Podcast
MONEY MATTERS with Christopher Hensley
Hosted by Christopher Hensley · EN
Money Matters has been airing for over a decade, providing important money management education to the Houston community. Originally launching in 2013, the show has evolved to cover a wide range of financial topics beyond just budgeting and saving. From investing and retirement planning the show explores every aspect of personal finance.
With an engaging interview format, host Christopher Hensley talks candidly with both financial experts and everyday community members about their experiences with money. By sharing real-life stories and actionable advice, the show makes financial literacy accessible and interesting to a broad audience. Popular episodes over the years have addressed things like getting out of debt, affording college, planning for retirement, and teaching kids about money.
Now approaching its 10th anniversary, the show continues to be a vital educational resource for Houstonians looking to take control of their finances. Stream episodes on demand at www.moneymatterspodcast.com With the Money Matters show, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to achieve your financial goals.
22episodes
Episodes
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Money Matters Episode 344- Slow Down to Go Faster with Ralph Simone
1w ago00:31:47Tap to summarizeWhat if the reason you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and constantly behind is because you've been taught that faster always means better? In this episode of Money Matters, Christopher Hensley sits down with executive coach and author Ralph Simone to discuss the ideas behind his book Slow Down to Go Faster. Together, they explore burnout, hustle culture, leadership, productivity, and the importance of intentional pauses in both business and life. Ralph shares lessons from decades of coaching leaders and entrepreneurs, explaining why many high achievers struggle to disconnect, recharge, and think strategically. From martial arts philosophy and business leadership to stress management and sustainable success, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for anyone trying to perform at a high level without burning out. Topics discussed include: Burnout and overwhelm in modern work culture Why slowing down can improve productivity Leadership and intentional decision-making Strategic pauses and better performance Building resilience and long-term success Work-life balance for entrepreneurs and executives The hidden cost of nonstop hustle Why being busy isn't always being effective If you're a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or professional looking for a healthier and more sustainable path to success, this episode is for you. Guest: Ralph Simone Book: Slow Down to Go Faster
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Money Matters Episode 343-Why Men Get Perimenopause Completely Wrong (And What to Do Instead) w/ Sam Anderson
Apr 100:25:06Tap to summarizeMost men get perimenopause completely wrong. Not because they don't care— …but because no one ever taught them what's actually happening. On the latest episode of the Money Matters Podcast, I sat down with Sam Anderson (tag him here), author of Perimenopause: The A–Z Guide for Us Idiots—and one thing stood out: 👉 The biggest mistake men make? They try to fix it. When in reality… ✔️ It's not something to fix ✔️ It's something to understand ✔️ And something couples need to navigate together We talked about: • Why men take symptoms personally (and why that backfires) • What real support actually looks like day-to-day • How small changes can completely shift a relationship • And why this conversation needs to happen more in workplaces One line that stuck with me: "It's not you vs her—it's both of you vs the problem." Big thanks to Sam Anderson (tag) for coming on the show and opening up this conversation—this is one more people need to hear.
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Money Matters Episode 342-Back Office Burnout & AI: What Advisors Must Know W/ Ryan George
Mar 3100:26:22Tap to summarizeWhat if the real reason advisory firms struggle to scale… isn't growth? It's what happens after the client says yes. In this episode, Christopher Hensley sits down with Ryan George (CMO at Docupace) to talk about the unsung "back office heroes" who keep advisory firms running—and why burnout, invisible operations, and misunderstood AI adoption can quietly become your biggest growth bottleneck This isn't another "AI will write your blog posts" conversation. Ryan breaks down the difference between automation vs. intelligent automation, why financial services is an exception-laden business, and why the safest bet for the near future is still human-in-the-loop decisioning—especially when risk can scale instantly You'll also hear why Ryan believes "most-in-one beats all-in-one," how firms should think about AI note takers vs. workflow automation, and what "self-healing workflows" could look like as platforms learn from years of operational data One of the most memorable moments is Ryan's personal story about a doctor who pushed the computer away, made eye contact, and simply showed up as a human—a reminder that the advisor's real moat isn't tech. It's presence. If you're an RIA, broker-dealer leader, ops manager, or advisor trying to make sense of AI beyond the hype—this conversation will help you think clearer, deploy smarter, and protect what matters most: trust.
