The Financial Wellbeing Podcast

Episode 126 – Why Money Should Support Life with George Kinder This episode is a thoughtful look at financial wellbeing from a broader perspective. The guys are joined by George Kinder, one of the best-known names in financial life planning. They explore why good financial planning starts with listening, not just number-crunching, and discuss George’s well-known three questions that help people think more deeply about what matters most. Welcomes & Introductions Chris Budd – Founder of Ovation Finance, the Institute for Financial Wellbeing and author of the original Financial Wellbeing Books, you can view all three here Fancy a chat with Tom Morris, Chartered and award winning Financial Planner at Ovation? Contact details here What’s on Today’s Podcast? A chat with financial planning legend George Kinder – exploring why good financial planning starts with listening, not just number-crunching, and discuss George’s well-known three questions that help people think more deeply about what matters most. Tight Ass Tommo Light-hearted money saving tips, guaranteed to make you smile and think twice about your spending habits. This time gambling and and how to avoid being a good host when people visit! Interview with George Kinder Why listening matters so much in financial planningGeorge explains that the quality of advice depends on the quality of the listening that comes before it. The real skill is not jumping straight to solutions, but taking the time to understand what matters most to someone. The three questions George Kinder is known forChris asks George to share the famous three questions he uses to help people think more clearly about their lives. These questions move the focus away from money and towards meaning, priorities and what really matters. Why money should support life, not dictate itA central theme of the episode is that many people do not have a money problem as such. They have a clarity problem. They may be doing fine financially, but still not know what they want their money to help them do. Stories of life planning in actionGeorge shares examples of clients whose priorities became clearer through conversation. One client realised that what mattered most was not earning more, but having more time with his children. Another moved much sooner than expected towards a long-held dream. The dream of freedomGeorge talks about what he means by freedom, not as a slogan, but as a way of describing a life that feels meaningful, aligned and true to what matters most. The link between mindfulness, coaching and financial planningThe discussion also explores mindfulness, presence and emotional intelligence, and why these are more connected to financial planning than many people might think. Fiduciary in All ThingsGeorge introduces his latest project, which argues that organisations should place truth, democracy, people and planet ahead of self-interest. It is a wider conversation about trust, responsibility and the kind of society we want to build. Conclusions from the guys Reflecting on the key themes from the interview: The challenge and value of active listening, especially in financial planning. How difficult many people find it to imagine what comes next, especially around retirement or life after selling a business. Retirement, free time and how identity and work can be more closely tied than we sometimes realise. George Kinder is widely recognised as the father of the life planning movement. Through his writing, teaching and the Kinder Institute of Life Planning, he has helped shape a more human approach to financial planning, one that puts people, purpose and meaning at the centre of the conversation. For further information, people can visit the Kinder Institute of Life Planning for his work on life planning and the well-known Three Questions

They explore universal basic income from a financial wellbeing perspective and what it might mean for parents and retirement planning. The conversation ties Maslow's pyramid and behavioural psychology to money and mental bandwidth. They share community stories, tiny money-saving habits, and evidence from real UBI trials. Practical ideas focus on safety nets and reducing financial anxiety.

Episode 124 – Money and Meaning with Daniel Crosby What is money really for? In this episode of the Financial Wellbeing Podcast, Chris Budd is joined once again by behavioural finance expert and author Daniel Crosby to explore the deeper relationship between money, happiness, and meaning. Daniel’s latest book, The Soul of Wealth, moves beyond traditional behavioural finance to ask how money can support a life that feels fulfilling, connected, and purposeful. Together, Chris and Daniel discuss comparison, gratitude, social influence, the role of luck, and why understanding people’s stories matters just as much as understanding their finances. This is a thoughtful and wide ranging conversation about using money well, not just managing it efficiently. Welcomes & Introductions Chris Budd – Founder of Ovation Finance, the Institute for Financial Wellbeing and author of the original Financial Wellbeing Books, you can view all three here Fancy a chat with Tom Morris, Chartered and award winning Financial Planner at Ovation? Contact details here What’s on Today’s Podcast? Why behavioural finance has evolved to include happiness and meaning The dangers of comparing yourself to others and how reference points affect satisfaction The power of social influence on money habits How simple gratitude practices can boost wellbeing Making your future self feel more real to support better decisions The role of luck and why acknowledging it can encourage generosity Tight Ass Tommo Lighthearted money saving tips, guaranteed to make you smile and think twice about your spending habits. Interview with Daniel Crosby The core conversation covers: The emotional story behind financial decisions and why empathy matters How money influences wellbeing beyond traditional financial outcomes Why your environment and role models are powerful predictors of behaviour Practical ways to build salience for your future goals Insights from The Soul of Wealth that people can apply in their daily lives Conclusions from the guys Reflecting on the key themes from the interview: Understanding money’s role in life requires looking beyond numbers Compassion and curiosity help uncover underlying financial motivations Small practices like gratitude and future visualisation can make a meaningful difference