Today, Ben discusses the intersection of philosophy and financial planning with Nick Shiver, a wealth advisor from Columbia, South Carolina. Both Ben and Nick hold master's degrees in philosophy, and their conversation explores how their philosophical backgrounds inform their current roles in financial advising. They reflect on the rigorous training in critical thinking and argumentation philosophy provided and its applicability to building comprehensive financial plans rooted in ethical cons...

Ben, along with advisors Bryan Smalley, Lance Peters, and Charlie Horonzy, provide valuable insights into the world of financial advising. The discussion covers the daily life of financial advisors, the industry’s various channels, client types, regulatory bodies, and the significant personal satisfaction derived from serving clients. They also explore the diverse paths to entering the financial services industry, including education, networking, and certifications. Inspirational pointers on ...

Joe Petry, a fellow member of the Catholic Financial Planners Network and founder of Mayfair Financial, shares his journey from economist to financial planner, motivated by his firsthand experience with retirement and ministry. In this episode, Joe emphasizes the importance of empathy, trust, and integrating faith into his work. From working with a refugee support initiative and the Kairos prison ministry to his time teaching economics at the university level, Joe brings a wealth of empathy a...

In this episode of the podcast hosted by Ben Martinek from the Catholic Financial Planners Network, guest Nick Orenduff of Orenduff Associates shares his insights on various investment vehicles and the importance of diversification. They discuss the differences between stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, and bonds, highlighting the roles these instruments play in a diversified investment portfolio. The conversation also covers the distinctions between fixed income investments and stock ownership, exp...

We’re all going to pay taxes, but knowing how the system works can prepare us for retirement with a little more money in our savings accounts. Today’s guest, Charlie Horonzy, returns to discuss the ways we can use the tax code to our advantage. We discuss how tax planning is one of the most critical aspects of financial planning, how much better retirement can be when well-planned for, and when you should be paying taxes now vs later. Charlie gives some great examples of how the Tax Cuts and ...

The nature of the sin called usury has its proper place and origin in a mutuum contract. Jerod Frank, a financial advisor and recent Catholic convert, shares his personal journey of grappling with the concept of usury within the context of ethical and moral investing. We answer questions such as should there be limits to profits? Jerod delves into the distinction between mutuum and societas loans, emphasizing the potential for perpetual indebtedness as the defining factor of usury. He also ra...

Sarah Kang is a Certified Financial Planner with UAK Diversified, a firm she runs with her husband. With a focus on the personal side of financial planning, Sarah brings her experience as a music teacher to planning in a way that allows her to break things down in a way that just makes sense. In this episode, Ben and Sarah discuss how helping people can be meaningful and how, even with uncertainty ahead, we can always create a plan, we just may need to pivot. If you’re looking for a light con...

With 9 years in the finance industry, Michael Acosta returns to the show with some insights on homeownership. Michael is driven to work for his clients with the guidance of his tag line “Prepare, Perform, Prosper”. Questions discussed in this episode include: Should you pursue homeownership? Is a home a good investment? And is renting bad? All that, and more on this episode of Catholic Money Mastermind. Key Takeaways: What makes renting is a good decision.When it can be worth it to buy...

Bryan Smalley is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with a BA from the University of Toledo and an MA from Bowling Green State University. With a focus on “taking the scary out of retirement planning”, Bryan helps his clients focus on all the joys of retirement. Living in New Jersey with his wife and their 4 children, Bryan brings to this episode his perspective on having a single income household, homeschooling, and how these decisions impact your financial life. Of course, there’s more to...

With over 30 years of experience as a financial planner, Lance is one of the most experienced people in the Catholic Financial Planners Network. Lance is the Founder and CEO of Nautical Star Financial, whose name echoes Lance’s time in the Navy. In this episode, Lance tells Ben how he brings a Christian approach to financial planning - even praying with clients! If you’re looking for deeper insight on what it means to be a Catholic financial planner, this is the episode for you. Key...

Anthony specializes in holistic family planning with focus on early career and family, retirement transition, tax preparation, and real estate investing. Having always wanted to help as many people as possible, Anthony became a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) helping his clients with financial literacy - regardless of their wealth. In this episode, Ben and Anthony discuss holistic life planning, expanding beyond finances to touch on mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational health. If...

Phil joins us from Foundation Wealth Planning in Salina, Kansas. He’s also a member of the Catholic Financial Planner Network, integrating his faith with his financial practice. With 8 years experience at a large financial firm, Phil left to start his own practice about 2 years ago. One of his major focuses has been to help families and businesses break the paycheck to paycheck cycle by tackling debt obligations, living expenses, and saving for the future.  In this episode, Ben and Phil...

