Ep 107: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and guest Jonathan Satovsky P1 on hmTv

Episode 107: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and Guest Jonathan Satovsky (Part 1)

In this enriching episode of Habits of a Whole Heart on hmTv, host Arnie Herz welcomes financial advisor, philosopher, and podcaster Jonathan Satovsky for a heartfelt conversation about building a truly fulfilling life. Drawing from his podcast Wisdom, Wealth, and Wellness, Jonathan explores the intersection of money, meaning, and mindfulness—and how giving, curiosity, and core values shape a life of abundance.

Together, Arnie and Jonathan delve into:

• The roots of true wealth beyond material success
• Why generosity is both a spiritual and financial practice
• How foundational habits—like saving, giving, and caring for your body—create long-term happiness
• The importance of community, mentorship, and being part of a team
• Lessons from Michigan’s legendary mental coach Greg Harden
• And the philosophy of living with intention, curiosity, and heart

With stories from personal finance to college football, and insights drawn from Jewish wisdom, Stoic philosophy, and behavioral science, this episode invites listeners to reflect on what it really means to live well—and wholly.

Don’t miss Part 2 of this inspiring conversation, and follow hmTv’s Humanity Matters series for more meaningful dialogue.

Transcript

Episode 107: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and Guest Jonathan Satovsky (Part 1)
hmTv | Humanity Matters Series

Arnie Herz:
Hello and thank you for joining me today on this podcast titled Habits of a Whole Heart. My name is Arnie Herz and I’m your host. I’m very happy to have with me today my dear friend Jonathan Satovsky.

Jonathan is a podcaster himself. He owns Satovsky Asset Management and hosts the podcast Wisdom, Wealth, and Wellness. Today, he’s going to share with us his wisdom as it relates to those very themes—and how they intersect with a life of wholeness and happiness.

Jonathan, thank you for joining me today.

Jonathan Satovsky:
Thank you for having me.

Arnie:
Your podcast has a great title—Wisdom, Wealth, and Wellness. You don’t usually see “wisdom” and “wealth” in the same sentence, but you are someone who’s always seeking wisdom. You’re constantly reading, sharing book recommendations, assigning me books! We’ve had countless deep and thoughtful conversations, and I know you genuinely strive to create a life of wholeness in every area.

So tell us a bit about the genesis of your podcast and how those three words—wisdom, wealth, and wellness—came to be your framework.

Jonathan:
It’s funny—about 15 years ago, I started a meditation practice. During that time, I began thinking about what people are really searching for. If you just watch people on the street, you’ll notice how much of their attention is on their phones—doomscrolling, heads down. And I realized they’re often looking for one of three things: wisdom, wealth, or wellness.

They’re not just browsing the web—they’re trying to learn something, trying to figure out how to manage money better, or how to be healthier. And I thought, I’ve spent most of my career helping people with money. But through our daily Talmudic studies, I’ve also learned that money is not the measure of success.

In fact, studies show that the majority of young people today—nearly 78%—believe success is about “he who dies with the most toys wins.” But that idea doesn’t hold up over time. I’ve worked with billionaires and people with virtually nothing, and there’s zero correlation between financial wealth and fulfillment. Some of the most generous, joyful people I know have very little.

That sparked my desire to amplify voices that could contribute meaningfully to people’s lives, to reframe success around something deeper. That’s what the podcast is about—sharing ideas that expand people’s vision for a richer, more balanced life.

Arnie:
I love that. You touched on something important—many of the happiest people are also the most generous. One of the themes of this podcast is that when life is just about ourselves, it becomes small. But when we give, we often find the greatest satisfaction. Is that something you integrate into your financial advisory work—encouraging clients to engage in endeavors beyond themselves?

Jonathan:
Absolutely. Not everyone shares the same philosophy about money, but over time, I’ve formed my own belief about what creates a rich, meaningful life. When I went back to the University of Michigan to speak to economics students about financial literacy and behavioral finance, I emphasized the importance of habits.

One idea I shared was: from your very first paycheck, put a dime away for your future self—and a dime for others. It’s a simple habit. If 10% is too hard, start with 1% and build from there. It’s about creating a discipline that sustains you financially and spiritually.

That single habit—save for yourself, give to others—can lead to a life of tremendous abundance, not just financially but emotionally and spiritually. It’s about the discipline of the heart as much as the wallet.

Arnie:
That idea of giving as a pathway to abundance is so counterintuitive to many. But you’re not just talking about feeling good—you’re saying generosity can actually build wealth.

Jonathan:
Right, and there’s data to support it. Arthur Brooks, who wrote Strength to Strength, and Robert Waldinger, who wrote The Good Life, both emphasize that a meaningful life is rooted in deep relationships—not money, power, or fame.

When you give to causes that are soulfully meaningful, you create momentum. You want to work harder to fund that giving. And while religious texts say giving comes back tenfold, the real transformation happens when you give without expecting anything in return. It shifts your energy, your motivation, and your sense of purpose.

Arnie:
That resonates deeply. In Jewish tradition, we’re taught to give 10–20% of our income because we’re merely trustees of wealth—it doesn’t belong to us. When we give, we become bigger vessels for abundance. It’s like a child asking for two scoops of ice cream—you want to see if they can manage one scoop before giving them two. I think God works the same way with us and wealth.

Jonathan:
Exactly. If you can be trusted to use what you have wisely and for good, more flows your way. Incentive systems shape behavior. And like that donut experiment—waiting for a reward leads to greater success. Financial literacy and behavioral finance are the same. It's about building habits, understanding your motivations, and thinking long-term.

Arnie:
So much of that ties back to wisdom. You’ve studied Jewish philosophy, stoicism, and more. How do you define philosophy, and what’s your personal philosophy?

Jonathan:
To me, philosophy is a foundation—a code of how you want to live your life. I wasn’t religious growing up, but later in life, I became intellectually curious. I began defining values that mattered to me—building lifetime relationships, being a knowledgeable and trusted adviser.

And like golf, if your foundation is weak, everything else gets shaky. But with strong roots, you can move freely and powerfully. Whether it’s Judaism, stoicism, or something else, a core philosophy grounds you when life throws you off balance.

Arnie:
That’s a beautiful metaphor. Speaking of golf and sports—you’re a huge sports fan and very generous. You brought five friends to the national championship game! You’ve also been deeply connected to Michigan’s sports program and the late Greg Harden. Tell us about that.

Jonathan:
Sports taught me the value of team over self. Greg Harden was a mental conditioning coach who shaped generations of Michigan athletes—Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, Desmond Howard, and more. He helped people shift from “me” to “we.”

He also wrote about me in his book Stay Sane in an Insane World, which was a huge honor. His presence, his voice, his tone—he could re-center you instantly. He taught that who you surround yourself with matters. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, challenge you, and you’ll become your best self.

Arnie:
That’s powerful. He had a huge impact on so many. And I love what you said about each of us carrying a glimmer of light—our job is to bring that to others.

We’ll continue this conversation in Part 2. Jonathan, thank you so much for joining me. And to our listeners, thank you for tuning in to Habits of a Whole Heart on hmTv.

Please follow hmTv for more episodes from the Humanity Matters series, and don’t miss Part 2 of my conversation with Jonathan Satovsky. Until next time.