Money isn’t just math, it’s emotions, values, and tough conversations. In this bonus episode, financial therapist Aja Evans and Northwestern Mutual’s Lauren Yoder join host Jennifer to unpack two common money challenges: balancing priorities while raising kids and navigating financial secrets in relationships. They explore why emotions run high with money, how values shape decisions, and how planning with an advisor can ease stress and build alignment.
Have you ever felt anxious that you’re not living out your life’s purpose... or worried you don’t even know what it is? Jordan Grumet, author of Taking Stock and The Purpose Code, is a hospice physician who left private practice to follow his passion for conversations about money, purpose and life. He joins Jennifer Borget to explore why purpose doesn’t have to be one big “what” but can be a series of meaningful “whys.” Jordan shares how you can define purpose on your own terms and align your financial life to support it.
Between school drop-offs, back-to-back meetings and skyrocketing summer camp costs, parenting today can feel like a never-ending juggling act. In this episode, Dr. Whitney Casares, pediatrician, author and founder of Modern Mommy Doc, opens up about her journey from burnout to balance. She shares the moment that led her to redefine what truly matters and how she now helps other parents align their time, money and energy with their values.
Worrying about the future is inevitable, but it doesn't need to be all consuming. Kate Sweeny, Professor of Psychology and Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs at the UC Riverside Life Events Lab, has spent her career studying how we approach periods of uncertainty. She shares why the unknown is stressful and how we can reduce this stress with strategies like planning ahead.
Listen to this episode and more on our website:
Link to our Readiness Checklist to meet with your advisor for the first time: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/assets/pdf/meeting-with-your-financial-advisor-for-the-first-time.pdf
Connect with A Better Way to Money® on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/a-better-way-to-money-podcast/
If the thought of managing your money has you feeling stressed, you're not alone. In this episode, best-selling author and entrepreneur Kate Northrup joins Jennifer to explore how to bring a sense of peace back into your money life.
Kate shares how changing your mindset around money can help you break free from the cycle of constant busyness. You'll hear her insights on the importance of slowing down and learn practical tips on how to stay in control of your finances without being overwhelmed. Tune in for a conversation on money, wellness, and living with intention.
Starting or growing your family is exciting, but it can also raise tough questions about your career and finances. In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Allison Whalen, founder and CEO of Parentaly, to talk about how to build a smarter, more supportive leave plan. From protecting your career momentum to budgeting for time off, Allison shares practical advice for parents-to-be. Plus, Northwestern Mutual offers financial tips to help you prepare for your time away.
Whether you're eyeing your first place, considering an upgrade or weighing the benefits of renting, navigating today’s real estate market can feel overwhelming. Beyond price, there are many factors that can impact your decision—like location, amenities and even which side of the street you want your windows facing. In this episode, Jennifer sits down with real estate agent and YouTube personality Jeb Smith to cut through the noise. Together, they unpack what matters most when it comes to homeownership, from timing and financing to the emotional side of buying a home.
Episode Page: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/life-and-money/planning-for-home-ownership
Resources: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/life-and-money/complete-guide-to-buying-a-home/
Live from New York City, host Jennifer Borget sits down with Lo Bosworth, former TV personality, wellness entrepreneur and CEO of Love Wellness, and Lauren Yoder, VP of Product Management at Northwestern Mutual. They explore the major transitions Lo has navigated, from becoming a reality TV star at 17 to building a successful wellness brand and planning her upcoming wedding. Along the way, Lauren shares valuable financial insights to help listeners understand how big life changes can impact their money and how to stay prepared and feel confident through every phase of adulthood.
Disclaimer: Utilizing the accumulated value through policy loans, surrenders or cash withdrawals will reduce the death benefit and may necessitate greater outlay than anticipated and/or result in an unexpected taxable event.
Resources: Vision Board Guide
Money can be one of the hardest topics to talk about—especially with family. But avoiding these conversations can hold you back. In this episode, financial researcher Sonya Lutter, Ph.D., CFP®, LMFT, joins host Jennifer Borget to explore where attitudes toward money come from. She’ll also share how open, honest dialogue about money can build trust, reduce stress and boost financial confidence. From navigating differing money beliefs with a partner to teaching kids about spending and saving, Sonya offers tips to make these talks easier and more impactful.
Resources: Financial conversation starters for couples (https://www.northwesternmutual.com/assets/pdf/financial-conversation-starters-for-couples.pdf)
Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC) are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide advisory services.
Sonya Lutter, PhD, CFP, LMFT, "The Trust Factor: Key Insights into Planner-Client Relationships," Commissioned research from Northwestern Mutual, 2024.
Sonya Lutter is not affiliated with Northwestern Mutual and the views expressed by Sonya Lutter do not necessarily represent those of Northwestern Mutual or its subsidiaries.
