Answer Box (TL;DR)
In this episode, Dan Pascone sits down with human-centered futurist Ashley Mosaic to explore how leaders, founders, and high earners can “decode what’s next” while keeping their money and decisions aligned with their deepest values.
Ashley explains what a futurist actually does, why pattern recognition and a beginner’s mind are critical in a world of rapid change, and how our self-concept and money story can quietly sabotage wealth. They unpack trends like AI and emotional intelligence, the growing importance of human skills in an automated world, and practical ways to use clarity of values, community, and daily rituals to build wealth that actually feels intentional—rather than reactive.
Key Takeaways
- The future is something we actively shape, not passively endure. Ashley defines a “human-centered futurist” as someone who looks at trends, systems, and patterns—then helps people recode themselves so they can intentionally participate in what’s coming next.
- Your self-concept and money story deeply influence your net worth. Strategy and foresight aren’t enough; limiting beliefs, weak boundaries, or self-worth issues can quietly derail big financial wins unless you address the identity and energetic side of wealth.
- Beginner’s mind beats rigid expertise when spotting new opportunities. Overreliance on past experience can blind you to emerging trends. Curiosity, deeper questions, and looking for the “story beneath the headline” open up more possibilities than clinging to what you already know.
- In an AI world, human skills become the ultimate edge. As technology takes over more cognitive tasks, leadership will increasingly reward emotional intelligence, nervous system regulation, and the ability to stay grounded during rapid change.
- Values and community are the anchors for financial decisions. Getting crystal clear on your values—and surrounding yourself with people who share them—helps you navigate volatility, make money decisions with confidence, and use wealth to live your version of a rich, intentional life.
Key Moments
- [00:00] Dan introduces the episode and frames the conversation around wealth, leadership, and decoding what’s next.
- [01:14] Ashley defines “human-centered futurist” and explains why shaping the future starts with intentionally recoding ourselves.
- [02:30] How she discovered her pattern-recognition ability, flirted with the idea of being “psychic,” and realized she was reading systems and trends.
- [03:13] Bitcoin, early conviction, getting hacked and scammed—and the realization that strategy without inner work can sabotage wealth.
- [05:13] Self-concept and net worth: why boundaries, self-worth, and identity must evolve alongside your financial strategy.
- [06:23] How Ashley works with executives and founders: clarifying goals vs values, spotting internal conflicts, and recoding identity.
- [07:55] From industrial era to “renaissance”: why technology + creativity are converging and what new strengths leaders will need.
- [09:06] Team work: implementing AI without losing the human strengths that make a business special.
- [10:02] Performance coaching / impact strategy: helping leaders own their gifts instead of hiding sensitivity or uniqueness.
- [11:20] Why we undervalue what comes naturally and overvalue what we struggle for.
- [12:19] The modalities she blends: foresight, ancient wisdom systems, astrology as pattern language, and better questions about timing.
- [14:18] Beginner’s mind in money: how expertise can blind you and curiosity helps you see deeper trends and opportunities.
- [15:25] Trend vs countertrend: AI acceleration on one side; digital detox, human traits, and intentional tech boundaries on the other.
- [17:17] Big leadership trend: emotional intelligence, nervous system regulation, and the leader who stays calm in the storm.
- [19:13] No child will out-IQ AI: why the leaders of the future will be prized for presence, discernment, and relational skills.
- [20:06] Using money to live a rich life: start with clarity on your values, especially during volatility.
- [20:51] The power of community: aligning with people who share your values to navigate change and wealth building.
- [22:51] Ashley’s daily ritual: a few minutes of morning silence to connect to calm and avoid reactive, heavy days.
- [23:56] Bucket list win: visiting Egypt and the pyramids; current milestone: buying land in the NC mountains for a small farm.
- [24:50] Advice to her younger self: follow your convictions—and closing thoughts on decoding trends and recoding ourselves.
Episode Summary
Episode 38 of the Making Sense of Your Money podcast features Ashley Mosaic, a human-centered futurist who helps executives and founders decode what’s coming next and align their decisions and money with who they actually want to be. Host Dan Pascone opens by asking the obvious question: what does a futurist do, and how did Ashley end up in this work?
Ashley shares that from a young age she had a “sixth sense” for seeing how pieces would come together—something she later understood as pattern recognition across people, systems, and society. Her journey wound through early conviction about Bitcoin and alternative money systems, where she repeatedly saw huge opportunities seemingly slip away through hacks, scams, and timing. That painful pattern forced her to confront the gap between having foresight and strategy on one hand and having the self-worth, boundaries, and identity to actually hold wealth on the other. She now sees self-concept and net worth as tightly intertwined.
In her work with leaders, Ashley starts by asking about goals and then about values. The discrepancies between those two often reveal internal conflict: part of you wants something, another part quietly doesn’t think it’s safe. She helps clients see those patterns and then consciously “recode” their identity so their behavior, leadership, and money choices align. With teams, she’s increasingly called in to help organizations implement AI and other technologies without losing the human traits—creativity, empathy, nuance—that actually make them competitive.
A big theme is the shift from an industrial mindset to what Ashley calls a renaissance era, where technology and creativity commingle again. She explains that after every major technological revolution, humans are forced to develop new strengths. In an AI world, she believes the leaders who thrive will not be the ones who know the most data, but the ones who can regulate their nervous systems, practice emotional intelligence, and provide calm in the storm. Dan and Ashley connect this to investing: emotional regulation and values-driven decision making become critical as volatility and noise increase.
Ashley then dives into how she thinks about trends and money. She advocates for a beginner’s mind—temporarily putting down expertise to really see the deeper story beneath headlines. For every trend (like rapid AI adoption), she looks for the countertrend (like digital detox, intentional tech use, renewed focus on human skills). That tension reveals opportunities and risks. She encourages investors and leaders to get curious rather than immediately defaulting to “I already know what this means.”
When Dan asks how all of this ties back to living a “rich life,” Ashley emphasizes clarity of values and community. Knowing what actually matters to you gives you a stable filter for money decisions and career choices, while surrounding yourself with people who share your values makes it easier to navigate change without losing yourself. She also shares a simple daily hack: a few minutes of silence every morning—ideally meditation, but at least time without input—to reconnect with calm before the day’s demands start pulling you into reactivity.
In the lightning round, Ashley reveals her love of coffee and pizza, her appreciation for the book The Bitcoin Standard, the impact of visiting Egypt and the pyramids, and her current dream of buying land in the North Carolina mountains to build a small farm. Her final advice to her younger self: follow your convictions, especially when they seem out of sync with the status quo. Throughout the conversation, the common thread is clear: to make sense of your money in a rapidly changing world, you have to sharpen both your foresight and your inner compass.
Transcript
Dan: I’m Dan Pascone, CEO of Tailored Wealth and host of the Making Sense of Your Money podcast – real conversations to help high earners make sharper decisions so their money works as hard as they do. This is episode number 38, and today I’m joined by Ashley Mosaic, a human-centered futurist who helps executives and founders decode what’s next and align their money with their values. We talk about how emotional intelligence, foresight, and clarity of purpose define the future of wealth and why the richest life is the one that feels intentional. Hope you enjoy.
Narrator: Brought to you by Tailored Wealth, helping business leaders live their version of a rich life.
Dan: Welcome to another edition of the Making Sense of Your Money podcast, where we cut through the financial noise and help business leaders make smart, confident money decisions. Ashley, thanks for joining the podcast. Great to have you today.
Ashley: Thank you for having me. I’m thrilled to be here.
Dan: I’m really excited. Your background and expertise really stood out to me, which is why I wanted to have you on. I’m intrigued, and I know our audience will be too. As we always do with our guests, give us a high-level overview of who you are and what you do today.
Ashley: I call myself a human-centered futurist. So I’m a futurist, but I focus on how we can collectively and intentionally shape what’s next. I do that by looking at trends and systems, but also by helping people “recode” themselves so they can intentionally shape the future they’re walking into.
I really believe we get the future we attune ourselves to. So it takes a lot of intentionality to become who we feel we’re here to be.
Dan: I love that. And I know my audience – especially investors – would love to know what the future looks like. First, how did you even get into this work? It’s a really unique offering and expertise. What led you into this futurist lane?
Ashley: From a very young age I had what felt like a sixth sense for seeing how pieces were going to come together. For a while I wondered if I was psychic. Then I realized I just had a knack for pattern recognition – picking up on patterns and cues, both in people’s behavior and in society more broadly.
I became fascinated with people, business, and how these systems interact. Around 2012–2013 I first heard about Bitcoin. I was telling people, “This is new money. It’s going to change the world.” I just had this deep knowing and fascination with it. Then I kind of went on my way. Buying it wasn’t very easy back then.
A few years later it came back on my radar. I got really into it – investing, learning, educating others – and I saw it as an alternative that could help remedy many of the problems in our financial system, both current and future.
At the same time, in my personal life I noticed my own patterns: poor boundaries, low self-worth, limiting beliefs. My band-aid was, “It’s okay – none of this will matter soon because in a few years I’ll be wealthy.” I innocently thought money would solve all of that.
But I started seeing a pattern: right before a big win – right before I was going to “secure the bag” – something bizarre would happen. I’d get hacked, I’d get scammed, an exchange would go down. It happened enough times that I had to stop and ask, “Okay, what is actually going on here?”
That’s when I realized strategy and vision are only one piece. The other piece is your identity, your energetics, your self-concept. There’s research showing self-concept and net worth are deeply correlated. That kicked off my own deep dive into money stories, money energetics, and the unconscious patterns that determine how we relate to wealth.
Eventually I understood that part of why I’m here is to help other people through similar journeys – not necessarily after a big loss, but in becoming aware of their unique money story and how it’s affecting what they create.
Dan: Fascinating. So you mentioned founders and executives. Is that primarily who you work with today?
Ashley: Yes. I primarily work with senior leaders – executives and some founders. With leaders there’s usually a desire for both personal transformation and strategic clarity about what’s coming next, so my work covers both.
Dan: What does that actually look like? If I’m a founder or CEO working with you, what are you helping me do?
Ashley: Usually we start with two things: goals and values. I’ll ask them what their goals are, then I’ll ask about their values. Right away we often see discrepancies between the two – which parts of them want one thing and which parts don’t feel safe with it.
That alone can be a big “aha.” Just understanding, “Oh, one part of me wants this, but another part doesn’t believe it’s safe or possible.” Sometimes a simple, honest conversation with yourself starts to shift that.
From there we work on who they want to become and what they want to create. A lot of leaders feel the massive shifts happening in leadership, workplaces, and technology – especially AI – and sense that the way they’ve been operating won’t be the way forward. We talk about the new strengths they’ll need: foresight, emotional intelligence, nervous-system regulation, creative thinking, and the ability to sense subtle shifts instead of only reacting to obvious ones.
For teams, I help them understand shifts in leadership, workplace dynamics, and technology. We look at foresight models, communication, nervous-system regulation, and human-centered skills they’ll need as we move out of what I think of as an industrial era and into more of a renaissance – where technology and creativity are deeply intertwined again.
For individuals, it’s similar, but more tailored. We’re clarifying who they’re here to be so they can do what they’re here to do – with real alignment between their identity, their money, and their impact.
Dan: That’s great. Are your clients thinking of you more as a performance coach? A strategist? How do they “classify” you in their world?
Ashley: Performance coach is fair. I sometimes call it impact strategy. It’s really about: how do you use your gifts to create more impact?
Many leaders I work with have had experiences earlier in their careers where they felt “too sensitive,” misunderstood, or like they cared about things others didn’t. They didn’t fully own their lane. My work helps them identify what they’re exceptional at and what’s preventing them from leading from that place.
We explore what comes naturally to them – because that’s often where your greatest gifts live. But we’re often conditioned to downplay what’s easy for us and idolize what we struggle with. So part of the work is reclaiming those natural strengths and designing their role, life, and money around those.
Dan: Love that. One of my favorite books is StrengthsFinder 2.0 – similar idea: identify your strengths and weave them into what you do. On its surface, what are most individuals or teams coming to you to accomplish? What’s the number one problem they think they’re solving when they first reach out?
Ashley: Often they’re drawn to some of the modalities I use. In addition to studying foresight and business for about 20 years, I’ve studied different forms of ancient intelligence systems and wisdom traditions. I like blending those with modern business and strategy.
For example, sometimes I’ll look at someone’s astrological chart or current “collective transits.” For me it’s not about horoscopes – it’s about patterns. Those tools can help us ask better questions about timing, cycles, and alignment.
It might be as simple as, “What was happening 12 years ago? What did you learn? What advice would you give that version of yourself?” Tools like that help people see their own patterns more clearly and realign with what they actually want.
Some people come to me because they’ve followed my commentary on trends in finance and technology. They’ll say, “I didn’t see that coming, but now I see how I could have.” They want to learn how to spot those signals and tell a coherent story about the future so they can position themselves within it.
Dan: This show is all about making sense of your money, so let’s talk about the financial angle. How do you help people spot trends – in markets, the broader economy, or even in their personal financial patterns?
Ashley: A big one is cultivating a beginner’s mind. We often have a lot of education and experience, and ironically that can be what blinds us to what’s changing right in front of us. Our expertise can make us think we already know, so we stop being curious.
So we practice setting down our “expert” hat and picking up curiosity and creativity. Ask deeper questions. Read a headline and then ask, “What’s the deeper story here?” Look for the undercurrent beneath the obvious narrative – that’s where the opportunities and risks usually are.
For every trend, there’s a counter-trend. Yes, AI is accelerating and technology is everywhere. At the same time, you see people intentionally limiting tech, doing digital detoxes, and placing a higher value on human traits that AI can’t replicate. That counter-trend is as important as the main trend for spotting opportunity.
In practice, it’s: follow your curiosity, listen for the undercurrents, and be willing to say, “I don’t know – but I’d like to understand this better.” That’s where you catch things others miss.
Dan: You mentioned AI. Are there any specific trends you’re following closely right now?
Ashley: Several. One big one is the rise in importance of emotional intelligence and emotional regulation for leaders. As technology becomes more capable, what differentiates us isn’t raw IQ – AI will surpass us there. What differentiates us is our ability to stay grounded in chaos, relate to others, and create meaning.
Every technological revolution forces humans to develop new strengths. Agriculture required physical strength. The industrial revolution required discipline and process. This era – AI and automation – requires emotional intelligence, creativity, and relational skills. Those are things machines can’t authentically do.
So I expect to see more investment in leadership coaching, communication training, and nervous-system work. The leader of the future needs to be calm in the storm, not just the smartest person in the room.
Dan: Is that partly because so much has been offloaded to machines that investing in “the human stuff” becomes a bigger differentiator?
Ashley: Exactly. No child born today will know a world where humans have a higher IQ than AI. So the edge isn’t in memorizing more data; it’s in how you relate, create, feel, and lead.
We’re also seeing more decentralization in team structures and decision-making. That increases the need for self-leadership, emotional regulation, and clear values – because people won’t always be co-located in one office with a manager watching over them. They’ll need an internal compass.
Dan: Let’s bring this back to wealth. Our motto is helping clients live their version of a rich life. For people who want to grow wealth and use it to live the life they desire, what should they be thinking about, beyond just trends?
Ashley: Clarity on your values is huge. When you know your values, you can make financial decisions with more calm and confidence because you’re clear about what you’re optimizing for.
If you’re unclear on your values, it’s easy to get pulled around by market volatility, fear, or what everyone else is doing. You might chase returns that don’t actually align with the life you want.
The other piece is community. We underestimate how powerful it is to be surrounded by people with similar values. That shapes our beliefs about what’s possible and what “normal” looks like – financially and otherwise. So, values and community are two big levers.
Dan: Totally agree. The power of community is something we don’t talk about enough. All right, Ashley, we’re going to shift gears and get to know you a little better. You’re entering the Making Sense of Your Money lightning round. First thought that comes to mind – could be one word, could be a longer answer. Ready?
Ashley: Ready.
Dan: Coffee or tea?
Ashley: Coffee.
Dan: One meal for the rest of your life – what is it?
Ashley: Pizza. That’s what came up, so I’ll go with it.
Dan: Any go-to place?
Ashley: Not really. I just love pizza.
Dan: Fair enough. What’s one tool or piece of technology – hardware or software, other than your phone or computer – that you can’t live without?
Ashley: Honestly, my car. I don’t know if I “can’t live without it,” but it definitely helps.
Dan: We’ll take it. Do you have a favorite quote or phrase about business or success?
Ashley: I know I have many, but none are popping into my mind right now.
Dan: No problem. How about a favorite book – maybe on money or the future?
Ashley: One that comes to mind is The Bitcoin Standard. I think it’s a great introduction to the changing financial landscape and why things that seem fringe can actually have a deeper rationale.
Dan: Very cool. I don’t know that one, so thanks for sharing. Do you have a personal hack you can share with our audience?
Ashley: I prioritize a little bit of silence every morning. That’s when I connect to calm and often get answers to questions I’ve been sitting with.
On the best days that looks like meditation. But even if it’s just five minutes of silence without a podcast or music – just me and my thoughts – it makes a huge difference. On the days I skip that and jump straight into problem-solving, I usually feel heavier by the evening.
Dan: Love that. Do you have a bucket-list item you’ve already accomplished?
Ashley: My bucket list has been evolving, but one that stands out is going to Egypt and visiting the pyramids. That was really powerful and something I probably would’ve written on a bucket list.
Dan: Very cool. What’s one milestone you’re currently working toward?
Ashley: I’m looking at buying property in the mountains of North Carolina. I’d love to have a little farm there, so I’m exploring land and what that could look like.
Dan: I love that. Last one: if you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Ashley: Follow your convictions.
Dan: You didn’t hesitate on that one. That was clear. Ashley, if our listeners want to connect with you, collaborate, or learn more, what’s the best way?
Ashley: My website is ashleymosaic.com. On social media I’m usually @ashleymosaic, sometimes with a dot if the handle’s taken. I’ve got content there, and I have a lot of new content coming out soon focused on decoding trends and recoding ourselves – blending neuroscience, behavioral science, energetics, and psychology so we can intentionally shape what’s next.
I really believe we’re in a unique pocket of human history with an incredible amount of change. We can do so much more than we think, but our biggest limitation is often our own mindset and our comfort with limitation. So set a big goal, get clear on who you need to become to reach it, and work on that every day.
Dan: I love it. I’m looking forward to seeing that content. Ashley, thanks so much for joining us today. Really insightful stuff.
Ashley: Thank you so much.
Dan: That’s it for the episode. You can find our podcast along with our newsletter and YouTube channel – all free – at makingsenseofyourmoney.com. And as always, prioritize your version of a rich life.
FAQs
What is a human-centered futurist?
A human-centered futurist studies trends, systems, and emerging patterns, then helps people intentionally shape what’s next—starting with their own identity, mindset, and behavior. It’s about pairing foresight (what’s coming) with inner work (who you must become) so you’re not just reacting to change but using it to your advantage.
How does this relate to my money and investments?
Ashley argues that financial strategy and foresight only get you so far if your self-concept, beliefs, and patterns are misaligned. Your money story—how safe you feel with wealth, what you believe you deserve, how you respond under stress—directly influences how you invest, whether you hold or self-sabotage, and how confidently you pursue opportunities.
What trends should leaders and investors be paying attention to right now?
She highlights the acceleration of AI and automation, the countertrend of digital detox and intentional tech use, and the rising importance of emotional intelligence and nervous system regulation. As more cognitive tasks are automated, the differentiator becomes uniquely human skills: presence, relational intelligence, creativity, and calm decision-making under pressure.
How can I better spot future opportunities?
Cultivate a beginner’s mind. Temporarily set aside your expertise, follow your curiosity, and always look for the deeper story beneath surface headlines. For every trend you notice, ask: what’s the countertrend? What’s the undercurrent here? This approach can reveal opportunities and risks that a purely “expert” lens might miss.
What’s one simple habit to support a richer, more intentional life?
Ashley recommends a few minutes of silence each morning—ideally meditation, but at least time without inputs—to reconnect with yourself before the day’s noise starts. She finds that days without this practice often feel heavier, while days with it bring more clarity, calm, and grounded decisions around money, work, and relationships.
Is this episode personalized financial advice?
No. This conversation is educational and focuses on mindset, leadership, and broad trends. It is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified adviser who understands your full financial situation before making major decisions or implementing new strategies.
Disclaimer
The information in this episode and on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as individualized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Views expressed by the guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Tailored Wealth, your adviser, or any affiliated entity. Always do your own due diligence and consult appropriate professionals before acting on insights or strategies discussed in this episode.