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Money Matters Episode 341-Public Radio, AI, and the Future of Audio Storytelling W/ Ernesto Aguilar
Feb 1900:31:44Tap to summarizePublic radio helped define trust in audio. Now AI is reshaping how audio gets made. In this episode, I sit down with Ernesto Aguilar — public radio executive, author, and the person who gave me my first big break at KPFT in Houston more than a decade ago. That opportunity launched what has now become one of the longest-running financial planning podcasts in the space. We talk about how public radio built credibility over decades, why audiences still turn to trusted voices for deeper context, and how AI is changing production without replacing the human responsibility behind the microphone. Ernesto shares practical insights on: Why listeners may discover news on social media but seek out public radio for the fuller story How AI tools can help small teams scale responsibly Where creators should draw the line when automating What it really takes to pitch a show to public radio The foundational skills broadcasters need today Why supporting public media still matters This conversation isn't just about broadcasting. It's about trust, long-term thinking, and how to use technology without losing the human elements that build credibility. If you're a podcaster, media professional, entrepreneur, or leader thinking about AI and trust in your industry, this episode will challenge and sharpen your perspective. Listen in.
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Money Matters Episode 340-From Note-Takers to AI Assistants: The New Standard for Financial Advisors W/ Matt Halloran
Jan 1300:31:18Tap to summarizeWill AI replace financial advisors—or make the best ones better? In this episode of Money Matters, Christopher Hensley sits down with Matt Halloran, author of Shut the F Up and Listen and Chief Evangelist at Zocks, to continue a conversation that began with one core idea: great advice starts with great listening. Now, that philosophy is colliding with a new reality—AI assistants. Matt explains why AI assistants won't replace financial advisors, but will raise the standard for what clients expect. From AI note-taking to tools that capture emotional cues, automate follow-ups, and turn conversations into actionable client intelligence, this episode breaks down what's actually changing—and what still belongs squarely in the human domain. You'll hear why AI assistants are helping advisors reclaim 10+ hours per week, how better recall builds deeper trust and referrals, and why the real risk isn't AI itself—but ignoring it while other advisors move ahead. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why AI note-takers are just the beginning How AI assistants capture details advisors miss during meetings The difference between generic AI tools and purpose-built advisor platforms Why better listening leads to stronger trust and referrals How advisors should reinvest the time AI gives back Why AI can actually help advisors become more human, not less Key Takeaway: AI won't replace financial advisors. Advisors who use AI well will replace those who don't. About the Guest Matt Halloran is the Chief Evangelist at Zocks and the author of Shut the F Up and Listen. With over two decades in financial services, Matt is known for helping advisors improve communication, client experience, and practice growth by blending behavioral insights with modern technology. Connect & Learn More Learn more about Matt & Zocks: https://zocks.io Follow Christopher Hensley for more conversations on advice, AI, and the future of financial services
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Money Matters Episode 339-AI Workers, Not Chatbots: How Advisors Scale with Digital Co-Workers W/Jonathan Michael
Dec 1800:32:43Tap to summarizeWhat if financial advisors didn't just use AI tools—but had AI workers supporting their business? In this episode of Money Matters, host Chris Hensley is joined by Jonathan Michael, Director of Growth at TIFIN AXIS, to unpack what AI agents really are, how they differ from chatbots, and why they're quickly becoming a practical way for advisory firms to scale. Jonathan brings a founder's perspective from both EdTech and WealthTech and focuses on one core idea: AI should take on the operational, repetitive work that slows firms down—so advisors can spend more time where they add the most value. In this conversation, we discuss: What defines an AI agent (and what doesn't) Why AI workers are best thought of as digital co-workers Where agents outperform traditional software and manual workflows Why structured prompting is a best practice for reliability and oversight How verification loops reduce AI errors and improve confidence The role of data infrastructure in deploying AI responsibly What the RIA of the future looks like with humans and AI working together If you're a financial advisor or RIA leader trying to make sense of AI without the hype, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at how firms are actually using it today—and where it's heading next. 🔗 Guest Jonathan Michael Director of Growth, TIFIN AXIS Host, AI for Wealth Author, Wealth Management Prompts
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Money Matters Episode 338- Fiduciary in All Things w/ George Kinder