Welcome back to A Better Way to Money™ :the podcast that helps to uncover your blind spots and find smarter ways to make your money work for you. This season, we’re digging into life’s big milestones — from getting married to buying your first home and everything in between.
Join host Jennifer Borget and a lineup of expert guests for Season 2, where real life meets real financial advice.
Money and stress often go hand in hand: When your finances feel out of control, it’s easy to spiral in other parts of your life, too. In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Scott, the author of “8 Keys to Stress Management,” shares how money intertwines with emotions and offers ways to manage stress through the holidays and beyond. Then Lauren Yoder, vice president of product management at Northwestern Mutual, explains how working with an advisor to create a financial plan can alleviate stress and bring calm to your life.
Resources:
https://www.northwesternmutual.com/life-and-money/quiz/do-you-have-a-good-financial-plan/
Having kids changes many aspects of your life, from how much time you have to yourself to how you handle money. As your kids grow, teaching them how to manage their own money is an important part of helping them become independent adults. In this episode, Tanya Van Court, founder of the financial education app Goal Setter, discusses the importance of talking to kids about finances and explains how parents can teach healthy money habits. Then Morgan Krause, senior director of field growth and engagement at Northwestern Mutual, covers how having kids affects your finances and the importance of financial planning for families.
Resources:
Retirement looks different today than it did 50 years ago. As life expectancy continues to rise, it isn’t unusual for people to spend 20 to 30 years in retirement, which is a long time to live off your savings. In this episode, Maddy Dychtwald, a national best-selling author and co-founder of Age Wave, explains how longer lifespans are changing the way we live in retirement—and how important it is to plan ahead. Andrew Weber, senior director of Planning Philosophy at Northwestern Mutual, also shares tools you can use now to give you financial flexibility in retirement to adapt to unknowns in the future and create income that lasts as long as you do.
Resources:
Money can be a loaded topic to discuss—especially with a partner. Beyond the dollars and cents, there’s a lot of feeling attached to money, which can make it hard to talk about. In this episode, Certified Financial Therapist™ Nathan Astle talks about why money is so hard to talk about and gives advice on how you and your partner can make room for healthy money conversations in your relationship. Next Kristin Krause, senior director with Northwestern Mutual’s advisor solutions department, shares important money topics to cover with your partner and why it’s so important (and when done well—fun) to have these conversations.
Resources from Northwestern Mutual:
https://www.northwesternmutual.com/life-and-money/getting-financially-intimate-with-your-partner/
Estate planning might seem like something only for the rich and famous, but it’s a key part of any financial plan. As you grow your assets—and especially as kids enter the picture—estate planning helps to ensure that those assets will go to who you want, when you want. In this episode, Cody Barbo, founder of Trust & Will, explains what an estate plan is and why it’s so important to have one. Then Kelley Daugherty, an advanced planning senior attorney at Northwestern Mutual, shares what can happen if you don’t have an estate plan, how to get started, and more.
Resources from Northwestern Mutual:
https://www.northwesternmutual.com/life-and-money/why-everyone-needs-an-estate-plan/
Do you have a passion you’re thinking about monetizing? Or maybe your side hustle is growing, and you’re wondering how and when to make the leap and take it full time. In this episode, we explore everything you need to know about side hustles. Jennifer Borget is joined by Nancy Twine, who transformed her side hustle—clean hair-care brand Briogeo—into a thriving business. You’ll also hear from Erik Zipp, a Certified Financial PlannerTM, about the financial considerations of starting and growing a side hustle.
Resources from this episode:
Resources from Northwestern Mutual:
Join host Jennifer Borget live from New York for a special episode of “A Better Way to MoneyTM”. Kat Stickler is a social media phenomenon, a mom and just like you—someone who is looking to make her money work harder for her. From learning about money growing up to what she’s got planned for her daughter, you’ll hear all about Kat’s journey with money so far. You will also get expert insights from Matt Stucky, who is a Chartered Financial Analyst with Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company.
Resources from Northwestern Mutual:
Visit northwestermutual.com for more resources.
A job change- it’s something we’ll all go through. Whether you’re looking to change industries, get more vacation days or ask for a raise, the world of job negotiation can be stressful. In this episode, host Jennifer Borget talks with career coach and Harvard-trained expert Gorick Ng, who offers insights into navigating workplace negotiations. Then Northwestern Mutual financial expert Tom Gilmour shares essential tips on the financial aspects you should consider during your job search and transition.
Resources from this episode:
Resources from Northwestern Mutual:
Visit northwestermutual.com for more resources.
Welcome to a Better Way to Money™ from Northwestern Mutual, the podcast that will empower you to uncover the blind spots and find opportunities to help you put your money to work! With insights from a lineup of top experts, A Better Way to Money™ will equip you with the knowledge to make your money work harder and smarter.
To learn more, visit northwestermutual.com