# From Merrill Lynch to Managing $1.5 Billion: Chad Willardson's Journey to True Wealth

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french-mindset-adversity-growth-3702444/from-merrill-lynch-to-managing-1-5-billion-chad-willardson-s-journey-to-true-wealth
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french-mindset-adversity-growth-3702444/from-merrill-lynch-to-managing-1-5-billion-chad-willardson-s-journey-to-true-wealth.md
Podcast: [Determined Society with Shawn French | Adversity & Mindset](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french-mindset-adversity-growth-3702444)
Published: 2026-07-06T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://thedeterminedsociety.com
Audio file: https://jonekiri.simplecastaudio.com/52aceb10-af69-403b-b76b-4d98bd17e29b/episodes/13b09eef-ac71-42a0-b9c1-9bb2afc46896/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=52aceb10-af69-403b-b76b-4d98bd17e29b&awEpisodeId=13b09eef-ac71-42a0-b9c1-9bb2afc46896&feed=0usR2qmx
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Duration seconds: 3837

## Resource

Chad Willardson, founder of Pacific Capital, six-time author, father of five, and wealth advisor managing over $1.5 billion, joins The Determined Society for a powerful conversation on faith, family, money, leadership, risk, and building real wealth without losing what matters most. In this episode, Shawn and Chad discuss the moment Chad walked away from Merrill Lynch with no safety net, no clients to take with him, and everyone telling him he was making a mistake. Chad opens up about building Pacific Capital from the ground up, choosing family over hustle culture, walking away from millions of dollars when it did not align with his values, and why success means nothing if it costs you your marriage, your kids, your health, or your peace. This conversation is about wealth, principles, patience, leadership, vision, and the determination to build a life that is successful from the inside out. The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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