Explore every episode of the podcast A Better Way

What if philanthropy wasn’t an add-on to financial advice, but a central part of financial planning and wealth management?

In this episode of A Better Way, Leah Barr sits down with Rob Nelson, Founder and CEO of NorthRock Partners, to explore how philanthropy, charitable giving, and purpose can be fully integrated into comprehensive financial advice.

Drawing from over 30 years of experience as a financial advisor, Rob shares how his perspective on charitable giving evolved through working with clients and witnessing the real impact of intentional philanthropy. What began as a response to client needs ultimately shaped a broader vision for financial planning, one that goes beyond investments and tax strategy to include purpose, legacy, and meaningful impact.

The conversation also explores the creation of Foundation X and how simplifying the complexities of philanthropy and charitable giving can help individuals, families, and advisors create more intentional, measurable impact. Rob unpacks why many financial advisors hesitate to engage in philanthropic conversations, why that hesitation matters, and what it looks like to step into the role of a truly comprehensive advisor.

This episode offers a perspective on the future of financial advice, where philanthropy, charitable giving, and values-based financial planning are no longer separate, but fully integrated.

NorthRock Partners is an SEC-registered investment advisor. Guest views are their own and not those of NorthRock Partners.

Innovation thrives when it’s aligned with personal vocation.

In this episode, Sara Meslow, founder and executive director of Camp Odayin, shares her journey of creating a space for children with heart disease to experience the transformational power of camp. What began with her own lived experience as a heart patient became something she couldn’t ignore, a deep sense that something needed to exist and that she was the one meant to build it.

What followed wasn’t just the creation of a camp. It was the creation of a community shaped by connection, belonging, and a shared understanding of what it means to navigate life with heart disease.

Sara’s story is a testament to what happens when purpose, experience, and action come together. It’s a reminder that meaningful innovation doesn’t always start with strategy, but with paying attention to what’s on your heart and having the courage to act on it.

In this engaging conversation, Leah Barr speaks with Caroline Correia, a seasoned professional in the event industry, about her journey into event design, the importance of generosity, and how to create meaningful experiences. They discuss the role of joy and creativity in events, the impact of small moments, and the significance of understanding the audience to foster connection and engagement. Caroline shares her insights on the evolving nature of events and the importance of empathy and curiosity in her work at BeEvents.

Sometimes the most transformative moment in giving is realizing it changes not just the world, but the giver as well. In this first episode of A Better Way, the Foundation X podcast, Leah Barr is joined by Emily Vennerstrom, COO of NorthRock Partners and President of Foundation X, for an honest conversation about generosity, joy, and the deeply personal nature of social impact.

Through stories rooted in service, community, and global experience, Emily reflects on how philanthropy can be intentional, imperfect, and profoundly human. She explores how values guide giving, why impact is never one-size-fits-all, and how structure can support creativity rather than limit it. This conversation invites listeners to rethink what doing good looks like, and how generosity, collaboration, and purpose can create meaningful connection for individuals, nonprofits, and communities.

In this episode, you’ll explore:

• Why generosity and philanthropy are deeply personal journeys
• How joy and empowerment can be reintroduced into giving
• The role of community, collaboration, and nonprofit partnerships in social impact
• What it means to give with intention, even when resources feel limited

This episode is for anyone seeking a more grounded, human approach to giving, impact, and purpose.

In this About Our Podcast episode of A Better Way, host Leah Barr shares why the podcast exists and the perspective that shaped it. She reflects on how values-aligned generosity can feel more intentional, human, and joyful, and why there isn’t one right way to do good, while also diving into the work and philosophy of Foundation X. This episode helps set the stage for what’s to come, inviting listeners into thoughtful reflection, curiosity, and the many ways impact can take shape.

The pilot episode of A Better Way, the Foundation X podcast, sets the tone for the conversations ahead. Host Leah Barr welcomes listeners into a space for thoughtful, honest dialogue about impact, purpose, and generosity. It’s a grounding introduction to the conversations and perspectives that challenge how we think about doing good and what impact can truly mean.