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PODCAST · business

Financial Finesse

by Cathy Curtis, CFP

Welcome to the Financial Finesse podcast, where we'll be discussing tips on how to handle your money and life with skill and style. Your host, Cathy Curtis, CFP, has been helping make finance accessible and intriguing for women for almost 20 years! You'll get savvy, actionable ideas listening to her conversations with some of the coolest and smartest women on the planet.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 16, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Leaving a Legacy of Love with Professional Fiduciary Sara Ecklein

    Cathy interviews Sara Ecklein, a private professional fiduciary and the founder of Trust and Honor. Sara shares the intricacies of her role, from acting as a trustee, executor, or agent under various legal capacities, to the benefits of having a neutral party manage sensitive family and financial...

  2. 6 Pro Tips for Women Buying Cars on Their Own

    Did you know that on average, women are offered higher list prices for cars than men - to the tune of about $200 or more? When it comes to buying a new car, being prepared is key. In this episode, Cathy shares six pro tips to help you get the best deal on your next car purchase. [02:28] The...

  3. The Art of Equitable Estate Distribution with Estate Organizer Meg Connell

    In this episode of Financial Finesse, host Cathy Curtis interviews Meg Connell, founder of The Organized One, a professional estate organizer focused on helping individuals navigate the challenging process of estate distribution. Meg's extensive experience and the comprehensive nature of her...

  4. Mastering Medicare with Boomer Benefits Co-Founder Danielle Roberts

    In this episode, Cathy interviews Danielle Roberts, founding partner at Boomer Benefits and author of the best-selling book 10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make, about all things Medicare. Whether you’re new to Medicare or simply want to learn more about it so you can make an...

  5. Mastering the Art of Real Estate Staging & Interior Design with Ruth Krumbhaar

    Real estate investor Ruth Krumbhaar shares her real estate staging and interior design tips for elevating your home or investment properties. [00:04:00] Ruth shares her decorating philosophy and why she always starts with a blank canvas when designing a space. [00:14:06] Why every room doesn’t...

  6. Real Estate Investing 101 With Property Powerhouse Ruth Krumbhaar

    In this episode, host Cathy Curtis, CFP® interviews Ruth Krumbhaar, a successful therapist, coach, and part-time real estate investor who has built a reliable source of passive income through her investments. Ruth shares the wisdom she’s gained through her experience investing in real estate to...

  7. Here's What Savvy Donors Need to Know About Strategic Charitable Giving

    If you're charitably inclined and want to be a more savvy donor, this episode is for you. Cathy shares her tips for determining how much to give to charity, deciding which organizations to support with your donations, and giving strategically to maximize the potential tax benefits. For more...

  8. Overspending? Here's How to Get Your Spending Habit Under Control This Year

    In this episode, Cathy shares her tips and strategies for getting your overspending habit under control once and for all this year. [02:11] What do habits have to do with spending? [03:23] Identifying your biggest spending weakness or weaknesses. [06:05] What are your spending triggers? [08:45]...

  9. The Unexpected Benefits of Working with a Private, Professional Fiduciary with Sara Ecklein

    Cathy interviews Sara Ecklein, a private, professional fiduciary and the founder of Trust and Honor, a fiduciary agency. Trust and Honor serves as a partner and compassionate advocate in managing and protecting the personal affairs, property, and assets of clients in the San Francisco Bay area…

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  10. "The Insurance Lady" Ruth Stroup Answers Your Biggest Questions About Insurance

    Cathy interviews Ruth Stroup, AKA "The Insurance Lady," about all things insurance, from what it covers and doesn't cover to choosing the right policies and the obstacles that can get in the way of that. [04:02] Ruth Stroup explains what’s covered and what isn’t covered by homeowner’s insurance…

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  11. How to Thrive in the Digital World with Susan Reynolds

    In this episode, Cathy interviews Susan Reynolds, co-founder of the nonprofit organization LookUp, about the harmful effects social media and digital technology can have on mental health and how she works with youths to help them take advantage of the positive aspects of tech and mitigate the...

