On this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I dive into why tax literacy is crucial and how understanding the basics can save you thousands of dollars. I explain how tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs, HSAs, and retirement savings plans work, and why they're some of the most powerful tools for building long-term wealth and financial stability.

Using practical examples and simple calculations, I show how small, informed choices can lead to significant tax savings over time. Plus, I share details about my free step-by-step tax strategies class, designed to make complex tax concepts accessible, actionable, and stress-free.

Whether you're a self-employed creative, freelancer, or anyone looking to take control of your finances, this episode will give you the tools to understand taxes, maximize savings, and grow your wealth. Don't forget to leave a review—it helps more people find these insights and start feeling confident about their money.

Also mentioned in this episode:

01:32 Introduction and Holiday Reflections

03:01 The Importance of Tax Literacy

11:34 Maximizing Tax-Advantaged Accounts for Savings

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Free online tax calculator

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Link to review this podcast on Apple

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I'm interviewed by Paddy Johnson of the Art Problems Podcast about my book Taxes for Humans, a tax guide for self-employed creatives. We explore why demystifying taxes is about more than numbers—it's about understanding the systems, values, and power behind them.

I share why tax education matters, how it can empower creatives, and how the companion workbook helps put these ideas into practice. Plus, hear real stories from artists navigating taxes and the emotional weight money can carry in the creative world.

Also mentioned in this episode:

03:19 Understanding the Book's Unique Approach

06:37 The Importance of Context in Tax Education

09:32 Breaking Down Tax Myths and Misconceptions

12:22 Empowering Artists Through Financial Literacy

15:37 The Role of Taxes in Society

18:33 The Workbook: A Practical Companion

21:17 Addressing Judgment and Shame in Tax Preparation

24:36 Real Stories of Artists Overcoming Tax Challenges

27:28 Resources for Artists

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Link to Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I dive into the heart of my new book, Taxes for Humans, a guide I wrote to demystify taxes for creatives, freelancers, and self-employed people. I open up about my own history with money shame and why understanding taxes is so much bigger than numbers on a return. Taxes reflect our culture, our values, and the systems we move through every day.

I share some of the behind-the-scenes, humor, and stories that shaped this book, and we talk about why real financial empowerment requires community, civic engagement, and a better approach to financial education. If you've ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or alone in figuring out your finances, this conversation will help you feel seen, and give you tools to navigate taxes with confidence and clarity.

Also mentioned in this episode:

1:32 What Inspired the Book

5:34 A Money Moment You'll Never Forget

6:30 Why Creatives Feel So Much Shame

7:31 Taxes Are Culture

12:06 A Gentle First Step for Creatives

13:10 Can Taxes Create Real Change?

14:59 Lessons from Losing Your Studio

16:25 A Mistake That Taught You Something

17:41 Your #1 Message for Readers

18:43 What You Hope This Book Builds

20:06 What Every Creative Should Know About Their Worth

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Link to Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I'm sharing my excitement about launching my book, Taxes for Humans. I wrote this book to make taxes simple and empowering, especially for freelancers, creatives, and historically underrepresented communities.

We dive into why understanding taxes isn't just about saving money, it's about knowing how our taxes fund essential services, support our communities, and strengthen democracy. I also break down practical tax tips for self-employed individuals and creatives so you can grow your business, maximize benefits, and make a positive impact.

Also mentioned in this episode:

01:25 Taxes for Humans

03:54 The Mission Behind Taxes for Humans

06:42 Understanding Taxes as a Societal Agreement

09:52 The Benefits of Taxes for Individuals and Businesses

12:46 Empowering Creatives and Entrepreneurs

15:32 Celebrating Community and Upcoming Events

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Link to Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Get your SUPERBRIGHT Bonuses

Check my in-person events.

You're invited to my book launch party in Asheville.

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I share the story behind my new book, Taxes for Humans—a tax guide that blends my humanities and art background with clear, practical financial education. I break down why context matters in tax learning, how visuals and design make complex concepts easier to understand, and why emotional support and empathy are essential tools for navigating money.

You'll hear how this book and its companion workbook help you feel grounded, empowered, and supported, not overwhelmed. My mission is simple: to build an empire of empathy through a tax guide that's completely different.

If you've ever wished taxes felt more human, intuitive, and kind, this episode is your invitation in.

Also mentioned in this episode:

01:21 Introduction to Taxes for Humans and Its Purpose

06:14 The Unique Approach of an Artist's Tax Guide

11:33 Visual Learning and Emotional Support in Tax Education

16:54 Workbook Overview and Launch Celebration

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Link to Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Get your SUPERBRIGHT Bonuses

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I introduce my book, Taxes for Humans, a practical, judgment-free tax guide made specifically for creative professionals. I share my personal story and talk honestly about the challenges artists, freelancers, and mission-driven people face when trying to make sense of taxes.

We dig into why taxes matter, how they support the communities we care about, and why building financial literacy is so important, especially for people who've been historically left out of traditional financial conversations. My goal in this episode is to help you feel confident claiming your identity as a business owner and to release some of the fear around money. Wealth isn't a moral test; it's a neutral tool you can use to support your values and make positive change.

Also mentioned in this episode:

04:18 The Unique Perspective of Creative Professionals

08:04 Understanding the Importance of Taxes

11:44 The Societal Benefits of Taxes

13:40 The Changing Face of Business

14:39 Embracing Your Identity as a Business

15:33 Overcoming the Fear of Wealth

19:03 The Power of Money and Taxes

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

In this episode of The Sunlight Tax Podcast, I'm excited to share something I've been working on for a long time, my new book, Taxes for Humans. This book is for freelancers, artists, and self-employed folks who want to finally understand their taxes and take control of their money.

I talk about why tax education matters so much when you work for yourself, how complicated the self-employment system can be, and why I created a character called the Tax Dominatrix to make learning about taxes a lot more fun and less intimidating.

I also explain why pre-ordering the book is such a big deal. It helps make sure Taxes for Humans is available to everyone, including people who can't afford traditional financial education programs.

Also mentioned in this episode:

01:17 Overview of 'Taxes for Humans' Book

02:15 Understanding Self-Employment Taxes

04:12 Navigating Tax Complexity

05:34 The Tax Dominatrix Concept

07:21 Importance of Pre-Ordering the Book

08:45 Accessibility of Tax Education

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I talk with Dr. Matthew Fiedler about the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act—and what it could mean for your healthcare and taxes.

We break down how the government shutdown affects healthcare access, why there are major Medicaid cuts, and what trade-offs come with the new tax cuts. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by low and moderate-income individuals in accessing healthcare, especially in light of new administrative requirements and potential loss of coverage.

We also talk about what this means if you're self-employed or run a small business. With shifting healthcare policies and tax laws, good bookkeeping and clear financial records matter more than ever.

Dr. Fiedler emphasizes the need for a more rational approach to healthcare financing and the importance of bookkeeping for self-employed individuals.

Also mentioned in this episode:

01:46 Understanding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

03:07 Impact of Government Shutdown on Healthcare

08:05 Overview of Healthcare Provisions in the Bill

09:30 Trade-offs in Tax Cuts and Healthcare Funding

12:20 Medicaid Cuts and Work Requirements

16:00 Navigating Medicaid for the Recently Unemployed

20:16 Cost-Shifting from Federal to State Medicaid Programs

25:29 Consequences for Low and Moderate Income Individuals

28:18 Changes in Marketplace Coverage Requirements

30:38 Implications for Self-Employed Individuals

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Dr. Matthew Fiedler

Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax podcast, I dive into one of the most essential tax deductions for self-employed individuals, focusing on business meals and travel expenses. If you're a freelancer, creative professional, or small business owner, this episode will help you understand what truly qualifies as a deductible expense, so you can stay compliant and keep more of what you earn.

I break down IRS rules for business deductions, explain the documentation you need to support your write-offs, and share examples to make these concepts easy to apply. Plus, I talk about why supporting independent bookstores is so important to me and how it ties into the launch of my upcoming book, Taxes for Humans.

Also mentioned in this episode:

01:14 Understanding Business Deductions 08:25 Exploring Business Meals and Travel Deductions 15:20 The Importance of Independent Bookstores

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed.

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax podcast, I dig into the real impact of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services on spending habits and financial health. These "pay-later" plans may seem harmless, but they can quietly lead people, especially young consumers—into cycles of debt and financial stress.

I break down how BNPL changes the way we think about money, what the long-term risks are, and why financial education is one of the most effective tools for protecting yourself. Research shows that learning even the basics of personal finance can save you tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.

Also mentioned in this episode:

02:00 Introduction to Personal Finance and Consumer Culture

04:15 The Dangers of Buy Now, Pay Later Services

06:37 The Importance of Personal Finance Education

09:49 The Value of Financial Literacy

12:28 Building Wealth Through Smart Financial Habits

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

New York Times Article: They Got To Live A Life Of Luxury. Then Came The Fine Print

'Buy Now, Pay Later' has built a delirious new culture of consumption — and trapped users in a vortex of debt.

CNBC Article: You can put a price tag on the value of a personal finance education: $100,000

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions