[encore] 860: Learning Money in Reverse by Stephanie Niu

Summary

Summary of [Encore] 860: Learning Money in Reverse by Stephanie Niu

The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily Episode 860, titled "Learning Money in Reverse" by Stephanie Niu, features host Major Jackson revisiting a poignant episode that intertwines personal reflections on financial literacy with the evocative poetry of Stephanie Niu. Released on May 6, 2025, this encore episode delves deep into the complexities of money management, familial relationships, and the silent struggles that accompany financial challenges.

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Introduction: Revisiting a Memorable Episode

At the outset (00:32), Major Jackson expresses his honor in sharing poetry daily, highlighting the show's mission to provide listeners with moments of pause and reflection. He introduces this episode as a cherished favorite from his tenure on The Slowdown, setting the stage for a deeply personal exploration of money and its impact on relationships.

Personal Anecdote: Money and Family Dynamics

Major Jackson recounts a formative experience from his nonprofit career where he observed a donor educating his son on philanthropy. This moment underscored the generational differences in discussing money, especially contrasting his working-class upbringing where financial matters were seldom discussed openly.

“Where I'm from, a child of working-class people, money wasn't discussed in the home. It was argued about, and we definitely did not have conversations about giving money away.” (01:15)

He reflects on how money became a divisive force within his community, creating barriers between individuals regardless of their economic status. This reflection segues into his relationship with his son, who moved to Brooklyn and faced the financial pressures of living in one of the world's most expensive cities.

Father-Son Relationship and Financial Lessons

Major shares anecdotes about supporting his son during the initial months in Brooklyn, emphasizing the delicate balance between providing assistance and fostering financial independence.

“Whenever we eat out, I seek budget-friendly dining options and encourage him to alternately pay. I want to share the practice of thoughtful financial habits to encourage his self-reliance.” (05:45)

This narrative highlights the tension between immediate support and long-term self-sufficiency, illustrating the challenges parents face in guiding their children through financial landscapes they themselves may have navigated differently.

Introduction to the Poem: "Learning Money in Reverse"

Transitioning smoothly into the poetic segment, Major introduces Stephanie Niu's "Learning Money in Reverse," framing it as an exploration of financial literacy's lived realities. He underscores the poem's focus on how financial education is often imposed rather than organically learned, especially for those lacking familial guidance.

Recitation of "Learning Money in Reverse" by Stephanie Niu

The core of the episode is the heartfelt recitation of Stephanie Niu's poem, which poignantly captures the struggles of understanding and managing money without a foundational support system. The poem navigates themes of financial loss, familial sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of stability.

Excerpt from the Poem:

"I return my first pair of full price boots. I unsign my first lease. I go home." (06:30)

"We pedal backwards on my sister's bike. We put coins from our palms back into our father's coat, having just told him good job because we think this is what he earns in a day. And it is enough." (06:55)

These lines encapsulate the reversal of traditional financial milestones and the profound impact of economic constraints on personal and familial relationships.

Themes and Reflections

Through both his narrative and the recitation, Major Jackson invites listeners to contemplate the often unspoken burdens of financial instability. The episode underscores the importance of transparent conversations about money, the cyclical nature of financial struggles across generations, and the resilience required to navigate economic hardships.

Conclusion: Embracing Financial Reflection

As the episode concludes, Major emphasizes the significance of poetry in illuminating personal and collective experiences. By sharing "Learning Money in Reverse," he not only pays homage to Stephanie Niu's lyrical prowess but also reinforces The Slowdown's commitment to fostering understanding and empathy through the art of poetry.

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Notable Quotes:

• “Where I'm from, a child of working-class people, money wasn't discussed in the home. It was argued about, and we definitely did not have conversations about giving money away.” - Major Jackson (01:15)

• “I want to share the practice of thoughtful financial habits to encourage his self-reliance.” - Major Jackson (05:45)

• "We pedal backwards on my sister's bike. We put coins from our palms back into our father's coat, having just told him good job because we think this is what he earns in a day. And it is enough." - Stephanie Niu (06:55)

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Final Thoughts:
Episode 860 serves as a compelling reminder of the intricate ties between money, upbringing, and personal growth. Through Major Jackson's heartfelt storytelling and Stephanie Niu's evocative poetry, listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own financial journeys and the broader societal implications of economic discourse.

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Connect with The Slowdown:

To experience daily moments of poetry and reflection, subscribe to The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily and explore more episodes through their website or follow them on Instagram and Twitter.

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Timestamp References:

• 00:32 - Major Jackson's introduction to the episode.
• 01:15 - Reflection on working-class upbringing and money discussions.
• 05:45 - Balancing support and fostering financial independence.
• 06:30 - Excerpt from Stephanie Niu's poem.
• 06:55 - Further excerpt illustrating financial struggles.

Transcript

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[Major Jackson]

Over the past few years, I've had the great privilege of sharing poetry with you and offering a daily moment to pause and slow down. Today we're revisiting one of my favorite episodes from my time on the show. I hope you enjoy this selection. I'm Major Jackson and this is the Slowdown. Once I was called into a meeting with a donor at my nonprofit job. In a moment that I witnessed as an education in noblesse oblige, the donor had brought along his college aged son, who was slightly younger than me. He was teaching him how to be a philanthropist, a moment that stuck with me for a long time. I often shared this story with my son. On the eve of his last birthday, I called and jokingly said, so should we talk about money? We both laughed hysterically. Where I'm from, a child of working class people, money wasn't discussed in the home. It was argued about, and we definitely did not have conversations about giving money away. I hated the pall money cast over my parents and the desperation it created in my community, how it set the agenda for how neighbors lived their lives and how their children treated others either less fortunate or more affluent. Even more sadly, how it became a wedge between people and how it divorced them from their better selves. When my son first moved to Brooklyn, his recently landed job did not start for two months. Until then, he worked in a wine store. He loved it. During this period, I'd offer to buy dinner whenever I traveled to New York City. With its rising rents, I knew the financial challenges he faced living in one of the world's most expensive cities he readily accepted. We dined at starred restaurants. I cherished those dinners, discussing the drama of our extended family, music, and his widening circle of friends. Of course, the more settled into his work he became, the busier his life did too. Understandably, our nights laughing over bucatini carbonara and glasses of Nebbiolo grew less frequent. He launched into his career and, according to our country's cherished precepts, began the long journey of accumulating wealth. One night, as we were leaving a restaurant together I felt guilty about the potential example I was setting. This was New York City. One could not look away from the homelessness and indigency ever since. Whenever we eat out, I seek budget friendly dining options and encourage him to alternately pay. I want to share the practice of of thoughtful financial habits to encourage his self reliance. Today's ingenious poem calls attention to the lived realities of financial literacy, how it's touch and go and how it's thrust upon us if we are not fortunate to receive those lessons in our home. Learning Money in Reverse by Stephanie Nuke My mother can still afford to retire. She withdraws her offer on the foreclosed house. My drunken signature vanishes from a receipt. Friends dodge disappearing plates of sushi. The word bitcoin has never buzzed in my brain. Boxes of takeout repackaged themselves. I return my first pair of full price boots. I unsign my first lease. I go home. My parents remarry. I have not yet chosen the school that will cost their life savings. I close and seal the scholarship rejections. My first pay stub folds back into the letter. My forehead unkisses the floor and I pass the red envelope back to my mother. We move into a smaller, more crowded house where I fry sesame seeds with Lau Lau and the HOA reprimands us for growing winter melon on the porch. I pedal backwards on my sister's bike. I hand back her worn clothes. We put coins from our palms back into our father's coat, having just told him good job because we think this is what he earns in a day. And it is enough. He's about to come home. The Slowdown is a production of American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation. This project is also supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On the [e-mail] to get a poem delivered to you daily, go to slowdownshow.org and sign up for our newsletter and find us on Instagram and Twitter. LoadownShow.

[This Old House Host]

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[Dr. Horton]

I think you're breaking into this wall regardless.

[Whiskey Enthusiast]

I was hoping you wouldn't say that. I need to go and get some whiskey.

[Major Jackson]

I think I would get the whiskey for sure.

[This Old House Host]

Subscribe to this Old House Radio hour from LAS Studios wherever you get your podcast.