Money Feels
Money Feels is the new alternative to the personal finance community. We're here to drop the shame, guilt, and judgement so you can learn how to heal your relationship with money alongside your internet besties, hosts, and unfiltered experts — Bridget and Alyssa
103: The Financial Cost of Being Comfortable
In this episode of Money Feels, we’re talking about something most of us don’t think twice about: comfort. Not the kind that refills you, but the kind that numbs you. The scroll, the “I’ll just order it,” the “I’ll decide later.” Somewhere along the way, we stopped using comfort to recover and started using it to escape, and we’ve built a whole world that makes escaping very, very easy.
Alyssa and Bridget dig into the psychology of why we run from discomfort, what that avoidance costs us (financially and otherwise), and who steps in to make o...
102: The IVF Industry
In this episode of Money Feels, we talk about something that's deeply personal and also big business: fertility, IVF and egg freezing. Having a baby is expensive no matter how you do it, and this way costs even more. A lot extra.
Alyssa and Bridget look at the IVF industry through a money lens: the real costs, the odds most people don't hear about, and why "I'll do whatever it takes" is the most expensive sentence in fertility care. They also take on egg freezing as a corporate perk, and why "empowering" might be the wrong word...
101: The Middle Class is the Loneliest Group
In this episode of Money Feels, we're kicking off season 10 by saying something that doesn't often get said out loud: the middle class might be the loneliest group in society. Not in a "cry me a river, it must be so hard to be comfortable" way. In a structural way. When we eradicated middle-class wealth, we also got rid of middle-class community.
Alyssa and Bridget break down who the middle class actually is in Canada, why so many people in it feel stuck between "too rich for a potluck" and "can't afford a private chef," and why...
100: Taxed to Death? Let's Do the Math
In this episode of Money Feels, we break down the thing that makes most people's eyes glaze over: Canadian taxes. And actually make it make sense. Not just the numbers, but the feelings. The confusion, the resentment, the sneaking suspicion that you're being robbed. We're going there.
Alyssa and Bridget walk through every layer of the Canadian tax system, from federal income tax all the way down to the municipal mill rate, and tackle two of the most misunderstood — and politically charged — conversations happening in Canada right now: the myth that Canadians pay over 50% in taxes, and what...
99: The Economics of AI
In this episode of Money Feels, we explore what AI actually is, and why it doesn't just change what technology can do… it can change how society functions, who holds power, and what the future of human work and life might look like.
Bridget sits down with Timo Ewalds, former Google DeepMind AI researcher and founder of Nexopia, to cut through the hype and fear around artificial intelligence.
This conversation goes far beyond "AI is coming for your job." It's about how artificial intelligence intersects with consciousness, ethics, economics, and the environment — and why understanding it ma...
98: How Extreme Wealth Changes Your Brain
In this episode of Money Feels, we explore what extreme wealth does to the human brain — and why money doesn’t just change what people can buy… it can change how people see themselves, others, and the world around them.
We unpack the psychology behind wealth, power, empathy, entitlement, and social disconnection, and discuss why the ultra-wealthy often begin to operate in completely different emotional and social realities than everyone else. We also explore how wealth can distort risk perception, reduce sensitivity to others’ suffering, and create environments where people slowly lose touch with everyday life.
This c...
97: What Trophy Wives and The Age Gap Relationship Show Us
In this episode of Money Feels, we explore the emotional, psychological, and financial reality behind shifting relationship dynamics — and why the traditional “trophy wife” model is quietly disappearing.
We unpack new data showing that wealthy men are no longer more likely to partner with significantly younger women, and what that reveals about money, power, desire, and changing gender roles. We also dive into the so-called “male loneliness epidemic,” and ask a deeper question: is this about rejection… or is it about the loss of a system where men were once centred and needed?
This conversation goes beyond...
96: What is Financial Nihilism?
In this episode of Money Feels, we explore the emotional, psychological, and financial reality of financial nihilism — and why so many people today feel disconnected from traditional money advice, long-term planning, and the promise that “doing everything right” will pay off.
We unpack what financial nihilism actually is, why younger generations are increasingly saying “what’s the point?”, and how rising costs, housing inaccessibility, stagnant wages, burnout, and social media distortion have created a perfect storm of distrust around money. We also talk about the emotional toll of being “fine on paper” while feeling anxious underneath, and why reckless spe...
95: Coasting to Financial Independence
In this episode of Money Feels, Alyssa and Bridget explore the emotional, psychological, and financial reality of Coast FIRE, and why this middle ground might actually be the version of financial freedom more people are craving.
