“We imagine professors in leather chairs thinking big thoughts, but the reality is—it’s a workplace that won’t love you back if you’re not producing.”

In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Rebecca Pope-Ruark, Director of Faculty Professional Development at Georgia Tech, author of Agile Faculty and Unraveling Faculty Burnout. Rebecca opens up about her own journey through academia from financial stress and student loan regret, to finding stability through consulting work and charging her worth.

She shares candid reflections on:

· Growing up without financial literacy and how that shaped her early money decisions

· The reality of student loans, credit card debt, and the long tail of financial stress

· Learning to price her expertise fairly and the impact it had on her family’s financial stability

· Gender disparities in higher education pay and the cultural barriers around negotiation

· The importance of balancing survival, saving for the future, and enjoying life now

Rebecca also offers thoughtful advice for early-career academics, especially women, on managing money, seeking guidance, and recognizing that higher education is an industry with its own inequities and pressures.

If you’ve ever wondered how academics navigate money, career decisions, and burnout in the same breath, this conversation is both validating and eye-opening.

More about Rebecca:

Rebecca Pope-Ruark, PhD, ACC is a faculty developer and certified coach who works with higher ed professionals on topics of faculty burnout, career development, compassionate leadership, and the day-to-day challenges and opportunities of being a faculty member or leader. She does workshops with institutions around the country around burnout, vitality, and compassionate leadership and is the author and editor of multiple books including 2025's Of Many Minds: Neurodiversity and Mental Health among University Faculty and Staff (Johns Hopkins) and 2022's Unraveling Faculty Burnout: Pathways to Reckoning and Renewal (Johns Hopkins). Learn more about her work and connect with her via her website www.higheredburnout.com.

If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/.

Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

"Money is not a piece of paper in your purse. It's your life. It's your youth. It's your precious hours that you gave away to earn that money. Spend it wisely."

What if money isn’t just currency but the very time and energy of your life, especially when you’re navigating the unique challenges of an academic career?

Sam Hosseini, a biomedical engineering professor turned entrepreneur, shares how reframing money as a tool for freedom and choice reshaped her journey from tenure-track academia to building her own impactful business supporting scholars worldwide.

In this episode, we discuss:

·       The realities of academic pay and the courage it takes to ask for more

·       How saying no to a “dream” faculty role opened doors to new opportunities

·       The self-education habits and entrepreneurial mindset that became her competitive edge

·       Why investing in herself felt daunting and why she’d do it again without hesitation

We also explore:
📍 Redefining financial security beyond faculty salaries and grants
📚 Money mindset shifts that make negotiating, career pivots, and life choices easier

🎧 If you’re an academic curious about how to take control of your financial life and career path, this episode is for you. Listen wherever you enjoy your podcasts!

More about Sam:

Dr. Samira Hosseini is the founder of the Autonomous Academic Accelerator, a program that helps ambitious academics go from struggling with publishing papers in top journals, limited visibility, and poor citation records to building a solid research trajectory and high H-index, gaining recognition and reputation, and positioning themselves as authorities in their disciplines.

See the program here: www.samirahosseini.com 

Sam's mentor's program is called the Authority Accelerator. Here’s Sam's referral link, in case you're interested in joining:

https://authorityio.referralrock.com/l/SAMIRAHOSS74/

If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/.

Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

What happens when your first raise kicks you off state healthcare? Tanya Golash-Boza learned the hard way that more money doesn’t always mean more breathing room.

In this episode, we talk with Tanya about the financial wake-up calls that shaped her academic career—from losing food stamps after a small negotiation win, to realizing that a $10,000 fellowship wasn’t “extra” money, but part of a bigger budgeting lesson.

She shares how one offhand comment from a colleague led her to start saving for her kids’ college with just $50 a month—and how those small steps paid off. We also get into the mindset shift that helped her go from scared to ask for $10K to confidently negotiating a $50K increase for a leadership role.

Other points of interest: how location shaped her career decisions more than money or prestige, why most trade books don’t actually pay, and what she’d do if money were no object.

If you’ve ever thought “I should be able to afford this—I have a PhD,” this one’s for you.

If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/.

Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

“Get the Bag, Not Just the Title” — Ramon Goings

What would you do differently if you could start your academic career over? Ramon Goings has a few answers—and he’s not holding back. In this episode, we chat with the founder of Done Dissertation about the biggest financial lessons he’s learned as a professor, business owner, and scholar.

Ramon explains why your first academic job offer sets the tone for your financial future, and why prestige should come after pay. He shares how he leveraged grant structures, salary negotiations and outsourcing to build long-term wealth.

Other gems: what early-career faculty often overlook in contracts and why universities need to rethink how they pay their staff—if they want anyone to stay.

Plus, if you're working on your dissertation, Ramon has a free writing training that might just change your life.

• Free training: thedondissertation.com/elevate
• Text “#elevate” to 301-701-2466
• YouTube: Goings on the Record

Connect with Done Dissertation

Website: www.thedonedissertation.com

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/donedissertation

If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/.

Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

In this second installment of our two-part series on workplace retirement plans, host Neeka Miremadi helps academics navigate the next step after choosing between plan types—evaluating the investments within those plans. Whether you're comparing 403(b) and 457 plans or just want to make better use of your current retirement account, this episode walks you through how to assess fund quality, fees, and provider options like a PhD (without making a 10-page report like Inga did).

Neeka breaks down key concepts like expense ratios, target date funds, and asset class diversification, and shares real-world examples of how investment menus can vary widely across providers—even when the funds appear similar. She also touches on how to supplement weaker plans with IRAs and why provider reputation and fee transparency really matter.

If you're making retirement plan decisions at work—or reviewing the ones you've already made—this episode gives you a clear, practical framework for evaluating your options with confidence.

If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/.

Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

Starting a new academic job? One of the biggest—and most overwhelming—financial decisions you'll face is choosing a workplace retirement plan. In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi walks you through a clear, approachable framework to help you understand your options and make a confident choice.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series on workplace investing. Today’s focus: how to choose which type of plan to enroll in, such as a pension vs. an investment-based plan, and how to think through contribution options like pre-tax vs. Roth.

We cover:

• The difference between defined benefit (DB) pensions and defined contribution (DC) plans
• When a 403(b), 457(b), or 401(k) might be a good fit
• Contribution strategies
• Pre-tax vs. Roth contributions—and why having both can offer flexibility in retirement
• The unique features and flexibility of 457(b) plans

Neeka also shares real-life examples from co-host Inga’s career to help ground abstract concepts in practical scenarios. Whether you’re risk-averse, mobile, or just trying to make sense of your options, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to take your first step.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive into choosing a provider and navigating investment options inside your plan.

Resources Mentioned in Episode:

Our Website: www.attainablewealthfp.com

XYPN Find an Advisor: https://advice.xyplanningnetwork.com/

👉 Follow us so you never miss an episode

If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/.

Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

In this episode of Academics and Their Money, we talk with Janine Sam—a former professor turned financial planner—about her transition from academia to industry, and all the financial lessons she picked up along the way. Janine opens up about the realities of academic workload, the myth of flexibility in higher ed, and what ultimately drove her to pivot careers.

We also dive into:

• What it’s like to teach and live abroad (including tax surprises!)
• Her experience negotiating salaries in both academia and industry
• How she weighed the cost of a PhD against her future earnings
• The role of mentorship in making career and financial decisions
• Her best and worst recent purchases (spoiler: toddler shoes and better coffee)

Janine’s story is a great listen for anyone wondering whether to stay in academia, make a shift, or just be more intentional about how money fits into their career choices.

👉 Learn more about Inga and I at attainablewealthfp.com

👉 Follow us so you never miss an episode

If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/.

Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

In this episode of Academics and Their Money, we’re joined by Melisa Galvan—professor, textbook author, and all-around academic powerhouse—to talk about what she wishes she'd known before starting her academic career. From the high-stakes stress of negotiating as a new PhD, to managing a 4–4 teaching load in Los Angeles, Melisa shares the financial trade-offs she’s navigated in pursuit of a life in higher ed. 

We discuss the tension between financial survival and professional growth, the dangers of putting your personal life on hold for professional milestones, and why retirement planning should start long before you land a tenure-track job. 

She also shares her favorite way to spend money (it involves summer camps and sanity), how textbook writing is an underrated source of passive income, and the limits of institutional support.

If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/.

Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

In this episode of Academics and Their Money, we sit down with Shannah Game—host of Everyone's Talking Money and author of Unraveling Your Relationship with Money—to explore the often-overlooked emotional side of finances. We dive into the challenges of adjunct teaching, misconceptions about academic salaries, and the mental baggage many of us carry about money. Shannah shares exercises to help reframe your money mindset, including how to practice financial forgiveness and ask the right questions about your money habits. She even gave us some “homework” to do and dig into our relationship with money!

Here’s your homework: Ever wonder why it's so hard to stick to a budget—or even make one? According to Shannah Game, personal finance expert and podcast host, it's rarely about the numbers. It's about your relationship with money. In our recent episode, Shannah shared two quick mindset exercises anyone can do to start shifting their financial narrative:

1. Ask yourself: How do I feel about money? Then keep asking "Why?" until you hit the root.
2. Try Financial Forgiveness: Write down all your money mistakes, let it all out. Then shred the paper and start fresh.

_____________________________________________________________

Connect with Shannah

Book: Unraveling Your Relationship with Money – Link: https://everyonestalkinmoney.com/book/

Podcast: Everyone’s Talkin’ Money – Link: https://everyonestalkinmoney.com

Socials: @shannahgame

Free Bank Account Therapy: https://shannah-game-df3a.mykajabi.com/offers/M3Rz5w5L/checkout

If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/.

Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

In this deeply honest and empowering episode of Academics and Their Money, we’re joined by Nicole Pulliam—tenured professor, certified coach, and unapologetic truth-teller—as she shares her unexpected journey through academia, the power of belief, and the real talk no one gives you about money in higher ed.

Nicole opens up about what it felt like to pursue a PhD she never imagined for herself, the joy and constraints of life as a professor, and why her gratitude for the academic world now comes with a healthy dose of skepticism. She discusses the “golden handcuffs” of tenure, the dismal financial rewards tied to academic promotions, and the quiet pressure many faculty feel to stay in roles that no longer serve them.

We also explore her entrepreneurial pivot into coaching—what led her there, how she built her business on the side, and why monetizing your skills outside of the academy isn't just possible, it's necessary. Nicole shares insights into supporting women and faculty of color navigating predominantly white institutions, and how building community and expanding out, not just up, has transformed her professional life.

Plus, we wrap with a fun money moment—what she’s most proud of spending money on (spoiler: it’s for her son), and her most regretful expense (yep, it involves DoorDash).

If you've ever felt stuck between gratitude and wanting more, this conversation will speak directly to you.

💼 Connect with Nicole Pulliam and learn more about her coaching work:
Website: www.realandworthyllc.com
Instagram: @realandworthyllc | @nicolepulliamphd
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicolepulliamphd

If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/.

Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.