55. Money and Happiness with Professor Donovan Sanchez
Thu Jan 15 2026
Money shows up in nearly every major life decision, but it almost never comes with clear guidance on how to use it in a way that actually supports our long-term satisfaction. In this episode, Dr. Craig Lemoine sits down with Professor Donovan Sanchez to explore how financial education is evolving and why happiness deserves a place in the conversation alongside returns, income, and planning models.
The discussion moves through what the data says about income and well-being, how people adapt to comfort and convenience, and why experiences and relationships consistently matter more than most financial upgrades. The episode also takes a thoughtful turn into higher education, examining what it means to train future advisors and how research reshapes the way we think and question assumptions.
Key topics discussed in this episode:
How income relates to happiness and why the relationship is weaker than most people expectThe role of hedonic adaptation in everyday financial decisionsWhy experiences tend to create longer-lasting satisfaction than material purchasesHow spending on others strengthens relationships and personal well-beingWhat the research says about money, meaning, and life evaluationHow financial education can better connect numbers to human outcomes
Connect with us!
Donovan Sanchez LinkedInDr. Craig Lemoine on LinkedInAgriculture Focused Financial PlanningLand & Everything Else YouTube Channel
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Money shows up in nearly every major life decision, but it almost never comes with clear guidance on how to use it in a way that actually supports our long-term satisfaction. In this episode, Dr. Craig Lemoine sits down with Professor Donovan Sanchez to explore how financial education is evolving and why happiness deserves a place in the conversation alongside returns, income, and planning models. The discussion moves through what the data says about income and well-being, how people adapt to comfort and convenience, and why experiences and relationships consistently matter more than most financial upgrades. The episode also takes a thoughtful turn into higher education, examining what it means to train future advisors and how research reshapes the way we think and question assumptions. Key topics discussed in this episode: How income relates to happiness and why the relationship is weaker than most people expectThe role of hedonic adaptation in everyday financial decisionsWhy experiences tend to create longer-lasting satisfaction than material purchasesHow spending on others strengthens relationships and personal well-beingWhat the research says about money, meaning, and life evaluationHow financial education can better connect numbers to human outcomes Connect with us! Donovan Sanchez LinkedInDr. Craig Lemoine on LinkedInAgriculture Focused Financial PlanningLand & Everything Else YouTube Channel