We unpack what it means to “coast” financially, to build enough early on that your future is taken care of, without sacrificing your entire present to get there. We talk about the tension between security and freedom, the pressure to optimize your money, and why stepping off the gas can feel both relieving… and deeply uncomfortable.
In today’s episod...
94: The Dangers of Extreme Frugality
We are living in a time where extreme frugality is being celebrated as discipline. Sleeping on child-sized beds, using things until they fall apart, refusing small comforts, all framed as virtue. And while frugality itself is thoughtful and often wise, there’s a point where saving stops being a value and starts becoming a fear.
In this episode of Money Feels, Alyssa and Bridget explore the emotional, psychological, and financial realities of extreme frugality, and why saving money can sometimes become less about intention and more about safety, control, and identity.
In today’s epis...
93: Gambling, But Make It Sports
Sports betting has exploded in the last few years, driven by legalization, aggressive advertising, and frictionless apps that make placing a bet feel as easy as ordering takeout. What used to be a niche activity is now embedded directly into sports culture.
In this episode of Money Feels, Alyssa and Bridget explore the emotional, psychological, and financial reality of modern sports betting and why this isn’t just about money. It’s about dopamine, identity, relationships, and the normalization of risk.
We talk about how gambling has shifted from a destination to something in your pock...
92: Are Grocery Prices a Scam?
We are living in a time where it feels like groceries don’t make sense anymore! Not the prices, not the sizes, not the sales. The same cart costs more every week, packages are shrinking, loyalty apps change the “real” price, and something as simple as buying food now feels like a mental math test.
In this episode of Money Feels, Alyssa and Bridget explore the emotional, psychological, and financial realities of grocery inflation and why so many of us feel exhausted, confused, and, frankly, a little suspicious every time we walk into a store.
We unp...
91: Taking Control of Your Screentime
We're back, baby! Season 9 and feeling fine!
We are living in a time where our attention is constantly being pulled in every direction — notifications, scrolling, ads, emails, content, news, shopping, and algorithms designed to keep us looking just a little bit longer.
The average person now spends over 7 hours per day looking at screens. Gen Z? Nearly 9 hours a day. And mobile screen time alone sits around 5 to 7 hours daily.
In this episode of Money Feels, Alyssa and Bridget explore the emotional, psychological, and financial reality of liv...
90: The Subscription Economy
We are living in a time where it feels like we don’t own anything anymore — not our phones, not our entertainment. Everything is a subscription, everything renews automatically, and everything in our lives comes with a monthly fee.
In this episode of Money Feels, Alyssa and Bridget explore the emotional, psychological, and financial reality of living in the subscription economy, and why so many of us feel like we’re leasing our lives one tiny charge at a time.
We unpack how subscriptions prey on convenience, loneliness, perfectionism, and the desire to optimize our lives...
89: Can Real Estate Investing Be Ethical?
Real estate is one of the most emotionally loaded topics in personal finance. For many of us, real estate investing has always felt tangled with inequity, bro-dude energy, and a sense that the whole system is rigged. But what happens when someone shows you a different way to see it? A way rooted in values, impact, and community care?
In this episode of Money Feels, we’re joined by real estate investor and appraiser Christine Traynor, who has completely changed the way Alyssa sees real estate. We’re diving into the emotional, ethical, and practical layers of real...
88: Finances at 40
Life moves in seasons. Some that grow you gently, and some that split you wide open. As Bridget steps into her 40s this week, she’s looking back on her 20s and 30s with honesty, humour, grief, and gratitude. Aging is something we all experience, but rarely talk about with this kind of openness.
In this episode of Money Feels, we’re exploring the emotional, financial, and identity shifts that happen as you move through decades of your life. We unpack how money shaped each season, what she wishes she’d known sooner, and why getting older is not...
87: Financial Infidelity and Abuse in Romantic Relationships
Money and relationships are complicated enough. But when secrecy, control, or manipulation enter the picture, things get heavy fast. Financial infidelity and financial abuse are two topics that almost no one talks about openly… even though so many people quietly live through them.
In this episode of Money Feels, we’re breaking down what these terms actually mean, how common they are, and why they’re often misunderstood. We unpack the ways money can become a weapon, how financial control intersects with safety, and why these issues show up in all kinds of relationships, not just the stereo...
86: Prepper Billionaires
Have you ever noticed that the people with the most power and privilege seem the most afraid of losing it? From private bunkers to doomsday yachts, billionaires are stockpiling for the apocalypse, and in doing so, revealing what money can’t actually buy: safety, trust, or community.
