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 When life throws the unexpected, how do you financially prepare and respond?

In the milestone 100th episode of 'Women and Money, the Shit We Don't Talk About,' we celebrate our journey featuring three previous guests, all inspiring women; Candy Wolff, Claudia Porter, and Amy Salo. Together they’re again sharing their impactful stories of financial struggle and resilience, but this time with combined insight.

Candy shares the emotional and financial whirlwind of losing her husband unexpectedly and how she took charge of her finances after years of sitting on the sidelines. Claudia recounts her escape from a toxic marriage, including her clever tactic of replacing her wedding ring stones to hire a divorce attorney. Amy lays out how financial professionals (and women themselves), can do more to take full ownership of their financial power.

Each guest also reflects on the lessons they wish they had known during their challenging times and their ongoing missions to empower other women financially. Each story resonates with the mission of Purse Strings: to empower women to be financially fearless and make informed decisions.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:46 Candy Wolf's Story: A Financial Nightmare

11:27 Claudia's Journey: From Academia to Financial Independence

20:33 Amy's Insights: Empowering Women in Financial Services

28:56 Quickfire Questions and Final Thoughts

This isn’t about fear. It’s about being prepared, empowered, and seen.

Whether you’ve been through loss, know someone who has, or just want to stop saying “I’ll handle it later”, this episode is your call to action.

Got a unique financial story to share? Whether it’s about crushing debt, building wealth, an unexpected windfall, or just a wild money moment, we want to hear it! Or are you a professional who helps women with money? If you’re a financial coach, attorney, CPA, or work in any area that empowers women financially, we’d love to hear from you too! Your story could inspire our community of women. Fill out our intake form here!

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What if you could ask for more, without second-guessing?

In this episode of Women in Money: The Shit We Don't Talk About, we dig into one of the most overlooked tools in your professional toolbox: salary negotiation. Whether you’re gearing up for a raise, considering a new role, or just tired of leaving money (and energy) on the table—this one’s for you.

We sat down with Tami Palmer, who brings 15 years of experience in staffing and HR. Tami offers insights, advice, and tactics to help her clients navigate the grey zone and get results. She’s been on the other side of the hiring table, and now she’s sharing exactly what women need to stop selling themselves short.

Tami breaks down the four pillars of her coaching work, why women miss out on money and opportunities (and how to change that), how to answer the salary question with strategy, what to say—and what not to say—when negotiating, plus powerful scripts and mindset shifts you can start using today.

Episode Highlights:

00:39 The Power of Asking for More
01:38 Reflections on Negotiation
05:53 Tami's Background and Expertise
08:44 Empowering Women in Negotiation
12:46 Common Mistakes in Salary Negotiation
16:32 Navigating Salary Negotiations
16:52 Effective Phrases for Negotiation
17:46 Flexibility and Benefits Beyond Salary
19:52 When to Negotiate and When Not To
21:59 Understanding Your Power in Negotiations
24:07 Building Credibility Through Negotiation
27:26 Mindset Shifts for Confident Negotiations
29:33 The Value of Your Expertise

This episode showed why women need to negotiate because women don’t ask, and caring for yourself financially is part of caring for everyone else. But what does it actually look like to put yourself first when you’re a MOM and used to being the provider, planner, and caregiver? Join us July 10 for Money Talks and learn practical ways to protect your future, lighten the financial load, and prioritize your goals without the guilt. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions!

Got a unique financial story to share? Whether it’s about crushing debt, building wealth, an unexpected windfall, or just a wild money moment, we want to hear it! Your story could inspire our community of women. Fill out our intake form here!

Follow & Connect with Tami: Facebook | Website |

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Resources

• Have questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns.
• Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!
• Explore our free guides to help you on your financial journey

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What if you suddenly had to manage all your finances alone? Would you be ready?

In this episode of Women and Money: The Shit We Don’t Talk About, we talk with Samantha Hart, Director of Marketing Content Strategy at North American Company for Life and Health Insurance. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Sam spent 20 years in media and publishing before joining North American, where she leads a team focused on spreading awareness about annuities and financial opportunities.

Sam brings a fresh, passionate perspective on the realities women face with money—especially around retirement and the looming Great Wealth Transfer. She opens up about her family’s journey through divorce and how witnessing her mother’s sudden financial vulnerability sparked her commitment to financial literacy. We cover why women need to be proactive, the gaps in retirement confidence, and the power of good guidance.

This episode explores how the upcoming wealth transfer isn’t just about inheritance—it’s about women taking control of trillions in assets by 2030. Whether you're married, single, or somewhere in between, Sam’s story will inspire you to face your finances head-on—because knowledge is power, and preparation is peace of mind.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 The Financial Industry’s Disservice to Women
03:03 Introducing Sam and Her Work
08:00 Sam’s Personal Financial Journey
16:24 The Great Wealth Transfer
20:12 The Emotional Side of Financial Planning
20:37 Women and Retirement: Key Findings
22:45 Challenges Women Face in Retirement
28:04 The Importance of Advisors
32:14 Taking Control of Your Future
36:49 Debunking Financial Myths
39:23 Defining Financial Freedom

Ready to plan for what’s ahead?
Join us June 26 for Money Talks, where we’ll dig deeper into why retirement planning is urgent for women—and how to create a future that’s truly yours.
Click here to register for FREE—and bring your questions!

Got a unique financial story? Whether you’ve crushed debt, built wealth, or had a money moment that changed your life, we want to hear it. Are you a professional helping women with money? Your experience could inspire others. Share your story here.

Follow & Connect with Samantha:
Website | LinkedIn

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Resources

• Have questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns.
• Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!
• Explore our free guides to help you on your financial journey

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What if the key to financial independence and peace of mind was simply knowing where your money goes every month?

In this eye-opening episode, we’re joined by Laurie Itkin, a financial advisor and certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA). She is also the author of the Amazon best-seller, Every Woman Should Know Her Options: Invest Your Way to Financial Empowerment. Investopedia named Ms. Itkin one of the top 100 most influential financial advisors in the country. Laurie’s not just an expert, she’s lived the journey herself, becoming a millionaire before 40 and writing a book about it.

Laurie shares her personal story growing up with a single mom who depended financially on others, and how that shaped her fierce commitment to financial independence. She dives deep into the common financial pitfalls women face, especially around divorce, and why budgeting and investing aren’t just smart, they’re mandatory steps for every woman’s future security.

You’ll get Laurie’s no-nonsense, “cold shower” advice on spending less than you earn, making investing a budget priority, and why even high earners can’t afford to ignore where their money is going. Plus, she breaks down why prenups matter and the financial realities of marriage and divorce across different states.

00:32 The Importance of Prenups in Modern Marriages

01:15 Financial Conversations Before Marriage

02:30 Normalizing Prenups and Financial Transparency

04:58 Introducing Laurie

05:50 Laurie's Background

08:03 The Reality of Financial Independence for Women

14:28 Laurie's Smart Investment at 24

18:07 Understanding Stock Dividends and Covered Calls

18:55 Secrets to Becoming a Millionaire

19:27 The Importance of Budgeting and Investing

20:41 Overcoming the Fear of Investing

22:27 Navigating Divorce Financially

33:26 Defining Financial Freedom

Follow & connect with Laurie:

• Website
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• Facebook

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Resources

• Have questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns.
• Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!
• Explore our free guides to help you on your financial journey

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Most people rely solely on their job (and maybe a retirement account) to build wealth. But here’s the truth: there are 5 powerful areas anyone can tap into to take control of their financial future!

In this episode, we're so excited to introduce Annie Cole- financial coach, founder of Money Essentials for Women, and author of 101 Ways to Build Wealth in Your 30s. Annie walks us through her own inspiring journey from social work to financial independence, including some major career pivots and the moment she decided to start investing.

Annie didn’t just climb the ladder, she rebuilt it. She went from earning $26K in her first job to confidently asking for double the salary by changing her mindset and honoring her worth. In this episode, she breaks down her five-step wealth-building framework to help women create a clear financial vision, budget with confidence, build multiple income streams, and invest with purpose.

Annie shares super practical advice, especially if you’re just getting started with investing, exploring side hustles, or thinking about retirement. She also talks about why knowing your household finances inside and out is non-negotiable, how to live within your means (without feeling restricted), and what financial freedom really looks like. Bonus: She’s giving away free digital copies of her book, 101 Ways to Build Wealth. Grab your copy here!

This episode showed how to build wealth with intention- but what about all the invisible tasks it takes to manage money day-to-day? Join us June 12 for Money Talks to learn how to lighten the mental load and streamline your finances with automation, tools, and shared responsibility. Register for FREE and bring your questions!

Got a unique financial story to share? Whether it’s about crushing debt, building wealth, an unexpected windfall, or just a wild money moment, we want to hear it! Your story could inspire our community of women. Fill out our intake form here!

Follow & connect with Annie!

• Website
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• Book: 101 Ways to Build Wealth

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• Have questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns.
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If you’re a freelancer, self-employed, or working without traditional benefits, the idea of long term planning can feel overwhelming. If you’re just starting out, navigating a major transition professionally, or feeling like you’re just trying to survive financially, how are you ever supposed to plan for retirement?

