May 18, 2026
You wouldn't build a house without an architect or have surgery without the right medical team — so why leave your financial future to chance? On this Luray-Page Chamber edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael and Chamber President Gina Hilliard talk with senior financial advisor Mandy Leeth of Being Financial about treating money management as intentional life design — not just data and graphs.
Mandy makes the case that it's never too late to start, unpacks the misconceptions that keep people stuck, and explains why women bring a powerful lens to financial planning — especially around the wealth transfer that happens when they outlive their spouses. Plus, Gina shares what's ahead for the Chamber, including a Women in Business luncheon and the Chamber's 100th anniversary banquet.
WHO'S ON THIS EPISODE
- Gina Hilliard — President, Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce
- Mandy Leeth — Senior Financial Advisor, Being Financial
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) Janet kicks off Season 10 — new cover art, video pieces, and a possible weekend edition coming in June
(01:30) "I grow people's money" — why spring is the perfect time to talk financial growth (02:00) Your nest egg isn't a finite number: rethinking what you have
(02:30) Intentional life design — looking at dreams and values, not just data
(03:30) An overview of Being Financial, founder Jared Troutman, and the tele-advising model
(04:30) The two biggest misconceptions: "it's too late" and "I don't need it"
(06:30) Why women bring a powerful lens to financial planning
(08:00) Why a one-size-fits-all online template is not a blueprint
(09:30) You're the CEO of your life — interview your advisor accordingly
(11:30) What a simple, complimentary first meeting actually looks like
(15:30) The wealth transfer when women outlive spouses — and navigating a windfall
(17:30) Behavioral finance and breaking "generational money curses"
(19:00) How to reach Mandy and the Being Financial team
(20:00) Chamber events: Women in Business luncheon + the 100th anniversary banquet
EVENT DETAILS
Women in Business Luncheon — Tuesday, May 19, 2026 11:30 AM–1:00 PM • Speaker: Christine Kennedy, leadership & life purpose coach
100th Annual Banquet & Awards — Thursday, May 28, 2026 5:00 PM at the Mimslyn Inn, Luray. Celebrating the Chamber's 100th anniversary (founded 1926) Registration closed — call to check seat availability or join the waiting list. RSVP / contact the Chamber: 540-743-3915 or events@luraypage.com
LINKS & RESOURCES
- Being Financial: being-financial.com
- Mandy Leith: mandy.leeth@prudential.com
- Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce: luraypagechamber.com
- Chamber events & RSVP: events@luraypage.com or 540-743-3915
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THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael - A decade of conversations.
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