In this episode of Money Feels, we’re unpacking the strange world of prepper billionaires — the ultra-wealthy who are preparing to survive the collapse of the very systems they helped create.
We’re your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast where we talk about the emotional side of...
85: The Morality and Performance of Consumption
Have you ever noticed how buying anything these days seems to come with judgment attached? Whether it’s the “right” kind of coffee cup, the “wrong” influencer haul, or the moral high ground of minimalism, our spending habits have become a public performance of virtue.
In this episode of Money Feels, we’re unpacking the moralization of everyday consumption — how culture, social media, and capitalism have turned simple purchases into moral statements.
We’re your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast where we talk about the emotional side of money and how culture, gender, and ego...
84: The Love Lives of Wealthy Women
Have you ever noticed how success can make women feel more alone — not more secure? In this episode of Money Feels, we’re unpacking why wealth and independence can come with unexpected emotional costs, and why partnership — once seen as an economic safety net — doesn’t always add value anymore.
We’re your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast where we talk about the emotional side of money and how culture, gender, and ego all shape the way we love, earn, and connect.
In today’s episode, we discuss:
The rise of single women a...83: Why We Need Financial Therapy
Have you ever wondered why money feels so emotional, even when you know what you “should” be doing? In this episode of Money Feels, we’re unpacking how psychology, therapy, and financial planning all overlap, and why the numbers only tell half the story.
We’re your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk about the emotional side of money — and how culture, identity, and lived experience shape the way we earn, spend, save, and share.
In today’s episode, we discuss the following:
Why your financial plan should include your feeling...82: Losing the Plot on Lifestyle Spending
Have you ever wondered if we’ve completely lost the plot on lifestyle spending? In this episode of Money Feels, we’re unpacking how what used to be luxuries have slowly become defaults — and what that shift means for our wallets, our emotions, and our ability to just sit with discomfort without buying something.
We’re your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk about the emotional side of money, and how culture, social media, and convenience are reshaping what “normal” spending looks like.
In today's episode, we discuss the following:
How the “d...81: What is Financial Fawning?
Have you ever wondered why you keep saying “yes” with your money when you really want to say “no”? In this episode of Money Feels, we’re joined again by out very first guest, Chantel Chapman — founder of Trauma of Money, internationally recognized educator, and now author of Trauma of Money — to unpack something called financial fawning.
We’re your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast where we talk about the emotional side of money — including how our nervous systems, past experiences, and need for safety shape the way we spend, give, and say “yes.”
In today’s episod...
80: What the Privatization of Healthcare Looks Like
Have you ever wondered what really happens when we privatize health care? In this episode of Money Feels, we’re joined by emergency physician and public health advocate Dr. Shazma Mithani to talk about why more private clinics, pay-to-play systems, and investor-owned health care might sound efficient but leave most of us worse off.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk about the emotional side of money — including the systems that shape what kind of care we get, and who gets left behind when profit enters the chat.
In toda...
79: Real Talk on Realistic Sustainability
Have you ever wondered if saving money and saving the planet are mutually exclusive? In this episode of Money Feels, we’re joined by author and sustainability advocate Kara Perez to talk about her new book, Money for Change, and the concept of realistic sustainability — AKA how to reduce waste, build wealth, and not burn out in the process.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk through our money trauma and gain a better understanding of building a healthy relationship with finance, even when it intersects with climate anxiety and ethical inve...
78: Why Money Feels Fake
Have you ever looked at your bank account and thought… this doesn’t feel real? In this episode of Money Feels, we’re digging into the idea that money might not be as concrete as we think. From the history of how our currency came to be, to why our brains treat money like a survival need, we’re unpacking why money feels fake — and why that feeling actually makes a lot of sense.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk through our money trauma and create a better understanding of building a...
77: The Fear-Based Economy
Money plays a massive role in our emotions, and fear-based messaging is everywhere — whether it's the news predicting economic collapse, financial influencers warning about missing investment opportunities, or brands using scarcity to push us to spend. But how much of this fear is real, and how much of it is designed to make us act impulsively? More importantly, how do we stop letting fear dictate our financial choices?
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we unpack money anxiety, challenge financial shame, and help you build a more secure, emotionally grounded relationship with mo...
76: Making Money a Tool for Justice
Money controls so much of our lives, but what if we could take some of that power back? Financial activism isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy or policymakers. It’s something all of us can engage in, whether it’s where we bank, how we invest, or what we spend our money on. The financial system wants us to feel like we don’t have a choice, but we actually have more power than we think.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk through our money trauma and create a better understa...
