Living Not So Fabulously

What happens when your 401(k) is funding companies that clash with your core values? In this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, Kylelane Purcell and Ben Vivari, co-founders of Till Investors, expose how everyday portfolios can bankroll oil, tobacco, and weapons without you realizing it. They unpack why companies are quietly leaving DEI, and the surprising religious roots of sustainable investing...

Breaking barriers as a Black, openly gay voice in American media, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and MSNBC anchor Jonathan Capehart brings his story of resilience and identity to Living Not So Fabulously. He reflects on how childhood financial struggles and his mother's push for education shaped his outlook on money, privilege, and opportunity. Capehart's new memoir, "Yet Here I Am," explores p...

How does politics directly impact your wallet? In part one of this two-part episode of Living Not So Fabulously, journalist Jonathan Capehart connects equality to economic insecurity. From the Supreme Court’s review of Obergefell v. Hodges and its potential to unravel financial protections for same-sex couples, to the hidden costs of drafting contracts and legal documents if marriage rights are ro...

From their early days on the Disney Channel to dancing with Missy Elliot, child actor, author, and advocate Alyson Stoner reveals the hidden costs of a career in entertainment. On this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, Stoner says publicist retainers, glam teams, and voice lessons often outweigh earnings. They expose the illusion of celebrity wealth, the industry’s reliance on unpaid labor and...

In this eye-opening anniversary episode of Living Not So Fabulously, hosts John and David Auten-Schneider explore why so many Americans, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, are financially unprepared, how personal money stories shape financial behavior, and what real solutions exist. From failed 401(k)s to hidden discrimination in housing and banking, this episode gives practical advice and the fi...

What do you get when a pastor trades the pulpit for the stock market? A millionaire with a mission. In this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, Lewis Crompton shares how witnessing his parents’ pension shrinks inspired him to chase financial freedom through swing trading. With just 30 minutes a day and a Wi-Fi connection, he built a global business and diversified into real estate and small ventu...

The venture capital system has big blind spots, and Catherine Gray, angel investor, filmmaker, and founder of She Angel Investors, reveals what they are.  With women and LGBTQ founders receiving a sliver of VC funding, Gray says community, storytelling, and mission-aligned capital CAN flip the script. Gray tells John and David Auten-Schneider how aligning values with investment builds wealth and p...

Understanding how the flow of money can unlock both personal freedom and community power can be life-changing. That’s what Shamina Singh, president of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, reveals to John and David Auten-Schneider on “Living Not So Fabulously.” Singh says being raised by Indian immigrants and grounded in Sikh values of service helped her pivot from a career in politics to a...

What does a WNBA star know about money? Turns out, everything! Former pro basketball player and championship coach Vicki Hall reveals how personal tragedy, bad financial advice, and a pay gap in women’s sports sparked her second act—as a trusted financial adviser. Vicki Hall opens up to John and David Auten-Schneider about budgeting as an athlete, the realities of being LGBTQ+ in coaching, and why...

Though the legendary "Project Runway" mentor Tim Gunn needs little introduction, his story does. Gunn wasn't always the celebrity we know him to be today; he was a career educator for 29 years. Gunn shared with Living Not So Fabulously hosts David & John Auten-Schneider that teaching is more of a calling than a job. He identified as a ‘pauper educator,’ with more of a focus on serving students tha...

From growing up stealth in a conservative town to making history, trailblazing transgender activist, model, and writer Corey Rae—the world’s first openly trans prom queen—talks to hosts John and David Auten-Schneider about navigating her transition as a teen. She shares insights into the financial realities of transitioning, including costs that reached almost $100,000. Corey also gives practical...

Money, success, and starting over. From growing up in a segregated neighborhood in Baton Rouge to earning $5 an hour in his first media job, Emmy Award-winning journalist Don Lemon shares how his earliest financial lessons shaped his views on wealth, self-worth, and ambition. Don opens up to David and John Auten-Schneider about the myth of media money, the reality of lifestyle creep, and how homeo...

