The Money and Meaning Show

Success Is Not an Accident: Clarity, Habits, and the Four Ds with Tommy Newberry

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier talks with Tommy Newberry—executive coach, Wall Street Journal and New York Times best-selling author, and founder of The 1% Club and head coach of Tommy Newberry Coaching. Together, they explore what it means to live with clarity, purpose, and intentionality, especially in the second half of life. Tommy shares the core habits behind lasting success, the risks of distraction and drift, and how gratitude and reflection help fuel a meaningful life. This conversation offers a framework for those planning their next chapter with energy and direction. 
Topics covered: 
Tommy's early career journey and founding Newberry Consulting● The importance of doing work that energizes you● Finding clarity on what you want versus what you don't want ● The key habits behind long-term success ● The Four D’s that derail progress: Distraction, Dispersion, Drift, and Delay ● Living with your priorities in order, not necessarily "balance" ● Developing habits and rhythms that support your goals ● How gratitude shapes mindset and impacts daily awareness ● The role of reflection in staying aligned with your vision ● Encouragement for midlife professionals in Act II of life ● Why retirement isn't the goal—building and solving remain vital ● Helping young adults create intention in their 20s 
 
Useful Links: 
 
Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffberniercfp/ 
TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/ 
Tommy Newberry:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommynewberry/
https://www.tommynewberry.com/
 

January Perspectives: Expectations vs. Forecasting

In this perspectives episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier challenges the value of short-term market forecasts and urges listeners to focus instead on long-term financial planning. Drawing from recent blog posts and research by financial thinkers like Bob Seawright, Ruben Miller, and Larry Swedroe, Jeff outlines why predictions often miss the mark and how earnings yield can guide more meaningful expectations. He offers practical advice for building resilient portfolios, emphasizing humility, diversification, and focusing on what we can control in uncertain times. 
 
Topics covered: 
Why annual market forecasts are often unreliable
The psychological allure of financial predictions
The difference between short-term forecasts and long-term return assumptions
Insights from Bob Seawright’s “Forecasting Follies”
Ruben Miller’s satirical take on 2026 forecasts
How earnings yield helps set intermediate-term expectations
The role of the CAPE ratio in understanding market valuations
US market overvaluation and the case for international diversification
How government deficit spending has impacted recent market performance
Building resilient portfolios for retirees and pre-retirees
Practical portfolio planning principles for uncertain environments
Encouragement to focus on controllable factors and maintain realistic optimism
 
Useful Links: 
 
Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffberniercfp/
TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/ 
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠)
TandemGrowth Financial Advisors (“TandemGrowth”), a registered investment adviser, is providing this video which is intended for general educational purposes and is not personalized investment advice. The information provided is not tailored to any individual's specific investment objectives, financial situation, or risk tolerance. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement by securities regulators and does not imply that TandemGrowth has attained a certain level of skill, training, or ability. While the content that will be presented is believed to be factual and up to date, it is based on information obtained from a variety of sources. TandemGrowth believes this information is reliable, however, it has not necessarily been independently verified. TandemGrowth does not guarantee the complete accuracy of all data in this video, and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the presenter as of the date of the webinar and are subject to change. This video does not constitute personalized advice from TandemGrowth or its affiliated investment professionals, or a solicitation to execute specific securities transactions. Participants should not use any of this content as the sole basis for any investment, financial planning, tax, legal or other decisions. TandemGrowth is neither a law firm, nor a certified public accounting firm, and no portion of the video content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. We encourage attendees to conduct independent research and seek advice from qualified professionals before making any investment decisions. The information presented in this video should not be the sole basis for investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss, and different investments and types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. There can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, including those undertaken or recommended by TandemGrowth, will be profitable or equal any historical performance level. Additional information about our Firm, including its Form ADV Part 2A describing its services, fees, and applicable conflicts of interest and Form CRS is available upon request and at www.tandemgrowth.com.

Tax-Efficient Charitable Planning with Fidelity Charitable’s Harrison Miller

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier speaks with Harrison Miller, Charitable Planning Consultant at Fidelity Charitable—the nation's largest grant maker. They explore how donor-advised funds offer families, business owners, and advisors strategic, tax-efficient ways to approach charitable giving. Harrison shares how these vehicles help donors align generosity with their values, optimize tax timing, and even involve future generations in giving.
 
Topics covered:
● Harrison’s career path and role at Fidelity Charitable
● What donor-advised funds are and how they work
● Tax benefits of contributing appreciated assets
● Strategic giving through bunching and timing deductions
● Differences between national donor-advised funds and community foundations
● Managing investments within donor-advised funds
● How grants are made to charities from the fund
● Contributing privately held assets and the planning required
● Using donor-advised funds to engage the next generation
● Options for fund succession and estate planning
● Current trends in charitable giving and legislative considerations
● Why donor-advised funds are gaining popularity over private foundations
 
Useful Links:
 
Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/
TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/
Harrison Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrisonmiller

November Perspectives: The Self-Healing Markets: Lessons from History, Behavior & Diversification

In this solo episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier explores how markets have a built-in ability to self-correct, a concept informed by his conversations with longtime colleague Larry Swedroe. Jeff ties together research from Joe Wiggins and Jason Zweig to explain how behavior, concentration risk, and market history reveal important lessons for investors. He also revisits the importance of broad diversification and TandemGrowth’s behavioral “bucket approach” for supporting client confidence in uncertain times.
Topics covered:
Behavioral traps investors face in fast-paced market environments
Joe Wiggins’ perspective on making slow, consistent, and infrequent decisions
Larry Swedroe’s concept of the self-healing mechanism of markets
How falling valuations increase expected future returns
Historical periods when stocks underperformed and rebounded strongly
Examples of self-healing in asset classes like value stocks, credit, private credit, and reinsurance
Jason Zweig’s analysis of AI-driven capital spending by big tech firms
The dangers of concentration risk—including going to all cash
Benefits of broad diversification across public and private markets
How the “bucket approach” helps reduce panic and support long-term strategy
 
Useful Links:
 Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn
 TandemGrowth Financial Advisors
 
Disclosures: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor for personalized guidance.

Investing with Taxes in Mind: A Conversation with Kacie Walsh of Dimensional

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier speaks with Kacie Walsh, Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors. They explore Dimensional’s evolving toolkit of tax-focused investment solutions designed to help clients keep more of what they earn. The conversation spans mutual funds, ETFs, SMAs, exchange funds, and 351 ETFs, explaining how each tool fits into a broader tax management strategy. Kacie also outlines how Dimensional’s daily, data-driven approach supports personalized portfolios and long-term efficiency for investors.
Topics covered:
Kacie Walsh’s professional background and current role at Dimensional Fund Advisors
Why Dimensional’s evidence-based, data-driven approach matters in tax-focused investing
Overview of tax loss harvesting and why fund and ETF lineup depth supports it
Differences in tax efficiency between ETFs and mutual funds—and how Dimensional narrows the gap
Update on Dimensional’s ETF share class application and what it means for investors
SMA (separately managed account) use cases, especially for high net worth individuals
How Dimensional’s SMAs differ from traditional direct indexing solutions
Behavioral and operational considerations of owning hundreds of individual securities
Understanding portfolio lock-up and how to plan for long-term SMA use
Exchange funds as tools for diversifying out of concentrated stock positions
351 ETFs as a strategy to consolidate appreciated securities tax efficiently
Overview of long/short SMAs and how they attempt to generate more tax alpha
How advisors and clients can assess the trade-offs in these advanced strategies
Useful Links:
Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/
TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/
Kacie Walsh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacie-walsh-5787a297

October Perspectives: Why Retirement Planning Is About Resilience, Not Certainty

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier connects 17th-century philosophy with modern financial planning. Using Blaise Pascal’s wager as a framework, Jeff examines how retirement planning isn’t about certainty—but resilience. He discusses scenario analysis, the role of Plan B, and why the best financial plans aren’t fixed, but adaptable. This episode is a timely reminder that thoughtful preparation—not prediction—brings peace of mind in uncertain times. 
 
Topics covered: 
Applying Pascal’s Wager to financial planning
The role of low-probability, high-impact risks in retirement planning
Emphasizing resilience over prediction
Scenario analysis and its purpose in building flexible plans
The importance of maintaining a Plan B
Avoiding the mistake of confusing spreadsheets with reality
Why assumptions in planning must remain dynamic
The value of humility in planning for an unknowable future
Embracing flexibility in lifestyle, spending, and investments
“Strong opinions loosely held” as a financial philosophy
Confidence through preparation rather than prediction
 
Useful Links: 
 
Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/ 
TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/ 

Purpose-Driven Planning and the Last Paycheck with Rob Hoxton

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier welcomes Rob Hoxton, founder of Hoxton Planning & Management and host of the Last Paycheck podcast. Rob shares his journey from aspiring minister to financial planner, exploring how life experiences shaped his unique approach to wealth management. They examine the evolving role of financial advisors, the impact of AI, and how to define a meaningful retirement. The conversation offers a compelling look at purpose-driven financial planning, multi-generational firm growth, and Rob’s vision for making a difference in underserved communities.
Topics covered:
● Rob Hoxton’s path from ministry to financial planning
● The philosophy behind Grow Greener and Think Ahead
● Defining “live rich vs. die rich” in financial planning
● Experience at Goldman Sachs and returning to independence
● Working with his son and building a multi-generational firm
● The future of financial planning with AI and technology
● Using AI tools to enhance human connection in advising
● Childhood money memories and their impact on financial behavior
● Helping clients uncover what matters most through money mind exercises
● Reframing retirement as a purpose-driven next act
● Rob’s “why” and the mission to serve more families
● Launching Shepherd University's financial planning program
● Looking forward: Rob’s excitement for family, business, and mentorship
● Encouragement for listeners seeking the right financial advisor
Useful Links:
Rob Hoxton on LinkedIn
Hoxton Planning & Management
Last Paycheck Podcast
Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn
TandemGrowth Financial Advisors

Perspectives: Navigating Tax Changes and Opportunities Before Year-End

In this Perspectives episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier explores key year-end tax planning strategies shaped by recent legislation. He breaks down thresholds, deductions, and opportunities to optimize charitable giving—particularly through donor-advised funds and gifting appreciated securities. Jeff also covers how Roth conversions and qualified charitable distributions can be integrated into a comprehensive strategy aligned with both financial goals and personal values.
 
Topics covered:
Overview of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and its impact on taxpayers
Importance of year-end tax planning under new legislation
Higher standard deduction and changes to itemized deductions
Adjusted income thresholds that affect Medicare premiums and deductions
Expansion and phase-out of SALT (State and Local Tax) deductions
Charitable gifting strategies using appreciated securities
Tax benefits of donor-advised funds for bunching donations
Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from IRAs for those over 73
Using Roth conversions in coordination with deduction strategies
Practical next steps for assessing your 2025 tax picture
Useful Links:
 Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn
 TandemGrowth Financial Advisors
Disclosures: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor for personalized guidance.