  12. Simple Strategies for Improving Your Grief Literacy with Kathi Balasek

    Cathy interviews Kathi Balasek, an educator, empathy and grief communication coach, university lecturer, speaker, and widow advocate. Kathi teaches financial professionals how to improve their grief literacy communication skills to best serve bereaved clients. She also hosts the One Well Widow...

  13. Estate Planning with Heart with Patricia De Fonte

    Cathy interviews Patricia De Fonte, founder of De Fonte Law based in San Francisco. Patricia practices estate planning with heart and is focused on working with happy, proactive people who want to protect their heir’s privacy. In this episode, Cathy and Patricia discuss a variety of estate…

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  14. Advancing Democracy Worldwide with Your Investment Dollars

    In this first episode of Season 4, Cathy interviews the management team from Democracy Investments: CEO Julie Cane, Chief Investment Officer Chris Browne, and Chief Economist Rick Rikoski. These three individuals have decades of financial services experience and unique back-stories, all of which...

  15. Can't Stick to Your Budget? Try These Money Saving Tips Instead

    In this episode, Cathy shares several strategies that don't involve traditional budgeting to keep yourself on track towards your financial goals. You'll learn how to be more self-aware, mindful of your spending, and intentional about where your money goes so that ultimately, you can save more and...

  16. Sage Money and Life Advice from the Savvy Women of Season 3

    The Financial Finesse Podcast features some of the smartest, savviest women on the planet. In this special compilation episode, we're sharing the top personal finance and life advice from our season 3 guests. [01:30] Liz Eshleman on Planning for Long-Term Care [03:25] Joy Lere, Psy.D. on Living...

  17. How to Calm Your Mind and Experience Life More Fully with Nichole Proffitt

    Cathy interviews Nichole Proffitt, founder of Presence Mindfulness, Somatic Counseling & Coaching for Women, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this episode, you'll find out why it's so important to be more present in our daily lives; how to reduce anxiety by first accepting it, rather than...

  18. How to Make Room in Your Life for What Matters with Lis McKinley

    Cathy interviews Lis McKinley, a Certified Professional Organizer and move manager. Lis is the owner of Let's Make Room, a residential organizing and move management company that has organized hundreds of living, storage and work areas in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. In this episode,...

  19. Understanding the SECURE Act and Inherited IRAs with Megan Gorman

    Cathy and special guest Megan Gorman discuss how the SECURE Act of December 2019 changed the rules for certain beneficiaries of inherited IRAs. Specifically, they touch on the potential tax implications of these rules if you have an IRA or expect to inherit one. Be sure to listen to the full...

  20. Learning to Think Like a Breadwinner

    Jennifer Barrett is an award-winning financial journalist, digital strategist, and Chief Education Officer at Acorns. She is also the author of Think Like a Breadwinner: A Wealth-Building Manifesto for Women Who Want to Earn More (and Worry Less). In this episode, you'll learn what it means to...

  21. The Link Between Self-Awareness and Financial Success

    Cathy interviews Joy Lere, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and behavioral finance consultant with a practice in Napa, California, about the parallels between our psychology and money habits. In this episode, Cathy and Joy touch on: How setting clear boundaries for ourselves and living…

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  22. What Every Woman Needs To Know About Long-Term Care Insurance

    Cathy Curtis interviews long-term care insurance and planning specialist Liz Eshleman about the benefits and drawbacks of long-term care insurance, who should consider it, and why it's an important financial planning topic for women in particular. Episode Highlights: [04:00] Who is long-term care...

  23. Estate Planning Must-Haves For Single Women

    Cathy discusses why it's so important for single women to have an estate plan, which documents make the most sense given your financial circumstances, and who to consider asking to execute your wishes in the event of incapacity or death. For show notes and important links, visit:...

