Best Planet Smart Home Podcasts (2025)

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What Fewer Earnings Reports Could Mean for Investors and How to Teach Kids About Money (Video Episode) 39:55

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1d ago39:55

39:55

In this special video episode, learn what proposed stock market rule changes could mean for your portfolio and how to grow your teen’s money skills. Will corporate earnings reports soon shift from quarterly to twice a year? And what could new rules about day trading mean for everyday investors? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola team up with sen…

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You Can’t Pay Rent with Passion: Why Ashley Ruba Left Academia 36:09

1d ago36:09

36:09

“Clarity often follows action. You don’t really know what you like until you try it.” — Ashley Ruba In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Inga Timmerman and Neeka Miremadi talk with Ashley Ruba. After getting a PhD in developmental psychology, she left academia to pursue a career in user experience (UX) research and now works full tim…

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Cool Air, Hot Takes - Buildings As Batteries: Demand Response 35:20

2d ago35:20

35:20

By Trane Technologies

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10 Leadership Quotes I Can’t Fully Get Behind (and Why) 29:31

4d ago29:31

29:31

By Brandon Stanchock

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Watch the Nerds Sweat It Out: Hot Wings Meet Hot Money Takes (Video Episode) 44:26

4d ago44:26

44:26

In this special video episode, Sean and Elizabeth and special guests eat spicy wings and share hot takes on saving versus investing, inflation, crypto, and when to trade up for an electric vehicle. When should you prioritize investing over traditional savings? How do you know when to keep repairing your car versus trading it in for something new, l…

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Budget Rehab: What Our Hosts’ Spending Reveals About Smarter Money Moves (Video Episode) 37:33

8d ago37:33

37:33

In this special video episode, Sean and Elizabeth give each other a “budget rehab,” revealing their own budgets to help you fix yours. How can you feel more in control of your spending? How can you plan for irregular expenses like credit card annual fees or surprise bills? In this video episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola give each other…

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AI for the Planet: From Tech Labs to Real Life 37:58

11d ago37:58

37:58

Fighting climate change means juggling a thousand moving parts, from how we power our cities to how insects sustain our ecosystems. Artificial intelligence is uniquely equipped to take on that scale of challenge, analyzing massive data sets, predicting problems before they happen, and unlocking solutions humans alone could never achieve. In this ep…

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AI in Construction? Start Here: Fit-First Software, RAG & 5 Data Steps (w/ Elena Malygina) 1:04:32

11d ago1:04:32

1:04:32

Send us a text Still living on spreadsheets and tribal knowledge? You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. In this episode, Elena Malygina, CEO of BNMA Custom Software Solutions, breaks down how construction and construction-adjacent manufacturers can move from force-fitting SaaS to fit-first operations that match the way your teams already work. We …

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Stop Overpaying With Miles: The Redemption Rules Smart Travelers Use in 2025 44:03

11d ago44:03

44:03

In a special presentation of Smart Travel, learn what your points and miles are really worth in 2025 — and why the answer might change how you book travel. Should you take a $650 flight voucher or 32,500 miles? How much are your points and miles actually worth? Smart Travel hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle break down the latest NerdWallet valuat…

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Stay Ahead of a Government Shutdown and Learn How to Invest Extra Money Wisely 31:06

15d ago31:06

31:06

Learn how to prepare for a government shutdown and where to put $600 a month after building your emergency fund. What happens in a federal government shutdown? Where should you put $600/month after funding an emergency cushion? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the looming shutdown before answering a listener’s question about where to a…

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Money Gives You Options: Emily Roberts on Finances in Grad School 35:26

16d ago35:26

35:26

In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Emily Roberts, founder of Personal Finance for PhDs. Emily shares her journey from pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering at Duke to building a career as a financial educator for graduate students and postdocs. She opens up about how saving during grad s…

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Selling Your Company? 3 Exit-Readiness Mistakes Owners Still Make (w/ Laurie Barkman) 1:06:31

