The Heart of Money | Financial Guidance for Couples, Money & Marriage, Motivation, Inspiration

It seems harsh, but just because you're broke or in debt doesn't give you an excuse to not tithe or be generous. In fact, as we wrap up our series on tithing and generosity, we explore why it's even more important to give during challenging financial times. If you've ever felt nervous about tithing, this episode will bring you motivation and encouragement to put those hesitations a...

If you have attended church for any amount of time, you've probably heard of "tithing" or giving money to the church. It's a foreign concept for anyone who isn't a Christian or doesn't have a thorough understanding of the Bible. But even for those who DO understand what a tithe is, talking about it is often off-limits. This week, we're continuing our series on generos...

After a few months off air to take care of life, we're back in the studio and excited to kick off a series on generosity and tithing! This week's guest, Randy Bowen, walks us through the mindset shifts necessary to make generosity a focus regardless of where you are financially. He addresses the benefits of giving, the best way to get started and why you should give even when you don't...

Hey did you miss us last week?! Well there's a good reason why we weren't able to have this recording online in time...and why we are taking a short break on releasing any new episodes for a few months. Listen to a quick update on The Heart of Money and what you can expect for a few weeks.

Julia Barbaro was more than afraid to move her family of 6 kids from New York to Florida, but she told her husband yes. As they began the next chapter of their lives, growing closer as a couple required more honesty, support and understanding of each other.  This week, Julia shares how she and her husband used very differing views of financial freedom to encourage and support each other to fi...

It’s true-men and women think differently, talk differently and understand money differently. Which can make for some interesting, and sometimes challenging, financial discussions. So how DO you get your husband to talk about sensitive, emotional subjects like money, without making him feel judged or critiqued? Part 2 of our series on men and money conversations opens the door for how men naturall...

Most men don’t like to talk about money or emotions. But the reality is money is emotional and we all have to deal with it. Unfortunately, this dynamic makes some conversations between men and women very challenging. So we’re taking a deep dive at how men and women can have effective conversations around money. And we’re bringing our expert wives to the table!  If you’ve ever wanted to get in...

Having moved across the country more than once, and experienced every lifestyle from minimalist to wealthy, real estate agent Ashley Harwood holds a very unique perspective on life, finances and what really matters. This introvert turned successful investor and coach understands that money isn’t the focus, but rather the means. And in each stage of financial success she has experienced, she has fo...

In our last episode of the series on atomic habits, Bob presents a look at the Diderot effect and how it impacts our buying habits subconsciously. We highlight the fact that habits are most effective when they happen subconsciously as well and share the formula for creating real financial habits that will make big impacts on your life. Learn how to effectively communicate with your spouse about mo...

Reactions are often instinctive. You don’t think about them and sometimes don’t even realize you have them. That’s why they are powerful when creating habits! In part 3 of our atomic habits series, we talk about why sheer will power often isn’t enough to implement a new habit. And why establishing “triggers” to cause us to react is more effective is the long run.  Learn how to effectively com...

The 2nd law of creating atomic habits is to make it attractive. Consequently, the 2nd law of BREAKING habits is to make them unattractive. Part 2 of our series on atomic habits for finances discusses why it’s easier to “slip” on creating new habits when there isn’t anything to stop bad behavior. In a society where spending money is becoming easier and easier, it’s vitally important to place roadbl...

What better way to kick off the new year than with new habits?! This month we’re taking a deep dive into the book Atomic Habits by James Clear and applying the principles to our finances. Part 1 of this series examines the fundamentals of building habits and why most people fail miserably.  As we break down the steps of habit creation, you’ll learn how to create SMALL changes in your daily ro...

As we knock on the door on another new year, it’s CRAZY to think about what happened in the last 12 months!! Bob and I each experienced our own set of successes, challenges and journeys. And now, we’re gearing up to take ownership of 2023. It’s a 4-person panel again as we bring the wives to the table for reflection, celebration and motivation to recap the year and share our money missions for the...

According to financial coach Suzanne Scullion, there’s two things Europeans talk openly about…money and sex. But in America, these topics are considered off-limits to most couples, especially in a public setting. While this is generally a good societal rule to follow, it also opens the door to inner turmoil and self-sabotage in extreme situations. This week, we dig into the intimate conversations...

Dancer turned executive coach Jamie Konzelman has experienced the highs and lows of financial success. What started as a lucrative and trendy career in adult entertainment turned into her questioning her motivations in life. Forced to acknowledge her boundaries, Konzelman spent the next several years learning how money can bring incredible opportunities and internal dismay. As we dig into her back...

It’s really hard to pay money month after month, year after year, for something that you rarely ever use. At least, you hope you rarely use it. Insurance is one of the few things in life that we hate to buy but know we need.  This week, we discuss the reason we’re more willing to spend money for protection as we get older and why you should to. Learn how to effectively communicate with your s...

What guides your decisions to spend or save money? How do you decide if you should wait for a purchase or pull the trigger? Are you confident in what your future holds, regardless of what happens today? It can be easier to get distracted from what’s important in life and be swept away by the present desires, wants and attractions. But when it comes down to it, you are in control of your decisions...

Let’s face it, Christmas can make you crazy! Parties, family gatherings and gift lists often make us go overboard and feel overwhelmed. But there IS a way to make the holiday season a little less cash crippling and stress inducing. And it starts with proper planning and expectation. In this episode, we talk about our Christmas traditions, gift buying protocols and how to make the budget behave whi...

Teaching our kids about money management, budgeting, spending and saving is often reserved for their teenage years when they get their own job, car and responsibilities. But often times, kids have already shaped their understanding of money and financial habits long before then. They may not know the details of how to manage money, but they have seen and heard enough to have their own opinion. Fol...

Continuing the conversation about the benefits and dangers of teaching kids how to use credit cards, we examine the necessary components of financial literacy that kids need to not develop poor money management habits.  If you are committed to using credit cards as your preferred payment choice, it’s important to have frequent conversations with your kids about judicious card management. This...

Kids seldom have full comprehension of the implications of their actions. They see what their parents and friends do, and follow suit. But often they don’t understand what will or can happen as a result.  When it comes to managing money, following suit may be a very risky approach. This week, we cover the detriments that can happen when kids and credit cards get mixed together.  Learn ho...

"The Heart of Money podcast, hosted by Austin Block and Bob Wessler, recently completed its first season with 52 episodes. Focusing on monetary impacts in life and smarter financial decisions, the podcast had revealed the hosts' experiences, offered money management tips, and welcomed guests to diversify the conversation. The hosts acknowledged the growth of their male listenership, besid...

In "Heart of Money" podcast episode, hosts Austin Black and Bob Wessler interact with Dana Shea Williams, a relationship coach, about managing finances within a relationship. Dana shares her personal experiences of contrasting money management styles with her husband, highlighting how they learned to balance each other's attitudes over time. She emphasizes the importance of understan...

In the 50th episode of the Heart of Money podcast, host Austin Black and guest Tony Bradshaw discuss their belief that everyone should aspire to or be a millionaire. They discuss the importance of effective financial decisions, individual money management methods, and shared financial goals in relationships. Bradshaw, from poverty, became a millionaire by age 40 thanks to his strong work ethic and...

Austin Black and Bob Wesser, hosts of the Heart of Money podcast, discussed the influence of money and strategies for efficient money management in a recent episode. They examined the "Shiny Object Syndrome" and expressed their skepticism about volatile investment trends like cryptocurrency and hasty real estate flipping. They encouraged diversified, long-term investments, and understand...