Dive into the dollars, decisions, and deeper meaning behind World Pride DC 2025 with Ryan Bos, executive director of Capital Pride Alliance. From glitter-filled celebrations to seven-figure budgets, we’ll break down what it really takes to organize one of the largest LGBTQ+ events in the world. Through the lens of Pride, protest, and personal finance, this episode of Living Not So Fabulously blend...

In this candid and emotional interview, actor and writer Jen Tullock opens up about the deeply personal intersections of financial trauma, queerness, and healing.  Jen tells hosts David & John Auten-Schneider how growing up in an emotional and cultural chaos environment shaped her early relationship with money.  Tullock reveals how she hit financial rock bottom - but also gives great insight, emph...

In this episode of "Living Not So Fabulously," John and David speak with Patrick Hinds, podcaster, author, and fabulous storyteller. He reveals his raw and relatable life about money, mistakes, and reinvention. Best known as the voice behind "True Crime Obsessed" and "The Golden Girls Deep Dive," Patrick opens up about growing up with very little, being raised by a newly out gay mom, and learning...

In this episode of "Living Not So Fabulously," John and David speak with Vicky and Charisse Pasche, founders of the clothing brand Dapper Boi. In pursuit of their dreams to start a line of fashionable gender-neutral clothing, Vicky and Charisse took drastic measures: raising cash on Kickstarter, pitching their business on 'Shark Tank,' and even selling their home. Now, with their business continui...

In this episode of "Living Not So Fabulously," John and David speak with Barton Jackson, the executive director of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. After growing up in a small town, Barton moved to the big city of Seattle, where he changed his perspective on LGBTQ+ representation in the business world. Now with years of experience in banking and advocacy, Barton shares his insights on the ec...

In this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, John and David speak with financial coach and personal finance writer David Lester. Life wasn't always so fabulous for this financial guru, as some of the bets he made in his youth went sour and left him in a precarious place. Over time, he was able to bounce back and turn his experiences into valuable lessons. David discusses the allure (and risk) of o...

In this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, John and David speak with Brandon Aversano, the Founder and CEO of Alloy. After finding himself in a precarious financial state due to a testicular cancer diagnosis, Brandon resorted to selling off some of his family's gold. That moment of vulnerability turned into a business opportunity after Brandon created a fair and easy-to-use platform to sell prec...

In this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, John and David speak with non-binary visual artist and performer Vita Kari. Vita discusses how they turned creativity into income, forming brand partnerships and elevating the queer community through their popular social media accounts. Check out this episode to learn more about their surprising journey from pre-med to viral sensation, and to hear some...

In this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, John and David speak with David Collins, the creator of the "Queer Eye" series, about the origins of the show, its explosive success and the unexpected financial difficulties that followed. David's willingness to risk it all on his creative vision is still paying dividends today, and its influence is still strongly felt in the landscape of modern realit...

In this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, John and David speak with Amy Harclerode about the financial realities and myths surrounding nonprofit work, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Amy is someone who has successfully managed to "do good and stay smart," showing it's possible to lead with heart, serve the community, and still achieve financial stability. For full episodes of Living N...

Dominique Jackson joins John & David on Living Not So Fabulously for a raw and powerful conversation about resilience, success, and financial wisdom. From overcoming homelessness and immigration struggles to dominating the fashion and entertainment industries, Dominique shares how she built a life on her own terms. Plus, she opens up about avoiding lifestyle inflation, securing her future, and the...

In this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, John and David Auten-Schneider sit down with Mark Goldstein, Founder of the Where Do Gays Retire? Facebook group and podcast, to discuss the challenges and triumphs of finding the perfect LGBTQ+-friendly retirement destination. For full episodes of Living Not So Fabulously, listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on our website. Yahoo Finance'...

In this fabulous episode of Living Not So Fabulously, Brian Falduto — famously known as Fancy Pants from School of Rock — opens up about his journey from child star to country music sensation and certified life coach. With unapologetic authenticity, Brian shares how he turned personal challenges into powerful moments of growth and self-discovery. From navigating identity in the spotlight to using...