Ep. 217 – Paul Fenner – Parenting and Portfolios: How Life's Chaos Brings Unexpected Calm
I've found a surprising overlap between being a parent and serving as a wealth advisor. As the dad of teenage triplets plus one, I know firsthand how both roles bring their share of chaos and noise.
Whether I'm spending weekends at humid, high-energy swim meets supporting my competitive swimmer daughter, or helping families navigate a financial landscape filled with political turmoil, inflation, and AI uncertainty, the challenges are real, but so are the rewards.
What I've learned is that hope keeps us coming back, both as parents and advisors. Being around fellow swim parents reminds me of the importance of community, and how being a calming influence is vital, whether for a child after a tough meet or a family facing big financial decisions.
Drawing inspiration from experts like our resident therapist, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, and my friend Hal Hirschfeld, author of "Your Future Self," I explore how stepping back, keeping perspective, and focusing on growth can help us turn lemons into lemonade.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
Follow Paul on LinkedIn
And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES YOU MAY LIKE
1 Big Idea to Think About
Parenting and financial advising require us to navigate constant "noise," but maintaining hope and perspective, especially by recalling past challenges we've overcome, can help us stay grounded and resilient during uncertain times.
1 Way You Can Apply This
To bring greater calm and clarity to your financial life, try stepping back from the constant noise, both personal and economic, and draw on supportive communities or routines, much like the camaraderie found at one of your kids’ activities. By focusing on shared purpose and seeking moments of perspective, you can navigate uncertainty with more confidence and help make challenging transitions easier to manage.
1 Question to Ask
Am I letting the noise of everyday challenges, whether in my personal life or financial situation, distract me from finding moments of hope and calm?
Key Moments From the Show
00:00 Parenting and wealth advising overlap; kids bring both challenges and opportunities.
00:32 Despite parental frustrations, hope pulls us back; kids can be a calming influence amid chaos.
01:32 Swim meets with Madison highlight camaraderie and patience among parents.
02:10 Financial life filled with noise—government shutdown, political turmoil, unemployment, AI, inflation.
03:22 The joy and pain of watching Madison compete mirrors being a calming influence for financial clients in tough times.
04:09 Making lemonade out of lemons—awareness and resilience during difficult periods.
04:28 "Time traveling" exercise: Would you switch places with your past self, knowing what you know now?
05:15 Encouragement for the week; things will work themselves out.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Finding Harmony in Life, Work & Family: Reflections
Every Dollar is a Choice: Parenting & Building Families with Conscious Spending
Breaking the Busy Stereotype: Redefining Time Management for Parents