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What if your biggest money mistake turned into your greatest comeback?

This week on Women & Money: The Sh*t We Don’t Talk About, we’re joined by the unstoppable Naseema McElroy,  labor and delivery nurse, founder of Financially Intentional, and mom of three who paid off over $1 million in debt in just under three years. 

Naseema takes us behind the scenes of what that financial rock bottom looked like- and how she climbed her way out with a plan, a podcast, and pure intention. From student loans and a Bay Area mortgage to budgeting breakthroughs and wealth-building for her kids, she shares it all.

00:00 Intro

00:36 Types of Debt and Their Implications

02:14 Personal Experiences with Debt

05:36 Guest Intro: Naseema McElroy

06:17 Naseema's Journey to Financial Freedom

10:24 Strategies for Financial Management

19:25 Teaching Financial Literacy to Children

26:38 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Naseema proves that no matter how deep the debt or messy the moment, you can always reboot. And speaking of planning ahead, join us next week on Money Talks. We're getting honest about what it takes to build the future you actually want, one aligned, intentional step at a time. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! 

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In this episode, we are joined by Karen Covy, a Divorce Coach, Lawyer, Mediator, Author, Speaker and Podcaster. She coaches busy professionals and business owners all over the world to make clear, confident decisions about their most important relationships. She also helps them navigate through divorce with less conflict, unnecessary expense, and needless drama so that they can create the life they truly desire sooner rather than later. Karen is the author of When Happily Ever After Ends: How to Survive Your Divorce Emotionally, Financially, and Legally. She is also the creator of the online divorce programs, The Divorce Road Map 3.0 and How to Successfully Mediate Your Divorce as well as the host of the podcast, Off the Fence: Mastering Decision-Making Divorce and More

Karen talks about what really means to navigate divorce wisely, from emotions to legal logistics to long-term financial health. Karen shares what most women don’t realize until it’s too late, including why your first big financial decision might actually be the lawyer you hire. 

00:00 Introduction: Navigating Divorce Emotions

01:55 The Role of a Divorce Coach

03:18 Meet Karen Covy: Divorce Coach and Expert

05:29 Understanding Divorce Processes

11:18 The Importance of Financial Preparation

23:42 The Value of Prenups

30:15 Conclusion: Achieving Financial Freedom

Karen shares the money moves you must make early in a divorce, so you stay protected, prepared, and in control, even when emotions run high. Join us on Sep 4 for Money Talks, where we’ll walk you through how to protect your finances before, during, and after divorce, no shame, just smart strategy. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! 

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Resources

• Have questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns.
• Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!
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Do you feel the pressure of your biological clock ticking and wonder about the expenses of freezing your eggs? This week, we’re discussing a topic that’s rarely talked about, but deeply personal, financially hefty, and emotionally loaded: egg freezing.

Our guest, Aliza Virani, knows this world intimately. After freezing her own eggs in Canada, facing sky-high costs, and a rollercoaster of emotions, she turned her personal experience into something groundbreaking: The Fertility Co-Living Retreat in Mexico City.

Aliza blends her decade-long background in luxury event planning (think Prada, Michael Kors, Harper’s Bazaar) with the real, raw, and often isolating experience of navigating fertility decisions as a woman in her 30s. Now, she creates beautiful, supportive, egg freezing retreats where women don’t just go through a procedure, they go through a transformation.

00:00 Hidden Costs of Egg Freezing

01:30 The Rising Trend and Pressures of Egg Freezing

04:18 Introducing Aliza and Her Egg Freezing Journey

06:14 Aliza's Personal Experience

08:55 The Emotional and Financial Aspects of Egg Freezing

16:25 The Benefits of Egg Freezing Retreats in Mexico

20:58 Building a Supportive Community and Future Plans

30:58 Upcoming Retreats

This conversation is full of insight, heart, and real talk around a life decision many women are quietly navigating. And most importantly? You don’t have to do it alone.

Aliza opens up about the emotional and financial sides of egg freezing, and what she wishes she knew sooner. Continue the conversation in Money Talks on August 28, where we’ll tackle the real cost of reproductive planning and how to financially prepare for your future, your way. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! 

