Crazy Wealthy Podcast

Ep 14 - Leading with Values: Doug Lennick of think2perform on Emotional Intelligence for Success in Wealth and Life

Behavioral finance expert Doug Lennick joins Jonathan Blau on the Crazy Wealthy podcast to discuss how emotional intelligence shapes successful investment decisions. Lennick, CEO of think2perform, pioneered behavioral finance applications decades before it became mainstream. He shares his "Four Rs" framework—Recognize, Reflect, Reframe, Respond—which helps investors overcome cognitive biases and make rational decisions during market volatility. The conversation explores how investor behavior determines financial success and emphasizes values-based decisions for effective wealth management.What You’ll Learn in this Episode:How the Four Rs framework (Recognize, Reflect, Reframe, Respond) helps you make better financial decisions by slowing down automatic emotional responses and engaging your reflective mind to overcome cognitive biases.Why past behavior is more predictive than past performance, and how understanding behavioral patterns gives you control over your financial future through actionable changes you can make today.The difference between emotional intelligence and moral intelligence, and why developing both as differentiating competencies is essential for making values-based decisions that align with what truly matters.Want to make smarter financial decisions grounded in clarity and confidence? Subscribe and share the Crazy Wealthy Podcast. To learn more about Fusion Family Wealth’s evidence-based investment strategies, visit www.fusionfamilywealth.com and request our current disclosure brochure.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to behavioral finance pioneer Doug and emotional intelligence in investing07:55 Understanding amygdala hijack and why brains can't distinguish bear markets from real danger11:00 The Four Rs framework: Recognize, Reflect, Reframe, Respond for better decision making20:12 Doug's journey into financial services without a college degree30:08 Differentiating competencies: Why emotional and moral intelligence trump technical skills40:33 How to achieve happiness and aligning behaviors with values to achieve financial success47:05 Jon and Amy recap the episodeKEY TAKEAWAYS:Investor behavior, not market conditions, determines financial success. The Four Rs framework helps you make rational decisions during market volatility.Past behavior predicts outcomes more reliably than past performance. Unlike market timing, your behavior can be changed through practice and self-awareness.True fiduciary responsibility requires emotional intelligence and moral intelligence. Helping clients align decisions with values creates lasting impact.ABOUT THE GUEST:Doug is an internationally acclaimed author, a Certified Financial Planner and Behavioral Financial Advisor and is CEO and co-founder of think2perform, a firm internationally recognized for developing values-based decision-making and high performance in individuals and organizations.Doug Lennick - LinkedInthink2perform - WebsiteDoug Lennick: books, biography, latest updateABOUT THE HOST: Jonathan Blau is the President and CEO of Fusion Family Wealth, a fiduciary wealth management firm he founded in 2013 to help families achieve clarity, confidence, and purpose with their money. With a deep focus on behavioral finance, Jonathan teaches investors how to recognize emotional biases and make evidence-based decisions that support long-term success. A sought-after speaker in wealth management, Jonathan previously held senior roles in tax and estate planning at Arthur Andersen. He has a BS in Finance, an MS in Taxation, and an MBA in Accounting. LinkedIn – Jonathan BlauFusion Family Wealth WebsiteCrazy Wealthy Podcast

Fix It Friday - The Destructive Buy High, Sell Low, Repeat Until Broke Investor Behavior: The Causes and the Cure

Welcome to Fix-It Friday on the Crazy Wealthy Podcast, where Jonathan Blau, CEO of Fusion Family Wealth, shares actionable behavioral finance strategies to help investors make smarter, evidence-based decisions. In this episode, Jonathan explores the destructive buy high, sell low pattern that impacts millions of investors every year.Listeners will discover how cognitive biases like loss aversion, FOMO, and envy influence investor behavior, leading to emotional mistakes that erode long-term wealth. Jonathan explains the difference between stock price and company value, why panic selling during market downturns is costly, and how to adopt a long-term mindset focused on owning great companies.The episode also covers practical strategies for counteracting emotional investing, including portfolio rebalancing and disciplined decision-making. Investors will gain insights into financial psychology, risk perception, and how to make better financial decisions that align with their goals.What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why investors buy high and sell low and how behavioral biases drive this pattern ✅ How loss aversion, FOMO, and envy impact financial decision-making ✅ Portfolio strategies like rebalancing and focusing on long-term company ownership ✅ How to separate price from value to make confident, evidence-based investment choicesWant to make smarter financial decisions grounded in clarity and confidence? Subscribe and share the Crazy Wealthy Podcast. To learn more about Fusion Family Wealth’s evidence-based investment strategies, visit www.fusionfamilywealth.com and request our current disclosure brochure.Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and podcast disclaimer 00:30 The buy high, sell low trap: why it happens and who it affects 03:00 Behavioral biases driving emotional investing: loss aversion, FOMO, and envy 06:00 Price vs. value: how thinking in terms of great companies prevents panic selling 09:00 Portfolio strategies to counter emotional decisions, including rebalancing 11:30 Closing thoughts and actionable takeawaysKey Takeaways: 💎 Emotional investing driven by behavioral biases can lead to buying high, selling low, and losing wealth 💎 Distinguishing stock price from company value helps investors avoid panic selling 💎 Portfolio rebalancing and long-term ownership strategies counteract emotional decision-making 💎 Behavioral finance awareness improves investor discipline, confidence, and long-term resultsAbout the HostJonathan Blau is the President and CEO of Fusion Family Wealth, a fiduciary wealth management firm founded in 2013 to help families achieve clarity, confidence, and purpose with their money. With expertise in behavioral finance, Jonathan teaches investors how to identify cognitive biases, reduce emotional investing mistakes, and make evidence-based decisions that support long-term wealth. He is a sought-after speaker in wealth management and previously held senior roles in tax and estate planning at Arthur Andersen. Jonathan holds a BS in Finance, an MS in Taxation, and an MBA in Accounting. Based on Long Island, he is active in the local business community, supports organizations like the Middle Market Alliance and Sunrise Day Camp, and enjoys boating with his family. LinkedIn – Jonathan Blau Fusion Family Wealth Website Crazy Wealthy Podcast

Ep 13 - Vicki Schneps: The Long Island Queen of Media — How Adversity Built an Empire

Welcome to this episode of the Crazy Wealthy Podcast! Today we feature Vicki Schneps, a media entrepreneur and founder of Schneps Media and Life’s Work. Listen as we learn how Vicki turned her passion for education into a thriving media empire and nonprofit that empowers local leaders and supports community journalism. By the end of the episode, you’ll understand how vision, persistence, and strategic partnerships can help create both business and community impact.What You’ll Learn: How Vicki transitioned from teaching to media leadership Strategies for growing a media company across multiple platforms and events Turning personal and professional adversity into long-term legacyWant to make smarter financial decisions grounded in clarity and confidence? Subscribe and share the Crazy Wealthy Podcast. To learn more about Fusion Family Wealth’s evidence-based investment strategies, visit www.fusionfamilywealth.com and request our current disclosure brochure.Key Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction and podcast disclaimer 01:00 — Vicki Schneps’ journey from teacher to media mogul 05:00 — Founding Life’s Work and early nonprofit efforts 11:30 — Growing Schneps Media across platforms 17:00 — Power Women and Kings events 22:00 — Digital integration and networking 27:00 — Turning adversity into legacy 33:00 — Identifying talent and scaling business 35:00 — Life’s Work expansion and call for board members 36:02 — Jon and Amy recap the episodeKey Takeaways: Vision and persistence are essential for creating both business and community impact Strategic partnerships and talent identification are key to scaling a media enterprise Personal adversity can be leveraged to build long-term legacy and empower othersGuest Info:Vicki Schneps is the founder and CEO of Schneps Media and the nonprofit Life’s Work, dedicated to supporting community journalism and empowering local leaders. She is also known for creating influential events such as Power Women and Kings that foster networking and professional development. Schneps Media – schnepsmedia.comLife’s WORC – life’s WORC info via CaringKind (profile) CaringKindVicki Schneps on Muck Rack (articles) – Muck Rack profileAbout the HostJonathan Blau is the President and CEO of Fusion Family Wealth, a fiduciary wealth management firm he founded in 2013 to help families achieve clarity, confidence, and purpose with their money. With a deep focus on behavioral finance, Jonathan teaches investors how to recognize emotional biases and make evidence-based decisions that support long-term success. A sought-after speaker in wealth management, Jonathan previously held senior roles in tax and estate planning at Arthur Andersen. He holds a BS in Finance, an MS in Taxation, and an MBA in Accounting. Based on Long Island, Jonathan is active in the local business community, supports organizations such as the Middle Market Alliance and Sunrise Day Camp, and enjoys boating with his family. LinkedIn – Jonathan Blau Fusion Family Wealth Website Crazy Wealthy Podcast

Fix it Friday - Private Equity in Your Retirement Plan: Opportunity or Trap? Why Private Markets Are Targeting Small Investors!

