EPISODE SUMMARY

 

What if the real problem isn't your spending habits, but where your attention goes? In this episode of the Money Healing Club Podcast, Rachel chats with Amelia Hruby, author of "Your Attention Is Sacred (Except on Social Media)," to unpack the hidden connections between social media addiction and impulse spending. They explore why the "attention economy" is built on a false premise, how algorithms are literally designed to extract money from us, and why leaving social media might be the most powerful money hack you've never tried. Plus: what tomatoes and radishes can teach us about cultivating attention.

 

 

Key Takeaways:

The attention economy treats your attention as scarce when it's actually infinite and expansive

Social media is designed to convince you of problems you didn't know you had - that purchases can solve

Hyper-personalized advertising knows exactly when you're vulnerable and exactly what to sell you

Leaving social media can dramatically reduce impulse spending without willpower

Start small with pleasure-based practices rather than restricting your "worst" habits

 

About Amelia Hruby: Amelia Hruby is a feminist writer, podcaster, and producer with a PhD in philosophy. She's the founder of Softer Sounds Podcast Studio and host of Off The Grid, a podcast about leaving social media. Her new book "Your Attention Is Sacred (Except on Social Media)" comes out in October 2025.

 

EPISODE BREAKDOWN

04:00 | What's Wrong With The Attention Economy? Breaking down how attention became a commodity and why that's fundamentally flawed

12:00 | The Etymology of Attention Why "stretching toward" reveals attention as infinite, not scarce

26:00 | The Toxic Relationship Revelation Amelia's breakthrough moment that led her to quit social media

35:00 | The Direct Link Between Social Media and Spending Real examples of purchases we didn't need until algorithms told us we did

47:00 | Five Principles for Gardening Your Attention From exploring what's present to lingering with what's regenerative

 

Resources Mentioned

"Your Attention Is Sacred (Except on Social Media)" by Amelia Hruby

Off The Grid podcast - Amelia's show about leaving social media

Jaron Lanier's "Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now"

"The Social Dilemma" documentary

Softer Sounds Studio - Amelia's podcast studio

 

Join the Conversation

What's your relationship with social media right now? What is it giving you, and what is it taking away? Have you tried leaving social media, and what surprised you about the experience? The Money Healing Club Podcast wants to hear your story - click the big orange button: https://www.moneyhealingclub.com/podcast

 

Your next listen:

Check out our last episode with Sarah Mac on raising your rates to explore more about making intentional choices with your business and money.

 

Use code PODCAST for 50% off your first month and start your money healing process! https://www.moneyhealingclub.com/club

Full transcript: https://www.moneyhealingclub.com/podcast

 

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