If you’ve ever known — logically — that your worth isn’t defined by your paycheck, but still felt like your income says everything about you… this episode is for you.

In this conversation, we sat down with Claire Wasserman, career coach, writer, and founder of Ladies Get Paid. What unfolded felt like part therapy session, part money masterclass, and part permission slip to trust yourself again.

We talked about untangling self-worth from net worth, why confidence can’t be purely intellectual, how shame thrives in silence (especially around money), and what it actually looks like to expand your worth from the inside out. We get into what’s really going on beneath struggling to ask for more, getting stuck in your inner critic, and the frustrating gap between “knowing better” and actually feeling better.

Budgeting is often framed as a discipline problem — try harder, be more consistent, stick to the plan. But what if the real issue isn’t effort or willpower… it’s that the system was never designed for your actual life in the first place?

Today we’re joined by Kelsa Dickey, founder of Fiscal Fitness Phoenix and creator of the Spend First System. Kelsa is a former licensed financial advisor who intentionally left the traditional financial advising world to focus on what most people are actually strugglin

Brigitte Killings has the kind of energy that makes you sit up straighter — not because she’s scolding you, but because you suddenly believe you can be the person who has her money handled.

In this episode, we sat down with Brigitte (a 30-year veteran in financial services and the Atlantic & South Division Head of Community and Business Development at JPMorganChase), and we covered a lot: the money habits that matter most in your 20s and 30s, how to raise financially confident kids, and what it actually looks like to prepare for the “sandwich generation” years — when you’re caring for kids and aging parents at the same time.

Tired of those overwhelming New Year's financial planning checklists? In this short episode, we break down a simple five-step exercise that takes about 30 minutes and actually helps you tackle your biggest money pain point — no perfectionism required.

Listen in to learn how to: 

1. Identify what's really bothering you

2. Name the feeling you're chasing instead of just the goal

3. And create a concrete plan for January that doesn't involve overhauling your entire life. 

Plus, we walk you through how to anticipate roadblocks before they derail you — because life happens, and we're planning for that.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) might be hiding in your benefits package, and most people have no idea how powerful they actually are. In this episode, we're breaking down everything you need to know about HSAs — from whether you're eligible to how to treat them like a secret retirement account.

Emily and Cassidy dive into the triple tax advantage that makes HSAs unlike any other account, explain the difference between HSAs and FSAs, and share real strategies for maximizing this financial tool. Whether you're using your HSA to cover medical expenses or letting it grow for decades, this episode has the framework you need to make an informed decision.

If you've ever dreamed about traveling but thought you couldn't afford it, this episode is for you. Caroline Lupini has visited 120+ countries while building a successful career — and she's here to prove that both are totally possible without sacrificing one for the other.

Caroline is a travel expert, digital nomad, and managing editor of Travel and Credit Cards at Forbes Advisor. In this episode, she joins us to break down how to plan trips that actually work for your budget. She also shares how location independence can create real financial security, and why flexibility might be the best career insurance policy you can have. Whether you're saving for one dream trip or considering a completely different lifestyle, Caroline's got the strategies (and the real-life considerations) you need.

Do you ever see all those Instagram influencers flying business class using miles and points and think, “How TF do they do that?” 

Well… we sat down with points and miles expert Ross Alcorn, CEO and founder of Itinerary Boss, to figure it out.

Ross has helped thousands of people turn their everyday spending into five-star luxury travel — and honestly? It's probably more attainable than you might think. We're breaking down how to choose the right credit cards for your lifestyle, why transferring points is a game changer, and how to stretch your miles further than you ever thought possible.

Whether you're a total beginner or you've been sitting on points for years without knowing how to use them, this conversation will change the way you think about travel rewards. Plus, Ross shares his all-time favorite trip and his take on whether learning points and miles is always worth your time. (Spoiler: it is — even if you're not a constant traveler.)

