#200 - The Boy Behind the Miser, a Child’s Trauma, an Adult’s Defense

Long before he became a miser, Scrooge was a lonely boy left behind at boarding school—forgotten, unwanted, and emotionally starved. In this IFS-informed exploration, Rick traces how those early wounds formed exiled parts burdened with shame and abandonment, which in turn gave rise to the controlling, isolated adult we meet in A Christmas Carol. Scrooge’s obsession with money, his cold demeanor, and his rejection of connection weren’t signs of greed—they were survival strategies. Through this lens, Dickens’ story becomes more than a tale of redemption—it’s a powerful look at how childhood trauma shapes adult financial behavior and how healing begins when we finally turn toward those long-forgotten parts.

A podcast that blends the nuts and bolts of financial advice with the emotions that drive our money decisions.
Join Rick Kahler, CFP®, CFT™, as he blends practical financial wisdom with the emotional insights that shape our choices. Discover how financial therapy can help you make money decisions that truly align with your values..