So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

What happens when ambition—the very quality that’s supposed to fuel our success—ends up making us sick?My guest today, Amina AlTai, knows this firsthand. On a sweltering July morning in New York City, she got a call from her doctor that changed everything: if she didn’t head to the hospital immediately, she was just days away from multiple organ failure. The cause? Years of overwork and overstriving, rooted in her experience as the child of immigrants, navigating a post-9/11 workplace with an Arab name, and feeling she had to be the hardest working person in the room to matter.That wake-up call set Amina on a journey of healing and reinvention, eventually becoming an executive coach to senior leaders and women around the world. From her work and her own life, she’s come to see that ambition isn’t the enemy—but the way we relate to it can be. In her new book The Ambition Trap: How to Stop Chasing and Start Living, she introduces us to two kinds of ambition: the painful kind, driven by wounds like rejection or injustice, and the purposeful kind, rooted in truth and wholeness.We’ll talk about how to spot the difference, how to break free from the “painful ambition” that leaves us exhausted and disconnected, and what it looks like to redirect that drive in ways that nourish us, support our communities, and bring lasting fulfillment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blended families don’t just merge households—they merge bank accounts, bills, and very different money expectations. And while stepfamilies are becoming more and more common, the financial playbook for them is far from simple. Every dollar spent can feel loaded: is it going to your kids, your spouse’s kids, or the kids you’re now raising together?My guest today, Cameron Normand, is one of the country’s leading stepfamily experts and the founder of Stepfamily Solutions. She knows firsthand how money and emotional labor intersect in blended families, and she’s built a career helping stepparents navigate the financial and emotional landmines that come with the role.In our conversation, Cameron breaks down why finances in stepfamilies are about so much more than dollars and cents, the “insider-outsider” syndrome that many stepparents face, and what it really takes to create a household where everyone feels seen, supported, and financially secure.Learn more about Cameron at stepfamilysolutions.com. And check out her 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts, which helps stepmoms with some of the most challenging conversations in blended family life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Farnoosh shares advice on managing finances between partners with unequal incomes and offers guidance on common financial queries such as selling a home to live mortgage-free and building credit without a credit card. Register for Farnoosh's live investing workshop here. Listen to Farnoosh on WNYC here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel Post Senning, great-great-grandson of Emily Post and co-president of the Emily Post Institute, shares wisdom on modern financial etiquette. He delves into tricky topics like splitting bills, tipping, and discussing salaries among friends. The discussion highlights how AI and remote work are reshaping communication norms, making it crucial to be mindful of how we approach money matters. Whether it's navigating wedding costs or post-pandemic workplace interactions, Senning emphasizes the power of good manners in ensuring respectful financial conversations.

While most of us wait until January to make financial resolutions, fall is actually one of the smartest times to review your finances, especially your 401(k). Deadlines are coming up, new legislation is on the horizon, and for many of us, this is when employers open enrollment and nudge us to re-evaluate our benefits. I’m joined by Tess Waresmith, accredited financial counselor, investing educator, and founder of Wealth with Tess. Tess has a gift for breaking down the intimidating world of investing into simple, actionable steps that help everyday people build long-term wealth. She’s here to walk us through what the recent headlines about crypto and alternative assets in 401(k)s really mean, how to make sure your account is working for you, and the strategies she believes are most important as we close out the year.Learn more about Tess:WealthWithTess.comFollow on InstagramOn Tuesday, September 30th, I’ll be teaching my Investing Workshop—a live class where I’ll pull back the curtain on exactly how I invest and the rules I follow. You’ll get to see my process in action and walk away with clear strategies you can use. If you’d like to join me, head to SoMoneyWorkshop.com to reserve your spot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of So Money, host Farnoosh Torabi dedicates the conversation to college savings in recognition of College Savings Month. Returning guest Patricia Roberts, author of Route 529 and a leading expert on college savings, breaks down the latest updates to 529 plans, including expanded uses under the newly signed HR1 bill.Together, they explore whether college is still worth the investment, the growing benefits of 529s for both K–12 and post-secondary credentials, and practical strategies for realistic saving. Listener questions are also answered—covering how to save for multiple children, the differences between federal and private loans, and when families might choose a 529 over alternative accounts like brokerage or custodial accounts.Farnoosh and Patricia share practical tips for families at every stage of the college savings journey, emphasizing planning, flexibility, and smart use of resources, including employer contributions. This episode is a must-listen for parents and caregivers looking to secure a strong financial foundation for their children’s education. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Financial journalist Beth Pinsker joins with a sneak preview of her forthcoming book My Mother’s Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiving (out this November). We dive into the realities of stepping in to manage a parent’s finances—what to do first, the documents you must have in place, the pitfalls of long-term care, and how to navigate banks, insurers, and even cable companies when they put up barriers. Essential listening for anyone with aging parents—or kids of their own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Flynn, a titan in digital business and the mastermind behind Smart Passive Income, discusses his latest book on 'Lean Learning.' He reveals how to master skills efficiently in our information-saturated world and shares the '20% itch rule' for effective experimentation. The conversation highlights the importance of focusing on relevant information to validate business ideas and emphasizes the balance between comfort, inspiration, and embracing change in a dynamic landscape driven by AI. Tune in for insights on maximizing productivity without burnout!

In this week's Ask Farnoosh episode, we tackle three major financial dilemmas from listeners: Setting Boundaries as a Daughter of Immigrants, Avoiding Financial Dependence on a Partner and Knowing When to Walk Away from a Business. Plus, a behind-the-scenes update on The Montclair Pod, and reflections on launching a new show 10 years after So Money.Resources & Links:Listen to The Montclair PodJoin the So Money Members Club.Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.Hang out with Farnoosh on Instagram.This episode aired originally on February 21, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and bestselling author known for '13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,' dives into five crucial lifestyle mistakes that impede mental and financial growth. She shares her journey from a rural cabin to living on a sailboat, emphasizing the link between mental fortitude and financial health. Morin discusses the importance of emotional awareness, self-care, and recognizing toxic situations. She also highlights how prioritizing physical health can enhance resilience, fostering empowerment in both life and finances.