Planning Beyond Money: Relationships, Transitions, and Meaning with Dr. Meghaan Lurtz (Ep. 6)
Money decisions often feel logical, but the emotions behind them tell a very different story.
Why do families avoid the hardest conversations, even when they matter most? And how can planning go deeper than numbers to shape a better life?
In this episode, Jon Meyer speaks with Dr. Meghaan Lurtz, Partner at Shaping Wealth and Partner at Beyond The Plan®, about how money, relationships, and identity intersect. They explore why couples struggle to communicate about finances, how major life transitions require intentional experimentation, and why relationships play a critical role in long-term wellbeing.
Meghaan also shares insights on preparing for retirement beyond savings, engaging the next generation in meaningful ways, and why talking about death openly can strengthen families.
Key takeaways:
- How family mission statements create space for honest conversations and improve communication across generations
- Why avoiding discussions about death limits connection and misses opportunities to show care and support
- The importance of experimenting with lifestyle changes before retirement to build confidence and clarity
- How structured, distraction-free family meetings improve engagement and participation from all generations
- Why defining a good death matters and how values should guide end-of-life decisions beyond medical choices
- And more!
Resources:
- Book: The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz
- Book: The Geometry of Wealth by Brian Portnoy
- Book: Fight Right by Julie Schwartz Gottman and John Gottman
Connect with Jon Meyer:
Connect with Meghaan Lurtz:
About Our Guest:
Dr. Meghaan Lurtz is a leading voice in financial psychology, focusing on how money decisions are shaped by behavior, relationships, and emotional factors. She is a Professor of Practice at Kansas State University, where she teaches in advanced financial planning and financial therapy programs, and also lectures at Columbia University and Rutgers University. Meghaan’s work bridges the gap between traditional financial planning and human behavior, helping advisors and families better understand communication, decision-making, and life transitions. In addition to her academic roles, she is an active researcher, writer, and contributor to the evolving field of financial therapy, working to integrate mental wellbeing into financial conversations.
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