Podcast

Dan has a plan

Business News, News

Welcome to Dan has a plan, a finance podcast that goes beyond the balance sheet! I’m Daniel B. Smith, a Certified Financial Planner at UBS Wealth Management. I’m also a husband and father, a baseball enthusiast, and I make a mean bolognese. In my 34 years of experience in the finance industry, I’ve learned that financial planning is so much more than just crunching numbers, it’s about setting goals and achieving the life you want. On this podcast, you will get financial insights and strategies, plus a dose of daughterly banter from my caffeinated millennial middle child, and co-host Alanna. Tune in as we chat with experts from every field, diving into the topics that matter most to you and your family’s financial success.

Episodes
24
Releases
Monthly
On air since
2024
Latest episode
1 week ago

Episodes

24 episodes, newest first

  1. Plan for Living Abroad with Ivan Belcic

    Show notes

    What does it really take to build a life abroad? Dan and Alanna welcome Ivan Belcic to share his journey from New Jersey to Shanghai to Prague—plus, Dan answers a listener’s question about budgeting for a semester abroad.

  2. Plan for a Baby with Joyce Jacobson

    Show notes

    Planning for a baby takes more than a birth plan. Registered Nurse Joyce Jacobson joins Dan and Alanna to share practical advice for every stage, from pregnancy and newborn care, to navigating the costs and beautiful chaos of becoming a parent.

  3. Plan for a Band with Peter Brown

    Show notes

    Ever wanted to start a band? Then this is the episode for you. Dan and Alanna sit down with Peter Brown, an IT professional and guitarist of successful metal band, Hath, to talk about what it really takes to turn a passion project into a self-sustaining business. Rock on!

  4. Summer Break: The Best of Ask Dan

    Show notes

    For summer break, Dan and Alanna are bringing you the very best of their Ask Dan segment. Revisit favorite questions, unforgettable moments, and timeless advice in this special compilation episode.

  5. Plan for Classic Cars with Scott & Scott Bracken

    Show notes

    Dan and Alanna welcome a special father-son duo to celebrate Father’s Day. Scott Bracken and his son are lifelong collectors and restorers of classic cars. Dan answers a listener question about inheriting a classic Corvette as an alternative asset.

  6. Plan for the Sandwich Generation

    Show notes

    Dan and Alanna tackle the realities of the “sandwich generation” — balancing kids heading to college, aging parents, and the financial and emotional stress that comes with caring for everyone at once.

  7. Plan for Rewiring Retirement with Joe Marsigliano

    Show notes

    Recent reitree, Joe Marsigliano, joins Dan and Alanna to talk about the reality of retirement—where even the best financial plan can’t predict life’s biggest pivots. From “financial breathing” to caregiving, Joe shares how retirement is really about rewiring your time, identity, and purpose.

  8. Plan for 95 with Ken Florio

    Show notes

    A 95-year-old Navy veteran shares stories of a life well-lived. Dan and Alanna explore how “pay yourself first,” staying connected to people, and defining your own version of fun can help you enjoy today while planning for a long, meaningful future.

  9. Plan for a Well-Balanced Life with Dr. Fara White

    Show notes

    Dan and Alanna talk with psychiatrist Dr. Fara White about the connection between mental health and financial planning. Together they explore anxiety, identity, and why true security comes from balance—not just numbers.

  10. Plan for a Pivot with Mike Marri

    Show notes

    Dan and Alanna chat with entrepreneur Mike Marri about knowing when it’s time to pivot—and how to turn reinvention into long-term success. From musician to business builder, Mike shares hard-earned lessons on risk, resilience, and trusting your instincts when the path changes.

  11. Plan for Purpose with Rev. Rich Hong

    Show notes

    Dan and Alanna sit down with Rev. Rich Hong to talk about something deeper than Holiday financial stress. It’s a conversation about how people find meaning amid chaos and why looking through the “front windshield” of your life matters more than the rearview mirror.

  12. Plan for Division 3 Athletics with Bruce Haberli

    Show notes

    Dan and Alanna sit down with Bruce Haberli, Head Wrestling Coach at NYU, to talk about work ethic, pursuing your passion, and helping college students find balance—both in life and in their financial futures.

  13. Plan for Family Wealth Management with Kristen Marino

    Show notes

    Dan and Alanna talk with fellow Family Wealth Management team member, Kristen Marino, C.F.P. about what makes thoughtful financial planning so powerful. Plus, listeners ask questions on retirement, risk, and the value of a Certified Financial Planner.

  14. One Year Later: The Ask Dan Episode

    Show notes

    Celebrating one year of Dan Has a Plan, Dan and Alanna look back, share behind-the-scenes stories, and launch Ask Dan, where listeners’ financial questions get practical, judgment-free answers—from budgeting and debt to retirement and college savings.

  15. Plan for Emergency Medicine with Dr. Vinny Costa

    Show notes

    Dan and Alanna talk with Dr. Vinny Costa, an emergency physician, about the costs of medical training and the realities of emergency care. From cruise-ship mishaps to navigating insurance, they share tips on planning for life’s unexpected emergencies.

  16. Plan for Third Grade with Kimmy Johnson

    Show notes

    Dan and Alanna chat with public elementary school teacher, Kimmy Johnson. Whether you’re thinking about becoming a teacher, have an 8-year-old on summer break, or just want a trip down memory lane, this episode is for you.

  17. Father’s Day Episode with Mike Worthington

    Show notes

    In this special Father’s Day episode, Dan and Alanna explore how our parents’ values mold our money mindset. Tune in for a personal conversation with Mike Worthington, who speaks about how his late father left a lasting impact on his life.

  18. Plan for Autism Awareness with Diane Lento

    Show notes

    Dan and Alanna talk with Diane Lento, who founded a school for children with autism after her daughter’s diagnosis. She shares her journey as a parent and advocate, the unique financial challenges of special education, and how she built a space where neurodiverse kids can thrive.

  19. Plan for Electricity with Glenn Bickford

    Show notes

    Dan and Alanna talk with electrician Glenn Bickford about the hidden risks of modern electricity, from overloaded power strips to EV chargers. With practical tips and a dose of humor, they’ll change how you see your outlets, chargers, and even your water pressure.

  20. Plan for Failure with Dan and Alanna

    Show notes

    In this father-daughter episode, Daniel and Alanna dive into a topic we all wrestle with—failure. From personal setbacks to market volatility, they unpack what it really means to fail. With candid stories, sports metaphors, and lots of laughs, they explore how failure can be emotional, instructional—and even optimistic.