In this powerful episode, Dayna sits down with Joseph Shalaby, founder and CEO of E Mortgage Capital, to unpack a story that goes far beyond business.
From arriving in the U.S. as a child fleeing religious persecution in Egypt, to building a nationwide mortgage company from scratch, Joseph shares the real lessons behind resilience, reinvention, and long-term success.

We talk about:
Starting over with nothing—and what that teaches you about risk
How adversity sharpens leadership and decision-making
The mindset shifts required to rebuild after failure
Why success is more about resilience than resources
Lessons from Joseph’s book Rising from the Sand and his own podcast journey
This is a conversation about grit, perspective, and building something meaningful—when the odds are stacked against you.

In this episode of the Get Smart with Money Podcast, Dayna sits down with entrepreneur and former Disney executive Vance Morris to explore the powerful lessons behind world-class customer service, resilience, and building businesses people truly love.

Vance shares his unique journey—from running restaurants at Disney to facing bankruptcy and eventually rebuilding successful brick-and-mortar businesses. Along the way, he learned that great businesses aren’t built by luck—they’re built through systems, mindset, and a deep understanding of the customer experience.

In this conversation, Vance breaks down practical strategies business owners can use immediately to improve cash flow, stand out from competitors, and turn average service into unforgettable experiences.
In this episode, we discuss:
* The hardest lesson Vance learned after going from Disney leadership to bankruptcy
* What small businesses still misunderstand about customer experience
* The first thing to fix when cash flow becomes tight
* The mindset shift that helped him rebuild after failure
* How Disney creates experiences that make people spend money—and leave happy
* Why scaling too quickly can hurt your business
* Systems that help entrepreneurs work smarter, not harder

In this episode of the Get Smart with Money Podcast, Dayna sits down with Neil to unpack what it really takes to build a profitable Amazon FBA business.

Neil shares his success path, the lessons learned behind the scenes, and the mindset shifts required to move from uncertainty to sustainable income. This conversation isn’t about overnight wins — it’s about systems, discipline, and making smart financial moves that actually work.

In this episode of Get Smart with Money, Dayna sits down with Peter Maher, CEO of Ovanti US, to discuss how fintech innovation can create real financial inclusion — not just more debt.
With over 15 years of experience building and scaling fintech companies, Peter is leading a movement in the short-term payments space focused on accessibility, trust, and smarter alternatives to traditional credit and Buy Now Pay Later systems.
Today, more than 150 million American adults are locked out of affordable credit options. Peter shares how Ovanti is working to redesign the payments ecosystem by offering solutions that empower consumers and support merchants — without trapping people in financial stress cycles.
In this conversation, we explore:
Why traditional credit systems are failing millions of Americans
The hidden risks behind most Buy Now Pay Later models
What true financial inclusion really looks like
How fintech leaders navigate regulation and innovation
Building mission-driven companies that prioritize people over profit
If you're interested in financial literacy, fintech innovation, entrepreneurship, or breaking free from debt cycles — this episode delivers insight with impact.
Subscribe and listen on Spotify
Watch the full episode on YouTube

Remote work is everywhere—but most people are doing it wrong.In this episode of Get Smart with Money, Dayna Hernandez sits down with Steven Puri, former EVP at DreamWorks, VP at 20th Century Fox, 3x tech CEO, and founder of The Sukha, a global productivity community with over 34,000 members.After more than 20 years leading remote teams across Hollywood and tech, Steven shares the unexpected lessons that actually make remote work successful—lessons most leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals never hear.We talk about:-Why traditional productivity advice often fails remote teams-The hidden habits that quietly drain performance and income-How leadership mindset directly impacts financial stability-What Hollywood taught Steven about focus, accountability, and trust-The systems behind sustainable remote success (without burnout)-If you work remotely, lead a team, or want to increase productivity without sacrificing your personal life, this episode will completely change how you think about work.🎧 Also Available on Youtube

Building Unshakeable Confidence: How Mindset Shapes Leadership & Money
In this episode of the Get Smart with Money Podcast, Dayna Hernandez sits down with Simone Knego, a two-time TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and confidence expert, to explore how authentic confidence impacts leadership, mindset, and everyday financial decisions.
Simone shares practical insights from her signature REAL Method — Respect yourself, Embrace your failures, Ask yourself what you want, and Live without limits — and explains how confidence is not just a personality trait, but a skill that can be developed through intentional personal growth and self-awareness.
Throughout the conversation, Dayna and Simone discuss how mindset influences the way we show up in our careers, relationships, and money decisions. From navigating self-doubt to building trust in yourself, this episode offers actionable strategies for professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone working toward clarity, leadership, and financial confidence.
Simone brings powerful stories from raising six children, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and supporting professionals across industries. Her approach to leadership and confidence is practical, grounded, and applicable to real life — especially for those balancing ambition, personal development, and financial responsibility.
If you’re looking to strengthen your money mindset, improve decision-making, and lead with confidence from the inside out, this episode delivers tools you can apply immediately.
Listen on Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon iTunes getsmartwithmoneypodcast.com

In this episode, I sit down with Bob Frady, CEO and co-founder of PropertyLens, to uncover the hidden financial risks of homeownership—and how to avoid them.

Bob shares lessons from building HazardHub (later acquired by Guidewire) and now PropertyLens, where he helps homebuyers and real estate professionals spot costly surprises before they derail finances. With decades of experience in risk and insurtech, Bob brings practical insights and real-world stories to help you make smarter decisions around one of life’s biggest purchases.

Learn more about PropertyLens: www.propertylens.com

In this episode, Dayna sits down with George Thomas — financial coach, licensed banker, and founder of The Financial Constructor — to break down the truth about building wealth without overcomplicating it.

George has spent years helping individuals and families move from “barely making it” to finally gaining clarity, confidence, and control over their finances. His practical, simple strategies have guided young professionals through major milestones like creating their first budget, managing student loans, and setting up a plan for long-term stability.

We talk about:
Why so many people overthink wealth-building
The mindset shifts that help people break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle
How to create a simple budget that actually works
Real stories from families who transformed their financial lives
How young adults can start building confidence with money
Actionable steps you can apply TODAY to move toward financial freedom

George’s approach is down-to-earth, practical, and proven — and this conversation is full of clarity and motivation, no matter your starting point.

Website: thefinancialconstructor.com

Connect with George Thomas