Podcast
Fiscally Challenged
Hosted by CJ Weerasinghe · EN
Welcome to Fiscally Challenged! This is the podcast that smashes the taboos around money with humanity, vulnerability, humour, and just the right amount of self-deprecation.
I’m CJ, your friendly fiscalphobe, and it’s high time that we unpack our complicated relationship with m-o-n-e-y. Think of this as group emotional fiscal therapy, because let’s be honest, most of us would rather talk about our bowel movements than our bank balance.
Ever feel like money is that toxic ex who breezes in and out of your life, leaving chaos in their wake? Yeah, me too. This is my journey to address the urgent need for financial literacy in a world where discussing money can feel more awkward than a first date.
Each week, I’ll chat with everyday people and experts from all walks of life to explore the psychology, anthropology, and sociology of money. We’ll unravel the complexities of our wallets, share our financial faux pas, and discover what really shapes our money mindsets.
Let’s get REAL about our collective money trauma and embark on a journey toward financial liberation - together. Buckle up for a journey where finances meet mental health, sprinkled with a generous dash of agony aunt wisdom.
So, are we just broke or Fiscally Challenged?
Follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Meet Your Money Muse with Maria
Nov 7, 202401:07:14Tap to summarizeHello & Welcome to Fiscally Challenged!In this episode I sit down with sound healer and energy practitioner, Maria (she/her), to explore our energetic and emotional relationship with money. Maria shares how she rose from a crisis that left her homeless with nothing but the clothes on her back, to a life of true abundance. A profound inner awakening and a chance encounter with yin yoga kickstarted the transformation of her relationship with money by leaning heavily into gratitude, healing, and treating money as a friend.From breaking free of ‘debt culture’, reframing deeply ingrained money beliefs, the healing power of positive money talk and the importance of balancing our masculine and feminine energies to create a more optimised money flow - Maria’s insights are as refreshing as they are challenging.Maria will also guide us through a 10-minute meditation designed to connect us with our ‘money muse’ - a visualisation exercise to start a path toward awareness, forgiveness and healing. Tune in to learn how to reframe your money story to release guilt, reshape limiting beliefs, and cultivate gratitude.Follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Importance of Financial Literacy with Omari
Oct 31, 202400:49:31Tap to summarizeHello and welcome back to the Fiscally Challenged pod!Sitting in the chair today is Omari (he/him), an incredibly bright, frank and reflective human whose wisdom by far outweighs his age. Raised by a very inspiring mother, Omari learned the value of money and budgeting from a young age - even giving up lunches to save for prized items as a kid. Omari shares his experience of growing up amongst the stark contrasts of wealth in London and balancing his creative passions with a desire for stability.Through candid reflections, Omari opens up about why his mother referred to him as an old man when he was a child, the influence of social media, the pressure to "keep up" financially and the impact of living paycheck to paycheck in a world that demands more than ever. We also discuss the systemic barriers that young people face today - from the mental health and morality decline to the generational uncertainty around home ownership and economic security.The psychological impacts of financial anxiety are brought up to highlight that financial literacy isn’t just about money - it’s an essential tool that we all need to help build self-worth, confidence, resilience and the courage to redefine what “success” looks like. Omari bravely shares how he overcame his own challenges and shares the most important lessons he's learned.Follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Big Money vs. Strong Mindset with Morgan
Oct 24, 202400:57:18Tap to summarizeWelcome to The Fiscally Challenged pod!I’m excited to introduce Morgan from Full Circle Finance, a mortgage brokerage specialising in helping people build their investment portfolios. Morgan launched his business in 2022 and has over 12 years of experience working in the space, but is also a seasoned property investor who owned five properties by the age of 28.Morgan is here to share why developing a strong financial mindset is more impactful than a big paycheck. We talk about his journey from childhood to now, how money was discussed and treated at home, the personal sacrifices he had to make along the way and why he’s so passionate about helping others reach their financial goals.If you think that this conversation is reserved for high-income earners or those with massive bank accounts, think again! While his clientele boasts a high net-worth client with over 62 properties under his belt, Morgan says that most of his clients are just "average everyday people" - bus drivers included. Click play for Morgan's advice on strategies that will help you harness your mindset and build towards financial freedom, whether you’re just starting or ready to level up.Hit the FOLLOW and the notification buttons to be the first to know when a new episode drops every Thursday, and follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Decoding Crypto in the Digital Era with Yathu
