Money Musings with Stephanie Xenos

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm answering your questions about love and money — and you guys sent in some really good ones. We get into navigating money with a partner when you have different risk tolerances, how to tell the difference between intuition and old fear patterns firing up, why your money stories are quietly shaping how much wealth you actually allow yourself to have, and how to...

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm sharing the story of the time the IRS audited me — and how I fought back and won. It started with a big income drop when I retired at 32, which apparently gave the IRS the side eye. They came after my business expenses, said they never received my documentation (twice), and eventually kept my $10K tax refund. So I hired a lawyer, submitted everything one more...

What if you timed every financial decision to your cycle? In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how I do it — looking at the big-picture in your menstrual phase, all things strategy and learning in your follicular phase, negotiations and investment moves during ovulation, and checking off financial to-dos (plus cutting what's not working) in your luteal phase. It started with Fast Like a Girl...

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm responding to Elon Musk's quote: "don't worry about saving for retirement, it won't matter" and sharing why I actually think money is going to matter more than ever, in the next five years, as AI and robotics converge to reshape the economy and job market as we know it. I walk through how I'm repositioning my own finances right now: prioritizing liquidity, shi...

In this episode of Money Musings, I share one of the biggest personal milestones of my financial journey — the call I got to make to my mom telling her she has enough money to retire. I talk through how I grew her portfolio from $100K to nearly half a million, why I chose a more aggressive strategy on her behalf, and why I'm comfortable drawing down 6–7% before her Social Security kicks in at 70....

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm sharing a wild, real-time experience navigating my first IPO — and what it taught me about planning, psychology, and the power of investing in a Roth IRA. With a SpaceX IPO potentially on the horizon after 16 years of holding shares, I'm using every opportunity to stress test my strategy, and this week handed me exactly that through the Fundrise Innovation Fun...

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm sitting down with my friend and co-conspirator Ayla Wayman to talk about something we haven't shared publicly yet: the Money Muse Retreat in Greece. This one feels different from anything I've done before, and honestly, it's been quietly brewing since the day I named this business. We're talking about why this moment in the world feels so pivotal, how my defin...

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm getting into one of my favorite, least favorite topics: real estate. Everyone's been sold the idea that it's the ultimate passive income play, but if you talk to anyone who actually owns rental property, they'll tell you the truth. Real passive income means no ongoing decisions and no mental load, and most real estate simply doesn't qualify. I break down how I...

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm getting fired up about 401(k)s and why so many of them are quietly working against you. After helping one of my best friends set up her account, I was reminded of all the ways these plans are designed to benefit the provider, not you—from hidden fees that can cost you a third of your wealth over time to confusing interfaces that push you toward expensive under...

In this episode of Money Musings , I'm sharing a raw, unplanned story about how I went from hurt and anger to pure joy in 48 hours. A close friend and mentor challenged my expertise on investing fees in a way that felt dismissive, triggering old wounds from being underestimated as a woman in finance. I walk through the conversation about how traditional advisors can quietly take half your money ov...

In this episode of Money Musings , I'm ditching the planned market talk to share what I'm actually sensing right now—that we're in the middle of a massive shift. I just got back from Mexico where I spent a week with people who are both crushing it in business AND doing deep spiritual work, and it completely activated something in me. Meanwhile, the world feels like it's being shaken up faster than...

In this episode of Money Musings , I'm walking you through every side hustle, unconventional job, and strategic money move I've made since I was 14 years old. From working strawberry fields and retail to tutoring, egg donation, and credit card optimization, I've built wealth through resourcefulness and intentional action. This episode isn't about a linear path to success, it's about the real, mess...

In this first episode of Money Musings with Stephanie Xenos , I’m sharing the mindset, energy, and decisions that shaped my relationship with money and independence. I talk about growing up without financial security, investing young, and how I built discipline around earning, and growing wealth. That path carried me through a career in physics, working at NASA and SpaceX and ultimately creating a...

In this episode of Money Musings with Stephanie Xenos , I’m sharing a transparent look at what I invested in during 2025 and how my approach to investing has shifted over time. I reflect on my early days as a new investor, the foundation I’ve built through long-term investing, and why this year felt different as market uncertainty, AI growth, and economic pressure increased. I focus on how experie...

In this episode of Money Musings , I’m talking about something that feels vulnerable, nuanced, and honestly a little edgy for a money podcast: energetics and feminine wealth. I share my own realization that while I could earn, save, and invest with ease, I struggled to receive, to feel deserving, and to actually enjoy the wealth I was building. This conversation is for the women who are discipline...

In this episode of Money Musings , I’m sharing exactly how I would rebuild my wealth if I lost everything and had to start from zero. Financial independence isn’t about luck or being a unicorn, it comes down to discipline, focus, and making intentional decisions over and over again. Living within your means and investing in your education are the baseline requirements for building real wealth and...

A sneak peak at Money Musings with Stephanie Xenos - the podcast that breaks down money, investing, and wealth-building with zero BS and unapologetic irreverence. Hosted by retired rocket scientist turned investing mentor Stephanie Xenos, this is where women come to elevate their money and mindset. From hot takes on market trends to the energetics behind wealth creation, Steph’s here to make you s...