So Money With Farnoosh Torabi

Seth Godin, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential thinkers in marketing and leadership, joins the show. He discusses his latest book, This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans, and how to create more meaningful and effective strategies in all areas of life, from career growth and personal development to financial success.

Our co-host this Friday is Georgia Lee Hussey, a wealth advisor at Modernist Financial. We chat about the cost of climate change and how it’s forcing us to rethink everything: from the "American Dream" of homeownership to real estate and even how we invest our money. What can we control in moments of crisis?

Dr. Daniel Crosby is a psychologist, behavioral finance expert, and New York Times bestselling author. His works, The Laws of Wealth and The Behavioral Investor have transformed how we think about investing by shedding light on the emotional and cognitive biases that often shape our financial behavior. He also serves as Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions, guiding advisors in helping clients align their investments with what matters to them.Today, Daniel is here to discuss his latest book, The Soul of Wealth: 50 Reflections on Money and Meaning. This book challenges the conventional approach to wealth by diving into its emotional dimensions. It explores how financial well-being is not just about accumulation but also about aligning money with personal values and meaning. Daniel encourages us to reflect deeply on what it means to live a wealthy life—not just financially but emotionally and spiritually.

I’m thrilled to welcome Maha Abouelenein, a communication, entrepreneurship, and self-advocacy powerhouse. With decades of experience at the forefront of global tech revolutions, Maha has been a trailblazer in mobile telecommunications across the Middle East and Africa, a thought leader on Web3 and AI, and a pioneer of modern public relations in regions where the field didn’t even exist.Her new book, The 7 Rules of Self-Reliance, carries a powerful and urgent message: “Nobody’s coming to save you.” In our conversation, Maha shares why self-advocacy, especially for women, is more essential now than ever — both in the workplace and life. We dive into practical ways to protect and grow your most valuable asset, your reputation, and what it takes to reinvent yourself at any age. We also explore the role of personal resilience in a world facing systemic challenges and Maha’s unique insights into AI and blockchain.Whether you're looking to pivot in your career, build influence, or take charge of your narrative, thi

Download Farnoosh's Free Investing Blueprint to learn how to begin investing for your future.Today's show: Is there such a thing as investing "too" much? Can obtaining a home equity loan be helpful when purchasing a second home? How to find a great accountant, and more.

Julia Haart’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. Born into the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, her life was defined by strict rules and limited freedoms. For years, she lived under the weight of these restrictions until, at 42, she made the courageous decision to break free. Since then, Julia has transformed her life and become a powerful force in both the fashion and business worlds.As the founder and CEO of +Body by Julia Haart, she is on a mission to reimagine shapewear as comfortable, technologically advanced, confidence-building clothing designed to be seen. Julia is also widely recognized for her successful reality show on Netflix, My Unorthodox Life, which aired in over 190 countries and has inspired and educated millions of viewers worldwide. Additionally, she shares her journey of hardship and triumph in her bestselling book, BRAZEN, providing invaluable insights and lessons.Today, we will explore Julia’s remarkable transformation, the tools and strategies she used to reclaim her lif

In our final series installment, we discuss navigating your career and protecting your income when growing a family.Guest Lauren Smith Brody is the CEO and founder of The Fifth Trimester, an initiative focused on advancing gender equality in the workforce through caregiver support. She offers research and insights into the benefits of being transparent about your family's needs at work, innovative ways to maximize your efficiency and productivity, and advocating for your rights. Download Farnoosh's free guide to Family Financial Planning here.

Join Farnoosh's newsletter and receive a free copy of her Investing Blueprint.Download Farnoosh's Family Financial Planning Guide.Today's show: Navigating the 98 billion dollar baby industry. Guest Nicole Stanley, founder of Denver-based financial caching practice Arise Financial, gives tips on how to create a budget that reflects your values and priorities, smart ways to factor in childcare costs, the importance of valuing your energy and time as much as your money, and how she managed the finances in her family to be able to afford ambitious goals like traveling through Europe. 

A conversation with board-certified pediatrician and founder of PedsDocTalk, Dr. Mona Amin, on ways families can save on health care, doctor visits, and medical treatments, and smart ways to enlist financial guidance from our health care professionals. Download the free guide to Family Financial Planning here.

