The Six Secrets to Suze’s Success - Revisited

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Six Secrets to Suze’s Success – Revisited"

Podcast: Suze Orman's Women & Money (And Everyone Smart Enough To Listen)
Host: Suze Orman (with KT, Co-host)
Date: December 21, 2025
Episode Length: ~30 minutes

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Overview

This special revisited episode of Suze Orman's Women & Money podcast delves into six core principles—dubbed "Suzyisms"—that have guided Suze Orman on her road to personal and financial success. Handpicked and recounted by her partner and co-host, KT, each secret is explored through Suze’s personal stories, practical insights, and characteristic warmth. The episode is designed to inspire listeners to examine their own beliefs about money and self-worth, offering actionable guidance for living a more fulfilled and financially sound life.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of Prioritizing Your Needs

[03:41–05:33]

• Secret #1: “The day you put your needs in front of others’ wants is the day you will have really started on your road to financial freedom.”
  • Suze urges listeners to reflect on their true needs—not just material wants.
  • Real-life scenario: Saving for emergencies even when tempted to fulfill others’ desires (like buying children new sneakers with money meant for savings).
  • Quote: “You have to put your needs in front of others’ wants, and if you do that, that’s when you really are on the road to financial freedom.” — Suze Orman [04:26]

2. Fulfillment Comes Before Success

[05:33–08:00]

• Secret #2: "Success alone will never, ever lead you to fulfillment. Fulfillment will always lead you to success."
  • Many chase material success without feeling truly satisfied.
  • Suze shares a personal anecdote about a relative who seeks her help after realizing high income doesn’t equate to happiness.
  • Quote: “Your goal is to have inner fulfillment, and it will manifest with outer wealth.” — Suze Orman [06:41]

3. Perseverance in the Face of Criticism

[08:31–11:14]

• Secret #3: “The elephant keeps walking as the dogs keep barking.”
  • Symbolizes staying true to your path despite external criticism or negativity.
  • Suze recounts her own journey, from initial encouragement to public scrutiny at the height of her fame.
  • Quote: “It’s really important that you know who you are, what you are, and how do you keep going… I was just going to keep walking and going forward... regardless of what all the dogs... were saying about me at the time. And eventually the dogs just went away and I kept walking.” — Suze Orman [10:15–11:08]

4. Power of Belief and Mindset

[11:14–14:25]

• Secret #4: "If you think you can’t, you never, ever, ever, ever will."
  • The language and thoughts you use become self-fulfilling.
  • Suze emphasizes how your thoughts create actions, habits, and ultimately your destiny.
  • Quote: “Your words have the power to create or the power to destroy. And the choice is up to you.” — Suze Orman [13:37]
  • KT highlights listener stories of overcoming debt, reinforcing the transformative power of self-belief.

5. Freeing Yourself from Shame and Blame

[14:47–17:49]

• Secret #5: "There’s no shame or blame big enough to keep you from being who you are meant to be."
  • Suze guides listeners to overcome internal obstacles like fear, shame, and anger.
  • Encourages openness about financial difficulties as a step toward empowerment.
  • Quote: "You’re not a victim to your circumstances, you’re a victor. You are a creator of everything. So take that, turn it around, and create the future. Create the person you really want to be... but not if you dwell in shame and blame.” — Suze Orman [16:46]

6. The Three Gatekeepers: Kindness, Necessity, and Truth

[18:35–21:51]

• Secret #6: "May every word that you say, every thought that you think, and every action that you take pass through the three gatekeepers: Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true?"
  • A practical mental check to guide actions and words.
  • Suze and KT discuss how this prevents regret, shame, and fosters authenticity in relationships.
  • Quote: “If you’re going to do anything and it doesn’t pass through all three of those gatekeepers, just stop and change it until it does. Just that simple.” — Suze Orman [21:21]

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Suze’s Mantra: “You never stop learning. You never stop growing. You also never stop having doubts. Believe it or not. Can I do this? Should I do this? Is this the right thing?... All these things... let them be your own little inner secret that helps you be who you really want to be and who you are meant to be.” — Suze Orman [22:21–23:09]

• KT’s Summary: “I call it the six secrets to Suzie’s Success. But it’s really credo’s inspirations, words that she’s lived by and taught and imparted not only for me, but for all of you.” — KT [21:51]

• Sign-off Principle: “There’s only three things we want you to remember, everybody, and that is people first, then money, then things.” — KT [23:30]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:41] – Secret #1: Needs vs. Wants
• [05:33] – Secret #2: Fulfillment Before Success
• [08:31] – Secret #3: Perseverance Amid Criticism
• [11:14] – Secret #4: The Power of Mindset
• [14:47] – Secret #5: No Shame or Blame
• [18:35] – Secret #6: The Three Gatekeepers

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Tone & Style

Warm, conversational, and rich in empathy, the episode features Suze’s signature blend of tough love and uplifting support, punctuated by KT’s affection and admiration. Real-world examples and interactive, reflective exercises bridge high-level principles with actionable steps.

