Financial Autonomy for Women: The Personal Finance Podcast

Hosted by Maureen Paley

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May 2026

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Financial Autonomy for Women: The Personal Finance Podcast is for self-identified women and/or anyone that has received the gendered conditioning typically given to those assigned the female sex at birth and our allies. Born after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, Financial Autonomy for Women: The Personal Finance Podcast (formerly known as "Financial Autonomy for Women: The Podcast") seeks to: * Advocate for women's financial autonomy (a key factor in our overall autonomy and ability to experience freedom as individuals) * Dismantle the gendered conditioning that can lead us to not see and fall short of our full financial potential * Educate listeners not just on personal finance strategies for creating meaningful and lasting financial strength and wellness but also on ways of shifting our perspectives on our financial decisions and potential so we can take our strongest steps forward * Normalize experiences, emotions and behaviors around money Rate us, leave a review, and most important: share this with a woman in your life who needs it. Find ways to work with me, download free resources, and join my e-mail list at maureen-paley.com. Find Financial Autonomy for Women 30 Day Workbook available on Amazon. (Note: Information in this podcast 1) is informational/educational in nature; 2) does not constitute financial or personal advice of any kind; 3) is never a substitute for clinical care from a health professional).

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41 recent

May 22, 202619 min

How to Stop Spending So Much Damn Money Part 3: Getting Excited about Possibilities

Time to make a PLAN for that extra CASH. In this episode, I close out my three-part series on curbing overspending. In Part 1 and Part 2, we talked about the neuroscience of spending and also three tools to help you curb your spending. Today, we're focusing on mindset: getting excited about what becomes possible when less money leaves you and you keep more of your income. Here's the good news and the bad news: you must have a plan for the money. If you don't, it has a way of "disappearing." Now you can redirecting that extra cash toward pain points such as kids' activities, upcoming expenses, paying down high-interest debt (especially over 7% APR), and building savings and investments (those are the frictionless systems you want to automate!) Getting excited about the possibilities for that extra cash is the cheat code to making it happen--it's the glue that makes the goal of curbing overspending stick. Be sure to share this episode, along with Part 1 and Part 2 with a friend who could use it. *** Note: Information in this podcast 1) is informational/educational in nature; 2) does not constitute financial or personal advice of any kind; 3) is never a substitute for clinical care from a health professional. Check out my FREE Mini Course: "Know Where the Money Is Going" to help you get back into the driver's seat with your monthly spending. Find more ways to work with me, download free resources, and join my e-mail list at maureen-paley.com. Financial Autonomy for Women 30-Day Workbook now available on Amazon. 20% off the E-book when you buy directly from me. Daily Money Affirmations for Women Entrepreneurs now available on Amazon. Follow me on IG @maureenpaleycoach. Visit my Etsy shop for budget-friendly career-focused products.

May 13, 202645 min

What Does It Really Mean to Be 'Intentional' about Your Money? with Leah Hadley, AFC®, CDFA®

"Intentional" -- we throw this word around a lot, especially when it comes to money. I use it all the time on the podcast. In this episode, we're taking some time to break down that word and understand what it really means to be "intentional" about money. We're joined by Leah Hadley, founder of Intentional Wealth Partners and Intentional Divorce Solutions, the ideal guest to help us define what it means to be intentional with money. Leah explains intentionality as aligning decisions with long-term impact and personal values, which can feel energizing and reduce decision fatigue We also talk about intention when it comes to: budgeting, earning, divorcing, and planning for retirement. Leah reframes budgeting as planning and positioning resources toward exciting goals and reminds us--it's ok to get excited about money. We talk about earning with intention and how work environments and stress can affect our overall financial health. Leah shares the importance of intentionality during divorce: processing emotions, seeking supportive professionals, and designing a new chapter rather than rushing decisions. We also talk about investing and planning for retirement early, as well as how to be intentional in our giving (as women, we are givers!) and how to set boundaries on giving money to adult children. For more information about Leah and her work, you can find her on Instagram LinkedIn and YouTube. *** Note: Information in this podcast 1) is informational/educational in nature; 2) does not constitute financial or personal advice of any kind; 3) is never a substitute for clinical care from a health professional. Check out my FREE Mini Course: "Know Where the Money Is Going" to help you get back into the driver's seat with your monthly spending. Find more ways to work with me, download free resources, and join my e-mail list at maureen-paley.com. Financial Autonomy for Women 30-Day Workbook now available on Amazon. 20% off the E-book when you buy directly from me. Daily Money Affirmations for Women Entrepreneurs now available on Amazon. Follow me on IG @maureenpaleycoach. Visit my Etsy shop for career-focused products.

