MONEY WITHOUT MATH

The Most Dangerous Day of Retirement with Dan Haylett

We spend decades preparing financially for retirement, but far less time preparing emotionally. Retirement is often painted as the finish line, yet for many, it’s just the start of a very human transition filled with uncertainty and identity shifts in the search for a new purpose.In this episode, financial planner and retirement coach Dan Haylett, host of Humans vs. Retirement and author of The Retirement You Didn’t See Coming, talks about the emotional journey that follows the mathematical calculations. Here, Dan explains how to approach this season not as an ending, but as a reinvention.In this episode:The “most dangerous day” of retirement, and why it sneaks up on so many peopleWhy hitting your number doesn’t guarantee fulfillmentHow loss of identity, structure, and purpose can affect your well-beingThe five pillars of a thriving retirementWhy high achievers often struggle the most, and how to find peace in stillnessConnect with Karen:Clarity PlanningLinkedInYouTubeInstagramConnect with our guests: Dan Haylett on LinkedInTFP Financial Planning

How Not to Get Divorced with Dr. Julie Gurner

What does it take to build both a thriving career and a lasting relationship? Dr. Julie Gurner has spent years working behind the scenes with executives, athletes, and entrepreneurs, and she’s seen the patterns that make or break couples under pressure. Spoiler: it’s not the flashy headlines or the dramatic stories we see in the news. It’s the quiet, intentional habits that keep partners aligned. Those habits protect both their love and their wealth.In this episode, Dr. Gurner shares what ambitious couples do differently. If you’re building a business, balancing big goals, or simply wanting to protect the most important relationship in your life, this episode offers grounded wisdom you won’t want to miss.In this episode:Why “knowing yourself” is the first step to a lasting partnershipThe role money conversations play in protecting both love and wealthHow the best couples argue—and what makes conflict constructiveWhy saying the uncomfortable thing early can save years of regretConnect with Karen:Clarity PlanningLinkedInYouTubeInstagramConnect with our guests: Dr. Julie Gurner on LinkedInDr. Julie Gurner’s websiteDr. Julie Gurner on SubstackDr. Julie Gurner on X

Burning the Ships with Bernadette Smith

Life doesn’t always follow the plan we set for it. Bernadette Smith knows this well. From her early days as an “activist wedding planner” helping same-sex couples celebrate love, to her work today leading Equality Institute, she’s built a career on courage, authenticity, and connection. Along the way, she’s navigated personal and professional pivots that reshaped not only her business, but the way she sees herself.Her story is filled with lessons about resilience, trusting yourself when the ground shifts, and finding joy even in the toughest transitions. At the center of it all is a belief that life is richer and lighter when we build real relationships across differences, and bring a little good energy wherever we go.In this episode:What it takes to start over when the old path no longer fitsThe mindset shifts that helped Bernadette move from scarcity to abundanceWhy leaning on others makes the journey lighter and more meaningfulA simple daily tool for building authentic connectionsConnect with Karen:Clarity PlanningLinkedInYouTubeInstagramConnect with our guests: Bernadette Smith on LinkedInEquality Institute

How To Be a Better Quitter with Amani Zaveri

Today we're throwing it back to an incredible episode with Amani Zaveri, which you won't want to miss! Quitting has such a negative connotation today. But quitting isn’t always a terrible thing. In fact, it can be a powerful and positive skill.In this episode, Karen Coyne and Amani Zaveri examine the misunderstood art of quitting. For starters, the Latin root word for quitting, quietus, is closer to liberating than it is to failing.Karen and Amani connect financial habits to the concept of quitting, offering fresh insights on using savings for intentional life changes. They explore when it’s time to quit — whether a job, relationship, or hobby — by recognizing signs like persistent dissatisfaction, an overloaded schedule, or mental disengagement.(This episode reminds us that quitting, when done thoughtfully, can be a powerful step toward a more authentic and fulfilling life!)Key Highlights:Quitting as Liberation: Redefining quitting as a positive and necessary life skill for personal growthFinancial Decisions & Quitting: Linking financial habits to the strategic use of quitting for intentional life changesKnowing When to Quit: Recognizing the signs that it’s time to let go and move forwardQuiet Quitting: Understanding how disengagement extends beyond the workplace to relationships and activitiesBenefits of Quitting: Discovering the mental clarity and renewed energy that come from making the right decisions at the right timeNavigating the Emotional Side: Handling the grief and loss that may accompany quitting, with support from othersPractical Tips: Regularly reassessing your life’s direction to ensure you’re aligned with your true goalsAnd much more!Connect with Karen Coyne: Clarity Planningteam@raymondjames.com301-739-7002LinkedIn: Karen Coyne, CFP®X: @karencoyneYouTube: @karencoynecfpInstagram: @moneywithoutmathConnect with Amani Zaveri: LinkedIn: Amani ZaveriGlobal Soul TravelSubstack for Amani’s travel businessBook a complimentary exploratory call About Our Guest: Originally from India and born and raised in Hong Kong, Amani has been in the luxury travel space for 12 years. After working as a members-only concierge for 9 years, she launched her own luxury travel agency where she works with high-net-worth individuals and companies for their travel needs. She's planned everything from Indian destination weddings to a year-long round-the-world trip for a family and everything in between. Amani's desire to start her own business was propelled by a need to have more flexibility and spend more quality time with family. She's passionate about helping female entrepreneurs create balance in their lives so they don't have to choose their careers or personal life. 

The Trouble with Blanket Advice with Melissa Joy

Some advice sounds harmless, but when it’s pulled out of context, it can quietly steer you in the wrong direction. Today we’re joined by Melissa Joy, founder of Pearl Planning, for a conversation about the kind of money “rules” that sound wise on the surface but don’t always fit your life.We explore the trouble with blanket statements like “you should never buy a new car” or “always max out retirement accounts,” especially for people who’ve moved beyond survival mode and are making more nuanced financial choices. Along the way, we talk about how shame often seeps into money decisions, why one-size-fits-all guidance doesn’t serve everyone, and why your values deserve a place in the conversation.In this episode:Why the word “should” can be so damaging in financial conversationsHow to spot advice that’s built for someone else’s life, not yoursWhy success doesn’t always make decisions easierThe importance of aligning money choices with what matters most to youConnect with Karen:Clarity PlanningLinkedInYouTubeInstagramConnect with our guests: Melissa Joy on LinkedInPearl Planning