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Final Takeaways

Suze Orman’s six secrets are not merely financial advice—they are guiding philosophies for life and self-actualization, reminding listeners that prosperity begins from within and is shaped by thoughts, actions, and self-belief. The episode encourages everyone to reflect, journal, and carry these Suzyisms forward as tools for both financial and personal growth.

Transcript

[Susie Orman]

Foreign.

[Robert (Producer)]

December 21, 2025. Welcome to the Women in Money podcast, as well as everyone smart enough to listen. Hi, everybody. Robert, the producer here. Now, as we get to the end of the year, we all need to take a little bit of a break. Susie and KT are working on a special episode for Christmas Day this coming Thursday. So we're giving them a respite from working today. Now, if you're new to the podcast, first of all, thank you very much for listening. Second, when KT and Susie take a break, we still like for you to have something to listen to in the feed. And the episode you're going to hear highlights from is the right message for today. Well, actually for any day, really. But see, as we all turn to being reflective and thinking about ways that we can all be who we're meant to be, this particular episode that KT conceived of is exactly what we should hear right now. Enjoy.

[KT (Co-host)]

It's called the Six Secrets to Susie's Success.

[Susie Orman]

What?

[KT (Co-host)]

Yeah, it's the Six Secrets to Susie's Success. So wait, let me tell everybody what that is. For years, for almost 25 years, maybe not all of these, but most of them, I've been hearing Susie impart incredible suzisms and quotes and great information. Whether she's talking, being interviewed, or just meeting someone that needs help, or I'm.

[Susie Orman]

Talking to myself, or she just talks to herself.

[KT (Co-host)]

Anyway, I've been collecting these, and one day when I have enough, I want to do something special with them. But right now, I'm going to share six of these Suzyisms. They're quotes. They're things that she lives by. And because she lives by them, we all should live by them. And I especially, especially live by number six. So what I'm going to do is I want to read what I've jotted down of what I remember and what she pretty much says.

[Susie Orman]

You sure you have them right?

[KT (Co-host)]

They're pretty much right, but, yeah, they're right.

[Susie Orman]

And if they're not, is it okay if I correct them?

[KT (Co-host)]

Susie's going to tell you what they mean. She's going to explain. I'm just going to read the Six secrets.

[Susie Orman]

Did you ask me if this is what I want to do? Tell us what this is, what we're doing.

[KT (Co-host)]

Do you want to do it?

[Susie Orman]

Do I have a choice? Here we are.

[KT (Co-host)]

Do you want to?

[Susie Orman]

I always want to do what you want me to do.

[KT (Co-host)]

No, you want to do what everyone needs to hear and from us.

[Susie Orman]

And I know you know that for everybody. So if you feel I really love this that you want to be on the podcast on Sunday. When?

[KT (Co-host)]

Sunday? Sunday school. So this is Sunday school. We're imparting.

[Susie Orman]

We're going to the pt. Church. We're going to church.

[KT (Co-host)]

No, it's not church, it's Sunday school. It's Sunday school. We're always in, you and I, we have a streamline direct line to God every day. We don't need church.

[Susie Orman]

Wait, school. Can I just tell everybody what I do say? Right? And people always say something to me like this, Susie, right from your lips to God's ears. Know how everybody else says that to me and what do I say to them? Oh yeah, yeah, trust me, right? He hears every word I say, every thought that I think, every action that I do. Everybody, I think it's important that you do. Take out your Susie notebooks and I think you should write these down because I can tell by the look on KT's face that these are serious quotes. These are life transforming quotes.

[KT (Co-host)]

Well, they're, they're mostly what you really believe in and live by. Okay, so here you go. Six secrets to Susie's success. Number one, the day you put your needs in front of others wants is the day you will have really started on your road to financial freedom.

[Susie Orman]

The most important part of that saying, what I say to myself everybody, is the day you put your needs. Now listen, do you know what your needs are? Do you just live your life and you don't even do anything that you need to do? So the first part of that saying is that you need to know what you need. What do you need to be happy? What do you need to be secure? What do you need to feel powerful? You have to know what those things are. So you are to write down your needs. Let me just give you a very slight example really of what it would be. Here you are and you're building up your emergency savings account. You're sending every month $100 into a Lion Credit union because you want to take advantage of the ultimate opportunity savings account, which I know so many of you are doing and you want to do, but yet your kids, it was the holiday time or maybe it's their birthday or whatever it may be, they want a new pair of sneakers and it's $100 and that's the hundred dollars that you need to send in every month to your savings account. You have to put your needs in front of others wants and if you do that, that's when you really are on the road to financial freedom. Next, kt, what else that's great.

[KT (Co-host)]

Number two. I love this one. Success alone will never, ever lead you to fulfillment. Fulfillment will always lead you to success. It's one of my favorite. Susie really lives by this.

[Susie Orman]

Everybody, you know, all of you strive for success, whatever that may mean to all of you. But mostly success means you're making a lot of money. You have a big house to show others, you have a fancy car, you're wearing fancy clothes, and you're just successful that way, but yet you really hate your job. You really don't like what you're doing, but you're attached to the paycheck. You're attached to everything that you have around you, but yet inside you're not fulfilled. I'm here to tell you that you're not successful. If that is true, and you yourself are not fulfilled, you are not successful. When you can do something that truly fulfills you, it will always lead you to success. Financially, spiritually, emotionally, on all levels. So your goal is to have inner fulfillment, and it will manifest with outer wealth.

[KT (Co-host)]

Yeah. Love what you do.

[Susie Orman]

You know, Katie, I just want to give you a little example of that. Last night, it's very funny. You pick that. I got an email from one of our relatives, all right? And in it, he said to me, susie, I know I'm making a lot of money. I know everything's going great that way. I just don't like my job anymore.

[KT (Co-host)]

Who was that?

[Susie Orman]

I'll tell you after the podcast. All right? And he said to me, can we talk about it? Because I'm getting sick, I'm not healthy, the financial reward doesn't matter anymore, and I need your advice on what should I do and how do I do it. So that's a perfect example of that saying. So your timing is funny on that because he also listens to the podcast every single week.

[KT (Co-host)]

Okay.

[Susie Orman]

So he knows who he is. We will talk later today.

[Robert (Producer)]

He.

[KT (Co-host)]

I'm just thinking it's not one of my brothers.

[Susie Orman]

No, it's on my side of the family. All right. Yeah.

[KT (Co-host)]

Because my. None of my brothers are going to call saying, money doesn't matter anymore. All right, here you go. So number three, this is probably Susie's personal most favorite. And I hear her impart this over and over and over again to people that really need it, but she has said it to herself for years.

[Susie Orman]

Oh, I'm so excited to hear this.

[KT (Co-host)]

Ready? This one.

[Susie Orman]

Should I guess it?

[KT (Co-host)]

She's gonna guess it. It's her. One of her. It's her favorite animal as well. The elephant keeps Walking as the dogs keep barking. Susie loves this, and I think it's also something that was inspired from India. The elephant keeps walking as the dogs keep barking.

[Susie Orman]

Yeah.

[KT (Co-host)]

What a great saying. What does that mean to you, Susie?

[Susie Orman]

I'm surprised you picked that one.

[KT (Co-host)]

Is it one of your favorites?

[Susie Orman]

It is. There's two, as you know.

[KT (Co-host)]

But this one, you really love this one.

[Susie Orman]

I really love this one.

[KT (Co-host)]

Probably because you've said it to yourself.

[Susie Orman]

And let me tell you why, everybody. I said it to myself so many times. It's interesting in life that as you're going up the ladder or getting more and more, whatever you're doing, you're expanding, everybody's rooting for you. And I'll just give you a personal example of my own life. As I started out being an author and I started to do things and my books were out there and I was making more money and getting out there, getting famous. Everybody was like, yeah, Susie, go for it, go for it. But once you get to the very, very top, which I did, you couldn't get much higher than I got at one point in time. But once you get up there, there are people who are jealous, and it just for some reason, in my case and I think others, then people like to tear you down because negative press sells more than positive press. It just does everybody. And people started to write things about me, like, oh, Susie the floozy. And there was a magazine that came out that was filled with total lies about me. Like, there was an attack on me. Things would happen. Things just happen as you become more and more successful. So it's really important that you know who you are, what you are, and how do you keep going. So this saying, the elephant keeps walking as the dogs keep barking was my visual of I was the elephant and I was just going to keep walking and going forward and helping people and create goodness in other people's lives, regardless of what all the dogs, the reporters, the articles were saying about me at the time. And eventually the dogs just went away and I kept walking. And here I am to this day.

