Podcast Summary
Podcast: Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan
Episode: Confidence Classic: The Mindset Shifts That Create REAL Wealth with Chris Harder
Host: Heather Monahan
Guest: Chris Harder (entrepreneur, philanthopist, host of The Chris Harder Show)
Date: January 13, 2026
Main Theme and Purpose
This episode explores the mindset shifts necessary for creating genuine wealth, moving beyond old stories about money, and developing successful, abundant, and generous lives. Chris Harder shares his journey from banking executive to entrepreneur, the financial collapse that forced a reinvention, and how spiritual and practical principles fuel abundance. The discussion unpacks actionable strategies for shifting money mindset, healing old programming, building multiple income streams, integrating spirituality with business, and leveraging generosity as a catalyst for personal and financial growth.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Overcoming Money Mindset Triggers
[01:50–04:27]
- Chris recounts renaming his podcast from "For the Love of Money" after realizing the title itself was triggering for people with negative money beliefs.
- “I would get tagged on Instagram so many times where people would be sharing the episode, and Heather, they'd say something like, 'don't let the title scare you away. This episode is really, really good.'” — Chris (02:18)
- Many are subconsciously programmed with shame and fear around money from childhood, which often keeps them from seeking education or opportunities.
- Chris’s mission is to help people clear these stories and beliefs so they can “unapologetically pursue what they were meant to pursue” (04:06).
2. From Corporate Success to Forced Reinvention
[05:18–10:09]
- Chris shares his rise as a banking executive, his arrogance/ignorance in assuming that success would last, and the 2008 economic collapse that led to the loss of his job, home, and lifestyle.
- “I thought it was going to last forever, and we were living way beyond our means…when 2008, 2009 hit…the music stopped and we were left holding the bag.” — Chris (05:26)
- Differentiates between chosen pivots and forced pivots—his being the latter. Describes the forced pivot as initially devastating but ultimately the “best gift” because it enabled him to consciously choose how to “show up in the world” (07:16).
- Reflects on the toxicity of a corporate culture that prioritizes titles, material displays, and competition for limited spots versus the abundance and inclusivity found in entrepreneurship.
3. Rebuilding: Financial Discipline and Rules
[10:09–16:25]
- Detailed the steps after losing everything:
- Honest conversation with his wife Lori.
- Full acceptance of their new reality and reframing it as an opportunity.
- Literally starting over: "Sold everything...started out in a tiny little 900 square foot loft...and built from there." (11:49)
- Stressed importance of multiple income streams.
- “If any one income source went away today, we would not have to change anything about our lifestyle tomorrow.” — Chris (13:54)
- Rules for financial safety and growth:
- Always maintain multiple income streams.
- Don’t buy luxury items unless you could pay cash for them without affecting future lifestyle.
- Pause to assess whether purchases are instant gratification or long-term investments (ex: legacy properties for future family memories).
4. Relationship Dynamics in Success
[19:36–24:35]
- Chris attributes much of their success to intentional, evolving partnership with Lori.
- “We’ve always said we’re willing to try it on for size…Instead of saying that’s a dumb idea, we always try each other’s ideas on for size.” — Chris (20:31)
- Importance of giving each partner “container” (daily walks) to address challenges and keep their connection strong.
- Maintaining separate identities, interests, and friendships to keep the relationship vibrant and bring fresh perspectives to each other.
- “If you don't have those separate identities, you become very boring to each other.” (23:48)
5. The Role of Spirituality in Wealth Creation
[24:35–27:44]
- Heather asks about spirituality’s role in their abundance journey.
- Chris puts it at 80%, Lori at “damn near all of it…95 to 100%.” (25:08)
- “When you have a really good spiritual practice...those small shifts…compounding effect…before you know it, you've totally turned around the energy that you're operating with…showing up more positive and you're showing up more opportunistic.” — Chris (25:35)
- Discusses how spiritual practices (prayer, meditation, gratitude) support resilience, perspective, and attracting opportunities.
6. Bridging “Woo Woo” and Practical Mindset
[27:44–29:50]
- Chris explains that whether you believe in universal energy or are purely pragmatic, both pathways can change outcomes:
- “If you're constantly journaling something…sooner or later it's going to have an effect on that very first action that you take that starts to make that thing appear…and before you know it, you receive this thing that you are working towards.” (28:11)
- Key: Other people want to help those who are positive and opportunistic, not those who are negative or stuck in fear.
7. Action Steps for Moving Beyond Fear and Building Confidence
[31:38–35:41]
- When facing fear or loss of control, start with small actions:
- Visualize your ideal life for five minutes daily—even if skeptical.
