So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

Latest Episodes:

1949: Nate Berkus on Entrepreneurship, Design, and Financial Confidence Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

As promised, I’m re-airing one of the most requested interviews from the archives: my conversation with Nate Berkus, originally recorded in 2015—ten years ago.

A lot has changed for Nate since then, but when I listened back, I was struck by how timeless this episode is—especially right now. My mother-in-law and I are huge fans, and for my birthday she gave me Nate’s latest book, Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal. And that’s exactly the theme you’ll hear in today’s conversation: your home should tell your story—and your money should support a life that feels authentic.

We talk about money fear versus abundance, building a business, learning when to ask for help, and Nate’s surprisingly great financial habits—including his rule about keeping your wallet organized as a form of respecting money.

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1948: Turning Side Hustles Into Sustainable Wealth with Money Girl Laura Adams Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Today’s guest is someone who has been shaping the personal finance conversation for nearly two decades — long before money podcasts were mainstream, long before “side hustle” was a buzzword, and long before financial literacy for women was framed around building wealth instead of just clipping coupons.

Laura Adams is the host of the wildly successful Money Girl podcast, a show that has been downloaded more than 43 million times and ranks among the top 0.1% most popular podcasts globally. In just about 20 minutes each week, Laura does something that’s incredibly difficult: she makes complex personal finance and small business topics feel approachable, actionable, and even fun.

You’ve seen her everywhere — ABC World News, CBS, NBC, Bloomberg, NPR — and today she’s here with us on So Money.

In this conversation, we dig into how financial advice for women has evolved over the years — from focusing on saving pennies to thinking about legacy, ownership, and long-term wealth. We talk about solopreneurship and side hustles — what it really takes to build a one-person business that doesn’t just generate income, but supports your life. And with interest rates expected to gradually decline into 2026, Laura breaks down what that could mean for refinancing, home buying, and smart positioning right now.

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1947: Ask Farnoosh: Tax Season Moves, Optimal Rainy Day Funds, Traditional or Roth IRA? Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

Farnoosh reflects on her appearance on the TODAY Show, where she shared practical strategies to maximize your finances during tax season — from last-minute IRA contributions and new tax deductions to choosing the smartest way to file and setting yourself up for next year.

She also discusses the latest money headlines, including the Supreme Court’s decision on sweeping tariffs and what it could mean for small businesses and markets.

Then, it’s time for your questions. Farnoosh breaks down:

• How much you really need in emergency savings in today’s job market

• What to do after contributing to your 401(k) — should you open a Roth IRA?

• How income limits affect Roth contributions and what a Backdoor Roth really means

• Ways to set your children up for financial success beyond just a 529 plan

Plus, Farnoosh shares details about her Build a Profitable Podcast mentorship program, kicking off soon with only a few spots remaining. Apply here.

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1946: The Quiet Money Mistakes High-Earning Women Make Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Today’s episode is for the woman who’s doing well on paper…earning more, climbing higher, checking the boxes of financial success— and yet still wondering if she’s making the smartest moves with her money. Because here’s the truth: more income doesn’t automatically mean more clarity, more confidence, or even more security.

In fact, high-earning women often face a unique set of financial blind spots—from over-relying on tax strategies to holding too much company stock, to quietly navigating complicated power dynamics at home and at work. And those mistakes can be costly if we don’t name them.

To help us unpack all of this, I’m joined by someone whose passion for empowering women financially is unmistakable the moment you hear her speak—financial advisor Maggie Johndrow who is a partner at Johndrow Wealth.

In this conversation, we talk about the quiet financial mistakes high-earning women make, how taxes can mislead our biggest decisions, what to know about RSUs and stock options before they surprise you with a bill, and the emotional—and practical—realities of being the breadwinner at home.

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1945: The Truth About Debt, Inequality and Starting Over Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

Our guest today is truly one of the original voices in personal finance and someone whose work has shaped how millions of Americans think about debt, credit, and financial freedom.

Lynnette Khalfani-Cox joins to share insights from her powerful new book, Bounce Back: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Resilience. We talk about why despite decades of financial education, so many Americans are still drowning in debt, how systemic barriers and policy decisions shape our financial outcomes, and what it really takes to recover after life's biggest setbacks from divorce and job loss to disasters and dollar deficits. Lynnette also shares her own deeply personal story of climbing out of six figures of credit card debt, the mindset shifts that made lasting freedom possible, and why you don't have to wait until you're debt free to start saving, investing and rebuilding your life.

Lynnette is a New York Times bestselling author, a nationally recognized personal finance expert, and one of the most influential educators in the financial literacy movement. She's known to millions as the money coach, and she's appeared regularly on major national media outlets.

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1944: Ask Farnooosh: Birthday Money Truths, Market Warnings and Relationship Finance Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

In this Friday the 13th edition of So Money, Farnoosh reflects on turning 46 and shares the financial truths that have shaped her life—from why money really buys options, to the systemic realities behind debt and financial setbacks. She also unpacks the latest housing and stock-market headlines and answers listener questions on negotiating credit cards, navigating finances with a partner, and transitioning to separate accounts in marriage.

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1943: How to Navigate Income Gaps, Shared Accounts, and Spending Differences Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re talking about how to build a stronger financial partnership - from financial date nights and shared accounts to the subtle social norms that still influence modern couples. Today’s guest is Dr. Emily Garbinsky, professor at Cornell’s Johnson School of Business, whose work explores how couples make financial decisions, how pooling money affects relationship satisfaction, and what really happens when one partner earns more than the other. Learn more about Dr. Garbinsky's research here.

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1942: How to Use Your Money to Redefine Wealth Around Time, Choice and Happiness Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

We spend so much of our lives chasing money—believing that once we earn enough, save enough, and invest enough, happiness and freedom will finally follow.

But what if the real goal isn’t more money… it’s more time?

Today’s guest is Andy Hill, AFC®, award-winning family finance coach and founder of the platform Marriage, Kids and Money, which has reached millions of families through his podcast, videos, and writing. His new book, Own Your Time, challenges a deeply held belief in personal finance: that wealth alone will solve our problems. Instead, Andy argues that true financial success is about using money intentionally to design a life filled with freedom, family connection, and choice.

In this conversation, we explore Andy’s own journey—from a six-figure household income and negative net worth to a life where he and his wife now work part-time by design. We talk about the concept of “coast financial independence,” the surprising middle ground between burnout and early retirement, and the practical financial steps families can take—at any stage—to reclaim their calendars and their priorities.

We’ll also get into the emotional side of money and time: how couples navigate unequal incomes, why optionality matters more than status, and how to raise kids who understand wealth not just as dollars, but as freedom and generosity.

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1941: Ask Farnoosh: My Best Home Buying Advice, Investing for a "Mid-Term" Goal Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

RSVP for Farnoosh's podcasting workshop next Friday Feb 13 here.

In this Super Bowl weekend edition of Ask Farnoosh, she reflects on recent financial headlines and answers listener questions about saving, investing, family planning, and homebuying. She discusses the sharp drop in Bitcoin, rising layoffs, and a weakening stock market as reminders of the importance of maintaining a strong emergency fund and staying financially cautious.

In the mailbag, she explains how to save for future goals even without a defined purpose, why entrepreneurs should diversify beyond their businesses when investing, and how prospective parents can prepare financially and create more time flexibility before having a child. She closes with practical homebuying advice drawn from two decades of personal experience, emphasizing that a first home need not be permanent, that buyers should understand their motivations and finances before searching, and that thoughtful preparation leads to more confident decisions in uncertain economic times.

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1940: The Science of Making Work Fair Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

Sometimes making work more fair doesn’t require a sweeping policy change or a million-dollar program. Guest Siri Chilazi is a researcher at Harvard who studies gender equity, workplace behavior, and decision-making. She is also the co-author of the bestselling book Make Work Fair, written with behavioral economist Iris Bohnet.

Siri’s work challenges one of the most common assumptions we make about inequality at work — that the problem is biased people who need to be “fixed.”

Instead, her research shows that unfairness is baked into systems, processes, and everyday practices — how we hire, evaluate, promote, pay, and even run meetings.

In this conversation, we talk about:

What fairness actually means — and how it’s different from equality or equity
Why traditional DEI programs often fall short
The small, evidence-based changes that make the biggest difference
What employees at any level can do to create fairer workplaces
And why transparency and clarity are among the most powerful tools leaders have

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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