El podcast de Erika Martinez Bastida

We don’t talk enough about how your partner’s income impacts your future. Not because you’re shallow, but because you’re ambitious. In this episode, Priya Malani unpacks the emotional and financial weight that income differences can bring into a relationship, especially for high-achieving 30-somethings. From carrying the financial momentum to feeling unsupported or unable to take risks, she makes...

What if your six-figure income, Roth IRA, and decent savings still aren’t giving you the clarity you want with your money? In this episode, Priya speaks directly to the high earners who are “winging it well” (doing fine on paper, but feeling low-key uncertain under the surface). She explains why traditional financial advice (like risk tolerance questionnaires and chasing market returns) misses the...

If you've ever looked at a startup job offer and thought, “This sounds exciting… but what does any of this actually mean?”, this episode is for you. Priya sits down with fintech veteran and former VC partner Liran Amrany to demystify startup equity. Together, they break down what you're being offered (ISOs, NSOs, RSUs, and more), how to evaluate the value of equity compensation, and the lifestyle...

You’ve probably wondered if AI can handle your finances. After all, it’s fast, smart, and knows how to crunch the numbers. But here’s the problem: money is personal, and algorithms don’t do personal. In this episode of The F. Word, Priya explains why your financial plan needs more than a robo-advisor and a risk slider. From navigating money baggage to prioritizing complex goals like home buying, I...

Your 30s aren't just another chapter, they're the turning point. This decade is when the most important financial decisions of your life are made, from who you choose as a partner to how you handle big expenses like kids, career pivots, or real estate. It’s also when your money habits either set you up for long-term wealth… or quietly sabotage it. In this episode, Priya breaks down why your 30s ma...

If your summer was full of unforgettable memories, but your credit card statement is now giving you anxiety, you’re not alone. In this episode, Priya walks you through how to recover from the summer-spending hangover without guilt, restriction, or financial punishment. She breaks down how to reset using your magic number, why most people don’t actually plan for seasonal spending, and how to bounce...

Think you’re bad with money? You’re not. You’ve just never had a system that works. In this episode of The F Word, Priya Malani breaks down why traditional budgeting is broken—and introduces reverse budgeting, a system that actually helps high earners get ahead. If you’re making six figures and still wondering where your money goes, this episode is your wake-up call. Whether you're tired of second...

Think financial planning is just about retirement accounts and cutting back? Think again. In this episode, Priya pulls back the curtain on what today’s high earners are really planning for and, spoiler alert, it’s not just a down payment and 401(k).From a post-breakup glow-up fund to a Dutch hot tub to sending your parents on a cruise, this is financial planning that actually reflects your real li...

You’ve got the job. The income. The apartment. Maybe even the mortgage. So why do you still feel behind? In this episode of The F Word, Priya unpacks one of the most common—and confusing—feelings shared by high earners: the nagging sense that no matter how much you make, it's still not enough. If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I make too much money to feel this out of control,” you are not...

Getting laid off can feel like the rug’s been pulled out from under you. Whether you’re in it now or just want to be prepared; this episode is here to help you navigate the financial side of a layoff with clarity, calm, and confidence. Priya Malani shares the steps to take right away, how to assess your runway, and ways to make this moment a powerful reset instead of a setback. If you've been hear...

Think budgeting is the answer to your financial stress? Think again. If you're crushing it in your career but still whispering “I don’t know what the f*ck I’m doing” when it comes to money—you’re not alone. And you’re not behind. In this episode, Priya Malani walks you through what actually moves the needle when you're starting from scratch with your finances. No budgeting apps, no shame—just a re...

If the stock market makes you break into hives, or worse, makes you feel like you should understand candlestick charts or pick the “right” stock—you’re not alone. But investing isn’t gambling. And it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In this episode, Priya breaks down the only three things you actually need to know to start investing with confidence. No CNBC. No stock tips. Just a clear, simple fra...

