The Money and Meaning Show

Retirement is often viewed as a financial milestone. But what if one of its greatest challenges has little to do with money?
In this episode of Money & Meaning Perspectives, Jeff Bernier explores the transition from achievement to purpose, drawing on reflections from Chip Conley, founder of the Modern Elder Academy, and Arthur Brooks, Harvard professor and bestselling author of From Strength to Strength. Jeff examines why many successful people struggle more with identity than finances after leaving their careers, how our strengths evolve over time, and what it means to become an elder rather than simply grow older. Whether you're within 10 to 15 years of retirement or already retired, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective on the retirement transition, finding purpose after a successful career, and designing a meaningful next chapter.
Topics Covered
Chip Conley’s imagined conversation with his 90-year-old self● Why preserving past success can limit growth later in life● Arthur Brooks’ explanation of the Four Ashramas● The student and householder stages of life● The “striver’s curse” and the limits of constant achievement● Retirement as a developmental transition rather than only a financial one● The difference between becoming older and becoming an elder● Why identity can become a major challenge after leaving work● Moving from being indispensable to becoming influential● The shift from fluid intelligence to crystallized intelligence● Teaching, mentoring, and sharing wisdom with younger generations● Becoming a beginner again in retirement● Redefining success through purpose, service, faith, wisdom, and relationships● Using wealth as a tool for freedom rather than as a destination● Questions to consider from the perspective of your 90-year-old self
 
 
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)

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier is joined by Dr. Joy Lere, a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of Shaping Wealth. They examine retirement as more than a financial milestone, focusing on the shift in identity, purpose, and daily structure that comes with leaving a career. Joy shares how unmet expectations, loss, and identity challenges can shape the transition, along with practical ways to prepare by building a meaningful life outside of work and continuing to contribute beyond a paycheck. 
 
Topics covered: 
Retirement as an existential transition, not just a financial one
The gap between expectations and reality in life after work
Normalizing loss, stress, and emotional complexity in transitions
Building a life outside of work before retiring
Balancing meaningful work with other areas of life
Continuing purpose and contribution beyond a paycheck
Identity challenges when stepping away from a long-held role
Shifting mindset from “what you do” to “who you are”
Identifying needs fulfilled by work and finding alternatives
Avoidance and delaying difficult transitions
Processing grief and loss in major life changes
Holding both joy and grief during life transitions
 
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/ 
Joy Lere on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-lere-psy-d 
Shaping Wealth: https://www.shapingwealth.com/ 
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com) 

In this Perspective episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier examines one of the most common questions investors ask: whether they’re missing out by not owning the latest high-profile stock or IPO. Using examples ranging from railroads and the telecom boom to NVIDIA, SpaceX, and artificial intelligence, Jeff explores why transformative companies don’t always translate into exceptional investments. He explains the difference between innovation and speculation, why market expectations matter, and how diversification allows investors to participate in long-term human progress without relying on predicting tomorrow’s winners. 
Topics Covered 
Why investors are drawn to 'hot' stocks and IPOs 
The difference between a great company and a great investment 
What history teaches us about IPO performance 
SpaceX and the role of valuation versus business success 
Lessons from railroads and the telecom boom 
How artificial intelligence fits into historical innovation cycles 
Why market expectations matter more than growth alone 
Mean reversion in corporate profitability 
Research on the small percentage of stocks that create most market wealth 
Why diversification remains a powerful investment strategy 
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/ 
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com) 

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier speaks with Peter Nakada, Chief Education Officer at Stone Ridge Asset Management, about alternative investments and the role they can play in building more resilient retirement portfolios. They examine why traditional portfolios are often overly dependent on corporate profits and interest rates, and how “true alternatives” like reinsurance may provide diversification benefits that traditional alternatives cannot. Peter explains catastrophe bonds, quota shares, risk premiums, and the behavioral challenges investors face when allocating to alternative asset classes during periods of uncertainty and market volatility. 
 
