Are you unknowingly sabotaging your retirement just because you're afraid to talk about money? In this episode of Beyond the Paycheck, Paula Christine sits down with financial therapist John Hankins to unpack the real emotional and mental blocks that hold people back from smart retirement planning. They explore how childhood money mindsets carry into adulthood, why people avoid financial planners, and the anxiety that comes with managing a big retirement account. You’ll also learn why visualizing your “future self” can help you make smarter decisions today. If you've ever put your finances in a drawer and walked away, this one’s for you.

John Hankins is a Certified Financial Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker who helps people overcome fear, shame, and anxiety around money. Through his practice, Financial Therapy Me, he supports clients, especially those nearing or in retirement, in making confident, informed financial decisions. Blending emotional insight with practical tools, John meets people where they are and guides them toward a healthier relationship with money.

Get in touch with John Hankins:
🌐 Website: https://www.financial-therapy.me/
📧 Email: john@financial-therapy.me
📞 Phone: +1 (970) 833-1589

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(3:00) How money beliefs start early

(4:43) Retirement mindset shift needed

(6:01) The fear of facing your finances

(8:06) Why do people delay financial help

(9:48) Planning is better than panic

(13:21) The “future self” method

(16:04) Roth Vs. Pre-tax decisions

(18:33) Helping your kids financially

(21:08) Why retirement planning is harder now

(24:29) Roths, taxes, and emotional relief

(27:49) Final advice: Take the first step

(31:10) Outro

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Reach Paula at paula@paulachristine.com or through her website, paulachristine.com.

How much of your retirement savings is actually yours—and how much belongs to the IRS? In this episode of Beyond the Paycheck, host Paula Christine welcomes retirement planning expert Mel Stubbs to break down what most people overlook about taxes, income buckets, and the long-term impact of financial choices. From required minimum distributions and Roth conversions to Medicare premiums and inherited IRAs, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you protect your future wealth.

Mel Stubbs is a retirement planning expert at Christy Capital, specializing in helping federal employees make smart, tax-efficient decisions. He’s the author of Your FERS Federal Retirement and brings years of experience guiding clients through TSPs, Social Security, Roth conversions, and income planning. Known for his clear, practical advice, Mel is passionate about helping people keep more of their money in retirement—not give it away to taxes.


Connect with Mel Stubbs or his team:
🌐 Website: christycapital.com
💬 Click “Talk to an Advisor” to schedule a consultation

Mel Stubbs’ Book: Your FERS Federal Retirement
📘 Get it at: christycapital.com/decisions


Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(1:44) Required distributions and tax jumps

(3:26) Roth Vs. Traditional contributions

(4:49) Widow tax trap explained

(5:52) Medicare premiums and RMDs

(7:19) Charitable giving from IRA

(9:02) Inherited IRA and 10-year rule

(10:39) Life insurance to offset taxes

(12:19) Tax buckets: Roth, pre-tax, non-qualified

(14:41) Know what’s actually yours

(16:50) Pass on wisdom before money

(17:46) DIY or delegate retirement planning

(18:30) Specializing in federal retirement

(19:42) Outro

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Reach Paula at paula@paulachristine.com or through her website, paulachristine.com.

In today’s episode of Beyond the Paycheck, Paula Christine sits down with credit expert Yordan Marin from Plant Money Habits LLC to break down how credit really works—and what you can do to raise your score, even if you're currently in debt. From increasing credit limits the smart way to helping your teen build credit before 18, you’ll hear practical, easy-to-apply tips that make a real difference.

Yordan Marin is the founder of Plant Money Habits, where he helps people improve their credit, eliminate debt, and build strong financial habits. Originally a financial coach, Yordan shifted his focus when clients repeatedly asked for help with credit repair. Today, he combines credit education with practical tools to empower others to take control of their finances. He’s also passionate about teaching kids and teens how to develop healthy money habits early on.

Get in touch with Yordan Marin:
Website: https://plantmoneyhabits.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yordan-marin-b70342170/

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(1:04) Yordan’s journey into credit coaching

(2:08) Why more credit can actually help

(5:32) Debt consolidation with personal loans

(7:19) Why credit cards are so easy to overuse

(11:41) Collections, disputes, and credit reports

(18:11) Steps to improve a low credit score

(20:39) How teens can start building credit

(25:38) Outro

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Reach Paula at paula@paulachristine.com or through her website, paulachristine.com.

What’s stopping you from becoming who you were meant to be? In this episode of Beyond the Paycheck, Paula Christine connects with Dennis J. Henson, a lifelong learner and author, to talk about one small habit that can shift everything—reading something positive each day. They discuss why most people never reach their goals, how to break free from negative thinking, and the real reason massive action feels so hard. You’ll also hear powerful stories of transformation, practical tools to reset your mindset, and a unique way to find your life’s direction.

Dennis J. Henson is a bestselling author, speaker, and educator who’s spent over 50 years helping people create success through simple daily habits. From band director to real estate investor, his journey proves that with the right mindset and a clear goal, anything is possible. His book Real Impact, Daily Inspiration offers powerful daily readings to help you stay focused, motivated, and on track.

Connect with Dennis J Henson:
Website: https://dennisjhenson.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dennis-j-henson-author/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DJHFB
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennisjhenson/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy8AyEAp0Byq2Mz36i7Ba1w
Free E-book: https://www.realimpactbook.com/

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(1:05) Dennis’s story and his love for books

(3:50) How daily reading changes your direction

(6:30) Morning routines that make a difference

(8:00) Favorite books and the power of habit

(14:30) Shifting mindsets and killing negative thoughts

(21:30) Helping young people find their path

(27:00) From struggling student to drumline leader

(35:11) Outro

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Reach Paula at paula@paulachristine.com or through her website, paulachristine.com.

