Not Starving Artists

Not Starving Artists

By Brooke BensonBusinessArts
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Not Starving Artists episodes

  • Why Talking About Money Feels Cringe (and How to Get Over It)

    Ever feel weird, awkward, or low-key embarrassed bringing up money? You're not alone. In this episode, we're busting through that discomfort so you can start having confident money conversations without the cringe.

    We're talking about the psychology behind our money hangups, where that "don't ask, don't disrupt the vibe" energy comes from, and how to rewire it so you can take ownership of your financial life, even in the most casual settings.

    💸 In this episode, we cover:

    • Why hyper-awareness and social media make talking about money feel risky
    • How to bring up pricing without feeling awkward or guilty
    • Financial literacy in the age of Google (and why Gen Z sometimes won't ask questions)
    • The psychology behind not wanting to "disrupt the vibes" in conversations — and why clarity should always win
    • Why menus without prices are the ultimate red flag
    • The myth of "If you have to ask, you can't afford it", and how wealthy people actually talk about money

    💥 The big takeaway? Confidence with money isn't about being perfect, it's about being willing to disrupt the flow for the sake of clarity, value, and ownership. When you can do that? You become unshakeable.

    🎧 Tune in if you're ready to:

    • Stop curating your image around money
    • Ask the "awkward" questions without shame
    • Build resilience and real financial power

    🎉 Click here to join CASHED UP CREATIVES 🎉

    It's my new online course with all the financial education you were never given it school, helping artists (and anyone else who doesn't want to budget) get out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and become the confident financial CEO of their life & career.

    If you loved this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend!

    Want to learn more about 1:1 coaching? Click HERE to book a sales call

    Follow Brooke on Instagram @notstarvingartists

    & subscribe to the newsletter here!

    58 min
  • The 3-step diagnostic test to solve your biggest money problem

    Feeling stressed about money? You're not alone. Financial anxiety often comes from confusion—about investing, income, spending, or simply not knowing where your money is going. The good news? The antidote to anxiety is action. In this episode, we're diving into the 3-step diagnostic test to pinpoint your biggest money problem and solve it, fast.

    🔍 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

    • Why most financial anxiety comes from lack of clarity
    • The exact order to test your finances and identify leaks
    • How to determine if your biggest issue is organization, spending, or income
    • Why mindset is often the final hurdle to financial success

    ✨ Step 1: Financial Ecosystem – Get Organized

    The most underrated financial fix is organization. When you visually see your numbers, money leaks become obvious. But getting "financially naked" can be scary—this is why so many people avoid it or skip straight to budgeting. The key? Track everything first.

    ✨ Step 2: Spending Audit – Are You Living a Lifestyle That Makes Sense for You?

    This is NOT about cutting back. It's about assessing if your spending aligns with your unique lifestyle. What makes sense in NYC might not work in North Carolina. A family of six has different financial needs than DINKs (dual-income, no kids). The goal is reasonable spending—not restriction.

    ✨ Step 3: Income Assessment – Do You Actually Know Your Numbers?

    So many people think they have an income problem, but do they really? This step involves looking at your quarterly and yearly earnings, your business P&L (if applicable), and the lifestyle you want to live. Does it match up with your income? If not, it's time to adjust.

    ✨ What Comes Next? Mindset & Taking Action

    Once you've identified the real issue, what's stopping you from fixing it? If there's hesitation or resistance, it's often a mindset block. Whatever is left after diagnosing your financial ecosystem, spending, and income is about nervous system regulation and money beliefs.

    🎉 Click here to join CASHED UP CREATIVES 🎉

    It's my new online course with all the financial education you were never given it school, helping artists (and anyone else who doesn't want to budget) get out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and become the confident financial CEO of their life & career.

    If you loved this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend!

    Want to learn more about 1:1 coaching? Click HERE to book a sales call

    Follow Brooke on Instagram @notstarvingartists

    & subscribe to the newsletter here!

    48 min
  • The dark side of girl math (and how to actually spend without guilt)

    "Girl math" is everywhere—justifying spending decisions to make them feel logical. A cash Venmo balance feels like free money, expensive bags are technically free with enough use, and pre-paid vacations mean you can shop guilt-free… right? While it's all fun and memes, there's a darker side to girl math that reinforces harmful financial habits.

    In this episode, we break down the behavioral psychology behind girl math, why it's gendered, and how to actually spend guilt-free without tricking yourself. If you've ever rationalized a splurge, this one's for you!

    🎧 Tune in to learn:

    ✅ The psychology behind girl math (sunk cost fallacy, loss aversion & more)

    ✅ How financial conditioning has shaped women's spending habits

    ✅ Why girl math reinforces societal norms that keep women from building wealth

    ✅ The #1 money skill that lets you spend freely—without guilt or mental gymnastics

    ✅ A 4-step framework to spend with confidence (without justifying every purchase)

    🎉 Click here to join CASHED UP CREATIVES 🎉

    It's my new online course with all the financial education you were never given it school, helping artists (and anyone else who doesn't want to budget) get out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and become the confident financial CEO of their life & career.

    If you loved this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend!

    Want to learn more about 1:1 coaching? Click HERE to book a sales call

    Follow Brooke on Instagram @notstarvingartists

    & subscribe to the newsletter here!

    38 min
  • How to Avoid the Overspending Trap of "Buy Now, Pay Later" Programs

    Let's be real- BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) is just debt with better PR. Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm are making it easier than ever to spend money you don't have, all while claiming they're helping you. But who's really benefiting here? (Spoiler: it's not you.)

    In this episode, we're digging into:

    💰 BNPL's shady history—how installment plans started in the 1800s, got turbocharged in the 1920s, and literally helped crash the economy.

    📉 The illusion of "flexibility"—why people think BNPL is different from credit cards (it's not).

    🛍️ The psychology of overspending—companies want you to skip the "pain" of spending because pain = good financial decisions.

    📊 Follow the money—if you're not paying up front, who is? (Hint: sellers, late fees, and data monetization.)

    👀 The long-term effect of pushing your financial pain onto "future you"—do you really want 50-year-old you paying for today's impulse buys?

    💡 The antidote—learning the skill of spending so you never feel the need to split payments on a $40 purchase again.

    🔥 My Cashed Up Best Practices:

    ✅ The ONLY things worth financing (and why most purchases should be paid in full) ✅ Why getting 3 months ahead on bills makes BNPL irrelevant ✅ How loving to spend money (the right way) eliminates the urge to use payment plans

    🎉 Click here to join CASHED UP CREATIVES 🎉

    It's my new online course with all the financial education you were never given it school, helping artists (and anyone else who doesn't want to budget) get out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and become the confident financial CEO of their life & career.

    If you loved this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend!

    Want to learn more about 1:1 coaching? Click HERE to book a sales call

    Follow Brooke on Instagram @notstarvingartists

    & subscribe to the newsletter here!

    1 hr 1 min
  • The 4 things T-Pain can teach us about Financial Responsibility

    What can T-Pain teach us about financial responsibility?

    In this episode, we look at how T-Pain's financial decisions can teach us valuable lessons about managing money, covering everything from smart spending habits to long-term wealth building, no matter where you are in your financial journey.

    Here are the 4 money lessons we will cover:

    1. Making smart spending choices (even when you're rich)
    2. Ignoring outside perceptions and doing what works for you
    3. Always considering the ROI (return on investment)
    4. Playing the long game with your finances & career

    If you've ever wondered how to make smarter money moves while still enjoying life, this episode is for you. Hit play and let's learn from the legend himself.

    🎉 Click here to join CASHED UP CREATIVES 🎉

    It's my new online course with all the financial education you were never given it school, helping artists (and anyone else who doesn't want to budget) get out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and become the confident financial CEO of their life & career.

    If you loved this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend!

    Want to learn more about 1:1 coaching? Click HERE to book a sales call

    Follow Brooke on Instagram @notstarvingartists

    & subscribe to the newsletter here!

    59 min
  • How to discuss finances with your significant other without fighting (aka how to have healthy money conversations)

    On the heels of the Love is Blind season 8 reunion, let's talk about how to communicate about finances in a partnership!

    Money is one of the biggest reasons for divorce and breakups of long term couples, and that's because most people don't know how to have healthy, productive conversations about finances.

    This episode is here to help you with that!

    Tune in to hear:

    • The single biggest factor to being able to talk about money with a partner
    • How to decide your financial dealbreakers
    • Practical tips to have monthly money conversations as a couple
    • Why the phrase "you don't have to agree on everything" is bullshit
    • My thoughts on the 'Love is Blind' season 8 couples' financial communication

    🎉 Click here to join CASHED UP CREATIVES 🎉

    It's my new online course with all the financial education you were never given it school, helping artists (and anyone else who doesn't want to budget) get out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and become the confident financial CEO of their life & career.

    If you loved this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend!

    Want to learn more about 1:1 coaching? Click HERE to book a sales call

    Follow Brooke on Instagram @notstarvingartists

    & subscribe to the newsletter here!

    56 min
  • Do you need to doomsday prep with your money? How to stay financially calm in 2025

    I'm here to be your financial flight attendant during these turbulent times.

    In an era of economic uncertainty, rising inflation, and financial fear-mongering, it's easy to fall into a scarcity mindset. But is financial doomsday prepping the answer? In this episode, we dive into the realities of financial fears in 2025, smart strategies to recession-proof your money, and how to cultivate financial calmness despite market fluctuations.

    If you've been feeling stressed about the economy, your investments, or just keeping up with expenses, this episode is for you. Tune in for actionable tips that will help you stay calm, collected, and financially secure in any economic climate.

    🎉 Click here to join CASHED UP CREATIVES 🎉

    It's my new online course with all the financial education you were never given it school, helping artists (and anyone else who doesn't want to budget) get out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and become the confident financial CEO of their life & career.

    If you loved this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend!

    Want to learn more about 1:1 coaching? Click HERE to book a sales call

    Follow Brooke on Instagram @notstarvingartists

    & subscribe to the newsletter here!

    41 min
  • How to feel like you're spending more while you're actually spending less

    What if you could feel richer without spending more? In this episode, we reveal how to create a joyful, abundant life while keeping your finances in check.

    We explore why restrictive financial rules often backfire, leaving you feeling deprived. Instead, we advocate for the messy, meaningful work of engaging with your money daily and building a system that frees you from constant decision fatigue.

    Shift your money mindset, build a system that works for you, and learn how to feel wealthier without spending more.

    If you loved this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend!

    Want to learn more about 1:1 coaching? Click HERE to book a sales call

    Follow Brooke on Instagram @notstarvingartists

    & subscribe to the newsletter here!

    46 min
  • A year without buying clothes and re-defining what it means to be a creative with Harriet Hadfield

    Welcoming back Harriet to the podcast! She is a writer, outfit repeater, and makeup artist, as well as a dear friend of mine - I am so excited to share this conversation with you this week.

    In this episode we discuss:

    ✨ 365 day no buy challenge (that she's 2 weeks away from completing!)

    ✨ How spending less money can feel more abundant

    ✨ The starving artist financial trauma response

    ✨ How to be more creative without spending more money

    ✨ Our personal journeys as artists over there past year (wins, struggles, and epiphanies)

    Connect with Harriet:

    https://www.harriethadfield.com/

    @harrymakesitup (IG)

    No Buy Styling Course

    Subscribe to her substack

    If you loved this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend!

    Want to learn more about 1:1 coaching? Click HERE to book a sales call

    Follow Brooke on Instagram @notstarvingartists

    & subscribe to the newsletter here!

    1 hr 20 min

About Not Starving Artists

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Not Starving Artists! I'm your host Brooke Benson, Money Coach + Equity Actor. I am your financial cheerleader, here to help you build your financial confidence and have power over your…