Category: Business
Women, Money and Identity with Barbara Pierce (Ep. 13)

Women, Money and Identity with Barbara Pierce (Ep. 13)

By |

Wealth can be a powerful tool, but only if it’s used with intention.

What happens when women stop apologizing for having money and start using it to shape their families, communities, and future generations?

In this episode, Joline Godfrey speaks with Barbara Pierce, founder of Women with Capital®, about how women can move beyond shame, embrace their financial influence, and lead with purpose. They explore how conversations around money, especially within families, can foster stronger values, clarity, and long-term impact.

Barbara discusses:

  • How women often feel disconnected from power when not working in paid roles, despite leading through philanthropy, parenting, and investing
  • The importance of community in helping women reframe their identity and use money with intention
  • How shifting from silence to open conversations can help children understand values and privilege
  • The effects of digital culture on kids’ relationships, communication, and financial learning
  • The need to include boys and girls equally in financial discussions without making it a zero-sum issue
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Joline Godfrey:

Connect with Barbara Pierce:

About our Guest: 

Barbara’s mission is to inspire women to become the CEO of their own wealth—and to use that power as a force for meaningful change. She is the founder of Women with Capital®, a private learning community that educates, supports, and mobilizes progressive women to direct their capital in line with their values. In just five years, members have moved over $150 million into new impact investments and philanthropic ventures, with plans to move hundreds of millions more in the coming years.

Her vision is to unite powerful groups of women philanthropists and investors—representing more than $50 billion in net worth—to harness their collective influence and to boldly shape the future by moving private capital toward the world they want to create.

Barbara’s work bridges the worlds of investing and giving, motivating women to align their wealth with their values and take bold action. She has 30 years of experience advising some of the world’s leading philanthropists on funding for climate change, racial and gender justice, and education.

Barbara directs her family’s investments and philanthropy and is a member of the Women Donors Network, the International Women’s Forum, and the REDF Advisory Council.  As a values-aligned investor, she is an LP in How Women Invest and Portfolia, and a member of the Asteri Collective.

A Cape Cod native, proud Wellesley alumna, and avid traveler, she lives in Marin County with her husband and teen son.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
The Power of Uncles: Mentorship, Mischief & Meaning with Connor Crown (Ep. 12)

The Power of Uncles: Mentorship, Mischief & Meaning with Connor Crown (Ep. 12)

By |

What if the most powerful mentor in a child’s life isn’t a parent, but an uncle?

In this episode of Raising Financially Fit Families, Jolene Godfrey sits down with Connor Crown, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Expanse, and uncle to 10, to explore the often-overlooked influence of uncles in multigenerational families. Through stories both heartfelt and hilarious (including a surprise Easter Bunny appearance), Jolene and Connor unpack the rich, informal role uncles can play in a child’s development, identity, and understanding of family values.

Joline and Connor explore:

  • How uncles become role models, messengers, and mentors
  • The balance between being the “fun uncle” and a steady adult presence
  • Why storytelling matters and how it becomes a powerful tool for passing down values
  • A hilarious Easter Bunny story with a serious life lesson in accountability woven in
  • Why making space for these roles can strengthen family connection and legacy
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Joline Godfrey:

Connect with Guest:

About our Guest:

Connor is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Expanse, an asset management firm built with a family office perspective. Connor’s upbringing and investment experience instilled in him a profound understanding of the principles behind long-term, organizational growth, which he used as the foundation for building Expanse. Expanse’s venture arm is proud to partner with a diverse portfolio of businesses on the forefront of enabling technologies powering the future of finance, healthcare and commerce including OneHealthGroup, Zocks and Release Recovery.

In addition to his commitment to growing innovative businesses, Connor is deeply passionate about philanthropy and driving positive change. As the Co-Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Committee at Crown Family Philanthropies, he’s dedicated to making the city of Chicago safer for future generations. With Expanse, Connor actively seeks partnerships with founders dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the world through their products and services. Expanse’s vision extends beyond financial gains, aiming to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem for families and partners with a shared long-term perspective.

Prior to founding Expanse, Connor spent over five years advising global financial services and insurance firms on enhancing B2C operations and client management. He serves in advisory and board roles for multiple early-stage companies, including Hamsa and ThriveNaturalCare. Connor graduated from Duke University with a BA in sociology and a certificate in marketing/management while also being a member of the varsity track team. He continued his education at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, where he received his MBA with a major in finance and a focus on venture capital. Connor and his wife Alyssa live in Chicago.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Compassion in Action: Raising Philanthropic Kids with Lisa Parker (Ep. 11)

Compassion in Action: Raising Philanthropic Kids with Lisa Parker (Ep. 11)

By |

What if giving was as natural to kids as learning to walk or talk?

This week, Joline Godfrey welcomes Lisa Parker, President and Executive Director at Lawrence Welk Family Foundation and Principal at Family Circle Advisors.

Together, they explore how families can nurture generosity and compassion across generations. From creative family traditions to stories of impactful small gifts, they share practical ways to make giving joyful and meaningful. Lisa also addresses how philanthropy can counter today’s mental health struggles, proving that compassion isn’t just charity, it’s a powerful act of connection.

Lisa discusses:

  • How milestones for nurturing generosity can be woven into childhood development
  • Volunteerism as a tool for healing anxiety and depression, especially among teens
  • A moving story of a $1,000 donation transforming lives in a Cambodian village
  • How family giving projects, tailored to kids’ interests, foster both fun and purpose
  • The importance of inviting people to the table, whether for business or philanthropy, to build true community
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Joline Godfrey:

Connect with Lisa Parker:

About our Guest: 

Lisa Parker brings 30 years of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit management, to serve philanthropic families raising the next generation of savvy givers.  For the past thirteen years she has been the President and Executive Director of the Lawrence Welk Family Foundation, leading the Foundation’s initiative to seed the youth giving movement and creating youth philanthropy programs for the family’s fourth generation.

Lisa is the founder and principal of San Francisco based Family Circle Advisors. This talented team works with philanthropic families by crafting deeply meaningful giving experiences to engage and inspire each generation. With the birth of her own children Lisa embarked on a decade of study into the childhood roots of altruism and compassion resulting in the creation of on-line resources, workshops and other tools to support parents in raising the “Generous Generation ™.”

Lisa is certified by 2164, a division of The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies in New York, as a consultant to multi-generational families and has been trained as a legacy advisor by Inspired Legacies. In addition, Lisa serves as an advisor and board member to numerous organizations building and expanding the philanthropic sector. She writes and speaks extensively on raising The Generous Generation ™, youth philanthropy, new models of giving and family philanthropy throughout California, the US and the UK and has been quoted in multiple publications including Town & Country and Alliance Magazine.

After graduating from UCLA, Phi Beta Kappa, Lisa interned with the Council on Foundations in Washington D.C. and went on to become the Los Angeles Program Director of the Community for Education Foundation, a youth empowerment and entrepreneurship program in South Central Los Angeles.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Redefining Fatherhood: Lead Dads and Modern Family Dynamics with Paul Sullivan (Ep. 10)

Redefining Fatherhood: Lead Dads and Modern Family Dynamics with Paul Sullivan (Ep. 10)

By |

Fatherhood is evolving, and it’s not just about who brings home the bacon.

Paul Sullivan, founder of The Company of Dads, joins Joline Godfrey to unpack how modern dads are stepping into roles once considered off-limits, reshaping family life and workplace norms. They discuss why labels like “Mr. Mom” miss the mark and how redefining masculinity opens new doors for families. From parental leave hurdles to kids watching how parents truly share responsibilities, this conversation shows how today’s families are forging new paths.

Paul discusses:

  • The concept of “Lead Dad” as a proactive, positive identity beyond old stereotypes
  • How cultural perceptions of masculinity shift when figures like NFL star Najee Goode embrace caregiving roles
  • Challenges men face when seeking parental leave and how workplace culture still discourages them
  • The power of language in shaping perceptions of gender roles for boys and girls
  • How family conversations and shared responsibilities redefine children’s understanding of parental roles
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Joline Godfrey:

Connect with Paul Sullivan:

About our Guest: 

Paul Sullivan is the founder of The Company of Dads, a media company, community platform, and workplace educator aimed at Lead Dads – those men who are the go-to parents, whether they work full time, part time, or devote all their time to their families. In many instances, these men support their wives and partners in their work and family life. 

