2001: Ask Farnoosh: Reflections on 2000 Money Conversations, My Advice for 2026 High School Grads

What if the most important investment you make in your child's future isn't paying for travel sports, tutoring, or the latest smartphone—but investing in your relationship?Farnoosh sits down with Bridget KerMorris, a Stanford-trained attorney, relational therapist, creator of the Steady + Connected Parenting™ framework, and mom of seven, to discuss why the middle school years may be the most critical—and misunderstood—season of parenting.Together they explore:Why ages 10–13 are a pivotal window for building lifelong trustHow to respond to bullying, friendship drama, and emotional outburstsThe words every middle schooler needs to hear from their parentsHow to repair after conflict instead of striving for perfectionNavigating phones, social media, and the pressure to fit inTeaching kids about money, expensive wants, allowances, and delayed gratificationWhy emotional presence may be the greatest investment parents can makeWhether you're raising a tween now or your child is heading toward middle school, this conversation offers practical tools, reassuring perspective, and a powerful reminder that your relationship—not your perfection—is what matters most.More about Bridget: Bridget KerMorris is a nationally recognized middle school parenting expert, relational therapist, and creator of Steady + Connected Parenting™. She is also the host of the new podcast, Middle Years with Bridget KerMorris.Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The art market is one of the least regulated, most opaque wealth transfer systems on the planet. We're talking billions of dollars moving between billionaires, oligarchs, and heads of state — with almost no oversight. It's where old money hides, new money launders, and powerful families build dynasties that last for generations. And at the center of all of it? Almost always, a man.But behind that man? Almost always, a woman who did the work — and got written out.That's the world at the heart of The Parisian Heist, the new novel from my guest today — and it is juicy. We're talking rich people behaving very badly, the hidden female genius behind one of the most famous artists who ever lived, and what all of it has to do with your money, your financial agency, and why handing over control — even to someone you love and trust — can cost you everything.Jo Piazza is a bestselling author, journalist, and podcast host with fourteen books and 25 million downloads to her nameLearn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Watch the full commencement speech on YoutubeLearn about and reserve your seat for Book to Brand.Farnoosh reflects on the biggest money lessons from producing 2,000 shows across 11 years. And listen to her speech to the high school graduates in her town. Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're talking about FORO, the fear of running out. According to a new sweeping study from Corebridge Financial, Americans are nine times more likely to say they'd regret running out of money while they're alive than dying with a fortune left unspent.Now, you have probably spent years, maybe decades, doing everything right, putting money away. You're contributing to your 401k, maybe even maxing it, and you're watching the balance grow, and somewhere in the back of your mind you're telling yourself, "When I finally get there, I'm gonna enjoy this."But here's what a new study just uncovered, and it's one of the most surprising findings in retirement research in years: getting there may be considered the hard part, but spending the money once you do is actually harder for millions of Americans.These are people who've worked hard, they saved diligently, they made it to retirement, and now they're not spending. They're hoarding. They're restricting. They're eating out less. They're skipping the trip. They're holding back, not because they can't afford it, but because they're afraid. Afraid if they actually use what they saved, it might run out.To unpack what's driving this and what to do about it, we are joined by Bryan Pinsky, President of Individual Retirement and Life Insurance at Corebridge Financial, one of the nation's largest providers of retirement solutions. And Jean Chatzky, a New York Times bestselling author, personal finance expert, one of the most trusted voices in America when it comes to helping real people make smart decisions with their money. She has partnered with Corebridge to turn these findings into an actionable playbook for retirement.We're gonna walk through what the data shows, why it matters, and what you can do right now, even if retirement is still years away, to make sure you don't fall into this trap.Resources and LinksPress Release: https://investors.corebridgefinancial.com/news/news-details/2026/Only-28-of-Pre-retirees-and-Retirees-are-Comfortable-Drawing-Down-Savings-in-Retirement-But-Having-a-Plan-for-Decumulation-Boosts-Confidence/default.aspxFull Survey Findings: https://apps.tm.celerasystems.com/corebridge/services/viewDocument?itemNbr=M6525DCKJean's Interview Series: https://www.corebridgefinancial.com/insights-education/real-stories-with-jean-chatzkyLearn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if debt isn't a personal failure—but a symptom of a much bigger problem?For years, we've been told that financial struggles come down to individual choices: spend less, budget better, work harder. But what if the real story is more complicated?My guests today are Jamie Feldman and Rachel Webster, creators and hosts of the award-winning podcast Debt Heads, a groundbreaking series they describe as a "true crime investigation into the murder of our bank accounts." The podcast is now entering season 2.Season one began with Jamie's own experience navigating credit card debt and the shame that came with it. But what started as one woman's debt payoff journey quickly evolved into a deeper investigation into the systems, cultural pressures, and economic realities that leave so many people feeling financially stuck.Jamie is a writer, editor, and storyteller. Rachel is a filmmaker and producer. Together, they've built a fiercely honest, deeply funny, and surprisingly hopeful podcast community around a topic most of us avoid talking about: money.Now, as Debt Heads returns for its second season, they're widening the lens beyond spending and debt to explore work, job security, income instability, and what it means to pursue financial wellbeing in a world that often feels increasingly precarious.In our conversation, we talk about the hidden connections between mental health and money, why so many women tie their self-worth to spending, how shame keeps us isolated, and why financial security is about far more than your net worth.You'll also hear their thoughts on the creator economy, the pressure to monetize every passion project, and why making meaningful work—not just profitable work—can lead to unexpected opportunities.Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for Book to Brand on Friday, October 9, in New York City. Early bird tickets are available now at BookToBrand.co.Farnoosh shares a parenting mishap from her book A Healthy State of Panic—accidentally sending her kids to the wrong birthday party—and explains why low-stakes failures can help us build resilience instead of fear.Then, she tackles listener questions about whether to stay in an unhappy marriage for financial reasons, how to navigate a toxic workplace, and what home repairs are worth making before a sale. Plus: advice for Penn State finance freshmen looking to stand out, tips for choosing the right investment platform, and what to know before setting up an S-corporation for your business.This episode aired originally on June 24, 2023.Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to land a traditional book deal in 2026?In this episode, Farnoosh sits down with book proposal strategist Richelle Fredson, founder of Book Proposal Blueprint, to unpack what publishers, agents, and editors are really looking for today. Together, they explore the role of platform-building, the biggest mistakes aspiring authors make, and the truth about landing a spot on the New York Times bestseller list.Richelle, who helped shape Farnoosh's proposal for A Healthy State of Panic, shares practical insights on crafting a standout proposal, attracting the right publishing partners, and turning a book into a bigger opportunity—from growing your business and audience to securing speaking engagements and building a lasting brand.If you're dreaming of writing a book—or already working on one—this conversation offers a clear roadmap for navigating today's publishing landscape.Want to go deeper? Join us at Book to Brand on October 9 in New York, where we'll connect you with agents, publishers, editors, and successful authors for an immersive day of learning and networking. Early bird pricing ends July 1 at booktobrand.co.Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're talking about one of the most stressful financial moments in a young person's life — that gap between graduation and a real paycheck.My guest is Jahleane Dolné, founder of the Postgrad Playbook, a media platform and community helping Gen Z navigate the years right after college — the job search, the identity shift, the moving back home. All of it.Because here's the thing: we tend to assume young people will figure it out. No mortgage, no kids — they'll be fine. But this transition is one of the most underserved in our culture, and the job market right now is making it even harder. New grads are spending six months, a year, sometimes two years searching. Many end up in jobs that don't require the degree they just paid six figures for.Jahleane has been there. She's a UC Santa Barbara grad, daughter of Haitian immigrants, and she found her way through a sales career, a TikTok community, a $20 LinkedIn course — and eventually, a mission. Today she's sharing the playbook: how to position yourself for work, network without cringing, think about grad school strategically, and why a year in sales might be the best investment a twenty-something can make. More about Jahleane: She is the founder of The PostGrad Playbook, a media company building the definitive guide for life after college and helping young professionals navigate careers, identity shifts, and the moments between milestones that nobody prepares them for.She was named a Future Voice at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and her work has led to partnerships with brands including LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Fide. Her insights have been featured in Ad Age, Business Insider, The New York Times, Essence, AfroTech, and LinkedIn News. Across social media and The PostGrad Playbook newsletter, she has built a community of ambitious professionals seeking practical strategies for creating opportunities in a rapidly changing world.Jahleane's socials  Instagram | TikTok | LinkedInThe PostGrad Playbook: Website | Instagram Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Farnoosh answers listener questions about rolling over an old 401(k), managing $100,000 in savings for a 68-year-old on Social Security, and how couples should discuss and merge finances. She highlights a New York Times story on how weak job markets can scar young graduates long-term and a piece in the Wall Street Journal about “Trump accounts,” including unclear eligibility rules and potential state tax differences versus 529 plans, advising caution until IRS guidance arrives. Learn more about her October 9 Book to Brand event. Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey SO MONEY family — something special in your feed today.My friend Lindsey Stanberry is taking over with an episode of Family Money, her new podcast series with Babylist through The Purse. Lindsey has been covering women, work, and money for over a decade, and what she's building here is exactly the kind of honest, practical conversation that parents need and almost nobody is having well.And yes — I'm in this one.The episode is called "What Does Childcare Actually Cost?" and it does exactly what it says. Lindsey talks with economist Corinne Low — Associate Professor at the Wharton School and author of the USA Today bestseller Having It All — who reframes childcare not as a money pit but as an investment in your time, your career, and your family's future. Then I join to walk through the real numbers: daycare centers, nanny shares, au pairs, in-home care, the grandparent option nobody talks about enough — what each one actually costs and how to figure out what's right for your family.We also get into something that drives me crazy: this idea that childcare costs come out of the mother's salary. They don't. They come out of your family's future. And once you see it that way, everything changes.If you're expecting, deep in the daycare years, or just trying to get ahead of it — this episode is for you. Give Family Money a follow wherever you listen. Lindsey is doing incredible work.Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.