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by Her First $100K

Fight the patriarchy. Get Rich.™ Join money expert Tori Dunlap every Tuesday as she guides you on how to make more, spend less, and feel financially confident in a world run by rich white men. Through solo episodes and special guest interviews, you’ll walk away with resources to get, save, and grow money to gain financial freedom and kick some patriarchal ass at the same time.

16 episodes summarized

Episodes

279. Building REAL Confidence with Kara Loewentheil

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If you've ever power posed in a bathroom mirror or blasted a Beyoncé song before a big negotiation hoping it would make you believe in yourself, this episode is going to completely change the way you think about confidence. I'm sitting down with return guest Kara Loewentheil, founder of The School of New Feminist Thought, host of the internationally top-ranked podcast Unfuck Your Brain, and author of the instant New York Times bestseller Take Back Your Brain, and we're getting into the real, evidence-backed truth about what confidence actually is — and why everything you've been told about building it is probably doing you more harm than good. Kara breaks down her Confidence Compass framework — self-knowledge, self-compassion, self-belief, and self-actualization — and why real confidence has nothing to do with a feeling or a pose, and everything to do with building a trusting relationship with yourself so you can take risks, go after your financial goals, and create the life you actually want. Kara’s links: Website: http://unfuckyourbrain.com/HSC  Unf*ck Your Brain podcast: https://schoolofnewfeministthought.com/podcasts/  Take Back Your Brain book: https://www.takebackyourbrainbook.com/  Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to read the transcript and find any resources mentioned in this episode! 0:00 Intro 0:59 Confidence Is a Skillset, Not a Feeling 2:08 Why Power Poses and Beyoncé Songs Don't Work 4:19 Does "Fake It Till You Make It" Actually Work? 5:19 Kara's Background: Yale, Harvard Law, and Becoming a Coach 5:34 Betting on Yourself Without Feeling Confident 7:55 Confidence vs. Certainty and Control 9:30 Confidence as a Relationship with Yourself 12:02 The Confidence Compass Framework 14:40 Money, Shame, and Which Block Shows Up Most 16:47 How Shame Disguises Itself as Responsibility 19:37 The Permission Slip Problem 27:31 How to Uncouple Shame and Build New Beliefs 38:28 Unlearning Selflessness Without Feeling Selfish 43:04 Confidence Doesn't Come from Having Things — It Creates Them 45:37 Using the Confidence Compass for Money Goals 48:52 The Seeds of Who You Want to Be Are Already in You Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March 31, 202656:30

278. Budgeting For Summer Travel

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Summer travel is something most of us look forward to all year.* But without a plan, it can leave you with a maxed-out credit card and a lot of financial stress to come home to. In this episode of Financial Feminist, I'm breaking down exactly how to budget for summer travel so you can enjoy your trip without the money anxiety hanging over you the whole time. I'll walk you through how to set a realistic trip cap before you ever open a flight search tab, why travel is a known predictable expense and not just a fun splurge, and how to build a sinking fund so the money is already there when it's time to book. If you’re craving a getaway this summer, I'm giving you a step-by-step framework, plus my favorite money-saving tools and practical tips, so you can travel well and come home financially intact. *Important note: this episode was recorded in January 2026, before the increase in gas prices Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to get my free Travel Budgeting Spreadsheet!  00:00 Intro 00:16 Why Summer Travel Feels So Expensive 02:50 Step 1: Set Your Total Trip Cap 03:49 A Budget Is Not a Killjoy 05:46 Let Flight Deals Decide Where You Go 07:55 Step 2: Break the Trip Into Real Categories 12:22 Step 3: Plan Backwards 15:13 Step 4: Cut Costs Without Ruining the Trip 17:48 Book Experiences in Advance & Pick Your Splurges 19:21 Use Credit Card Points 19:58 What to Do If You Can't Afford the Trip You Want 22:05 Travel Is Part of a Rich Life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March 24, 202627:34

If Paying Off Debt Is Taking Over Your Life: Listen To This (Bonus)

