Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin

Sammi Cohen, creator of the Social Currency podcast, dives into the cautionary tale of Outdoor Voices, the once-thriving athleisure brand. She reveals how misaligned leadership and strategic mistakes led to its decline. Sammi discusses the implications of high valuations on consumer companies, drawing parallels with other brands like Away. The conversation emphasizes the importance of intentional fundraising and the need for entrepreneurs to maintain control over their ventures, making this a must-listen for aspiring business leaders.

Discover the hidden financial workings of Vatican City, where tradition meets modern challenges. Explore the scandals and reforms initiated by Pope Francis, shedding light on the Church's struggle for transparency. Delve into the Vatican Bank's audit and the ongoing efforts to address deficits while balancing its dual role as a religious and sovereign entity. This episode reveals the complex interplay of finance within a deeply historical institution, raising questions about the future of the Catholic Church.

Sharna Burgess, a Dancing with the Stars alum and co-host of the Oldish podcast, shares her journey of wedding planning with fiancé Brian Austin Green. She reveals how finances play a crucial role in their decisions, including the influence of a business manager in their love story. The conversation dives into challenges couples face while planning a wedding on a budget, the importance of transparency in shared finances, and the value of discussing prenuptial agreements to ensure financial security. Plus, get tips on setting up joint accounts for a harmonious financial future!

Jake Thacker, a victim of the FTX collapse who lost over $200,000, shares his harrowing story of trust and deception in the cryptocurrency market. He discusses the emotional turmoil and struggles during FTX's unexpected bankruptcy. Thacker reflects on the dangers of misleading promises and highlights the critical need for accountability in financial practices. Listeners will gain insights into the complexities of crypto investments and the importance of advocacy for victims navigating a chaotic landscape.

The portfolios of members of Congress outperform the S&P 500 by 17%. That's not smart investing— that's insider trading. Today, Nicole shares some jaw-dropping examples of insider trading in Washington, and how we can use politicians' investment disclosures to predict the future.

How do you work towards multiple financial goals at once? The answer isn’t some money move that your future self will need to make… the answer lies within the money moves you are making now. Right now. And we’ll show you how to make those money moves, with help from Bank of America, who Nicole partnered with for this episode. Whatever goals you’re working towards, long-term or short-term, Bank of America Corporation has  tools to help you get there at http://bofa.com/FinancialNextSteps.

Fred P. Hochberg, former President of the Export-Import Bank, joins to discuss the recent positive shift in U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. He outlines how these changes could impact consumer prices, especially for holiday shopping. Fred explains the complex relationship between tariff policies, small businesses, and everyday Americans. He emphasizes the need for a fair trade approach and how economic uncertainty affects consumer behavior and the manufacturing landscape. This conversation sheds light on critical economic dynamics at play today.

A fierce showdown unfolds as Trump pressures the Fed to lower interest rates, sparking a heated debate. Examining grocery prices and credit card reliance, the discussion highlights how rising costs affect consumers. The podcast warns against the addiction to low rates, comparing it to dependency, and reveals the potential dangers of such a financial strategy. Listeners receive actionable budgeting tips to navigate upcoming changes and avoid falling into debt traps.

Delve into the reasons behind the declining value of the dollar and what it means for your wallet. Explore how government tariffs impact investor confidence and contribute to inflation. Discover the potential for economic volatility and its implications for a recession. Plus, get practical tips on managing currency risks when shopping internationally.

After a whirlwind of headline whiplash over the last month, last week in the economy felt... quieter. But quieter doesn’t mean unimportant. Instead of chasing breaking news, we’re settling into the “new normal”—whatever that ends up meaning in this cycle. So what do investors need to know now that the dust has (somewhat) settled? To help answer that, Nicole is joined by Karen Finerman (CEO of Metropolitan Capital Advisors, founding panelist of CNBC’s Fast Money, and host of How She Does It). They dive into the current state of the dollar, what tariffs could mean for your money, and Karen’s best-performing stock pick of 2025 so far.