Welcome to Fix-It Friday, the podcast segment that simplifies financial strategies to help you make smarter decisions. Hosted by Jonathan Blau, CEO of Fusion Family Wealth, this episode pulls back the curtain on private investments. Jonathan explains how Wall Street firms promote “democratization” of private deals while often shifting risk onto everyday investors. Listeners will learn how behavioral finance biases like affinity bias and FOMO influence investment decisions, and gain insight into how to evaluate private deals responsibly to protect wealth.What You’ll Learn:How private investments are marketed and why they appear seductive to everyday investorsThe hidden risks behind complex investment structures and lack of transparency Six pillars of successful investing, including mindset and portfolio strategiesWant to make smarter financial decisions grounded in clarity and confidence? Subscribe and share the Crazy Wealthy Podcast. To learn more about Fusion Family Wealth’s evidence-based investment strategies, visit www.fusionfamilywealth.com and request our current disclosure brochure.Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and podcast disclaimer 02:30 Why private investments seem appealing: affinity bias and FOMO 05:45 The real agenda behind “democratization” of private deals 10:30 Six pillars of successful investing: faith, patience, discipline, allocation, diversification, rebalancing 15:30 Closing thoughts: stay curious and cautious with private investmentsKey Takeaways: Private investments can appear safe or exclusive, but often shift risk from firms to individual investors Behavioral biases like FOMO and affinity bias can lead to poor decision-making in private markets Faith, patience, and discipline in investing guide behavior, while allocation, diversification, and rebalancing manage portfolios effectivelyAbout the HostJonathan Blau is the President and CEO of Fusion Family Wealth, a fiduciary wealth management firm he founded in 2013 to help families achieve clarity, confidence, and purpose with their money. With a deep focus on behavioral finance, Jonathan teaches investors how to recognize emotional biases and make evidence-based decisions that support long-term success. A sought-after speaker in wealth management, Jonathan previously held senior roles in tax and estate planning at Arthur Andersen. He holds a BS in Finance, an MS in Taxation, and an MBA in Accounting. Based on Long Island, Jonathan is active in the local business community, supports organizations such as the Middle Market Alliance and Sunrise Day Camp, and enjoys boating with his family. LinkedIn – Jonathan Blau Fusion Family Wealth Website Crazy Wealthy Podcast

Fix It Friday - The Shocking Truth About Safety & Risk: Why The Wealth Management Industry’s Conventional Wisdom Could Destroy Your Wealth

Welcome to Fix-It Friday, the segment of the Crazy Wealthy Podcast that simplifies financial strategies to help you make smarter money decisions. Hosted by Jonathan Blau, President and CEO of Fusion Family Wealth, each episode explores common biases and decision-making pitfalls that shape our financial thinking—and how to fix them. In this episode, Jonathan breaks down the difference between volatility and risk, explains how investors often misinterpret short-term market movements, and shares counterintuitive strategies for protecting and growing your purchasing power over time. You’ll learn how reframing risk, return, and volatility can help you become a more confident, long-term investor.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why volatility is not the same as risk and how misinterpreting it can hurt your portfolio How short-term market movements often reflect noise, not long-term business fundamentals The hidden danger of bonds and low-volatility strategies in preserving purchasing power Behavioral biases like loss aversion and counterintuitive human reactions to stock pricesWant to make smarter financial decisions grounded in clarity and confidence? Subscribe and share the Crazy Wealthy Podcast. To learn more about Fusion Family Wealth’s evidence-based investment strategies, visit www.fusionfamilywealth.com and request our current disclosure brochure.Timestamps 00:00 Intro: Welcome to Fix It Friday 01:30 Defining volatility vs. long-term risk 03:00 Short-term price drops vs. underlying business value 07:00 Redefining risk: protecting purchasing power, not principal 11:00 Behavioral biases: loss aversion and counterintuitive investing reactions 14:45 Closing thoughts: why stocks can be safer than bondsKey Takeaways Volatility measures price fluctuations, not the long-term risk of investments. Mistaking short-term market noise for risk leads to poor long-term decisions. Bonds and “safe” low-volatility strategies can erode purchasing power over time.Awareness of behavioral biases helps investors make rational decisions during market swings.About the HostJonathan Blau is the President and CEO of Fusion Family Wealth, a fiduciary wealth management firm he founded in 2013 to help families achieve clarity, confidence, and purpose with their money. With a deep focus on behavioral finance, Jonathan teaches investors how to recognize emotional biases and make evidence-based decisions that support long-term success. A sought-after speaker in wealth management, Jonathan previously held senior roles in tax and estate planning at Arthur Andersen. He holds a BS in Finance, an MS in Taxation, and an MBA in Accounting. Based on Long Island, Jonathan is active in the local business community, supports organizations such as the Middle Market Alliance and Sunrise Day Camp, and enjoys boating with his family. LinkedIn – Jonathan Blau Fusion Family Wealth Website Crazy Wealthy PodcastDisclosureInvestment advisory services may not be suitable for every investor or portfolio. Neither Fusion’s investment advisor registration status nor prior experience or success should be construed as a guarantee of specific results. Fusion is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm, and none of its services should be interpreted as legal or accounting advice. No portion of this content should be viewed as a guarantee that any client or prospective client will experience a particular outcome or level of results. For additional information regarding Fusion’s investment advisory services and fees, refer to the current written disclosure brochure available upon request or online at www.fusionfamilywealth.com.