Weird Finance

In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to business owner, dog groomer, actor, and creative professional Jess Rona about how she went from bathing dogs at PetSmart to building a burgeoning dog grooming business, becoming a celebrity groomer, taking financial risks, believing in yourself, and the power of an online and in-person social network. Jess Rona (@jessronagrooming) is an actress and comedian that has turned her day job as a dog groomer into a successful and adorable brand called Jess Rona Grooming. This episode also features Loose Change, a short segment with Chris Laughter, where he walks up to random strangers on the street to ask them their thoughts, feelings, and opinions about how we relate to money and one another. This week we’re exploring if it’s taboo to talk about money. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount, for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode. Thank you my new friends, Samantha McVey and Anney Reese, the hosts of the Stuff Mom Never Told You Podcast, for lending us their voices for our special PSA. The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. Please enjoy!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Chantel Chapman about how trauma manifests our behaviors with their money, how our society has become more open about talking about trauma, the pillars of the Trauma of Money program, and how to start on a journey of healing. Chantel Chapman (@chantelchapman) is the CEO and co-founder of the Trauma of Money - an accredited course certifying professionals in trauma-aware and trauma-informed approaches to finance. Drawing influence from 14 years of experience as a mortgage broker, ten years as a financial literacy consultant, and extensive research in addiction, behavioral science, trauma, community economic development, and mindfulness.  Chantel is renowned for her cutting-edge, relatable, and trauma-informed money guidance. Chantel has taught and written personal and entrepreneurial finance curriculums for Universities, and Accelerator programs such as Humber College, Wilfrid Laurier University, Ryerson University, United Way, Simon Fraser University, EntrepreNorth and Fireweed Fellowship. Chantel was the lead player in building Canada's first-ever, award-winning digital mortgage experience with free credit score and a consultant on several other innovative products for one of Canada's largest Fintech brands. The next Trauma of Money session begins this fall. Use the code WEIRDFINANCE at checkout to get 15% off. This episode also features The Price Report, a short segment with Michael “Frosti” Snow (@FrositFresh), where he takes us on a journey, examining the cost of one thing in the hopes that it helps us have a better understanding of well, everything. This week we’re exploring the price of Big Macs. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount, for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Jenna Parker and Gabe Sena for lending your voices for our special PSA. The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. Please enjoy!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Vivan Tu about how she became the internet’s rich BFF, her prior work as a wall street trader, how kindness is an underappreciated currency, and some financial advice, including how to avoid bad financial advice on social media. On January 1st, 2021, Vivian Tu created @Your.RichBFF, a passion project to share her knowledge with everyone who hasn’t historically had a seat at the financial table, and posted her first TikTok. 8 hours later, the video had gone viral. Now, merely a year and a half later, the Your Rich BFF community includes over 3 million followers and counting across 7 social platforms. One of Forbes’ Top Creators of 2022, Vivian is regularly featured in the media. With women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and low-income people at the forefront of the conversation, Vivian aims to share essential information that allows everyone to master their personal finances, empowering her audience through the power of education. On top of Vivian’s credibility as a former stock trader, she’s approachable and judgment-free. She doesn’t ask followers to skip their avocado toast; instead, she’ll provide them with the tools they never knew they needed. This episode also features a segment called Stock Watch with Amanda Holden (@dumpster.doggy). In this segment, we’ll follow a stock-picking competition between a dog named Henry, a cat named Hugo, and a human baby. If you’d like to learn more about investing from Amanda, sign up for her online course, Invested Development. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount, for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Camille Kane and Wisconsin John for lending your voices for our special PSA. The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. Please enjoy!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks with Financial Astrologer Susan Gidel about how being a sixth-generation farmer has played a role in her work in economics and astrology, what exactly financial astrology is, understanding how it applies to the financial markets. Finally, Susan explains her predictions on the air economy. Susan Abbott Gidel specializes in financial astrological market research and publishing. She also provides astrological consulting to help people succeed financially in career, business, investments, and trading. After 35 years in the commodity futures business as a journalist and brokerage firm marketing executive, Susan combined that market knowledge with her passion for astrology to specialize in financial astrology. In 2018, Susan published “Trading In Sync With Commodities—Introducing Astrology To Your Technical Toolbox.” She publishes “Red Letter Trading Days,” a newsletter that alerts traders and investors to important astrological energy. She is working on a new book about how to use financial astrology in everyday life. This episode also features a segment called Ask Paco Anything. Thank you to our anonymous caller for their question about retirement. If you’d like to ask a question, call our hotline at 833-ASK-PACO or email your question to weirdfinancepod@gmail.com. Thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode. Thank you to Jenna Parker and Gave Sena for lending your voices for our special PSA about bank scams. The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. Please enjoy!