Financial Feminist

What if everything you’ve been told about retirement is a lie? For years, we’ve been sold the idea that we should grind it out for 40+ years and finally start enjoying life at 65 — but what if that model is broken? In this episode, I’m joined by author and financial coach Jillian Johnsrud to talk about why the traditional retirement plan is failing us and how mini-retirements can give you freedom, fulfillment, and even more money along the way. We’re unpacking exactly how to afford extended breaks, how to negotiate time off without tanking your career, and why rest is one of the smartest investments you can make. 

Jillian’s links:

Website: https://retireoften.com/

Book: https://lnk.to/retireoften

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillianjohnsrud/

Planning worksheet: https://retireoften.com/mini/ 

Negotiating worksheet: https://retireoften.com/onemonth/ 

To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

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When I started my business, I had just $40 in my bank account. No trust fund, no corporate safety net, just a dream and a whole lot of grit. Fast forward, and that $40 has turned into a multi-million dollar company that’s helped over five million women change their relationship with money. But it didn’t happen without mistakes––and a lot of hard lessons along the way. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the seven most important lessons I’ve learned over nine years of building Her First $100K. These are the strategies, mindset shifts, and sometimes counterintuitive moves that have made the biggest difference—not just in our bottom line, but in my life as an entrepreneur.

To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

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What happens when you build a $100 million brand, become the face of a cultural movement, and then watch it all come crashing down—publicly? In this episode, I sit down with the iconic Sophia Amoruso—founder of Nasty Gal, originator of #Girlboss, and now a seasoned investor and entrepreneur—to talk about what it really takes to reinvent yourself without losing who you are. We get raw about failure, public scrutiny, and why walking away from something “successful” might actually be the most powerful move you can make. Whether you’re pivoting careers, or simply redefining what success looks like, Sophia’s insights'll give you the crash course in reinvention you didn’t know you needed.

Sophia’s links:

Website: https://www.sophiaamoruso.com/ 

Business Class: https://www.businessclass.co/ 

To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

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What happens when the doctrines of faith and control intersect with a woman's autonomy? In this replay episode, I sat down with Tia Levings, author of the powerful memoir “A Well-Trained Wife,” and her story will leave you speechless. Tia dives deep into her experience growing up in and escaping from Christian fundamentalism and the trad wife movement— before it was even called that. We talk about how patriarchal control impacts women financially, emotionally, and physically, and how that same mindset influences the political movements we're seeing today. If you've ever wondered how personal freedom intersects with religion, politics, and financial independence, this is the episode for you.

Tia’s links:

Website: www.tialevings.com

Tia’s book: A Well-Trained Wife

To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

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If you thought “hacking” your money meant clipping coupons or extreme budgeting, today’s episode is going to blow you away. I sat down with Chris Hutchins, of the All the Hacks podcast, to talk about how to maximize value in every area: spending, saving, earning, and traveling. Chris breaks down real, actionable hacks that go way beyond clipping coupons—including side hustles that don’t require starting a business, ways to “game the system” to cut costs on everything from groceries to luxury hotels, and how to rack up credit card points without going into debt. If you want to stop overspending, learn to travel smarter, or create extra income on the side, pull up a chair.

Chris’s links:

Website: https://allthehacks.com/ 

To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

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What happens when a cultural icon known for spreading joy and glam realness opens up about their most personal financial struggles? In this episode, I sit down with the one and only Jonathan Van Ness aka JVN for a raw, vulnerable, and hilarious conversation about money trauma, impulse spending, and the financial wake-up call that changed everything. From their first money memory at Bath & Body Works to navigating money as a public figure living with HIV, JVN shares how they went from financial avoidance to agency—with a little help from our past conversations. We dive deep into how queer joy is not just resistance, but a vital tool for survival, why financial literacy is crucial for marginalized communities, and what it really takes to heal your relationship with money. Plus, you'll hear Jonathan’s tips for luxury bag resale (you'll want to take notes), the emotional weight of growing up without financial guidance, and how they've transformed their entire financial life, mindset, and self-worth. Tune in!

JVN’s links:

Website: https://jonathanvanness.com/

Hot & Healed tour: https://jonathanvanness.com/tour/   

Book: Let Them Stare: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/let-them-stare-jonathan-van-nessjulie-murphy?

variant=43252198768674

To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

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If you’ve been quietly collecting advice, saving resources, and sitting with the weight of your own potential, but too scared to actually take action––this episode is your invitation to move. Today kicks off our brand new millionaire mindset series. But it’s not about becoming a millionaire as much as it is about thinking like one. In this first episode, I’m exploring what it really means to take risks—not just the headline-grabbing kind, but the real, uncomfortable, sweaty-palm, heart-racing decisions that stretch you and shape you. I’m sharing all of the life-lessons that have allowed me to take bold action (even when terrified), and design a life I love. Whether you're navigating a big career change, craving more autonomy, or just ready to stop living for everyone else, this episode will give you actionable tools and advice to move through fear and into the best version of yourself.

To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

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Being broke isn’t just a number in your bank account—it’s a feeling of exhaustion, fear, and isolation. It’s a cycle that so many of us know intimately, and one that today’s guest, Dasha Kennedy—aka The Broke Black Girl—has lived, studied, and helped thousands escape. In this deeply honest conversation, Dasha and I talk about what it means to truly be broke, the systemic barriers that keep so many people in financial survival mode, and the very first steps you can take to begin rewriting your money story. Whether you’re deep in debt, feeling stuck living paycheck-to-paycheck, or just craving financial stability, this episode will meet you where you are––and give you the tools and motivation you need to get unstuck.

Dasha’s links:

Website: www.thebrokeblackgirl.com 

Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Moving-Beyond-Broke/

Dasha-Kennedy/9781668025017 

Podcast episodes mentioned:

Breaking Down the Wealth Gap + Minority Appraisal Crisis with Tiffany Aliche:

https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/2021-5-24-4-breaking-down-the-racial-wealth-gap-minority-appraisal-crisis-with-tiffany-aliche-aka-the-budgetnista/ 

How America’s Racist Roots Fueled a Predatory Bail Bond Industry, with Tricia Cleppe:

https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/2021-5-24-6-how-americas-racist-roots-fueled-a-predatory-bail-bond-industry-with-tricia-cleppe/ 

To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

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What if leadership didn’t mean overworking your team, sacrificing your mental health, or pretending to be someone you’re not? In this episode, I’m sitting down with repeat guest, Amanda Litman—founder of Run for Something and author of When We’re in Charge—to talk about how millennials and Gen Z are reshaping leadership from the inside out. We dig into what it takes to lead with empathy, accountability, and boundaries in today’s work culture—and why the old playbook just doesn’t work anymore. From navigating social media and hybrid workplaces to building inclusive, sustainable teams, Amanda offers a refreshingly honest take on how we all can be better leaders, whether you're managing a team or preparing for your first promotion.

Amanda’s links:

Website: https://www.amandalitman.com/

When We’re in Charge: https://www.amandalitman.com/when-were-in-charge 

Run for Something: https://runforsomething.net/ 

To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

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If you’ve ever looked at the state of politics and thought, “What’s the point?”—this conversation is the reminder you need. I sat down with powerhouse activist Deja Foxx, who at just 25 is running for Congress in Arizona’s 7th district. She’s not just talking about change—she’s out there knocking on doors, refusing corporate PAC money, and pushing bold, progressive policies that impact real people, especially those who’ve been left behind by the system. We talk about the true cost of running for office, why reproductive rights are a financial issue, and what it actually takes to shake up a broken political system. If you’ve been feeling disillusioned with politics, Deja will remind you of what’s possible when we center lived experience and refuse to wait our turn. 

Deja’s links:

Website: https://dejafoxx.com/

To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

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