In this episode, we explore the challenging and rewarding journey of Kevin Reardon, a seasoned financial advisor who started his career in 1992. Through the highs and lows of his career, Kevin opens up about the hardships he faced during the early 2000s and how having faith, persevering through difficulties, and focusing on service can help navigate life's ups and downs in a spiritually fulfilling way. Challenges are opportunities to grow closer to God. Tune in to this enlightening episode as...

Today, Deb Meyer, CFP®, CPA/PFS, CEPA​, joins us to chat about women balancing motherhood with their professional careers. Throughout history, there has been a prevailing belief that women should primarily fulfill their roles within the household. Deb’s journey in being a mom and business owner has led her to address certain concerns within the Catholic faith regarding gender roles. After raising kids as a stay at home mom while working, Deb now seeks to help other families develop a...

Some small changes can make a big difference. Tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars are at stake in getting that one decision right like with social security. You really will impact your quality of life as these decisions start to compound. So, let’s get ahead of the decisions that’ll most drastically affect our retirement. Today, Tyler’s going to share what areas in our personal and financial lives deserve a second look. What You’ll Learn: Retiring to rather than retiring fromWhat...

You might have your kids saving up in piggy banks, but how do you get them ready to tackle money in the real world? Today’s guest, Robert Franer, has a ton of actionable advice when it comes to instilling the foundation money skills your kids need to master. Of course, parenting looks different for everyone, but this episode will have you thinking about a framework to building your childrens' money mindset, spending habits, and investing predisposition. What You’ll Learn: What does it mean...

Ben Martinek and Charlie Horonzy talk about how to bring prayer into your finances, the insecurity that's associated with it, and the specific methods that they use. Amidst uncertainty, prayer plays a crucial role in helping us stay grounded, seek guidance and find the strength to fulfill our responsibilities. "I think God wants us to be saints.. and everything in our life is helping us to get to heaven." - Charlie Horonzy What You’ll Learn: Lectio Davina prayer and other meditation...

Ben Martinek and Andy Flattery delve into generational wealth, family dynamics and inheritance, and the inferred responsibility of those who have wealth to act with generosity toward those who are less privileged. The discussion unravels the power dynamics that shape society. Explore the contrasting responses, from the trad Catholic movement to Catholic homesteaders and the Postliberals, as they navigate the current state of affairs with their unique perspectives.  In a society that...

Ben Martinek and Joe Ibarra discuss how building wealth is tangential to growing in virtue. Most people wouldn’t consider building wealth as an opportunity to refine the virtues of patience, discipline and generosity. In this episode, Joe Ibarra deliberates how the journey to generating wealth comes with a testament of these skills.  Joe graduated first in his class from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO where he studied Philosophy and Accounting. He is a Financial Planner at Falcon...

Ben Martinek and Tyler Hackenberg provide an insightful discussion on how Catholic social teaching can be integrated into financial planning and decision-making. We hear the story of Tyler Hackenberg, a former Westminster Theological Seminary student who is now a Catholic financial advisor located in the greater Philadelphia area. Tyler's journey to Catholicism started at Vanguard with a client requesting a donation to Planned Parenthood. This request led Tyler to explore Catholic social...

Ben Martinek and Michael Acosta discuss goal setting in 2023. "I love goal setting. I have to say, when I first got started setting goals, it's kinda like, uh, do I really need to do this? Is it necessary? And I have to say, after being in business for many years and working with clients for many years, yes! Goal setting is important. At the end of the day, on a practical level, if we wanna be able to look back at our lives and have something to show for our hard work, I really think you...

Ben Martinek and Joe Ibarra host Trent Horn – Apologist for Catholic Answers and host of The Counsel of Trent podcast – to discuss money principals regarding retirement as a Catholic, Trent’s recent debate with New Polity’s Jacob Imam on Pints with Aquinas, everyday money habits, as well as how Trent got into the world of Catholic apologetics. This episode includes universal principals and specific takeaways, Scripture passages and personal experiences, perspectives from financial advisors...

Andy Flattery visits with Mother Abbess Cecelia of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles in Gower, MO. They talk about restoring civilization, growing your own food, the life of a traditional nun, the latin mass, and the munificence of supporting the building of new monasteries. If you would like to help the sisters build a new monastery in southern Missouri, please do so on their website. Catholic Money Mastermind is a production of the Catholic Financial Planners Network that...