Financial consultant and peace advocate Barry Simon joins Christina Flach to explore how smart, values-aligned investing can coexist with a life of service. From separating market noise from signal to building Conversations for Peace and the annual Concerts for Peace on September 21, Barry shares frameworks for risk, resilience, and social responsibility, plus practical ways communities can advance peace locally while planning for the future.

In this conversation:

• Psychology + finance: how mindset shapes your portfolio

• Long-term investing mistakes & how to avoid them

• Purpose, service & staying grounded while pursuing success

• What everyday people can do to foster more calm & connection

• The origin of Conversations for Peace & Concerts for Peace

• Travel, art & culture: opening your lens on the world

Chapters:

00:00 Cold open

00:31 Host intro and guest bio

01:12 Why study business and psychology

02:04 Long-term planning myths

02:46 Risk, reward, and real expectations

03:35 Balancing returns with responsibility

04:20 From the 60s–70s to service

05:08 Why UNA-USA and global goals

05:58 Birth of Conversations for Peace

06:46 Concerts for Peace overview

07:34 International Day of Peace plans

08:22 Peacebuilding at the local level

09:10 Finance as a tool for impact

09:58 Separating noise from signal

10:48 Behavioral biases in markets

11:36 Managing fear in downturns

12:24 Staying disciplined in rallies

13:12 Building a resilient portfolio

14:02 ESG vs performance realities

14:52 Screening, tilting, and impact

15:40 Talking values with clients

16:28 Measuring what matters

17:18 Practical risk tolerance checks

18:06 Setting ranges you can live with

18:56 Communication rhythms that calm

19:44 Philanthropy and planned giving

20:32 Aligning money with meaning

21:20 Community partnerships that work

22:08 Peace education and youth voices

22:56 Storytelling that bridges divides

23:44 Dialogue formats that defuse tension

24:32 Music as a catalyst for unity

25:20 Volunteer pathways for listeners

26:08 Corporate citizenship that counts

26:58 Navigating greenwashing

27:46 Transparency and reporting basics

28:34 Small, steady actions for peace

29:22 Mentors who shaped the journey

30:10 Lessons from clients and communities

30:58 Building coalitions across differences

31:46 Conflict resolution fundamentals

32:34 Self-care for servants and leaders

33:22 Mindset for uncertain times

34:10 Reframing setbacks as feedback

34:58 The role of media and messages

35:46 Finance literacy that empowers

36:34 Teaching kids money and empathy

37:22 Case study: aligning a portfolio

38:10 Case study: convening a dialogue

38:58 Metrics of success beyond ROI

39:46 Funding arts for social cohesion

40:34 How to host a peace conversation

41:22 Sponsorships and community support

42:10 Volunteer stories from the field

42:58 What keeps Barry optimistic

43:46 Advice for new peace advocates

44:34 Advice for new investors

45:22 The next decade of UNA-USA work

46:10 Concerts for Peace call to action

46:58 How listeners can get involved

47:46 Rapid-fire: money and meaning

48:34 Favorite books and resources

49:22 Barriers to peace we can remove

50:10 Habits that compound over years

50:58 Crafting a life of purpose

51:46 Final takeaways for viewers

52:34 Where to connect and participate

53:20 Gratitude and acknowledgments

54:00 Closing credits

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Connect with Barry Simon

• Conversations for Peace / Concerts for Peace:www.conversationsforpeace.com

• UNA-USA:www.unausa.org

• [email protected]

Connect with Christina Flach

• Instagram: @ChristinaFlachMakeup

• Podcast: @ImTooBusyPodcast

• Website: www.christinaflach.com

• Show site: www.imtoobusytv.com

#Peace

#love

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