Childfree Life by Design

Ever feel like your passion is actually… burning you out? This week, we're diving deep into the often-unseen downsides of passion-driven work with licensed mental health therapist and entrepreneurial wellness specialist, Jennifer Gray. We explore how that fiery drive can unknowingly fuel overwork, blur your personal identity, and even make you blind to burnout.Jennifer, who started her career in finance before realizing her true calling was in helping people build sustainable careers, shares her insights on why high-achievers often struggle with boundaries. We discuss how to recognize when your nervous system is dysregulated and practical steps to create "passion-free zones" that protect your well-being and fuel your creativity outside of work. If you've ever found yourself working at 3 AM because an idea popped into your head, this episode is for you!Timestamps:🔹00:43 - Jennifer's journey into therapy and working with entrepreneurs🔹02:28 - Defining ambitious, high-achieving individuals🔹04:28 - Why people seek therapy for burnout and unfulfillment🔹06:34 - Recognizing the need for help and overcoming resistance🔹13:48 - The hidden downsides of passion-driven work🔹18:17 - Practical ways to set and enforce boundaries🔹24:56 - Understanding nervous system dysregulation and its impact🔹31:29 - The challenge of perfectionism and the "A student" mentality🔹38:53 - The "worth it" test and navigating discomfort🔹45:58 - Creating "passion-free zones" in a remote work worldConnect with Jennifer:+ Jennifer Gray Counseling https://www.jennifergraycounseling.com/ + Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jennifergraycounseling + LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifergraylpc/ Connect with Us:Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com.Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsightsDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

Ever dreamed of quitting your job but wondered, "How the heck do I actually do it?" This episode is for you! In the final episode of our “I’ll Make You Quit Your Job” series, we’re diving deep into the mechanics, finances, and structure needed to make that leap when you've decided it's time for a change. Bri and Dr. Jay discuss how much money you need to save before jumping ship, emphasizing the importance of an emergency fund and having a plan.We explore different scenarios, from barely making ends meet to having a fully funded emergency fund, and discuss the often-overlooked aspects like potential pay delays when switching jobs. Plus, we get into the nitty-gritty of planning a "sabbatical" — Dr. Jay's ideal six-month plan for decompressing, soul-searching, and trying out new things before making your next big career move.We also tackle the common fear of healthcare (spoiler: it doesn't have to trap you!) and even discuss how being laid off could surprisingly be a good thing. For couples, we cover the "gardener and the rose" approach to career changes, and for everyone, a crucial reminder to question everything—including where you live—to truly find happiness. Tune in to learn how to simplify your finances so your life can be amazing!Timestamps:🔹00:30 - How much money do you need to save before quitting your job?🔹01:00 - The importance of an emergency fund and having something else lined up.🔹03:00 - The ideal three to six-month plan for a career transition.🔹03:30 - Jay's six-month sabbatical plan: decompress, discover, and try.🔹07:45 - Using AI or a thinking partner for career exploration.🔹11:40 - Navigating healthcare when changing jobs or taking a sabbatical.🔹14:30 - The surprising benefits of a strategic layoff.🔹19:00 - Questioning your location and lifestyle for greater happiness.🔹24:50 - Timing your departure for bonuses or stock options.🔹27:50 - Being prepared for your employer's reaction when you give notice.Mentioned in this Episode:🔹 I’ll Make You Quit Your Job Pt. 1 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2002436/episodes/17514288 🔹 I’ll Make You Quit Your Job Pt. 2 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2002436/episodes/17466054 🔹 The Gardener and the Rose https://childfreewealth.com/resources/gardener-rose/ 🔹 The Gardener and the Rose with Heather & Scott https://www.buzzsprout.com/2002436/episodes/13190469 Connect with Us:Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com.Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsightsDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

In this engaging conversation, Stephanie Ramos, a former Amazon employee who became "LinkedIn famous," shares her inspiring journey to financial independence. She reveals how quitting a corporate job without a safety net allowed her to prioritize well-being over wealth. Stephanie discusses her path from teaching to becoming a self-made millionaire, emphasizing the power of simplifying finances and aligning daily actions with life goals. She highlights the emotional shift from saving for security to spending for joy, encouraging listeners to design a fulfilling life.