Topics covered: 
Why traditional portfolios may be overly tied to stocks and bonds
The difference between traditional alternatives and “true alternatives”
How reinsurance works and why it exists
Understanding catastrophe bonds and quota shares
Natural disaster risk as an investable risk premium
Hard and soft insurance markets and how pricing adjusts after losses
Why reinsurance may help improve portfolio resilience in retirement
Expected return assumptions for reinsurance strategies
Portfolio allocation considerations for alternative investments
Behavioral challenges investors face during periods of natural disasters
Probability biases and investor psychology in alternative asset classes
Why staying invested through market cycles matters 
 
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/ 
Peter Nakada on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-nakada 
Stone Ridge: https://www.stoneridgeam.com/ 
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com) 

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier examines a recent discussion from The Rational Reminder podcast that challenges the common belief that stocks are always safe if held long enough. Jeff explores how market downturns often force investors to sell not because of panic, but because of income shocks, fixed expenses, and limited liquidity. He breaks down research on investor behavior during crises and explains why financial resilience depends not only on portfolio construction, but also on flexibility, liquidity, and lifestyle design.  
 
Topics covered: 
Why long-term investing assumes investors can stay invested
Research from The Rational Reminder podcast on investor behavior during market crashes
How income shocks and liquidity challenges force investors to sell
The concept of “hidden leverage” created by fixed lifestyle expenses
Why risk is more than just market volatility
Differences between working professionals and retirees when managing investment risk
The importance of emergency reserves and liquidity buffers
How lifestyle flexibility impacts portfolio decisions
Reframing diversification beyond stocks and bonds
Financial resilience, optionality, and staying invested through uncertainty 
 
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/ 
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com) 

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier is joined by Jason Lina, Founder of Golden Bell Financial Planning. Together, they discuss how thoughtful financial planning goes beyond numbers and why clarity, simplicity, and good decision-making matter more than trying to predict the future.
Topics Discussed
Why much of the challenge in financial planning comes from filtering out poor advice
How experienced advisors think about risk, uncertainty, and long-term investing
The role of diversification, asset allocation, and disciplined portfolio management
Considerations when making decisions like Social Security and mortgage payoff
The connection between your financial resources and what matters most to you
Key Takeaways
Financial planning often involves making thoughtful, consistent decisions over time
A well-structured plan considers a range of possible outcomes, not just one prediction
Simplicity and discipline can play an important role in long-term planning
Financial decisions are not just mathematical. They are personal.
About the Guest
Jason Lina is the Founder of Golden Bell Financial Planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner professional and Chartered Financial Analyst. Jason has been featured in publications such as Forbes, Money Magazine, CNBC, and U.S. News and World Report. He focuses on comprehensive financial planning and long-term investment strategy.
Resources Mentioned
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Happy Money by Ken Honda
Your Money and Your Brain by Jason Zweig
Die With Zero by Bill Perkins
Connect with Jason
Golden Bell Financial PlanningJason Lina on LinkedIn
Connect with Jeff
TandemGrowth Financial Advisors, LLCJeff Bernier on TandemGrowth
 
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier examines how geopolitical conflict influences oil and gasoline prices, drawing on perspectives from economist John Cochrane and JPMorgan’s Michael Cembalest. He explains how war creates supply shocks, why energy markets react quickly, and how those effects ripple through inflation and the broader economy. Jeff also outlines why the U.S. is less vulnerable today and what investors should focus on when uncertainty rises.
 
Topics covered:
How war creates supply shocks in global oil markets
Risk premiums, sanctions, and policy responses affecting energy prices
The structure and limitations of global energy supply
Why fossil fuels still dominate and renewable transition is slow
How rising oil prices impact inflation and the broader economy
The U.S. energy shift due to shale production and reduced import reliance
Historical policy mistakes during energy crises
Why price controls and subsidies can worsen outcomes
The cyclical nature of energy shocks and market adjustment over time
Investor perspective: diversification and avoiding macro speculation
Building portfolios that can withstand geopolitical uncertainty
 
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/
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier reflects on a recent client conversation sparked by a Wall Street Journal article about an AI “tsunami.” Jeff examines the tension between AI as transformative breakthrough and potential disruption, and what that means for investors. Using recent market performance data, he explains how expectations, valuations, and diversification shape disciplined decision-making during periods of technological change and uncertainty. 
 
Topics covered: 
A client conversation about AI and uncertainty
Media narratives: AI as breakthrough vs. disruption
Market expectations versus emotional headlines
Recent performance: IGV vs. VOO and market rotation
How valuations influence future expected returns
The risks of concentration in high-growth sectors
Diversification and systematic rebalancing
Building resilience instead of predicting the future
Maintaining discipline during technological change
 
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/ 
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)