75: How Money Changes the Meaning of Play
The future feels uncertain, but what if you could remember how to play? Leisure isn’t supposed to be productive, but in a world where everything feels like work, even our hobbies come with pressure. In this episode of Money Feels, we’re exploring how money changes the meaning of play, why hobbies don’t have to be profitable, and how burnout makes it impossible to enjoy free time.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk through our money trauma and create a better understanding of building a healthy relationship with financ...
74: An Episode for Gilded
The future feels uncertain, but what if you could see where your money is headed? Financial projections aren’t about predicting the future but about preparing for it. In this episode of Money Feels, we’re exploring the value of playing with your numbers, why seeing your financial trajectory can reduce anxiety, and how our very own Bridget accidentally became a tech CEO.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk through our money trauma and create a better understanding of building a healthy relationship with finance.
In today's epis...
73: The Price of Modern Dating
Dating is everywhere, but have you ever considered how much it costs you? From pricey dating apps to expensive first dates, modern dating isn’t just emotionally exhausting — it’s financially draining. Love might be priceless, but dating? That’s a whole different story. In this episode of Money Feels, we’re breaking down the financial, emotional, and societal price of dating today.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk through our money trauma and create a better understanding of building a healthy relationship with finance.
In today's episode, w...
72: The Real Cost of Diet Culture
Diet culture is everywhere — but have you ever thought about how much it costs you? From expensive weight-loss programs to “wellness” trends disguised as self-improvement, diet culture isn’t just harmful. It’s wildly profitable. In this episode of Money Feels, we’re breaking down the financial, emotional, and societal price of diet culture and why rejecting it might be the best money move you ever make.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk through our money trauma and create a better understanding of building a healthy relationship with finance.
In toda...
71: How Capitalism Sold Us the Nuclear Family
The nuclear family is often considered the standard, but have you ever wondered why? Who really benefits from this structure? In this episode of Money Feels, we’re unpacking the financial and social costs of this so-called ideal and how it has shaped everything from homeownership to personal debt.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk through our money trauma and create a better understanding of building a healthy relationship with finance.
In today's episode, we discuss the following:
70: The Value of Financial Advice
Financial advice could change your life, yet it feels like it’s reserved for the elite. Why is it so controversial to say everyone deserves access to good advice, not just the rich? This week on Money Feels, we’re breaking down the value of financial advice, who actually benefits from it, and how the rest of us are left to figure it out on our own.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we unpack money trauma and work on building a healthier, shame-free relationship with our finances.
In today’s epis...
69: Groceries Should Be Free
Groceries are essential. And yet, millions of people struggle to afford them every day. Why is it so controversial to say food should be a fundamental human right? We’re unpacking the cost of groceries, food insecurity, and the case for free food in this week’s episode of Money Feels.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk through our money trauma and create a better understanding of building a healthy relationship with finance.
In today's episode, we discuss the following:
68: The Lessons We Learned in 2024
It's been a minute since we've chatted. And we miss you. As a bonus to you on the 1st day of the New Year, we wanted to release one episode we recorded for our Patreon members, in which we share some of the best lessons we learned in 2024. Stay tuned for season 7, coming this January
67: Our Bookish Obsessions
Most of our listeners know how much Bridget and Alyssa love to read. But we've never done a regular season episode about that. So, we get into this and more in this season six finale episode of Money Feels.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we discuss our money trauma and gain a better understanding of building a healthy relationship with finance.
In today's episode, we discuss the following:
66: Underconsumption vs. Overconsumption
It's trending to share your hauls, it's trending to share your capsule wardrobe, it's trending to buy a new water bottle, it's trending to show off your old water bottle. Consumption and consumerism are always trending, but why? We get into this and more in this week's episode of Money Feels.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk through our money trauma and create a better understanding of building a healthy relationship with finance.
In today's episode, we discuss the following:
65: How to Survive Your Mortgage Renewal
With high interest rates and the rising cost of living, renewing a mortgage can feel — less than ideal! We get into this and more in this week's episode of Money Feels.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk through our money trauma and create a better understanding of building a healthy relationship with finance.
In today's episode, we discuss the following:
64: This Is Your Sign
Let's catch up about our businesses, life changes, and taking risks in your life. We get into this and more in this week's episode of Money Feels.
We're your hosts, Alyssa and Bridget. Welcome to the podcast, where we talk through our money trauma and create a better understanding of building a healthy relationship with finance.
In today's episode, we discuss the following:
