Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner

• Navigating Positive and Negative Sentiment in Financial Planning and Family Life

  Are you keeping score in your relationships with your spouse, kids, or friends? I welcome back our resident therapist expert, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, for an eye-opening conversation about the ways our perspectives can shape every aspect of our relationships—at home and beyond. Dr. Jen introduces us to the idea of "positive vs. negative sentiment override." It's all about how we subconsciously gather evidence to support the story we're telling ourselves about our partner, our kids, or even our coworkers, and how that can tip our emotional balance, for better or worse. We dig in and make some interesting connections to my world of financial planning, comparing these emotional patterns to the affirmation bias investors often face. There are many parallels between managing money and managing emotions, particularly in breaking old habits, letting go of scorekeeping, and learning to see the positive in the people we care about. If you're a parent struggling with expectations, a partner trying to reconnect, or just someone looking for more balance, I think you'll find this episode both relatable and practical. Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette. Connect with Paul Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here. For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast. Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube. And feel free to email Paul at [email protected] with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics. Resources Featured in This Episode: Building Bridges in Relationships: The Impact of 'Yes And' on Understanding Breaking the Habit of "Make Sure-ing": How Letting Go Builds Trust and Confidence Learning How to Use Time as a Resource

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• Parenting and Portfolios: How Life's Chaos Brings Unexpected Calm

  I've found a surprising overlap between being a parent and serving as a wealth advisor. As the dad of teenage triplets plus one, I know firsthand how both roles bring their share of chaos and noise. Whether I'm spending weekends at humid, high-energy swim meets supporting my competitive swimmer daughter, or helping families navigate a financial landscape filled with political turmoil, inflation, and AI uncertainty, the challenges are real—but so are the rewards. What I've learned is that hope keeps us coming back, both as parents and advisors. Being around fellow swim parents reminds me of the importance of community, and how being a calming influence is vital—whether for a child after a tough meet or a family facing big financial decisions. Drawing inspiration from experts like our resident therapist, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, and my friend Hal Hirschfeld, author of "Your Future Self," I explore how stepping back, keeping perspective, and focusing on growth can help us turn lemons into lemonade. Connect with Paul Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here. For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast. Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube. And feel free to email Paul at [email protected] with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics. Resources Featured in This Episode: Finding Harmony in Life, Work & Family: Reflections Every Dollar is a Choice: Parenting & Building Families with Conscious Spending Breaking the Busy Stereotype: Redefining Time Management for Parents

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• How to Thrive, Not Survive, The Holiday Season Financially & Emotionally with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette

  Are you trying to survive, or do you want to thrive this holiday season? I welcome back our resident psychologist, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, to tackle the emotional whirlwind of the year-end holiday season. Both Dr. Jen and I felt it was time to reframe the usual "surviving the holidays" narrative. Instead of just getting through it, we talk about how you can actually enjoy and find meaning in this busy, sometimes stressful time. Together, we dig into four areas that create holiday pressure: financial strain, tricky family dynamics, the pain of losing a loved one, and dealing with career changes, especially job loss—all of which are heightened by the expectations we set for ourselves and others. Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette. Connect with Paul Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here. For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast. Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube. And feel free to email Paul at [email protected] with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics. Resources Featured in This Episode: Just Wait: Fuel for Financial and Emotional Anxiety Understanding and Managing Anxiety: Practical Steps for a Balanced Life Building Healthy Habits: Overcoming Fear and Anxiety Through Tiny Changes

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• Why Families Feel Behind: The Emotional and Financial Pressures to Keep Up - Dr. Jennifer Dragonette

  Are you feeling behind financially? Are you a parent juggling everything from college savings to daily expenses? Dr. Jennifer Dragonette returns for her much-anticipated monthly conversation, and we dive deep into a timely and universal theme: why so many families, even those who are objectively doing well, still feel like they're falling behind emotionally and financially. A recurring theme during my "planning season" has revealed a common thread among the families I work with: a persistent sense of anxiety and not-enoughness surrounding our personal and financial lives. Dr. Jen unpacks why these feelings are valid, the impact of social comparison, and how our nervous systems are being stretched thin by not only money matters but also the broader stresses of today's world. We focus on actionable strategies for managing anxiety, from reframing distorted thoughts to embracing simple, foundational self-care. Whether you're overwhelmed by competing financial priorities or just trying to keep your head above water emotionally, this episode will leave you with practical ways to reclaim a sense of safety, connection, and control. I hope you catch the secret message within our conversation: sometimes, the simplest steps are the most powerful. Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonette. Connect with Paul Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here. For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast. Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube. And feel free to email Paul at [email protected] with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics. Resources Featured in This Episode: Bridging the Gap Between Financial Anxiety and Reality Just Wait: Fuel for Financial and Emotional Anxiety How to Find Fulfillment Beyond Achieving Your Biggest Goals

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• How Technology Impacts Our Family, Finances, and Well-being and What We Can Do About It - Scott Hanselman

  How much tech do you let into your life? Do you even know why you let certain tech into your life? I'm thrilled to welcome back my friend and Microsoft VP, Scott Hanselman. It's been almost four and a half years since our last conversation, and so much has changed for both of us—at home, at work, and everywhere in between. Scott and I dive into the heart of his recent TEDx Talk, where he questions whether technology is truly delivering on its promises of convenience, connection, and community. We discuss the concept of the "third place"—those spaces outside of home and work where real community forms, and how the pandemic and our increasing reliance on technology have shifted those boundaries. Scott gets personal about his own life transitions, raising teenagers in a hyper-connected world, and the realities of tech overload. He shares the emotional story of how his parents once sold their van to buy him a Commodore 64 computer—a singular act that changed the course of his life and continues to shape his perspective on investing in our kids' potential. We also explore the emotional side of money—how we manage stress, organize family finances, and have those sometimes tough conversations with our partners. Scott even shares the allowance system that's kept the peace in his own marriage for 25 years! Whether you're navigating new technology at home, feeling overwhelmed by all life throws at you, or simply longing for a little more harmony, I think you'll find our conversation both insightful and relatable, with some serious nostalgia along the way. Please enjoy my conversation with Scott Hanselman. Connect with Paul Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here. For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast. Follow Paul on LinkedIn and YouTube. And feel free to email Paul at [email protected] with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics. Resources Featured in This Episode: Scott Hanselman Scott Hanselman - LinkedIn Tech Promised Everything. Did it deliver? Scaling Yourself

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