Oct 17, 202400:55:32Tap to summarizeHello and welcome to the Fiscally Challenged podcast!In this episode I sit down with Yathu (he/him), a lecturer in the Anthropology of Enterprise and specialist in cryptocurrency, blockchain and social media from University College London (UCL). He's here to give us the 101 on the complex world of cryptocurrency and explore its impact on our understanding of money.Yathu explains crypto mining in a language that I can (finally) understand, and introduces the concept of "hope money". This concept explains how crypto represents more than just an investment, but a way to have control of and rewire one's financial future. It’s a mix of hope, risk, and honestly, a bit of luck. But with every risk comes potential pitfalls, and Yathu shares real stories about notorious financial scams, including the infamous OneCoin fraud.We also dive the cultural side of money - how our upbringings, society, waged labour, the anointed gatekeepers and the internet have influenced our relationship with money. From looking into the darker side of the often unregulated but highly marketed crypto culture, Yathu gives us insight into why some of us see crypto (and traditional gambling) as their golden ticket and why others (like myself) approach it with trepidation.Yathu shares personal insights into how money has influenced his life and why we fetishise money in the first place. We discuss everything from what it means to work, the emotional side of our finances and why Dolly Parton re-released her anti-capilalist hit song 9-5 to reflect the current state of affairs.Hit the FOLLOW and the notification buttons to be the first to know when a new episode drops every Thursday, and follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Overdraft Confessions: Money Struggles & Growth with Zoë
Oct 10, 202400:58:04Tap to summarizeWelcome to The Overdraft Confessions! aka, Fiscally Challenged podcast.In this episode, I’m joined by my soul sister Zoë (she/her) for a light-hearted and eye-opening conversation about our adventures living in London on meagre media-professional paychecks. A Sydney native and new mom, Zoë works in advertising, loves attending galleries and gigs, and has called London home for over a decade.Together, we dive into the humourous and heartfelt moments of navigating financial challenges - living in our overdrafts, debt dilemmas and crafting meals from the Tesco yellow-label section. We reflect on how our upbringings and social backgrounds have influenced our financial habits, including the awkwardness of asking for pay rises and the questionable gaps in our financial literacy, despite both having over 20 years of work experience.London is a thriving metropolis that attracts people seeking professional and personal opportunities, but many grapple with the skyrocketing living costs. We discuss the struggle of balancing creative passions with everyday expenses, highlighting the shared experience of dreams colliding with economic realities.Join us as we laugh and try not to cry through this very vulnerable chat about money struggles and growth and the hope that our kids will be able to chase their dreams with confidence. Let's advocate for better financial education and turn the challenges of today into the successes of tomorrow!Hit the FOLLOW and the notification buttons to be the first to know when a new episode drops every Thursday, and follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Your Wealth Health with Melissa
Oct 3, 202400:44:45Tap to summarizeHave you ever taken a moment to think about your relationship with money? How do you welcome it into your life, how do you handle it, how do you talk about it - even with friends? Where does money “live” in your world? These little things might seem small, but they can have a big impact on how you feel about yourself, your sense of self-worth, and your overall wealth health.Today's guest Melissa (she/her) is a mindset life coach and therapist who specialises in blending transformational mindset work with cutting-edge hypnotherapy, merging science and spirituality to help clients tap into their natural, aligned energy flow. Melissa's unique approach also incorporates human design, allowing her to create a personalised, holistic experience for each client.Melissa talks about how to empower your mind, overcome emotional and energetic blocks, and release any fears holding you back from having a more fulfilling relationship with money. This conversation is not to be missed, let's crack on!You can find Melissa on Instagram or her website Vibrant Energia.Hit the FOLLOW and the notification buttons to be the first to know when a new episode drops every Thursday, and follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple PodcastsFollow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Hustle & Struggle with Manny
Sep 26, 202400:41:51Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Fiscally Challenged pod! Here to have some frank conversations about money and emotions? Then you're in the right place.In today's episode, I chat with Manny (he/him), an architect by day who started making and selling 3D-printed neon pots during lockdown to escape boredom and his newfound hobby of overconsuming pizza and wine. We chinwag about how he balances his 9-6 career alongside his 6-10 side hustle pots biz (MannyMadePots), and the challenges and stigmas of today's hustle or struggle culture. We confess our financial anxieties, share how we grew up around money, the impact of social media on our mental health and values, the generational gap, and have a good ole' whine about how 2016 kicked off the worst and longest episode of Black Mirror ever.WARNING: You'll probably feel a deep urge to buy a 3D neon pot during or after this conversation and I 100% support you in this choice. Please visit his visually edible Etsy shop MannyMadePots and Instagram @mannymadepots to get thirsty for pots.Hit the FOLLOW and the notification buttons to be the first to know when a new episode drops every Thursday, and follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple PodcastsTune in for a raw and relatable conversation on navigating modern life. Let’s crack on! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Herstory of Money with Anna
Sep 19, 202400:56:38Tap to summarizeWelcome back!Today I'm talking to Anna Rohmann (she/her), an anthropologist and associate lecturer from the University of London. We delve into the herstory of money to discuss the historical financial oppression faced by women, and highlight the lack of financial literacy education and the enduring gender biases in financial spaces.Anna shares how societal constructs have perpetuated financial violence, and emphasises the importance of open discussions about money and its changing narratives. We also delve into the role of social media, the rise of 'Finfluencers' and the impact of pop culture in shaping financial perceptions and promoting empowerment.Anna Rohmann is a PhD candidate and Associate Lecturer at the University of London. Her research focuses on how retail investors use FinTech and financial inclusion from an anthropological view. She uses creative, multi-modal methods in her ethnographic work and has worked with FinTech start-ups and content creators. Her interests also cover the intersection of the digital economy with gender, sexuality, and social change. Anna is on the editorial board for Anthways Journal, part of the TikTok Ethnography Collective @thetiktokanthropologists and has worked with the Political Economy Research Center (PERC).Hit the FOLLOW and the notification buttons to be the first to know when a new episode drops every Thursday, and follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple PodcastsFollow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts#moneymindset #financialtherapy #selfhelp #moneymanagementtips #finance #financialliteracy #financialeducation #moneymindsetpodcast #financialtherapy #selfhelpfriday #moneymanagement #finances #parenting #raisingsmartkids #podcast #podcasts #finfluencer #financialindependence Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Cents & Sensibility with Anand
Sep 13, 202401:01:23Tap to summarizeHello Fiscally Challenged fans, followers and those just curious.Today, I'll be speaking to Anand (he/him). He's a father, a tech guy in finance and an advocate for transparency and financial literacy. He's here because he's a Yoda-level wise human who always has sound life advice who also happens to be my dear friend.We pull each other's legs while discussing the challenges of parenting in a digital world and the importance of teaching children about money, emotions, and happiness. We reflect on our own upbringings and how they have shaped our money mindsets and how we'll discuss money with our kids. At the heart of this discussion is the value of strong relationships and emotional well-being over material wealth.Hit the FOLLOW and the notification buttons to be the first to know when a new episode drops every Thursday, and follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts#moneymindset #financialtherapy #selfhelp #moneymanagementtips #finance #financialliteracy #financialeducation #moneymindsetpodcast #financialtherapy #selfhelpfriday #moneymanagement #finances #parenting #raisingsmartkids #podcast #podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Money and The Mind with Niamh
Sep 13, 202400:51:18Tap to summarizeFind your favourite spot, get comfy, and listen in for a free emotional fiscal therapy session. We'll do a deep dive into the intersection of money and the mind and explore how your financial decisions are influenced by your mindset, experiences, and emotions.Our expert therapist, Niamh Maguire (she/her), offers insights into how early experiences and personality traits shape our relationships with money and highlights the importance of self-awareness in understanding financial behaviours. We discuss the role of financial literacy and societal pressures in shaping attitudes towards money and emphasise the need for open conversations about finances. This session underscores money as both a means and a source of power, affecting personal identity and social dynamics.Niamh is a fully accredited CBT practitioner and leadership coach. She has experience working with a wide range of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and more, with a special focus on complex trauma, self-esteem, and workplace performance anxiety. She’s also trained in EMDR and is passionate about helping people improve their mental well-being and manage burnout.Hit the FOLLOW and the notification buttons to be the first to know when a new episode drops every Thursday, and follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts#emotionalfiscaltherapy #moneymindset #financialtherapy #selfhelp #moneymanagementtips #finance #financialliteracy #financialeducation #moneymindsetpodcast #financialtherapy #selfhelpfriday #moneymanagement #finances #parenting #raisingsmartkids #podcast #podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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