  24. Sticking To Your Investment Plan In Times Of Uncertainty

    Uncertainty and volatility typically go hand-in-hand when it comes to the stock market. In this episode, Cathy explains why investing in stocks is so important despite the inevitable periods of volatility, and how having an investment plan and sticking to it can save you from unnecessary…

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  25. Will the Upcoming Presidential Election Impact Your Investments?

    In this short but insightful episode, Cathy kicks off Season 2 of the Financial Finesse podcast by discussing the potential outcomes of the upcoming presidential election and the impact they may have on the stock market and your investments. This is the first episode of Season 2: What Keeps You…

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  26. The Challenge Of Running A Small Retail Business During COVID

    Cathy talks to three women who own boutique retail businesses in the Rock Ridge neighborhood of Oakland, CA: Joyce Gardner, Owner of Fit Clothing Boutique Johnelle Mancha, Owner of Mignonne Decor Andrea Serrahn, Owner of Serrahna Boutique They share their experiences operating local retail...

  27. Social Media Therapy: Overcoming The Awkward and Vulnerable Feelings That Can Come With Posting

    Do you still feel vulnerable and unsure of yourself when posting to social media? Is imposter syndrome keeping you from even getting started? If so, you're going to love this episode's guest, Courtney McQuade (@CourtMcQuade), who shares her expert advice with Cathy for overcoming the limiting...

  28. Financial Advisor Mastermind: What Advisors Do For Their Clients

    Cathy welcomes the brilliant ladies of her Financial Advisor Mastermind Group: Maura Griffon of Blue Spark Financial, Beverly Cox of B. Cox Planning, Stephanie Bruno of Sea To Peak Financial Advisors, and Tanya Nichols of Align Financial. The women share their client success stories, giving you a...

  29. Young Women, Money and Black Lives Matter

    Cathy reconnects with four of her former personal finance students from Mills College. Tune in as Joy, Tori, Rebecca and Reshonda share their experiences and lessons learned navigating their financial lives as four independent women of color. At the end of the episode, they shift the focus of the...

  30. Women, Wealth and Social Change

    Cathy interviews expert guest Haleh Modasser, Sr. Vice President at Stearns Financial in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Haleh is the author of Women on Top: Women, Wealth & Social Change, which makes a case for women to leverage their wealth to propel the changes we want to see in the world while...

  31. The Value of a Good Financial Advisor

    Cathy chats with Melissa Joy of Pearl Planning, an independent, women-owned financial planning firm based in Michigan. Cathy and Melissa discuss a range of topics, from the types of clients they work with to their most common pain points and how they look at each client’s entire financial picture...

  32. Life and Work During COVID-19

    Cathy interviews longtime friend and client of Curtis Financial Planning, Sally Kuhlman. Sally is Director of National Programs for Beyond Differences, a nonprofit that works to inspire students at all middle schools nationwide to end social isolation and create a culture of belonging for…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Welcome to the Financial Finesse podcast, where we'll be discussing tips on how to handle your money and life with skill and style. Your host, Cathy Curtis, CFP, has been helping make finance accessible and intriguing for women for almost 20 years! You'll get savvy, actionable ideas listening to her conversations with some of the coolest and smartest women on the planet.

HOSTED BY

Cathy Curtis, CFP

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Financial Finesse have?

Financial Finesse currently has 32 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Financial Finesse about?

Welcome to the Financial Finesse podcast, where we'll be discussing tips on how to handle your money and life with skill and style. Your host, Cathy Curtis, CFP, has been helping make finance accessible and intriguing for women for almost 20 years! You'll get savvy, actionable ideas listening to...

How often does Financial Finesse release new episodes?

Financial Finesse has 32 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Financial Finesse?

You can listen to Financial Finesse on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Financial Finesse?

Financial Finesse is created and hosted by Cathy Curtis, CFP.
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