In less than two minutes, a routine experience can turn into a moment that defines every decision that follows. This episode explores how the human brain reacts under extreme pressure and why those same instincts often take over when markets become volatile.

In this episode of the Power of Wealthness Podcast, Todd Barney and Kevin Swanson sit down with Joe Hart, a seasoned investment professional and survivor of the Miracle on the Hudson, to explore how people make decisions under extreme pressure. Joe retells his experience aboard Flight 1549, from the bird strike to “brace for impact,” and the rapid mental shifts he felt in the moments that followed. He explains how the brain defaults to emotional shortcuts, fight, flight, and fast pattern-matching, before logic has a chance to catch up. The conversation connects those same reactions to investor behavior during market corrections, when fear (or exuberance) can override long-term plans. Joe also discusses how financial media and constant account-checking can amplify emotional decision-making. Together, they emphasize the value of a clear plan, realistic expectations, and advisors who can help clients stay steady when stress is high. The episode reinforces the core Wealthness theme: money decisions are deeply human, shaped by values, emotion, and guidance, not just numbers.

What to expect:

• Joe’s minute-by-minute account of Flight 1549 and how quickly “normal” turns into crisis
• What fight-or-flight looks like in real time (and why it often feels “logical” in the moment)
• How the same psychology shows up in investing during corrections, crashes, and headline-driven fear
• Why checking balances too often and consuming market media can lead to worse decisions
• Practical ways to stay grounded: build a plan, define expectations, and lean on a calm, objective guide
• And more!

Connect with Potentia Wealth:

• Potentia Wealth
• 408.288.7886
• ask@potentiawealth.com
• LinkedIn: Potentia Wealth
• LinkedIn: Kevin Swanson
• LinkedIn: Todd Barney, CEPA®, CIMA®, CPWA®, CFP®

About our guest:

Joe Hart is a professional investor and survivor of US Airways Flight 1549 (Miracle on the Hudson), an experience that profoundly shaped his understanding of decision-making under pressure. A longtime student and speaker on behavioral finance, Joe is passionate about helping investors understand how emotions, past experiences, and cognitive biases influence financial choices, especially during times of uncertainty.