A Life Built Around Purpose, People, and the Stories That Shape Us.
Author, speaker, financial advisor, podcaster, and former stand-up comedian. Exploring what it truly means to live with intention, humor, and curiosity.
About Gary
A Life Built Around Purpose, People, and the Stories That Shape Us
For more than 34 years, Gary Barss has built a career as a trusted Financial Advisor, helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of wealth management with clarity, purpose, and values-based decision-making. Throughout his career, Gary has learned that financial success is only one part of a meaningful life. The more important questions often have less to do with numbers and more to do with what we value, why we make the choices we make, and what kind of life we ultimately want to create.
That perspective has shaped much of Gary’s work beyond financial advising.
As a speaker, Gary brings real-world experience and a practical approach to conversations about intentional living, values-driven goal setting, personal growth, and the psychology behind the decisions we make. His talks have connected with audiences ranging from corporate teams to community groups, where he encourages people to step back, examine what truly matters, and make choices that are aligned with their values and long-term fulfillment.
At the heart of Gary’s work is a simple idea: living intentionally means being more conscious of the choices we make and the life we are creating.
What Shapes Gary’s Perspective
Intentionality
Living consciously rather than living on autopilot. Every choice shapes our direction.
Genuine Curiosity
Every person has a story worth hearing, and every experience carries a lesson.
Sense of Humor
Purpose matters, but so does the ability to laugh, stay grounded, and enjoy the journey.
Human Connection
Meaningful growth happens when we share wisdom, setbacks, and honest conversations.
GARY’S MOTIVATION & CURIOSITY
The Stories Behind
the Conversations
Gary has always been deeply curious about people—their experiences, motivations, challenges, and the pivotal moments that change their lives. Over 34 years in financial advising taught him that true success isn’t just about numbers, but about what we value and why we make the choices we do. Driven by this drive to understand human behavior, Gary shares real-world wisdom through speaking, writing, and podcasts—helping people stop drifting and start living with intent.
Gary’s Life Philosophy
Principles shaped by decades of guiding people toward purpose, clarity, and intentional choices.
Conscious Choices
Living Intentionally Means Stopping The Drift And Making Deliberate Decisions About Where Your Time, Energy, And Money Go.
Wisdom in Every Story
Every Person’s Journey Contains Valuable Lessons—the Most Meaningful Insights Often Lie Behind Turning Points And Setbacks..
Humor & Balance
Purpose Matters Deeply, But So Does Laughter. Staying Grounded Means Learning Not To Take Ourselves—or Life—too Seriously.
Values-Driven Living
True Fulfillment Isn’t About Doing More, But About Aligning Your Everyday Actions With What Matters Most To You.
Meaningful Connection
Building Strong Relationships With Family And Community By Showing Up With Authenticity, Curiosity, And Warmth.
Mindful Growth
You Cannot Control Everything That Happens In Life, But You Can Always Choose How You Respond And Grow From It.
THE BOOK STORY
Why Gary Wrote “The Intentional Life”
Across more than three decades as a Financial Advisor, speaker, stand-up comedian, and podcaster, Gary noticed a recurring pattern: most people don’t fail due to a lack of ambition—they simply get caught up in the urgent demands of daily life. Without realizing it, the things that matter most quietly drift into the background.
The Intentional Life wasn’t born out of a desire to write a typical self-help book. It was created as a practical reflection of Gary’s own life experiences and the countless conversations he’s had with clients, podcast guests, and audiences.
For Gary, this book represents the bridge connecting all his work—combining practical wisdom, humor, and real-world tools to help readers stop drifting and start intentionally designing a life filled with purpose, connection, joy, and adventure.
CAREER & LIFE WISDOM
Reverb
Driven by a deep curiosity about turning points and career paths, Gary launched Reverb. He sits down with people from all walks of life to explore the setbacks, unexpected choices, and human stories behind their success. Because the most valuable lessons aren’t on a résumé—they’re in the story behind it.
STAND-UP & HUMOR
Now That’s Hilarious!
Bringing together decades of financial advising, public speaking, stand-up comedy, and personal podcast conversations, Gary wrote The Intentional Life.
For Gary, this book isn’t about creating a “perfect” life—it’s an invitation to stop drifting, become aware of what truly matters, and make deliberate choices toward a life of purpose, connection, joy, and adventure.
Latest Episodes & Media
