What does true wealth really mean?

In this episode of the Get Smart With Money Podcast, Dayna Hernandez sits down with Mark Wade, a financial advisor with nearly five decades of experience helping individuals and families build wealth, protect their assets, and create meaningful legacies.

But Mark's story goes far beyond financial planning.

Growing up in Newark, working multiple jobs through college, surviving stage 4 cancer, and overcoming a triple bypass gave him a unique perspective on money, success, and what truly matters in life.

Together, Dayna and Mark discuss:

• The biggest financial mistakes people make
• Why wealth is about more than money
• Building a legacy for future generations
• How life-changing challenges reshape priorities
• The connection between values and financial decisions
• What successful families do differently when it comes to money
• Why it's never too late to take control of your financial future

This conversation is filled with practical wisdom, personal stories, and powerful reminders that money is simply a tool to help create the life and impact you want.

Whether you're just beginning your financial journey or thinking about the legacy you'll leave behind, this episode offers valuable insights for every stage of life.

Listen now on the Get Smart With Money Podcast.

Michael Uadiale is not your typical CPA.With over 25 years of tax and financial expertise, Michael has helped clients collectively save more than $15 million in taxes while building smarter pathways toward long-term financial freedom.As the founder of SMEED CPA, a 7-figure firm and member of the Tax-Free Wealth Network, Michael specializes in helping entrepreneurs think differently about taxes, wealth creation, and business strategy.Beyond his CPA practice, Michael has built six successful businesses in industries including real estate, technology, and telehealth, giving him firsthand experience in what it actually takes to grow and protect wealth.In this episode we discuss:• Strategic tax reduction for entrepreneurs• How taxes impact long-term wealth building• Passive income and real estate strategies• Business entity structure mistakes• Asset protection and financial freedom• How entrepreneurs should think differently about moneyIf you want to stop simply earning money and start keeping more of it, this episode is for you.🎙 Get Smart With Money Podcast

In this powerful episode, Dayna sits down with Joseph Shalaby, founder and CEO of E Mortgage Capital, to unpack a story that goes far beyond business.
From arriving in the U.S. as a child fleeing religious persecution in Egypt, to building a nationwide mortgage company from scratch, Joseph shares the real lessons behind resilience, reinvention, and long-term success.

We talk about:
Starting over with nothing—and what that teaches you about risk
How adversity sharpens leadership and decision-making
The mindset shifts required to rebuild after failure
Why success is more about resilience than resources
Lessons from Joseph’s book Rising from the Sand and his own podcast journey
This is a conversation about grit, perspective, and building something meaningful—when the odds are stacked against you.

In this episode of the Get Smart with Money Podcast, Dayna sits down with entrepreneur and former Disney executive Vance Morris to explore the powerful lessons behind world-class customer service, resilience, and building businesses people truly love.

Vance shares his unique journey—from running restaurants at Disney to facing bankruptcy and eventually rebuilding successful brick-and-mortar businesses. Along the way, he learned that great businesses aren’t built by luck—they’re built through systems, mindset, and a deep understanding of the customer experience.

In this conversation, Vance breaks down practical strategies business owners can use immediately to improve cash flow, stand out from competitors, and turn average service into unforgettable experiences.
In this episode, we discuss:
* The hardest lesson Vance learned after going from Disney leadership to bankruptcy
* What small businesses still misunderstand about customer experience
* The first thing to fix when cash flow becomes tight
* The mindset shift that helped him rebuild after failure
* How Disney creates experiences that make people spend money—and leave happy
* Why scaling too quickly can hurt your business
* Systems that help entrepreneurs work smarter, not harder

In this episode of the Get Smart with Money Podcast, Dayna sits down with Neil to unpack what it really takes to build a profitable Amazon FBA business.

Neil shares his success path, the lessons learned behind the scenes, and the mindset shifts required to move from uncertainty to sustainable income. This conversation isn’t about overnight wins — it’s about systems, discipline, and making smart financial moves that actually work.

In this episode of Get Smart with Money, Dayna sits down with Peter Maher, CEO of Ovanti US, to discuss how fintech innovation can create real financial inclusion — not just more debt.
With over 15 years of experience building and scaling fintech companies, Peter is leading a movement in the short-term payments space focused on accessibility, trust, and smarter alternatives to traditional credit and Buy Now Pay Later systems.
Today, more than 150 million American adults are locked out of affordable credit options. Peter shares how Ovanti is working to redesign the payments ecosystem by offering solutions that empower consumers and support merchants — without trapping people in financial stress cycles.
In this conversation, we explore:
Why traditional credit systems are failing millions of Americans
The hidden risks behind most Buy Now Pay Later models
What true financial inclusion really looks like
How fintech leaders navigate regulation and innovation
Building mission-driven companies that prioritize people over profit
If you're interested in financial literacy, fintech innovation, entrepreneurship, or breaking free from debt cycles — this episode delivers insight with impact.
Subscribe and listen on Spotify
Watch the full episode on YouTube

Remote work is everywhere—but most people are doing it wrong.In this episode of Get Smart with Money, Dayna Hernandez sits down with Steven Puri, former EVP at DreamWorks, VP at 20th Century Fox, 3x tech CEO, and founder of The Sukha, a global productivity community with over 34,000 members.After more than 20 years leading remote teams across Hollywood and tech, Steven shares the unexpected lessons that actually make remote work successful—lessons most leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals never hear.We talk about:-Why traditional productivity advice often fails remote teams-The hidden habits that quietly drain performance and income-How leadership mindset directly impacts financial stability-What Hollywood taught Steven about focus, accountability, and trust-The systems behind sustainable remote success (without burnout)-If you work remotely, lead a team, or want to increase productivity without sacrificing your personal life, this episode will completely change how you think about work.🎧 Also Available on Youtube

Building Unshakeable Confidence: How Mindset Shapes Leadership & Money
In this episode of the Get Smart with Money Podcast, Dayna Hernandez sits down with Simone Knego, a two-time TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and confidence expert, to explore how authentic confidence impacts leadership, mindset, and everyday financial decisions.
Simone shares practical insights from her signature REAL Method — Respect yourself, Embrace your failures, Ask yourself what you want, and Live without limits — and explains how confidence is not just a personality trait, but a skill that can be developed through intentional personal growth and self-awareness.
Throughout the conversation, Dayna and Simone discuss how mindset influences the way we show up in our careers, relationships, and money decisions. From navigating self-doubt to building trust in yourself, this episode offers actionable strategies for professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone working toward clarity, leadership, and financial confidence.
Simone brings powerful stories from raising six children, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and supporting professionals across industries. Her approach to leadership and confidence is practical, grounded, and applicable to real life — especially for those balancing ambition, personal development, and financial responsibility.
If you’re looking to strengthen your money mindset, improve decision-making, and lead with confidence from the inside out, this episode delivers tools you can apply immediately.
Listen on Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon iTunes getsmartwithmoneypodcast.com