The Financial Therapy Podcast - It's Not Just About The Money

Have you ever had a breakthrough about money that felt like it changed everything—only to find yourself slipping right back into the same patterns days later? You’re not alone. In this video, Rick Kahler shares why those “aha” moments don’t always stick and what the latest brain science reveals about making lasting change. Drawing on insights from Unlocking the Emotional Brain , Rick explains how...

Rick Kahler and Partha Iyengar dive into a heartfelt conversation about creating brave spaces to explore money, culture, and personal growth. From Mumbai to the world, Partha shares powerful insights about financial freedom, the contradictions in money worship, and the emotional stories that shape our financial behaviors. With passion, a big heart, and boundless energy, Partha inspires us to think...

Long before he became a miser, Scrooge was a lonely boy left behind at boarding school—forgotten, unwanted, and emotionally starved. In this IFS-informed exploration, Rick traces how those early wounds formed exiled parts burdened with shame and abandonment, which in turn gave rise to the controlling, isolated adult we meet in A Christmas Carol . Scrooge’s obsession with money, his cold demeanor,...

In this episode, Rick dives into the evolving and sometimes murky intersection of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and financial coaching, raising critical questions about where the line is drawn between coaching and therapy. He explores the growing interest in using IFS-informed language and concepts—like parts work—in coaching settings, even as concerns mount about untrained coaches inadvertently w...

Merging finances as a couple isn’t just about numbers—it’s about navigating emotions, values, and long-held money beliefs. Many financial planners aren’t trained to handle the dynamics of couples’ financial decision-making, which can lead to unresolved conflicts and misaligned goals. But some advisors are embracing skills from financial therapy and conflict resolution to better support couples in...

In this sobering yet grounding episode, Rick Kahler explores what it means to be a financial planner—and a human being—when the economic and social fundamentals we've long relied on begin to feel unstable. From tariffs and a declining dollar to fractured alliances and shifting client fears, Rick unpacks how historical echoes and present-day signals are asking us to lead differently. This isn’...

This 15-minute meditation guides you through a gentle, reflective process of exploring and understanding the inner parts of yourself that hold various money scripts. By inviting these parts to unblend and share their perspectives, you can connect with them from a place of curiosity and compassion. The meditation helps you uncover the origins, hopes, and fears behind these beliefs while fostering g...

Rick continues his Internal Financial Systems™ series by exploring new dimensions of our money parts, including those tied to awareness, generosity, shame, and control. From the meticulous Accountant and the solution-focused Problem-Solver to the avoidant Ostrich and the self-sacrificing Over-Giver, these parts reveal the complexity of our financial behaviors. Rick also uncovers how polarizations,...

Rick launches his new series on Internal Financial Systems™ , revealing the key players within us that shape our money habits. By uncovering these internal voices—like the thrill-seeking Spender or security-driven Saver—you’ll gain the insight needed to make meaningful behavioral changes and achieve true financial wellness. This journey of self-discovery can help you balance conflicting priorities...

Ever feel torn between saving and spending? That internal dialogue reveals so much more than you think! Rick Kahler explores how Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) can transform your relationship with money. By understanding the “parts” of you—like the risk-taker, the cautious planner, and even the inner child—you can uncover the stories behind your financial decisions and start healing old pat...

What’s the one thing you’ve always longed to hear from your parents? Gayle Colman suggests it’s not advice or instructions but something much deeper—a simple acknowledgment of love and connection. In this conversation, Rick Kahler explores the idea of “last love letters,” a powerful practice that goes beyond estate planning to nurture relationships and create a lasting emotional legacy. These lett...

When the check arrives at a group dinner, the reactions can be as varied as the personalities at the table. Rick Kahler and Enneagram expert Joan Ryan explore how different types approach this everyday financial moment. Whether it’s a Type Two offering to pay to foster connection, a Type Five calculating their exact share, or a Type Seven suggesting “Let’s split it and move on,” these responses re...

Why do some people save every penny while others spend like there’s no tomorrow? The answer may lie in your Enneagram type. Rick Kahler and Enneagram expert Joan Ryan unpack the emotional drivers behind our financial habits, from the cautious saving of Type Sixes to the thrill-seeking spending of Type Sevens. This episode highlights how understanding your personality can transform the way you appr...

Our financial choices aren’t just about dollars and cents—they’re shaped by the stories we believe about money, called money scripts. In this video, Rick Kahler explores how these scripts, passed down through generations, influence everything from saving to spending. Joined by Enneagram expert Joan Ryan, the conversation delves into how personality types add a fascinating layer to our financial ha...

Rick Kahler uses a vivid boardroom metaphor to show how clashing internal financial parts of you, like a strict Project Manager, cautious Risk Manager, and bold Entrepreneur—can create chaos in your financial life. Without your calm, capable CEO (the Self) leading, these parts clash, leading to stress and indecision. This episode explores how to identify these financial “managers,” understand thei...

Rick Kahler is joined by Saundra Davis, a leader in financial coaching and the director of Golden Gate University’s Financial Planning Program, to explore how Internal Family Systems (IFS) and coaching are revolutionizing the financial planning profession. Saundra shares her inspiring journey from traditional financial planning to a behavior-focused approach, offering practical insights on using I...

Join Rick, a pioneer in financial therapy, as he explores the promising horizon for this evolving field. This episode delves into the integration of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, a transformative approach to understanding the emotional 'parts' influencing financial behavior, and the role of AI in reshaping therapeutic practices while keeping the human connection at the forefro...

Financial therapy is a deeply personal journey that uncovers the emotional patterns behind your financial decisions. By exploring your childhood money beliefs and addressing emotional blocks like fear or trauma, you'll gain insight into the unconscious behaviors that may be holding you back. Using tools like money script exercises, journaling, and mindfulness, you can reshape your relationshi...

This episode dives into the unique world of financial therapy, where professionals bring together personal finance and emotional well-being. Whether they’re dual-credentialed as Certified Financial Planners and Certified Financial Therapists or experts in money-related trauma, the key is finding the right fit for you. We'll share how to navigate through the haystack to find a financial therap...

In our first podcast episode, 183 episodes ago, we introduced financial therapy as a groundbreaking blend of emotional insight and financial strategy. But has the field evolved since then? In this multi-part series, we revisit the core principles of financial therapy and explore how the practice has changed—and how it hasn't. From the rise of new tools and research to shifts in client needs a...

In this episode, I’m sharing a hard lesson I learned about travel insurance—one that cost me thousands of dollars and a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Arctic for my 30th wedding anniversary. Like many of you, I thought I understood what my travel insurance covered, but as it turns out, I didn’t read the fine print closely enough. A mechanical flight delay resulted in us missing the cruise, and the...

If we were driven purely by logic, coffee shops wouldn’t stand a chance. But let's be real—habits, emotions, and convenience keep us coming back for that daily cappuccino. In this video, we break down the financial side of making coffee at home (hint: the savings are big) and take a closer look at why, even with the math on your side, you’re still hitting up your favorite café. Let’s explore...

In this episode, we explore why $1 million today doesn’t hold the same power as it did in the past. Did you know it would take $18 million in today's dollars to match the purchasing power of a 1929 millionaire? We dive into cognitive biases like money illusion, anchoring, and status quo bias, explaining why so many people still cling to the notion of wealth that no longer applies. Learn how i...

In this podcast episode, we're diving into the critical role that emotional intelligence (EQ) plays in your financial success. Understanding and managing your emotions is key to making smart money decisions, and we're here to help you assess where you stand. We’ll explore ten definitive ways to evaluate your EQ, from recognizing emotions, emotional regulation, relationship health, and ha...

Discover the surprising emotional journey behind senior discounts in this episode, where we unravel the mix of pride, resistance, guilt, and even shame that often accompany these perks of aging. Why do some seniors hesitate to claim what they’ve earned? How do societal views on aging influence these feelings? And how can we shift our perspective to see these discounts as a well-deserved reward for...