Women's Money Wisdom
You’re working hard, caring for everyone else, and managing a thousand details a day—but when was the last time you focused on your finances? As a woman, you might carry the emotional and logistical weight of caregiving, parenting, career-building, and household management. It’s no wonder financial planning tends to fall to the bottom of your list—yet it’s one of the most important tools you have for protecting your future, your family, and your peace of mind. Women’s Money Wisdom is here to change that. Hosted by Melissa Joy, CFP®, founder of Pearl Planning in Dexter, Michigan, this weekly podcast is your space for practical insights and relatable advice to help you take control of your financial life. From investing and retirement to navigating life transitions and shifting your money mindset, you'll gain the clarity and confidence you need to make empowered decisions. Maybe you’re preparing for retirement, juggling the needs of both kids and aging parents, or growing a business you’ve built from the ground up. You want to build wealth in a way that reflects your values. You want guidance that honors your full life—not just your portfolio. And most of all, you want a trusted partner who sees the whole picture, not just the numbers. If you’re ready to stop putting yourself last—at least financially—this podcast is your starting point. Subscribe to Women’s Money Wisdom and make your financial future a priority. Investment advisory services offered by Pearl Planning, a DBA of Stephens Consulting LLC., an SEC registered investment advisor. Please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Pearl Planning, or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this Podcast will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this podcast serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Pearl Planning. To the extent that a listener has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing. Pearl Planning is neither a law firm, nor a certified public accounting firm, and no portion of the Podcast content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of Pearl Planning’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at www.pearlplan.com. Content represents the opinion of the speaker and not necessarily that of Pearl Planning.
Episodes
Summer often invites us to pack in travel, events, and to-do lists—but what if the most powerful move you could make right now is to slow down?
In this solo episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, reflects on her own slower-paced Michigan summer and the meaningful lessons it’s brought—about happiness, well-being, money, and the beauty of doing less with more intention. Drawing inspiration from the slow living and slow money movements, Melissa s...
In this special solo episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, CDFA, breaks down the newly passed One Big, Beautiful Bill Act—yes, that’s really the name!
Signed into law on July 4th, this sweeping piece of legislation (affectionately nicknamed “OB3”) will impact everything from your tax brackets to your charitable deductions, and much more in between.
Whether you’re a retiree, parent, small business owner, or high earner, Melissa walks through ...
What if success didn’t have to come with stress, hustle, and emotional burnout? Performance coach Brandi Hudson joins Melissa Joy to share how high-achievers can shift from chasing external validation to building a life rooted in purpose, clarity, and peace.
Brandy introduces her powerful BASE framework—Beliefs, Alignment, Self-Awareness, and Emotional Resilience—a mindset map for those ready to evolve from achievement to mastery. T...
Ever wonder what separates thriving CEOs from those who struggle?
The secret isn't just business savvy—it's mindset. This compelling conversation with Megan Schwan, founder of Sidekick Accounting Services, explores how CEO-level thinking can radically improve both your business and your personal finances.
As a single mom and successful entrepreneur with over 11 years of experience, Megan shares her journey from surviving t...
Ever feel like some financial "truths" don't quite add up? In this episode of Women's Money Wisdom, Melissa Joy, CFP®, teams up with colleague Alexa Kane, CFP®, for a candid conversation challenging some of the most widely accepted (but often unexamined) money beliefs.
🔍 What they unpack:
- The Hidden Costs of Buy Now, Pay Later:
From fast food to impulse buys, installment payment apps are everywhere—...
Ever dreamed of owning a business but felt overwhelmed by starting from scratch?
Franchising might be the solution you didn’t know you needed—offering the independence of entrepreneurship with the structure and support of an established brand.
Melissa Joy, CFP® is joined by husband-and-wife team Alex and Julie Roberts to explore the world of modern franchise ownership. With over two decades of industry experience, Alex is the f...
What happens when financial advisors ignore half their potential clients?
They miss out on a trillion-dollar opportunity.
This compelling conversation with Cary Carbonaro, CFP® and author of Women and Wealth, explores how the financial services industry has consistently overlooked women—and what needs to change. As Cary puts it, “Financial services is the least sympathetic to women, but the one that has the most to gain if they...
What does it really mean to live life on your own terms?
Melissa Joy, CFP®, is joined by Sherita Janielle—digital marketing consultant, and entrepreneur who pulls back the curtain on what it looks like to redesign your life after a major transition, reject societal timelines, and prioritize fulfillment, flexibility, and financial sustainability.
