Master Your Money Mindset: Secrets to Financial Freedom

Why This Episode Is a Must-Listen

Ready to transform your relationship with money in 2026? "Master Your Money Mindset: Secrets to Financial Freedom" brings together a powerhouse panel from the fields of behavioral finance, financial therapy, and real-world investing.

If you've ever felt that your money decisions are driven by emotion—fear, greed, or old family beliefs—this episode peels back the curtain on what's really happening behind the scenes.

Whether you're a finance professional, an investor, or simply striving for personal financial stability, this episode provides you with practical systems and fresh insights that can help you sidestep costly mistakes and build lifelong wealth with confidence.

The episode dives deep into the psychology of money, equipping you with actionable frameworks you can use today.

Meet the Expert Panelists

Brian Portnoy, Ph.D., CFA, is the founder of Shaping Wealth, a leading learning platform focused on the psychology of money and human-first financial guidance. A former hedge fund and mutual fund investor, he is the author of several bestselling books, including The Geometry of Wealth, that explore how to build a life of meaning, not just wealth. https://www.shapingwealth.com

Saundra Davis MSFP, APFC®, FBS® is a US Navy veteran, financial coach, educator, and consultant, nationally recognized for her expertise in financial coaching, financial therapy, and addressing the racial wealth gap. She is the founder of Sage Financial Solutions (a training organization) and serves as the Director of Financial Planning Programs at Golden Gate University, where she develops and facilitates financial capability programs and coaching certifications to promote equitable access to high-quality financial guidance for all. https://www.sagefinancialsolutions.org

Henrik Cronqvist is a leading behavioral finance scholar trained under Nobel Laureate Richard H. Thaler at the University of Chicago, whose research on how psychology shapes financial decision-making has been published in top journals including the American Economic Review, Journal of Political Economy, and Journal of Finance. A former dean and vice dean, he now advises FinTech and EdTech ventures and is building the world's first Behavioral Finance AI Lab, bridging behavioral science, technology, and real-world impact. He is a Professor of Finance at Chapman University in Southern California. https://sites.google.com/site/henrikcronqvist

Dr. Kristy Archuleta is a professor in the Financial Planning program at the University of Georgia, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and a Certified Financial Therapist™, specializing in the intersection of money, relationships, and well-being. A co-founder of the Financial Therapy Association and editor of leading academic journals, she is an award-winning researcher and co-author of Psychology in Practice: Financial Planning Essentials, bringing cutting-edge financial therapy insights to practitioners and the public alike. https://www.fcs.uga.edu

Key Highlights

1. Self-Awareness is the Foundation of Financial Success
Saundra Davis emphasizes that building systems and practicing self-compassion is more effective than relying on willpower alone. She notes, "We will not abuse ourselves into better financial behaviors," urging listeners to develop routines that regulate emotional triggers and cultivate deep compassion for themselves.

2. Automation Beats Emotion-Driven Decisions
As Brian Portnoy points out, "Sometimes the best way to make a decision is to not make it at all." Delegating key financial decisions to automated systems—like retirement savings—removes guesswork and helps investors outsmart the biases that so often lead to costly mistakes.

3. Money Beliefs Are Shaped by Family and Community Systems
Kristy Archuleta discusses how early experiences and family dynamics unconsciously drive our financial decisions. Becoming aware of these scripts—and compassionately rewriting them—empowers us to change lifelong patterns.

4. Technology Is a Double-Edged Sword for Modern Investors
Henrik Cronqvist warns that while automation and account structure can help, technology also amplifies action bias and the temptation to gamble. "It's probably the most difficult time to stay rational," he observes, stressing the need for systems that shield us from emotional and herd-driven behaviors.

Call-to-Action

One thing to do this week. Think about one financial decision on your mind right now, big or small. Take two minutes and write down what emotion is attached to it, what story you're telling yourself about that decision, and one rule or pause you could add so future you doesn't have to rely on gut instinct alone. That short reflection can completely change how you make decisions going forward.

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