In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier is joined by Jason Lina, Founder of Golden Bell Financial Planning. Together, they discuss how thoughtful financial planning goes beyond numbers and why clarity, simplicity, and good decision-making matter more than trying to predict the future.

Topics Discussed

• Why much of the challenge in financial planning comes from filtering out poor advice
• How experienced advisors think about risk, uncertainty, and long-term investing
• The role of diversification, asset allocation, and disciplined portfolio management

• Considerations when making decisions like Social Security and mortgage payoff
• The connection between your financial resources and what matters most to you

Key Takeaways

• Financial planning often involves making thoughtful, consistent decisions over time
• A well-structured plan considers a range of possible outcomes, not just one prediction
• Simplicity and discipline can play an important role in long-term planning
• Financial decisions are not just mathematical. They are personal.

About the Guest

Jason Lina is the Founder of Golden Bell Financial Planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner professional and Chartered Financial Analyst. Jason has been featured in publications such as Forbes, Money Magazine, CNBC, and U.S. News and World Report. He focuses on comprehensive financial planning and long-term investment strategy.

Resources Mentioned

• The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
• Happy Money by Ken Honda
• Your Money and Your Brain by Jason Zweig
• Die With Zero by Bill Perkins

Connect with Jason

Golden Bell Financial Planning Jason Lina on LinkedIn

Connect with Jeff

TandemGrowth Financial Advisors, LLC Jeff Bernier on TandemGrowth

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier examines how geopolitical conflict influences oil and gasoline prices, drawing on perspectives from economist John Cochrane and JPMorgan’s Michael Cembalest. He explains how war creates supply shocks, why energy markets react quickly, and how those effects ripple through inflation and the broader economy. Jeff also outlines why the U.S. is less vulnerable today and what investors should focus on when uncertainty rises.

Topics covered:

• How war creates supply shocks in global oil markets
• Risk premiums, sanctions, and policy responses affecting energy prices
• The structure and limitations of global energy supply
• Why fossil fuels still dominate and renewable transition is slow
• How rising oil prices impact inflation and the broader economy
• The U.S. energy shift due to shale production and reduced import reliance
• Historical policy mistakes during energy crises
• Why price controls and subsidies can worsen outcomes
• The cyclical nature of energy shocks and market adjustment over time
• Investor perspective: diversification and avoiding macro speculation
• Building portfolios that can withstand geopolitical uncertainty

Useful Links:

• Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/
• TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier reflects on a recent client conversation sparked by a Wall Street Journal article about an AI “tsunami.” Jeff examines the tension between AI as transformative breakthrough and potential disruption, and what that means for investors. Using recent market performance data, he explains how expectations, valuations, and diversification shape disciplined decision-making during periods of technological change and uncertainty.

Topics covered:

• A client conversation about AI and uncertainty
• Media narratives: AI as breakthrough vs. disruption
• Market expectations versus emotional headlines
• Recent performance: IGV vs. VOO and market rotation
• How valuations influence future expected returns
• The risks of concentration in high-growth sectors
• Diversification and systematic rebalancing
• Building resilience instead of predicting the future
• Maintaining discipline during technological change

Useful Links:

• Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/

• TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)