Listener note: This episode explores financial stress, inherited money beliefs, family anxiety patterns, and personal experiences of marital betrayal and divorce. Please listen with care if these topics feel sensitive for you.

Why does money create so much anxiety, even when we're getting by?

In this episode of The Healing Circle, Christine Higgins is joined by Laura Medcalf of The Barley Moon to explore the hidden money stories that shape our lives. Laura shares how leaving a secure teaching career uncovered deep fears around financial security, leading her to trace those anxieties back through generations of family experiences.

Together, they discuss scarcity mindset, inherited financial trauma, people-pleasing, navigating the cost-of-living crisis, and the importance of creating a life and career that feels safe for your nervous system.

This is a heartfelt conversation about healing your relationship with money, finding gratitude in uncertainty, and shifting from survival mode into purposeful living.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

00:50 Welcome and introducing Laura Medcalf

01:40 The career break reality check and business launch panic

03:06 Balancing business goals with the financial pressure of six children

04:58 Recognizing the family safety net vs the fear of absolute rock bottom

06:01 Christine’s lunchtime meltdown and the lingering fear of money

06:53 The modern cost of living crisis and regular "beans on toast" weeks

09:41 Social media pressure and keeping up with the Joneses 10:34 Sourcing Dior runners in Morocco and modern price gouging

12:51 Inherited scarcity: Tracing tax anxiety back to childhood memories

14:55 Generational financial trauma: Affairs, bank ruptcy, and starting over

16:11 Breaking the loop: Ending a marriage to protect the children

18:44 Christine’s story: Mental health blocks, business success, and healing blocks

20:17 Pushing through fears vs stepping back into a safe job 22:11 Why your business acts as an energetic reflection of your mindset

23:44 Breaking the constant wheel of money anxiety through gratitude

26:59 Retaining self-worth and holding vision for future goals 28:13 Shifting household language from "we can't afford it" 29:21 The real root of the meltdown: Over-mommying and lack of boundaries

32:15 Chronic people-pleasing and learning to say no

33:43 Step one to healing your relationship with money: Easing the pressure

35:21 Flipping the script from making money to helping others

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Welcome to The Healing Circle podcast, a grounded and soulful space for a healing journey through real-life conversations. Each week features live shamanic counselling sessions and conversations with brave souls navigating emotional change, identity shifts, grief, and soul-level transformation. This space is for those seeking healing, clarity, emotional guidance, and spiritual awakening.

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