The Double-Edged Sword of the "Shark Tank Effect" with Club Penguin Cofounder Lane Merrifield

A recent study done by Credit Karma found that nearly one-third of Americans grapple with money dysmorphia— a state of distorted perception of one's financial health, caused by the relentless comparison with depictions of wealth online. Today, Nicole unpacks the biggest source of this condition and how we can cure it ourselves.

Originally aired on 10.29.21 For most of her childhood, Kate Somerville struggled with the tumultuous hand she was dealt. Then, in one moment, she received advice that turned her life around. Listen to hear that advice, and how it led to her starting her eponymous skincare brand.

Founders often talk about an acquisition as the ultimate business goal. But Gwen Whiting knows M&A isn't always the fairytale it's made out to be. Gwen cofounded The Laundress, grew it into a cleaning empire, and sold the company to Unilever for a reported $100 million. But then... the product recall happened. Gwen tells Nicole about the scrappy days of launching and scaling The Laundress without investor capital, and the cautionary tales from the Unilever deal. Gwen talks about how she's approaching her new venture The Fill differently— and why she's not building it to sell. Then, Gwen opens up about her experience as one of the survivors of sexual assault by Dr. Robert Hadden, and what talking with other survivors taught her the power of collective action. Learn more about The Fill Unilever's response to the product recall Gwen's piece about learning her OBGYN was a predator

Would you live with your ex to keep a 2% mortgage rate? That’s the question Morgan Dickson and her ex-husband faced— and ultimately said yes. But for them, the decision wasn’t just about dollars and cents. Keeping the home was the best decision for their kids—but the real estate market has become an unexpected character in their story. Today, Nicole sits down with Morgan , whose story recently went viral after being featured in The Wall Street Journal. Morgan talks about how the interest rate “lock-in effect" played a role in her and her ex's living arrangements, and how they manage expenses as a divorced couple cohabitating. Then, Nicole and Morgan dive into the economics of divorce, and what happens when personal and financial decisions become intertwined. All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments. All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC.  *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match.

Today, Nicole shares the biggest headlines on Wall Street and how they will affect you and your wallet. In this episode, she unpacks the latest on the government shutdown, why Charlie Javice is going to prison and the economics of Taylor Swift's new album This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments. All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. As part of the IRA Match Program, Public Investing will fund a 1% match of: (a) all eligible IRA transfers and 401(k) rollovers made to a Public IRA; and (b) all eligible contributions made to a Public IRA up to the account’s annual contribution limit. The matched funds must be kept in the account for at least 5 years to avoid an early removal fee. Match rate and other terms of the Match Program are subject to change at any time. See full terms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC.  *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match.

Is renting really throwing money away? That is just one of the hot real estate topics Nicole gets into today with Paul Mark Morris— real estate expert and host of the podcast Radical Wealth Plan. Nicole and Paul talk about whether now is a good time to buy, Paul's three rules of real estate and whether 1031 exchanges are as cool as they seem on TikTok. Plus, Paul also gives a masterclass in the art and science of closing a sale. All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments. All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC.  *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match.

With the rise and legalization of sports betting platforms, gambling has never been easier— and compulsive gambling has never had a lower barrier to entry. Today, Nicole talks to a Money Rehabber who has had many highs and devastating lows over a decades-long career of gambling. Today, he shares how he’s building a healthier relationship with money, and they make a financial plan that helps him pave the way for a better financial future. If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, check out the recourses at the National Center for Problematic Gambling This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments. All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC.  *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match.

Today, Nicole explains why the government shut down, how long it may last, and how your wallet will be affected. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments. All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC.  *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match.

Do you have a problem that’s bugging you? That might be the exact thing that puts you on the path to starting a business. This is what Nicole is talking about today with Lane Merrifield, one of the cofounders of the beloved children’s game Club Penguin. Nicole and Lane talk about the most important considerations for anyone making products for kids— and, beyond that, advice for any entrepreneur solving a problem. Plus, Nicole and Lane deconstruct the "Shark Tank Effect" and tease apart when this phenomenon helps entrepreneurs... and when it doesn't. To meet Lane and get his expert insight on your business, book him on ⁠Intro.co⁠. This episode was recorded in 2024.

In the second part of their conversation, Nicole and Senator Warren talk about some of the most nuanced financial topics of the moment: How should the government balance democratization of wealth and regulation? And, where's the line between oversight and interference? Plus, Senator Warren shares her thoughts on the future of the Democratic party, and whether she'll run for President.