In today's episode, I dive into the subtle pressures and anticipatory anxiety that starts to build long before the first holiday shopping trip. Even as early as November, the “spend now” cues—from Black Friday emails to gift-giving expectations—can spark emotional and financial stress.

I talk about:

• The roots of pre-holiday financial anxiety, from family expectations to the need for control and the trap of perfectionism.

• Why overthinking, planning, and cultural noise can hijack your peace long before you make a purchase.

• How emotional triggers—like wanting to be perceived as thoughtful or generous—often drive overspending, and why true generosity comes from presence, not presents.

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In the spirit of Halloween, we’re talking about something that shows up everywhere in our lives — fear.

This week, I’m joined by Dr. Mary Poffenroth — fear researcher, author, and science communicator — to explore how fear shapes the way we think, make decisions, and relate to money.

Mary shares such powerful, practical wisdom about recognizing our fear responses, understanding the cultural messages we’ve learned about fear, and using fear as information instead of letting it quietly run the show.

More About Mary:

Dr. Mary Poffenroth is a fear and courage researcher, author, and educator who’s spent her career helping people understand what fear really is — and how to move through it with more confidence and compassion.

She started her career at NASA, supporting payload experiments for the Space Shuttle Columbia mission, before diving deep into the psychology of fear. She now teaches at San José State University and has spent nearly two decades helping thousands of students and professionals turn fear into fuel.

Mary holds a Ph.D. in psychology (plus three master’s degrees — in biology, psychology, and science communication!) and has spoken at TEDx London, Harvard, and SXSW.

Her new book, Brave New You: Strategies, Tools, and Neurohacks to Live More Courageously Every Day, offers practical, science-backed ways to work with fear instead of against it

• Get her new book: Brave New You – available wherever books are sold

• Find her Neurohacking Cards: hellobravenewyou.com

• Website: marypoffenroth.com

• Social: @marypoffenroth

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This week on the show, I’m diving into something that’s been on my mind a lot lately — how social media algorithms quietly shape not just what we buy, but how we feel about money and ourselves. And since this happens to be episode 250 (which blows my mind!), it feels like the perfect time to talk about reclaiming our wallets and our worth from the digital noise.

We’re unpacking the sneaky ways the algorithm plays into comparison, FOMO, and scarcity — and how those invisible nudges can distort our sense of “enough.” I’ll walk you through the psychology behind it, including how our brains get hooked, and share some real-life ways to take your power back.

From curating your feed with intention to setting digital boundaries that protect your mental and financial energy, this conversation is all about awareness and agency — so you can spend, scroll, and live from a place that actually feels good.

If you’ve ever felt like what you see online is shaping your money mindset, this one’s for you. Let’s unplug from the algorithm and come back to what’s real — your values, your truth, and your peace.

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Come to my holiday planning workshop this week!

This Thursday, 10/23, I'll be joining a circle of incredible women, all about helping each other feel more at ease and in control. We’ll talk about simple, practical ways to shift your money mindset, plan for holiday spending without guilt, and organize your finances so you head into the new year feeling lighter. You’ll get honest support, real steps you can use, and even a chance to work side-by-side as you put your plans into action. It's just $17, and if life gets in the way, you’ll have access to the replay whenever you need it.

Sign up here: https://meghandwyer--apurposedrivenmom.thrivecart.com/finish-strong-finances/

So often, money feels like something we’re supposed to figure out alone — a private, even isolating part of life. But the truth is, money is deeply relational. It impacts our families, friendships, and sense of belonging far more than we realize.

In this episode, I explore how to move from money as isolation to money as connection. I share why talking about money openly is powerful, how generosity can deepen community, and why learning to receive is just as important as giving.

Because when we bring money out of secrecy and into community, it stops being scary…and starts building belonging 💛

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This week, I’m sitting down with Alison Patterson, a philanthropic advisor and coach who helps people bring more purpose and joy into how they give. What I love most about Alison is the way she takes generosity out of the “exclusive club” of the wealthy and makes it something that’s accessible, meaningful, and empowering for all of us—no matter where we are financially.

In our conversation, Alison and I talk about: ✨ How giving isn’t about how much money you have, but about aligning your resources with your values ✨ Why generosity can be a powerful way for women to step into confidence and leadership ✨ The role mothers can play in modeling generosity for our kids ✨ And how to move from reactive giving to intentional generosity that actually feels good

This conversation is such a refreshing reminder that giving isn’t about scarcity or obligation—it’s about abundance, joy, and meaning.

You can connect with Alison here: 🌐 patterson-advisors.com 📧 alison@patterson-advisors.com (Reach out and share where you’re struggling—she’ll help you figure out how to get started!)

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In today's episode, I explore the less-talked-about side of money: non-spending attitudes. While spending habits often get all the attention (and guilt!), our beliefs and feelings about NOT spending can be just as powerful—and often more invisible.

I will dive into common mindsets around scarcity (“What if I need this later?”), shame about wealth (“If I have extra, people will judge me”), and discomfort with generosity (“What if I give too much and don’t have enough for myself?”). And I will unpack how these beliefs can shape our day-to-day lives just as much as our spending.

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In today's raw and honest episode, I chat with Nicole Stanley—founder of Arise Financial Coaching. We talk openly about navigating money with ADHD and the very real challenges that come with managing finances when ADHD is in the mix. Nicole offers practical strategies that actually work for brains wired differently—no rigid rules or “just try harder” advice here.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Why standard money advice often falls flat for women and families dealing with ADHD

• How Nicole’s lived experience and ADHD-focused coaching help clients ditch shame, build confidence, and design systems that stick

• Approaches to parenting neurodivergent kids so they feel supported, not stressed out, around money

Nicole Stanley is the founder and head financial coach at Arise Financial Coaching. After overcoming her own financial anxiety and transforming her life from being $30K in debt to building a $250K+ net worth by age 27—all on an average salary and without shortcuts—Nicole created the Money Momentum Method. Her approach focuses on helping professionals, especially women and those with ADHD, eliminate financial stress and build confidence with practical, shame-free strategies. Nicole and her ADHD-informed team have guided over 600 clients worldwide, helping them save an average of $20,000 within six months. She has been featured by TIME, Yahoo Finance, and CNET and lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and two children.

Find More From Nicole:

Website: https://www.arise.financial/about

IG: @arise.financial.coaching

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This week, I'm breaking down the very real (but mostly unspoken) phenomenon of financial dysmorphia: that nagging feeling where your bank statement says one thing, but your emotions tell a totally different story.

I share some relatable, everyday examples (hi, back-to-school budget spiral!) and explain why even "doing all the right things" financially can still leave you feeling stuck, not enough, or overwhelmed.

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