Feminist Money

What if ending your marriage didn't mean an expensive courtroom battle, losing your financial security, or sacrificing your peace of mind? For many women, divorce brings overwhelming questions about keeping the family home, protecting assets, and dealing with an uncooperative ex.

In this episode of Feminist Money, we sit down with Cassandra Kalpaxis to explore collaborative divorce, out-of-court settlements and how women can navigate the end of their marriage while protecting their financial future. Because wanting an amicable separation doesn't mean accepting less, avoiding difficult conversations or putting your future at risk.

We explore:

• What is a collaborative divorce, and what does it actually look like in practice for a woman who realises her marriage is over but wants to stay out of the courtroom?
• Is collaborative divorce right for me if we are trying to navigate this transition amicably, and what are the signs that a relationship is actually a good fit for this path?
• When is collaborative divorce a bad idea, and what are the immediate red flags that tell you an out-of-court collaboration is just not going to work?
• What are the very first tactical steps a woman must take to protect her financial future before negotiation even begins?
• What does a fair property settlement after separation actually look like long-term, and how can women build an asset split that protects their future rather than just settling for what feels okay right now?
• How does taking a trauma-informed approach to your settlement help you separate the clinical business of the split from your own personal healing?

Scenarios:

• What do you do if your ex wants to stay out of court but won't show financial documents, and how do you ensure a fair asset split when you are completely in the dark about the money?
• Can you keep the family home after a divorce if you earn less money, and how do you figure out if keeping it is actually viable for you long-term or if it will cost you financially?
• How do you handle divorce mediation if your ex is highly confrontational, and how do you successfully navigate an out-of-court settlement if your partner turns every conversation into a fight?

Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.

About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.

Gambling is changing, and women are increasingly being exposed to betting through apps, social media and targeted digital advertising. But what is driving this shift, why is gambling harm becoming a growing concern for women, and what are the hidden consequences for their mental health, finances and relationships?

In this episode of Feminist Money, we speak with Dr Simone McCarthy, a leading public health researcher from Deakin University, to explore why gambling harm is rising among women, how the betting industry targets them, why gambling can remain hidden for years, and what recovery looks like for women.

We explore:

• Why has the gambling industry suddenly shifted its focus to target women?
• How do gambling companies target women with novelty bets and social media ads?
• Why are young women aged 18–34 now the most at-risk group for gambling harm?
• What is escape gambling, and why do women hide their gambling debt longer than men?
• How does a partner's gambling addiction affect a woman's mental and financial health?
• What does gambling recovery look like for women dealing with hidden debt?

Scenarios:

• How do I get free help for gambling debt?
• Why can't I stop gambling when I am stressed?
• How can I help someone with a gambling addiction?

Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.

About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.

Why can spending money on yourself feel uncomfortable, even when you can afford it? From feeling guilty after a purchase to constantly worrying about running out of money or holding yourself back from earning more, our relationship with money is often shaped by beliefs and experiences we may not even realise we're carrying.

In this episode of Feminist Money, we’re joined by Angela Meyer from Hi Money in New Zealand to unpack how our upbringing, past experiences and family money habits can influence the way we spend, save and earn. Together, we explore why financial anxiety can persist even when we have enough money, and how we can begin to challenge the beliefs that hold us back.

1. Why do I get anxiety when I spend money on myself?

2. How do I stop feeling guilty after buying something?

3. How does your parents' relationship with money affect you?

4. Why do I always feel like I’m running out of money?

5. How do you break family money cycles?

We also unpack three real-life scenarios:

• Spending without guilt: What can you do when you buy something you can afford but immediately feel anxious or guilty?
• Feeling financially unsafe: How can you challenge a scarcity mindset when your finances are actually in good shape?
• The guilt of earning more: How do you stop holding yourself back from opportunities because you feel uncomfortable earning more than your family or friends?

Discover how money beliefs and past experiences influence your financial decisions, and how greater awareness can help you build a healthier, more confident relationship with money.

Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.

About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.