We met Kristen, the brilliant mind behind The Frugal Girl, at FinCon this past September, and we've been obsessed ever since. She's been blogging about intentional spending since 2008  2008!!! — and her approach to money is smart, simple, and refreshing.

Before you decide that “frugal” isn’t for you, know this about Kristen: She doesn't do deprivation. She doesn't believe you have to choose between having nice things and being smart with money. 

Right now, as grocery prices stay high and the holidays are almost here, her practical wisdom feels more relevant than ever.

More than 40 million Americans — including kids, seniors, and working families — depend on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. And right now, they're facing a crisis that feels impossibly heavy.

As of recording this episode, SNAP benefits have been paused since the beginning of the month.

Food insecurity touches every community, and we believe food is a basic human right. So we're breaking down the myths, sharing the facts, and showing you concrete ways to help — whether you need support or you're in a position to give it.

We're diving deep with Lori Atwood, founder of Fearless Finance, who's worked with 2,000+ clients and isn't afraid to tell it like it is. After 25+ years in finance, she's seen every money mistake in the book — and she's here to share the uncomfortable truths nobody talks about.

In this episode, we explore why your biggest financial problem might not be your budget at all. We dig into "financial context" and why understanding it changes everything. Lori shares the truth about how financial advisors get paid, why wealthy people aren't flashy spenders, and what actually matters when building real wealth. This isn't typical financial advice — it's the human stuff nobody discusses.

It's dark. The candles are flickering, and you're about to hear some truly haunting tales. Not ghost stories, but money stories that will send shivers down your financial spine. From credit card curses to haunted house expenses, this episode is all about the scary side of money — and what we can learn from these frightening experiences.

We asked our community to share their most terrifying financial moments, and wow, did they deliver. Think confessions of hidden debt, risky investment advice, and money conversations so scary they'll make your wallet tremble. Grab your favorite cozy blanket, dim the lights, and get ready to listen in on some truly spooky money moments.

What happens when you're the higher earner in your marriage? When your 401(k) keeps growing while your spouse builds their own business? When you're navigating motherhood, career ambitions, and being the breadwinner all at once?

We love talking about money and relationships, and we’re not the only ones. This episode features Jessica Norwood, who co-hosts The Sugar Daddy podcast with her financial planner husband, Brandon. What began as an outlet for his expertise has turned into something bigger: a source of honest conversations about money that break down the jargon and shame that usually come with financial advice.

In this episode, Jessica breaks down the reality of out-earning her husband, how they’ve navigated tricky money conversations, and why they decided to get a postnup after nine years of marriage.

Would you sign a contract governing half your assets and your entire financial future without reading it first? Because that's exactly what happens when you get married without a prenup.

Harvard lawyer Aaron Thomas spent years watching couples drain their savings in divorce court before he realized something crucial: marriage is already a financial contract. You're just letting the state write the terms instead of writing them yourself.

In this episode, Aaron makes the case that prenups aren't about planning for divorce — they're about having the money conversations most couples avoid until it's too late.

We just got back from FinCon — the biggest personal finance conference in the country — and we're buzzing with ideas, connections, and inspiration for The Finance Girlies community.

If you've never heard of FinCon, picture this: around 2,000 personal finance creators, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs gathered in one place for three jam-packed days of learning, networking, and nerding out about money topics. From TikTok influencers to seasoned bloggers who've been at this since 2008, the diversity of people and business models was incredible.

Ever feel like you're constantly stressed about money even when you're technically doing okay? Or wonder why you still feel anxious despite having an emergency fund and being on track for retirement? You might be experiencing money dysmorphia — the disconnect between how we feel about our finances versus our actual financial reality.

Julie Guntrip, Head of Financial Wellness at Jenius Bank, breaks down why millennials and Gen Z in particular suffer from this phenomenon — and how our generation's unique financial journey (hello, recession, pandemic, and inflation) has left us in a constant state of money anxiety. 

Whether you're tired of feeling behind despite doing everything "right" or ready to reset your internal money narrative, this episode offers the validation and practical tools you need.