108: What Does Family Wealth Transition Have In Common With A Marriage of Greatness?
Tue Feb 03 2026
What if the secret to preserving your family’s wealth is the same as building an extraordinary marriage? In this episode of the Marriage of Greatness podcast, Susan Money and Evan Money uncover a jaw-dropping link between family wealth transition and marital success—revealing a five-step framework that impacts generations and relationships alike.
Drawing inspiration from a powerful article by John Moore, a leader in faith-based financial planning, this episode dives deep into the infamous three-generation rule (where 70% of family wealth is lost by the third generation) and unpacks why the same pitfalls that sabotage fortunes also derail marriages. Evan Money and Susan Money walk you through Moore’s five steps: communicate, adjudicate (make formal decisions), communicate, activate (take action), and—once again—communicate, showing how these aren’t just for handing down assets but are essential for creating a thriving, enduring partnership.
From practical tips like setting up family meetings and writing down decisions, to managing energy and intentional communication in marriage, you’ll learn how to sidestep disaster and instead build harmony and success. Hear how Susan Money and Evan Money use weekly “couch dates,” formal family contracts, and the power of daily small steps to sustain growth in both wealth and love. Plus, find out why action—no matter how small—creates momentum, and how reframing your mindset can make challenges easier to navigate.
Key highlights include:
The shocking three-generation wealth loss statistic and its parallels in marriageThe five-step process for successful wealth (and relationship) transition, with communication being the vital threadReal examples from the Moneys’ own marriage: weekly meetings, setting formal agreements with family, and holding space for intentional conversationA powerful mindset reframe from a foster youth on making life less hardPractical, actionable steps YOU can try in your own relationship, starting todayWant to break the cycle and become a caretaker of both fortune and romance? Start with this episode!
Episode Overview:
00:00:01 – Introduction: What do family wealth transition and a marriage of greatness have in common?00:02:18 – The three-generation rule—why family wealth often disappears, and what can be done00:03:07 – The five steps: communicate, adjudicate, communicate, activate, communicate—and why communication is the biggest factor00:07:07 – Applying the five steps to marriage (from getting married to living as partners)00:08:45 – Communication tools in action: holding space, managing bandwidth, and making appointments to talk00:11:17 – Making formal decisions as partners and as parents (including tenant contracts with grown kids)00:14:51 – The importance of follow-up, refining decisions, and brainstorming as a couple00:16:23 – The magic of taking action: building habits, writing a book, and embracing the marathon of marriage00:20:10 – Small daily steps for big results—why sustainability trumps drastic change00:21:36 – Step five: communicating about growth, embracing challenges, and reframing your mindset00:24:41 – Action steps for listeners: put what you’ve learned into practice today!00:25:05 – Outro and how to connect with Marriage of Greatness
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What if the secret to preserving your family’s wealth is the same as building an extraordinary marriage? In this episode of the Marriage of Greatness podcast, Susan Money and Evan Money uncover a jaw-dropping link between family wealth transition and marital success—revealing a five-step framework that impacts generations and relationships alike. Drawing inspiration from a powerful article by John Moore, a leader in faith-based financial planning, this episode dives deep into the infamous three-generation rule (where 70% of family wealth is lost by the third generation) and unpacks why the same pitfalls that sabotage fortunes also derail marriages. Evan Money and Susan Money walk you through Moore’s five steps: communicate, adjudicate (make formal decisions), communicate, activate (take action), and—once again—communicate, showing how these aren’t just for handing down assets but are essential for creating a thriving, enduring partnership. From practical tips like setting up family meetings and writing down decisions, to managing energy and intentional communication in marriage, you’ll learn how to sidestep disaster and instead build harmony and success. Hear how Susan Money and Evan Money use weekly “couch dates,” formal family contracts, and the power of daily small steps to sustain growth in both wealth and love. Plus, find out why action—no matter how small—creates momentum, and how reframing your mindset can make challenges easier to navigate. Key highlights include: The shocking three-generation wealth loss statistic and its parallels in marriageThe five-step process for successful wealth (and relationship) transition, with communication being the vital threadReal examples from the Moneys’ own marriage: weekly meetings, setting formal agreements with family, and holding space for intentional conversationA powerful mindset reframe from a foster youth on making life less hardPractical, actionable steps YOU can try in your own relationship, starting todayWant to break the cycle and become a caretaker of both fortune and romance? Start with this episode! Episode Overview: 00:00:01 – Introduction: What do family wealth transition and a marriage of greatness have in common?00:02:18 – The three-generation rule—why family wealth often disappears, and what can be done00:03:07 – The five steps: communicate, adjudicate, communicate, activate, communicate—and why communication is the biggest factor00:07:07 – Applying the five steps to marriage (from getting married to living as partners)00:08:45 – Communication tools in action: holding space, managing bandwidth, and making appointments to talk00:11:17 – Making formal decisions as partners and as parents (including tenant contracts with grown kids)00:14:51 – The importance of follow-up, refining decisions, and brainstorming as a couple00:16:23 – The magic of taking action: building habits, writing a book, and embracing the marathon of marriage00:20:10 – Small daily steps for big results—why sustainability trumps drastic change00:21:36 – Step five: communicating about growth, embracing challenges, and reframing your mindset00:24:41 – Action steps for listeners: put what you’ve learned into practice today!00:25:05 – Outro and how to connect with Marriage of Greatness