Follow & connect with Aliza:

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Resources

• Have questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns.
• Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!
• Explore our free guides to help you on your financial journey

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Do you feel the pressure of your biological clock ticking and wonder about the expenses of freezing your eggs? This week, we’re discussing a topic that’s rarely talked about, but deeply personal, financially hefty, and emotionally loaded: egg freezing.

Our guest, Aliza Virani, knows this world intimately. After freezing her own eggs in Canada, facing sky-high costs, and a rollercoaster of emotions, she turned her personal experience into something groundbreaking: The Fertility Co-Living Retreat in Mexico City.

Aliza blends her decade-long background in luxury event planning (think Prada, Michael Kors, Harper’s Bazaar) with the real, raw, and often isolating experience of navigating fertility decisions as a woman in her 30s. Now, she creates beautiful, supportive, egg freezing retreats where women don’t just go through a procedure, they go through a transformation.

00:00 Hidden Costs of Egg Freezing

01:30 The Rising Trend and Pressures of Egg Freezing

04:18 Introducing Aliza and Her Egg Freezing Journey

06:14 Aliza's Personal Experience

08:55 The Emotional and Financial Aspects of Egg Freezing

16:25 The Benefits of Egg Freezing Retreats in Mexico

20:58 Building a Supportive Community and Future Plans

30:58 Upcoming Retreats

This conversation is full of insight, heart, and real talk around a life decision many women are quietly navigating. And most importantly? You don’t have to do it alone.

Aliza opens up about the emotional and financial sides of egg freezing, and what she wishes she knew sooner. Continue the conversation in Money Talks on August 28, where we’ll tackle the real cost of reproductive planning and how to financially prepare for your future, your way. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! 

Follow & connect with Aliza:

• Website 
• Instagram 

Connect with us!

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• LinkedIn
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Resources

• Have questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns.
• Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!
• Explore our free guides to help you on your financial journey

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Parenting is of course expensive, but are you aware of the true costs of motherhood? 

In this episode, we sit down with Cindy DiTiberio, the author of the bestselling Substack The Mother Lode (a feminist exploration of motherhood, marriage and divorce) and a New York Times bestselling collaborator and editor who has worked in publishing for over twenty years. Cindy’s writing has appeared in The Lily, Scary Mommy, Literary Mama, Mutha Magazine, and more. She was the inaugural guest on The Chamber of Mothers Book Club and collaborated with Eve Rodsky, The Fair Play Policy Institute, and Aaron Thomas on The Fair Play Guide to Prenups and Postnups.

In this episode, she talks about the unspoken financial, physical, and emotional challenges women face when they become mothers. Cindy sheds light on the sacrifices made, the often overlooked costs of unpaid labor, and the personal toll on women’s bodies. She also discusses her series 'The Math of Motherhood', which vividly captures these realities, and shares her own candid experiences with motherhood, marriage, and divorce. 

Listen in to learn about the importance of financial transparency in relationships, the value of a divorce coach, and the crucial conversations women must have to navigate these life-changing moments. 

00:00 The Hidden Costs of Motherhood

04:35 Introducing Cindy DiTiberio

07:06 Cindy's Journey: From Editor to Writer

13:24 The Math of Motherhood

20:31 The Reality of Prenups and Postnups

23:29 Introduction to Divorce Diaries

24:11 The Realities of Divorce

25:01 Challenges of Child Support

29:31 Financial Planning for Divorce

33:43 Emotional and Practical Advice

37:04 Cindy's Personal Reflections

Cindy gets real about the cost of caregiving and why women shouldn’t have to carry it all alone. Don’t miss Money Talks on August 14, where we’ll dive into how motherhood impacts your long-term finances, and how to plan ahead with confidence, not overwhelm. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! 

Follow & connect with Cindy:

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Resources

• Have questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns.
• Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!
• Explore our free guides to help you on your financial journey

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Think bankruptcy means failure? Think again.

In this episode,  we sit down with Adrienne Hines, a seasoned bankruptcy attorney and relatable straight-shooter who’s using TikTok to make financial freedom feel possible again.

Adrienne discusses how societal stigma and misinformation prevent people from seeing bankruptcy as a viable financial tool. The conversation covers the emotional burden of debt, different types of bankruptcy, and the myths surrounding bankruptcy's impact on a person's future. Adrienne explains that bankruptcy can significantly improve credit scores and financial stability within a short period after filing. The episode also touches on the role of medical debt in bankruptcies and Adrienne's efforts on social media to educate and empower people, particularly women, about debt relief options.

Adrienne also breaks down the legal process in everyday language and helps us see bankruptcy for what it really is: a second chance, not a moral failure.

04:45 Understanding Bankruptcy and Its Misconceptions

09:41 Types of Bankruptcy: Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13

16:19 Debts in Bankruptcy: What Gets Paid Off?

24:03 Rebuilding Credit After Bankruptcy

24:48 Filing for Bankruptcy: Rules and Frequency

27:26 Empowering Women Through Financial Struggles

30:05 Medical Debt and Bankruptcy

32:55 Success Stories

36:14 The Importance of Financial Transparency

Adrienne’s message is clear: you are never stuck, you can move forward. Join us for Money Talks on July 31 and discover how to flip the script on old money narratives and take bold, grounded steps toward your next chapter. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions!

Got a unique financial story to share? We want to hear it!  Or are you a professional who helps women with money? If you’re a financial coach, attorney, CPA, or work in any area that empowers women financially, we’d love to hear from you too! Your story could inspire our community of women. Fill out our intake form here!

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Resources

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If you've ever felt guilt around money decisions, or unsure of how to take control of your finances, this conversation is going to speak right to your soul.

Bola Sokunbi is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), finance expert, bestselling author of the books, "Choosing To Prosper", "My Wealth Plan Workbook", and the 3-part Clever Girl Finance Book Series, speaker, and founder of Clever Girl Finance, one of the largest personal finance media/education platforms for women in the U.S.

She gets honest about her early savings journey (yes, while working a demanding consulting job), the “treat yourself” purchases that felt good until they didn’t, and the moment she realized her closet was literally stacked with missed investment opportunities.

We also talk about the quiet but powerful influence of her mother, a woman who paved the way by choosing courage, moving across the world, and starting over so Bola could have more opportunities. And now? She’s helping women everywhere rewrite their own stories with real tools, zero shame, and an unapologetic reminder that you deserve to live life on your own terms.

01:08 Meet Bola: Founder of Clever Girl Finance

02:02 Inspiration from My Mother's Financial Journey

05:35 Lessons Learned

12:13 The Importance of Financial Knowledge and Consistency

16:34 Creative Strategies for Saving Money at Work

17:55 The Realities of Extreme Budgeting

20:59 Reflecting on Financial Mistakes and Lessons

22:48 Empowering Women with Financial Resources

Quiet, consistent money moves are where the real power lives. Join us for Money Talks on July 24 and learn how to build wealth behind the scenes- no drama, just solid strategies that put your values and your future first. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions!

Got a unique financial story to share? We want to hear it!  Or are you a professional who helps women with money? If you’re a financial coach, attorney, CPA, or work in any area that empowers women financially, we’d love to hear from you too! Your story could inspire our community of women. Fill out our intake form here!

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Resources

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• Explore our free guides to help you on your financial journey

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What if your biggest money struggles weren’t because you’re “bad with money” but because your brain just works differently?

In this episode, we are joined by Nicole Stanley, the owner and head money coach at Arise Financial Coaching. Her mission? Shame-free, accessible financial education that empowers women. As a Latina entrepreneur and personal finance expert, Nicole paid off significant debt and grew her family’s net worth through investing. This sparked her passion for helping women build wealth and transform their communities.

She discusses her personal experiences with money management, the impact of ADHD on finances, and how she leverages her expertise to help others. She provides practical advice on budgeting, setting financial goals, and avoiding common pitfalls. Nicole emphasizes the importance of making money management fun and shame-free, especially for those with ADHD. 

00:00 Intro

00:13 Nicole's Financial Journey

01:29 Early Financial Struggles and Successes

03:29 Starting Arise Financial Coaching

15:06 The Role of Financial Coaching

21:03 ADHD and Money Management

28:58 Practical Tips for Managing Money with ADHD

33:35 Defining Financial Freedom

Nicole’s story proves that no matter your starting point (or how your brain works!) you can take control of your money. So how do you help the next generation build that same confidence? Join us for Money Talks on July 17 and learn how to teach teens what really happens to their first paycheck, so you can empower them early and set them up for long-term success. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions!

