Family Financial Security – Ideas By Mike™ Podcast

Financial Therapy 101: How Your “Money Scripts” Controls Your Future | Ideas by Mike™ EP54

By Ideas by Mike | July 3, 2026

In this latest episode of Ideas by Mike™, our guest speaker, Erika Wasserman shares a deep-frame work and explains the history why retirement as an emotional and subconscious journey, drawing in listeners searching for deeper understanding. It then unpacks Erica’s key insights with concrete examples, tools, and frameworks—highlighting tangible benefits and outcomes.

Erica Wasserman, a renowned financial therapist, reveals how childhood stories, cultural beliefs, and subconscious patterns shape your money decisions today—and how recognizing these stories can transform your retirement journey. Erica guides us through how to identify and reframe these deep-rooted beliefs, so they serve your future—not sabotage it.

You’ll discover the surprising power of renaming your retirement accounts to boost motivation, learn simple exercises to connect with your retirement vision, and understand why emotional readiness is equally vital as financial planning.

With practical tools like conversation cards and a step-by-step framework, Erica shows how even the toughest talks—about money, aging parents, or transitioning roles—can be approached with confidence and clarity.

This episode breaks down the common money myths that keep couples silent, explores the critical conversations for harmony, and shares how to create a flexible, meaningful retirement—what Erica calls Phase Three—where passion, purpose, and financial security blend seamlessly.

If you or your clients are approaching retirement or questioning their money mindset, this is your essential guide to navigating it with emotional intelligence and purpose.

Perfect for financial advisors, couples preparing for retirement, or anyone ready to make their money story work for them—not against them.

Don’t let subconscious scripts define your future; learn to tell a new, empowering story today.

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About Our Guest:

Erika Wasserman is CEO of Your Financial Therapist, which she founded in 2019. As a Certified Financial Therapist CFT™, a sought-after certification held by only 100 people in the world, she combines her education in finance and international economics with her passion for helping others, empowering individuals, couples, and companies to reshape the way they think about money.

Visit her website at: https://yourfinancialtherapist.com/

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Also Get the Book “The One of a Kind Financial Plan” on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hAOPAgM

Stream all past episode of Ideas by Mike™ Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3KupZ4PKZW7NBOjRRQxRCSOSpS0G2ok

(Ep. 53): The Non-financial Side of Early Retirement – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luxc4m-mU2U&t=17s

Follow our Socials for more updates:
Mike Milligan, CFP® – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemilligancfp/
1.oak Financial Website – https://www.1oakfinancial.com/
LinkedIn Company Profile – https://www.linkedin.com/company/102585896/
Facebook: 1.Oak Financial – https://www.facebook.com/ideasbymike
Instagram: @1oakfinancial – https://www.instagram.com/1oakfinancial/
Ideas by Mike on Spotify Podcast – https://open.spotify.com/show/4Nxq9bIB3MRbetP3nXtQlk?si=dc4ee5e8ee564501
Ideas by Mike on Apple Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ideas-by-mike/id1750701949

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Do you have any financial inquiries wanting to get answered?
Leave us an email – contact@mikemilligancfp.com
Or Call/Text Mike Milligan to help you out – 757-909-7151

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How to Never Miss a Moment in Your Next Chapter with Dr. Gary David | Ideas by Mike™ Ep. 53

By Ideas by Mike | June 19, 2026

Stop focusing only on the spreadsheet and start designing a life that matters. Join Mike Milligan, CFP® and design sociologist Dr. Gary David as they explore the human side of retirement, from navigating the “identity cliff” to the sociology of meaningful moments.

Learn how to transition from a job title to a purposeful new chapter, bridge the communication gap with your spouse about legacy and money, and create “storyable” experiences that last a lifetime. Whether you are a pre-retiree or already in your next phase, discover why retirement is a sociology project, not just a financial one.

Watch it on YouTube and don’t forget to subscribe for more!

About our Guest:

About our Guest: Dr. Gary David is a professor of sociology and experience design at Bentley University, where he has taught for over 25 years. He holds a PhD in sociology from Wayne State University and specializes in the intersection of how humans relate to one another and the art of designing meaningful experiences.

As a design sociologist, keynote speaker, and host of the Experience by Design podcast, Dr. David studies how individuals build connection, belonging, and meaning, particularly during major life transitions like retirement.

His professional background also includes judging international customer experience awards and applying his expertise in conversational analysis and linguistics to help people navigate the complex human elements of work, identity, and personal relationships.

