Unlocking the Emotional Side of Money with Shannon Ryan

Nov 26, 2025

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Get ready to dive into the emotional side of wealth and discover why mastering your EQ around money might be the key to true financial freedom.

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Empowering Entrepreneurs! Today, Glenn Harper and Julie Smith sit down with the dynamic Shannon Ryan—a certified financial planner, author, and advocate for financial literacy, whose deep understanding goes far beyond spreadsheets and investment strategies.

In this conversation, Shannon shares her unique approach to helping clients reconcile their emotional relationship with money, revealing how childhood experiences and family history shape our financial behaviors and beliefs. From her entrepreneurial spirit as a California kid (and top Girl Scout cookie seller), to career-defining moments in the high-stakes world of finance, Shannon opens up about resilience, overcoming fear, and finding meaning in our financial choices.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone curious about building a happy relationship with money, this episode will challenge you to see your finances in a whole new light.

Moments

00:00 "Shannon's Transformative Money Insights"

06:10 Money, Emotions, and Strategy

07:59 Entrepreneurial Financial Leader's Journey

13:28 Resilience Born From Childhood Struggles

15:40 Entrepreneurial Struggles and Breakthroughs

18:45 Redefining Success Beyond Money

24:23 "Client Money Concerns Explained"

26:58 "Use Money, Enjoy Life"

28:53 "Reflections on COVID Lessons"

31:59 "Financial Wounds and Scar Tissue"

37:18 "Redefining Money and Impact"

40:25 Investor's Dilemma: Emotion vs Returns

44:11 "Defining Moment: Emotion Over Money"

46:54 "Leadership, Attitude, and Team Morale"

48:52 "Legacy, Growth, and Impact"

51:37 Shannon Ryan's Resource Hub

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Here are 3 key takeaways for anyone looking to rethink their relationship with money:

Money is More Than Numbers: Success isn’t just about your net worth or the latest statement balance. True fulfillment comes from aligning your financial strategy with what actually matters to you—your values, dreams, and the life you want to live.
Your Money Story Starts Early: According to Shannon, over 98% of our beliefs about wealth and spending stem from childhood experiences—sometimes not even traumatic, just formative. Understanding your “financial scar tissue” is the first step to rewriting your money story.
Give Yourself Permission to Enjoy: Many high-achievers struggle to enjoy what they’ve built, holding onto wealth out of fear or old habits. Shannon’s advice? Don’t wait—use your resources to create memories and make an impact now. Money is a tool, not just something to be hoarded for “someday.”

Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.

Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.

Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for success

Our clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.

Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.

Glenn Harper, CPA, is the Owner and Managing Partner of Harper & Company CPAs Plus, a top 10 Managing Partner in the country (Accounting Today's 2022 MP Elite). His firm won the 2021 Luca Award for Firm of the Year.

An entrepreneur and speaker, Glenn transformed his firm into an advisory-focused practice, doubling revenue and profit in two years. He teaches entrepreneurs to build financial and operational excellence, speaks nationwide to CPA firm owners about running their businesses like entrepreneurs, and consults with firms across the country. Glenn enjoys golfing, fishing, hiking, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Julie Smith, MBA, is a serial entrepreneur in the public accounting space. She is the Founder of EmpowerCPA™, Founder of PureTax, LLC, COO for Harper & Company CPAs Plus, and Co-host of the Empowering Entrepreneurs podcast.

Named CPA.com's 2021 Innovative Practitioner of Year, Julie led Harper & Company's transition to an advisory-focused firm, doubling revenue and profit in two years. She now empowers other CPA firm owners nationwide through consulting and speaking, teaching them how to run their businesses like entrepreneurs. Julie lives in Columbus, OH with her family and enjoys travel, coaching basketball, sporting events, and the occasional shopping spree.

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