After a career in finance, Sherita transitioned to entrepreneurship. Following her divorc...
Working harder isn’t the answer—thinking strategically is.
In this empowering episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, sits down with executive coach Jackie Simon to explore what it really takes to grow your career—and your income. From navigating leadership roles to preparing for bold career moves, Jackie shares how to shift from “doing more” to demonstrating more value.
💡 Learn why:
- Simply putting in the hours won’t get you promoted—or paid...
Ever wondered how people afford champagne and lie-flat seats at 35,000 feet?
Hint: It's not always their wallet—it's their credit card strategy.
In this episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, sits down with travel pro and entrepreneur Bry Keith to reveal how to turn everyday spending into extraordinary travel experiences using credit card points. Bry shares how she went from corporate finance and tech to helping clients fly busi...
What really happens when someone passes away—and are you (or your family) prepared to handle it? In this episode of Women’s Money Wisdom, Melissa Joy, CFP®, sits down with Rachel Donnelly, founder of Afterlight and author of Late to Your Own Funeral, to unpack the messy, often overwhelming world of death administration.
Rachel shares her personal story of becoming executor for both her parents’ estates—while working full-time and ra...
Spring is the perfect time for more than just a closet refresh—your finances deserve a reset too!
In this practical, action-driven episode of Women’s Money Wisdom, Melissa Joy, CFP® shares 20 powerful strategies to reinvigorate your financial life with the same fresh energy that spring cleaning brings to your home.
From reviewing your budget in today’s uncertain economy to automating savings and tackling debt in a high-interest envir...
💬 Are you leaving money on the table by not understanding your equity compensation?
Equity compensation is no longer reserved for top tech execs—it’s becoming a standard part of pay packages across industries. In this empowering and informative episode, Melissa Joy , CFP® breaks down the increasingly common but often misunderstood world of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
Whether you already receive RSUs or are considering a job offer...
Is now a smart time to buy a home—or just a risky financial move?
On this episode of Women's Money Wisdom, host Melissa Joy, CFP® sits down with returning guest and mortgage specialist Erica Powers CMPS®, CDLP®, NMLS#739673. First Merchants Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and a Member FDIC. She unpacks the ever-changing housing market and what it means for your money moves.
With over 20 years of experience and certifications in ...
Is your retirement plan based on outdated assumptions—or real-world trends?
In this episode of Women’s Money Wisdom, Melissa Joy, CFP®, breaks down how retirement is changing—especially for women and Gen Xers.
From unexpected post-retirement spending spikes to the growing trend of phased retirement, Melissa shares insights on what today’s retirees really need to be thinking about.
You’ll hear why traditional assumptions about retirem...
Market volatility can be unsettling—but long-term financial success is rarely built on short-term reactions.
In this episode of the Women’s Money Wisdom podcast, Melissa Joy, CFP® addresses the emotional and financial challenges that often arise during market downturns. As markets enter bear territory, many investors may feel inclined to make significant changes to their portfolios. Melissa encourages listeners to take a step back a...
Are big changes coming to the way we pay for college?
In this episode, host Melissa Joy, CFP®, sits down with Ann Garcia, CFP®, and author of How to Pay for College, to discuss the shifting landscape of higher education. With potential policy changes on the horizon, including modifications to student loans, grants, and university funding, families need to be more strategic than ever in planning for college expenses.
Melissa and Ann...
Even as a CNN business correspondent, Alison Kosik struggled with financial imposter syndrome—a reality many successful women face. In this episode, Melissa Joy and Kosik dive into how women can build financial confidence and take control of their money, drawing from Kosik’s new book, What’s Up With Women and Money: How to Do All the Financial Stuff You’ve Been Avoiding.
With Women’s Equal Pay Day upon us, this conversation is more ...
Money is everywhere in our lives, yet talking about it remains one of the biggest taboos. In this episode, we bring together—Kathleen Burns Kingsbury, financial psychologist and author, and Melissa Joy, CFP®, founder of Pearl Planning—to explore why breaking money silence is crucial for financial confidence, wealth-building, and stronger relationships.
Key Takeaways:
💡 The Origins of Money Silence – Kathleen explains how our relucta...
How can mothers find the support they truly need in a world that often leaves them feeling isolated?
In this inspiring episode, Melissa Joy sits down with Ariel Wan, founder of The Mamas Network, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a safe and empowering space for parents. Ariel shares her journey of building third spaces—welcoming environments where moms can connect, share experiences, and navigate the unique challenges of motherhood ...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!