Financial Feminist

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339

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Fight the patriarchy. Get Rich.™ Join money expert Tori Dunlap every Tuesday as she guides you on how to make more, spend less, and feel financially confident in a world run by rich white men. Through solo episodes and special guest interviews, you’ll walk away with resources to get, save, and grow money to gain financial freedom and kick some patriarchal ass at the same time.

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August 18, 20261 hr 5 min

295. How to Overcome Your Limiting Beliefs About Money with Nir Eyal

There's a sentence I hear from women more than almost any other: "I'm bad with money." Today's guest spent six years proving that sentence isn't a fact — it's a belief, and beliefs can change. Nir Eyal, author of Beyond Belief, breaks down the science of why we get stuck telling ourselves the same money story, and exactly how to write a new one. In his new book, Beyond Belief, he digs into why the words that follow "I am" are so dangerous, and why getting comfortable with discomfort is the real skill behind almost every financial win. We get into identity, self-trust, why you can't see your own limiting beliefs (but can spot everyone else's), and the research that proves belief can override biology. This one will change how you talk to yourself about money. Nir’s Links: Free Belief Change Guide: www.nirandfar.com/beyond-belief-live  30-Day Belief Transformation Journal: nirandfar.com/beyond-belief  Website: http://nirandfar.com  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nireyal/  Learn the exact strategies to save money, pay off debt, improve your money mindset, and increase your net worth. Get your personalized plan: ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠. 00:00 Intro  03:00 Facts vs. beliefs vs. faith  05:00 Identity and the danger of "I am" statements 06:00 Belief can override biology 09:00 Self-trust and building your own track record 12:00 The evolutionary reason your brain resists change 16:00 The mindset shift behind getting comfortable with discomfort 22:00 Byron Katie's four questions for examining a belief 26:00 Building a "portfolio of perspectives" 30:00 Naming systemic barriers without using them as an excuse 33:00 Choosing the belief that serves you 35:00 Locus of control — why believing you have agency changes outcomes 42:00 Challenging your thinking without tipping into toxic positivity 44:00 Why manifesting backfires (and what works instead) 49:00 Mental contrasting  52:00 Why chaos and struggle mean you're alive 54:00 Tori's own story of choosing to feel pain instead of avoiding it 55:00 The rat study — how belief in possible rescue changes persistence 1:00:00 Persistence over intelligence — the real predictor of success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 11, 20261 hr 16 min

Investing for Beginners with JL Collins

In this episode, I sat down with the “godfather of financial independence,” aka JL Collins,  to demystify investing in the most approachable way possible. JL has been in the game for over 50 years and wrote The Simple Path to Wealth—a book that’s helped nearly a million people understand how to grow their money with confidence. And today, he’s breaking it all down for you. We get real about what investing actually is, why you don’t need a finance degree to build wealth, and how the entire financial industry has tried to gatekeep this information. JL shares why index funds are his go-to, how to avoid common investing mistakes, and why market dips aren’t disasters—they’re opportunities. Whether you’re brand new to investing or just want a no-BS refresh on the basics, this conversation is for you. JL’s Links: The Simple Path to Wealth: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Simple-Path-to-Wealth-(Revised- Expanded-Edition)/JL-Collins/9798893310474 Learn the exact strategies to save money, pay off debt, improve your money mindset, and increase your net worth. Get your personalized plan: ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠. 00:00 Intro 03:24 Personal Finance Beginnings 06:44 The Birth of a Financial Blog 14:26 Understanding Index Funds 28:31 The FIRE Movement Explained 36:02 Calculating Financial Independence 40:28 Market Volatility: Should You Change Your Strategy? 44:48 Adjusting Investment Strategies Near Retirement 53:44 Ethical Investing: Pros and Cons 01:01:21 The Role of Financial Advisors 01:06:53 Key Insights for Successful Investing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 4, 20261 hr 2 min

294. How to Graduate College Debt Free with Jocelyn Pearson

College is expensive, but there's money on the table that most families never touch. Today's guest walked away from college completely debt-free, not because she was a straight-A student or a star athlete, but because she treated scholarships like a system instead of a luck-based lottery. Jocelyn Pearson, founder of The Scholarship System, has since helped families across the US secure almost $17 million in scholarships. We get into the myths keeping families from even trying, why the small-dollar scholarships matter more than the $100K ones, how to build reusable application materials so you're not starting from scratch every time. If you've got a student headed to college (or you're the student), this one is required listening. Jocelyn’s links: Free webinar: https://thescholarshipsystem.com/financialfeminist  Scholarship Superpower Quiz: thescholarshipsystem.com/financialfeministquiz  Not sure what to do with your money? Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ and take our FREE quiz to get your personalized money plan, and find any resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro 01:18 Jocelyn's $126K Scholarship Story 03:41 Why Strategy Beats Luck 04:13 The 4 Biggest Scholarship Myths 07:18 The Real Reason Families Don't Apply 10:51 The "All or Nothing" Mindset 13:43 Building a Reusable Essay System 16:32 Other Reusable Application Assets 17:13 What Committees Are Really Looking For 21:05 How to Talk About Your Major 21:59 Who Wins When Two Finalists Are Equal 23:31 How (and How Not) to Use AI 27:35 The Overlooked Small-Dollar Scholarships 33:28 Department Scholarships & Asking for More 33:30 When Your Financial Situation Changes 35:21 Navigating the Middle-Income Gap 47:47 The Student Loan Forgiveness Reality Check 49:52 The True Cost of Co-Signing 52:54 The #1 Trait of Successful Scholarship Families 54:53 Jocelyn's Free Resources & Quiz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 28, 20261 hr 1 min

How to Live Your Rich Life with Ramit Sethi

What does it mean to live a truly “rich life?” This is a re-release of one of our favorite conversations: Tori sits down with Ramit Sethi, New York Times bestselling author of I Will Teach You To Be Rich and host of the Netflix show How to Get Rich. They get into what it actually means to build a rich life, why renting can beat buying even when you can afford to buy, how to negotiate literally everything (including your rent), and what couples are really fighting about when they fight about money — hint: it's never actually about Target. Ramit’s Links: Website: https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramit/?hl=en Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/money-for-couples-with-ramit-sethi/id1577864998 Learn the exact strategies to save money, pay off debt, improve your money mindset, and increase your net worth. Get your personalized plan here: https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod. 00:00 Intro: What Is a Rich Life? 01:13 Ramit's First Money Memory 05:01 It's Expensive to Be Poor 05:20 Playing the Game While Changing the System 07:25 Why High School Finance Classes Don't Work 11:13 The Case for Renting Over Buying 17:21 How to Negotiate Your Rent 22:38 Building a Course Business 24:44 What Couples Actually Fight About 27:58 Defining Your Rich Life 35:50 What Women Are Taught About Money 37:17 The Money Dial Exercise 38:37 The Michelin Star Story 40:38 Money & Marriage: Ramit's Personal Experience 42:30 The Monthly Money Date 44:03 Gendered Fears in Relationships 51:44 Women Out-Earning Their Partners 52:05 The $400K Debt Couple 53:02 Your Feelings About Money ≠ Your Balance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 23, 202641 min

The Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Debt Payoff

If you’ve been struggling to break free from credit card debt––you’re in the right place. In this episode, we’re replaying one of our most commonly requested topics: credit card debt. We’ll uncover how sneaky interest rates can chip away at your hard-earned money every single day and explore powerful strategies to help you tackle that high-interest debt so you can finally breathe easy. As someone who’s dedicated to helping women save money, invest, and feel financially confident, I firmly believe that understanding your debt is the first crucial step in breaking free from it. When we take back control of our finances, we collectively fight the patriarchy—by making ourselves richer, savvier, and fully in control of our money.  Check to see if you qualify for my partner personal loan recommendation* (doesn’t hurt your credit score!) *Terms apply: https://soficreator.pxf.io/c/1408818/2083784/25681?subId1=podcast&subId2=bonusep&adcampaigngroup=lending&adnetwork=brand  Not sure where to start on your financial journey? Take our FREE money personality quiz! https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod 00:00 Intro 00:48 Understanding credit card debt 02:26 How debt and interest work 07:20 Strategies for paying off debt 08:32 Using credit cards responsibly 14:53 Emergency funds vs. debt payoff 19:16 Debt payoff methods: snowball vs. avalanche 22:36 The role of personal loans 32:30 Setting financial goals and staying motivated Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 21, 20261 hr 2 min

293. How Transparent Should I Be About My Money? (Tori’s Interview on The Real Stuff with Lucie Fink)

This week, we’re bringing you a special replay crossover episode with Lucie Fink — podcast host, video producer, digital educator, and host of “The Real Stuff with Lucie Fink.” In this insightful conversation, Tori details her journey to becoming a multimillionaire, demystifying the concept of "coast FIRE" and the significance of reaching that initial $100,000 savings goal. Tori generously shares her knowledge on effective investment strategies and highlights the power of financial literacy. This discussion goes beyond building wealth — it's a call to normalize conversations about money, sex, societal norms, and navigating the balance between privacy and openness in our personal lives. Lucie’s links: The Real Stuff Podcast: https://lnk.to/TheRealStuffWithLucieFink  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/  Talking about money with your partner can be hard, but it’s necessary. Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to download our Money Conversation Cards –– 30 question cards to help spark fun, intimate, and beneficial conversations about money with your partner.00:00 The power of financial stability 07:16 From her first $100K to multi-millionaire 29:41 Navigating the challenges of financial transparency and safety  39:12 Authenticity, success, and mental health online 40:17 Addressing internet trolls and financial transparency 41:42 Navigating body image  47:50 Exploring confidence, pain, and self-care 50:07 Discussing future plans and personal growth 51:57 The realities of publishing and achieving milestones 54:39 Personal relationships and privacy boundaries 01:03:17 The importance of financial conversations in relationships 01:11:00 Understanding prenups and financial independence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 14, 20261 hr 1 min

292. How American Patriarchy Keeps Women From Their Money, Power, and History with Anna Malaika Tubbs

To work to change a system, you have to understand it first. But as today’s guest will show you, it turns out our understanding of American patriarchy is completely different than what we thought it was. Today I sat down with Anna Malaika Tubbs –– two-time New York Times bestselling author, sociologist, and storyteller with a PhD in sociology and a master's in gender studies from the University of Cambridge, plus a BA from Stanford (whew!) — and we're talking about American patriarchy. We get into why the Founding Fathers and the Constitution are inherently patriarchal, what history actually teaches us about how change happens, and why Anna wasn't surprised by Trump's reelection. I threw out almost every prepared question because this conversation was that good. This episode will make you furious and hopeful in the same breath. Anna’s links: Website: https://annamalaikatubbs.com/   Erased by Anna Malaike Tubbs:  https://bookshop.org/a/90037/9781250876690  The Three Mothers by Anna Malaika Tubbs: https://bookshop.org/a/90037/9781250756138  Also mentioned in this episode: Steve Phillips, How We Win the Civil War: https://bookshop.org/a/90037/9781620978481 Sarah McBride on Why the Left Lost on Trans Rights | The Ezra Klein Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlbNFsAGFRc  Bookshop.org website:  http://Bookshop.org  Not sure what to do with your money? Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ and take our FREE Money Plan Quiz to get your personalized money plan, and find any resources mentioned on our show   00:00 Intro 01:40 What "American patriarchy" actually means 06:37 The Founding Fathers' blueprint  15:21 The tug-of-war at the center of all American history 19:19 Why Trump's re-election wasn't a surprise 25:10 How slow progressive change actually works 31:55 Do all roads lead back to patriarchy? 36:04 "We haven't arrived anywhere new" 45:28 Moving rights to the states: a repeating tactic 52:48 Can you get rich in a system that wasn't built for you? 58:51 The power you already have Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 7, 202628 min

291. Why Every SAHM Needs a Financial Safety Net

A video I posted about the tradwife movement blew up, and the comments made one thing clear: most people are using "tradwife" and "stay-at-home mom" interchangeably. They are not the same thing, and the difference matters. In this episode, I'm breaking down what a tradwife actually is versus what Tiffany Dufu calls a "non-compensated working mom," why romanticizing financial dependence is dangerous no matter how happy your marriage is right now, and the seven concrete moves every woman; married, partnered, or neither; needs to make to protect herself financially. This isn't anti-marriage or anti-stay-at-home mom. It's pro protecting you from financial ruin. Not sure what to do with your money? Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ and take our FREE Money Plan Quiz to get your personalized money plan, and find any resources mentioned on our show. 00:00 Intro: The 15-word post that broke the internet 00:37 Meet Tori + episode overview 01:46 What is a tradwife, actually? 02:32 Why the tradwife aesthetic is so appealing 04:21 The Ballerina Farm irony 05:01 Tradwife vs. stay-at-home mom: not the same thing 06:39 Tori's parents: how to stay home without losing financial power 07:52 Why women hand over financial control 11:09 "Your boss can starve you too" — debunked 12:10 "Just marry the right man" — what the data says 15:28 Tradwife trend = burnout in a sundress 15:44 The real villain: the system, not the woman 18:28 The 7-step financial protection plan 18:48 1. Put your name on everything 19:13 2. Have your own money 19:51 3. Keep your credit alive 20:08 4. Know every number 21:08 5. Keep your skills and network warm 21:38 6. Know your legal protections 23:00 7. Have the "what if" conversation 23:37 Closing: bet on yourself Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 30, 202644 min

290. Study Hall: Credit Card Debt

In this edition of Study Hall, I'm compiling all of our best credit card debt advice into one place so you can stop Googling in a shame spiral at 2 a.m. and actually understand what's going on with your debt. I'm breaking down how interest really works (and why credit card debt is uniquely expensive), walking you through step-by-step payoff strategies, including the avalanche method, the Debt Free Guys' lasso method, and using personal loans to consolidate, and I'm finishing with some real talk about why shame is the worst debt payoff strategy on the planet. If you're carrying credit card debt and you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like it's somehow your fault: this episode is your starting line. Pay off credit card debt fast. Check your eligibility without it affecting your credit score. Go to ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/payoff to see if you qualify. Terms apply. 00:00 What makes up debt? 01:00 How credit card interest actually works 04:00 Why credit card debt compounds into a "slippery slope" 05:30 Paying down the principal to reduce total cost 06:30 Getting your debt payoff plan together 07:00 Step-by-step: list debts, calculate payments, find extra 08:30 The avalanche method explained 09:30 Tori's Toyota story: paying toward principal 12:00 The Debt Lasso Method with the Debt Free Guys 16:00 Why balance transfers only work with a real plan 18:30 Personal loans: what they are and why they work 22:00 Simple interest vs. compound interest for debt 23:00 Things to consider before getting a personal loan 25:00 When personal loans are NOT the right move 28:00 What personal loans should NOT be used for 29:00 Debt settlement and your rights as a consumer with Leslie Tayne, Esq. 31:00 The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act 33:00 Tori's closing pep talk: debt is not a personal failing 35:00 Goal-setting hack: specific, timely, and mission-driven 37:00 Writing goals in past tense — the visualization hack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 23, 202651 min

289. You're Networking Wrong (What to Do Instead) with Danielle Robay

Today I'm sitting down for another chat with one of my favorite guests, Danielle Robay. Danielle’s a TV host, journalist, host of Question Everything, co-executive producer of Bookmarked alongside Reese Witherspoon, and also one of my IRL good friends (a friendship that started, fittingly, as a work relationship). We're getting into how to turn relationships into your next job, business, or opportunity, and what to stop doing immediately if you want to earn more. Danielle reframes "networking" as long-game relationship-building, hands you a follow-up template you can use tomorrow, and explains why the cold "can I pick your brain?" email is going straight to the trash. If you're in transition — graduating, switching careers, getting a business off the ground — this one's for you. Danielle’s links: Website: https://www.daniellerobay.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellerobay/ Danielle's podcast: https://www.daniellerobay.com/prettysmart Question Everything card game: https://questioneverything.us/ Catch our other podcast episodes with Danielle: How to be the Most Interesting Person in the Room with Danielle Robay: https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/ask-better-questions/ Owning Your Ambition with Danielle Robay: https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/owning-your-ambition-danielle-robay/ Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to grab our free Goal Setting Worksheet for a framework that will help you set actionable goals to take your dreams from ‘hope’ to ‘action.’ 00:00 Intro 00:59 Why ambitious women network constantly but don't earn more 02:30 How Danielle's relationship to networking changed as her platform grew 04:30 The invented husband + two kids: a boundary hack 06:00 What makes a bad ask (and how to make a good one) 08:00 The "Quick question" subject-line hack 09:00 Why the "why" matters more than the "how" 11:00 Curiosity is a skill — and you already have it 13:00 The bamboo plant story 17:00 How to stay motivated when nobody's replying 19:00 What high earners do differently when they network 22:00 "What's your biggest pain point?" — the email that lands interviews 26:00 Mid-episode: free goal-setting worksheet 27:00 Where women network in ways that get them liked but not paid 33:00 The networking habit to stop immediately 35:00 Role play: how to follow up in 4 real scenarios 42:00 Getting into rooms where decisions and dollars are made 44:00 The #1 shift to make this year: throw the event Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices