, how to spot the blind spots holding you back, why simplicity requires navigating the messy middle first, and how to align your spending with what actually makes you happy, not just what you think should make you h...

Marianne Poon, CFA, sits down with Tiffanie Purvis, General Counsel at the Greater Washington Community Foundation. Learn how to maximize your charitable impact through tax-smart strategies like QCDs and appreciated securities, accept complex assets, and connect with local causes—all while seeing your philanthropy make a difference in your own backyard. Learn more: thecommunityfoundation.org | www...

Marianne Poon, CFA, sits down with Andrew Almeida, CFA, CFP, Director of Investment Services at XYPN, who she works with to manage her clients' portfolios. Discover how personalized portfolio management goes beyond the active vs. passive debate. Learn about tax optimization, managing concentrated positions, custom portfolios with human oversight—and why personalization can make all the difference...

Marianne Poon, CFA and Financial Advisor, sits down with Buddy Griffiths, Chief Compliance Officer at XY Investment Solutions, to reveal the infrastructure that makes independent financial planning possible. Key Topics: Fiduciary vs. suitability standards - why it matters for your money Fee transparency: AUM, fixed fees, hourly rates explained Digital security concerns and real-world fraud prevent...