Thanksgiving hits different when you’re the one holding everything up. The bills, the business, the team, the family. And then people tell you, “Be thankful.”

In this episode of Let’s Get Real, I sit down and talk honestly about gratitude in a messed-up economy — not the Hallmark version. I walk through what I’m genuinely thankful for as a husband, dad, and financial professional, even while prices are high, markets are chaotic, and business owners are tired of wearing all the hats.

This is real talk for women, minority, and LGBTQ business owners on that next step of growth who know they can’t keep doing it all alone.

In this episode:

• Why gratitude feels hard when money is tight and life is heavy
• Holding frustration and thankfulness at the same time
• What I’m thankful for in my family and my clients’ trust
• Finding meaning in your work even when the market is wild
• How chaos doesn’t erase your skills, grit, or progress

Full video of this conversation is available on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/Wu_N0AKWCX4

As always we ask you to comment, DM, whatever it takes to have a conversation to help you take the next step in your journey, reach out on any platform!

Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, Tiktok, Linkedin

DISCLOSURE: Awards and rankings by third parties are not indicative of future performance or client investment success. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investment strategies carry profit/loss potential and cannot eliminate investment risks. Information discussed may not reflect current positions/recommendations. While believed accurate, Black Mammoth does not guarantee information accuracy. This broadcast is not a solicitation for securities transactions or personalized investment advice. Tax/estate planning information is general - consult professionals for specific situations. Full disclosures at www.blackmammoth.com.

This one’s for anyone walking into Thanksgiving with a pit in their stomach about money. You know the drill: old stories, old roles, and fresh triggers. I brought financial therapist Rachel Duncan back to help us keep it real at the table—and keep our dignity intact.

We break down why holidays wake up your oldest money wiring. Families “snap you back” into your teenage self, and your money beliefs? Most of them got stamped on you by age eight. If you’ve ever felt “14 again” at Mom’s house, you’re not crazy—your nervous system just time-traveled.

Then we torch the shame cycle. Shame says “I am bad.” Guilt says “I did something I don’t like—and I can change it.” That shift matters because guilt leads to action. We walk through how to swap shame for guilt and actually move forward.

We also hit boundaries—the real kind. A healthy boundary isn’t a fight; it’s clarity about what you will do. We show you how to feel when a boundary gets crossed, redirect explosive moments without stonewalling, and stop people-pleasing without burning the house down.

Finally, Rachel gives a practical ritual you can actually use this week: a daily “pleasure practice” to reconnect you to yourself. Do one small thing that makes you feel human. It’ll do more for your money than any spreadsheet ever could. Yes, really.

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lXnvkBWjGas

As always we ask you to comment, DM, whatever it takes to have a conversation to help you take the next step in your journey, reach out on any platform!

Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, Tiktok, Linkedin

DISCLOSURE: Awards and rankings by third parties are not indicative of future performance or client investment success. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investment strategies carry profit/loss potential and cannot eliminate investment risks. Information discussed may not reflect current positions/recommendations. While believed accurate, Black Mammoth does not guarantee information accuracy. This broadcast is not a solicitation for securities transactions or personalized investment advice. Tax/estate planning information is general - consult professionals for specific situations. Full disclosures at www.blackmammoth.com.

Most owners wait to hire a planner until everything is “ready.” That’s how you stay stuck. I asked my communities why more people aren’t working with planners and the answers were clear. Not enough money yet. Bad advisor experiences. Confusion about what planners actually do. I lay out the truth and the path forward.

This is an audio-first breakdown of coach vs planner, what licensed planning includes, and how to move from survival decisions to strategic ones. Especially for women, minority, and LGBTQ owners who are building without a safety net.

In this episode:

• Real reasons folks don’t hire planners
• Coaching for mindset, planning for systems
• Why licensing and accountability matter
• Holistic planning for life and business
• Behavior, relationships, and money
• First steps you can take this week

Full video is on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SKhLCYAtuZs

As always we ask you to comment, DM, whatever it takes to have a conversation to help you take the next step in your journey, reach out on any platform!

Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, Tiktok, Linkedin

DISCLOSURE: Awards and rankings by third parties are not indicative of future performance or client investment success. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investment strategies carry profit/loss potential and cannot eliminate investment risks. Information discussed may not reflect current positions/recommendations. While believed accurate, Black Mammoth does not guarantee information accuracy. This broadcast is not a solicitation for securities transactions or personalized investment advice. Tax/estate planning information is general - consult professionals for specific situations. Full disclosures at www.blackmammoth.com.

If you’ve been punting your estate planning all year, this is your wake-up call. In this episode, I bring in Griffin Bridgers—a recovering attorney who lives in this space—to tear down the myths and get you moving before the holidays eat your calendar. We get real about why estate planning slips to the bottom of the list: nobody wants to think about death, and everybody swears they’ll “get to it later.” Later rarely comes.

We start with basics that most people still miss: your will’s validity, witness requirements, and why “perfect is the enemy of good.” Get the core documents done, then build the habit of revisiting them as your life changes—because it will. Your family changes. Your relationships change. Your appointees change. Set-and-forget is a fantasy. Review is the job.

Then we crack open the myths: “The bank has my beneficiary, so I’m covered” (no, that’s not a plan), and “my attorney has the originals, so I don’t need to track anything” (do your people even know how to reach that attorney—or if they’re still practicing?). This is where good intentions die and heirs get stuck.

Business owners—this one’s for you. Your buy-sell is not a checkbox. It’s a minefield of human behavior, valuation drift, liquidity shortfalls, “I’m done working but still own 50%” scenarios, and spouses who don’t agree with your sweetheart deal. If you don’t define the rules, a judge will.

Griffin’s core punchline is simple: death is never easy, but you can make it easier. Start with the “who” and the “how.” Review your will, trusts, POAs, and—crucially—the people you’ve named. Educate them on their roles. Create an instruction manual so someone can actually run the playbook when you’re gone. Then get your corporate docs in one place, with minutes and filings current. Organize first. Then review. Then fix.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/7ZRs0r_XCVs

As always we ask you to comment, DM, whatever it takes to have a conversation to help you take the next step in your journey, reach out on any platform!

Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, Tiktok, Linkedin

DISCLOSURE: Awards and rankings by third parties are not indicative of future performance or client investment success. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investment strategies carry profit/loss potential and cannot eliminate investment risks. Information discussed may not reflect current positions/recommendations. While believed accurate, Black Mammoth does not guarantee information accuracy. This broadcast is not a solicitation for securities transactions or personalized investment advice. Tax/estate planning information is general - consult professionals for specific situations. Full disclosures at www.blackmammoth.com.

This one hits where it hurts: the living room. We dig into how money actually moves in multi-generational, first-gen Hispanic households during the holidays when everyone has an opinion and nobody wants to say the quiet part out loud. Daniela Molina joins me to cut through the noise with straight talk on culture, pressure, and breaking money taboos.

We start with reality. Different generations carry different money scripts, and when the saver, the spender, and the “I don’t even know” all live under one roof, small choices turn into family politics. Daniela lays out how to start real conversations without shaming your elders, how to share what you’re learning without posturing, and how to reframe the holidays so love is the priority—not debt.

Then we torch a few lazy hot takes. “Cut off your family to get ahead” sounds bold online, but it ignores culture and context. “Debt is always bad” is just wrong. We separate clickbait from facts and talk about how to consume media like an adult: verify sources, look for methodology, and stop outsourcing your brain to headlines.

We also get tactical: setting boundaries when relatives hit you up for cash, protecting your personal life if you work in media or client-facing roles, and expanding your reach with bilingual content—even if you don’t speak Spanish—by partnering, translating key one-pagers, and focusing on genuinely useful advice.

Holiday season is when budgets blow up and resentment festers. Not this year. Listen in, get your plan tight, and keep your dignity intact. Full video here: https://youtu.be/IU23V53K2fA

As always we ask you to comment, DM, whatever it takes to have a conversation to help you take the next step in your journey, reach out on any platform!

Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, Tiktok, Linkedin

DISCLOSURE: Awards and rankings by third parties are not indicative of future performance or client investment success. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investment strategies carry profit/loss potential and cannot eliminate investment risks. Information discussed may not reflect current positions/recommendations. While believed accurate, Black Mammoth does not guarantee information accuracy. This broadcast is not a solicitation for securities transactions or personalized investment advice. Tax/estate planning information is general - consult professionals for specific situations. Full disclosures at www.blackmammoth.com.

This is your leverage window. Q4 is when companies lock budgets, finalize promotions, set equity, and protect retention risk. Translation: decisions are being made about you—often without you. If you stay quiet, you’re already behind. In this episode, Dr. Renee Baker joins me to dismantle the myths and give you a real plan to negotiate raises, titles, and equity without begging or breaking.

We tear into the fear narrative—layoffs, headlines, “be grateful and wait your turn.” Gratitude without advocacy is servitude. Silence doesn’t pay. You are the CEO of you, and if you don’t speak up, you’ve handed away your leverage. We talk about why it’s cheaper to keep you than replace you, how bonuses and timing create retention pressure, and how to use that math in your favor.

Then we get tactical. Politics often beats performance, so study the breadcrumbs: who gets promoted, how, and why. Don’t bring a task list to a review—bring outcomes. Learn to quantify impact beyond sales, frame results the way your firm rewards them, and ask the right questions in your 1:1s so your leaders carry the right story into the room when you’re not there.

We close with two heavy hitters: titles and “no.” Titles drive pay bands and access—use them. If they say no, convert it into a timeline, criteria, and checkpoints. If that’s not respected, that’s your signal. This is not about ego. It’s about equity, mobility, and your next seat at the table.

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sN9-MechYpM

Connect with Dr. Renee Baker:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsreneebaker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItsReneeBaker/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsreneebaker

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@itsreneebaker

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrReneeBaker

As always we ask you to comment, DM, whatever it takes to have a conversation to help you take the next step in your journey, reach out on any platform!

Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, Tiktok, Linkedin

DISCLOSURE: Awards and rankings by third parties are not indicative of future performance or client investment success. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investment strategies carry profit/loss potential and cannot eliminate investment risks. Information discussed may not reflect current positions/recommendations. While believed accurate, Black Mammoth does not guarantee information accuracy. This broadcast is not a solicitation for securities transactions or personalized investment advice. Tax/estate planning information is general - consult professionals for specific situations. Full disclosures at www.blackmammoth.com.

Q4 exposes the truth. Some of you are sprinting. Some of you are stuck in chaos. Either way, the calendar isn’t a magic wand—and the holidays won’t save sloppy execution. We go straight at that. Matt Halloran joins me to break down why year-end pressure is mostly a head game and how to turn the next 90 days into an authority sprint that actually converts.

Authority beats volume. Every time. We talk the path from apprentice → expert → authority → celebrity, and why the crossing point is long-term discipline, staying on message, and giving value away like oxygen. Matt lays out how he used the exact system he teaches to land on top-influence lists in financial services. This isn’t theory—it’s reps and years.

We dismantle the myths: “post more and you’ll win,” “be on every platform,” “AI replaces strategy,” and “sell hard in every post.” What works now: start with one high-quality recording, repurpose with intent by platform, use AI to sharpen the plan—not do the work—and practice attraction marketing. No cold-call cowboy energy. No Yetis. Build demand with value and consistency.

Then we get practical. Matt’s “perfect content formula” (storytelling, education, entertainment, call-to-action). The 15-minute daily discipline. The simplest system to start today: finish a client meeting, hit record, share one insight. And the metrics that actually matter: growing the owned audience and driving real actions—calendar, downloads, snapshots—not dopamine.

You want a filter? Use the brand test: would Nike/Red Bull post this? If not, it doesn’t go live. That’s how you stay clean, consistent, and on-message. Then go take the ProudMouth Influence Snapshot to see exactly where you sit and where the gaps are. We want you out of obscurity. Let’s go.

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ALBvq9GdpqI

As always we ask you to comment, DM, whatever it takes to have a conversation to help you take the next step in your journey, reach out on any platform!

Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, Tiktok, Linkedin

DISCLOSURE: Awards and rankings by third parties are not indicative of future performance or client investment success. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investment strategies carry profit/loss potential and cannot eliminate investment risks. Information discussed may not reflect current positions/recommendations. While believed accurate, Black Mammoth does not guarantee information accuracy. This broadcast is not a solicitation for securities transactions or personalized investment advice. Tax/estate planning information is general - consult professionals for specific situations. Full disclosures at www.blackmammoth.com.

If you’re still pretending 60/40 will solve everything, this episode is your wake-up call. I brought back the Queen of Alts, Shana Orczyk Sissel, to rip through the reality of alternatives: what works, what doesn’t, where the real yield is coming from, and the cost you actually pay for it—hint: liquidity, not magic. We get straight to it. No fluff. No sales pitch. Just the truth.

We break down why alts are finally everywhere—regulatory changes, active ETFs, and the rise of interval funds—and why access is easier but the learning curve is still real. Shana explains the tradeoffs in plain English: higher income often means less liquidity, leverage multiplies both gains and pain, and “complex” doesn’t automatically mean “risky.” Complexity just means do the work.

This is a masterclass in due diligence. We walk through what to ask a manager, how to sniff out conflicts, why structure and third-party vendors matter, and how to judge a product beyond marketing sheets. We also hit the advisor problem: most fear is just lack of information. Your job is to learn what your clients don’t have time to learn. Period.

Who are alts for? Shana’s take: everyone, but not every alt is for everyone. There’s a spectrum—from Bitcoin and venture to sober, income-producing private credit. Your job is matching goals, risk, taxes, and liquidity. We close with a simple portfolio checklist so you can stop guessing and start allocating with intent. Watch the full conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/coZJKOUwaFs

As always we ask you to comment, DM, whatever it takes to have a conversation to help you take the next step in your journey, reach out on any platform!

Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, Tiktok, Linkedin

DISCLOSURE: Awards and rankings by third parties are not indicative of future performance or client investment success. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investment strategies carry profit/loss potential and cannot eliminate investment risks. Information discussed may not reflect current positions/recommendations. While believed accurate, Black Mammoth does not guarantee information accuracy. This broadcast is not a solicitation for securities transactions or personalized investment advice. Tax/estate planning information is general - consult professionals for specific situations. Full disclosures at www.blackmammoth.com.