Forget budgeting apps and color-coded spreadsheets—there’s a better way to manage your money. In this episode of The F. Word, Priya Malani breaks down the one financial strategy that actually helps high earners spend guilt-free: the magic number. Learn how this simple but powerful system puts your savings on autopilot, eliminates decision fatigue, and finally gives your money a purpose. If you've...

If you and your partner are building a life together, why wouldn’t you be building one plan for your finances? In this episode of The F. Word, Priya Malani unpacks the hidden risks of having separate financial advisors in a committed relationship. She explains how disjointed strategies, conflicting advice, and misaligned money mindsets can quietly undermine your goals—and why working with one advi...

If you’ve ever felt torn between growing your wealth and doing good in the world, this episode is for you. In The F. Word’s breakdown of ESG and SRI investing, Priya Malani unpacks why socially responsible investing sounds great in theory, but often falls apart in practice. From greenwashing and inflated fees to the surprising overlap between ESG funds and the S&P 500, she shares what’s really...

“You’re throwing money away on rent.” Sound familiar? In this episode of The F. Word, Priya Malani debunks one of the most persistent financial myths out there: that buying a home is always smarter than renting. She breaks down why renting isn’t just okay, it might actually be the better financial move, depending on your goals, lifestyle, and timing. From real numbers to real horror stories (hello...

In this episode of The F. Word, Priya Malani pulls back the curtain on what actually counts as valuable financial advice and how to spot the red flags that too many high earners ignore. From hidden fees to outdated investment strategies to insurance salespeople disguised as “wealth managers,” Priya breaks down what you should expect from a real financial partner—and why just managing your investme...

Let’s be honest - no one really wants to say they want to be rich. It feels cringe. Out of touch. Kind of… gross. But wealthy? That hits different. In this episode of The F. Word, Priya Malani breaks down the real difference between being rich and being wealthy, and why high-earning 30-somethings are done chasing flashy status and instead want freedom, clarity, and control. If you’re making good m...

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m too risk-averse to invest,” this one’s for you. In this episode of The F. Word, Priya Malani breaks down one of the biggest myths in personal finance: that investing is inherently risky. Spoiler: it’s only risky if you’re doing it wrong. Priya explains the difference between investing and gambling, why long-term investing is actually perfect for the risk-averse, and ho...

What exactly is a financial plan—and why does it matter so much more than most people think? Priya Malani kicks off a new Q&A series by unpacking the real purpose of financial planning. It’s not about spreadsheets, restriction, or being “good with money”—it’s about building a life you’re excited to live, with your money fully aligned to support it. From practical strategies to wild-but-true cl...

For high-achieving 30-somethings, the word "rich" often feels loaded—tied to guilt, judgment, or outdated ideas of success. Instead, Priya reframes the conversation around building wealth—not just in terms of money, but in terms of freedom, clarity, and intentional living. She unpacks why “rich” feels performative, while wealthy feels personal—and why that shift in mindset might be the key to fina...

In this episode of The F Word, Priya Malani tackles the financial anxiety surrounding tariffs and market volatility—without the jargon. She draws a powerful parallel between lane-switching in traffic and panic-driven investing, reminding listeners that reaction isn’t always strategy. Through real examples from 2008, COVID, and previous tariff scares, Priya breaks down why staying invested—especial...

In this episode, Priya Malani is joined by marital attorney Ian Steinberg for a candid conversation about prenups: what they are, what they aren’t, and why they matter more than you think. More than just legal protection, prenups are a tool for clarity, communication, and financial partnership. Especially when caregiving roles, debt, or business interests are involved. If you think prenups are onl...

Priya Malani shares the story of Ava and Matteo, a high-earning couple navigating the emotional side of merging their finances. Their journey reveals the deeper fears that often hold people back - like losing control, repeating family money mistakes, or simply not knowing where to start. Through their experience, Priya explores how financial intimacy is built not by spreadsheets, but by trust, tra...

Most couples default to splitting expenses in a way that feels fair—but is actually setting them up for financial tension. In this episode, Priya Malani breaks down the exact system couples should use to manage their money smoothly and effectively. She debunks the most common (but flawed) approaches, like proportional expense splitting, and explains why a winning financial system is about teamwork...