Today, we kick off a series of episodes on how to afford kids in America. Today's episode is a conversation with Brian Walsh, a certified financial professional and the Head of Advice & Planning at SoFi. We discuss practical and manageable ways to save and pay off debt to afford the costs of parenthood. Click here to download Farnoosh's free guide, which was created in partnership with SoFi.

This week on So Money: Creating a financial plan (for beginners), borrowing from your 401(k), selecting a balance transfer card and more.Download Farnoosh's FREE Financial Family Planning Guide here.Check out the new Farnoosh website and grab a free copy of her Investing Blueprint on the homepage.

Scott Trench, CEO of BiggerPockets, dives into the current real estate landscape—especially as interest rates come down. We explore how this shift impacts investors and what strategies can help you navigate today’s housing market. We also explore risks in the rental and Airbnb market. Plus, Scott shares the exciting news of BiggerPockets’ new partnership with The Chernin Group and what it means for their rapidly growing community of real estate enthusiasts.

As election season heats up, understanding the financial lives of our nation's leaders offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of wealth and power. Guest Megan Gorman, author of All the Presidents' Money, explains how the financial decisions of U.S. presidents shaped their policies and legacies.From Thomas Jefferson’s surprising debts to JFK’s complex wealth and the Clintons’ post-presidency financial journey, Megan shares fascinating insights that offer a deeper understanding of how personal finances influence leadership at the highest level, a blend of history and finance in unexpected ways.

How does this week's interest rate cut impact our investments, debt and savings? Is it a bad idea to open a mortgage in your mid 40s and potentially carry the debt into retirement? Georgia Lee Hussey, financial advisor and founder of Modernist Financial joins with advice and surprising insights.

A new study reveals that more people want to quit their jobs now than during the Great Resignation. Whether it’s to find better-paying work to address the rising cost of living, or simply to leave their company or industry and start fresh on a professional path they actually enjoy, the big question remains: Will they quit?Our guest today is helping people overcome that hurdle.Goli Kalkhoran is a Master-Certified Life Coach and former attorney who helps unfulfilled professionals create a career (and life) they truly enjoy. She’s the host of the Lessons from a Quitter podcast, where she de-stigmatizes quitting and offers resources and inspiration for individuals looking to pivot in their established careers.In this episode, we discuss:Why our culture is so afraid of quittingHow to afford quitting — both financially and energeticallyGoli’s own journey of quitting her law career and the many pivots that followed.

Would you buy real estate with friends? Kristina Modares is the founder of Open House Education, a vibrant community dedicated to women who are passionate about innovative real estate strategies and collaborative ventures. We explore the unique practice of co-buying real estate with friends or family members, including Kristina's own experiences. She shares some of the major pitfalls—such as friendships potentially souring or financial disagreements arising—and emphasizes the need for detailed agreements to protect everyone involved.

This week, listeners want to know: how to manage health care and 401(k) investing after a layoff, the best cadence for investing (weekly or lump sum?) and how can couples with income differences manage money equitably? Learn more about the So Money Members Club here.

We are diving deep into the world of wealth, class, and privilege with Sanibel, author of the forthcoming novel To Have and Have More and an expert on the subtle—and not-so-subtle—ways the ultra-wealthy wield their status. If you've ever been curious about the behaviors and dynamics that go beyond “quiet luxury” or the “nepo baby” conversation, you'll enjoy this conversation. Sanibel breaks down concepts like stealth privilege, coattail riders, and what she calls the rich person’s “cheat code.” We’ll also unpack the history of our cultural obsession with wealth in the U.S., why some believe wealth is a poison to our culture and explore why being "too rich" might just make you less empathetic.More about Sanibel: She is a writer based in NYC. She grew up in Princeton, NJ and studied Classics at the University of Pennsylvania before getting her MFA at The New School. Her essays appear in New York, Air Mail, ELLE, and Lit Hub. You can follow Sanibel on TikTok and Instagram.

Guest George Kinder is a renowned figure in the world of financial life planning, often referred to as the father of the life planning movement. His approach, which places individual freedom at the forefront, has inspired countless people to rethink their relationship with money. He joins to discuss his new book, The Three Domains of Freedom and ways we can create financial freedom during a time of unprecedented uncertainty and instability.

NEW Ask Farnoosh episode. Questions regarding adding children to your business payroll, enrolling in a 529 plan when college is just a few years away (good idea?) and how to manage a 401(k) that's being discontinued at work? Join the So Money Members Club.