What if the biggest thing standing between you and a better life… is your job?In this episode, Bri and Dr. Jay get real about why so many Childfree people stay in jobs they hate—and what it would take to finally walk away. From financial fears to cultural expectations to the ever-persistent voice in your head saying, “but it’s good money,” we unpack the emotional and practical sides of career change.You don’t have to be stuck. And you definitely don’t have to do it alone.⏱️ Timestamps:(00:01) The episode that made people actually quit their jobs(02:00) Are you trading your happiness for a paycheck?(03:15) Why the “25-year career plan” is outdated(06:15) Who picked your job—you or someone else?(10:25) Seasons of life, identity shifts, and rediscovering passion(14:00) If your job causes pain, you can walk away(17:30) Working with purpose vs. burning out for money(20:00) Career changes as value-driven life decisions(24:00) The financial (and emotional) math of quitting(26:25) Therapy, coaching, and building a support system(27:30) You don’t need to suffer through the rest of your careerMentioned in this Episode:REPLAY: I'll Make You Quit Your Job Pt. 1 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2002436/episodes/17514288The Gardner and the Rose: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2002436/episodes/13190469Connect with Us:Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com.Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsightsDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

What happens when your financial planner keeps telling clients to quit their jobs? Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® and Bri Conn, CFP® unpack the now-infamous tagline: "I'll Make You Quit Your Job." From sabbaticals to soul-searching, this conversation is full of real talk, tough love, and a refreshing challenge to the status quo—especially for the Childfree crowd.  🔹 00:30 – Why Bri says Dr. Jay's tagline should be “I’ll make you quit your job” 🔹 02:25 – The truth about job dissatisfaction and the “File” lifestyle 🔹 05:00 – Why your 18-year-old self shouldn't make your lifelong career decisions 🔹 10:00 – Dr. Jay’s three-step sabbatical formula (Netflix included!) 🔹 15:30 – The $100K myth and why money doesn’t buy meaning 🔹 20:00 – The messy magic of making a change—and the light on the other side 🔹 22:00 – Whose voice is in your head... and how to find your ownWhether you're burnt out, bored, or just stuck—this episode dares you to imagine what life could look like if you actually did what you wanted.Connect with Us:Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com.Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsightsDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

What if aging didn’t have to feel like a downgrade?In this episode, Jay and Bri explore what long-term care can look like when you’ve got the financial resources to design it your way. From high-end independent living communities to cruise ships and even Golden Girls-style co-living, this conversation is packed with creative (and practical!) ways to age with intention, dignity, and—yes—luxury.Whether you're planning for your own care or helping someone else, this episode reminds you: your money should serve your future, not limit it.⏱️ Timestamps:(00:01) Can you age in luxury? A new lens on long-term care(02:00) Aging at home: comfort vs. cost(03:50) Why hiring an aging care manager changes the game(06:00) Retirement communities with concierge-level perks(08:00) Golden Girls dreams (yes, even a castle!)(12:00) CCRCs: the "set it and forget it" care model(18:00) What to know about paying for it all—and why inheritance shouldn't come first(25:00) Who will actually make decisions for you?(27:00) Introducing: Childfree Trust® – care, covered.Mentioned in this Episode:The Village on Morehead https://villageonmorehead.com/ RiverWoods https://riverwoodsnh.org/ A Change of Habit: Leaving Behind My Husband, Career, and Everything I Owned to Become a Nun https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/726581/a-change-of-habit-by-sister-monica-clare/ CareAlly https://www.joincareally.com/ Childfree Trust® https://childfreetrust.com/Connect with Us:Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com.Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsightsDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

Long-term care is one of the most complicated and overlooked parts of financial planning, especially when you're Childfree. Without kids to step in, who actually takes care of you when you can’t? In this episode, Dr. Jay sits down with Scott Barnes, CFP® and CLTC®, to explore what care really costs, what insurance does (and doesn’t) cover, and how to start building a plan you can trust.We'll cover:[1:21] Talking to your partner or planner about future care[2:41] Why Medicare won’t help and Medicaid only steps in once you’re broke[5:07] How much to set aside if you plan to self-fund[6:28] When it makes sense to consider long-term care insurance[12:08] Who qualifies for coverage and when to apply[14:47] What insurers look for and how to avoid being denied[17:59] Why Medicaid beds are hard to find in nicer facilities[20:14] What to consider if you never end up using your coverage[22:34] The consequences of waiting too long to plan[25:05] What to do if you don’t qualify for insurance[26:48] The difference between standalone and combo long-term care products[27:38] What to watch out for when speaking to insurance brokersThis episode also includes a sneak peek at Childfree Trust®, a new service launching soon to serve as your power of attorney, executor, or trustee if you don’t have anyone to fill those roles. If you’ve ever wondered how to make long-term care decisions when you're solo, this one’s for you.Mentioned in this Episode:* Childfree Trust waitlist: https://childfreetrust.com/* Schedule your Childfree Wealth® Checkup: https://Childfreewealth.com/schedule-a-checkup/* Read more about long-term care: https://childfreewealth.com/resources/long-term-care-childfree/* Get a quote for long-term care insurance through LLiS: https://allis.llis.com/quoterequest * Dr. Jay’s Book "Portraits of Childfree Wealth": https://a.co/d/e4vLB2vConnect with Us:Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com.Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsightsDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

