So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

Farnoosh speaks with Dr. Ellen Vora, psychiatrist and author of the book The Anatomy of Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming the Body’s Fear Response about the root of our anxieties, how they impact our financial wellness and her holistic approach to healing. Her book is now in paperback!More about Dr. Vora: She received her B.A. from Yale University and attended Columbia University medical school. She’s a board-certified psychiatrist, medical acupuncturist, and yoga teacher. Dr. Vora takes a functional medicine approach to mental health–considering the whole person and addressing imbalance at the root, rather than reflexively prescribing medication. In addition to her private practice and speaking engagements, Dr. Vora consults for healthcare startups.This episode originally aired Feb 21, 2022.

On today's Ask Farnoosh, Farnoosh answers audience questions about whether a couple is financially on track, should you put your home in a trust, and the difference between money market accounts and money market funds. Referenced on the show: Episode on All-Things Estate Planning and the So Money Members Club.

We’re diving into the world of real estate investing—not just as a strategy for wealth, but as a movement for women to claim financial independence, build generational wealth, and find community in a traditionally male-dominated space.My guest is Liz Faircloth, co-founder of InvestHer, a global platform and network that helps women invest confidently in real estate, connect with opportunities, and build wealth on their terms. You may know Liz and her partner Andresa from the InvestHer podcast—550 episodes strong—and the growing ecosystem they've built to support women at every stage of their investing journey.And speaking of support, don’t miss InvestHER Con, happening June 1–3 in Orlando. It’s a one-of-a-kind, hands-on real estate conference where the networking is intentional, the knowledge is strategic, and the energy is unmatched. If you’re serious about real estate and want to learn from women who are actively building wealth in this market, this is the room to be in. In this conversation, Liz and I talk about how she found her way into real estate, how to identify the right markets to invest in now, the risks to consider before diving in, and why knowledge alone isn’t enough—you need the right network, too. We also explore short-term vs long-term rentals, co-living models, and how Liz protects her time and energy as an entrepreneur, investor, and mom.

Zarna Garg, a comedian and writer, shares her inspiring journey as an Indian immigrant mother turned stand-up comedian. She reveals how she transformed personal crises, particularly her husband’s job loss, into a thriving comedy career. Zarna discusses betting on herself in midlife and using clean humor strategically. She also reflects on navigating financial stress, immigrant identity, and balancing motherhood with ambition, all while delivering hilarious anecdotes that highlight resilience and creativity.

Explore the impact of economic shifts on personal finances, from falling customer counts at major chains to evolving job markets. A heartfelt story illustrates the resilience families can cultivate during financial stress. Listeners seek advice on balancing values and salary in cooperative jobs, adjusting 529 college savings plans amid market fluctuations, and overcoming financial overwhelm. Discover practical steps for financial empowerment and the importance of open conversations about money within families.

Heather Zack, an attorney and financial planner specializing in estate planning for all wealth levels, shares crucial insights into estate planning. She demystifies the importance of wills and trusts, highlighting their significance even for those with modest assets. The discussion also tackles common pitfalls, the legitimacy of DIY estate planning websites, and the unique concerns faced by women in securing their families’ futures. Listeners learn about the value of revisiting estate plans during life changes and the power of effective family communication regarding financial matters.

Today's guest is Rachel Rodgers—a powerhouse entrepreneur, bestselling author, and tireless advocate for wealth building, especially for those historically excluded from financial success. You might remember Rachel from her groundbreaking book, We Should All Be Millionaires.She's back with another insightful and empowering book titled Future Millionaire: A Young Person's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Wealth Inevitable. It's a powerful message for young people, particularly those aged 13 to 25, designed to equip them not just with dreams, but with a strategic blueprint for achieving genuine wealth.Rachel's mission is clear: it's time we start teaching our children that wealth is within their reach, no matter their starting point. Today, she joins me to discuss how we can foster a millionaire mindset in our kids, why being rich and famous isn't the goal, and what practical steps parents and young adults can take right now to secure their financial futures.

This Friday: Top financial headlines from changes to student loans to the dismantling of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. Plus: The best ways to grow and maintain strong credit. To join Farnoosh with Zarna Garg at Loopwell, reserve your spot here.

How strong and healthy are your relationships? Have you ever considered your relationships as valuable assets—ones that can lead you to a richer, more prosperous life?Today, we're fortunate to be joined by Selena Soo, an acclaimed publicity and marketing expert, and the author of the captivating new book, Rich Relationships. Selena has built an extraordinary career teaching entrepreneurs and leaders the art and science of cultivating authentic relationships that not only stand the test of time but thrive and grow exponentially.In our conversation, Selena reveals how genuine, meaningful relationships are your most powerful tools for success, going far beyond casual networking. She shares groundbreaking insights into how generosity and authenticity form the foundation of connections that can profoundly enrich your personal and professional life.Key takeaways you'll gain from our discussion include:The crucial mindset shift from merely collecting contacts to building meaningful relationships.Practical strategies for nurturing relationships aligned with your values and goals.Selena’s expert advice on initiating impactful conversations with influential mentors and peers.Powerful ways to turn your fear of rejection into an empowering aspect of relationship-building.Get the first 4 chapters of Selena's book plus more freebies here: RichRelationshipsBook.com/Farnoosh

This episode aired initially been on Feb 3, 2025.Today, we're diving into the world of travel and points with none other than Brian Kelly, a long-time friend of the show and the founder of The Points Guy. Brian is here to talk about his new book, How to Win at Travel, a guide that helps you unlock all the secrets to mastering the points game, maximizing travel perks, and scoring luxury experiences without luxury price tags. We'll cover:Why Brian calls this era the "platinum age of travel" and how to take full advantage of it.The biggest mistakes travelers make with airline and hotel bookings—and how to avoid them.How to leverage rewards credit cards strategically to score free business-class trips to Europe.The top tech tools to help you find the best award flights and travel deals with minimal effort.Insider tips on travel insurance, packing, and even why you should throw an Apple AirTag into your luggage!Check out Farnoosh's new hyperlocal podcast The Montclair PodJoin the So Money Members Club.Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.Hang out with Farnoosh on Instagram.