FI Minded: Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It
Episodes
The Hot 100 List: How I Network Effectively | E86
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You meet someone amazing and you have the best intention to stay in touch with them only to find years have gone by and you totally dropped the ball.&...
Spice Up Your Sex Life with a Sex Life Bucket List | E85 Susan Bratton
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Has the sexual chemistry in your relationship turned dull? Bedroom boredom is a really common issue in relationships so it is nothing to beat yours...
Practical Tips to Take the Stress Out of 1st Dates | E84 Cara Hays
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It might just be my circle but so many of my friends are recently single and I’m hearing the war stories of 1st dates. From coordinating plans, gett...
Write a Resume That Actually Gets Noticed by Recruiters | E83 Jenny Foss
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I’m talking to my friend Jenny Foss who is a Job Search Strategist who has been in the game for quite a while helping people navigate job searches, ...
Screw Quitters Day. 3 Tips to Get Back on Track with Your 2023 Goals | E82
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Where are you at with your 2023 New Year’s resolutions? Are things going better than ever? Awesome! But if you’re like the majority of p...
Make More Than .01% Interest From Banks | E81 Jeremy Keil
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
19 cents. That’s how much in interest that my bank paid me in 2022. I’m not sure if that makes me want to cry, yell, or laugh but those are n...
How to Actually Keep Your New Year’s Resolution | E80 David Ward
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I hope you’ve taken the New Year as an opportunity to set priorities and state your goals. In today’s episode, we will discuss how to create syste...
Are Your Finances on Track to Support Kids? | E79 Clifton Corbin
02 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I remember being so furious with my dad because I felt like I was the only 16-year-old in my friend group that paid for their own car insurance. ...
Have You Considered a Career Break? | E78 Krista Edwards
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It was fall of 2019 and I was absolutely lost with my career. 3 months prior, I had just left a longtime employer to try something else. Here I was...
Think Like a Top 20 Poker Player | E77 Chris Sparks
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is an exciting conversation with Chris Sparks, a retired professional poker player although I think he uses the term retired fairly ...
Remarkable Health Benefits of a Fiber-Rich Diet | E76 Megan Barnett & Lee Carson
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I did not know how beneficial fiber was prior to this conversation and I wouldn’t even have been able to tell you fiber was only found in plants. ...
Is Investing Still a Smart Choice During this Recession? I’m Feeling Discouraged. | E75 Jesse Cramer
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re paying attention to your portfolio right now, you know the stock market has been on a nosedive, and if you’re anything like me, this mar...
Develop Crystal Clear Intentionality | E74 Brian Bogert
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The amazing Brian Bogert is joining me on the podcast today. At 7 years old, his life transformed in a blink of an eye after he was in a vehicle ac...
How to Build Unbreakable Confidence In Yourself and Ignore Judgment from Others | E73 MMATalks
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As much as I’d want to work on The Struggle is Real full-time, I do have a day job. I could gripe about my 9-5 but I actually really enjoy my job...
3 Things Every Friendship Needs, How to Stop Being Awkward in Conversation, and Where to Meet New Friends | E72 Jewel Hohman
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I did not anticipate one of the biggest struggles in my 20s would be making friends. It was so easy in high school and college when I was surrounded b...
Getting the Courage to Become a Business Owner | E71 Mason Burchette
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I feel like I always gravitate towards stories about taking a chance. Ahmad Jabbir’s story about how he went above and beyond during his job intervi...
Therapist on Why Your 20s Isn’t for Deciding Your Path But Instead Exploring Possibilities | E70 Grace Dowd
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Going into college, Grace was pre-med and planning on becoming a doctor. She found out through taking classes and trying internships, that this wasn’...
Feeling Overwhelmed? Mom of Triplets Discusses Why Simplifying Might Be the Answer You’ve Been Looking For | E69 Rose Lounsbury
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rose Lounsbury is a simplicity coach, speaker, and author of the book, Less: Minimalism, For Real. Rose’s minimalist journey started with being a...
Psychiatrist on Social Jetlag, How Marijuana Affects Sleep, and Managing the Anxious Mind | E68 Jennifer Reid
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There is nothing better than waking up in the morning feeling refreshed and energized. I love a good night’s sleep. On the flip side, if I didn’t ...
What You Could Learn from Traveling the Globe | E67 Sydney Summerlin
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I try not to dwell on many regrets in life but one opportunity I wish I would have taken advantage of was my university’s study abroad program. I we...
How to Become an Awesome-Sauce Manager, Deal with Underperforming Employees, and Build a Competent Team | E66 Makeda Andrews
04 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I never realized how much of an impact my manager could have on my job satisfaction until I’ve had both the good and the lousy. Experiencing both ha...
How the Podcast Got Started | E65 Andrew Biernat
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I have something different for you today. This is a replay from my good friend Andrew Biernat’s show: Your Personal Growth, Personal Brand Podcast. ...
Reaching Financial Independence Without a 6-Figure Salary | E64 Jackie Cummings Koski
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You all know I’m a sucker for a good early retirement story. Jackie Cummings Koski retired at 49 years old and now spends her time creating a financ...
Sex is a Learned Skill, Overcome Bedroom Boredom, and Simple Techniques to Be a Better Lover | E63 Susan Bratton
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With high school teachers and porn stars being our instructors, I’m not surprised sex is awkward and unrealistic. But at least we have our friends t...
Meetings: No. 1 Time-Waster at the Office | E62 Darren Chait
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve spent any amount of time in the working world, you probably know how much meetings can consume the work week. I’m crazy and I actually t...
Take a Chance and Bet on Yourself | E61 Ahmad Jabbir
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I love listening to stories that require someone to take a chance and today’s episode is packed with those. You’ll hear from my friend, Ahmad Jabb...
How Can I Have Fun as an Adult Again? | E60 Tyson Bankert
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
My childhood was filled with a constant need for play. I remember playing a lot of backyard sports and fictional quest games that we made-up on the fl...
Use Your Money to Make a Life Not Your Life to Make Money | E59 Laura Rotter
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I know many of us 20-somethings are focused on increasing our wealth and gaining more financial security. I’m definitely in this boat and I think th...
How to Build Ultramarathon Mental Strength | E58 Mason Stevens
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For some of us, running to the kitchen to grab a snack is quite the workout. So what does it feel like to run 62 miles for twelve hours straight? In t...
A 2-Step Plan to Retire in 15 Years | E57 Jeremy Schneider
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Investing is complicated…but does it need to be? Starting your investing journey can be super overwhelming especially in this age of information ove...
Build a Legendary Marriage with Your Partner Using Tactical Empathy and Generative Questions | E56 Larry Hagner
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Larry Hagner, Founder of The Dad Edge. The Dad Edge is focused on empowering men to build legendary marriages, create epic connect...
How to Talk Politics and Religion Without Killing Each Other | E55 Corey Nathan
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I’ve dreaded some recent get-togethers knowing argumentative political conversations are going to be on the agenda and for quite some time, I’ve t...
How to Love Your Body and Recognize Your Health is More Than Your Weight | E54 Sophie Killip
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our teenage years present many challenges. One universal obstacle I saw few of us avoid was the trap of comparing ourselves to others, particularly ou...
UpDating: What You Can Learn From the Blind Dating Show | E53 Harrison Forman
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know what’s worse than being set up on a blind date? Going on that date in front of a live audience. Oh, and when I say blind date, I mean li...
15-Year-Old Entrepreneur Shares How He is Fighting Back Against Conformity | E52 Benjamin Wong
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine you’re 9-year-old and you want the new, hottest toy. What would you do? Would you ask your parents for the money or spend your birthday mone...
Use Side Projects to Develop New Skills, Meet People and Launch a Career | E51 Alex Williamns
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With New Year’s quickly approaching, I’m guessing you will be thinking about how you want to spend more of your free time in 2022. Friends, family...
What Student Loan Repayment Strategy is Right for Me? | E50 Andrew Paulson
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For many of us, student loans are a huge financial burden throughout our 20s and well into our 30s. Student loans can be hard to keep up with because ...
The Damaging Consequences of Loneliness and What You Can Do About It | E49 Michael Bauman
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this extraordinary era of pandemic isolation, it makes sense that people are feeling more alone than ever. Although stay-at-home orders and social ...
How to Determine If a Job Offer is the Right Decision | E48 Justin Peters
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With the demand for help, and lack of candidates, many employers have turned to outbound recruiting. Many of my friends tell me they have been contact...
Attachment Theory: How Understanding the 4 Attachment Styles will Help Your Relationship | E47 Ed Coambs
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nothing kills the mood like discussing money issues but as much as we don’t want it to be a reality, money is a significant aspect of relationships....
How to Network and Build Relationships Online Like a Pro | E46 J. Kelly Hoey
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is the spunky J. Kelly Hoey, author of Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships In A Hyper-Connected World. Along with...
Why and How to Ask for 1-on-1 Time with Your Manager | E45 Kyle Peters
10 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
My little brother, Kyle, joins me on the podcast to discuss his favorite takeaway from Episode 44: one-on-one meetings. We discussed why one-on-one me...
How to Gain Leadership Experience Before Becoming a Manager | E44 Ben Brearley
26 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben Brearley has been leading people for over 15 years. He saw the struggle managers had with the balancing act of leadership. Ben started writing art...
First Date Tips, Single Girl Bucket List, and Exploring Sobriety | E43 Cara Hays
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After college, Cara Hays found herself battling with two identities. Her future self that prioritized her values and her past self that continued to d...
Overcome Your Gym Anxiety and Jump-Start Your Fitness Journey | E42 Kawan Karadaghi
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us go through quite the physical transformation in our 20’s. Our metabolism slows down and we can no longer eat junk food for every meal. Wh...
Former Inmate on How to Overcome the Mistakes of Your Past | E41 Nate Dukes
16 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nate Dukes is an author, speaker, property investor, leader at his church, and serves on the board of a non-profit for underprivileged youth. Already ...
What’s an Health Savings Account (HSA) and Why Should I Consider It? | E40 Sean Mullaney
01 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In our last episode, we covered so much material about taxes including terminology, the US tax system, and retirement accounts. One topic that came up...
Tax Basics: A Beginners Guide to Taxes | E39 Sean Mullaney
19 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A month ago, I went to Instagram and asked what money topics you’d like to learn more about. To my utter surprise, taxes had the most votes. I figur...
Get Cheaper Rent Using These Industry Insider Tips | E38 Justin Pogue
05 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At one point or another, you’ll probably have to deal with apartment hunting. For some, online searching and taking tours is exciting. For myself, i...
Corporate Executive Turned TikToker on Taking a Career Break | E37 Tim Traill
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is Tim Traill. Tim has spent three decades working his way up to a Corporate Executive in the financial services industry. Last year, Ti...
He Traveled the Globe to Study Happiness and This is What He Learned | E36 Ali Binazir
06 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine if you had two years to travel the globe in order to better understand happiness. Where would you go? I’m assuming the Nordic countries who ...
How to Gain Career Clarity | E35 Mark Herschberg
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us have this exciting yet frustrating thing we call a career path. One day we know what our calling is and how we are going to get there only ...
How to Politely Decline a Friend’s Wedding Invitation (Navigating Awkward Money Conversations) | E34 Erin Lowry
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you have a skill of finding free food, you’re consistently dealing with an unreliable laptop or phone, or you furnished your apartment with cheap...
These Tips Will Keep Your Small Space Organized I E33 Lucy Milligan Wahl
26 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
One of the best experiences of my 20s has been living on my own. Sure, I have to buy my own groceries and dirty dishes aren’t going to magically dis...
Want to Be Paid More? Make This Change at Work to Increase Your Salary | E32 Stephanie Ritz
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At one point or another, you've felt undervalued at work. Maybe you believe you should be paid more, be given more responsibility, or get a promotion....
How Happiness and Investing Your Money Can Be Congruent Goals I E31 Joel O’Leary aka 5am Joel
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How would you feel about retiring 5, 10, even 20 years earlier than you planned? This probably raises some skeptical eyebrows but hundreds of people a...
26 Year Old Director Shares Advice on How to Quickly Rise Through the Ranks I E30 - Mason Burchette
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I’m assuming the job you have now isn’t the position you want forever. Most of us hope as we learn new skills and take on more responsibilities, w...
Former NFL player on How to Start Owning Your Mistakes and Make the Change You Need | E29 Marques Ogden
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is former NFL offensive lineman, Marques Ogden. Marques played in the NFL for nearly 6 years. He was drafted in the 2003 by the Jaguar...
Helpful Money Advice that Will Have You Feeling More Confident | E28 Tracey Bissett
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Why don’t we feel better equipped to handle our finances when we get into the real world? My guest today is working to solve that issue. On the show...
Understanding Personality Differences Leads to More Success in Your Career | E27 Brett Cooper & Evans Kerrigan
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guests are Brett Cooper and Evans Kerrigan, Co-Founders of Integris Performance Advisors which is focused on improving team performance. The...
Showing Up As Your Authentic Self is More Important Than Fitting In l E26 Jay Williams
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Jay Williams, the Founder of Maskless Men, an community based organization built for men to discuss the things we normally don’t ...
Traveling the World, Networking Practices that Work, and Uncovering Your Purpose l E25 Jared Schuster
04 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Jared Schuster, Founder of Sparks of Consciousness which focuses on serving people who feel purposeless. In this conversation, Jare...
Define Your North Star and Make an Impact l E24 Christen Brandt
21 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Christen Brandt, Co-Founder and Chief Programs Officer at She’s the First, an organization working to create a world where girls ...
Zero Waste Mentality and How You Can Easily Implement It l E23 Tippi Thole
07 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There is no doubt that humans are causing long-term destruction to the environment because of our decisions. So what can we do to do our part in helpi...
Spend Less Time on Job Boards and Get More Responses l E22 James Aiken
23 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is James Aiken, Founder and President of Legacy Search, an independent recruiting agency in South Carolina. Over the last 8 months, CO...
Using Job Crafting to Increase Your Career Satisfaction l E21 Dr. Benjamin Ritter
09 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Dr. Benjamin Ritter, Founder of Live for Yourself Consulting. Ben’s current chapter of life began when he got a wake up call walk...
How to Look Dapper on a Budget and Ask for What You’re Worth l E20 Dany Dao
26 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Dany Dao, the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Renaissance Group. Dany is a wildly interesting skill builder whose list of compe...
The Problem with SMART Goals l E19 Ryan Bennett
12 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Ryan Bennett, who developed a method called The Intentional Growth Model to help people reach their full potential. Ryan’s prof...
Moving On From a Toxic Relationship and Reprogramming Unhealthy Behaviors l E18 Angela Marie
28 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Angela Marie, Founder of Find Your Purpose and Shine. During a thriving 19-year career in network marketing, Angela often found he...
Why You Should Learn a New Skill and How to Do It l E17 Justin Peters
14 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today, I go solo and speak on the importance of skill acquisition. I believe learning new things will not only lead to professional advancements but a...
Public Speaking Best Practices, Passion is Bogus, and Pitching a CEO l E16 Brenden Kumarasamy
31 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Brenden Kumarasamy, a speaking coach and Founder of MasterTalk. Growing up poor in Montreal, Brenden started seeking a better life ...
Saying No to An Invite, Apologizing the Right Way, and Communication that Works l E15 Jonathan Miller
17 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Jonathan Miller, a speaker, facilitator, and communication coach. He is also the host of the incredible podcast, Mindful Communicat...
How to Address Performance Issues, Gain Trust with Senior Leaders, and Become a Better Leader l E14 Steve Gillen
03 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Steve Gillen, Senior Executive at Marsh & McLennan Agency, with over 35 years of management and leadership experience. I was fortun...
Relationship Lessons from Our First Year Dating I E13 Gaby Deimeke
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is a little different than the usual interview style format. Gaby Deimeke and I have officially been dating for one year, so I invit...
Improve Your Sleep with These Simple Tips I E12 Lee Chambers
06 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Lee Chambers, a Workplace Wellness Consultant that wants to help people live a healthier version of themselves. At a critical time ...
”NO Stands for Next Opportunity” How to Overcome Rejection and Get What You Want I E11 Dee Goines
22 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Daniel “Dee” Goines, who has spent the last 15 years crafting an impressive career in higher education. His story illustrates h...
When It Comes to Big Decisions, Trust Your Gut I E10 Kate Holtz
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Kate Holtz, a good friend who I admire for her ability to follow through with scary decisions. As a left-brain dominate, I’ve fin...
Level Up Your Communication Skills with a Toastmaster President I E9 Geoff King
25 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Geoff King, a communication expert and all around great human. In this episode, Geoff and I discuss why we believe effective commun...
Building Mental Toughness Through Running I E8 Calendar Club
11 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is a special episode for me. With a group of friends in April, I completed a running challenge called the Calendar Club. I invited our group onto...
Critical Skills for Negotiating Your Next Job Offer I E7 Alexandra Dickinson
25 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Alexandra Dickinson, Founder and CEO of Ask For It, a negotiation training and coaching business. In this episode, Alexandra and I ...
Keep Your Money and Your Values Aligned I E6 Luis Savery
11 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Luis Savery, Founder of Templo Education. In this episode, Luis and I discuss why he started an organization focused on educating y...
The Power of a Growth Mindset I E5 Kevin McWilliams
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Joining me on the podcast today is Kevin McWilliams. In this episode, Kevin shares his story of developing a growth mindset and the impact that shift ...
Unbelievable Transformation from Overweight to Fitness Coach I E4 Shane Jenne
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Joining us on The Struggle is Real is Shane Jenne. In this episode, Shane and I discuss his early struggles with weight and how he was bound to a life...
High School Sweethearts Share Tips for a Successful Relationship I E3 Jeff & Abby Nickel
19 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guests are Jeff and Abby Nickel. These high school sweethearts share tips to have a successful relationship. We discuss the importance of f...
When In Doubt, Choose to Be Authentic l E2 Kyle Peters
10 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are speaking with my brother, Kyle Peters, who is a recent college graduate. At first he was destined to become a doctor yet took a left turn...
One Small Step is the Kickstart You Need l E1 Mason Stevens
27 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the first episode of the The Struggle is Real with Justin Peters. In this episode, Mason Stevens, military brat and health nut, shares his...