So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

What does it really take to launch a big idea—one that can change your career, business, or even the world? Is being a visionary enough, or is there a hidden formula for success? Guest Jen Kem says it's all about building the right "unicorn team." But here’s the twist: even if you’re a solopreneur or running a small business—like me—this book is still for you. Jen’s framework isn’t about having a massive team; it’s about understanding the roles and energies you bring to your work and how to fill in the gaps to achieve success faster and with less burnout.Jen is a brand strategist, entrepreneur, and author of Unicorn Team: The Nine Leadership Types You Need to Launch Your Big Ideas with Speed and Success. With a career working on iconic initiatives for companies like Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and Oracle, she’s now revealing how big ideas succeed—not just through visionaries, but through the right mix of leaders who execute and get results.We'll learn how to identify your own leadership type, how even a solo effort can become a "team" by leveraging the right resources, and hear the inspiring story of how a small team at Moderna outpaced industry giants to lead the charge on a life-saving vaccine.Register for Farnoosh's next Book to Brand workshop.Check out Farnoosh's new hyperlocal podcast The Montclair PodJoin the So Money Members Club.Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.Hang out with Farnoosh on Instagram.

This week on Ask Farnoosh, a listener is grappling with over $100,000 in student loan debt. What is the best way to pay this off fast?We also hear from a longtime listener and how she managed to triple her income, pay down debt and save over $400,000 for retirement while listening to So Money.Check out Farnoosh's new hyperlocal podcast The Montclair PodJoin the So Money Members Club.Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.Hang out with Farnoosh on Instagram.

If you're dreaming of your next adventure but worried about the price tag, you've come to the right place! All this week on the podcast, we're diving deep into travel tips, tricks, and money-saving strategies. Earlier, we heard from Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, on how to maximize travel rewards and cut costs on flights and hotels.Today, we're keeping the momentum going with another expert traveler, Matthew Kepnes, aka Nomadic Matt. His New York Times bestselling book, How to Travel the World on $75 a Day, is now in its fourth edition. We talk about everything from affordable travel destinations and hidden local gems to travel logistics, like minimizing ATM and credit card fees abroad.Check out Farnoosh's new hyperlocal podcast The Montclair PodJoin the So Money Members Club.Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.Hang out with Farnoosh on Instagram.

Today, we're diving into the world of travel and points with none other than Brian Kelly, a long-time friend of the show and the founder of The Points Guy. Brian is here to talk about his new book, How to Win at Travel, a guide that helps you unlock all the secrets to mastering the points game, maximizing travel perks, and scoring luxury experiences without luxury price tags. We'll cover:Why Brian calls this era the "platinum age of travel" and how to take full advantage of it.The biggest mistakes travelers make with airline and hotel bookings—and how to avoid them.How to leverage rewards credit cards strategically to score free business-class trips to Europe.The top tech tools to help you find the best award flights and travel deals with minimal effort.Insider tips on travel insurance, packing, and even why you should throw an Apple AirTag into your luggage!Check out Farnoosh's new hyperlocal podcast The Montclair PodJoin the So Money Members Club.Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.Hang out with Farnoosh on Instagram.

In this Ask Farnoosh episode, Farnoosh tackles your most pressing money questions, including strategies for managing investments in midlife. Also: How to decide what to do with an inherited investment—evaluate options, minimize taxes, and make the most of the windfall. Plus, we explore other listener questions on building financial security for the long haul.In the show:Best 0% APR credit cardsFarnoosh's Bloomberg News segmentReal estate crowdfundingCheck out Farnoosh's new hyperlocal podcast The Montclair PodJoin the So Money Members Club.Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.Hang out with Farnoosh on Instagram.

A new survey sponsored by Hult International Business School  finds that a growing number of employers say they’d prefer to automate entry-level jobs rather than hire a recent college graduate. AI is changing the job market faster than any of us imagined—reshaping not just who gets hired, but whether certain jobs even exist in the future.My guest today is Dan Schawbel, a New York Times bestselling author, workplace expert, and managing partner at Workplace Intelligence. Dan has been tracking workplace trends for over a decade, advising companies on the future of work, and in his latest research, the results are terrifying. Not only are companies rethinking the value of a college degree, but some are outright saying they'd rather hire ChatGPT.So what does this mean for workers? Which jobs are actually safe from automation? And if you’re in college right now—or raising kids who might be one day—how do you ensure your education actually pays off?Check out Farnoosh's new hyperlocal podcast The Montclair PodJoin the So Money Members Club.Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.Hang out with Farnoosh on Instagram.

Anne-Lyse Ngatta (aka Anne-Lyse Wealth), a personal finance writer, podcaster, and former CP, rejoins the podcast with a very important story to share—her journey of overcoming stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer. In this episode, we’ll dive into her experience of self-diagnosing her illness, advocating for herself within the healthcare system, and navigating the challenges of treatment. Anne-Lyse also shares her powerful advice on why securing life insurance is a critical part of protecting yourself and your family, especially when life takes unexpected turns. Beyond her battle with cancer, she opens up about how the experience reshaped her outlook on life—focusing more on living in the moment than planning for the future.Learn more about Anne-Lyse.Check our her article in Forbes about securing life insurance.Join the So Money Members Club.Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.Hang out with Farnoosh on Instagram.

Introducing Farnoosh's latest offering in the podcast universe: The Montclair Pod, a hyper local podcast centered on the news, culture and issues within Montclair, New Jersey. In this episode, Farnoosh and co-hosts explore the local implications of President Donald Trump’s second term. With Montclair overwhelmingly voting for Kamala Harris, we examine the town’s political identity and how it contrasts with broader trends, including New Jersey’s rightward shift in the 2024 election.The episode begins with voices from the community with a visit to Tierney’s Tavern on Inauguration Day. The hosts discuss the dynamics of political affiliation in a predominantly liberal town, including insights from Michael D. Byrne, Chairman of the Montclair Republican County Committee. Byrne sheds light on the challenges faced by local Republicans and the aspects of Trump’s leadership that resonate with his supporters.The show also explores the ripple effects of Trump's policy proposals from immigration enforcement to the possible dismantling of the Department of Education. Guests, include Dr. Jackie Vimo, an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Law and Montclair State University and Montclair Board of Education member Jada Roman.Finally, the episode spotlights Gabriela Tutalo, owner of the boutique Solano. She shares her concerns about tariffs on imported goods, offering a glimpse into the resilience and creativity of small business owners adapting to economic challenges.**Subscribe, leave a review, and please share your thoughts by leaving a voicemail at MontclairPod.com. Follow on Instagram. Email us at Hello@MontclairPod.com**

Georgia Lee Hussey, Certified Financial Planner and founder of Modernist Financial, joins the program. Learn how to navigate the stock market when analysts predict slower growth over the next 10 years, how to choose the right 529 plan for your child’s education, and a new way to think about the economic value of stay-at-home parenting. Join Farnoosh's free info session for Book to BrandCheck out her new hyperlocal podcast The Montclair PodJoin the So Money Members Club.Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.Hang out with Farnoosh on Instagram.