Host Matthew Gray welcomes Carine Keenan, a marriage and family therapist, and Joe Keenan, a CFP and CPA, to discuss why money commonly fuels conflict in busy marriages and how couples can turn disagreements into growth. They explain that money issues often connect to safety and security, with saver–spender differences frequently rooted in childhood “money classroom” experiences and personal values like status or future security.

Communication breaks down through avoidance, poor timing, and stress (HALTS: hungry, angry, lonely, tired, stressed), which amplifies anxiety. Tools include building self-awareness, using I-statements, scheduling regular “money talks,” creating a fun routine, and using timeouts with a commitment to resume within a day. They distinguish coaching (forward-focused planning and mindset) from therapy (healing deeper, compulsive or impairing behaviors) and describe their Keenan Financial Coaching work with couples across life transitions.

00:37 Meet the Guests
04:46 Why Money Peace Matters
07:00 Why Couples Fight About Money
08:38 Savers vs Spenders Explained
10:56 Why Communication Breaks Down
14:24 Avoidance and Better Timing
16:44 Owning Your Money Fears
20:22 Early Money Classroom Exercise
22:45 Retail Therapy and Awareness Hacks
24:16 Money Talks and Timeouts
32:17 Make Meetings Fun
33:47 Agenda And Prep System
36:10 Keep Growing Together
40:00 When To Get Help
42:55 Coaching Vs Counseling
46:30 Who Their Coaching Serves
50:05 Final Takeaways And Wrap

Resources

Carine & Joe Keenan

https://keenanfinancialcoaching.com/

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

Matthew Gray hosts an episode of the Financially Fit Couple with guest Sarah Carr, a CFP® and certified financial therapist, to discuss how couples communicate about money. Sarah explains financial therapy as the convergence of financial planning and mental health, clarifying she is not a licensed mental health clinician and does not diagnose or create treatment plans, but helps identify emotional barriers that block follow-through on financial plans.

They explore why money is a top source of conflict, how it can represent many different piece of our identity, and how subconscious “money scripts” formed in childhood shape behavior. The discussion emphasizes shared goals, curiosity, and creating emotional safety, using values-based planning to align spending with what matters. Also covered in the conversation are regular money check-ins, worksheets, and the Financial Therapy Association directory to find help.

00:38 Meet Sarah Carr
02:33 What Is Financial Therapy
05:18 Emotions Block Action
07:16 Why Money Talks Are Hard
09:26 Money Scripts And Origins
13:23 Healthy Couple Communication
26:48 Finding Your Values
27:48 Reconciling Different Values
30:16 Curiosity Over Conflict
33:28 Creating Safety in Money Talks
36:03 Internal Scripts and Trauma
45:58 Practical Tools and Money Check Ins
49:44 When to Seek Financial Therapy

Resources

Sarah Carr

Money Histories Worksheet (file:///S:/Shared%20Files/Podcast/Sarah%20Carr/Money%20Histories%20Sarah%20Carr%20Financial.pdf)

https://sarahcarrfinancial.com/

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

Matthew Gray hosts and welcomes repeat guest Rick Williams, a licensed Virginia realtor with Kline May Realty, to explain the home-selling process. Rick emphasizes that selling is more than listing and waiting, and outlines common seller mistakes such as doing major renovations without advice, waiting for “perfect timing,” and leaning on friends instead of professionals.

He describes how he prices homes using comparative market analysis with AI tools plus manual MLS review and broker input, and why pricing too high or too low can deter buyers. They discuss preparing a home, listing steps, evaluating offers beyond price, and how AI helps communications and marketing. They also touch on how AI can’t replace local expertise, judgment, or negotiation.

00:38 Meet Rick Williams
03:07 Why Selling Is Complex
05:22 Common Seller Mistakes
10:32 Goals and Strategy Fit
13:32 How to Price Right
18:11 Prep and Repairs
23:52 Listing and Marketing Plan
27:09 Evaluating Offers
30:01 Contingencies Explained
35:31 From Contract to Closing
38:45 AI Tools and Pitfalls
43:23 Final Advice and Wrap Up

Resources

Rick Williams

http://realestatewithrick.net/

Rick.Williams@KlineMay.com

540-416-1040

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

Matthew Gray interviews attorney Michael Sharp about the risks and process of leaving stable employment to start a business while married with young children. Sharp, owner of Sharp Litigation, PLC in Harrisonburg, Virginia, describes moving from associate to partner and managing partner at a larger firm, then realizing partnership has a different vision of ownership, values, teamwork, and strategic business focus he expected.

After clarifying essentials such as connected teamwork, a narrowed civil-litigation focus, and a supportive culture, he planned the transition with his wife—including a detailed financial/time presentation—and launched his firm in January 2024 with two colleagues. He discusses early infrastructure challenges, managing time with family, hiring operational support to free him for revenue-generating legal work, building and formalizing systems as the team grows, unexpected community support, and a client-as-hero philosophy applied to intake and communication.

00:37 Meet Michael Sharp
02:20 From Associate to Partner
05:05 What Partnership Really Means
08:22 Essentialism and Values
11:18 Building a Team Vision
13:53 The Leap and Family Buy In
18:35 First Months in Business
21:02 Time Freedom and Hiring Help
23:49 Systems Growth Pains
27:49 Unexpected Wins and Advice
32:25 Client as the Hero
37:19 Who They Serve and Wrap Up

Resources

Michael Sharp

https://www.sharplitigation.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-sharp-279013288/

https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

Host Matthew Gray, welcomes personal finance professor and behavioral economist Jeff Hulett to discuss why people struggle to make good financial decisions even when they know what they should do. Jeff contrasts objective business decision-making with common consumer behavior and explains three drivers of poor decisions: human neurobiology, short-term thinking, and an American “buy now, pay later” commercial culture.