Dec 900:31:09Tap to summarizeIn this powerful conversation, host Christopher Hensley, RICP®, CES® sits down once again with George Kinder—internationally recognized as the father of life planning and the visionary behind the global Fiduciary in All Things (FIAT) movement. Together, they explore what it would mean for our institutions, our democracy, and our financial systems to finally act in the best interest of the people they serve. Kinder explains how a fiduciary society—rooted in truth, people, democracy, and the planet—could dissolve many of the challenges we face today while preserving the entrepreneurial energy, innovation, and competitiveness that have fueled economic growth. From redefining the role of leadership to examining how polarization and mistrust have fractured civic life, this episode offers an inspiring blueprint for a more ethical and human-centered future. You'll learn: Why fiduciary principles shouldn't stop at financial advice, but extend to government, media, business, and technology How FIAT could reshape democracy so leaders work for the people, not their own agendas The importance of mindfulness and deep listening in building trustworthy institutions Kinder's vision for a world where business leaders become true heroes and models for future generations How AI, truth, and governance intersect—and why ethical guardrails matter now more than ever What a civilization "of the people, by the people, and for the people" looks like when fiduciary values guide decision-making Whether you're a financial professional, a policymaker, a parent, or simply someone looking for a more trustworthy world, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to imagine what a fully fiduciary society could achieve. 👉 Learn more about the FIAT movement at fiduciaryinallthings.com
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Money Matters Episode 337 – They Didn't Start with AI | Valarie Vest & Sean Van Moorleghem on Culture, Capacity & Digital Associates
Nov 700:31:17Tap to summarizeThey Didn't Start with AI. They Started with People. That might sound simple—but in today's rush to automate, scale, and "transform," it's anything but. Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. took a different path. No pink slips. No blown-up workflows. No hollow promises about innovation. Just a clear goal: reduce the time it takes to open an account from 20 minutes to seconds—without losing the quality, trust, or people that made the process work in the first place. In this episode of Money Matters, I sit down with: 🟡 Valarie Vest, Chief Experience Officer 🟡 Sean Van Moorleghem, Chief Technology Officer What I love about this story is that it's not theoretical. It's not "AI someday." It's a real-world example of change done right—quietly, intentionally, and with the people in mind from day one. 📌 They trained their digital "associates" the same way they onboard human ones. 📌 They kept the existing workflow—and made it more resilient. 📌 They created new roles and opportunities instead of eliminating them. 📌 And they proved that you can scale without burning out your team or blowing up your culture. One of my favorite lines from Val was this: "Our secret sauce? It's the people. No one got into this business to do paperwork." This episode is for leaders who are serious about innovation but even more serious about getting it right. 🎧 Episode 337: Speed, Scale & Zero Layoffs 👉Click Below to Listen! Huge thanks to Val and Sean for showing what it looks like to move fast and take care of your people. #Leadership #FinancialServices #ProcessImprovement #TeamCulture #Innovation #Podcast #Cambridge #MoneyMatters #DigitalTransformation #AIinBusiness #ResponsibleAI #FintechInnovation #AutomationStrategy #FutureOfFinance #HumanCenteredTech
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Money Matters Episode 336- Why DEI Still Matters in 2025 | Cornelia Gamlem & Barbara Mitchell on Inclusion, Culture & Engagement
Nov 200:30:07Tap to summarizeIs DEI really dead — or just misunderstood? In this episode of Money Matters, workplace culture experts Cornelia Gamlem and Barbara Mitchell, co-authors of Essentials of Employee Engagement, challenge the headlines and reframe the DEI conversation with clarity and strategy. 💥 Cold Open Preview: "People started calling DEI bad, evil, even discriminatory… and it's none of those things if you truly understand it." – Cornelia Gamlem 🎧 In this episode, you'll learn: Why DEI got distorted — and what it really means in today's workplace How inclusion, not perks, drives employee engagement What Gen Z expects from company culture Why listening is the most underused leadership skill Real-world examples of companies winning (or losing) the culture game How disengagement silently shrinks your talent pool The one action any leader can take this week to re-engage their team 📘 Get the book → Essentials of Employee Engagement on Amazon 🔗 Connect with the guests: 👉 Cornelia Gamlem on LinkedIn 👉 Barbara Mitchell on LinkedIn 🌐 Website: https://bigbookofhr.com 💡 If you care about culture, retention, leadership, or HR strategy — this conversation is a must-listen.
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Money Matters Episode 335- Human Connection at Scale: Robert Sofia on AI, Trust, and Advisor Growth
Sep 2700:28:08Tap to summarize🚨 Can AI actually make financial advisors feel more human—not less? That's the bold idea Robert J. Sofia, CEO of Snappy Kraken, shares in this week's episode of Money Matters. We break down what "human connection at scale" really looks like in today's digital-first world—and why it might be the future of financial advising. Here's what we cover: ✅ Real AI implementation vs. ChatGPT tinkering ✅ Using data to personalize at scale (without losing your voice) ✅ How one firm doubled AUM from $20B → $40B with smarter marketing ✅ Why compliance + data strategy must come first ✅ How segmentation and timing can turn cold leads into real clients 💡 Key takeaway: AI isn't here to replace financial advisors—it's here to help you deliver trust, relevance, and authenticity consistently. If you've ever wondered how to scale trust without losing your edge, this episode is your blueprint. 🎧 Listen now: Click Below 🔁 Tag a fellow advisor who's "AI-curious"
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