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Nikita Crump about why people are interested in following along on her journey of living in her car, the tension between the idea of van life versus the reality of being unhoused, and the unexpected path of becoming known for being the living in her car.  Nikita (@nikitacrump) lived in her Honda civic for 1,000 days as a way to escape paying rent. She began documenting her experience by sharing "a day in the life of being homeless/living in her car” and went viral in the process. She’s now moving out of her car and into a van. This episode also features a segment called Slow and Steady with Leo by Leo Aquino (@queerandtranswealth), an award-winning author, poet, and anti-capitalist personal finance expert. Let Leo’s affirmations soothe your nervous system and help you feel a sense of calm and safety around your money. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount, for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Camille Kane and Wisconsin John for lending their voices for our special PSA about needs versus wants. The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. Please enjoy!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah Rimm from Refinery29 talks about our fascination with money diaries, privilege, and generational wealth. They discuss the impact of secret white people money, navigating guilt, and selecting captivating diaries. The hosts delve into superstitions, credit card mishaps, and the importance of building credit. The episode also includes an economic update and astrological insights for March 2023.

In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to financial dominatrix and entrepreneur Mistress Marley. In this episode, we talk about financial kinks, the psychology behind giving your power away, and advice for women wanting to enter the industry.   Mistress Marley (@eyesonfire) is a Pro Financial Dominatrix based in Brooklyn, NY. She is the Co-Founder of Whipz Dungeon and the Owner of the Sexcademy, a kink education based platform hosted through Patreon.   Mistress Marley has been featured in the NY Times, Buzzfeed, Paper Mag, Refinery 29, Vice, Business Insider, and a variety of podcasts. Her mission is to help people find success in their kink and BDSM professional careers by teaching marketing, branding, advertising, and other successful strategies.   Also, this episode also features Loose Change, a short segment with Chris Laughter, where he walks up to random strangers on the street to ask them their thoughts, feelings, and opinions about how we relate to money and one another. This week we’re exploring expectations around dating and paying.   A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount, for producing this episode and to my friends Camile Kane and Wisconsin Jon, for lending us their voices in this week’s PSA. The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon.   Please enjoy!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to entrepreneur and founder of Unique Markets, Sonja Rasula about her curiosity and how it leads to asking financial questions, taking risks, knowing which rules to break, taking decisive action, and why people don’t spend money on themselves. In 2008 Sonja Rasula (@sonjarasula) self-funded Unique Markets by risking her entire 401k and never looked back. Since then she’s become one of just 2% of women-owned businesses in the US to hit $1 million a year, is proud to be the only AAPI-owned national market owner in the country, and has been credited for fueling and leading the 'shop small' revolution for over 13 years. Her large-scale, modern pop-up markets showcase hundreds of small businesses and emerging designers, attract celebs to families to TikTok influencers, and have taken place in over 10 cities around the US.   Sonja was just named "The Millionaire Maker" by Forbes, and '1 of 30 Women Entrepreneurs Changing the World' by fashion mogul Eileen Fisher.   Also, this episode also features The Price Report, a short segment with Michael “Frosti” Snow, where he takes us on a journey, examining the cost of one thing in the hopes that it helps us have a better understanding of well, everything. This week we’re exploring bananas, a deliciously vibrant and tropical treat.   A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount, for producing this episode. To my new friends, Samantha McVey and Anney Reese, the hosts of the Stuff Mom Never Told You Podcast, for lending us their voices. The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. Please enjoy! Listen to the episode on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing a brand new podcast about money, Weird Finance. You can listen to our teaser right here. And tune in on February 19th, for our first full episode! Weird Finance will explore the often intimidating terrain of money, finances, and economics and how these invisible forces shape each person’s ideas about themselves and the world around them. Hosted by author, illustrator, and musician Paco de Leon; Weird Finance is all about real, honest, unconventional money conversations with the aim of getting comfortable with the uncomfortable and changing our relationship with money.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.