- Read a few pages of a positive book.
- Attend a workshop or listen to personal development content.
- “Even if you don’t trust it yet, if you control the little baby things…if you control the little baby things that control your perspective, that then control your actions, that then control your results...it’s inevitable that you're going to end up getting to where you want to get.” — Chris (33:43)
- Reinforces the “try it on for size” approach: do small positive habits even if you doubt them, and let the results build your trust ("I'm not asking you to trust it yet. I'm not asking you to believe in it yet. But if what you're doing right now isn't working, then...do these small little practices consistently, and I promise you will start to see small results turn into medium results turn into big results." — 35:21).
8. Mantras and Daily Practices for Wealth Mindset
[35:41–38:38]
- Chris's daily mantra with Lori: "I'm happier, healthier, wealthier, and more fit than I was yesterday." (35:43)
- Focus on incremental improvement ("…it feels like a small increment. I can believe in that… you know what people can't believe in?…someone advises them to say a mantra like, I am 100 millionaire…they're like, 'this is bullshit. I'm not.' But…I am happier, healthier, wealthier, and more fit than I was yesterday. That's a small increment that you can believe in." — 36:02)
- 60 seconds of gratitude first thing in the morning sets the tone.
- Chris has a daily abundance/wealth mantra texting list ("Text me the word DAILY to 310-421-0416" — 38:17).
9. The Business and Psychological Secret: Giving Back
[38:38–43:59]
- Generosity is coded into us; the dopamine hit means we’re meant to do it more.
- “If you give a dollar, everyone could give a dollar…It signals to yourself that, sure enough, in this very moment, I did have excess. And excess, by definition, is abundance.” (39:19)
- When you’re committed to a big giving goal, you become more creative and resourceful to fulfill it—which ends up accelerating your own wealth.
- Story of Steve and his wife, whose annual giving goal ($50K to $250K) forced them to “find a way” and led them to their first 7-figure year (40:54).
- Giving back improves your business networking; those who give are more likely to attract other good-hearted, successful allies.
10. Reciprocity and Lasting Success
[43:08–44:31]
- Law of reciprocity: make yourself the person who adds value, and help will come back to you naturally.
- “People want to help someone who helped them out. So start tilting that law of reciprocity in your favor now.” (43:55)
- Chris's texting program re-shared.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “When you get knocked down and when you're stripped of everything, including your identity...you get to choose again.” — Chris (07:16)
- “Multiple income sources is not a luxury, it’s a must have.” — Chris (13:42)
- “When you have a really good spiritual practice…those small shifts…have a compounding effect.” — Chris (25:41)
- “If what you're doing right now isn't working…do these small little practices...I promise you will start to see small results turn into medium results turn into big results.” — Chris (35:21)
- “If any one income source went away today, we would not have to change anything about our lifestyle tomorrow.” — Chris (13:54)
- “I'm happier, healthier, wealthier, and more fit than I was yesterday.” — Chris’s daily mantra with Lori (35:43)
- “Giving signals to yourself that…in this very moment, I did have excess. And excess, by definition, is abundance.” — Chris (39:19)
- “It is literally one of the best secrets to success is turn yourself into a giving machine.” — Chris (42:42)
- “Start tilting that law of reciprocity in your favor now.” — Chris (43:55)
Useful Timestamps
- 01:50–04:27 – Money mindset triggers and the reason behind the podcast rebrand.
- 05:18–07:50 – Chris’s forced pivot from banking after the financial crash.
- 10:09–13:10 – First steps after losing everything; financial re-education.
- 13:10–16:25 – Harder family’s top financial rules for security/abundance.
- 19:51–22:57 – Relationship rules, growth, and separate identities in marriage/business.
- 24:35–27:44 – Spirituality’s role in financial success.
- 31:38–35:41 – Practical steps for overcoming fear and developing confidence.
- 35:41–38:38 – Daily mantras, gratitude, and Chris’s texting program.
- 38:38–41:54 – The psychological/business payoff of giving back.
- 43:08–43:59 – Reciprocity in business.
Conclusion
Chris Harder’s journey exemplifies that sustainable wealth and confidence are less about chasing titles or outward symbols of success and much more about bold mindset shifts, building resilient habits, developing spiritual and practical disciplines, and becoming a relentless giver. The episode’s energy is practical, motivating, and deeply grounded in experiential wisdom, making it essential listening for anyone looking to rebuild, reinvent, and truly upgrade their life.
To sign up for Chris’s daily positive mantra/text, text the word “DAILY” to 310-421-0416