In this episode,  Dr. Jay sits down with Pete Krull, a pioneer in sustainable investing, to unpack what it really means to align your money with your values. They explore how ESG has become politicized, what the media gets wrong about ethical investing, and why ‘green hushing’ might be the most honest thing happening in finance right now.Whether you’re new to ESG or skeptical of it, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at how your portfolio can reflect the future you want to see—without losing sight of performance.Chapters00:00 Investing with Values: An Introduction01:11 The Political Landscape of Sustainable Investing03:05 Understanding ESG: Definitions and Misconceptions06:50 The Shift to Sustainable, Resilient, and Innovative Investing10:20 Balancing Growth and Sustainability12:43 The Complexity of Ethical Investing15:50 Navigating Investment Choices and Trade-offs19:53 The Long-term Perspective on Sustainable Investing22:58 The Process of Building a Sustainable Portfolio27:29 Green Hushing: The Quiet Shift in ESG Practices29:39 Conclusion and Resources for Sustainable InvestingMentioned in this Episode:- Pete Krull from Earth Equity Advisors: wwww.earthequityadvisors.com- Sustainable Investing by Pete Krull: https://www.sustainableinvestorbook.com- Earth Equity Advisors Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/EarthEquityAdvisors- Connect with Pete on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkrull/- Pete's Podcast, My Dollars & Change: https://www.earthequityadvisors.com/dollars-change/Connect with Us:Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com.Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsightsDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

What does it really take to leave everything behind and start a new life abroad?In this episode, Dr. Jay reconnects with Andy and Libbi to talk about their move from Hawaii to the French countryside—and how financial independence made it possible. From navigating long-stay visas and currency conversions to learning a new pace of life, they share the unfiltered reality of becoming expats.They open up about the emotional side of change, the cultural differences they didn’t expect, and how working remotely has given them a new kind of freedom. Whether you’ve dreamed of retiring abroad, taking a sabbatical, or simply want a lifestyle shift, this episode is packed with honest insight.And yes—it’s all about the food!We'll cover:- 00:00 Embracing a New Lifestyle in France- 05:43 Navigating Financial Independence Abroad- 12:50 Cultural Insights and Adjustments- 17:38 The Challenges of Expat Life- 23:44 Finding Purpose and Fulfillment- 29:00 Advice for Aspiring ExpatsMentioned in this Episode:- Andy / Libbi Episode 1:  https://youtu.be/-_Y5wDwWQH8 - Andy / Libbi Episode 2:  https://youtu.be/lj74jGYhFHM - Childfree Wealth® Checkup: https://childfreewealth.com/schedule-a-checkup/ - Work with our team 1:1 like Andy and Libbi: https://childfreewealth.com/core-offering/ Connect with Andy and Libbi on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theroamingroedsConnect with Us:Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com.Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsightsDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

What if the life you're living was always enough, no kids required, no apologies necessary?In this episode, Bri sits down with Emily Paulsen, the founder of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, to explore what it means to build a joyful, curious, and unapologetically Childfree life. From starting her podcast and navigating judgment to building community and reclaiming curiosity, Emily shares what it means to follow your gut, embrace a nontraditional path, and still want to learn about everything from climate change to cortisol.We'll cover:Why Emily launched her podcast and what sparked the shift (00:01)Building a Childfree life rooted in curiosity, not defensiveness (03:23)Normalizing Childfree choices in everyday conversations (13:54)Balancing boundaries, identity, and disclosure when it’s not always safe (18:14)Why social connection matters now more than ever and how we build it (33:08)How Emily chooses podcast topics and plans future community events (24:50)#ChildfreeWealth #CuriousLife #ChildfreeLiving #CommunityBuilding #FinancialFreedom #GlobalPlanning #NoKidsNoProblemMentioned in this Episode:Emily’s Podcast - Curious Life of a Childfree Woman: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/curious-life-of-a-childfree-woman/id1777850561Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewomanWebsite: https://curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.comJoin the Curious Life Club Email List: Link on WebsiteChildfree Trust (Waitlist): https://childfreelegacy.comSchedule your Childfree Wealth Checkup: https://childfreewealth.com/schedule-a-checkup/Signup for the Childfree Wealth Newsletter: https://bit.ly/cwnewsletter2About Emily:Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice life. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.Connect with Us:Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com.Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsightsDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.