He describes “choice architecture” as a structured, repeatable decision process supported by technology that helps people define and weight their personal criteria, consider alternatives, reduce confirmation bias, and improve confidence—especially for major decisions like buying a house, including helping couples reconcile preferences.

Jeff introduces his “Five Nots” (the “not to seek” framework) to build the mindset needed to live below one’s means: not luxury, not ignorance (failure to update beliefs), not vanity, not immediate gratification, and not risk avoidance. Jeff shows how misinformation and unexamined beliefs can lead to harmful outcomes.

The episode closes with resources including Jeff's book “Making Choices, Making Money,” access to decision-making software (Definitive), and guidance on using generative AI as a thinking partner rather than a crutch.


00:37 Today’s Topic: Why Money Decisions Feel So Hard
02:03 Meet Jeff: Behavioral Economist + Banker Perspective
05:13 The $16 Million Retirement Path (and Why Most Miss It)
08:38 Why Bad Money Decisions Happen: Brain, Culture, and the Information Age
14:49 What Is Choice Architecture? A Repeatable Decision-Making System
19:57 Values vs Feelings: Using Structure to Beat Confirmation Bias
22:29 Couples Example: Reconciling Priorities When Buying a Home
26:33 The “Five Nots” Framework: A Mindset for Living Below Your Means
30:21 Not Seeking More: Diminishing Returns on Luxuries (Morgan Housel Tie-In)
31:11 Money, Income & Happiness: The Curve That Flattens Out
33:52 The 5 “Not-Seeking” Rules (Football Field Boundaries)
35:30 Not Luxury: Beating FOMO (The $17,000 Bike ‘Faux Pro’ Trap)
41:52 Opportunity Cost Reality Check: What That Upgrade Really Costs
43:55 Not Ignorance: Updating Beliefs, Habits & Confirmation Bias
51:39 From Framework to Life Decisions: The “Good Decision Road”
55:34 Tools to Apply It: Book, Choice Architecture Software & GenAI
59:10 Parenting & Quiet Wealth + Wrap-Up, Disclosures

Resources

Jeff Hulett

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffhulett/

https://www.financerevamp.com/

Making Choices, Making Money Book

The Art of Spending Book

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

In this episode of the Financially Fit Couple, host Matthew Gray, a certified financial planner, is joined by Jordan Tucker from Impax Asset Management to discuss ethically screened investing. The conversation covers the history, principles, and current practices of sustainable investing, emphasizing how investors can align their investments with their values without sacrificing performance.

Jordan explains the rigorous screening process used by Impax, the importance of ongoing due diligence, and how they engage with companies to drive positive change. The episode also addresses common misconceptions about sustainable investing and provides actionable steps for those interested in incorporating ethically screened investments into their portfolios.

00:00 Welcome to the Financially Fit Couple
00:38 Introduction to Ethically Screened Investing
01:42 Guest Introduction: Jordan Tucker
01:55 The Evolution of Ethically Screened Investing
04:14 Impax Asset Management's Approach
06:45 Screening Process and Criteria
25:14 Engagement and Advocacy Efforts
32:32 Addressing Misconceptions
39:01 Getting Started with Ethically Screened Investing
40:44 Final Thoughts and Disclosures

Jordan Tucker

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-tucker-cfp%C2%AE-29016371/

Jordan Tucker and Impax Asset Management are not affiliated with or endorsed by LPL Financial.

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

In this episode of the Financially Fit Couple podcast, host and certified financial planner Matthew Gray welcomes financial coach Lindsey Scott to discuss the practical and emotional aspects of financial coaching and planning. The conversation explores their different yet complementary roles, with Lindsey emphasizing the importance of understanding personal finance basics and building good habits, while Matthew discusses the more technical side of financial planning. They dive into the process of working with clients, defining success, and finding the right financial support. Key topics include budgeting, debt management, building wealth, and the significance of communication and readiness in financial coaching.

00:00 Welcome to the Financially Fit Couple
00:38 Introducing Lindsey Scott: Financial Coach
01:54 Lindsey's Journey to Financial Coaching
04:02 The Impact of Financial Coaching
05:49 Understanding Financial Coaching
12:17 The Coaching Process
15:24 Who Benefits from Financial Coaching?
19:42 Financial Coaching vs. Financial Planning
24:02 Finding the Right Financial Coach
28:18 Costs and Getting Started
34:41 Final Thoughts

Resources

Lindsey Scott

https://www.lindseyscottfinancialcoach.com/

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

In this episode of the Financially Fit Couple podcast, host Matthew Gray interviews John and Alexis Stevens, a married couple from Harrisonburg, Virginia, who share their unique career journeys and the financial implications of making significant career changes. John recounts his transition from a high school math teacher to a meteorologist and then to an IT trainer, while Alexis discusses her stable career as a university professor.

They explore the challenges and rewards of pursuing one's dream job, the importance of family values in career decisions, and the financial strategies that helped them navigate these changes. The episode offers valuable insights for couples considering career changes and emphasizes the importance of aligning career choices with personal values and family well-being.

00:00 Welcome to the Financially Fit Couple
00:42 Meet John and Alexis Stevens
02:29 Childhood Dreams and Career Paths
08:06 The Journey to Becoming a University Professor
10:40 John's Teaching Career and Challenges
14:07 Pursuing a Dream in Meteorology
19:45 The Big Career Change
27:54 Financial Implications of the Career Move
29:42 Starting a New Career: The First Year Experience
32:41 Adjusting to a New Lifestyle
35:07 The Toll on Family and Health
36:54 Realizing the Need for Change
44:15 Searching for a New Path
46:00 Finding the Perfect Fit
49:02 Reflecting on the Journey
56:32 Final Thoughts and Advice

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC