The Essence of Rick Kahler
"A resilient pioneer, compassionate mentor, and eternal learner."
I’ve known Rick for over twenty years. I don’t have many personal stories, but I knew that any book project like this must include him. He is a community and professional leader. He is one of the long-term members of the Nazrudin Project think tank. Rick has published many books and is a leader in the Financial Therapy field. Meet Rick
Final recap - UCLA Retreat Centre
What has been your biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging period of my life was 2023 and 2024. It began with bacterial pneumonia in January, which left me debilitated for months. Just as I started to recover, I contracted COVID in June, followed by long COVID, which continues to affect me 18 months later. The physical toll was significant, but the personal and professional challenges were even more incredible. I lost four of my six employees, including my long-time COO and partner, and had to juggle finding replacements while keeping my business running and recovering my health. At the same time, my wife and I became caregivers for all four of our elderly parents, most of whom were dealing with chronic health crises. We moved her parents to Rapid City, and within nine months, both my father-in-law and mother passed away.
These experiences left me deeply exhausted, both physically and emotionally. There were days when simply putting one foot in front of the other felt overwhelming, and I feared that neither I nor my business would recover. What helped me through was leaning into the pain and uncertainty rather than running from it. One day at a time, I summoned the courage to face the unknown, held onto the clarity of my work’s purpose, and showed compassion for myself during such a difficult time. I’ve realized that sometimes, it’s enough to keep moving forward, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.
The famous Nazrudin Board
At some time, you reached a fork in the road. At that time, it didn’t feel like it, but looking back, you realize it was a big moment. One that changed your life. Describe yours.
One pivotal moment came when my first wife and I divorced after 12 years of marriage. At the time, it felt like my world was falling apart, but instead of avoiding the pain, I decided to face it head-on. I distinctly remember my first thought after hanging up the phone when she told me she wanted a divorce: “I am going to grow.” I was stunned by such a crazy thought coming out of nowhere, but it turned out to be more accurate than I could have imagined. I got into therapy, determined to break the patterns that had brought me to that point. That choice helped me heal personally and reshaped my professional life in ways I could never have dreamed.
My therapeutic journey led me to integrate psychology with financial planning, and that decision changed the trajectory of my career. As a result, I’ve been recognized for my contributions to the emerging field of financial therapy. I co-founded the Financial Therapy Association and have spent 15 years as an adjunct professor, mentoring future professionals. Over the past 33 years, I’ve written a weekly personal finance column focusing on the emotions surrounding financial decisions. For three years, I’ve hosted a weekly podcast, Financial Therapy – "It’s not just about the money." I’ve also co-authored or contributed to seven books on the intersection of money and meaning. Along the way, I’ve earned a master's degree and several professional certifications, including becoming a Certified Internal Family Systems practitioner. These accomplishments remind me of the impact of learning about life’s challenges, even when the way forward is unclear.
What is one gem you learned on your journey that you would love to share? Alternatively, what hint would you tell a younger version of yourself?
If there’s one gem I’ve learned, it’s this: I’ve recognized the difficulty and blessing of turning toward, rather than running from, the things I so profoundly resist—the things that cause me the most significant pain, the things I fear the most.
My life has tested me in ways I never imagined—losing my marriage, losing loved ones, facing physical challenges, and dealing with multiple professional setbacks. There were moments when I wasn’t sure I could keep going, and it didn’t feel like things would ever improve. I spent much of my life running from and resisting that which is uncomfortable and painful to address.
I have occasionally found the wisdom to realize that the only way forward is to face what I fear head-on. It’s anything but easy.
Moving forward develops resilience, which isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about creativity—finding new ways to move forward—and curiosity about what my struggles are trying to teach me. It’s about staying connected to my core values and the people around me when shutting down feels more manageable and safer. I’ve spent my life as a seeker, always learning and growing, and this drive for personal development has guided me through the most challenging times. Growth isn’t easy—I’ve found it incredibly hard at times. But the alternative—doing nothing, staying stuck, and leading a life of quiet suffering—while valid for a season, is ultimately worse in the long run. Turning toward the pain has eventually brought me clarity, calm, insight, and confidence. As much as I crave certainty, I slowly accept that I’ll never have or know all the answers. I am learning that being present is enough and trusting in the process has allowed the path forward to reveal itself.
Session on the beach
Nazrudin Project Group ~ Whoever is there is just the right group
