Women & Money: The Shit We Don't Talk About! | Purse Strings

Hosted by Barbara Provost & Maggie Nielsen

Business Investing Society CultureInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

145

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

"We will never solve the feminization of power until we solve the masculinity of wealth." - Gloria Steinem. On this podcast, we're going to call out those ways that women are consistently left behind financially. But most importantly, how women can help themselves. Join hosts Barbara Provost & Maggie Nielsen as they help you navigate the ins and outs of financial independence so that you can be financially fearless. They'll connect you with helpful resources and compelling stories from women all across the country. Whether it's buying a house, preparing for retirement, dealing with divorce, there won't be a single question off the table. Maggie is a partner and Barbara is the founder of Purse Strings, a two-part model that's all about providing women the tools and resources they need to help them learn and understand what they need to know to make good financial decisions. And they help connect women with attorneys, financial planners, realtors, and many other financial professionals who have the expertise and desire to serve the female market. Women & Money: The Shit We Don't Talk About can be your place for tools, resources, education and a place to ask the important questions on your mind (or even better, the - you know - you aren't talking about). Find out more about Purse Strings by visiting https://pursestrings.co/ and we can't wait to connect with you on the podcast!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 12, 2026Episode 14550 min

Release the Emotions Driving Your Financial Decisions with Bari Tessler

Send us Fan MailThis week we're sitting down with Bari Tessler, a Financial Therapist and a pioneer in the Financial Therapy field. She has a Masters degree in Somatic Psychology from Naropa University, 1998. She then ran a bookkeeping business for therapists and artists. In 2001, she merged all her training and created a somatic-based Financial Therapy methodology that she has been teaching for 24 years. She is also the founder of The Art of Money, a financial therapy program and a Mentor Program for therapists, coaches and financial professionals.Bari breaks down why 90% of our money decisions are based on emotions, not logic, and what to actually do about it. She shares her signature Body Check-In tool, why couples fight about money even when everything else is great, and how to start having real money conversations with your partner without it turning into World War III at the kitchen table.Bari's reminder is that the way you were raised to think about money shapes every financial decision you make today. Join us for next week’s Money Talks, we’re digging into money stories, emotional patterns around spending and saving, and how to rewrite the ones that aren’t working for you. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with Bari Tessler:WebsiteInstagram LinkedIn Facebook Want to take this conversation one step further? Join us for our next Money Talks, a free 30 minute live session where we’ll dig into a question we hear all the time from women business owners: Budgeting for Businesses to Offer Benefits. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with us!Website Facebook PageFacebook groupInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeReddit ResourcesHave questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!...

June 5, 2026Episode 14440 min

Intentional Travel in Uncertain Times with Brenna Girardi

Send us Fan MailTravel isn't spending. It's investing.This week, we're sitting down with Brenna Girardi, the Co Founder of Olivette Travel Design, a boutique luxury travel advisory specializing in bespoke journeys around the world. She designs tailored, high touch travel experiences for couples, families, and private groups, partnering with the world’s most respected hotels and trusted global experts to unlock exclusive access and seamless service. Brenna breaks down why now, more than ever, getting out of your bubble and experiencing other cultures is not a luxury. It's a necessity. She shares the real financial and emotional cost of DIY travel gone wrong (yes, we're talking Airbnb horror stories), why ChatGPT should never be your only travel planning tool, and what "memory dividends" actually mean for your life and your kids' lives.08:00 Traveling Smart in Uncertain Times10:00 Why You Need a Travel Advisor Right Now13:00 The ChatGPT Itinerary Problem15:00 Travel Is Intentional Investing16:00 Memory Dividends: The Book Die With Zero20:00 Common Money Mistakes Travelers Make22:00 Airbnb vs. Vetted HotelsBrenna's reminder is a good one: your health, your time, and the people you love aren't guaranteed forever. The best memory dividends start now. Traveling more in 2026? Join us for next week’s Money Talks “Traveling more in 2026? Here’s What You Need to Know About Your Taxes”. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! This episode is supported by Meredith Schnepp, VTA, CCC, founder of Sunkissed Bliss Travel. Meredith designs deeply personal, seamless travel experiences for busy women, couples, and families who want beautifully executed trips without the time, stress, or guesswork of planning it themselves. Through carefully vetted global partners and high-touch, full-service planning, she makes sure every detail is handled so you can show up and actually enjoy your trip. If you're ready to invest in travel that feels as meaningful as it is memorable, book your complimentary consultation at www.sunkissedblisstravel.com and follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.Follow & connect with Brenna:Website InstagramLinkedIn Want to take this conversation one step further? Join us for our next Money Talks, a free 30 minute live session where we’ll dig into a question we hear all the time from women business owners: Budgeting for Businesses to Offer Benefits. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with us!Website Facebook PageFacebook groupInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeReddit ResourcesHave questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!...

May 29, 2026Episode 14335 min

Trial Separation & Mediation: The Divorce Wake-Up Call with Amanda Silver and Alex Howard (Dirty Laundry Podcast)

Send us Fan MailDivorce is emotional. But for many women, the financial side can be the biggest shock of all.This week on Women & Money: The Shit We Don’t Talk About, Barbara and Maggie sit down with Alex and Amanda, divorce mediators and co-hosts of the Dirty Laundry podcast, to share the real financial realities women face during separation and divorce. Alex and Amanda share what they see every day behind closed doors, from hidden debt and emotional fights over “the Peloton,” to the financial wake-up calls that happen when one partner has been managing all the money. They also explain why mediation can help couples avoid high-conflict court battles, protect their finances, and create healthier co-parenting relationships moving forward. 00:49 Meet Alex & Amanda from Dirty Laundry05:05 Why unpaid labor matters in divorce06:10 Trial separations explained09:45 Can trial separations save marriages?16:40 Why mediation works differently than court20:00 Learning healthy conflict resolutionAlex and Amanda also remind women that even if they feel overwhelmed right now, they are capable of rebuilding financial confidence and creating a future that feels safe, secure, and fully their own. Whether you’re navigating divorce, supporting someone through it, or simply trying to understand your finances more deeply, join us for next week’s Money Talks “Protect Your Assets During a Divorce”. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! This episode is supported by Marguerita Cheng, CFP®, RICP®, CDFA®, CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth. Marguerita works with women navigating divorce to bring clarity, confidence, and control back into their financial lives. At Blue Ocean Global Wealth, the focus is on helping women understand their options, make informed decisions, and feel empowered about their financial future, especially during moments that feel uncertain or overwhelming. If you’re going through divorce and want support that’s clear, grounded, and centered on your long term wellbeing, you can learn more and connect with Marguerita at www.blueoceanglobalwealth.com and follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube.Disclosure:Securities offered by Registered Representatives and Advisory products and services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives through Private Client Services, member FINRA/SIPC, and a Registered Investment Advisor. Private Client Services and Blue Ocean Global Wealth are unaffiliated entities.Follow & connect with Alex & Amanda:Youtube Website Instagram: @dirty.laundry.podcast Want to take this conversation one step further? Join us for our next Money Talks, a free 30 minute live session where we’ll dig into a question we hear all the time from women business owners: Budgeting for Businesses to Offer Benefits. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with us!Website Facebook PageFacebook groupInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeReddit ResourcesHave questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!...

May 15, 2026Episode 14236 min

The Smart Way to Plan Adoption or Surrogacy with Kelly Ellison

Send us Fan MailBuilding a family shouldn’t feel like a financial guessing game.This week, we’re sitting down with Kelly Ellison, MBA, Founder and COO of GGR Group LLC and VESTA for Families, who’s spent over 25 years helping families navigate adoption, surrogacy, and nontraditional paths to parenthood.After adopting her daughter from China, Kelly saw firsthand just how overwhelming and expensive the process can be and made it her mission to help families do it smarter, with clarity and support.In this conversation, we’re breaking down what most people don’t talk about.We cover the real costs behind adoption and surrogacy, why so many families waste money before choosing the right path, and how to actually plan financially so you don’t have to start over.Kelly reminds us that there’s no one-size-fits-all plan when it comes to building a family. But there is a smarter way to approach it. Join us for next week’s Money Talks “Considering Adoption? Financial Planning for Growing Your Family”. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with Kelly Ellison:WebsiteLinkedIn Instagram @vestaforfamilies Want to take this conversation one step further? Join us for our next Money Talks, a free 30 minute live session where we’ll dig into a question we hear all the time from women business owners: Budgeting for Businesses to Offer Benefits. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with us!Website Facebook PageFacebook groupInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeReddit ResourcesHave questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!...

