Parents often wrestle with one universal question: “Will my kids be okay?”
This episode uncovers how that loving concern connects deeply with emotions, family values, and the power of community.
In this episode, Joline Godfrey speaks with Christi Rae, host of The Great Canadian Piggybank podcast, about helping parents build confidence around money conversations. Christi shares how her journey from gaming to financial education led her to foster community, balance technology with nature, and encourage families to talk openly about money.
Key takeaways:
The universal parental worry about children’s financial future and why it stems from love
Helping parents feel comfortable admitting what they don’t know about finances
The importance of community and connection in learning about money together
How financial literacy is tied to emotion, family values, and resilience
Christi’s transition from gaming to creating The Great Canadian Piggybank and East Van Seeds to spread joy and community
Christi Rae is the creator and host of The Great Canadian Piggybank, a podcast that helps parents feel more confident about teaching their kids money skills within a Canadian context. With over two decades of experience in the gaming industry, leading major franchises such as Fortnite and Gears of War, Christi brings creativity, empathy, and community-building to everything she does. She is also the founder of East Van Seeds, a community initiative promoting sustainability and connection through shared gardening resources.
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
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.
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
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.