Websites: https://www.garycdavid.com/ | https://garyconnects.com/

LinkedIn: Gary C. David

**We’d love to hear your thoughts! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a comment below!**

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(Ep. 43) How to Stop Fighting About Money: “Financial Therapy” Tips w/ Ashley Quamme

By Ideas by Mike | January 16, 2026

In this episode of Ideas by Mike podcast, we dive deep into the intersection of love and money with Financial Therapist and “Fractional Financial Behavior Officer,” Ashley Quamme.

🎧 What You’ll Learn: Many couples struggle with financial arguments, not because the math doesn’t work, but because the psychology doesn’t align. Mike and Ashley discuss why financial planning often fails without a psychological component, how to identify your “money scripts,” and the secrets to building a “Wealthy Marriage.”

Whether you are a saver married to a spender, or a financial advisor looking to better serve your clients’ emotional needs, this episode bridges the gap between the spreadsheet and real life.

Guest: Ashley Quamme, LMFT, FBS®, CFT-I™ Visit Beyond the FP: https://www.beyondthefp.com/

Connect with Ashley Quamme: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-quamme/

Host: Mike Milligan, CFP®: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemilligancfp/

Visit 1.oak Financial: https://wwwwww.1oakfinancial.com

Also Get the Book “The One of a Kind Financial Plan” on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hAOPAgM

#FinancialTherapy #CouplesAndMoney #FinancialPsychology #IdeasByMike #WealthyMarriage #MoneyScripts #MikeMilligan

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(Ep. 42) LOSING 80 POUNDS AT AGE 64: How to RECLAIM Your HEALTH for an active Retirement

By Ideas by Mike | January 2, 2026

What if retirement isn’t about money at All?

In this episode of the Ideas by Mike Podcast, we explore retirement without fear through a powerful real-life transformation. From losing 80 pounds to redefining freedom, purpose, and identity after work, this conversation challenges everything most people believe about retirement.

**We’d love to hear your thoughts! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a comment below!**

Stream all past episode of Ideas by Mike™ Podcast on YouTube!

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Mike and Ben on Tax Planning with Holistiplan (Ep. 11)

By Ideas by Mike™ | October 24, 2024

Taxes may be inevitable, but they don’t have to drain your wealth. Here’s how to turn them into a powerful tool for financial growth 💡

Mike Milligan, CFP® teams up with Ben Birkin from Holistiplan to reveal how this powerful software is transforming tax planning from a headache into a strategic advantage. It’s not just about lowering tax bills—it’s about turning tax strategies into a key driver of long-term wealth.

Holistiplan cuts through the complexity, giving financial advisors the tools to deliver clear, actionable tax insights that put more money back in clients’ pockets. And since taxes are often one of life’s biggest expenses, smart planning can make all the difference.

The real takeaway?

Advisors who integrate Holistiplan aren’t just checking a box. They’re offering clients a customized roadmap to financial well-being, turning tax planning into an opportunity for real growth.

Key Highlights:

How a midlife career shift inspired the creation of Holistiplan, now trusted by over 5,000 firms
The key benefits of Holistiplan: simplifying tax reviews while providing actionable insights
How Holistiplan’s solutions align with the latest trends in tax planning technology
The tangible benefits: How proactive tax planning empowers clients to optimize their lifetime income
How Holistiplan fosters stronger client relationships through transparency and trust
The collaboration between Ideas by Mike™ and Holistiplan (delivering a unique, client-centric service)
And much more

Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP®:

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This is Ideas by Mike™ (Ep. 10)

By Ideas by Mike™ | October 10, 2024

Imagine a financial plan that not only builds your wealth but also enriches your life.

This week, Mike reflects on the values he learned from his grandmother’s sandwich shop — values that now shape his approach to financial planning.

For Mike, wealth is more than money. It’s about aligning your finances with what matters most, like a secure retirement, supporting loved ones, or giving back.

So, his takeaway?

Start early, focus on what’s important, and partner with someone who understands that true wealth serves your life, not the other way around.

Key Highlights:

Lessons from Mike’s entrepreneurial grandmother and their lasting impact
Why aligning your money with your values is essential for financial success
How integrating health and wealth creates a balanced, fulfilling life
The key areas of financial planning (taxes, retirement income, investments, long-term care)
Ways tools like HolistaPlan, Halo, and Snug simplify and enhance financial planning
A real-life case study: How Mike helped a high-earning family reduce stress through smart planning
Practical advice for beginners
And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP®:

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