3 Personal Finance Podcasts to Motivate & Inspire
Podcasts are magical and have a special place in my heart.
I love listening to podcasts more than watching movies and TV and just as much as reading books. They can range from fun, fictional stories to shows designed to help you learn and grow.
If you want to learn more about personal finance, podcasts can be a fantastic place to start. If you know you should learn more about money but are hesitant because it makes you anxious, podcasts are the PERFECT place to start. It's a safe space to listen to other people talk about money and explore the different voices in the space.
There is a real financial health crisis in America and so much room for people to share their knowledge. I listen to A LOT of podcasts, including personal finance shows. Money is so freaking personal, so I'm always excited to listen to new shows and hear more people talking about it and bringing it to the masses.
Wherever you are on your financial journey, you can find a show that will meet you where you are, hosted by someone you can connect with. Becoming financially healthy can be a long journey, and podcasts can refresh your motivation, teach you new things, and inspire you to dream bigger than you've thought possible.
These are my top three recommendations if you're looking for podcasts to inspire or motivate your personal finance journey.
1. Brown Ambition with Mandi & Tiffany
This show is such a treat. There are short and sweet episodes and longer, more juicy options in the feed to binge.
Tiffany is a personal finance expert, and Mandi is a Career and Negotiation coach. Their unique blend of expertise and experience leads to fantastic advice, funny stories, and honest, emotional conversations. I feel like there is no subject off limits when it comes to Brown Ambition, and I listen to this show as soon as it drops every week.
On the BA Q&A episodes, Mandi and Tiffany answer questions from the community. They have interviews with various guests specializing in different fields, including other experts, authors, and outstanding professionals. Some of my favorite episodes are the ones where the two friends talk with each other about their own experiences and questions.
There is so much to love about this show, but my favorite thing is that every episode is unique, engaging, and full of Mandi and Tiffany. They bring out the best in their guests, and you'll take a nugget of information with you each time you listen. It's a nice mixed bag, so no matter what you're in the mood to learn about, you can scroll through the archive and find something to try.
2. Martinis and Your Money – with Shannon McLay
This was my first personal finance podcast and has a special place in my heart. I saw Shannon speak live at an event in the summer of 2019, started listening on the train ride home, and haven't looked back since. That night and Shannon's podcast put in motion a set of events I'd never even dreamed possible.
This show has a real, emotional but relaxed vibe. Shannon's guests range from personal finance professionals experts in interesting industries, like human design, and regular people. There are 'Financially Naked' episodes where folks come on and share their real-life numbers and stories. These guests come in all financial shapes and sizes, and this helped me learn that we're not alone in our feelings about money. You can listen to me get financially naked with Shannon here.
This show is all about real people sharing their stories, and they're all fantastic in their own way. It truly is come as you are. There is so much power in financial health, and Shannon has done an incredible job of making money a casual but fun topic for a decade. These are excellent long episodes that are great conversations between unique people. You'll always leave with a great takeaway, a new fabulous guest to research later, or a resource to check out. If money makes you anxious, this is a great place to start.
3. Afford Anything – with Paula Pant
Just listening to Paula's intro gets me hyped every time I turn the show on. Opening with, 'You can afford anything, but not everything — and that's true not only for your money but also your time, focus, energy, and attention. This opens two questions: How can we make smarter decisions about our money, time, and life?' It's a great reminder and an outstanding personal finance mantra.
There are so many things I love about Paula. She is both a brilliant lady and so freaking fantastic at talking about personal finance in an innovative and approachable way. She also takes questions from the audience and answers them with Joe Saul-Sehuy, and they make such a fantastic pair with unique perspectives on the questions presented.
Her show is polished, with a great intro telling you what to expect and a wrap-up with the most critical points at the end. I love this for two reasons: if you're listening on the go, you can make sure you're getting the most essential points because Paula literally tells them to you, or if you ever want to go back to an episode for the tasty bits, you can always count on Paula to have you covered.
The thing about personal finance is that, at the core, the basics and principles are the same. So when you're looking for a podcast, you want to find someone who knows those basics and communicates them in a way that resonates with you and that you find enjoyable. You're more likely to stick to something if you think it's enjoyable, so find hosts you love. If the intense shame game isn't your thing, find a more compassionate, loving money expert.
If you need help figuring out where to start, try the shows on this list. The great thing about them is that you will meet wonderful people to continue following and listening to. Soon, you'll be surrounded by money-positive people who will help you bloom on your financial journey. There are so many podcasts that it can be hard to know where to start! These three are in my regular rotation, and they're worth trying if you're looking for something new.
I would love to know your favorite podcasts! Share them with me in the comments or send me an email to thehungryartistny@gmail.com