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If paying off debt is starting to feel like it's swallowing your whole life–– this episode is for you. Today I’m getting honest with you about something the personal finance world doesn't say enough: debt payoff isn't just a numbers problem, it's an emotional one. The mental load of tracking balances, watching interest undo your progress, and feeling like you have to earn joy before you've hit zero is exhausting, and it's not what sustainable financial freedom looks like. In this episode, I'm giving you the pep talk you actually need, breaking down why hyper-vigilance around debt isn't discipline, what to do when debt payoff has consumed your entire personality, and four practical ways to protect your energy so you can keep going without burning out. Watch How to Payoff Credit Card Debt FAST: ⁠https://youtu.be/qLR-x0Zg4eY⁠  Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to join the free 5-Day Debt Payoff Challenge!  00:00 Intro 00:23 The Pep Talk You Need 01:16 Debt as Cognitive Labor 01:50 Why Debt Payoff Feels So Hard 02:28 Shame & Moral Failure Around Debt 03:02 The Invisible, Unpaid Work of Debt 03:52 Hyper-Vigilance Is Not Discipline 04:15 When Debt Becomes Your Whole Identity 05:22 You Don't Have to Suffer to Be Responsible 08:02 4 Ways to Protect Your Energy 08:09 #1 – Automate Everything 09:00 #2 – Stop Checking Your Accounts Daily 10:52 #3 – Give Yourself Permission to Have a Personality 11:24 #4 – Slow Progress Beats Burnout 11:33 Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March 19, 202613:16

277. Your Inner Mean Girl is Keeping You Broke, Lonely, and Unhappy with Erin Gallagher

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If there's one episode I need every woman in your life to hear, it's this one — because what Erin and I unpack together has the power to completely transform the way you show up for yourself and the women around you. Erin Gallagher is the CEO and founder of Hype Women, an inclusive network unlocking women's access to human, social, and financial capital, and the author of the book Hype Women. In this episode, we get into the real reason women are conditioned to put everyone else first, how to tell the difference between anxiety and intuition, and why you cannot build real wealth, real friendships, or a real life until you stop abandoning yourself. We walk through the three stages of metamorphosis, and break down the spectrum from mean girl to hype woman so you can finally audit the women in your life (and the woman inside your head). This episode is the pep talk you didn't know you needed. Erin’s links: Website: www.hypewomen.com  Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to see the show notes and read the transcript of this episode! 00:00 Intro 01:08 The Phrase That Changed Everything 02:55 Why Women Abandon Themselves 06:40 The Constant Threat Assessment 09:45 Remembering Who You Are 13:30 The Difference Between Intuition and Anxiety 17:40 Is It Still Working? 21:00 The Three Stages: Caterpillar, Cocoon, Monarch 25:10 Looking Around at 40 29:30 Renegotiating Your Life 33:15 The Mean Girl Inside of Us 37:00 You Can't Hype Others Until You Hype Yourself 41:45 Recognizing Your Conditioning 46:00 The Five Types on the Spectrum 51:00 Learning to Hype Yourself 56:00 Building Your A-Team 60:00 The Power of Women's Communities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March 17, 20261:07:31
millionaire mindset: parenting yourself

millionaire mindset: parenting yourself

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If you’ve been doing everything "right" financially and still feel like you’re failing, this episode is for you. In this third installment of the millionaire mindset series, I'm talking about one of the most transformative (and underrated) wealth skills there is: parenting yourself. I'm breaking down why self-discipline without self-care is just self-abandonment, how your unmet basic needs are quietly costing you money and momentum, and the practical, tactical ways you can start treating yourself like someone worth taking care of––starting right now. Because you can't out-hustle a dysregulated nervous system, and the most successful people I know aren't bullying themselves into success. They're parenting themselves into it. Mentioned in this episode: millionaire mindset: taking risks - https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/millionaire-mindset-taking-risks/  millionaire mindset: time wealth - https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/millionaire-mindset-time-wealth/  Amanda Goetz episode - https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/earn-more-money-without-hustle/  Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to get your free daily reset worksheet & any other resources mentioned on or show! 00:00 Intro 00:23 What Millionaire Mindset series is about 02:08 Taking care of yourself like a child 03:35 Seeing future you as someone to take care of 06:16 Becoming someone you can rely on 07:37 Self-discipline without self-care is self abandonment 13:09 Create a bedtime routine 16:16 Building transitions into your day 17:58 Talking to yourself 19:21 Creating safety within your own brain and body 21:21 When feeling emotionally overwhelmed 23:19 Self-talk scripts to try 25:41 Finding joy and play again 28:42 Free daily reset sheet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March 10, 202635:18

276. Get Your Dream Job (And More Money) in 2026 with Claire Wasserman

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If you want to land a job you actually love and make more money in 2026, this episode is one you’ll come back to again and again. I’m joined by Claire Wasserman––bestselling author, founder of Ladies Get Paid, and one of the smartest people I know when it comes to navigating the job market, negotiating pay, and owning your worth at work. We break down how to position yourself for higher compensation, why everything is a negotiation, and how to stop sabotaging your own success with guilt, fear, or hustle culture. From negotiating raises and reframing your value to job searching smarter, building relationships, and redefining success on your own terms, this conversation will change how you think about your career. Claire’s links: Website: https://www.coachmeclaire.com/ Ladies Get Paid: https://ladiesgetpaid.com/ Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to see the show notes and read the transcript of this episode! 0:00 Intro 01:15 Knowing Your Worth Changes Everything 03:30 Being Underpaid and Taking Action 06:40 Why This Work Matters for Women 09:45 Negotiating with Yourself First 13:30 Getting Data to Confirm You're Underpaid 17:40 The LLC of Me Framework 21:00 Translating Your Value to Dollars 25:10 Mistakes Women Make in Negotiations 29:30 Beyond Your Job Description 33:15 Building Relationships at Work 37:00 Navigating a Tough Job Market 41:45 Fractional Work as an Alternative 46:00 Managing the Job Search While Working Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March 3, 202655:10

275. Roadmap to Quitting Your Job and Building a Business in 2026 with Sam Vander Wielen

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If you’re thinking about quitting your job in 2026 and finally starting your own business, this episode is your practical roadmap. I’m joined by lawyer-turned-entrepreneur Sam Vander Wielen, who left corporate law with multi-six-figure student loans, built a multi-seven-figure digital products company, and learned firsthand what entrepreneurship can and cannot do for your happiness. We’re talking about how to financially plan your exit from a 9-to-5, what legal steps you need (LLC, contracts, trademarks), and how to stop tying your worth to income, vanity metrics, or job titles. If you want a sustainable, smart plan for quitting your job and building a profitable business in 2026, this conversation will show you how to do it without burning your life down in the process. Sam’s links: Get Sam’s book: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/book/ Listen to Sam’s podcast: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/podcast  Sign up for Sam’s newsletter: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/easy-emails  Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to see the show notes and read the transcript of this episode! 0:00 Intro 01:15 The Happiness Myth 04:30 Why We Tie Happiness to Milestones 07:30 What a Business Can (and Can’t) Give You 11:00 Money as a Tool for Safety and Choice 15:00 Sam’s Corporate Law Wake-Up Call 20:00 The Stability Myth of Corporate Jobs 25:30 Planning a Real Exit From Your 9–5 30:30  Legal Basics for Starting a Business 36:00 Why Entrepreneurship Doesn’t Fix Your Life 41:30 Redefining Success Before You Leap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February 24, 202650:50
millionaire mindset: time wealth

millionaire mindset: time wealth

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Millionaires don’t just buy things––they buy time. And if you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly busy but somehow never getting closer to the life you actually want, this episode is for you. In our second installment of the millionaire mindset series, I’m breaking down what I call time wealth. The idea that real wealth isn’t just about how much money you make, but how much of your life you get to keep. I’m sharing exactly how millionaires think about time, the sneaky ways you’re leaking it without realizing, and the small but powerful shifts you can start making right now to buy back your evenings, your energy, and your future—even if you’re not rich yet. Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to get your free time audit worksheet! 00:00 Intro 00:44 What the millionaire mindset series is about 01:22 Time wealth: buying back your time 02:11 Time is your greatest asset, not money 05:15 Time leaks: where you're wasting time 05:36 Decision fatigue - spending too much time deciding 10:00 Doing $10 tasks with $100 goals 12:43 Reactive living - letting others' urgency dictate your day 14:26 Unpaid emotional labor 15:50 How millionaires audit their time ruthlessly 19:58 Delegating before you're ready 25:23 Habit stacking to maximize your time 30:17 Saying no early and often 33:25 Time wealth is self-respect 35:14 This week's wealth move Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February 10, 202640:05

274. How to Shift Your Money Mindset and Earn More in 2026 with Mimi Bouchard

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Try Mimi’s app, Activations, with a free 14-day trial and exclusive discount at http://activations.com/financialfeminist If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the “right” money things on paper but still feel anxious, stuck, or behind, this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, I’m joined once again by Mimi Bouchard––trailblazing entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and author––to break down how to shift your money mindset in 2026 by changing your identity, your beliefs, and the way you relate to yourself long before the numbers change. We talk about the psychology of money, why not all of your thoughts are true, how to stop bracing for financial disaster, and how small, daily mindset shifts can completely transform your financial behavior. Tune in to learn how to rewire your brain to see opportunity, rebuild trust, and start showing up like your future wealthy self so you can create lasting financial security and freedom this year. 00:00 Intro  01:40 How your brain filters opportunity 03:50 Why mindset matters more than being good at math 06:10 How beliefs drive behavior before numbers ever do 08:30 Not all of your thoughts are true 11:50 The "why not me?" mindset shift 17:30 Women and the fear of wanting more 20:50 Identifying limiting beliefs in everyday moments 28:20 Bracing for impact - the low-grade money anxiety trap 35:10 The bounce back rate vs. perfectionism 42:50 Building trust with yourself around money 47:30 Adding positive habits instead of restricting 50:30 Getting comfortable with having more money Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to see the show notes and read the transcript of this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February 5, 20261:01:06

273. How To Get and STAY Rich with Vivian Tu (Your Rich BFF)

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If you’re making good money and still feel broke, stressed, or behind, something is off and it’s not you. Today, I’m joined by my friend Vivian Tu, former Wall Street trader, CEO and founder of Your Rich BFF, and New York Times bestselling author of Well Endowed, to talk about what it really takes to get rich and stay rich. We’re calling out why paying your bills and saving is not the finish line, how optimization culture keeps high earners trapped in a constant game of “never enough,” and how to start using your money as a tool to buy time, freedom, and real security instead of status symbols. This episode is about ditching performative wealth, building systems that quietly grow your money, and finally feeling powerful, calm, and in control of your financial life. Vivian’s links: Website: https://www.yourrichbff.com/ Grab your copy of Well Endowed: http://richbffbook.com/  Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro  00:51 Money traumas from childhood & the Chinese buffet story 03:17 How money narratives dictate everyday decisions 06:16 Knowing the price of everything but the value of nothing 08:14 Money as a tool to buy your best life 10:47 What comes after financial basics (Finance 2.0) 13:01 Building infrastructure vs. working harder 15:38 Strategic spending: "Do I want this or do I want people to know I have it?" 18:33 The sleep investment story 24:48 Why HENRYs (High Earners Not Rich Yet) feel stressed 28:21 The B-plus life trap & lifestyle inflation 31:24 Wasted opportunity, potential, and time 33:20 Kids will make you poorer - childcare costs 36:10 The prenup with built-in raises for childcare 37:34 Unpaid labor & the "good mom" trap 38:53 Cooking as unpaid labor vs. celebrity chef art 40:06 Speaking kindly to yourself about money 42:31 Making peace with your own financial timeline 45:07 The all-or-nothing mindset is killing progress 49:56 15 minutes is better than no minutes 50:17 Book takeaway: Chase security, stability & freedom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February 3, 202656:50

272. What to Do If You’re 35+ and Feel Financially Behind with Jean Chatzky

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If you’re over 35 and constantly feeling like you’re behind financially, you’re not alone. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Jean Chatzky––longtime financial journalist, bestselling author, and founder of HerMoney––whose work has shaped generations of women’s financial literacy, including my own. Jean opens up about starting over at 40 after divorce, job loss, and losing a parent. She shares exactly what she learned about saving, investing, and rebuilding confidence when time feels limited. We talk about why so many women feel behind no matter their age, the biggest money mistakes women 35+ make, how to course-correct without panic, and how to use tools like retirement accounts, HSAs, and investing strategies to build a future that still works, even if you didn’t start early. Jean’s links: Website: https://hermoney.com/  HerMoney Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hermoney-with-jean-chatzky/id1098802558 How She Does It Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-she-does-it/id1691787429  Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro: Never too late to save 00:42 What "owning your money" means 02:00 Jean's story: Starting over at 40 03:49 What to prepare for & do differently 06:36 Biggest mistake: Too much cash, not enough invested 10:56 Why Gen X women feel behind 16:32 Financial boundaries with aging parents & adult children 21:06 HSAs as investing vehicles 27:15 Why "feeling behind" is universal 34:20 Quick-fire Q&A 42:29 Advice for women feeling paralyzed 45:51 Where to find Jean Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January 27, 202650:54

271. Stop Fighting with Your Partner About Money with Andy Hill

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If money conversations keep turning into fights, it’s not because you’re bad with money, it’s because you were never taught how to talk about it together. In today’s episode I’m joined by Andy Hill, award-winning family finance coach, host of Marriage, Kids & Money, and author of Own Your Time, to talk about why money fights are rarely about money, how invisible labor and emotional labor quietly erode relationships, and what it actually takes to build a life that feels aligned instead of exhausting. We unpack how to stop repeating the same financial arguments, how to communicate more equitably with your partner, and how to redefine success so time (not just money) becomes your most valuable currency. Whether you’re partnered, parenting, or just rethinking what “having it all” really means, this conversation will help you build a life you don’t need to escape from.  Andy’s links: Website: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com  Book: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book/  Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro 00:47 Why You Need to Dream About Your Time 01:49 The Mailbox Exercise: What Would You Stop Doing? 03:09 The FaceTime Birthday That Changed Everything 05:15 Karaoke Duets & Life Priorities 06:03 Debunking "Keep Your Head Down Until 65" 08:53 When Money Becomes Your Currency vs. Time 11:45 The Identity Crisis of Leaving Corporate 14:27 How to Know When a Role Isn't Working 16:30 Emotional Labor & Equity in Marriage 20:30 The Volcano Fight: When Money Arguments Aren't About Money 33:10 Financial Abuse & Protecting Yourself as a Stay-at-Home Parent 38:27 Prenups, Postnups & Why You Need One 41:27 The Expense That Saved Thousands Without Changing Happiness 43:38 Why Traditional FIRE Didn't Work for Our Family 48:36 The Power of Pivoting & Financial Confidence 50:26 First Steps Toward Time Freedom 55:03 Small Steps to Reclaim Your Life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January 20, 20261:00:52

270. Achieve Your Goals and Change Your Life in Just 3 Minutes A Day with Thais Gibson

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If you’ve already fallen off your New Year’s goals, or you feel like you’re constantly fighting yourself when it comes to money, health, or habits—this episode is for you. Today on Financial Feminist, I’m joined by returning guest Thais Gibson, a world-renowned expert on the subconscious mind, to explain why willpower alone doesn’t work, and what actually does. We break down how 95% of your behavior is driven by subconscious programming, why “self-sabotage” isn’t real, and how you can rewire limiting beliefs and build goals that stick in just three minutes a day. If you’re ready to start creating habits that actually stick, this conversation will completely shift how you think about motivation and success. Thais’s links:Website: http://university.personaldevelopmentschool.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepersonaldevelopmentschool/?hl=en  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHQ4lSaKRap5HyrpitrTOhQ  Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro 00:47 Intentional Goal Setting 01:54 Understanding Your Subconscious Mind 04:27 How Subconscious Blocks Prevent Goal Achievement 07:18 Step 1: Converting Goals into Subconscious Language 14:05 Step 2: The 21-Day Rewiring Process 20:32 Step 3: Linking Goals to Your Subconscious Needs 28:44 Step 4: Discovering Your Personal Subconscious Needs 38:38 Why Routine & Structure Matter for Habit Formation 51:00 Removing Limiting Beliefs: The 3-Step Framework 54:27 Why Avoiding Money Actually Creates More Stress 57:19 Your 3-Minute Morning/Evening Routine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January 13, 20261:05:20

264. How to Reclaim Your Power (and Your Finances) After Everything Falls Apart with Jen Hatmaker

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Today is the LAST day to get 50% off Stock Market School! Join now: https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod What happens when the life you’ve spent decades building shatters overnight? Today’s guest, Jen Hatmaker, joins me to talk about the moment everything collapsed—and how she rebuilt her identity, her faith, her confidence, and her finances from the ground up. In this deeply honest conversation, we explore what it means to wake up to your own power after betrayal, divorce, and a total life upheaval, and how taking control of your money can become the foundation for reclaiming every part of your story. Jen’s links: Book: https://jenhatmaker.com/awake/ Website: https://jenhatmaker.com/ Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro 00:54 The Story We Tell Ourselves vs. Reality 02:04 The Moment Everything Changed 04:00 Why We Ignore Red Flags 06:36 The Cost of Disruption and Divorce 09:14 Money Reckoning After Divorce 12:07 Why Women Opt Out of Finances 15:19 The Emotional Labor of Money 17:22 The First 90 Days: Financial Overwhelm 20:06 Becoming Financially Literate 22:44 From Shame to Action 25:22 Taking Ownership and Finding Safety 28:22 The Cost of Self-Erasure 31:07 What Happens When Women Have Money 34:07 Deconstructing Faith and Identity 38:42 Finding New Definitions of Church 41:18 Advice for Anyone in Upheaval Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

December 2, 20251:08:37E264

262. Everything Dave Ramsey Gets Wrong (and Right) About Personal Finance

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Dave Ramsey has millions of followers who swear by his money advice, but does his one size fits all approach actually help or hurt? In today’s episode I’m breaking down the full picture––what he gets right, where his advice becomes harmful, and why so many people feel shame, fear, or financial stagnation after following his rigid frameworks. From emergency funds and credit cards to retirement timing, debt payoff, and the systemic barriers Ramsey ignores, I’m diving into the nuance he refuses to acknowledge—so you can take the helpful parts and leave the rest behind. If you’ve ever struggled to explain why Dave Ramsey isn’t your financial cup of tea, save this episode. Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro 01:59 Dave Ramsey’s “Baby Steps” framework 02:56 Dave Ramsey’s appeal 03:17 Lack of nuance and ignoring systemic issues 04:04 What Dave Ramsey gets right  07:10  Major problems with Ramsey’s advice 07:37 $1,000 emergency fund is too low 09:36  “All debt is bad” is harmful and misleading 10:45 The 7% rule: When to pay off debt vs. invest 11:20 Unrealistic mortgage and home-buying advice 12:20 Why rigid rules are easier to sell, but less helpful 13:28 The role of shame and discipline 15:32 Use of Christianity and morality in marketing 16:47 Advice on combining finances in marriage 18:21 Lawsuits and toxic workplace allegations 21:48 Out-of-touch advice on childcare 22:45 How to use Ramsey’s advice mindfully 24:36 Systemic oppression in personal finance 25:44 Credit scores and credit cards Special thanks to our sponsor: Squarespace Go to www.squarespace.com/FFPOD to save 10% off your first website or domain purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

November 18, 202541:48E262

261. Save Money on Medical Bills and Navigate Health Insurance Like a Pro with Dan Weissmann

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Healthcare in America shouldn’t feel like a rigged game––but too often it does. Leaving many people feeling swindled by confusing insurance plans, surprise medical bills, and endless fine print. To help navigate this complex system, I'm joined by Dan Weissmann, journalist and host of the NPR podcast An Arm and a Leg. Dan explains why U.S. healthcare feels broken––and how to get the most out of a flawed system. He'll share strategies to protect your finances and well-being, from selecting the right health insurance during open enrollment to identifying billing errors, challenging unfair charges, and saving hundreds on prescriptions. Dan’s links: Website: https://armandalegshow.com/ Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro 01:15 Why Healthcare Is So Expensive 03:00 The System Is Confusing by Design 06:00 Understanding What You Actually Owe 08:30 What To Do When You Get a Medical Bill 10:45 How To Talk to Your Insurance Company 13:00 The Hidden Traps in High-Deductible Plans 15:30 Should You Pay Your Bill Right Away? 18:00 How Medical Debt Affects Your Credit 20:15 How To Negotiate a Medical Bill 22:00 What To Do If You Can’t Afford Care 24:30 The Emotional Cost of Healthcare 27:00 Why Women Carry More Medical Debt 30:00 The Future of Healthcare Transparency 33:00 The Wildest Story From An Arm and a Leg 36:00 How To Be Your Own Healthcare Advocate 38:00 How To Find a Fair Price for Care 41:00 Quick Wins To Save on Medical Costs 43:00 What True Financial Wellness Means 44:00 Outro + Resources Special thanks to our sponsors: Squarespace Go to www.squarespace.com/FFPOD to save 10% off your first website or domain purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

November 11, 20251:09:49E261