Everyone's Talkin' Money

On this episode of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, I sit down with Riana Malia—Speaker, Author, and Reinvention Strategist—who helps high-achieving women stop recycling old patterns and start creating extraordinary results in life, love, and money. Riana shares how subconscious cycles quietly hold us back, why most goal-setting strategies fail, and what it really takes to move from “goal setter” to “goal getter.” We dive into her signature Clear to Create™ Method and Quantum Pattern Protocol™, which use neuroscience, quantum healing, and emotional re-patterning to clear out the “junk” that keeps you stuck. You’ll hear: Why 90% of your thoughts are recycled—and how that sabotages success The hidden patterns that cause women to repeat the same money, career, and relationship struggles How to clear emotional blocks so you can finally set goals that stick Why reverse-engineering your goals is more powerful than traditional “SMART” goal-setting What it means to live in “full-spectrum self-expression” and align with your true identity If you’ve ever felt successful on paper but unfulfilled in reality, this episode will give you both the tools and the permission to create something different. https://quiz.rianamalia.com Be sure to keep up with the show on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Thank you to our sponsors!  Policygenius - Head to policygenius.com to compare free life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you could save.  Ava - Help build your credit score with Meetava.com. Use promo code: Money Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If part one revealed how obligations are draining your life, part two is your roadmap out. In this follow-up, we move from awareness to action with a practical, four-step framework designed to help you reclaim your time, energy, and money without guilt. From learning how to audit your calendar to mastering the graceful no, this episode is about building a life full of intentional yeses instead of draining shoulds. You’ll walk away with: A step-by-step framework for breaking free from the obligation trap Scripts you can actually use to say no without guilt or excuses A strategy to prioritize relationships that truly matter Practical tips for building a calendar (and life) that reflects your values This is part two of our deep dive into obligation-based living — because you don’t just deserve more free time, you deserve a life that feels like it’s actually yours. Keep the conversation going with us on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney. Thank you to our sponsors!  Policygenius - Head to policygenius.com to compare free life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you could save.  Ava - Help build your credit score with Meetava.com. Use promo code: Money Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you living your life on other people’s terms? In this episode, we unpack the obligation trap — the endless cycle of weddings, work happy hours, family gatherings, and social “shoulds” that drain your money, your energy, and your joy. You’ll hear why so many of us say yes when we want to say no, what it’s actually costing us financially and emotionally, and how obligation-driven living keeps us disconnected from what really matters. You’ll walk away with: A clear understanding of how obligations hijack your time, money, and energy The hidden opportunity cost of living by “shoulds” instead of values The cultural, social, and psychological roots of people-pleasing Real-life examples that show how obligation fatigue shows up in everyday life This is part one of a two-part series. Next time, we’ll dive into the practical steps you can take to break free and start living on your own terms. Keep the conversation going with us on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Thank you to our sponsors!  Policygenius - Head to policygenius.com to compare free life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you could save.  Ava - Help build your credit score with Meetava.com. Use promo code: Money Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if financial success wasn't the finish line—but the launching pad? In this powerful episode, Shari sits down with Brandon Broadwater, founder of Zallevo and creator of the Master Your Power Within framework, to unpack what it really means to live a purpose-driven life of prosperity. From breaking free of the middle-class mindset to building sustainable wealth that aligns with your deeper purpose, Brandon shares how to go from survival mode to a life of contribution, energy, and clarity. You'll walk away with: The three levels of living: Worldly, Honorable, and Valiant—and how to close the gap between them Why many financially “successful” people still feel unfulfilled A breakdown of the Prosperity Quadrant: poor, middle class, rich, and abundant The myth of “money’s not important” and how that belief keeps you stuck Why residual income (not just more hustle) is key to freedom How to build prosperity through purpose—not burnout The #1 mindset shift that changes everything Follow Brandon on Instagram @broadwater.brandon Website: https://www.zallevo.com/ Follow Zavello on Instagram @zavello Keep up with Everyone’s Talkin’ Money on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Thank you to our sponsors!  Policygenius - Head to policygenius.com to compare free life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you could save.  Ava - Help build your credit score with Meetava.com. Use promo code: Money Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this first Talkin’ Money Unfiltered episode, Scarlett Stanhope (aka The Biz Hippie) joins me for a no-script, no-rules conversation about a question we should all be asking: is your money stress really about your circumstances… or is it about your mindset? We dig into the difference between what you can control and what you can’t, why reframing sacrifice as choice changes everything, and how to stop feeling like a victim of your bills, grocery prices, or rent. Along the way, we share real-life examples — from CSA memberships to Cheez-It snack hacks — that prove small decisions can shift your whole financial perspective. You’ll hear: How to tell if your money struggles are mindset-driven or truly circumstantial The hidden power in recognizing your everyday financial choices Why “sacrifice” can be a mindset trap — and how to turn it into empowerment Real-world examples of finding flexibility without feeling deprived Did you enjoy our unfiltered talk?! Let us know, leave a comment on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Follow Scarlett Stanhope and The Biz Hippie: Instagram: @scarlettthebizhippie Website: thebizhippie.com Thank you to our sponsors!  Policygenius - Head to policygenius.com to compare free life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you could save.  Ava - Help build your credit score with Meetava.com. Use promo code: Money Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every generation loves to complain about the next one—lazy, entitled, wasting money on gadgets and brunch. But here’s the truth: young adults today aren’t just making different choices—they’re playing a completely different financial game. In 1970, over half of 30-year-olds in America were married and owned a home. Today? Less than 15%. And it’s not because everyone suddenly decided marriage and mortgages were overrated. It’s the fallout from decades of policy decisions, wage stagnation, and skyrocketing costs that have made the old “American Dream” a whole lot harder to reach. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the real reasons why hitting financial milestones looks different now, and why “just work harder” is the worst advice you can give someone trying to buy a home in today’s economy. You’ll hear: The shocking drop in homeownership rates for 30-year-olds since the 1970s How wages, housing prices, and student debt have completely shifted the financial landscape Why avocado toast is not the problem (and what actually is) How generational misunderstanding keeps us from creating solutions that work Practical ways both older and younger generations can bridge the gap It’s time to stop blaming brunch and start looking at the real math. Thank you to our sponsors!  Policygenius - Head to policygenius.com to compare free life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you could save.  Ava - Help build your credit score with Meetava.com. Use promo code: Money Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We often applaud people who save aggressively, track every penny, and avoid debt at all costs. But what if those habits are actually symptoms of something deeper—something that’s quietly holding them back? In this third episode of our Money Dysmorphia series, I’m joined by Ashley Franklin, Vice President of Branch Operations at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, who breaks down the hidden emotional roots of financial behaviors that look healthy on the outside but may be quietly sabotaging our well-being. From over-saving and chronic budgeting to the fear of investing and the myth of “having enough,” this conversation is a powerful reality check. We talk about growing up with layaway, modern-day buy-now-pay-later traps, and the impact of comparison culture on our financial choices—especially for Millennials and Gen Z navigating money in an always-on, influencer-saturated world. You’ll walk away with: A new understanding of how over-saving can create financial stress instead of security Why budgeting to the extreme can backfire—and how to build in breathing room The emotional roadblocks behind fear of investing How income ≠ wealth, and why self-worth often gets tangled in both The power of creating a “Board of Directors” for your life—and how to pick the right financial confidantes Why separating fact from feeling is the real key to healing money dysmorphia This one’s for anyone who’s ever wondered, “Am I being smart with my money… or just scared?” Let’s unpack it together. Follow the show on Instagram  @everyonestalkinmoney Thank you to our sponsors!  Policygenius - Head to policygenius.com to compare free life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you could save.  Ava - Help build your credit score with Meetava.com. Use promo code: Money Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We don’t just have money problems—we have money perception problems. In Part 2 of our three-part Money Dysmorphia series with Backbone, I’m joined by Melissa Burleson, a certified financial counselor at Tarrant County’s Credit Union, who brings nearly 20 years of wisdom, service, and heart to this conversation. Melissa knows firsthand how money dysmorphia—our distorted view of our financial reality—can sabotage even the smartest budgeter or most determined saver. We talk about how money dysmorphia can swing both ways—from feeling constantly behind despite doing all the right things, to overspending and living beyond your means to project financial success. And Melissa shares powerful personal stories, real-life coaching moments, and practical tools to start shifting from emotional chaos to financial clarity. You’ll walk away with: A deeper understanding of the emotional triggers behind overspending and avoidance How generational money beliefs and social media comparison fuel money dysmorphia Why many people tie their self-worth to a credit score—and how to break that cycle How to recognize when emotional thinking is clouding financial decisions What it takes to move from “I’m bad with money” to “I trust myself with money” Keep up with all things Everyone's Talkin' Money by following us on Instagram. If you loved what you heard, rate us 5 stars and like and follow us on your favorite podcast app! Thank you to our sponsors!  Policygenius - Head to policygenius.com to compare free life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you could save.  Ava - Help build your credit score with Meetava.com. Use promo code: Money Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you feel broke, even when your finances say otherwise? Or maybe you’ve been spending like you’ve already “made it”—but your bank account hasn’t caught up? That distorted perception has a name: money dysmorphia. In this first episode of our special three-part series, I’ve partnered with Backbone, a national coalition of credit unions, to explore how emotional and psychological misperceptions around money are impacting millions of Americans—especially Millennials and Gen Z. Our guest is Nicole Andrushko, VP of Marketing at Westerra Credit Union, who’s on the frontlines of financial storytelling and education. Nicole unpacks how social media, comparison culture, and pressure to hit traditional milestones are warping our self-perception—and how credit unions are stepping in to help people see the truth of their financial health and take confident steps forward. You’ll walk away with: A clear understanding of what money dysmorphia is and how to spot it in yourself or others The real reason high-achieving, financially stable people still feel “behind” How credit unions are uniquely equipped to help people shift their mindset Simple, habit-based ways to start repairing your relationship with money Why emotional support is just as critical as financial tools in combating distorted financial thinking Keep up with everything Everyone's Talkin' Money by following us on Instagram. If you loved what you heard, give us a 5 Star review on your favorite podcast app and be sure to like and follow the show so you never miss an episode! Thank you to our sponsors!  Policygenius - Head to policygenius.com to compare free life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you could save.  Ava - Help build your credit score with Meetava.com. Use promo code: Money Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 2, we go even deeper into the emotions that drive our financial behavior—especially when life doesn’t go as planned. Shannah Game joins me to talk about emotional spending, identity confusion, and how to unlearn shame-filled money patterns. Plus, she shares her new creative direction: baking cupcakes named after emotions to spark real conversations about money, grief, and reinvention. You’ll walk away learning How to recognize and reset emotional spending habitsWhy shame is the most expensive emotion we carryHow grief and money are deeply intertwinedHow to reconnect with your creative self—even if it feels lost Get Shannah's Book: Unraveling Your Relationship with Money. Follow Shannah on Instagram @shannahgame. Keep up with Everyone's Talkin' Money on Instagram. Thank you to our sponsor!  Policygenius - Head to ⁠policygenius.com⁠ to compare free life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you could save. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices