Contents:
When I started this project initially I thought I wanted to run it as a newsletter where I’d share insights on a weekly basis and grow the relationship I have with you. As time progressed the writer in me began to surface and I started moving in the direction of running it as a publication, where my insights and experiences would be crafted into articles to share weekly.
Today however, I’m going to take a break from sharing an article on a particular theme and talk to you directly about some updates, wins, losses, and a round-up on some of the work I’ve done outside of this Substack.
A New Course
Depending on when in the journey you joined me, you may have noticed me discussing working on a course and workbook that combines budgeting systems and financial goal setting with conversations on financial wellness. I’ve partnered with another financial coach over the last several months and we’re nearing completion of the course. I’m excited about this endeavor and will include all the information once it launches. We are considering doing a soft pre-sale so you will have direct access before anyone else. If you’re struggling with budgeting or choosing the right budgeting system for your needs and you struggle to stick to the goals you are setting for yourself this course is for you.
Forbes Round-Up
As you know I’ve recently been accepted as a contributor to Forbes under the personal finance vertical. I’ve personally been working on this since 2020 so a lesson exists here on resilience and determination. Over the last 3 years, I’ve had to crystalize my message around financial wellness through the lens of financial trauma and financial therapy to get to this point. I’ve been writing roughly an article a week for them and if you’ve missed out on any—including my latest— here they are:
Financial Trauma Is Real: Why Black People Should Consider Financial Therapy
How ‘The Black Tax’ Affects Intergenerational Wealth Transfer
(Latest) Buying A Blue Check? What This Could Say About Your Relationship With Money
Podcast Round-Up
I’ve been quietly publishing episodes for my second season of the podcast with minimal promotion on social media and I’ve found a consistent listenership of about 100-120 listeners every week. I’ve also recently accepted an invitation to join a podcast network with several other podcasters to boost exposure and listenership. I’m excited about where that may go. Although people are certainly discovering the podcast organically, I can do a better job of promoting it so here are the episodes of season 2 currently published.
Season 2 Episode 1: Writing my way out of homelessness w/ Anthony Carter
Season 2 Episode 2: What is financial intimacy w/ Ed Coambs
Season 2 Episode 3: Mental Health Guardrails w/ Melanie Lockert
News For Paid Subscribers
If you’re a paid subscriber you’re in for a treat. In addition to the monthly expert interviews I’ve started, I will also be hosting open hours for mini pick-my-brain questions. These questions don’t have to be specific to financial trauma as a theme. It can be related to:
Starting a Substack
Writing a book
Applying for a TEDx talk
Pitching publications
What I do for my own mental health
Etc.
I’ll likely make those hours available on Friday mornings between 10 AM EST-12 PM EST.
If you aren’t a paid subscriber upgrade your membership to take advantage!
Community Engagement
Over the last two weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to present on the topics of Financial Trauma and Financial Empathy to a local credit union and a local library. Both were received very well.
As these are topics often not focused on in traditional financial literacy efforts, I’ve made it my mission to use the various platforms I have access to, to share.
If you are connected to an organization with a budget to hire speakers please reach out. I’d love to connect with the decision-making teams over this content for this month (Financial Literacy Month) and next (Mental Health Awareness Month).
Inversely if you are a decision-maker for an organization and could use my services as a speaker/consultant I’d love to connect. I’m available on LinkedIn and via my website.
ICYMI
Here’s last week’s article: Uncovering the Financial Trauma Faced by High-Income Black Americans
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