Jonathan Stanley, the bestselling author of “Purposeful Performance: The Secret Mix of Connecting, Leading, and Succeeding,” unexpectedly went viral after connecting with a little girl and her mother at a book signing. But while TikTok success was a surprise, connection was already fundamental to Jonathan’s message for business leaders and employees alike. In a conversation with Paul Jacobs, CFP®, EA, and host Amy Laburda, Jonathan discusses his book at length. Discover why businesses need to identify their values and ensure they’re aligned with both employees and customers; why putting purpose ahead of profit leads to better long-term outcomes; how to help employees achieve and celebrate their successes, and much more.

Editor’s Note: Otto Frank’s name is accidentally transposed in passing as “Frank Otto” (at 38:12).

Links:

• Jonathan’s website
• Purposeful Performance (print or e-book)
• Purposeful Performance (audiobook)
• Taylor Mae’s TikTok
• Jonathan’s TikTok response
• "The Benefits Of Volunteering" ("Something Personal" S2E15, featuring Paul Jacobs)

Whether you’re buying a laptop, replacing a washing machine, or booking an international vacation, retailers are eager to sell you additional protection for your purchase. Whether it takes the form of a service plan, an extended warranty or trip disruption insurance, it can be hard to evaluate whether these add-ons are worth the price. Thomas Walsh, CFP®, joins host Amy Laburda for a deep dive into what these products involve, when they are and aren’t worthwhile, and alternative strategies for protecting your budget and your peace of mind. Learn how to think about your options like a financial planner, and why it’s important to avoid making decisions out of anxiety.

Links:

• “The Elusive Right-Sized Emergency Fund” by Benjamin C. Sullivan, CFP®, CVA, EA
• “Balancing Building Savings With Paying Off Debt” featuring Thomas Walsh, CFP®

Restaurateur Alex Kuk’s great-grandfather founded Wan’s restaurant roughly 60 years ago. When Alex’s aunt decided to retire last year, Alex and his cousin stepped in to make sure that Fort Lauderdale didn’t lose a long-standing part of its culinary community. In this conversation with Melinda Kibler, CFP®, EA, and “Something Personal” host Amy Laburda, Alex talks about what it takes to keep a restaurant running in the rapidly changing South Florida market. Listen in to learn about the power of digital marketing, why a food truck is a bad idea for a first restaurant venture, how important it is to make guests feel like family, and much more.

“Something Personal” will be taking a break for the holidays, but we will return in January 2026! Wishing all of our listeners a very happy new year.

• Wan’s
• Wan's on Instagram
• Wan's on TikTok

Rachel Schuster is an employment lawyer. She has also danced for the Golden State Warriors and cheered for the San Francisco 49ers. Far from being a contradiction, her experiences in both arenas have complimented one another. Rachel sat down with Palisades Hudson Client Service Manager Brianna Aviles, Financial Planning Manager (and Broncos Stampede member) Ashley Luhmann, and “Something Personal” host Amy Laburda for a deep dive into her career, from the challenges of law school during COVID lockdown to the highs of cheering at the Super Bowl. Learn why, as she wrote for Law360, cheering made her a better lawyer — and how negotiation tactics came in handy with at least one young and enthusiastic fan.

Links:

• More about Rachel
• “Cheered Up: You Can Be a Dancer and a Lawyer,” California magazine
• “Cheering In The NFL Makes Me A Better Lawyer,” Law360 (paywall)
• Pro Cheerleading Podcast

Ben Hall has worked for The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum for more than 15 years, and he still describes it as “the coolest place in the world.” In this chat with Palisades Hudson VP/CIO Ben Sullivan and “Something Personal” host Amy Laburda, Ben Hall opens up about the central importance of building relationships in his work as a vice president in the Hall’s development office. Both Bens also explore the ways that philanthropy can help individuals to shape the world to look a little more like they want it to. Listen in for thoughts on how a mission you’re passionate about naturally builds community, the importance of cultivating gratitude, and more than a few fascinating tidbits about music history.

Links:

• The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
• CMHoF Digital Archive
• Hatch Show Print
• “The Benefits of Volunteering” (featuring Paul Jacobs)
• “Taxes, Tariffs And ‘All That Government Stuff’” (featuring Ben Sullivan, along with Larry Elkin and Paul Jacobs)
• “Why I Serve On A Nonprofit Board” by Ben Sullivan
• American Currents: State of the Music

Open enrollment season offers Medicare participants a chance to reconsider their enrollment options for the year. But whether you (or your loved one) is performing an annual coverage review or enrolling in Medicare for the very first time, understanding how the program works is key to finding the right fit. Rebecca Pavese, CPA, sits down with host Amy Laburda to talk listeners through the Medicare basics. Is it really advantageous to opt for Medicare Advantage? What is Medigap coverage? Beyond costs, how should you compare insurance plans? Learn the answers to these questions and more.

Links:

• “Is Medicare Advantage An Advantage For You?” by Rebecca Pavese
• “Social Security And Medicare” (Something Personal S1E13)
• More on Medigap plans
• “Long-Term Care” (Something Personal S1E10)

Applying to college can be a stressful and involved process for many students and their families. But good advice can help — not only with getting into a school you’re excited about, but with keeping family relationships strong throughout the process. Rick Clark is the Executive Director of Strategic Student Access at Georgia Tech, as well as the co-author of “The Truth About College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together.” In this episode, he offers lessons from his decades in college admission to help students and their families communicate clearly, make the most of campus visits, tackle discussions about paying for a given school, and keep the overall process in perspective. Join Rick and host Amy Laburda for an honest talk about navigating a new family chapter together.

• Rick on LinkedIn
• Rick’s book and podcast
• Learn more about Rick’s work at Georgia Tech

Intimacy professional and dance choreographer Nicole Perry wants to build a world where artistic collaborators are respected, valued, and safe in their workplaces. She joins us to talk about the increasing recognition of the role intimacy professionals play in creating live performances, films and television, as well as how the growing profession is finding its niche even in unexpected places. In a conversation with Palisades Hudson’s President Larry Elkin and "Something Personal” host Amy Laburda, Nicole also explains how she cultivated the skills she uses in her current professional roles; how she builds a life in the arts in South Florida; why empowering collaborators to say “no” leads to better art; and much more.

Links:

• More about Nicole and her work
• Intimacy Professional Education Collective
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• Film Florida
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