Podcast Summary – So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

Episode 1871: 5 Mistakes That Hurt Mental and Financial Strength
Guest: Amy Morin, psychotherapist and host of Mentally Stronger
Release Date: August 27, 2025

Episode Overview

On this episode, Farnoosh Torabi welcomes Amy Morin, internationally bestselling author and renowned psychotherapist, for a conversation linking mental strength and financial well-being. Inspired by Amy’s podcast episode about lifestyle mistakes that hinder mental growth, Farnoosh explores how these same pitfalls affect our financial lives. The episode delivers actionable insights and heartfelt stories, framing mental and financial health as deeply intertwined, and highlights five core mistakes we often make in pursuing both.

Guest Background & Personal Journey

• Amy Morin’s Story
  Amy shares her unique journey from rural Maine therapist to bestselling author and podcaster—all while living on a sailboat in the Florida Keys.

  • "I was a therapist living in rural Maine... my mom died when I was 23 and then my husband passed away when I was 26, which left me widowed at the age of 26." (07:00)
  • She started writing as a side hustle to support herself after these losses, leading to the viral article “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” which changed the course of her career (07:10-09:46).

• Living on a Sailboat
  Amy dispels myths about the challenges of living on a boat, noting the perks and unique lifestyle it offers.

  • "It's more like a floating apartment... we have high speed Internet, electricity, hot water—all of the amenities." (04:34)

Key Discussion Points

1. Why Focus on What Not To Do?

Amy’s advice centers on a “not to do” list for building mental (and financial) strength.

• "If I just help people identify, like, what's your worst habit that's keeping you stuck and you can get rid of it... your good habits become so much more effective." (10:29)
• Amy’s approach: Identifying and stopping self-defeating behaviors is more manageable than endlessly adding new must-do’s.

Farnoosh’s Reaction:
"It's the not to do list. We never heard of that... You can feel just as accomplished when you check things off that you haven't done.” (11:57)

2. 5 Lifestyle Mistakes Hindering Mental & Financial Growth

Mistake 1: Acting Tough

• Avoiding vulnerability and denying struggles keeps people stuck.
• "People think the hallmark of strength is saying, ‘nothing in life bothers me at all,’ but the truth is, you can't just shut yourself off to the uncomfortable feelings.” – Amy (13:49)
• Financial connection: Projecting indifference to money often masks deep anxieties or cultural beliefs about worthiness and wealth.
• "If you really get to the root of that resistance, maybe it's that you have been taught that you are not deserving of the wanting of money.” – Farnoosh (14:46)

Mistake 2: Staying in Toxic Environments and Blaming Yourself

• Many try to “hack” unhealthy relationships or workplaces when, in fact, distress is often a healthy reaction.
• "Having [distress] is a really healthy response to what's going on... maybe the solution is really to say I'm going to fix the situation that I'm in.” – Amy (17:45)
• Self-compassion and small acts of self-care are vital when escape isn’t immediately possible (22:54).

Mistake 3: Trying to Grow Stronger Alone

• Individualism is overrated; asking for help takes real strength.
• "Does it take more strength to do this alone or does it take more strength to ask for help? Clearly asking for help takes tons of courage.” – Amy (24:45)
• Many clients suffer in silence, feeling alone even while surrounded by others facing the same struggles.
• Amy shares how she delayed sharing her personal grief story and why protecting your narrative matters (26:15-28:48).

Mistake 4: Neglecting Your Physical Health

• Hustle culture devalues sleep, nutrition, and exercise, but health is foundational to everything—including building wealth.
• "If you make your health a priority, top priority in terms of eating and exercising, you do everything you can, even in the short term to make a huge shift.” – Amy (31:39)

Mistake 5: Clinging to Unhealthy Commitments

• Perseverance is good, but quitting sometimes takes more courage—especially when what we’re sticking with is hurting us.
• "People don't realize, like, no, sometimes it takes strength to quit... If you start a business and it's a sinking ship, like, don't wait five more years until you finally have to give it up. Give it up now.” – Amy (34:47)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Amy on Going Viral:
  "One of the articles I wrote was called 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do. I got paid $15 for it... 50 million people read the article." (08:37)

• Farnoosh on “Not-To-Do List”:
  "This is, like, gonna change my life, actually, because you should see my to do list.” (11:57)

• Amy on Owning Her Narrative:
  "I'm glad that I told the story, and I'm glad I told it in a book... I was able to do it that way." (28:48)

Notable Segment Timestamps

• 03:58 – Amy discusses living on a sailboat
• 07:00 – Amy’s backstory: personal loss and career pivot
• 10:29 – The power of a “not-to-do” list
• 13:49 – Acting tough and its downsides
• 16:14 – Financial self-sabotage and denial
• 17:45 – Navigating toxic environments
• 22:54 – Self-care when you can’t yet change your situation
• 24:45 – The necessity of seeking help and community
• 26:15 – On sharing vs. protecting your personal story
• 31:39 – Physical health as the foundation of strength
• 34:47 – Knowing when to quit

Guest Resources & Further Learning

• Books: “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do” and several others (including for kids)
• Podcast: Mentally Stronger with Amy Morin – features both interviews and solo “Friday Fix” strategy episodes
• "Healing happens faster with community; we just don't say it out loud.” – Amy (25:52)

Tone

The conversation is warm, direct, and empowering, blending vulnerability with practical advice. Both Farnoosh and Amy speak candidly, often drawing from personal experience or client stories to illustrate their points.

If you want clear, actionable advice on building resilience both mentally and financially—and are motivated by real-life stories of strength—this episode delivers insights you’ll return to again and again.