Paul has occupied many different roles in his life: father, husband, journalist, author, keynote speaker, and leader. But the one that most encompasses what he has been doing for the past 14 years is Lead Dad. Be it working and traveling, supporting his wife in her successful career, or being the go-to parent for homework, playdates, or post-dinner cleanup, he’s occupied the essential and growing but often-hushed role of Lead Dad. He founded The Company of Dads to help the estimated 25 million Lead Dads in the United States – or one-third of all fathers – fulfill their full potential at home, at work, and in their most important relationships.

Prior to launching The Company of Dads, Paul was a journalist for 25 years, the majority of that time at The New York Times, where he was a business columnist and occasional golf writer. Writing for the Times was the fulfillment of a childhood dream growing up in Ludlow, Massachusetts. But shortly after becoming a columnist, Paul took on a second job that he loved but kept secret: being the Lead Dad one, two, and then three daughters – but don’t call him Mr. Mom. It’s always been a juggle in his town where Working Moms like Paul’s wife aren’t the norm, and Lead Dads often hide or at least don’t talk about their roles.

Paul created The Company of Dads to normalize the role of men as Lead Parents both at home in support of their families and at work as companies enter The Next Normal of post-pandemic working. The vision of The Company of Dads is an organization that grows far bigger than Paul to help working dads and moms, employers, partners, and all loved ones of Lead Dads better understand how supporting the Lead Dads can help families, communities, and companies.

Paul is active in his daughters’ schools, where he is a four-time class parent. He is also a trustee of Wilbraham & Monson Academy, where, as a financial aid student, he first saw that the world could be different than the one where he was growing up. He is an avid golfer and is thrilled that two of his three daughters often join him.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Centering Humanity in Family Philanthropy with Sarah Hopper (Ep. 9)

Centering Humanity in Family Philanthropy with Sarah Hopper (Ep. 9)

By |

Philanthropy often starts with good intentions, but what happens when it loses its human touch?

Can families reclaim giving as a relationship-driven experience, not just a financial transaction? Can the next generation be raised to value connection just as much as contribution?

In this episode, Joline Godfrey speaks with Sarah Hopper, Founder & CEO of Sound Philanthropy, about reshaping the way families approach giving. They explore the shift from transactional charity to values-based generosity and the importance of building trust, relationships, and collaboration within families and communities.

Sarah discusses:

  • How Sound Philanthropy evolved from a solo venture into a team supporting families with meaningful giving strategies
  • The difference between charity and philanthropy, emphasizing humanity over transaction
  • Trust-based philanthropy, highlighting the value of unrestricted giving and eliminating administrative burdens
  • The challenge and necessity of teaching younger generations the value of trust, empathy, and real connection in giving
  • The growing need for collaboration among funders to address urgent issues more effectively and reduce siloed efforts
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Joline Godfrey:

Connect with Sarah Hopper:

About our Guest: 

Sarah Hopper is a philanthropic advisor who works with thoughtful, heart-driven, and visionary philanthropic leaders. Over the past decade, she has guided clients through more than $100 million in philanthropic giving, earning their trust and respect through her relational, values-based approach to philanthropy.

Since launching her own advisory practice after serving as Vice President of Philanthropic Services at the Seattle Foundation, Sarah has built Sound Philanthropy. This relationship-centered business reflects her deep commitment to people, purpose, and equity. Her work is rooted in the belief that philanthropy is not just about giving, but about fostering meaningful relationships across generations, communities, and causes.

Sarah’s practice is equally grounded in humanity. Since 2020, she has deepened her focus on racial equity, recognizing philanthropy’s role in challenging systemic racism and redistributing resources in ways that restore dignity and agency. In 2022, she founded the Racial Equity Action Community (REAC), a cross-racial learning community of leaders and philanthropists dedicated to addressing justice through love, compassion, and transformative giving.

With a unique approach that combines the roles of sherpa and quarterback, Sarah meets clients where they are, helping them grow in awareness and action. The expansion of Sound Philanthropy in 2022, marked by the addition of Brynn Blanchard and enhanced operational infrastructure, reflects her evolving purpose and the continued strength of her vision.

When she isn’t leading with heart in the philanthropic space, Sarah is enjoying life with her three children, husband, and two dogs, and dreaming of her next post-pandemic travel adventure.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Beyond Piggy Banks: Raising Kids Who Understand True Wealth with Jonathan Treussard, Ph.D. (Ep. 8)

Beyond Piggy Banks: Raising Kids Who Understand True Wealth with Jonathan Treussard, Ph.D. (Ep. 8)

By |

Money is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to building a fulfilling family life. 

How do you teach kids to think beyond dollars and cents? How do you prepare them for a future where wealth includes community, knowledge, and resilience?

In this episode, Joline Godfrey welcomes Jonathan Treussard, Ph.D., founder of Treussard Capital Management, to explore how families can foster financial fluency and a broader understanding of wealth. They talk about engaging kids with money early, embracing complexity, and the value of non-material assets like social and intellectual capital. Jonathan also shares personal stories about parenting his twin daughters and the importance of community in shaping a meaningful life.

Jonathan discusses:

  • The importance of introducing kids to money early and helping them understand scale, like big numbers and real-world costs
  • Why embracing complexity and uncertainty is a critical skill for children, especially young women
  • How viewing life as a “movie” rather than isolated moments helps families make intentional decisions
  • The role of intellectual, social, and human capital in defining true wealth beyond finances
  • Practical ways to build community and relationships as foundational assets for resilience
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Joline Godfrey:

Connect with Jonathan Treussard:

About our Guest: 

Jonathan Treussard, Ph.D., is the founder of Treussard Capital Management LLC, a registered investment advisor that operates as a fiduciary for its clients. With over two decades of experience at the top of academia, billion-dollar family offices, and global asset management, Jonathan brings an unparalleled background to guide you and your portfolio through complex financial landscapes.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Creating Meaningful Rites of Passage with Dr. Drew Eggebraten (Ep. 7)

Creating Meaningful Rites of Passage with Dr. Drew Eggebraten (Ep. 7)

By |

Raising kids to be financially and emotionally ready for life isn’t about one big talk—it’s about intentional moments that shape character and build trust.

How can a birthday become a turning point? What does it look like when a parent pauses, plans, and connects at just the right time?

In this episode, Joline Godfrey talks with Dr. Drew Eggebraten, General Dentist at Drew Eggebraten DDS Inc., about how he turned his son’s 12th birthday into a day of honest conversations, meaningful connections, and real-world preparation. They explore the power of one-on-one time, values-based parenting, and setting boundaries in today’s tech-heavy culture.

Dr. Eggebraten discusses:

  • How he used his son’s birthday to create a rite of passage rooted in reflection, bonding, and life lessons
  • The shift in influence from parents to peers in early adolescence, and how intentional parenting can make a difference before that moment
  • How travel and service work have impacted his parenting values and priorities
  • How to talk about difficult subjects—like addiction, pornography, and emotional regulation—early and openly
  • The role of screens, dopamine habits, and the importance of family-based rules that encourage presence and connection
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Joline Godfrey:

Connect with Drew Eggebraten:

About our Guest: 

Dr. Eggebraten is a 2008 graduate of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry and a former part-time faculty member. While at USC, he received the Charles Pincus Memorial Award for Esthetic Dentistry and the award of Merit from the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. As a student, he was selected to participate in an advanced select training course led by his mentor, Dr. Pascal Magne, one of the leading experts in biomimetic dentistry. Because of this education, Dr. Eggebraten practices biomimetic dentistry in his private practice.

Dr. Eggebraten is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the Academy of Osseointegration. In private practice, he continues to implement conservative dentistry and focuses on comprehensive preventive dental care. Dr Eggebraten lives in Ojai with his wife Victoria and their three boys.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Building Resilient and Connected Families: Lessons from Patric Brophy (Ep. 6)

Building Resilient and Connected Families: Lessons from Patric Brophy (Ep. 6)

By |

What does it mean to raise financially fit kids in today’s world?

Join Joline Godfrey and Patric Brophy, COO at Bounce-10, as they dive into the real-life challenges and rewards of guiding children toward financial literacy. Patric brings a refreshing perspective as a dad navigating the nuances of money conversations with his two daughters, aged 9 and 11. 