In this episode of Women & Money: The Shit We Don’t Talk About, we sit down with Allie Beckmann, the founder of Beckmann Financial, where mission-driven individuals and business owners are empowered to use money as a tool to turn their dreams into reality- one that reflects their values and vision for impact.

Allie knows what it takes to save for retirement and she shares the exact tools women can use to build wealth, even with an unpredictable income. During our conversation, she explains why financial planning should be about your life first and the numbers, second. What do you care about most? What are your values? Your money should help you live in alignment with what really matters most to you!

This episode is a must-listen for creatives, side-hustlers, or anyone feeling like they’re behind or don’t belong in “the financial world.” Because you’re not behind, you do belong, and Allie’s here to show you exactly how to walk your path towards financial freedom!

Are you ready to take the next step? Join our weekly Money Talks series every Thursday at 11am CT! Register for FREE to gain access to our weekly sessions where Purse Strings-approved professionals discuss various financial topics. Click here to register now and bring your questions!

Got a unique financial story to share? Whether it’s about crushing debt, building wealth, an unexpected windfall, or just a wild money moment, we want to hear it! Or are you a professional who helps women with money? If you’re a financial coach, attorney, CPA, or work in any area that empowers women financially, we’d love to hear from you too! Your story could inspire our community of women. Fill out our intake form here!

Follow & Connect with Allie:

• Website
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• Newsletter

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Resources

• Have questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns.
• Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!
• Explore our free guides to help you on your financial journey

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In this episode, we are joined by Erica Bennett (your favorite Crazy Ex-Wife), a global training guru, success architect, and a woman obsessed with helping you rewire the fear that is holding you back. As her community insinuates, Erica specializes in helping divorced women navigate their healing journey from personal experience. With over 20 years of training and coaching, Erica brings her blend of “woo and do” to help you line up with your desires and take action for your success.

She shares her personal journey from a high-powered corporate career into the deep (and sometimes messy) world of emotional healing, money fears, and finding strength in community. Erica gets real about what it means to build emotional resilience and take back control of your financial life, especially when everything feels uncertain.

She also shares the story behind The Crazy Ex-Wives Club, a wildly supportive online space that offers healing, curated gifts, and community for women navigating divorce. If you’ve ever felt like you’re starting over, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone, and there are tools, resources, and people who’ve got your back.

Are you ready to take the next step? Join our weekly Money Talks series every Thursday at 11am CT! Register for FREE to gain access to our weekly sessions where Purse Strings-approved professionals discuss various financial topics. Click here to register now and bring your questions!

Got a unique financial story to share? Whether it’s about crushing debt, building wealth, an unexpected windfall, or just a wild money moment, we want to hear it! Or are you a professional who helps women with money? If you’re a financial coach, attorney, CPA, or work in any area that empowers women financially, we’d love to hear from you too! Your story could inspire our community of women. Fill out our intake form here!

Follow & connect with Erica!

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• Facebook
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• LinkedIn
• Podcast

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• Explore our free guides to help you on your financial journey

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Do you find yourself constantly saving, worried that spending a dime will lead to financial disaster? Or maybe you’ve been taught that money is meant for security, but never really questioned what that means for your happiness today?

In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Durci, a Financial Wellness Coach & the Founder of Effortless Budgeting. She is passionate about supporting individuals & couples on reaching their financial goals through coaching, education & encouragement.

Rachel explains that before you set any financial goals or budgets, you need to first focus on the mindset behind your money. She shares how your childhood experiences with money could shape your adult financial habits, and how, in order to break free from old patterns, we need to confront, forgive, and reframe the way we think about spending and saving.

If you're struggling to manage your money without stress or feeling stuck in a cycle of guilt around spending, this episode is for you!

00:00 Intro

05:57 Introducing Rachel Durci

07:23 Rachel's Money Story

14:11 Steps to Improve Your Money Mindset

16:28 Changing Your Money Mindset

17:37 Understanding Different Financial Situations

18:14 Client Success Stories

Are you ready to take the next step? Join our weekly Money Talks series every Thursday at 11am CT! Register for FREE to gain access to our weekly sessions where Purse Strings-approved professionals discuss various financial topics. Click here to register now and bring your questions!

Got a unique financial story to share? Whether it’s about crushing debt, building wealth, an unexpected windfall, or just a wild money moment, we want to hear it! Or are you a professional who helps women with money? If you’re a financial coach, attorney, CPA, or work in any area that empowers women financially, we’d love to hear from you too! Your story could inspire our community of women. Fill out our intake form here!

Follow & Connect with Rachel:

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with us!

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Resources

• Have questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns.
• Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here!
• Explore our free guides to help you on your financial journey