It’s no secret that in the age of AI and automation, jobs don’t look like they used to—and the careers of yesteryear are disappearing fast. But today’s post-pandemic job seekers face even steeper hurdles ahead: COVID-19 is hurtling us toward a non-human workforce faster than ever, as businesses scramble to replace vulnerable workers with robots, AI, and automation—a workforce that never gets sick. Don’t believe it? Retailers like Gap and Walmart are already rushing forces of robots onto warehouse floors. Tyson Foods “hired” robot butchers. Microsoft replaced MSN newsroom producers with its own AI. Across the board, CFOs are doubling down on employee hiring freezes and furloughs, all while maintaining—or increasing—their robotics, data analytics, and AI spend. “We’re simply not prepared for this rapid-fire implementation of technology or the job losses that lie ahead but by developing four uniquely human skills—ones that technology can’t replicate—we can take control and carve out new, resilient careers sooner than you’d think.” Joining us for our discussion on Career Strategy is Somi Arian who is on the phone from her London England office. SOMI ARIAN is a tech philosopher, international speaker, entrepreneur, award-winning filmmaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice influencer. Her work focuses on the impact of technology on society at large, the business landscape, and the future of work. A sought-after transition architect, Arian has given talks and workshops to industry leaders from organizations such as the BBC, The Economist, Marie Claire, Amazon, HSBC, Morgan Stanley, Virgin Atlantic, and American Express. Her latest book is Career Fear (And How To Beat It): Get The Perspective, Mindset and Skills You Need to FutureProof Your Work Life. Welcome to Mastering Your Money, Somi Arian.

Election, Life Transitions, Raleigh, Durham, NC, Fee-only

The Black Lives Matter movement is an international symbol of racial solidarity in face of countless atrocities against people of color across the planet. Its progress is not just the result of political and corporate reactions to outrage fueled by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many others but with the Black communities struggles for equity for centuries. People of color are exhausted from the long history of blatant racism. Covid-19 and a Racist System is not just killing Black people. It is tearing the whole nation apart. In every aspect of life, from socioeconomics to education, the workforce, criminal justice and very importantly, health outcomes, for the most part the trajectory for Black people is not improving. Major corporations, Non-profits and the US government are making grants available for Black Owned Small Businesses which are helpful but not the solution. Joining us for our discussion on Black Lives Matter: Business Movement is Mary-Frances Winters who is on the phone from her Charlotte NC office. Mary-Frances Winters is the founder and president of the Winters Group Inc. She has been helping clients create inclusive environments for over three decades. She was named a top ten diversity trailblazer by Forbes and a diversity pioneer by Profiles in Diversity Journal and is the recipient of the prestigious ATHENA Award, as well as the Winds of Change Award conferred by the Forum on Workplace Inclusion. Winters is also the author of We Can't Talk about That at Work, (named by Forbes as one of 11 books for leaders to read), and Inclusive Conversations. Her latest book is Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes The Mind, Body and Spirit . Welcome to Mastering Your Money, Mary-Frances Winters.

Photo by Tranmautritam from Pexels

Jobs have disappeared, government financial support is floundering and many industries are imploding. Teachers, students, restaurant owners, renters, landlords, travel agents, health care providers, entertainers – all these an many more are staring into a future that can feel discouraging at best and depressing at worst. In the summer of 2020, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that our economic future is "extraordinarily uncertain" right now. The bad news is obvious and it affects everyone. Many investors and potential investors may be will we return to the 30+% downturn from February 21st to March 23rd in 2020. And yet, when people are asking "How could things get worse?" historically that's as close as there ever is to a buy signal. The good news is that at some point things will clear up a bit and people will feel more confident about the future. This is where successful investing starts. As uncomfortable as it seems, we may have a buying opportunity. Joining us for our discussion on Tips To Increase Your Networth is who is calling in from his Seattle Washington WA office . Paul Merriman is a nationally recognized authority on mutual funds, index investing, asset allocation and both buy-and-hold and active management strategies. Now retired from Merriman, the Seattle-based investment advisory firm he founded in 1983, he is dedicated to educating investors, young and old, through weekly articles at Marketwatch.com, and via complimentary eBooks, podcasts, articles, recommendations for mutual funds, ETFs, 401(k) plans and more, at Paulmerriman.com . He is releasing his new book "We're Talking Millions! 12 Ways to Supercharge Your Retirement. WELCOME BACK TO MASTERING YOUR MONEY, PAUL MERRIMAN