Money Matters When Life Breaks Apart

Real Talk with Life After Grief Chris

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What happens when two financial planners who've experienced profound personal loss meet? They forge a friendship that transforms both their personal healing journeys and professional approaches to helping others through grief.
In this vulnerable and insightful conversation, host Chris Dale welcomes fellow financial planner Daniel Kopp, MA, MS, CFP®,MQFP® to share his remarkable journey from Air Force officer to specialist financial planner for widows and widowers. After becoming the primary caregiver for his first wife Sarah during her illness and eventual passing, Daniel navigated his own grief journey while completely rethinking his career path.
Daniel reveals how his experiences shaped his unique perspective on financial planning, particularly around risk management and healthcare costs. "Having gone through this personal experience and seeing what it would look like when I had to step away...what if I hadn't had the capacity financially? That could have been ruinous," Daniel explains, highlighting how personal tragedy fundamentally altered his professional outlook.
The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Daniel discusses his current work combining financial planning with financial therapy techniques. He's developing specialized interventions for grieving individuals who suddenly become their household's financial decision-maker while struggling with emotions like money avoidance. This innovative approach addresses both the practical financial challenges and the emotional barriers that can prevent effective financial management during grief.
Perhaps most powerful is the friendship that has developed between these two advisors who found each other through shared experience. They serve as accountability partners, offering candid feedback as they navigate both personal healing and professional growth. Their relationship demonstrates how grief, while isolating in many ways, can forge meaningful connections that enhance both life and work.
If you're navigating grief yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers valuable insights into building resilience, finding purpose after loss, and creating the foundations that help weather life's most challenging storms. Connect with Daniel at wisestewardshipfp.com to learn more about his work with widows and widowers.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Real Talk (00:00:00)

2. Daniel Kopp's Personal Grief Journey (00:02:59)

3. Faith, Spirituality & Support Systems (00:09:36)

4. Financial Impact of Caregiving (00:13:43)

5. Financial Therapy and Future Plans (00:19:50)

6. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks (00:25:30)