Got a unique financial story to share? Whether it’s about crushing debt, building wealth, an unexpected windfall, or just a wild money moment, we want to hear it! If you’re a financial coach, attorney, CPA, or work in any area that empowers women financially, your story could inspire our community of women. Fill out our intake form here!

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Resources

• Have questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns.
• Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!
• Explore our free guides to help you on your financial journey

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 When life throws the unexpected, how do you financially prepare and respond?

In the milestone 100th episode of 'Women and Money, the Shit We Don't Talk About,' we celebrate our journey featuring three previous guests, all inspiring women; Candy Wolff, Claudia Porter, and Amy Salo. Together they’re again sharing their impactful stories of financial struggle and resilience, but this time with combined insight.

Candy shares the emotional and financial whirlwind of losing her husband unexpectedly and how she took charge of her finances after years of sitting on the sidelines. Claudia recounts her escape from a toxic marriage, including her clever tactic of replacing her wedding ring stones to hire a divorce attorney. Amy lays out how financial professionals (and women themselves), can do more to take full ownership of their financial power.

Each guest also reflects on the lessons they wish they had known during their challenging times and their ongoing missions to empower other women financially. Each story resonates with the mission of Purse Strings: to empower women to be financially fearless and make informed decisions.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:46 Candy Wolf's Story: A Financial Nightmare

11:27 Claudia's Journey: From Academia to Financial Independence

20:33 Amy's Insights: Empowering Women in Financial Services

28:56 Quickfire Questions and Final Thoughts

This isn’t about fear. It’s about being prepared, empowered, and seen.

Whether you’ve been through loss, know someone who has, or just want to stop saying “I’ll handle it later”, this episode is your call to action.

Got a unique financial story to share? Whether it’s about crushing debt, building wealth, an unexpected windfall, or just a wild money moment, we want to hear it!  Or are you a professional who helps women with money? If you’re a financial coach, attorney, CPA, or work in any area that empowers women financially, we’d love to hear from you too! Your story could inspire our community of women. Fill out our intake form here!

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Candy:

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• Book:

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What if you could ask for more, without second-guessing?

In this episode of Women in Money: The Shit We Don't Talk About, we dig into one of the most overlooked tools in your professional toolbox: salary negotiation. Whether you’re gearing up for a raise, considering a new role, or just tired of leaving money (and energy) on the table—this one’s for you.

We sat down with Tami Palmer, who brings 15 years of experience in staffing and HR. Tami offers insights, advice, and tactics to help her clients navigate the grey zone and get results. She’s been on the other side of the hiring table, and now she’s sharing exactly what women need to stop selling themselves short.

Tami breaks down the four pillars of her coaching work, why women miss out on money and opportunities (and how to change that), how to answer the salary question with strategy, what to say—and what not to say—when negotiating, plus powerful scripts and mindset shifts you can start using today.

Episode Highlights:

00:39 The Power of Asking for More
 01:38 Reflections on Negotiation
 05:53 Tami's Background and Expertise
 08:44 Empowering Women in Negotiation
 12:46 Common Mistakes in Salary Negotiation
 16:32 Navigating Salary Negotiations
 16:52 Effective Phrases for Negotiation
 17:46 Flexibility and Benefits Beyond Salary
 19:52 When to Negotiate and When Not To
 21:59 Understanding Your Power in Negotiations
 24:07 Building Credibility Through Negotiation
 27:26 Mindset Shifts for Confident Negotiations
 29:33 The Value of Your Expertise

This episode showed why women need to negotiate because women don’t ask, and caring for yourself financially is part of caring for everyone else. But what does it actually look like to put yourself first when you’re a MOM and used to being the provider, planner, and caregiver? Join us July 10 for Money Talks and learn practical ways to protect your future, lighten the financial load, and prioritize your goals without the guilt. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions!

Got a unique financial story to share? Whether it’s about crushing debt, building wealth, an unexpected windfall, or just a wild money moment, we want to hear it! Your story could inspire our community of women. Fill out our intake form here!

Follow & Connect with Tami:  Facebook | Website |

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• Have questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns.
• Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!
• Explore our free guides to help you on your financial journey