In this episode of Feminist Money, we explore the rising cost of parenthood, the financial realities of grey divorce and what Deborah Meaden has to say about money, confidence, independence and making the most of midlife. Because major life transitions can have a lasting impact on women’s financial futures, from earning potential and retirement security to financial confidence and independence.

• Raising two or more children in Australia now costs at least $36,500 a year, while the cost of running a family home has risen 134% over two decades.
• We explore how the cost of raising children and the impact of parenthood on women’s earnings can affect long-term financial security.

• When couples divorce later in life, one retirement can suddenly need to become two, changing the financial outlook for both partners.
• We explore retirement savings, financial independence and the potential long-term financial implications of grey divorce for women.

• Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden shares insights from her entrepreneurial journey, financial literacy, personal finance and overcoming imposter syndrome.
• We also explore investing, independence, relationships, being childfree, climate activism and making the most of life in midlife.

Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.

About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.

Discover how money and technology can be used as tools of domestic violence, hear from experts working on the frontline, and learn how you can support survivors and become an advocate for change. Domestic violence isn't always physical or visible; economic control, financial dependence and technology can all be used to exert power over someone experiencing abuse.

In this episode, we bring together highlights from last year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, exploring four important aspects of domestic violence and what we can do to create change.

• Economic Abuse: Money can be a powerful tool of control. We explore what economic abuse looks like, how it can affect a person’s independence and wellbeing, and why recognising it is an important part of understanding domestic violence.
• Frontline Services: What happens when someone experiencing domestic violence reaches out for help? Experts working on the frontline share insights into the challenges faced by victim-survivors and the role that services can play in providing support and pathways to safety.
• Technology & Digital Abuse: From monitoring devices and accounts to controlling access to technology, digital tools can be used to exert power and control. We explore technology-facilitated abuse and why digital safety needs to be part of conversations about domestic violence.
• Becoming an Advocate for Change: Awareness is an important first step, but what can we do next? We explore how individuals and communities can support victim-survivors, challenge the attitudes and behaviours that enable gender-based violence, and advocate for change.
• 16 Days of Activism: This episode brings together highlights from 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an annual global campaign running from 25 November to 10 December. We revisit key conversations from the campaign to better understand domestic violence, the different forms abuse can take, and how we can contribute to change.

In this episode of Feminist Money, we unpack the issue of debt and financial counselling as a support service to help you manage debt, with Deb Shroot, from Financial Counselling Australia.

Debt can happen through everyday life events and unexpected financial pressures

• A big unexpected bill, losing a job, a relationship ending, rising living costs or using credit to get by can all lead to debt.
• We talk about how people can end up in debt and how it can build over time.

Financial counselling can provide practical support when debt becomes overwhelming

• Financial counselling can help people understand their financial situation, explore available options and make informed decisions about managing debt.
• Getting professional, confidential support can make it easier to navigate financial stress and take the first steps towards debt help.

Getting out of debt starts with taking the first step

• Getting out of debt doesn’t happen overnight, and the way forward will look different for everyone.
• We talk about where to start, what getting out of debt can involve and how getting some support can make the process feel less overwhelming.
• We explore common debt scenarios across different areas of everyday life.

Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.

About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.

In this episode of Feminist Money, we unpack the pressing issue of homelessness among older women, with Yumi Lee, the CEO of the Older Women's Network of New South Wales:

The systemic roots of financial and housing insecurity

• The lifelong impact of gendered expectations, particularly caregiving roles, on women’s financial security in later life.
• The connection between limited financial resources, inadequate housing affordability and the growing risk of homelessness among older women.

The hidden nature and social stigma of older women’s homelessness

• The increasing prevalence of homelessness among women aged 55 and over, including those experiencing precarious or unstable housing.
• The social stigma surrounding homelessness and the difficulty some older women have in identifying their circumstances as homelessness.

From individual vulnerability to community-based solutions

• The limitations of existing housing policies and the need for affordable, secure and dignified housing options.
• Homes for Older Women and similar programs as an example of community-based support, alongside broader calls for policy reform and stronger social support systems.

Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.

About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.

What would change for women if having a baby didn’t mean taking a major financial hit? Australia’s parental leave system still leaves many women facing a significant drop in income at one of the biggest transitions in their lives.

In this episode we speak with The Parenthood about their bold campaign for 52 weeks of paid parental leave and what it could mean for women and families navigating the economy right now.

(4:47) The first year of a child’s life

(6:27) Pressures shaping when parents return to work

(7:49) Why paid parental leave is a focus for The Parenthood

(9:50) Why we need 12 months of paid parental leave at a replacement wage – not minimum wage

(11:28) Why both parents should take paid parental leave

(14:23) Why governments should invest in paid parental leave schemes

(16:49) How to make a year of paid parental leave a reality

(19:59) How having a year of parental leave would change the experience for parents

(21:28) Why we can change the status quo on parental leave

Why we need to urgently improve paid parental leave

• The importance of being present for the first year of a child’s life.
• The pressures on parents about when to return to work.
• Why the Parenthood made paid parental leave a central campaign.

How better parental leave could improve women’s financial security and careers.

• The economic problem that 12 months of paid parental leave at a replacement wage would solve.
• Why shared parental leave is required for both parents.
• Why we all should invest in a more generous parental leave scheme via government funding.

How we can make 52 weeks of paid parental leave happen.

• What steps are needed to make the campaign’s reform possible.
• How 52 weeks of paid parental leave at replacement wage would change a parent’s experience.
• What gives The Parenthood confidence that we can create a better parental leave system.

Hear why changing paid parental leave could change what motherhood costs women.

Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.

About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, using phishing, social engineering and fake online identities to target unsuspecting victims. In this episode, we examine three of the fastest-growing scams making headlines today and explain how they work, the warning signs to watch for, and practical ways to protect yourself.

(1:51) Pig Butchering Investment Scams

(12:38) Wrong Number Text Phishing Scams

(16:40) Celebrity Impersonation Scams

Celebrity Impersonation Scams

• How scammers use fake celebrity profiles and AI-generated content.
• Why fake endorsements and direct messages can appear convincing.
• Tips for verifying celebrity accounts and avoiding impersonation scams.

Wrong Number Text Phishing Scams

• How an innocent-looking "wrong number" text can become a phishing scam.
• The tactics scammers use to build trust before attempting to steal money or personal information.
• What to do if you receive a suspicious text message.

Pig Butchering Investment Scams

• What pig butchering scams are and why they're costing victims billions.
• How scammers combine romance, friendship and phishing tactics to gain trust.
• The red flags that can help you identify fake investment opportunities.

Whether it's a message from a stranger, a fake celebrity account or an investment opportunity that seems too good to be true, this episode will help you recognise the warning signs and stay one step ahead of scammers.

Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.

About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.

Skip ahead to:

(1:50) Why more women are starting businesses

(11:15) 29% of entrepreneurs have ADHD and why they have an entrepreneurial advantage

(16:46) The Call Her Daddy business nightmare as Alex Cooper’s Unwell business faces fresh accusations.

More women are walking away from traditional employment and building businesses on their own terms but what's really driving this shift?

In this episode, we unpack the changing landscape of women in business, explore why ADHD may be a hidden entrepreneurial advantage, and discuss the conversation surrounding Alex Cooper, workplace culture, and leadership.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Why More Women Are Choosing Entrepreneurship: We discuss why increasing numbers of women are leaving traditional employment to build businesses that offer greater flexibility, financial independence and long-term wealth
• ADHD and Entrepreneurial Success: New research reveals that adults with ADHD are significantly more likely to start businesses, highlighting how traits like creativity and resilience can become entrepreneurial strengths.
• Alex Cooper and Business Under the Spotlight: We examine the workplace culture allegations surrounding Alex Cooper’s Unwell business and what they mean for accountability and the responsibilities that come with building a successful business.

Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.

About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.