In this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, John and David speak with David Collins, the creator of the "Queer Eye" series, about the origins of the show, its explosive success and the unexpected financial difficulties that followed. David's willingness to risk it all on his creative vision is still paying dividends today, and its influence is still strongly felt in the landscape of modern reality television. He shares his advice for navigating financial turmoil, believing in yourself, and supporting one another in the queer community.

For full episodes of Living Not So Fabulously, listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on our website.

Yahoo Finance's Living Not So Fabulously is produced by Dennis Golin.

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In this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, John and David speak with Amy Harclerode about the financial realities and myths surrounding nonprofit work, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Amy is someone who has successfully managed to "do good and stay smart," showing it's possible to lead with heart, serve the community, and still achieve financial stability.

For full episodes of Living Not So Fabulously, listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on our website.

Yahoo Finance's Living Not So Fabulously is produced by Austin Rivera.

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Dominique Jackson joins John & David on Living Not So Fabulously for a raw and powerful conversation about resilience, success, and financial wisdom. From overcoming homelessness and immigration struggles to dominating the fashion and entertainment industries, Dominique shares how she built a life on her own terms. Plus, she opens up about avoiding lifestyle inflation, securing her future, and the hard-earned lessons that shaped her journey.

For full episodes of Living Not So Fabulously, listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on our website.

Yahoo Finance's Living Not So Fabulously is produced by Austin Rivera.

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In this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, John and David Auten-Schneider sit down with Mark Goldstein, Founder of the Where Do Gays Retire? Facebook group and podcast, to discuss the challenges and triumphs of finding the perfect LGBTQ+-friendly retirement destination.

For full episodes of Living Not So Fabulously, listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on our website.

Yahoo Finance's Living Not So Fabulously is produced by Austin Rivera.

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In this fabulous episode of Living Not So Fabulously, Brian Falduto — famously known as Fancy Pants from School of Rock — opens up about his journey from child star to country music sensation and certified life coach. With unapologetic authenticity, Brian shares how he turned personal challenges into powerful moments of growth and self-discovery. From navigating identity in the spotlight to using his platform for positive change, his story is a testament to resilience and joy. Get ready to be inspired by his heartfelt reflections, bold ambitions, and unwavering commitment to living his truth.

For full episodes of Living Not So Fabulously, listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on our website.

Yahoo Finance's Living Not So Fabulously is produced by Austin Rivera.

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You may know Phil Schraeder as the innovative CEO of GumGum, a cutting-edge AI digital advertising firm that’s changing the way brands connect with audiences. But before rising to leadership in a challenging industry with a focus on diversity and inclusion, Schrader navigated his own financial hurdles, including a life-changing experience on the game show “Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?”.

In this week’s episode of Living Not So Fabulously, Schraeder joins hosts David & John Auten-Schneider to discuss his journey from employee number 10 at GumGum to its CEO, where he led the company to secure $75 million in funding during the pandemic. He reflects candidly on his past struggles with debt and the pressure to fit into a certain lifestyle. "I was in debt, and I needed to figure out how to get out," he recalls, humorously sharing how his victory on the game show helped him turn his financial trajectory around.

Schraeder also emphasizes the importance of using AI responsibly in advertising, advocating for technology that respects privacy while fostering meaningful connections with consumers. He passionately discusses his commitment to creating a workplace where diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are more than just buzzwords—they're integral to the company’s DNA.

His story underscores the idea that genuine connections—both in business and in our personal lives—are vital for success. Phil’s journey serves as a reminder that lessons learned from financial challenges can lead to transformative opportunities, paving the way for both professional growth and personal fulfillment.

For full episodes of Living Not So Fabulously, listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on our website.

Yahoo Finance's Living Not So Fabulously is produced by Austin Rivera.

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You may know Mo Welch’s creative and cutting-comedy from her “Dad Jokes” comedy special or her recently concluded stand-up tour with Brett Goldstein (known for his role as Roy Kent in the Apple TV+ sports comedy series “Ted Lasso”). But before becoming the next big up-and-coming comedian, she had to learn the hard way how to grow her career while managing her bills.

On this week’s episode of Living Not So Fabulously, Welch joins hosts David & John Auten-Schneider to share her money stories working in stand-up comedy while freelancing as a writer, actor, and artist. “I am so bad at money managing, and of course, I've gotten better as we've gone on. But a lot of it was, ‘Okay, how do I pay for an improv class when I'm a nanny trying to live my dreams, and improv classes are like $1,200?’” For Welch as a comedian, these experiences did “lead to a lot of great jokes, but it's a lot of jokes that I'm happy to retire because they were also sad,” she chuckled through explaining.

As Welch struggled for years through the vertical career climb in stand-up comedy, her first real footing came from a completely different talent: cartoons. In a self-described period of “rock-bottom,” Welch turned to her art as an outlet, crafting a Daria-esque character now known as Blair paired with a deadpan caption. This cartoon series (still going a decade later) is what led to Welch’s first big paycheck in Hollywood: a book deal-turned-TV script, working with Chelsea Handler attached as executive producer.

That’s when “things really started rolling,” Welch explains. “Once I really leaned into my rock bottom and was honest with myself, and said, ‘Hey wait, wake up. You need to make a change here.'"

Welch’s journey proves that embracing rock bottom can sometimes be the first step toward something bigger—whether it’s a book deal, a TV script, or simply the next great joke.

Hosts and husbands of Living Not So Fabulously, David & John Auten-Schneider, dive into real money stories with activists, allies, artists, tech-gurus, and trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ community to give you tangible takeaways to tackle your wallet woes.

Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Living Not So Fabulously at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/living-fabulously/.

Have a money story of your own? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected].

00:00-Mo Welch joins Living Not So Fabulously

01:25-Wigs and wigs

04:30-Can't pay for rent with jokes

10:00-Financial fronting

17:30-A cartoon career spring board

18:45-The threat of AI art

20:30-Laughing through politics

Yahoo Finance's Living Not So Fabulously is hosted by David & John Auten-Schneider, and created and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.

Mo Welch is a stand up comedian and cartoonist originally from Normal, Illinois. She appeared on CONAN in January of 2018 and in February of 2019. Her 10 part animated series BLAIR debuted on TBS Digital in January 2018. She was selected to be part of the CBS SHOWCASE in 2014 and 2024. Her comics have been published in The New Yorker, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Vice, and more. She was a writer on Good Talk with Anthony Jeselnik and Krapopolis on Fox. Mo co-directed her own special DAD JOKES as well as Beth Stelling's special, If You Didn't Want Me Then on Netflix. She's had script deals with HBO Max, Amazon, and FX. Mo is currently on the road opening for Brett Goldstein. Prior to that, she was on the road with Anthony Jeselnik and Chelsea Handler. Her hybrid stand up and animated show Mole premiered at Cherry Lane Theater in 2022.

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Many pressures impact how we manage our money, from friends pressuring you to spend money you don't have on a big trip to trends in the news swaying you into more risky investments. Even coworkers offer unfounded advice on your approach to wealth management. But have you ever considered the impact of toxic masculinity on your money?

On this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, hosts David & John Auten-Schneider are joined by journalist, writer, trans activist, and public speaker with a well-known TED talk, Tiq Milan. Milan explains what toxic masculinity is, why it affects everyone, and how it impacts our wallets. "People don't want to be vulnerable around their own struggles with money," he says. "But being able to be vulnerable around trusted people [is important] so that you can start to learn about how to use your money as a resource. You see people who have money, but you don't see the struggle behind it."

Milan goes on to clarify that toxic masculinity hinders one's ability to seek assistance with wealth-building because "toxic masculinity is all about competing with other folks instead of collaborating with community. It's not about love and empathy—like the morality around toxic masculinity isn't built around love or empathy. It's built around power and individualism."

But no one is truly free from money struggles. Milan went on to discuss how the LGBTQ+ community also, in particular, needs to change their relationship and perspectives around wealth-building. "I think that it is a radical idea for us as queer people to gain wealth and also to understand the value of the money that we have as a community and as a powerful economic entity in this country. So I think there's a reframe that has to happen first to kind of radicalize our relationship to our personal finances."

Hosts and husbands of Living Not So Fabulously, David & John Auten-Schneider, dive into real money stories with activists, allies, artists, tech-gurus, and trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ community to give you tangible takeaways to tackle your wallet woes.

Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Living Not So Fabulously at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/living-fabulously/.

Have a money story of your own? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected].

00:00-Tiq Milan joins Living Not So Fabulously

01:30-Funding LGBTQ+ rights through personal wealth building

05:02-Defining toxic masculinity

07:40-Counter point, Zuckerberg

15:50-The power of vulnerability

18:15-De-tabooing money talks

21:48-Fabulous lives without the debt

Yahoo Finance's Living Not So Fabulously is hosted by David & John Auten-Schneider, and created and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.

Tiq Milan shares his experience as a transgender man and how it shapes his views on masculinity, race, and gender. He travels across North America to discuss healthy masculinity, inclusive leadership, and effective communication. He has spoken at universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Brown about using inclusion as a tool for innovation and provides practical strategies for meaningful interactions. Tiq also shares his story of love and transition with The Moth.

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, better known as DEI, initiatives have been coming under increased scrutiny since President Trump took office. Several companies have ended or reduced their DEI push. Most recently, JPMorgan (JPM) dropped most of its references to DEI from its annual report.

On the latest episode of Living Not So Fabulously hosts David & John Auten-Schneider spoke with Fuerza Strategy Group managing director Jason DeAlessi, who is actively involved in LGBTQ+ businesses and local politics, about the growing threats that put the LGBTQ+ community's progress at risk. One of the issues he is tackling is "rainbow capitalism."

"Rainbow capitalism is the performative box check that a lot of companies have been doing,” he says, criticizing companies that use Pride Month as an opportunity for virtue-signaling without making long-term contributions. "They parade that float down the streets during Pride month and then they disappear. They don't support or sponsor an employee resource group. They don't support any real meaningful contributions.”

After penning a 2021 article about the trend of Rainbow Capitalism within Pride Month, DeAlessi's worries are greater than ever about the shifting landscape of support, or lack thereof. “The fact that [anti-LGBTQ+] rhetoric has become more normalized is a huge concern,” he stresses, emphasizing the need for voters to be mindful of local and national elections, as these decisions impact corporate behavior and policy.

DeAlessi also highlights the growing challenges for queer-owned small businesses, especially with the pullback in corporate support. "The reality is, these rollbacks will have a direct impact on queer-owned businesses, especially the smaller ones," he says. However, he urges listeners to take action by seeking out opportunities to support LGBTQ+ businesses year-round. “There are platforms like Everywhere Is Queer, where queer businesses can list themselves," he notes, encouraging people to use these resources to ensure that support extends beyond just Pride Month. “Sustained, year-round engagement is crucial for the community's survival and growth,” he concludes.

Hosts and husbands of Living Not So Fabulously, David & John Auten-Schneider, dive into real money stories with activists, allies, artists, tech-gurus, and trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ community to give you tangible takeaways to tackle your wallet woes.

Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Living Not So Fabulously at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/living-fabulously/.

Have a money story of your own? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected].

00:00-Jason DeAlessi joins Living Not So Fabulously

01:40-Defining "Rainbow Capitalism"

04:20-The shifting DEI landscape for government and corporations

07:00-How to support the community

09:30-Pride Month 2.0

11:40-How anti-DEI impacts small businesses

18:00-Long-term personal wealth growth

Yahoo Finance's Living Not So Fabulously is hosted by David & John Auten-Schneider, and created and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.

Jason DeAlessi is an entrepreneur who works in startups across the media, entertainment, real estate, and hospitality industries. His primary focus is currently with Fuerza Strategy Group, where he serves as Managing Director of the boutique digital and creative consulting firm on its projects with clients across the United States in the political and social justice arenas. Prior to starting his own firm, he worked at NBC News and for a national public affairs firm.

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Angel investing is somewhat of a mystery to many. Where does their money come from? How do they spot a good startup? How does the market and politics impact their investments? However, small business owners and entrepreneurs know that an angel investor’s insights might hold the key to their big break.

On this week’s episode of Living Not So Fabulously, hosts David & John Auten-Schneider speak with ASTRSK PR Founder & CEO and angel investor Elliot Tomaeno. Tomaeno’s funding and PR efforts focus on startups in the tech industry, working with brands like Groupon, STASH, Prime Video, Primary Venture Partners, Titan, THINX, Misfits Market, Lemonade, and Squarespace—just to name a few.

Though there’s no easy road to success, as an entrepreneur and funder himself, Tomaeno pulls back the curtain on the ins and outs of the investing community. His best insight for startup founders in this fickle investor world? Take some risks in being vocal about topics that are true to the core of one’s business. “That kind of authenticity at the early stage and the ability to maybe not be afraid to make some enemies, I think, is something that really stands out as something that makes people successful or makes companies successful."

Tomaeno explains that he wants to work with people and clients that he loves, “working with companies that not only are good to us and our staff, but also don't make the world a worse place, at the very least.” Furthermore, Tomaeno tries to lift up underrepresented startups, including “BIPOC startups, female founders, LGBTQ+ founded startups, and AAPI founded startups.”

Hosts and husbands of Living Not So Fabulously, David & John Auten-Schneider, dive into real money stories with activists, allies, artists, tech-gurus, and trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ community to give you tangible takeaways to tackle your wallet woes.

Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Living Not So Fabulously at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/living-fabulously/.

Have a money story of your own? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected].

00:00-Elliot Tomaeno joins Living Not So Fabulously

03:10-Biggest takeaway from angel investing

06:20-Be ready for (many) losses as an angel

11:28-Headwinds for the startup community in 2025

13:00-How can LGBTQ+ startups succeed today?

18:27-Learning from an investing and small-biz pros mistakes

Yahoo Finance's Living Not So Fabulously is hosted by David & John Auten-Schneider, and created and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.

Elliot Tomaeno is the Founder & CEO of ASTRSK PR. Prior to founding ASTRSK in 2012, Elliot was the Head of Consumer Technology at the Morris + King agency in NYC. Throughout his 18 years in PR, Elliot has held leadership roles at Enloop, Ballou PR and Wyndstrom and has worked in cities on both sides of the pond including San Francisco, Paris, London and NYC. He has been featured on Business Insider’s Top 50 PR professionals' list for 7 years running as well as Adweek’s 30 Under 30 in 2015. In addition, ASTRSK was named on The PRNet 100 the last 2 years in a row. Through ASTRSK, Elliot has helped launch and support more than 1000+ startups and innovation brands like Groupon, STASH, Prime Video, Primary Venture Partners, Titan, THINX, Misfits Market, Lemonade, and Squarespace.

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