Welcome to The Financial Prosperity Podcast

In this first, introductory, episode we kick off by providing real life examples of mistakes made by both investors and investment service providers which create friction and hold investors back from identifying and meeting their goals.

If you are an investor or prospective investor or if you participate in providing financial services (CIRO registered, securities commission registered, insurance registered, financial planners) this podcast is for you.

In this podcast we'll break down these gaps and solve for them in a simple, relatable, non-technical way — from building better money habits to improving communication with your financial service providers. By solving for these gaps we aim to achieve: Happy investors and happy financial service providers!

Make sure to follow The Financial Prosperity Podcast so you don't miss any episodes. If you find the content helpful, share it with those who could also benefit.

Order Ellen's Books:
Advisor at Risk: A Roadmap to Protecting Your Business

Communication Risk: How to Bridge the Client-Advisor Gap to Protect and Grow Your Business

Contact us: ebessner@babinbessnerspry.com | www.babinbessnerspry.com
Follow us: @TheFinancialProsperityPodcast
Subscribe to our Financial Services & Securities blog

Big Fat Questions:

Why advisors ask personal questions — and how to make the conversation more comfortable.

In this episode of The Financial Prosperity Podcast, Ellen Bessner and guest Brendan Monahan explore a common challenge in financial planning: the discomfort investors feel when advisors ask personal questions about income, savings, debt, and goals. These details are essential for building a financial plan for the future, yet many adults hesitate to share them.

Ellen introduces her "Big Fat Questions" — open-ended, human-first questions that help financial advisors understand clients as whole people, improving money management conversations and strengthening advisor–client communication. Brendan shares why this approach builds trust, reduces anxiety, and leads to better outcomes for investors seeking long-term financial prosperity.

Key topics:

• Why investors avoid sharing personal financial information
• Why advisors legally and practically need these details
• How assumptions lead to poor financial outcomes
• How "Big Fat Questions" help close the communication gap
• How advisors can earn the right to ask sensitive questions
• How clear communication supports better financial planning and wealth-building

Order Ellen's Books:
Advisor at Risk: A Roadmap to Protecting Your Business

Communication Risk: How to Bridge the Client-Advisor Gap to Protect and Grow Your Business

Contact us: ebessner@babinbessnerspry.com | www.babinbessnerspry.com

Follow us: @TheFinancialProsperityPodcast

Subscribe to our Financial Services & Securities blog