Trust – Wealth on the Move

Narrative Wins: How Personal Stories Shape Financial Decisions w/ Joe Caruso & Shawn Mahoney, PhD | Episode 45

By Wealth on the Move | March 5, 2026

Summary: In this episode of Wealth on the Move, host Will Hoffman engages with Joe Caruso and Dr. Sean Mahoney, co-authors of the book ‘Narrative Wins!’. They explore the profound impact of personal narratives on financial success and decision-making. The conversation delves into how the stories we tell ourselves shape our behaviors, particularly in the context of money, and emphasizes the importance of understanding and re-contextualizing these narratives to foster better financial outcomes. The discussion also highlights the role of fear and greed in financial decisions and the significance of client relationships in wealth management. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricate relationship between trust, personal narratives, and financial decision-making. They explore how trust is built and the impact of scarcity versus abundance mindsets on financial behaviors. The discussion highlights the psychological ties between love and money, the importance of understanding personal narratives, and the role of AI in enhancing financial advisory services. The speakers emphasize the need for self-awareness and the ability to shift narratives to foster better financial outcomes.

Resources:

Takeaways:

The personal narrative is foundational to our identity.
Successful individuals often have healthier narratives than those who struggle.
Curiosity and awareness are crucial in understanding our narratives.
Fear and greed are the two primary emotions influencing financial decisions.
Contextualizing financial fears can lead to better decision-making.
Personal narratives can evolve over time based on experiences.
Client conversations should focus on understanding their narratives.
The stories we tell ourselves can either empower or hinder us.
Awareness of our narratives is the first step to change.
It’s essential to remember that financial management is about people, not just money. Trust is fundamental in relationships and must be earned.
Scarcity mindset can lead to neurotic behaviors and poor financial decisions.
Understanding personal narratives is crucial for self-awareness.
Rationality in financial decisions is often clouded by fear and emotions.
AI can enhance financial advisory but cannot replace human connection.
Generational perspectives shape our views on money and wealth.
Narratives influence how we perceive wealth and success.
Shifting one’s narrative can lead to better financial outcomes.
Identifying disruptive narratives is key to improving financial habits.
Listening and understanding clients’ narratives is essential for advisors.

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What It’s Like to Lose a Parent with Eve Simon of the GenX Stories Podcast (Ep.19)

By Monetary-Mix-Tape | June 8, 2023

No one knows the pain and suffering of losing a parent until it happens to them.

In today’s episode, Eve Simon, founder and co-host of the GenX Stories Podcast joins Will to not only share her love of being a member of the best generation there is but also what it’s like to lose a parent.

Listen as she tells of her close relationship with her father, how his death impacted her role as an only child, and how grateful she is to him for having his finances in order prior to his death.

Reminisce about your childhood, while facing truths about your present as Eve discusses:

How so many Gen Xers are ‘sandwiched’ between looking after children and their aging parents, and what that means for their lifestyle and relationships
The parallel experiences shared by Gen Xers across different regions and backgrounds
How attending her 25th college reunion spurred the GenX Stories Podcast
The importance of having close-knit relationships to help you through ‘mid-life’ experiences like divorce, or the death of a parent
Why you need to have a conversation surrounding estate planning with your folks
And more

Resources:

Connect with Eve Simon:

About Our Guest:

A lapsed Philosophy major with an MFA in theatrical lighting design and 26 years of experience in the web design industry, Eve is the executive producer & host of GenX Stories. By day, she is the founder & chief storyteller at Eve Simon Creative but will always be an 80’s Madonna girl at heart and may or may not be obsessed with Ampersands.

Eve Simon and GenX Stories Podcast are not affiliated with or endorsed by LPL Financial and Hoffman Wealth Management.

Connect with Will Hoffman:

About Our Host:

Will Hoffman is a financial advisor and the Founder of Hoffman Wealth Management, a firm dedicated to helping professionals create wealth plans that revolve around their financial goals. Will has 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and is passionate about becoming his client’s most trusted financial ally.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Private Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor. Private Advisor Group and Hoffman Wealth Management are separate entities from LPL Financial. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.

The LPL Financial registered representative(s) associated with this website may discuss and/or transact business only with residents of the states in which they are properly registered or licensed. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident of any other state.

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