18d ago1:06:31

1:06:31

Send us a text How do you turn a business that’s “my baby” into an asset buyers will fight over? Laurie Barkman—a nationally-recognized Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and host of Succession Stories—joins Brandon to break down the mindset, metrics and mechanics of an exit that works for you and your team. In this episode you’ll learn: Why “t…

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Preparing Finances for Fall and How to Help Parents Who Haven’t Saved Enough 30:34

18d ago30:34

30:34

Learn how to prepare your finances for fall and support aging parents who have limited retirement savings. How can you check in on your finances this fall? What’s the best way to help parents with little savings retire? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola explain how you can give yourself a fall financial check-in before they answer a listener’s …

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The Fed Just Cut Rates — Here’s How to Make the Most of It (Plus: How to Freeze Your Credit) 28:51

22d ago28:51

28:51

Learn how the Fed rate cut impacts loans and savings, then find out when to freeze your credit and how to do it fast. What does a Federal Reserve rate cut mean for your wallet? Should you freeze your credit if an internet provider runs a soft pull? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola kick off this episode with senior news writer Anna Helhoski to …

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Big Things Are Possible: Scaling Sustainability 33:45

25d ago33:45

33:45

The journey to a sustainable future is built project by project, idea by idea. That means from small businesses to schools, hospitals, and even skyscrapers with their own zip codes. The lesson is the same: when creativity, collaboration , and courage come together, big things are possible anywhere. In this episode, we speak to Dan Palino, Chief Ope…

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Planet-First Beats: Mar Ibrahim on Turning Concerts into Climate Wins 1:03:59

25d ago1:03:59

1:03:59

Send us a text When Egyptian-born pianist-producer Mar Ibrahim couldn’t find a job that merged music and climate action, he wrote his own—cold-emailing production giant Nimblist and launching its Planet First Initiatives (PFI) sustainability division mar-brandon. Today Mar helps artists from Green Day to Bon Jovi cut carbon without killing profit—o…

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Tap to Pay, Tap to Overspend? Mobile Wallet Traps and Money Conversations That Pay Off 29:47

25d ago29:47

29:47

Learn if digital wallets make you overspend and how simple habits can help you stay on budget. How do you start money conversations that actually help? Do mobile wallets make you overspend? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss intentional money conversations and the psychology of paying by phone vs. card vs. cash to help you control spendi…

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AI Stocks May Be in a Bubble, and Car Prices Could Rise Soon — Here’s What to Know 33:24

29d ago33:24

33:24

Learn how to think about AI stocks and decide if now’s the time to buy a car, including how to choose between 48- and 60-month loans. Are AI stocks in a bubble? Should you buy a car now or wait? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss AI-driven market euphoria and today’s car-buying math to help you understand how to balance risk in your inve…

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Annual Benefit Enrollment Explained: Making the Most of Your Workplace Benefits as an Academic 22:51

30d ago22:51

22:51

It’s not a set-it-and-forget-it type thing, annual enrollment is the one time each year to really make sure your benefits still fit your life. In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman break down the key considerations for annual enrollment season. Too often, employees let benefits roll over without reviewing w…

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Heart-Surgery Survivor to Benefits Fixer: Nate Bunty on Direct Primary Care, Fitness & Cost-Smart Insurance 1:04:03

1M ago1:04:03

1:04:03

Send us a text From having last rites read over him before third-grade open-heart surgery to advising CEOs on future-proof health plans, Nate Bunty has lived both sides of America’s medical maze. In this candid sit-down with host Brandon Stanchock, the Univest Benefits Advisor explains how childhood “zipper-scar” resilience, protein-packed fitness …

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Estate Planning Made Simple and How to Handle Family Loans 32:09

1M ago32:09

32:09

Learn how to build a simple estate plan and lend or repay family money without hurting your relationships. What’s the first thing to do when creating an estate plan? What’s the smartest way to handle loans between friends or family? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola break down estate-planning basics like wills, revocable trusts, living wills/ad…

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Why Refis Are Spiking and How to Optimize Your 401k Target-Date Fund for Long-Term Growth 28:02

1M ago28:02

28:02

Learn when a refi saves money and how target-date funds work, including fees and when to pick a later fund year. What exactly is a target-date fund, and when should you move your date? How do you know if now is a good time to refinance a house? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss mortgage refinancing and target-date funds to help you unde…

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The ROI of Sustainability: A CFO’s Perspective 29:53

1M ago29:53

29:53

The intersection of finance and sustainability is dynamic and full of opportunity. Far from existing in separate lanes, the two are increasingly intertwined, working together to fuel growth, spark innovation and create lasting value. At its core, sustainability isn’t a trade-off against profitability; it’s a powerful driver of it. With the right in…

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Let My People Flow: Rabbi Ari on Somatic Healing, Spiritual Coaching & Beating Burnout 59:18

1M ago59:18

59:18

Send us a text What do snowboarding, Jewish mysticism, and a domain called RabbiFlo.com have in common? They’re all fuel for the unconventional coaching style of Ari (aka “Rabbi Flow”)—a former yeshiva student turned somatic-therapy mentor who helps leaders, founders, and couples unlock “flow” in every area of life. In this wide-ranging conversatio…

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Smart Buying Tips from Your Mama’s Kitchen and How to Change Banks Wisely 36:39

1M ago36:39

36:39

Find out when it’s worth splurging on kitchen gear and how to switch banks without losing your financial footing. What kitchen tools are actually worth the money? Is switching to an online bank really worth the hassle? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the value of investing in high-quality kitchen gear and what to consider when moving …

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How to Talk Finances Before Cohabitating, and Why Coffee and Tea Prices Are Surging 32:19

1M ago32:19

32:19

Before cohabiting, how do you talk about finances without conflict? Plus: the global forces pushing up your coffee and tea bill. Why are your daily coffee, tea, or matcha drinks costing more? What financial conversations should you have with your partner before signing a lease together? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola explore rising beverage …

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Academia Won’t Love You Back: Rebecca Pope-Ruark on Money, Burnout, and Balance 25:03

1M ago25:03

25:03

“We imagine professors in leather chairs thinking big thoughts, but the reality is—it’s a workplace that won’t love you back if you’re not producing.” In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Rebecca Pope-Ruark, Director of Faculty Professional Development at Georgia Tech, author of Agile Faculty…

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Building Legacy Barn Homes: JJ King on Barndominiums & Customer Trust 1:02:46

2M ago1:02:46

1:02:46

Send us a text Forget cookie-cutter condos—the real American Dream might be a steel-clad “barn home” on a few acres of breathing room. 🏡🚜 In this episode, Amish entrepreneur JJ King—founder of Lancaster Barndominiums and JJ Builders—joins host Brandon Stanchock to reveal how he’s fusing old-school work ethic, hospitality-level customer care, and so…

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Bank Account Denied? Overcome Verification Hurdles and Maximize Sign-Up Bonuses 26:32

2M ago26:32

26:32

Learn about banking blacklists and how to decide when sign-up bonuses are worth your time and money. Why might you get denied when trying to open a new bank account online, even if all your information is correct? When are bank account sign-up bonuses really worth pursuing? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola explain how banks verify identities, …

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27 Agrimony- The Herb that Teaches Us When to Remove the Mask 18:46

2M ago18:46

18:46

Have you ever smiled while your heart was breaking? In this episode, Brenda J. Sullivan explores the quiet wisdom of agrimony, an herb long associated with hidden sorrow and emotional healing. Through personal story, folklore, and herbal insight, she invites listeners to reflect on the “cheerful mask” we often wear and what it means to take it off.…

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Budget Rehab: Can a Family Rebuild Their Emergency Fund and Still Afford the Life They Want? 34:26

2M ago34:26

34:26

The Nerds debut a new Budget Rehab segment, dissecting a real family’s budget to reveal strategies for saving more, investing smarter, and managing lifestyle costs. Plus: tariffs’ role in rising auto insurance. Why are auto insurance premiums continuing to climb, and what do tariffs have to do with it? How can a real family adjust their budget to m…

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Connecting The Dots: Unlocking Innovation with Systems Thinking 30:53

2M ago30:53

30:53

Break down those barriers and shake off that siloed thinking: sustainability, technology, and innovation have never been more aligned. All it takes is a change in perspective! Pioneering leaders around the world are now viewing sustainability not just as a requirement, but as an opportunity. With experienced guidance, cutting-edge initiatives are n…

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Epic Universe Unpacked: Helios Hotel Hacks, Ride Strategy & Food Wins with Hank from Outer Rim Travels 1:07:22

2M ago1:07:22

1:07:22

Send us a text Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe is finally open—and travel-planner extraordinaire Hank (“Hank’s Travels” / Outer Rim Travels) just spent opening week inside the gates. If you’re eyeing the park (or already booked for later this year), this episode is your all-killer, no-filler playbook. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Helios Gr…

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How to Pay Less for Your Prescriptions and Brace for a Health Insurance Shake-Up 30:30

2M ago30:30

30:30

Learn how to cut prescription costs and prepare for steep health insurance hikes if ACA tax credits expire. How can you make prescription drugs more affordable? What can you do if subsidies in the Affordable Care Act expire and health insurance costs spike? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss rising prescription costs and looming changes …

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What Happens When You Trade Your Home for a Debt-Free Start? 32:08

2M ago32:08

32:08

Is tapping your home equity ever a smart way to reset your finances? One listener’s story reveals what to weigh before selling. Should you sell your house to wipe out credit card debt and start over? What are the hidden trade-offs when using home equity to eliminate debt? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola talk with a listener navigating $55,000…

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The Currency of Life: How Academics Can Build Financial Freedom with Sam Hosseini 30:31

2M ago30:31

30:31

"Money is not a piece of paper in your purse. It's your life. It's your youth. It's your precious hours that you gave away to earn that money. Spend it wisely." What if money isn’t just currency but the very time and energy of your life, especially when you’re navigating the unique challenges of an academic career? Sam Hosseini, a biomedical engine…

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From Burnout to Mindset Conquest: Chris Atwell’s Playbook for Energized, Data-Driven Sales Leadership 1:02:23

2M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

Send us a text Paperboy, infantryman, rapper-producer, top sales director—then full-blown burnout that landed him in the ER with near-kidney failure. 💥 Today Chris Atwell runs Mindset Conquest, coaching manufacturing-sector owners and sales managers to ditch “Big-Brother” CRM fears, reclaim seven hours a week, and grow revenue 12–26 %—all while pro…

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Stop Living by One-Size-Fits-All Budgets — and Paying for One-Size-Fits-All Financial Advice 37:23

2M ago37:23

37:23

Understand how to assess when financial advisor fees are worth it and how to rethink personal finance rules that don’t serve you. What are the different financial advisor fees, and how can you decide if they’re worth it? Do you need to follow traditional budgeting and debt payoff rules to be financially successful? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ay…

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Here’s What Tariffs Could Cost You (Plus: Downgrade or Ditch Your Premium Card?) 32:02

2M ago32:02

32:02

Understand how new tariffs may hit your wallet and whether premium credit card fees are still worth it. What do new U.S. tariffs mean for prices on everyday goods and cars? What should you consider when choosing a premium travel credit card? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the latest economic indicators and the changing landscape of c…

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Electrification in Transport: Reducing Carbon Emissions for the Long Haul 34:25

2M ago34:25

34:25

Electric vehicles are growing in popularity – small cars, SUVs, even pickup trucks. But what about electric long-haul tractor trailers? It’s true that, owing to the size of the batteries required, electrification of heavy-hauling trucks is a difficult task. However, disruptive innovators have capitalized on this gap in the sector. Thanks to groundb…

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Hungry-Dog Finance: Fractional CFO Jim Emmerich on Cash-Flow, Pricing & Beating 85 % of Business Failures 1:01:03

2M ago1:01:03

1:01:03

Send us a text Eight-five percent of business closures trace back to one culprit: cash-flow chaos. In this episode, fractional-CFO-turned-entrepreneur Jim Emmerich of Backbone CFO joins host Brandon Stanchock to break down the no-BS finance habits that keep companies alive, free up family time and unlock growth—without burning out the team. jim-bra…

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More Money, More Priorities: Don’t Let a Bigger Paycheck Go to Waste 35:19

2M ago35:19

35:19

New job, more income — now what? Hear how one listener is managing his Roth IRA, health savings account, high-yield savings, and more. Is it smart to use a Roth IRA like a savings account? How should you prioritize your money across savings, debt, and retirement after getting a higher-paying job? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola answer a liste…

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Does Medical Debt Impact Your Credit Score? And How Much Do You Really Need To Save for a Home 36:27

2M ago36:27

36:27

How to protect your credit from medical debt and choose the right way to save for a home down payment. How does medical debt affect your credit score? What accounts can you use to save for a house down payment? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the recent reversal of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule that would have removed me…

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The $48K Wake-Up Call: Lessons in Money and Academia with Tanya Golash-Boza 35:49

2M ago35:49

35:49

What happens when your first raise kicks you off state healthcare? Tanya Golash-Boza learned the hard way that more money doesn’t always mean more breathing room. In this episode, we talk with Tanya about the financial wake-up calls that shaped her academic career—from losing food stamps after a small negotiation win, to realizing that a $10,000 fe…

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Sober Leadership, Shared Success: Drew Mousetis’ Guide to Slow-Motion Employee Ownership 56:54

2M ago56:54

56:54

Send us a text Can you really sell a company to your employees without losing control—or your culture? Drew Mousetis, Executive Director of the Tandem Center for Shared Business Success, says yes—and his “direct employee ownership” model proves it. In this episode Drew also reveals how 13 years of sobriety shaped his people-first playbook and why s…

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The Right Way to Dodge Scams, Plus Learn How Robo-Investing Works 29:56

2M ago29:56

29:56

Learn how to dodge scams to protect your money, then understand how to compare robo vs. traditional investment risks. What should you do if your credit card is compromised in a scam? Are robo-advisors riskier than traditional brokerage accounts? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss how to spot and respond to identity theft and dig into how…

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Housing Market in Flux: Should You Buy Now Before Prices Shift? (Plus: How Teens Can Build Credit) 36:18

3M ago36:18

36:18

Find out where the housing market's headed and how to help your teen build smart credit habits early. Is now a smart time to buy a home or should you wait for mortgage rates to drop? What’s the best way to help your teenager build credit before college? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola explore these questions to help you make confident financi…

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Embodied Carbon: The First Movers of the Built Environment 37:10

3M ago37:10

37:10

The cause of global warming isn’t a mystery: we’ve been reliant on burning fossil fuels for centuries. Our carbon emissions are a big problem, but what if carbon could be part of the solution? There are many solutions that can contribute to reducing our emissions footprint, from the transition to renewable energy, to sustainable consumption, produc…

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Dirty Jobs, Clean Values: How Walters Services Scaled Portable Toilets, Dumpsters & Septic Across the Mid-Atlantic. 1:10:00

3M ago1:10:00

1:10:00

Send us a text What do teaching English in Tibet, surviving Three Mile Island and hauling “anything dirty or smelly” have in common? They all shaped Scott Walters, second-generation President of Walters Services, into the leader he is today. In this episode we dive into: The homemade septic truck that launched a 50-year-old family business — and th…

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Savings Bonds Explained: When to Buy, When to Cash In, and If They’re Still Worth It 32:43

3M ago32:43

32:43

Budget better for group trips and explore if savings bonds still deserve a spot in your long-term investment plan. How do you plan a trip with friends without blowing your budget — or your relationships? Are savings bonds a smart way to invest in your kids’ future? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the emotional and financial dynamics o…