[KT (Co-host)]

She loves that one. I like that one, too. I think it's important. And then number four, and this is great also for all of you out there that are listening to impart this, what Susie believes to your kids. And I'll tell you why, because I love saying it. If you think you can't, you never, ever, ever, ever will.

[Susie Orman]

Yeah.

[KT (Co-host)]

So there you go. That's such a simple, simple thought. If you think you can't, you never, ever, ever, ever will.

[Susie Orman]

I think what's important there to understand everybody that I finally got in my own life is that your words, your thoughts and your actions are more powerful than you have any idea, especially your words. If you say you can't. And funny kt, that you did this because if you remember, I don't know if it was a Susie school or not, but I did a thing on what can't means versus right and you wrote something and I did this whole thing, but this one actually is a condensed version of and I'm just going to expand on it kt, because we have the time to be able to do so and is your thoughts create your destiny. And it's so important for you to really, really get that. There's a saying that what you think you eventually say, what you say. Your words become your actions. Your actions actually become your habits, Katie. And your habits become your destiny. So every single thing starts with your thoughts that turn into your words that turn into your actions. So when you say you cannot do something, then the truth of the matter is you won't be able to do it. So you all have to understand the power that you have within you. Because your words have the power to create or the power to destroy. And the choice is up to you. So if you look at your life right now, look at what you have created. How did you create that? Look at the things that you've done in your life. Again, write them down that you never ever thought you could do. How did you do that? How did you get there? And then look at the things that you wanted to do but you never did. Why didn't you? Where did that start?

[KT (Co-host)]

You know what that one makes me think of? Just to diverse a little bit. If you think you can't, you never ever, ever will. It reminds me of all the people years ago that said, Susie, I can't get out of debt. How can I do this? And then years later, after listening to you and following simple, simple baby steps and instructions, we. We get letters of not only how they're out of debt, but they became millionaires. Amazing.

[Susie Orman]

Yeah.

[KT (Co-host)]

Yeah, we're gonna have to share that one day with everyone. So I hope you like this everybody, because I just think they're great to live by.

[Susie Orman]

Wait, do you care? I like doing this.

[KT (Co-host)]

No, you do. I know she does. These are hers. She lives by all of this. These are Susie's like 10 commandments, but there's six.

[Susie Orman]

I have like 50 of them. How come you didn't do them all?

[KT (Co-host)]

Because I just wanted six. Just to remember number five, there's no shame or blame big enough to keep you from being who you are meant to be.

[Susie Orman]

I love that one.

[KT (Co-host)]

That one's really emotional. It's personal. And it's really important that everyone understands there's never a shame or blame big enough to keep you from being who you are meant to be.

[Susie Orman]

I love this one, Katie. And the reason everybody. I love this one so much is. Listen, we all do things in our lives, every single one of us, and we have to learn to rise above the things that we have done that maybe we have shame about or we're blaming others for or whatever it may be. You can't let the things that you feel bad about, you can't let the things that you're angry about keep you from being who you are meant to be. You did something, you say you're sorry, somebody did something to you, okay? You have to let it go. What are the three internal obstacles to wealth? Fear, shame and anger.

[KT (Co-host)]

That's so true.

[Susie Orman]

So you don't have money. You're getting deeper and deeper into credit card debt, and yet you haven't told anybody about it. The shame of your credit card debt. Do you think that should keep you from being who you are meant to be? Don't be ashamed of anything in your life. If you've done something, tell somebody about it. Which is why I would say to all of you, if you have credit card debt, tell everybody you know. And as soon as you start telling everybody you know you have credit card debt, you know what they'll say back to you. Oh, I do too. Right. And so it's if you've done things that you're ashamed of, if you feel ashamed, if you're blaming your past, if you're blaming that somebody has done something to you, you're not a victim to your circumstances. You're a victor. You are a creator of everything. So take that, turn it around and create the future. Create the person you really want to be. You can do that, but not if you dwell in shame and blame. And where it says that there's no shame or blame big enough to keep you from being who you are meant to be. So who are you meant to be? Another exercise for yourself. So here you can go again. And write down, what's everything that you're ashamed of in your life? What's everything that you're blaming somebody else in your life for? Write down, who are you meant to be in this life?

[KT (Co-host)]

You're the world's personal finance expert, without a doubt.

[Susie Orman]

There you go. Right? But who am I meant to be? I'm somebody who I decided a long time ago what I meant to be. And what I meant to do is I meant to meet the needs of the people, places, and times around me and offer my actions to God. That is who I am meant to be. So that's how I feel about my life. And the question becomes, who are you meant to be? Write it down and see what you can do. All right, number.

[KT (Co-host)]

Number six. This is the finale, everyone. Drum roll. Susie.

[Susie Orman]

Are you liking this? Kt, Is that what you wanted? Well, this is what you visioned. Was this podcast what you meant it to be?

[KT (Co-host)]

Yeah, this is what I meant it to be. Okay, so number six, everybody is my favorite. And it's my favorite because Susie, after 25 years of being with me, still says, KT, let's talk. And here's what she says, what you say to me all the time, and I give you a hint. The gatekeepers.

[Susie Orman]

Oh, that's right where you're going.

[KT (Co-host)]

That's what I want Susie to share with you. But I want you to hear this in her words, because it's what I hear and it's what I need to always remind myself.

[Susie Orman]

We all do. I remind myself of it.

[KT (Co-host)]

This is great. Everybody, share this with everyone you know, especially your family.

[Susie Orman]

May every word that you say, every thought that you think, and every action that you take, KT and everybody pass through the three gatekeepers. And those gatekeepers are, is it kind? Is it necessary? And is it true? So you're thinking something. If it doesn't pass through those three gatekeepers, just stop thinking it. Change the thought. If you say something or you're about to say something before you say it, if you're not quite sure about it. Does it pass through the three gatekeepers? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true? And every action that you take, just think about it. If you have any hesitation at all, does it pass through the three gatekeepers? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true? And you have to be careful here because sometimes you think you want to say something, it's a little bit harsh. It's true, it's necessary. But you get stuck on, is it kind. Is it kind to tell somebody the truth about themselves or whatever that maybe they don't want to hear? So you have to think about it. But most of the time, when you really love somebody or whatever it is and you want to say something to them that they might not want to hear, that doesn't make it not kind. It makes it that they need to hear it, but it has to pass through all three of those gatekeepers. So again, if you're going to do anything and it doesn't pass through all three of those gatekeepers, just stop and change it until it does. Just that simple. Katie.

[KT (Co-host)]

It's my favorite one. Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true?

[Susie Orman]

And those three gatekeepers will keep you from doing things that you're ashamed that you did or regret or regret or anything. And all of the things that we talked about really relate to those gatekeepers.

[KT (Co-host)]

So there you have it, everyone. I call it the six secrets to Susie's Success. But it's really credo's inspirations, words that she's lived by and taught and imparted not only for me, but for all of you, listening to everyone that's read, followed, or listened to her or watched her on television. But most important for herself, Susie loves these and uses them in her life to guide herself. She inspires herself with her own inspiration.

[Susie Orman]

You know, and again, I'm just going to go back to this for a second. Everybody is that you never stop learning. You never stop growing. You also never stop having doubts. Believe it or not. Can I do this? Should I do this? Is this the right thing? Oh, so and so tells me, don't do this, Susie. So it's what do I need to do versus what other people want me to do? What do I tell myself? What is it that I want? So all these things that Katie just chose today to do, I kind of like that you did this.

[KT (Co-host)]

Kt.

[Susie Orman]

So no matter where you are in life, on your spectrum of life, young, not so young, old, and really old, these are all sayings, secrets. Let them be your own little inner secret that helps you be who you really want to be and who you are meant to be. So, Ms. Travis, since this was your podcast today, you take us out.

[KT (Co-host)]

There's only three things we want you to remember, everybody, and that is people first, then money, then things.

[Susie Orman]

We're the man of faith.

[Robert (Producer)]

And everything it takes. We are strong. We are wise together.

[Susie Orman]

Hi, everybody. Suzie O here. And it's open enrollment time at all corporations, so I hope you are checking all of your benefits so that you know you are up to date with what you need. But I have to tell all of you, there is one other benefit that I know all of you need and your corporations need to offer. And it comes from a company that I helped co found over 5 years ago by the name of Secure Save. So whether you're an employee or an employer, I want you to go to securesave.com Suzie S U Z E and take a look at what I have for you there. I promise you you're gonna like it.

[Robert (Producer)]

All right now, neither Suze Orman Media nor Suze Orman is acting as a Certified Financial Planner Advisor, a Certified Financial Analyst, an economist, cpa, accountant or lawyer. Neither Suze Orman Media nor Suze Orman make any recommendations as to any specific securities or investments. All content contained in this podcast is for informational and general purposes only and does not constitute financial accounting or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and financial advisors regarding your particular situation. Neither Suze Orman Media nor Suze Orman accepts any responsibility for any losses which may arise from accessing or reliance on information in this podcast and to the fullest extent permitted by law, we exclude all liability for loss damages, direct or indirect, arising from the use of this information. The must have documents discussed in this podcast are legal documents created by a lawyer and distributed by Hay House. Thanks for listening.