We’re diving deep into one of the most pressing financial issues of our time—student loans. If you or someone you love has ever felt the weight of student debt, wondered why the system feels so broken, or questioned what real solutions might look like, this episode is for you.Joining us is Jillian Berman, a veteran financial journalist who has spent more than a decade reporting on the student loan crisis. She’s the author of the new book Sunk Cost: Who’s to Blame for the Nation’s Broken Student Loan System and How to Fix It, which unpacks the history, politics, and policies that have turned student debt into a trillion-dollar burden.In our conversation, Jillian and I will explore how we got here, who’s profiting from this mess, and what needs to change to make higher education more affordable and student loans less of a financial trap. We’ll also talk about recent developments—like legal challenges to loan forgiveness, changes to repayment plans, and what new threats borrowers should have on their radar.Join the So Money Members Club.Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.Hang out with Farnoosh on Instagram.

News of tariff hikes rattled the stock market this week. How to maneuver through the financial uncertainty? To help us navigate this emotional terrain, we are reairing an interview with financial therapist Aja Evans. Aja's new book, Feel Good Finance, is the guide we all need right now, offering practical strategies for untangling our money emotions and building a healthier relationship with our finances. In today’s episode, Aja will help us:Understand how our early experiences shape our financial habits and anxieties.Learn how to address money conflicts in relationships with grace and communication.Avoid rash financial decisions in moments of heightened emotion or uncertainty.Set boundaries around social pressures and financial FOMO—whether from friends or social media.Create practical, personalized systems for organizing and managing money that actually work for you.Sign up for Farnoosh’s free Investing BlueprintFollow on InstagramJoin the So Money Members ClubLeave a review on Apple PodcastsOrder Farnoosh’s new book, A Healthy State of Panic

Menopause used to be a whispered word, something women were expected to endure quietly. But that’s changing—and fast. Women are reclaiming this stage of life, demanding better care, and rewriting the narrative. And leading the charge is my guest today, Emmy-winning journalist and menopause advocate, Tamsen Fadal.With a career spanning over three decades in television news, Tamsen has transitioned her focus towards empowering women navigating midlife changes.Her latest endeavor, the book How to Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life, and Feel Even Better Than Before, serves as a comprehensive guide to help women manage the multifaceted aspects of menopause.Receive Farnoosh’s free Investing BlueprintFollow on InstagramJoin the So Money Members ClubLeave a review on Apple PodcastsOrder Farnoosh’s new book, A Healthy State of Panic

What if the dream you’ve been chasing—the one you’re sure will bring you happiness—turns out to be a myth?Today’s guest, Sam Vander Wielen, knows this feeling firsthand. She was a successful corporate lawyer who believed that starting her own business would finally make her happy. But when she left law to become an entrepreneur, she realized that fulfillment doesn’t come from business success alone—it’s something you have to cultivate for yourself.Sam is now a leading legal educator for online entrepreneurs, helping business owners legally protect their work and scale sustainably. She’s the founder of Sam Vander Wielen LLC, where she’s helped over 350,000 entrepreneurs with DIY legal templates and business education, and she’s the host of the podcast On Your Terms®. Her new book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy?, takes readers inside her journey and reveals what it really takes to build a fulfilling, profitable business—without burning out or falling into the trap of tying your self-worth to your work.Today, Sam and I talk about the biggest mindset mistakes new entrepreneurs make, why your business shouldn’t be your identity, and the practical legal steps every online business owner needs to take to stay protected. Plus, she shares insights on pricing strategies, marketing in the age of AI, and what actually works when scaling a business.Receive Farnoosh’s free Investing BlueprintFollow on InstagramJoin the So Money Members ClubLeave a review on Apple PodcastsOrder Farnoosh’s new book, A Healthy State of Panic

Farnoosh Torabi welcomes back Georgia Lee Hussey, founder of Modernist Financial, to discuss a range of financial topics amid current political and economic uncertainties. They examine President Trump's tariff proposals and the theory that they might be engineered to induce a recession for lower interest rates. The conversation extends to the importance of vigilance in financial contracts and professional services amid deregulation efforts. Georgia advises on maintaining financial stability by using credit unions and thoughtful money management. Listener questions cover housing arrangements with partners, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and the significance of ancestral wisdom in financial decision-making. The episode emphasizes strategic financial planning, resourcefulness, and the potential benefits of credit unions and diversified investments.Resources:Free Tools for the PeopleReceive Farnoosh’s free Investing BlueprintFollow on InstagramJoin the So Money Members ClubLeave a review on Apple PodcastsOrder Farnoosh’s new book, A Healthy State of Panic

This episode is brought to you by Chase. Social media scams are on the rise and it’s important we know how to spot the tell-tale signs and how to protect our information and money from scams. Visit Chase.com/DontGetReeledIn to learn more.We're turning our attention to the rise of social media scams and how we can protect ourselves from phishing and impersonation scams to fake ads, quizzes, and job posts. The numbers are staggering. Scammers are targeting everything from fake event tickets and rental properties to counterfeit products. These scams are becoming harder to detect. For more on this, I've invited Darius Kingsley on the show.Darius is head of consumer banking practices at Chase based in New York. Darius leads efforts to protect Chase's customers from fraud and scams. He's also responsible for supporting Chase's elder customers and leading sustainability initiatives. In our conversation, we're going to get into how scammers use all sorts of social media platforms to target unsuspecting victims, how artificial intelligence and technology have changed their tactics and how we can protect ourselves. We'll also talk about the safest payment methods to use when shopping online and what steps to take if you fall victim to a scam.

Imagine this: You’re nine months pregnant, shopping for a crib at IKEA, when suddenly—a massive earthquake hits. No phone. No keys. No way to reach your family. Just the immediate reality of survival.That’s the premise of Tilt, a gripping new novel that forces us to ask: How does financial precarity shape our survival? What happens when class determines who makes it out—and who doesn’t?Today, I’m talking to award-winning journalist and climate crisis storyteller Emma Pattee, whose novel Tilt is as much about disaster as it is about money, resilience, and the choices we make when everything changes in an instant.We’re unpacking the financial fears that show up in moments of crisis, why money is a survival tool, and the hidden ways class shapes disaster response. Plus, Emma shares her own experiences with money and motherhood—things she wishes she had known before having kids.

Farnoosh answers financial questions from viewers, covering topics such as the pros and cons of the National Debt Relief Program, the impact of selling individual stocks for index funds, and strategies for recent graduates entering the job market. The discussion also includes advice on saving strategies, including automated contributions and side hustles. Additional questions addressed include navigating a severance package post-layoff, COBRA insurance options, and the best methods for investing money either incrementally or as a lump sum. Lastly, the importance of broadening job searches and making the most of living with family to save on housing costs is emphasized.Sign up for Farnoosh’s free Investing BlueprintFollow on InstagramJoin the So Money Members ClubLeave a review on Apple PodcastsOrder Farnoosh’s new book, A Healthy State of Panic

Most couples struggle to get on the same page regarding money and relationships. Less than 40% of married couples discuss their finances in detail—a staggering statistic that often leads to miscommunication, conflict, and, for some, divorce. But today’s guests, Jessica and Brandon Norwood, are trying to change that narrative.Jessica and Brandon are the dynamic duo behind The Sugar Daddy Podcast, a show dedicated to helping millennials break the stigma around money conversations and build wealth as a team. As a married couple who have navigated everything from student loans to merging their financial lives, they bring a wealth of personal and professional insight. Jessica, a tech professional and the breadwinner in their family, and Brandon, a licensed financial planner, have developed a proven 5-step framework for creating financial harmony in relationships.In this episode, we dive into:The importance of shared values and financial alignment—why dreaming big as a couple is key.Tackling financial dealbreakers—and why financial infidelity might be a red flag you can’t ignore.What it’s like being a female breadwinner—and how Jessica and Brandon embrace modern parenthood and partnership.And a bold take on affording kids—why waiting for financial “readiness” might mean you’ll never leap.Check out this download to better understand the couple's D.R.E.A.M Framework for navigating money in your relationship.

Known for his no-nonsense approach to money and his former role as a Ramsey Solutions personality, guest Anthony O'Neal has helped millions take control of their finances. He has written several books, including his latest, Take Your Seat at the Table, where he empowers readers to create a vision for their lives and build wealth on their terms.In this episode, Anthony shares his remarkable journey from being a 19-year-old drowning in $35,000 of debt to becoming debt-free and building a seven-figure business. He opens up about his time working with Dave Ramsey, how it influenced his financial philosophy, and why he eventually decided to strike out on his own to bring financial education to underserved communities.You’ll learn:The money mistakes Anthony made at 19 and how he turned his life around.The importance of avoiding consumer debt and focusing on building assets.How faith and purpose are pivotal in Anthony’s financial teachings.Why creating a clear vision for your life is the first step to achieving financial freedom.Practical steps for eliminating debt, building generational wealth, and owning your financial life.Sign up for Farnoosh’s free Investing BlueprintFollow on InstagramJoin the So Money Members ClubLeave a review on Apple PodcastsOrder Farnoosh’s new book, A Healthy State of PanicThis episode originally aired on January 8, 2025.