Living Not So Fabulously

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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With President Trump eliminating almost anything remotely DEI-related in the federal government, as well as erasing all HIV and LGBTQ+ medical care guidance from the CDC website, today’s guest on Living Not So Fabulously couldn’t be more timely.

From climbing out of credit card debt by launching a small business to preparing his finances for coming out publicly as HIV positive and then turning his life’s journey into a thriving personal brand, GLAAD Senior Director of Communications Tony Morrison shares his poignant lessons on brand building and living authentically with hosts David & John Auten-Schneider.

After coming out as HIV positive publicly with an article in 2021 while at ABC’s Good Morning America, Morrison discovered support and a craving for more of his experiences. “What was interesting for me is a lot of non-LGBTQ people reaching out to me, thanking me for my story. People wanted more story and experience, and I, in turn, wanted to hear the same from others.”

As advice to folks building their own personal brand, Morrison says folks should hone in on their own personal stories. “I have this huge belief that your story is your currency—your experience is your currency,” he explains. “People will pay for your experience and for your story,” he says. “If you attach your story, your experience to your business and your model, I think you're unstoppable. Because your story is the one thing that no one can take from you.”

Today, along with serving as GLAAD's Senior Communications Director since 2022, Morrison has built his own story into a personal brand as the host of +Life Media’s web series “Truth Be Told,” where he has weekly conversations featuring LGBTQ+ personalities and activists as they share their own truths with the world. Morrison’s journey as a media maker is more than just inspiration. They serve as guidance for someone else to take their own stigmatized journey and evolve it into a personal brand.

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-Tony Morrison joins Living Not So Fabulously

01:30-"A non literate gay in finance space"

07:40-Handling credit card debt by...going into small business? 

11:10-Coming out as HIV positive publicly 

15:30-Looking for different representation of HIV positive stories

16:30-Becoming unstoppable! Weave your personal story into your brand

18:45-GLAAD addressing LGBTQ DEI cut backs

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

Tony Morrison (@THETonyMorrison, he/him) is 3x Emmy and GLAAD award-earning journalist serving as Senior Director of Communications for GLAAD, the world’s leading LGBTQ media advocacy organization.

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When applying for a mortgage, small business owners often face extra challenges, as banks perceive their income as risky and volatile. Elizabeth Gore, President and Co-founder of Hello Alice, shares her experience of struggling to buy a home while starting her business. Despite the potential for wealth creation, small business owners—particularly those from marginalized groups (women, people of color, LGBTQ+, veterans, and those with disabilities)—often encounter barriers when seeking loans. Gore suggests solutions like using co-signers or demonstrating a history of on-time payments to improve chances. Her platform, Hello Alice, supports small business owners by providing resources to help them succeed both financially and professionally.

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-Elizabeth Gore joins Living Not So Fabulously

01:25-The money stories that shape us

06:28-Budgeting is one key to success

10:24-Buying a home as a small business owner

16:12-Unique lives of LGBTQ+ business owners

18:58-Small business under Trump 2.0

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

Elizabeth Gore is the President and Co-Founder of Hello Alice which helps small businesses start and grow by providing funding, education, and networking opportunities.

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What does it take to succeed as a small business owner in today's economy? According to former Biden administration official Jonathan Lovitz, it's not just about surviving but ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. As the director of public affairs & senior adviser at the US Economic Development Administration (within the US Department of Commerce), and the former senior vice president of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Lovitz knows a thing or two about it. Lovitz advocates for policies that lift all boats, especially those of marginalized entrepreneurs.

In this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, Lovitz spoke with hosts David & John Auten-Schneider and explained how supporting diverse communities, particularly LGBTQ+ business owners, is key to building a stronger, more resilient economy for everyone.

Lovitz underscores the importance of access to capital, opportunity, and growth for small businesses, regardless of background. He emphasizes that inclusive, "place-based" economic strategies empower entrepreneurs to succeed within their own communities. “When one of us rises, we all rise,” he says, highlighting the collective power of diverse business owners who contribute nearly $2 trillion to the U.S. economy each year.

For Lovitz, it’s about opening doors and creating space for everyone to compete—not giving special treatment but ensuring equal opportunity for all.

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-Jonathan Lovitz joins Living Not So Fabulously

02:20-What should small businesses focus on in Trump 2.0

07:30-Challenges for LGBTQ+ business owners

14:15-Behind the scenes of the Biden administration

19:30-Bridging gaps using...football?

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

Jonathan Lovitz is dedicated to helping governments, corporations, and nonprofits build strong economies and communities. In February 2023, President Biden appointed Jonathan the US Department of Commerce to join the senior leadership team of the US Economic Development Administration (EDA). He recently served as Senior Vice President & Special Advisor to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, continuing a career spanning the worlds of business, public policy, media, and community advocacy.

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Not every big business dream will come to life—it’s a hard pill to swallow. In fact, both the Small Business Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics report that 20% of small businesses fail within the first two years. Even more staggering is that that 45% of small businesses fail in their first five years, and 65% in their first ten years. So what’s an entrepreneur to do?

BKLYN LEAGUE Founder and NYU Adjunct Professor Phaon Spurlock is an entrepreneur who knows not everything about it is to love, nor is it the path for everyone. Spurlock joins Living Not So Fabulously hosts David & John Auten-Schneider to bring you those great tips (and warnings) for your business.

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-Phaon Spurlock joins Living Not So Fabulously

01:20-Three tips for entrepreneurs

04:30-Tricky entrepreneurship

07:53-How the pandemic impacted businesses

11:12-Algorithms: the bane of our existence

14:40-Building a self-sustaining business

18:00-Top warning for entrepreneurs

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

What hasn't Phaon Spurlock done? Entrepreneur. Marketer. Speaker. Writer. Philanthropist. Ex-Googler. MBA Graduate. Adjunct Professor. His passion focuses on marketing and entrepreneurship led me to start several successful businesses, including BKLYN LEAGUE apparel company, LuxuriousPROTOTYPE Online Magazine, and Prototype MKTG. 

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As most entrepreneurs can attest, the journey to success is not linear. It's a path where failures sometimes teach greater lessons than wins, one where failing forward might just offer the key to prosperity. Motivo Scar Care founder and CEO Jadis Montijo learned first-hand how to be a better businessman from his mistakes in his first venture, The Kind Pen. Though he and his team saw much success at the company, overspending in his personal life and a failed acquisition experience taught Montijo the skills he needed to turn his dream project, Motivo Scar Care, a thriving business.

"There's no industry crossover between what I did and what I'm doing now. But a lot of the failures that I had at my time during Kind Pen molded me and shaped me into who I am and made me more prepared for Motivo," he explained to Living Not So Fabulously hosts David & John Auten-Schneider. "A lot of startups fail. Even just trying to raise capital as an LGBTQ founder, less than 1% of VC dollars go to LGBTQ founders, right? Yet we create more successful businesses."

Montijo's best advice for entrepreneurs facing the endless, uphill, and oftentimes not-fun battle—as Montijo explained frankly—of starting a small business: be yourself. "If I didn't take the time to step back and authentically go through my transition to become myself, Motivo wouldn't be a thing. Maybe it would be a thing that someone else created. But taking the time to be myself and learn myself—it really put me on my path."

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-Jadis Montijo joins Living Not So Fabulously

03:08-Failed business acquisition led to some hard learned lessons

05:54-Don't mix personal and professional...finances

08:32-Making space for business growth

13:13-Motivo Scar Care elevator pitch

19:03-Small business tips to prepare

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

Jadis Montijo is the founder & CEO of Motivo Scar Care, a company focused on "developing premium scar care products, to not only improve the appearance of scars, but to help rewrite the standards of healing."

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