They explore key parenting tactics, like balancing direct involvement in financial education while allowing autonomy. Get insights on handling social media influences, creating frameworks for decision-making, and fostering a growth mindset in kids—topics every parent grapples with today.

Key Discussions:

  • The role of parental modeling in financial education
  • Differences in financial conversations with kids of various ages
  • The impact of social and time trade-offs on family dynamics
  • Preparing kids for technological and social challenges 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Joline Godfrey:

Connect with Patric Brophy:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Financial Stressors in Kids and How to Handle Them with Jeff Savlov (Ep. 5)

Financial Stressors in Kids and How to Handle Them with Jeff Savlov (Ep. 5)

By |

Financial stress affects everyone, regardless of their economic standing. 

How can families address stressors from a young age? What is the role of communication and love within a family when facing financial challenges?

In this episode, Joline Godfrey sits down with Jeff Savlov, Founder of Blum & Savlov LLP, to explore the different categories of stressors that families face. They discuss how these stressors may affect family members, from young children to adults, and offer strategies for dealing with them. The conversation emphasizes the importance of open communication, understanding, and utilizing stress as a catalyst for growth.

Key discussions include:

  • Jeff’s family background and his journey from family business to being a family dynamics expert
  • Understanding existential stress and its impact on family systems
  • Strategies for discussing financial decisions with young children and involving them in family financial planning
  • Tackling self-inflicted financial stress and the importance of open communication in families
  • The role of parents in reducing adolescent stress and encouraging honest dialogue
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Joline Godfrey:

Connect with Jeff Savlov:

About our Guest: 

Jeff is the Founder of Blum & Savlov, LLP, and consults to business families, legacy wealth families and the advisors who serve them. He brings more than 30 years of unique experience in sales and marketing, business ownership, entrepreneurial endeavors and family dynamics/psychological training, along with a common-sense style, to his consulting work with families. By integrating his diverse business background, extensive academic work and family dynamics/psychological training with his experience working in his family’s commercial printing business, Jeff helps enterprising families to balance family and business/wealth so both will thrive for many generations.

Having participated in his family’s commercial printing business in New York City, Jeff understands firsthand the challenges of balancing the interplay between family and business and the devastation that can befall an otherwise healthy business when this balance is not proactively managed. In the business Jeff’s family owned, a consultant was brought in to work with the family, facilitated a successful reorganization of the business and helped rebuild family relationships. This is one of the primary experiences which motivated Jeff’s career in family business and family wealth consulting.

Jeff holds a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University with specializations in group dynamics and family systems theory. He has a post-graduate certification from the Institute for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy of New Jersey (now the Center for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy of NJ) where he is a member of the faculty.

Jeff received an Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising from the Family Firm Institute (FFI), Boston, MA where he is recognized with Fellow status. Through membership in FFI, an international organization comprised of family business and family wealth advisors, consultants, educators and researchers, Jeff has access to the latest trends, developments, best practices and research in family business and family wealth consulting. Jeff is the founder of the Princeton Family Business Consultants Group – an interdisciplinary group of professionals serving enterprising families across the U.S. and convening to develop best practices.

In addition, Jeff has consulted on relationship and team dynamics with Fortune 500 companies such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson and Schering Plough. He also devotes a portion of his time to performance enhancement with corporate executives and elite high school athletes.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Building Financial Confidence in Kids (Ep. 4)

Building Financial Confidence in Kids (Ep. 4)

By |

Money is more than numbers—it’s about confidence, values, and lifelong habits.

How do we prepare kids to make thoughtful financial choices? How can families approach money conversations in a way that builds independence and resilience?

In this episode, Joline Godfrey shares her journey in financial education, explaining how her developmental approach helps children understand wealth beyond just money. She introduces her program, Bounce 10, and discusses how parents, grandparents, and educators can equip kids with essential financial skills.

Joline discusses: 

  • How her background in social work shaped her approach to financial education for children
  • The challenges families face when introducing financial literacy at an early age
  • Why financial education should focus on intellectual, social, and human capital—not just money
  • The role of grandparents in shaping financial habits and values in younger generations
  • How Bounce 10 uses storytelling, play, and community support to teach financial skills
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Joline Godfrey:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More