For many women, the word “millionaire” can still feel uncomfortable. Not just financially, but culturally. Many of us weren’t raised to imagine ourselves as wealthy, powerful, or building seven-figure net worths.

My guest today wants to change that.

Bola Sokunbi is the founder and CEO of Clever Girl Finance, one of the largest financial education platforms for women in the U.S. She’s a Certified Financial Education Instructor, a six-time bestselling author, and her newest book is Clever Girl Millionaire.

What I appreciate about Bola’s approach is that she doesn’t frame wealth as a quick win or a social-media highlight reel. Instead, she focuses on the real path to building wealth: intentional decisions, consistency, and the courage to think bigger about what’s possible.

Bola’s own story is deeply personal. She grew up in a Nigerian immigrant household where resilience and sacrifice were part of everyday life. Her mother left a successful career as an investment banker in Nigeria and came to the U.S. to start over as a nanny so her children could pursue opportunities here.

That experience shaped how Bola thinks about money, opportunity, and something we explore deeply in this conversation: legacy.

Because wealth isn’t just about reaching a number in your bank account. It’s about asking bigger questions:

What do you want your money to represent?

Who do you want it to help?

What changes because you existed?

In this episode, Bola and I discuss:

• Why the word “millionaire” still intimidates many women

• How to build wealth even if you’re starting from debt or living paycheck to paycheck

• The mindset shifts required during uncertain economic times

• Navigating family obligations and financial pressure, especially in immigrant households

• And why legacy isn’t just about money — it’s about impact.

Bola's Website: https://clevergirlfinance.com

Bola' New book: https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/clever-girl-millionaire/

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As promised, I’m re-airing one of the most requested interviews from the archives: my conversation with Nate Berkus, originally recorded in 2015—ten years ago.

A lot has changed for Nate since then, but when I listened back, I was struck by how timeless this episode is—especially right now. My mother-in-law and I are huge fans, and for my birthday she gave me Nate’s latest book, Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal. And that’s exactly the theme you’ll hear in today’s conversation: your home should tell your story—and your money should support a life that feels authentic.

We talk about money fear versus abundance, building a business, learning when to ask for help, and Nate’s surprisingly great financial habits—including his rule about keeping your wallet organized as a form of respecting money.

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Today’s guest is someone who has been shaping the personal finance conversation for nearly two decades — long before money podcasts were mainstream, long before “side hustle” was a buzzword, and long before financial literacy for women was framed around building wealth instead of just clipping coupons.

Laura Adams is the host of the wildly successful Money Girl podcast, a show that has been downloaded more than 43 million times and ranks among the top 0.1% most popular podcasts globally. In just about 20 minutes each week, Laura does something that’s incredibly difficult: she makes complex personal finance and small business topics feel approachable, actionable, and even fun.

You’ve seen her everywhere — ABC World News, CBS, NBC, Bloomberg, NPR — and today she’s here with us on So Money.

In this conversation, we dig into how financial advice for women has evolved over the years — from focusing on saving pennies to thinking about legacy, ownership, and long-term wealth. We talk about solopreneurship and side hustles — what it really takes to build a one-person business that doesn’t just generate income, but supports your life. And with interest rates expected to gradually decline into 2026, Laura breaks down what that could mean for refinancing, home buying, and smart positioning right now.

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Farnoosh reflects on her appearance on the TODAY Show, where she shared practical strategies to maximize your finances during tax season — from last-minute IRA contributions and new tax deductions to choosing the smartest way to file and setting yourself up for next year.

She also discusses the latest money headlines, including the Supreme Court’s decision on sweeping tariffs and what it could mean for small businesses and markets.

Then, it’s time for your questions. Farnoosh breaks down:

• How much you really need in emergency savings in today’s job market

• What to do after contributing to your 401(k) — should you open a Roth IRA?

• How income limits affect Roth contributions and what a Backdoor Roth really means

• Ways to set your children up for financial success beyond just a 529 plan

Plus, Farnoosh shares details about her Build a Profitable Podcast mentorship program, kicking off soon with only a few spots remaining. Apply here.

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Today’s episode is for the woman who’s doing well on paper…earning more, climbing higher, checking the boxes of financial success— and yet still wondering if she’s making the smartest moves with her money. Because here’s the truth: more income doesn’t automatically mean more clarity, more confidence, or even more security.

In fact, high-earning women often face a unique set of financial blind spots—from over-relying on tax strategies to holding too much company stock, to quietly navigating complicated power dynamics at home and at work. And those mistakes can be costly if we don’t name them.

To help us unpack all of this, I’m joined by someone whose passion for empowering women financially is unmistakable the moment you hear her speak—financial advisor Maggie Johndrow who is a partner at Johndrow Wealth.

In this conversation, we talk about the quiet financial mistakes high-earning women make, how taxes can mislead our biggest decisions, what to know about RSUs and stock options before they surprise you with a bill, and the emotional—and practical—realities of being the breadwinner at home.

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Our guest today is truly one of the original voices in personal finance and someone whose work has shaped how millions of Americans think about debt, credit, and financial freedom.

Lynnette Khalfani-Cox joins to share insights from her powerful new book, Bounce Back: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Resilience. We talk about why despite decades of financial education, so many Americans are still drowning in debt, how systemic barriers and policy decisions shape our financial outcomes, and what it really takes to recover after life's biggest setbacks from divorce and job loss to disasters and dollar deficits. Lynnette also shares her own deeply personal story of climbing out of six figures of credit card debt, the mindset shifts that made lasting freedom possible, and why you don't have to wait until you're debt free to start saving, investing and rebuilding your life.

Lynnette is a New York Times bestselling author, a nationally recognized personal finance expert, and one of the most influential educators in the financial literacy movement. She's known to millions as the money coach, and she's appeared regularly on major national media outlets.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re talking about how to build a stronger financial partnership - from financial date nights and shared accounts to the subtle social norms that still influence modern couples. Today’s guest is Dr. Emily Garbinsky, professor at Cornell’s Johnson School of Business, whose work explores how couples make financial decisions, how pooling money affects relationship satisfaction, and what really happens when one partner earns more than the other. Learn more about Dr. Garbinsky's research here.

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We spend so much of our lives chasing money—believing that once we earn enough, save enough, and invest enough, happiness and freedom will finally follow.

But what if the real goal isn’t more money… it’s more time?

Today’s guest is Andy Hill, AFC®, award-winning family finance coach and founder of the platform Marriage, Kids and Money, which has reached millions of families through his podcast, videos, and writing. His new book, Own Your Time, challenges a deeply held belief in personal finance: that wealth alone will solve our problems. Instead, Andy argues that true financial success is about using money intentionally to design a life filled with freedom, family connection, and choice.

In this conversation, we explore Andy’s own journey—from a six-figure household income and negative net worth to a life where he and his wife now work part-time by design. We talk about the concept of “coast financial independence,” the surprising middle ground between burnout and early retirement, and the practical financial steps families can take—at any stage—to reclaim their calendars and their priorities.

We’ll also get into the emotional side of money and time: how couples navigate unequal incomes, why optionality matters more than status, and how to raise kids who understand wealth not just as dollars, but as freedom and generosity.

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