So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

We’re joined by Dr. Annie Cole, Ed.D., a money coach and financial educator who specializes in helping women master their finances—from budgeting and debt payoff to investing, building wealth, and retiring early.Dr. Annie's story is a powerful one. In her 20s, she was a burnt-out social worker earning just $26,000 a year. Fast-forward a decade, and she had climbed the ranks to a Vice President role, invested over $380,000, built a $1 million real estate portfolio, and shaved 20 years off her retirement timeline.Now the founder of Money Essentials for Women, Annie is on a mission to help women step into financial confidence—and today, she’s sharing the steps that made it possible.We talk about her four-phase wealth-building plan, how our brains are wired to resist financial change, and why the increasingly popular idea of micro retirement—taking a meaningful, temporary break from work—isn’t just possible, it might be essential.Grab Dr. Annie's Free Guide: How to Take a Micro-Retirement

Ever wonder why we take on debt knowing it will cost us — or why flashing a credit card can feel like flashing status? It’s not just poor math or bad habits. It’s biology, psychology, and marketing, all tangled together.In today’s episode, we unpack the psychology of spending with Wright State University professor and author John Dinsmore, whose new book The Marketing of Debt: How They Get You breaks down the subtle — and not-so-subtle — ways marketers capitalize on our optimism, impulsivity, and desire for status.We talk about:Why your brain underestimates the pain of future debtHow credit card companies brand products to play on our egosWhy handling money can make us less generousThe hidden costs of “quiet luxury” and keeping up appearancesAnd how Dinsmore’s own research found that just touching $20 bills increased testosterone and reduced charitable giving

Today’s show: The benefits of credit cards, recommended stock portfolio allocations and resources for helping kids learn about money. Plus: How to execute a rollover or backdoor Roth IRA? (This episode originally aired in 2024)

Menopause used to be a whispered word, something women were expected to endure quietly. But that’s changing—and fast. Women are reclaiming this stage of life, demanding better care, and rewriting the narrative. And leading the charge is my guest today, Emmy-winning journalist and menopause advocate, Tamsen Fadal.With a career spanning over three decades in television news, Tamsen has transitioned her focus towards empowering women navigating midlife changes.Her latest endeavor, the book How to Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life, and Feel Even Better Than Before, serves as a comprehensive guide to help women manage the multifaceted aspects of menopause.Receive Farnoosh’s free Investing BlueprintFollow on InstagramJoin the So Money Members ClubLeave a review on Apple PodcastsOrder Farnoosh’s new book, A Healthy State of PanicThis episode originally aired on March 12, 2025.

Farnoosh speaks with Dr. Ellen Vora, psychiatrist and author of the book The Anatomy of Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming the Body’s Fear Response about the root of our anxieties, how they impact our financial wellness and her holistic approach to healing. Her book is now in paperback!More about Dr. Vora: She received her B.A. from Yale University and attended Columbia University medical school. She’s a board-certified psychiatrist, medical acupuncturist, and yoga teacher. Dr. Vora takes a functional medicine approach to mental health–considering the whole person and addressing imbalance at the root, rather than reflexively prescribing medication. In addition to her private practice and speaking engagements, Dr. Vora consults for healthcare startups.This episode originally aired Feb 21, 2022.

On today's Ask Farnoosh, Farnoosh answers audience questions about whether a couple is financially on track, should you put your home in a trust, and the difference between money market accounts and money market funds. Referenced on the show: Episode on All-Things Estate Planning and the So Money Members Club.

We’re diving into the world of real estate investing—not just as a strategy for wealth, but as a movement for women to claim financial independence, build generational wealth, and find community in a traditionally male-dominated space.My guest is Liz Faircloth, co-founder of InvestHer, a global platform and network that helps women invest confidently in real estate, connect with opportunities, and build wealth on their terms. You may know Liz and her partner Andresa from the InvestHer podcast—550 episodes strong—and the growing ecosystem they've built to support women at every stage of their investing journey.And speaking of support, don’t miss InvestHER Con, happening June 1–3 in Orlando. It’s a one-of-a-kind, hands-on real estate conference where the networking is intentional, the knowledge is strategic, and the energy is unmatched. If you’re serious about real estate and want to learn from women who are actively building wealth in this market, this is the room to be in. In this conversation, Liz and I talk about how she found her way into real estate, how to identify the right markets to invest in now, the risks to consider before diving in, and why knowledge alone isn’t enough—you need the right network, too. We also explore short-term vs long-term rentals, co-living models, and how Liz protects her time and energy as an entrepreneur, investor, and mom.

Comedian Zarna Garg joins Farnoosh live at Loopwell in Montclair to celebrate the release of her memoir, This American Woman. In this candid and hilarious conversation, Zarna shares how she transformed personal crisis into a comedy career—building a thriving business from scratch after her husband lost his job. She opens up about betting on herself in midlife, using clean comedy as a strategic edge, and how she’s navigated financial stress, immigrant identity, and motherhood with grit and humor.

Download Farnoosh's Free Investing Blueprint to learn how to begin investing for your future. Learn more about her So Money Members Club.In this week’s Ask Farnoosh, Farnoosh kicks off with a look at key economic headlines—from McDonald’s reporting a drop in customer traffic to new signs the U.S. economy may be cooling, including a GDP contraction and a spike in jobless claims. She also reflects on a powerful story shared by comedian Zarna Garg about how her family handled job loss during the pandemic, and why honesty with kids during financial stress can build resilience.Then, Farnoosh answers three listener questions:Elizabeth is considering a new role at a worker cooperative with a significantly lower salary. Farnoosh walks through what questions to ask about co-op structures, how to weigh values vs. pay, and whether the trade-off is worth it.A listener worried about market volatility asks how to protect their 529 college savings plan over the next 10 years. Farnoosh shares practical strategies for adjusting investment risk and preserving growth potential.A Canadian teacher in her 30s feels stuck—financially overwhelmed, burned out, and unsure how to move forward. Farnoosh offers actionable steps to regain control, find short-term wins, explore alternate income streams, and shift mindsets around job security and reinvention.Plus, a reminder to check out this week’s earlier episodes with Rachel Rodgers (raising financially confident kids) and Heather Zack (estate planning 101).