In this episode of Beyond the Paycheck, Paula Christine welcomes author and entrepreneur Jacopo Iasiello to explore his four-pillar method from his book Healthy, Rich, and Happy. They discuss how meditation, prayer, biohacking, and exercise can align your mindset, health, and purpose to create a more fulfilling and successful life. Jacopo shares his personal journey from real estate to inner transformation and offers actionable tips for building daily rituals that drive lasting change.

Jacopo Iasiello is a real estate entrepreneur, investor, and author. Originally from Naples, Italy, Jacopo blends business acumen with spiritual insight, helping others unlock success through a holistic, four-part method: meditate, pray, biohack, and exercise. He draws on decades of experience in real estate and personal development, offering a grounded yet visionary approach to achieving fulfillment. His work is endorsed by high-achieving leaders and supports charitable efforts to restore dignity to those experiencing homelessness.

Learn more about Jacopo Iasiello:
Website: https://healthyrichandhappy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacopoiasielloinvestorbroker
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacopo-iasiello-50936244

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(02:18) Overview of Jacopo’s four-pillar method

(03:07) Meditation with clear purpose

(04:55) Aligning spirituality with business

(07:08) Finding your peak energy window

(09:55) Daily reflection through four key questions

(12:40) How to pray with intention

(17:08) Intro to biohacking and energy tools

(24:40) Customizing exercise for your body

(27:30) Outro

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Reach Paula at paula@paulachristine.com or through her website, paulachristine.com.

Is hard work enough, or is your reputation the key to success? In this eye-opening episode of Beyond the Paycheck, Paula Christine chats with Liana Zavo, a PR and branding expert, to reveal why your brand can open more doors than your resume ever will. They discuss the power of authenticity, consistency, and visibility and how even 9-to-5 professionals can use branding to land better opportunities. Liana also shares why transparency builds trust, how video content can skyrocket your credibility, and why playing it safe online might cost you career growth.

Liana Zavo is the Founder and CEO of ZavoMedia PR Group, a top global PR firm. With 20+ years of experience, she helps professionals build powerful personal brands through storytelling and visibility. A passionate advocate for authenticity, Liana works with CEOs, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders to elevate their influence and credibility worldwide.

Reach out to Liana Zavo:
Website: https://zavomediapr.com/
Email: hello@zavomediapr.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lianazavoprpro

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(1:52) The power of personal branding

(3:07) Authenticity and emotional connection

(5:23) How branding boosts career opportunities

(6:32) Being open about personal struggles

(9:04) Embracing imperfection in your brand

(10:44) Liana’s journey into PR and branding

(17:41) The way you make people feel is your brand

(20:33) Why personal branding matters for everyone

(22:12) The importance of video content

(26:30) Liana’s 21-day branding challenge

(27:39) Outro

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Reach Paula at paula@paulachristine.com or through her website, paulachristine.com.

Are you missing out on free resources that could change your life? In this episode of Beyond the Paycheck, Paula Christine welcomes back Matthew Lesko, the expert on government grants and financial assistance. He shares practical ways to access funding for education, business, and personal needs—without falling into online scams. Discover where to find grants, how to get free help from experts, and why talking to real people is the secret to success. If you or someone you love struggles with school costs, business growth, or job training, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Don't let confusion hold you back—help is out there!

Matthew Lesko is a government grants expert, bestselling author, and energetic advocate for free financial resources. Known for his iconic question-mark suits, he has spent over 40 years helping people access funding, business support, and financial aid. A former Navy veteran with an MBA, Matthew has written multiple books on uncovering government assistance and now runs LetsGoHelp.com, a community dedicated to connecting people with life-changing opportunities.

Get in touch with Matthew Lesko:
Website: https://www.free.lesko.com/
Email: matthew.lesko@gmail.com

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(2:20) Where grant money really comes from

(5:50) Why you need to talk to real people

(8:30) Financial aid for trade schools and apprenticeships

(12:29) Support for single parents in school

(15:18) Free help for writing business plans

(16:55) How to apply for government contracts

(22:10) The joy of giving and helping others

(25:57) Outro

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Reach Paula at paula@paulachristine.com or through her website, paulachristine.com.

Are you truly financially secure? Many women leave money matters to their partners—until life forces them to take control. In today’s episode of Beyond the Paycheck, Paula Christine connects with financial expert Abbe Large to uncover the hidden risks of financial inaction. From life insurance pitfalls to must-have money talks, they share real stories and practical steps to take charge. Don’t wait for a crisis—tune in now and own your financial future!

Abbe Large, CLU, CLTC, is a Managing Director at Lenox Advisors with nearly 30 years of experience in financial services, estate planning, and asset management. She helps clients protect their wealth, structure executive benefits, and plan for the future. Recognized by Forbes as a top financial security professional, Abbe is passionate about empowering women to take charge of their finances. She’s also a wife, mom of three, and outdoor enthusiast.

Connect with Abbe Large:
Website: https://www.lenoxadvisors.com/
Email: alarge@lenoxadvisors.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbeflarge/

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(4:24) Why women must be involved in finances

(7:01) Changing the conversation with men

(10:41) What keeps women up at night?

(16:43) How women can get financially educated

(21:42) The three stages of financial life

(25:40) Estate planning: Wills, power of attorney & more

(29:47) Why you need the correct documents

(32:12) Outro

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Reach Paula at paula@paulachristine.com or through her website, paulachristine.com.