In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Joyce Chung. Joyce grew up in Honolulu with immigrant parents who modeled discipline, frugality and a deep commitment to education, even though money was rarely discussed out loud. After leaving Hawaii for MIT and later building a career in tech and venture capital, Joyce found herself learning a whole new relationship with risk, wealth and what it means to use money with intention. In our converssation Joyce shares how those lessons shaped the biggest financial choices in her family and inspired the mission behind her foundation.

Joyce began her career in operating roles in the technology industry (Cambridge Technology Partners, Sony Corporation, Adobe Systems) and transitioned to early stage venture capital (Adobe Ventures, Cardinal Venture Capital, Garage Technology Ventures), investing in technology entrepreneurs looking to change the world. She has always had a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship and working with people that are excited about using creativity, technology and hard work to solve real world problems. In 2023, she pivoted to focusing on philanthropy to help address pressing needs and challenges in the areas of community resilience, entrepreneurship and environment. Joyce and her husband set up Makahakama Foundation, a foundation to channel their efforts in giving back to their local community, helping under-resourced entrepreneurs and supporting nature through conservation and innovation. Supporting mission-driven individuals and nonprofit organizations brings together the causes of importance to her family and the skills she has developed over her career. She holds an SB in Chemical Engineering from MIT and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

When Purpose Becomes a Plan

Joyce’s journey from an immigrant upbringing shaped by frugality and resilience to building the Makahakama Foundation shows how wealth can become a catalyst for meaningful change. Guided by the Aloha spirit and deeply held family values, Makahakama focuses on community resilience, under-resourced entrepreneurs, and environmental stewardship. It’s a powerful reminder that philanthropy isn’t just about giving. It’s about being intentional, taking thoughtful risks, and creating impact you can see in your lifetime.

If you’re thinking about how to give back more intentionally, an Aspiriant advisor can help you explore philanthropic strategies, structure a foundation or donor-advised fund, and align your wealth with the causes and values that matter most to you and your family.

Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Music for more real stories about money, purpose, and using wealth to make a difference.

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Kaitlin Henze. A phone call that appeared to come from her bank’s fraud department turned into a financial nightmare for Kaitlin. She shares how sophisticated scammers exploit fear and urgency to override your judgement. Kaitlin also demonstrates how bringing these stories into the open is one of the best ways we can protect ourselves and the people we love.

Kaitlin lives just north of Milwaukee, WI, where she enjoys outdoor adventures with her pup Mia, practicing and teaching yoga, and volunteering for local nonprofits. She works for a business that teaches STEM and critical thinking skills to kids, inspiring the next generation with a love for data, graphing and lifelong learning.

In May 2023, Kaitlin’s life was turned upside down when she fell victim to an elaborate and devastating identity theft scam that stole her entire life savings in just three weeks. Now, she’s courageously sharing her story to help others recognize, recover from, and most importantly, prevent similar cybercrimes. This episode is a powerful listen—and one worth sharing—to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

Kaitlin’s story is a stark reminder that financial threats don’t always arrive as obvious red flags. Sophisticated scams are designed to mimic authority, create urgency, and exploit our instinct to act quickly—often when we’re trying to do the “right” thing. By sharing her experience openly, she shows that anyone can be vulnerable, while giving listeners the tools to recognize warning signs, slow down in high-stress moments, and safeguard what matters most.

If you’re thinking about how to better protect yourself and the people you care about, an Aspiriant advisor can help you review safeguards, spot risks, and build resilience into your financial life.

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In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Emily Winston. Emily, founder and CEO of Boichik Bagels, spent years obsessively reverse-engineering the “holy grail” New York bagel. She then took a hard left from saver mode into founder mode. This involved redeploying her nest egg, raising money one bagel tasting at a time and learning what financial “success” feels like when your time and most of your net worth is tied up in the business you’re building.

Emily is a lifelong foodie, mechanical engineer and Founder & CEO of Boichik Bagels. She grew up in NJ, and after moving to the Bay Area in 2010, bemoaned the lack of good bagels, and eventually set out on a quest to create them herself, which has now grown into a small chain of twelve shops in California plus wholesale and supermarket sales.

Emily’s journey reminds us that success isn’t just about playing it safe or following a proven path. It’s often shaped by obsession, experimentation, and the courage to redirect your savings—and your life—toward something you believe in.

If you’re navigating a pivot of your own—whether launching a venture or rethinking how your money supports your goals—an Aspiriant advisor can help you explore those decisions with clarity and intention.

Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Music for more real stories about money and meaning.