Women & Wealth

So many women are taught to downplay their accomplishments, even when they've done something extraordinary. In this episode of Women and Wealth, Nicole Stephenson joins Regina McCann Hess for a conversation about confidence, community, and what it means for women to show up unapologetically in their careers. A lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and the founder of Narrativa Consulting, Nicole has spent years helping professional women recognize their value, own their stories, and move forward with greater confidence. In this conversation, she shares how more than a decade of leading women's professional development programs shaped her perspective on mentorship, self-worth, and the power of women championing one another. She also talks about the inspiration behind her new book, the challenges women face in owning their accomplishments, and why community can be the catalyst for meaningful change. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Meet Nicole Stephenson 5:27 - "How to get your kudos", defining accomplishments 14:59 - Where to find more about Nicole and her book 18:20 - Some of the challenges Nicole has faced as a professional woman 22:41 - Nicole's vision of retirement 27:57 - Action item and episode wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] CONNECT WITH NICOLE STEPHENSON Website: https://narrativaconsulting.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-stephenson/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

Regina breaks down one of the biggest retirement decisions people make too quickly: when to claim Social Security. In this episode, she walks through how benefits are calculated, why filing early can permanently reduce your income, and how waiting can add meaningful dollars to your retirement plan. It's a practical, no-nonsense episode for anyone who wants to make a smarter Social Security decision instead of just grabbing benefits at 62. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:32 - Why Social Security timing matters more than people think 2:07 - How Social Security benefits are calculated 3:34 - Cost-of-living adjustments and inflation 4:39 - The age you can claim vs. the age you should claim 6:07 - What claiming at 62 really costs you 7:20 - Real dollar examples: 62 vs. 67 10:15 - Why waiting until 70 can increase your benefit 11:28 - Smart claiming strategies for spouses 13:16 - How survivor benefits work 14:41 - 2026 Social Security numbers and max benefits 18:04 - Working while collecting Social Security 20:23 - Regina's takeaway: build a strategy, don't guess ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. This material was prepared by MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management

Divorce does not have to mean a drawn-out court battle. In this episode, Regina is joined by attorney and divorce mediator Sandra Zell for a candid conversation about how mediation can help families save time, money, and unnecessary heartache. They unpack the difference between mediation and litigation, why more control often leads to better outcomes, and what women should know before paying a legal retainer. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:53 - Meet Sandra Zell 2:17 - The difference between mediating and going to court 6:32 - The timeframe for mediation, the level of control you have 14:23 - "What if my spouse is controlling?" 17:51 - Where you can learn more about Sandra 20:35 - A challenge Sandra has faced as a professional woman 21:53 - Sandra's vision for retirement 23:36 - Call to action, episode wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] CONNECT WITH SANDRA ZELL Website: https://www.zdsmediation.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-l-zell-esq-752a022/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zelldivorcesolutions/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.Forge Wealth Management

Taxes are complicated, the rules keep changing, and missing one detail could cost you. This week, Regina joins CBS News consumer reporter Josh Sidorowicz on the "In Your Corner" podcast to bring clarity and calm to this hectic and oftentimes, stressful event. Regina breaks down the deductions, credits, and filing strategies that could make a real difference this year. From staying organized to avoiding common mistakes and protecting your refund, this conversation helps make tax season feel a whole lot more manageable. Episode Highlights: 00:00 — What's new this tax season? 01:30 — Your must-have tax checklist 03:20 — Missing forms, delays & brokerage statements 04:40 — Major life changes that impact your taxes 05:58 — Big new deductions & credits you should know 10:00 — State & local tax cap boost + child tax credit changes 12:41 — Standard deduction vs. itemizing: Which wins now? 20:02 — Lightning round: Fastest refunds & protecting your identity ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.Forge Wealth Management

Clutter doesn't just steal space, it steals time, energy, and peace of mind. In this episode, Regina sits down with Janet Bernstein of The Organizing Professionals to talk about what it really looks like to get help getting your home under control. They dig into how professional organizers can support everything from closet systems and everyday decluttering to major life transitions like downsizing, estate cleanouts, and moving. Janet shares how her team helps clients decide what stays, what goes, and even whether your favorite furniture will actually fit in the new place before the movers show up. They also get into one of the most emotional projects families avoid for years, organizing old photos, digitizing what matters, and making sure those memories don't end up dumped in a box someday. It's a practical conversation with a bigger point behind it: don't wait for retirement to start building a life that feels lighter, more intentional, and easier to live in. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:43 - Meet Janet Bernstein! 2:51 - Moving is a 'top-3' stressful event 6:18 - Helping people determine what will "fit" in the new home 11:31 - Pictures 17:02 - Where you can go to learn more about Janet 17:50 - Some challenges Janet has faced as a professional woman 19:50 - Janet's vision for retirement 23:05 - Wrap-up and action item ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] CONNECT WITH JANET BERNSTEIN Website: https://theorganizingprofessionals.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-bernstein-cpo%C2%AE-5269a518/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.Forge Wealth Management

A 529 can be a game-changer for paying for education, but only if you use it the right way. In this episode, Regina breaks down 10 expenses that typically qualify for tax-free 529 withdrawals, so you can avoid surprise taxes and penalties when the college bills start hitting. She covers the obvious stuff like tuition, but also the categories that trip people up most, like room and board for off-campus living, groceries, academic fees, and technology. Regina also gets into newer, often-missed uses for 529 funds, including trade programs, K–12 tuition, student loan repayment, and the rules around rolling leftover 529 money into a Roth IRA. If you've ever wondered what a 529 really covers, this is your clean, practical guide to spending it confidently. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:35 - Episode open, 529 overview 2:32 - Tuition 3:27 - College alternatives 4:30 - Living on/off campus 7:11 - Groceries 8:40 - Academic fees 9:35 - Computers, software and internet access 10:15 - Books and supplies 10:31 - Tuition for K-12 12:00 - Student loan repayment 12:52 - Roth IRA conversion 15:34 - Wrap-up and action item ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. This material was prepared by Hartford funds. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. Hartford Funds is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management

When you have checked every box, career, family, community, and still feel that quiet question of "what about me?", this episode is for you. On this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina sits down with Michele Garrett, a women's life and transition coach who helps successful women 45+ get clear on what they want next and how to move forward without blowing up their whole life to do it. Together, they talk about what retirement and "the next chapter" can really look like today, how to reconnect with your values when life finally slows down, and why small, consistent mindset shifts can change your direction more than any big, overwhelming plan. Michele also shares a peek at her four-pillar approach for helping women rebuild clarity, confidence, and purpose in a season of change. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Meet Michele Garret 2:51 - Michele's "4 Pillar Program" 6:14 - Michele's impact as a coach 7:57 - the '1% change' 9:12 - Where you can go to learn more about Michele 11:01 - Some challenges Michele has faced as a professional woman 14:06 - Michele's vision for retirement 16:19 - Action item ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] CONNECT WITH MICHELE GARRETT Website: https://www.mgarrettcoaching.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtregogarrett/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

It's tax paperwork season, and capital gains can sneak up on you if you're not paying attention. In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina breaks down 10 key things to know about capital gains and capital gain distributions, including why you might get a distribution even if you didn't sell anything (or even if a fund is down). She also covers the difference between short-term vs. long-term gains, what changes in taxable accounts vs. retirement accounts, which 1099 forms to look for, and how fund turnover can impact what shows up on your statements. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:34 - Episode beginning 1:05 - Tip #1 4:22 - Tip #2 5:06 - Tip #3 6:37 - Tip #4 7:56 - Tip #5 9:14 - Tip #6 10:08 - Tip #7 12:01 - Tip #8 13:13 - Tip #9 14:54 - Tip #10 16:04 - Long-term capital gains tax rates 19:23 - Call to action ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. This material was prepared by Hartford funds. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. Hartford Funds is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management

You've probably heard about real estate before as a great way to grow or invest your money for the long-term. But that doesn't mean that you can just start with no strategy, or plan, however. In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina talks with Lindsay Davis, CEO and co-founder of Spartan Invest, about building passive income through single-family real estate. Lindsay explains what "turnkey" investing looks like, why the Southeast has been a strong target for investors, how she evaluates neighborhoods, and the real risks to understand before buying. They also get into retirement planning and why diversifying your income streams early matters, so you can work because you want to, not because you have to. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Episode open and intro to Lindsay 3:27 - Landlord/tenant laws, residential properties 6:38 - How Lindsay targets areas 10:42 - Explaining risk to newcomers 18:12 - Where you can learn more 19:35 - Challenges Lindsay has faced as a professional woman 22:45 - Lindsay's plans for retirement 25:03 - Action item ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] CONNECT WITH LINDSAY DAVIS Website: https://spartaninvest.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spartanlindsaydavis/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

Paperwork. Nobody wants to deal with it. But cleaning up your 'financial clutter' doesn't need to be a task we dread. In this week's episode, Regina is becoming your cleaning buddy and guide for your personal paperwork clean-up. She'll take you through what to keep vs. what to toss as well as some tips and tools to stay more organized in the future. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:33 - Episode open, 'financial clutter' 1:21 - What's worth keeping vs tossing 3:33 - Easy stuff to throw away 4:38 - Cleaning safely (shred it) 5:06 - Medical bills 6:14 - Utility bills and the 'big docs' 8:04 - Taxes and home improvement receipts 13:00 - Buy a shredder 21:00 - Action item and final thoughts ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. This material was prepared by Hartford Funds. Hartford Funds is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management.

Lori Woolridge and Lauren Weinberg are the co-founders of Freedom to Flourish, where they help women rebuild from the inside out through self-love, mindset, and soul-aligned growth. Lori is a love & relationship coach focused on self-love and healthy relationships, and Lauren is a "Becoming Coach", a former psychologist and family therapist turned wellbeing and empowerment coach. Together they join Regina and discuss why "January is divorce month," and how to approach divorce with support instead of going it alone. They examine how divorce is "85% emotional / 15% legal" and why emotional regulation can save time, money, and pain – and they even dive into their signature program "Your F.A.B. Divorce" and how that can help you, should you ever need it. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:33 - Episode open 0:51 - Meet Lori and Lauren 3:44 - More about Lori and Lauren's program 8:22 - Dealing with fear and uncertainty 10:08 - More details about the program 18:26 - Shifting your mindset, where you can learn more 23:18 - Action item and wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] CONNECT WITH LORI WOOLRIDGE AND LAUREN WEINBERG Website: https://www.freedom-toflourish.com/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

Sheila Brennan is a seasoned divorce coach with nearly 15 years of experience, known for helping clients navigate divorce with a clear, practical plan, as well as coordinating the legal, financial, emotional, and parenting pieces so they can move forward feeling empowered and in control. She joins Regina McCann Hess to discuss why divorce is best handled like a business transition, how a divorce coach helps you, why "fair" is the wrong target and how to aim for reasonable outcomes that keep your spouse at the table and out of court. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:36 - Episode open 1:02 - Meet Sheila Brennan 3:06 - "These are business decisions" 4:53 - The impact that Sheila makes 9:20 - Timeline and know-how 17:19 - Nothing is 'fair' about divorce 20:13 - The rules are different everywhere 22:44 - Where to find more about Sheila and her services 24:20 - Action item ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] CONNECT WITH Sheila Brennan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilabrennandivorcecoach/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

A divorce can have a ripple effect that can be felt by others, close family members especially. When you add in the challenges and complexity of raising a special needs child, that's when you need to get in touch with Dr. Juliet Marciano. Juliet is a mindset coach, retired pediatrician, PCI Certified Parent Coach®, and mother of four young adults. Her job? To bring joy back to parents (and really, families) when they face difficult life events. Juliet joins Regina in "divorce month" to discuss the unique challenges families face during this stressful process, and what other factors can impact how parents and individuals navigate this situation. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:31 - Episode open 1:08 - Meet Juliet 5:45 - Lack of resources, getting help 10:15 - Telling a special-needs child about divorce 16:01 - How often should you talk to your children about divorce? 19:02 - Talking to adult children 23:23 - Where you can find more about Juliet 26:18 - Action item and wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] CONNECT WITH DR. JULIET MARCIANO Website: https://www.julietmarciano.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-marciano-md-4814249/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

Divorce drains wallets and energy faster than almost any other life event. This month, Regina is exploring the topic of divorce with expert guests to help connect you with resources, information and insights into what you should (and shouldn't do), what options are available and how to navigate this process. This episode features Kristen Shearin, an attorney, Certified Family Financial Mediator, and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. She has 15 years of family law litigation experience, has mediated over 150 cases, and has testified as a financial expert witness. She joins Regina to unpack why January sees a spike in filings, when mediation beats court, and when court is necessary for safety. They dig into the financial side of divorce, why a CDFA can protect your net worth the documents to organize before you make any moves and much more! Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:35 - Episode beginning 3:01 - January is "divorce month" 6:36 - The IDFA and what Kristen does for it 11:15 - Financial statements, utilizing professionals 16:39 - How you can find more info (and a CDFA) 19:12 - What's upcoming for the IDFA 21:02 - Mediation 23:54 - Where you can learn more about the IDFA 24:43 - Challenges Kristen has faced as a professional woman 28:34 - Kristen's vision of retirement 30:01 - Episode wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] CONNECT WITH KRISTEN Website: https://www.shearinlegal.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-shearin-b1581562/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

On this episode of Women & Wealth, Regina welcomes Lauren Reed Williams, founder of Reed Public Relations and co-founder of Wealth of a Woman. Lauren shares why she stepped down as CEO after 14 years, how she's building safe spaces for women to talk about money, and what sparked her mission. They also dig into money mindsets, confidence with advisors, aligning finances with core values, and why "peace and freedom" now define Lauren's vision of wealth. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Intro 0:31 - Episode beginning 4:22 - The Equal Credit Opportunity 8:14 - Women and financial advising 11:23 - What's next and where to learn more 14:50 - Some challenges Lauren has faced (as a professional woman) 18:23 - Lauren's plan for retirement 22:34 - Action item and episode wrap-up ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money. Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse. As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: [email protected] CONNECT WITH LAUREN Website: https://www.reedpublicrelations.com/team/lauren-reed/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-reed-9151183/ Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.