🎙️ “A Wealth of Well-Being”: Building a Life of Meaning with Dr. Meir Statman
What if financial planning wasn’t just about money—but about meaning?
In this episode of the Financial Life Planning Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Meir Statman, Glenn Klimek Professor of Finance at Santa Clara University and one of the foremost voices in behavioral finance. We dig into the heart of his newest book, A Wealth of Well-Being, and explore what it really means to live a financially and emotionally fulfilling life.
Dr. Statman shares how financial advisors—and individuals—can move beyond maximizing wealth to cultivating a life of dignity, purpose, and connection. While we discuss many of the themes in his book, including the foundations of life well-being, I also reflect on a framework he presents there: the idea that our well-being is built on four forms of capital—financial, social, cultural, and personal.
🧩 In this episode, we explore:
Why behavioral finance is more than just identifying our “biases”
The expressive and emotional side of money decisions
How values, meaning, and emotional fulfillment shape our financial lives
The difference between good and excellent financial advisors
How to approach retirement as a beginning, not an end
The advisor’s evolving role as a guide to well-being—not just wealth
💬 Favorite Quotes:
“We need financial well-being to enjoy life well-being. But it is life well-being that we seek.”
— Dr. Meir Statman“Think of life as a portfolio—not all the domains will be winners. The question is how we rebalance across them.”
“Technical skill is expected. But the ones who make the lasting impact are the ones who know you and care about you.”
📚 Resources:
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Thanks for listening,
– Tim
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