May 8, 2026Episode 14136 min

How to Take a Career Break Without Going Broke with Katrina McGhee

Send us Fan MailWhat if the real risk isn’t leaving your job… but staying?This week, we’re joined by Katrina McGhee, a career break and sabbatical coach who helps high-achieving women step off the ladder, reclaim their time, and come back to a life that feels even better.Katrina shares her own story of walking away from a six-figure career with just $1,500 in savings, and how she turned that bold decision into a 20-month life-changing break.We dive into what it actually takes to plan a sabbatical, how to shift from fear to strategy, and why taking a break might be the most powerful investment you ever make in yourself.01:46 Will a Break Ruin You04:15 Saving for Sabbatical09:33 Permission and Burnout12:19 Avoid These Money Mistakes16:39 First Steps to Start26:28 Coaching and Break Space27:40 Nomad Life and PerksKatrina reminds us that a break isn’t about walking away from your life. It’s about coming back to it stronger, clearer, and more aligned. If you’ve ever felt burned out, stuck, or like there has to be more than just working nonstop… join us for next week’s Money Talks “How to Financially Plan for a Career Break”. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Join Katrinas free workshop on May 13th on how to Take a Break Without Falling BehindFollow & connect with Katrina:WebsiteLinkedIn Instagram: @kmcgheecoachingWant to take this conversation one step further? Join us for our next Money Talks, a free 30 minute live session where we’ll dig into a question we hear all the time from women business owners: Budgeting for Businesses to Offer Benefits. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with us!Website Facebook PageFacebook groupInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeReddit ResourcesHave questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!...

May 1, 2026Episode 14043 min

The Truth About Franchising- Real Money and Real Risk with Meg Schmitz

Send us Fan MailFranchising might be the most overlooked path to financial freedom.This week, we’re joined by Meg Schmitz, a franchise consultant, business owner, and investor who has spent decades helping people build scalable businesses. From owning five Great Clips locations to becoming a single parent with no financial support, Meg shares exactly how she took control of her financial future and never looked back.Meg opens up about the moment she realized she had to step up as the decision-maker in her business, how she built confidence through hard choices, and why so many women underestimate what they’re capable of.We also dive into the real truth about franchising. Not the myths. Not the noise. The actual opportunities available and how to approach them strategically.Inside this episode, we talk about: 02:00 Building a business after divorce 12:00 What it really costs to start a franchise 18:00 Common franchising myths 22:00 Why more people are turning to franchises 34:00 How to get started in franchisingMeg reminds us that confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s built through action, decisions, and learning as you go. Join us for next week’s Money Talks “Franchising 101- Understanding this Model as a Business Investment”. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with Meg:WebsiteLinkedIn Instagram: @schmitzmegWant to take this conversation one step further? Join us for our next Money Talks, a free 30 minute live session where we’ll dig into a question we hear all the time from women business owners: Budgeting for Businesses to Offer Benefits. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with us!Website Facebook PageFacebook groupInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeReddit ResourcesHave questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!...

April 24, 2026Episode 13937 min

When Love Drains Your Finances with Christin Luken

Send us Fan MailYou can be smart and still struggle with money.This week, we’re joined by Christine Luken, known as the Financial Dignity Coach, who shares her powerful story of hitting financial rock bottom and rebuilding from the inside out.Christine opens up about what happens when emotions take over your financial decisions, how she went from being an accountant in collections to becoming a trusted financial coach, and the moment the police showed up at her door that changed everything. We discuss the emotional side of money that no one talks about. Often, women stay stuck in financial patterns that don’t serve them. Together, how do we start making decisions that support both our present and our future?Christine reminds us that money isn’t just numbers. It’s emotional, personal, and deeply tied to how we see ourselves. If you're ready to take back control of your finances after divorce, join us for next week’s Money Talks “Financial Clarity: What You Need to Know Before, During, and After your Divorce”. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! This episode is supported by Marguerita Cheng, CFP®, RICP®, CDFA®, CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth. Marguerita works with women navigating divorce to bring clarity, confidence, and control back into their financial lives. At Blue Ocean Global Wealth, the focus is on helping women understand their options, make informed decisions, and feel empowered about their financial future, especially during moments that feel uncertain or overwhelming. If you’re going through divorce and want support that’s clear, grounded, and centered on your long term wellbeing, you can learn more and connect with Marguerita at www.blueoceanglobalwealth.com and follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube.Disclosure:Securities offered by Registered Representatives and Advisory products and services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives through Private Client Services, member FINRA/SIPC, and a Registered Investment Advisor. Private Client Services and Blue Ocean Global Wealth are unaffiliated entities.Follow & connect with Christine:Website LinkedInMoney is Emotional PodcastTikTokYouTubeInstagram: @christinelukenWant to take this conversation one step further? Join us for our next Money Talks, a free 30 minute live session where we’ll dig into a question we hear all the time from women business owners: Budgeting for Businesses to Offer Benefits. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with us!Website Facebook PageFacebook groupInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeReddit ResourcesHave questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!...

April 17, 2026Episode 13939 min

Giving Caregivers Their Life Back with Tia Sauceda

Send us Fan MailCaregiving is not just emotional. It’s physical, financial, and constant.This week, we’re joined by Tia Sauceda, the Executive Director of the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) and a nationally recognized expert in Adult Day Services, dementia care, and person-centered care. Tia shares what most families don’t realize until they’re already in it. Caregiving is 24 7, 365, and without support, burnout is inevitable.We discuss what adult day services actually are, why they’re often the “best kept secret,” and how they give both the caregiver and the person receiving care something equally important. Space, purpose, and relief.Tia reminds us that caregiving is not just about showing up. It’s about sustaining yourself while you do it. If you’re navigating caregiving right now, or you know you will be, take the next step and join next week’s Money Talks “The Hidden Costs of Caregiving: Build a Plan to Support your Loved Ones”. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with Tia Sauceda:Website LinkedIn Instagram @nadsa.adultdayWant to take this conversation one step further? Join us for our next Money Talks, a free 30 minute live session where we’ll dig into a question we hear all the time from women business owners: Budgeting for Businesses to Offer Benefits. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with us!Website Facebook PageFacebook groupInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeReddit ResourcesHave questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!...

April 10, 2026Episode 13842 min

The Hidden Money Trauma Holding Women Back with Anjali Jariwala

Send us Fan MailMoney isn’t just math… it’s emotional.This week on Women & Money: The Shit We Don’t Talk About, we’re joined by Anjali Jariwala, the founder of FIT Advisors, a financial planning firm which serves physicians and business owners across the US. After working with Fortune 500 clients and high net worth individuals at distinguished firms, Anjali decided she could make a bigger impact by starting her own firm. Her approach is to help clients understand that money is a tool to reach financial goals but emotions can impact their ability to make good financial decisions.She brings a powerful perspective on the emotional side of money, and why so many women feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected when it comes to their finances. Anjali shares how money trauma shows up in real life, from overspending to over saving, and how the stories we carry from childhood quietly shape the financial decisions we make today.What you’ll hear in this episode:01:00 How money trauma shows up in everyday decisions02:00 Overspending vs over saving03:00 Childhood stories and financial patterns10:00 How to reduce financial anxiety12:00 Seeing money as a tool15:00 Why money conversations feel taboo20:00 Aligning money with your valuesIf this conversation resonates, take the next step and join next week’s Money Talks “Practical ways to build healthier financial habits”. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with Anjali Jariwala:Fit Advisors Website Instagram: @_anjalijariwalaLinkedIn Want to take this conversation one step further? Join us for our next Money Talks, a free 30 minute live session where we’ll dig into a question we hear all the time from women business owners: Budgeting for Businesses to Offer Benefits. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with us!Website Facebook PageFacebook groupInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeReddit ResourcesHave questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!...

April 3, 2026Episode 13631 min

Practice Generosity Without Hurting Your Finances with Alison Patterson

Send us Fan MailGiving shouldn’t feel confusing, overwhelming, or guilt-driven.In this episode, we sit down with Alison Patterson, the founder of Patterson Philanthropic Advisors and the creator of Generosity Architecture, a strategic framework that helps individuals, families, and advisors design giving that is clear, confident, and aligned with their values..We dive into how to give with intention, how to stop saying yes out of guilt, and how to align your money with what actually matters most to you.You’ll hear how generosity evolves through every stage of life, why you don’t need a lot of money to make an impact, and how to build a giving strategy that feels empowering, not draining.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the asks, unsure where your money should go, or guilty for saying no, this conversation will completely shift how you think about giving.If this conversation sparked something for you, take the next step and join us for next week’s Money Talks, Creating A Giving Strategy That Aligns With Your Finances. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with Alison Patterson:Website Instagram: @letsgogiveyall LinkedIn Want to take this conversation one step further? Join us for our next Money Talks, a free 30 minute live session where we’ll dig into a question we hear all the time from women business owners: Budgeting for Businesses to Offer Benefits. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with us!Website Facebook PageFacebook groupInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeReddit ResourcesHave questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!...