April 17, 202619 min

How to Stop Spending So Much Damn Money Part 2: Tools to Create Friction and Curb Spending

Would you drive a car with no brakes? Of course not. Brakes helps us stay safe and get to our destination. In Part 2 of my series "How to Stop Spending So Much Damn Money" I give you three practical tools you can start using today to create intentional "friction" in today's "frictionless" spending systems. The three tools include turning off autopay, the "24 Hour Rule" and the "Envelope Method"--give the full episode a listen (it's only 20 mins)--to understand the rationale. It's all about stepping back into the driver's seat. Granted some of these can be controversial, but they also work. Adding good friction to our spending helps us slow down, reevaluate and make decisions we actually like and feel in control of. Share this episode with someone in your life who needs it! *** Note: Information in this podcast 1) is informational/educational in nature; 2) does not constitute financial or personal advice of any kind; 3) is never a substitute for clinical care from a health professional. Check out my FREE Mini Course: "Know Where the Money Is Going" to help you get back into the driver's seat with your monthly spending. Find more ways to work with me, download free resources, and join my e-mail list at maureen-paley.com. Financial Autonomy for Women 30-Day Workbook now available on Amazon. 20% off the E-book when you buy directly from me. Daily Money Affirmations for Women Entrepreneurs now available on Amazon. Follow me on IG @maureenpaleycoach. Visit my Etsy shop for career-focused products.

April 8, 202654 min

Big Wins Come from Achievable Goals: 1st Quarter 2026 Check in with Mary Polanco

How do we get to those BIG WINS we're hoping for? With achievable goals--intention and action on the way to what we want. It's kind of unsexy, isn't it? Just make the goals achievable? Take action, rinse and repeat. Yep, that's pretty much the recipe. Sounds simple, but it's not exactly easy. It's better when you talk to a friend about it! Join me and my friend, entrepreneur, and leadership and wellness expert Mary Polanco while we reflect on intentions set in January 2026 for what we want for this year, all while prioritizing joy, creativity, ease and avoiding all-or-nothing thinking. In this episode, Mary shares how the mantra "find the cash flow" led to a 400% increase in YouTube ad revenue through intentional, realistic scheduling, plus several thousand in annual savings on expenses by examining her finances more closely and taking action. Maureen has paid off $25,000 in credit card debt using 0% interest strategies, and she also took steps to maximize passive income by turning on podcast ads to pay herself for production time. She also started pursuing the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst designation. Looking ahead to Q2, Mary aims to maintain balance in the final leg of her doctorate program and will also be training for a half marathon. And, Maureen will focus on increasing saving and investing, exploring Substack, and maximizing passive income streams. If you're needing a boost of humor, honesty and passion to get you sticking to your goals this year--give this episode a listen and share with a friend! *** Note: Information in this podcast 1) is informational/educational in nature; 2) does not constitute financial or personal advice of any kind; 3) is never a substitute for clinical care from a health professional. Check out my FREE Mini Course: "Know Where the Money Is Going" to help you get back into the driver's seat with your monthly spending. Find more ways to work with me, download free resources, and join my e-mail list at maureen-paley.com. Financial Autonomy for Women 30-Day Workbook now available on Amazon. 20% off the E-book when you buy directly from me. Daily Money Affirmations for Women Entrepreneurs now available on Amazon. Follow me on IG @maureenpaleycoach. Visit my Etsy shop for career-focused products.

March 7, 202619 min

How to Stop Spending So Much Damn Money Part I: The Neuroscience of Spending

Need to stop spending so much damn money? I got you. A lot of us are feeling that way, especially given the current economic situation. This episode is Part I in a multi-part series focused on "How to Stop Spending So Much Damn Money." In this episode, we're talking about the neuroscience of spending. I talk about how the brain's reward center (nucleus accumbens) releases dopamine in anticipation of purchases, how the pain center (insula) can register discomfort around high prices, and how the prefrontal cortex supports planning and impulse control. Consumer systems and frictionless technology are designed to trigger reward and bypass "pain," reducing our ability to slow down the cycle of spending--have you ever had that: "I feel like I'm on autopilot" feeling? Where you're spending money and you don't even realize it? That's the frictionless system at work. In this episode, we'll build awareness rather than immediate behavior change: instead of making any changes, we're just going to be aware--taking a pause during ads, social media, or online shopping to notice what our brains are doing and how we're feeling when we want to spend money, when we feel that itch or internal tug to buy. That awareness will help us change behavior. *** Note: Information in this podcast 1) is informational/educational in nature; 2) does not constitute financial or personal advice of any kind; 3) is never a substitute for clinical care from a health professional. Check out my FREE Mini Course: "Know Where the Money Is Going" to help you get back into the driver's seat with your monthly spending. Find more ways to work with me, download free resources, and join my e-mail list at maureen-paley.com. Financial Autonomy for Women 30-Day Workbook now available on Amazon. 20% off the E-book when you buy directly from me. Daily Money Affirmations for Women Entrepreneurs now available on Amazon. Follow me on IG @maureenpaleycoach. Visit my Etsy shop for financial trackers and resume and cover letter templates.

January 16, 202654 min

2026 Vision: Intentional Action, Autonomy and Ease with Mary Polanco

A new year is here, friends! And to kick off 2026, I'm joined--again--by my good friend Mary Polanco (Founder of Mary Polanco Designs and Live and Lead Well) to talk about our New Year Visions (having already kicked resolutions to the curb in 2025) and what we're excited to create in 2026. If you're over resolutions and the toxic positivity that comes in self development--give this a listen! Mary and I kicked off 2025 with our New Years Episode and committed to meeting quarterly throughout the year to keep each other going...now, we're doing it again! And, we're both so excited. In this episode, we look back at our 2025 visions, reflecting on achievements, challenges, and the benefits of setting intentions over resolutions. We talk about the victories that showed up for us, what kept us going along the way, and how big of an impact having regular check ins made for each of us. We also talk about what we're needing in 2026 and how we'll honor that as we bring our visions to 2026 to life. Please share this episode with a friend who is looking for a balanced and creative way to start the new year and keep listening throughout the year as Mary and I check in quarterly. *** Note: Information in this podcast 1) is informational/educational in nature; 2) does not constitute financial or personal advice of any kind; 3) is never a substitute for clinical care from a health professional. Check out my FREE Mini Course: "Know Where the Money Is Going" to help you get back into the driver's seat with your monthly spending. Find more ways to work with me, download free resources, and join my e-mail list at maureen-paley.com. Financial Autonomy for Women 30-Day Workbook now available on Amazon. 20% off the E-book when you buy directly from me. Daily Money Affirmations for Women Entrepreneurs now available on Amazon. Follow me on IG @maureenpaleycoach. Visit my Etsy shop for career-focused products.

January 2, 202640 min

Gratitude Is Our Superpower: Utilizing the Benefits of Gratitude Practice to Level Up Your Finances and Your Wellbeing

Imagine your life with: Reduced depression/depressive symptoms Less anxiety, less negative thought patterns Improved heart health Less stress Better sleep Would you take it? I know I would. These are the evidence-based benefits of gratitude practice. But...what do all these have to do with money? Remember, a healthier physiology, less stress, and more rest help us regulate our nervous systems, which helps us naturally spend less, appreciate what we have more, etc. So, will developing a consistent gratitude practice change what's in your bank account? No, not directly. But a consistent gratitude practice changes how you see yourself, the world, and your resources--all powerful catalysts for reaching financial goals. In this episode, I also share practical examples of how to cultivate gratitude in your life (including my personal practice) and set you up to do a 30-day gratitude experiment to see how it works in your life. If you'd like to run the 30-day gratitude experiment, rate the statements below on a scale of 1 to 10--1 being "Not true at all" and 10 being "Totally true"--at the start of your experiment on Day 1 at the end of the 30th day. I have more positive thoughts than negative thoughts. I am content and satisfied with what I have in life. I feel more instances of calm in my life than I do stress and anxiety I get good sleep and I feel rested While there are challenges in life, I feel grateful for the life I live Part Public Service Announcement, and part "love letter" to gratitude practice itself, give this episode a lesson to develop or enhance a an accessible and power practice to boost and sustain your wellbeing. *** Note: Information in this podcast 1) is informational/educational in nature; 2) does not constitute financial or personal advice of any kind; 3) is never a substitute for clinical care from a health professional. Check out my FREE Mini Course: "Know Where the Money Is Going" to help you get back into the driver's seat with your monthly spending. Find more ways to work with me, download free resources, and join my e-mail list at maureen-paley.com. Financial Autonomy for Women 30-Day Workbook now available on Amazon. 20% off the E-book when you buy directly from me. Follow me on IG @maureenpaleycoach. Visit my Etsy shop for career-focused products.

November 25, 202540 min

From Scratch to Millions: Navigating the First Gen Wealth Building Experience with Gloria Garcia Cisneros, CFP®

For First Gen wealth builders, the wealth building game is different. On this episode, I talk with Gloria Garcia Cisneros, CFP®, award winning Certified Financial Planner® and Wealth Manager at Lourd Murray about her experience as a first gen financial planner and wealth builder herself. Gloria and I dig into the emotional and psychological aspects of money management, the importance of trust and representation in the financial industry, and practical advice for listeners at various stages of their wealth-building journey. We talk how to normalize and navigate complex financial systems and the importance of giving yourself grace and recognition as First Gen wealth builder. 02:56 Understanding the First Gen Wealth Building Experience 04:46 Navigating Financial Systems as an Immigrant 07:37 Building Trust in Financial Advising 14:19 The Unique Challenges of First Gen Wealth Builders 21:25 Understanding Financial Advice for Diverse Backgrounds 24:48 The Importance of Asking the Right Questions 27:16 Advice for First Generation Wealth Builders 33:24 The Journey and Responsibility of Representation *** Note: Information in this podcast 1) is informational/educational in nature; 2) does not constitute financial or personal advice of any kind; 3) is never a substitute for clinical care from a health professional. Check out my FREE Mini Course: "Know Where the Money Is Going" to help you get back into the driver's seat with your monthly spending. Find more ways to work with me, download free resources, and join my e-mail list at maureen-paley.com. Financial Autonomy for Women 30-Day Workbook now available on Amazon. 20% off the E-book when you buy directly from me. Follow me on IG @maureenpaleycoach. Visit my Etsy shop for career-focused products.

November 9, 202536 min

Why Gender Matters when Choosing a Financial Advisor with Lex Michelson, MBA

Does gender really matter when you choose a financial advisor? My take: It does. And...the magic of Financial Autonomy means that you get to decide what matters for you when you choose a financial professional. In this episode, I talk with Lex Michelson, MBA, founder of Lunea Wealth Management, about why gender matters for women when they're choosing a financial advisor. We talk about: The unique financial challenges women face including the gender pay gap and the importance of having an advisor who understands these challenges. The "trad wife" trend and how romanticizing decades old gender norms can be harmful How women's financial freedoms and privileges (e.g., getting a mortage, taking out a credit card without a man's signature) are recent freedoms that we've been granted and must be protected The connection between bodily autonomy and financial autonomy To find out more about Lex and the work she's doing to support women's financial independence and success, check out Lunea Wealth Management. *** Note: Information in this podcast 1) is informational/educational in nature; 2) does not constitute financial or personal advice of any kind; 3) is never a substitute for clinical care from a health professional. Check out my FREE Mini Course: "Know Where the Money Is Going" to help you get back into the driver's seat with your monthly spending. Find more ways to work with me, download free resources, and join my e-mail list at maureen-paley.com. Financial Autonomy for Women 30-Day Workbook now available on Amazon. 20% off the E-book when you buy directly from me. Follow me on IG @maureenpaleycoach. Visit my Etsy shop for career-focused products. Disclosure for Lunea Wealth Management: The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice. Listeners should consult with a qualified professional regarding their individual circumstances before making any financial decisions. In the Couch Investments, LLC dba Lunea Wealth Management ("Lunea Wealth") is a fee-only Registered Investment Adviser located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

October 16, 20251 hr 6 min

How Do You Want to Feel in Three Months when You Hit Your Goal?--Feel that Way Today: 3Q Quarterly Check in with Mary Polanco

Leaning into how you want to feel when you achieve your goals is the key to cultivating joy, knowing your worth, and enjoying the surprises along the way. In this episode, I sit down with Mary Polanco, wellness and leadership expert and crafting entrepreneur to talk about our 2025 Vision and goals. At the beginning of the year, Mary and I committed to meeting quarterly to check in on our progress, and these quarterly check ins have sustained our commitments to our vision, personal learning and willingness to go after new, unexpected projects and opportunities. Mary and I have an honest, authentic conversation about the real ups and downs for going after your vision. We both recall our original visions and update each other on victories and challenges along the way. We talk about what we have done to maintain momentum, especially when the going gets tough. I call these quarterly check ins a "vitamin boost for your soul." -- give it a listen for some instant inspo and share it with a woman in your life who needs it. You can find out more about Mary and her crafting business at https://www.marypolancodesigns.com/ *** Note: Information in this podcast 1) is informational/educational in nature; 2) does not constitute financial or personal advice of any kind; 3) is never a substitute for clinical care from a health professional. Check out my FREE Mini Course: "Know Where the Money Is Going" to help you get back into the driver's seat with your monthly spending. Find more ways to work with me, download free resources, and join my e-mail list at maureen-paley.com. Financial Autonomy for Women 30-Day Workbook now available on Amazon. 20% off the E-book when you buy directly from me. Follow me on IG @maureenpaleycoach. Visit my Etsy shop for career-focused products.