Mind Money Balance

AI may make personal finance information feel more accessible. But it can sound overly confident and personalized even when it's wrong. With banking and personal finance apps encouraging users to connect their personal information to AI, should you trust AI with your money? Learn where AI financial advice might help, where it falls short, and how to protect your personal information.

What you think about how you spend, save, and invest didn’t come from nowhere: it’s shaped by your money stories. Your money stories shape your beliefs about money and, in turn, how you interact with it. In this episode, you’ll learn from a financial therapist: What money stories are and how they begin forming in childhood How factors like your family, school, neighborhood, culture, workplace, and...

Our brains are wired to seek things that help us feel better, which is why so many of us turn to shopping when we want a mood boost. So-called "retail therapy" can improve your mood in the short term. But by understanding what you’re really looking for—novelty, connection, happiness, or relief—you can find ways to meet that need that involve spending less or not at all.  💌 JOIN THE FREE...

Money shame is an internal belief that a person is bad with money. Secrecy, silence, and judgment make money worse (which are rampant in the personal finance community and in the real world). Tune in to learn four ways to help alleviate money shame, straight from financial therapist and financial wellness advocate, Lindsay Bryan-Podvin. 

Common ADHD traits like time blindness, difficulty starting tasks, and emotional regulation challenges can show up in ways the workplace doesn’t always “get.” It might look like delaying invoices, missing reimbursement deadlines, or jumping into conversations before others finish. Over time, these patterns can impact income, job performance, and opportunities for raises or promotions. But ADHD als...

Your nervous system sends messages between the brain and body, and money stress can absolutely impact it. When your nervous system is over- or under-stimulated, you can make financial choices you regret. In this video, financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin of Mind Money Balance covers what your nervous system has to do with your money, how your financial archetype can offer insight into typical...

Financial wellness–or the lack of it–shows up at work. When we have workplace financial wellness, we can improve morale, reduce burnout, and increase productivity and longevity. In this video, financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin breaks down ways to improve your financial wellness at work at the individual level, as a team member, and for people in leadership/HR roles.

Financial anxiety doesn’t clock out when you do. I’m talking about how financial anxiety at work shapes behavior, from overworking and constantly seeking reassurance, to team tension, to rigid leadership decisions that feel “strategic” but are stress-driven. I’ll share how financial stress and work productivity are connected, what financial anxiety symptoms can look like in individuals, colleagues...

Lindsay Bryan-Podvin is a licensed social worker, certified financial therapist, author, and founder of Mind Money Balance, helping people feel better about money without the shame. Her work blends mental health, social justice, and financial wellness, offering support for individuals, workplaces, and brands alike. Learn more about what she does as a financial therapist, the windy path that took h...

Get insight on shifting your mindset from saving to spending when entering retirement, how to manage money with a partner when the shared account gets low at the end of each month, and dealing with anxiety when you have debt directly from Michigan’s first financial therapist, Lindsay Bryan-Podvin. Sometimes, hearing from others with similar conundrums can help you understand your own stressors and...

Self-care isn’t always about adding more to your skin care routine or journaling regimen; often, it starts with doing less. It's a simple, therapeutic reframe: what if the best thing you can do for your well-being, or your finances, is take something off your plate? If you're craving a low-maintenance life that actually supports your mental and financial health, this is your invitation to...

In this episode, financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin walks you through the essential legal and financial documents unmarried couples (and poly partners or cohabitating besties!) should consider, like cohabitation agreements, estate planning tools, and property titles. Whether you’re sharing a home, finances, or a life together, these protections can offer clarity and peace of mind, without a...

Shopping has become easier than ever, which makes overconsumption more common, tempting, and a go-to coping skill for many of us. Overconsumption can impact your mental well-being, increase stress, and clutter your home and mind. In this video, I’m breaking down what overconsumption really is , the psychology of overspending, and how to resist consumerism without shame or guilt. 👉 READ THIS INSTE...

There is a real affordability crisis caused by decades of underbuilding, restrictive zoning, slow permitting, and rising costs. In this episode, Michigan's first financial therapist explains that housing is a social determinant of health, impacting both mental and physical well-being. Learn why it feels like no one can afford a home and what you can do to advocate for more housing.  Read this inst...

You can start improving how you treat money in about 2 minutes. Overcomplicated spreadsheets and spending rules often leave people feeling like they’ve failed. That’s why I love what I call micro-dosing your financial habits. Microdosing financial habits means taking small, consistent, low-lift actions that support your financial well-being.

If an emergency fund is for emergencies, a Fun Money Fund is for JOY! A Fun Money Fund is a type of savings or checking account that we can all use tp build in spontaneity, impulse spending, or saving for that not totally necessary purchase that you know will feel good to you, without derailing your financial goals. As a financial therapist (and someone who’s been using this method in my own relat...

What even is a recession, and how can we prepare for one without spiraling? As a certified “Millennial who survived the Great Recession” and a financial therapist, I’ve got you. In this episode, I explain what a recession is (beyond just bad vibes), how they work, and how to take care of your emotional and financial well-being when the economy slows down. Chapters 0:00 Recession 1:43 What is a Rec...

Want to boycott but not sure how? You don’t have to go all-in to make a difference. This boycott guide covers what a boycott is, how to participate, ways to effect change beyond a full boycott, and how to protect yourself from boycott burnout. Corresponding blog: https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/blogandvideos/boycott-guide-vote-with-your-dollars Resources referenced: News Clips https://youtu.be/rn...

What New Year resolutions did you set at the beginning of the year? If improving your financial health was on your list, you’re in good company. “Improving financial health” was the second most common resolution for 2024, right behind physical health. But most resolutions don’t make it past February. And by “don’t make it,” I mean they quietly fade into the background as life takes over. Sound fam...

I've rounded up the top 10 moments that the Mind Money Balance audience loved! YouTube insights revealed my channel's most-watched and re-watched segments, which I'll share here. I love this round-up because it shows me exactly what my dear listeners enjoy the most. This year, the top moments ranged from definitions to actionable tips, but the overarching theme, in my opinion, was VALIDATION—the m...

Most Americans are carrying credit card debt, especially younger folks, like those in Gen Z, the Millennial Generation, and Gen X. In this episode, I’ll break down the three most common credit card traps and share actionable tips to help you avoid them. From overspending to falling for scams, I’ll teach you how to spot these pitfalls and protect your financial health. If you’ve ever felt stuck in...

There are four common credit card myths I need you to stop believing. If you believe these myths, you might negatively impact your credit score, pay unnecessary interest, or miss out on some of the perks (like travel hacking!) of responsible credit card usage. Listen for credit card facts so you can feel more better the next time you tap or swipe your card. Get the weekly Mind Money Balance newsle...

Feeling the pressure to overspend during the holidays? It's time to rethink the season with a focus on financial selfishness—putting your financial well-being first, guilt-free. In this episode, financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin explores how to navigate holiday spending in a way that protects your financial goals without sacrificing the joy of the season. You’ll learn why saying "no" to ove...

While the holiday season often brings pressure—whether from family, friends, or our own expectations—this episode breaks down strategies to set holiday boundaries, identify emotional spending triggers, and prevent unnecessary expenses. Learn how to manage internal and external pressures to overspend, from navigating gift exchanges to resisting the urge to go all-out on holiday decor. With insights...

A layoff or job loss can trigger an emotional rollercoaster, with feelings of shock, anger, sadness, or relief. Financial Therapist Lindsay shares that nearly half of Americans experience layoff anxiety, as recent statistics highlight the prevalence of layoffs due to cost-cutting measures and industry shifts. In this video, you'll learn that a job loss can evoke emotions similar to those exper...