The Mr MoneyJar Show

Rotimi Merriman-Johnson

Welcome to the Mr MoneyJar Show, a weekly podcast hosted by Rotimi Merriman-Johnson.

  1. Sep 26

    Will The UK Ever Have A Black Prime Minister? - Former Adviser to the Mayor of London - Johnson Situ

    Will the UK ever have a Black Prime Minister? Why did only 55% of Black Brits vote in the 2024 general election? And what does meaningful political representation really look like? In this episode of The Mr MoneyJar Show, I sit down with my good friend Johnson Situ, a former London borough councillor, mayoral advisor, and diplomatic strategist, to discuss the UK political landscape and the issues shaping the future of the Black British community. We explore political disengagement, policy-led representation, the cost-of-living crisis, digital IDs, and the potential of UK-Nigeria trade deals. Johnson shares his perspective on how the Black British community can take up space at decision-making tables, influence policy, and build lasting, systemic Black wealth. We also discuss whether the UK needs a Black British political party, the role of the African diaspora in West Africa's economic future, and what it would take for the UK to have its first Black Prime Minister. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:54 - Meeting Johnson Situ 02:42 - The story behind Johnson's name 04:00 - Why Johnson became a Labour councillor 06:19 - Do we need a Black British political party? 08:59 - PocketSmith Sponsor Message 10:06 - Why representation must be backed by policy 12:34 - Why only 55% of Black Brits voted in 2024 15:52 - How everyday citizens can enact real policy changes 19:58 - Johnson's perspective on digital ID systems 22:17 - Should government cater to minorities or the majority? 23:53 - Evaluating the UK government's current performance 26:36 - Redefining economic growth beyond standard GDP 32:14 - Unpacking the £750M UK-Nigeria trade deal 36:12 - Highlighting the economic potential of West Africa 37:52 - The role of the diaspora: stay or go back home? 42:52 - Will we see a Black British Prime Minister soon? 44:56 - Encouraging the next generation to enter politics 47:12 - Final thoughts: What Black wealth means THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY POCKETSMITH Get 50% OFF your first two months of PocketSmith's Foundation or Flourish plans. Sign up here: http://www.pocketsmith.com/mrmoneyjar FOLLOW THE MR MONEYJAR SHOW Instagram: https://instagram.com/themrmoneyjarshow Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-mr-moneyjar-show/id1559725838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4iO5j7VoYYkEemyleLnu00 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@themrmoneyjarshow X: https://x.com/themrmoneyjarshow YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshow Website: https://mrmoneyjar.com If you enjoyed this episode, please LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to The Mr MoneyJar Show for more conversations about money, wealth, politics, and the issues shaping our future.

  2. Sep 18

    Give Me An Hour, And I'll Teach You Everything I Know About Digital Marketing - Narada McKoy

    In this episode, I sit down with my long-time friend and founder of Bravada Marketing, Narada. Having known each other for 14 years since our South London school days, it was fantastic to catch up on his 15-year career in advertising and his 8-year journey scaling a brand-first digital marketing agency. Narada breaks down how digital agencies charge, the realities of the attention economy, and why he firmly believes every entrepreneur should spend time in a 9-to-5 before launching a business. We also dive into hiring strategies, raising a family, and why social capital is the true backbone of Black wealth.TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Intro01:53 - Meeting Narada and Bravada Marketing02:26 - What a digital marketing agency does03:38 - Navigating the changing high street04:38 - How digital marketing agencies charge clients07:01 - Top advice for starting an agency09:13 - PocketSmith Sponsor Message10:17 - Why working a 9-to-5 first matters12:48 - Is university necessary in the 21st century?16:21 - The hardest part of scaling: hiring teams21:39 - What entrepreneurs must understand about money25:06 - Balancing family life and running a business27:53 - Raising children amid cost of living pressures29:11 - Does the UK government support parents enough?32:30 - Comparing private, grammar, and state schools37:49 - Perspectives on homeschooling in the modern era39:30 - Reconnecting with Jamaican cultural heritage40:26 - Investing early through Junior ISAs42:21 - What they don't tell you about aging47:31 - Potential UK social media bans for under-16s48:56 - Future outlooks for business and family50:42 - Final thoughts: What Black wealth meansFOLLOWThe Mr MoneyJar ShowInstagram: instagram.com/themrmoneyjarshowApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-mr-moneyjar-show/id1559725838Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4iO5j7VoYYkEemyleLnu00TikTok: tiktok.com/@themrmoneyjarshowX: x.com/themrmoneyjarshowYouTube: youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshowWebsite: https://mrmoneyjar.comIf you enjoyed this week's episode, please SUBSCRIBE:https://www.youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshow---Thank you to this week's sponsor PocketSmith!To get 50% OFF your first two months of PocketSmith’s Foundation or Flourish plans, go to: http://www.pocketsmith.com/mrmoneyjar

  3. Sep 10

    How I Built A £385,000 Net Worth In Tech Sales - Tatiana DeSouza

    Of course — here’s the revised version with the PocketSmith sponsor section moved to the very end. EPISODE SUMMARY What does it really take to build financial independence and Black wealth in the UK? In this episode of The Mr MoneyJar Show, I sit down with tech sales account manager and content creator Tatiana (Tatiana Mummy) to unpack her incredible journey from working a paper round at age 14 to earning £165k and building a net worth of £385k. Tatiana shares how she plans to save £100,000 in 2026, why she prioritises maxing out her Stocks & Shares ISA, and what led her to spend £70k on an 18-month career sabbatical. We also dive into negotiating corporate salaries, navigating classism in the UK job market, the differences between UK and US earning opportunities, and why building Black wealth should ultimately be about freedom — not just looking wealthy. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro02:11 - Meeting Tatiana and her role02:45 - The £100k savings goal explained03:04 - Growing up in Zimbabwe and moving to the UK06:54 - PocketSmith Sponsor Message07:55 - Going from paper rounds to £165k10:37 - Pivoting from banking to strategy consulting12:40 - Transitioning into high-earning tech sales14:40 - The art of negotiating salary increases16:14 - Breaking down a £46k net paycheck18:52 - Paying rent to parents as adults20:19 - Why aim to save £100,000 yearly?22:58 - Revealing my full £385k net worth25:48 - What my ISA is invested in28:34 - Putting £2,900 monthly into my pension30:32 - Why I don't own property yet34:04 - Spending £70k on a sabbatical38:49 - Comparing UK vs US income opportunities41:42 - Is £100k really that much money?48:10 - Three luxury experiences I spend on51:26 - Reflecting on Black British media culture58:56 - How my faith influences my wealth1:01:22 - Final thoughts: What Black wealth means FOLLOW THE MR MONEYJAR SHOW Instagram:instagram.com/themrmoneyjarshow TikTok:tiktok.com/@themrmoneyjarshow X:x.com/themrmoneyjarshow YouTube:youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshow LISTEN TO THE SHOW Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-mr-moneyjar-show/id1559725838 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4iO5j7VoYYkEemyleLnu00 WEBSITE https://mrmoneyjar.com If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE to The Mr MoneyJar Show and turn on notifications so you don't miss the next episode! SPONSORED BY POCKETSMITH Thank you to this week's sponsor, PocketSmith! Get 50% OFF your first two months of PocketSmith's Foundation or Flourish plans: http://www.pocketsmith.com/mrmoneyjar

  4. Sep 3

    They Lied To Us About African Traditional Religion! (Why We're Not Christian) - Adechie Atelier

    EPISODE SUMMARY Few conversations have left me feeling as seen as this one with Adwoa and Solomon, the creative force behind Adeite Atelier. As artists and educators, they share how European colonialism systematically replaced West African spiritual systems with Abrahamic religions. We explore the psychological impact of white religious iconography, compare binary concepts of heaven and hell to cyclical ancestral beliefs, and discuss what it takes to navigate a joint artistic business as a couple. Together, we unpack their vision for decolonising faith, celebrating Black love, and reclaiming our cultural identity through art. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:24 - Meeting Adwoa and Solomon 02:48 - How a university art exhibition brought them together 04:43 - Starting Adeite Atelier and painting on one canvas 06:22 - Killing the ego in a joint creative partnership 08:08 - The link between colonialism and Abrahamic religions in Africa 10:13 - The psychological impact of white religious iconography 13:04 - PocketSmith Sponsor Message 14:07 - Why traditional African spirituality is heavily stigmatised 15:44 - Comparing binary heaven and hell to cyclical life systems 19:23 - The ancestral meaning behind names like Babatunde 21:52 - Deconstructing why Adam and Eve are depicted as white 25:24 - Discussing traditional African religions without family backlash 30:41 - Exploring the supreme Akan deity Nyame 33:10 - Understanding Yoruba Ifá spirituality and the Orishas 37:25 - Finding room for modern science within ancient belief systems 41:16 - Codified sun worship in early human history 45:35 - Debunking myths around superstition and witchcraft 49:51 - Re-imagining a contextual future for global spirituality 55:25 - The importance of displaying authentic Black love online 58:30 - How men can actively support Black women's natural hair journeys 1:01:44 - Final thoughts: What Black wealth means --- FOLLOW The Mr MoneyJar Show - Instagram: https://instagram.com/themrmoneyjarshow - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-mr-moneyjar-show/id1559725838 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4iO5j7VoYYkEemyleLnu00 - TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@themrmoneyjarshow - X: https://x.com/themrmoneyjarshow - YouTube: https://youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshow - Website: https://mrmoneyjar.com If you enjoyed this week's episode, please subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshow --- Thank you to this week's sponsor PocketSmith! To get 50% OFF your first two months of PocketSmith’s Foundation or Flourish plans, go to: http://www.pocketsmith.com/mrmoneyjar

  5. Aug 13

    From FOSTER Care To Oxfam GB Deputy CEO! - Joyce Idoniboye

    EPISODE SUMMARY In this inspiring episode, host Rotimi Merriman-Johnson sits down with Joyce Idoniboye, the Chief People Officer and Deputy CEO of Oxfam GB. Joyce reflects on her transformative journey growing up in the UK's private foster care system and how those early challenges built her unwavering resilience and emotional intelligence. The conversation delves into the realities of corporate ladder climbing for Black women, the psychological toll of code switching, overcoming deep-seated imposter syndrome, and why true leadership means expanding the table for others to create lasting Black wealth. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro01:50 - Meeting Joyce Idoniboye02:18 - Stepping up as Acting CEO of Oxfam GB04:41 - Growing up in the private foster care system07:31 - Navigating systemic racial defects in Britain10:07 - PocketSmith Sponsor Message11:20 - Why wearing an afro to work is 1,000% intentional12:56 - Essential career advice for climbing Black women14:44 - Unpacking code switching and survival in offices19:31 - The historical reality of private "farming" foster care22:53 - Developing hyper-vigilance to build career success26:34 - Why anti-racist principles attracted Joyce to Oxfam28:06 - Navigating a non-linear "jungle gym" career path33:10 - How to seek effective mentors from all backgrounds37:18 - Overcoming imposter syndrome by questioning the system39:28 - Seeking representation versus building new systems42:06 - Creating legacy and expanding access at top tables43:47 - Addressing the UK Black British wealth disparity stats47:28 - Final thoughts: What Black wealth means FOLLOW The Mr MoneyJar Show Instagram:instagram.com/themrmoneyjarshow Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-mr-moneyjar-show/id1559725838 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4iO5j7VoYYkEemyleLnu00 TikTok:tiktok.com/@themrmoneyjarshow X:x.com/themrmoneyjarshow YouTube:youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshow Website:https://mrmoneyjar.com If you enjoyed this week's episode, please SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshow

  6. Aug 6

    Your Money Means NOTHING If You Don't Have Your Health - Jeffrey Boadi

    In this deeply personal and informative episode, host Rotimi Merriman-Johnson sits down with health and wellness expert, author, and father Jeffrey Boadi. Jeffrey shares his journey from aspiring professional footballer to adopting a plant-based diet and publishing his cookbook, Plant Fuel. The conversation delves into crucial men's health topics, including the 50% role men play in fertility, the importance of annual blood and sperm testing, and how to reduce microplastics in daily life. Jeffrey also speaks candidly about navigating grief after losing his first wife, finding love again, and building generational health and wealth. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:44 - Meeting Jeffrey Boadi 02:21 - Moving from sports to plant-based health 03:48 - What inspired the plant-based diet shift 04:49 - Addressing online health content creators 05:39 - Growing up in a Ghanaian household 07:18 - Reconnecting with Ghanaian heritage 08:35 - Family life and raising a daughter 09:56 - PocketSmith Sponsor Message 11:00 - Experiences at a UK boarding school 13:42 - Benefits of a plant-based diet 16:15 - Building a balanced nutritional power bowl 19:09 - Why tracking calories can be helpful 20:41 - Three daily habits for healthy dads 22:19 - Managing sleep deprivation as a parent 23:38 - Why men should test their sperm 26:54 - How home sperm testing kits work 28:46 - Reducing microplastics and improving fertility 29:54 - Key blood markers for annual checks 32:19 - Over-obsessing with health tracking data 35:49 - West African foods and proper nutrition 38:48 - Creating the Plant Fuel cookbook 41:03 - Navigating grief after losing a spouse 48:43 - Moving forward and finding love again 50:51 - Finding a partner who brings warmth 52:41 - The importance of faith and spirituality 54:25 - Why health is the ultimate wealth 56:29 - Final thoughts: What Black wealth means FOLLOW The Mr MoneyJar Show Instagram: instagram.com/themrmoneyjarshow Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-mr-moneyjar-show/id1559725838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4iO5j7VoYYkEemyleLnu00 TikTok: tiktok.com/@themrmoneyjarshow X: x.com/themrmoneyjarshow YouTube: youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshow Website: https://mrmoneyjar.com If you enjoyed this week's episode, please SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshow --- Thank you to this week's sponsor PocketSmith! To get 50% OFF your first two months of PocketSmith’s Foundation or Flourish plans, go to: http://www.pocketsmith.com/mrmoneyjar

  7. Jul 23

    Why Are BOYFRIENDS So Embarrassing? - Viral Columnist: Chanté Joseph

    In this incredible episode, host Rotimi Merriman-Johnson sits down with award-winning columnist, founder, and journalist Chanté Joseph. Chanté unpacks the cultural explosion behind her viral article, "Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now," diving deep into modern relationship vertigo, right-wing tradwife trends, and the global relationship recession driving down birth rates. The conversation explores the systemic rise of online misogyny, navigating corporate journalism as a Black British woman, the unique realities of living with inattentive ADHD, and how financial survival in the creative industries directly impacts modern Black wealth. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 00:40 - Origin of the viral "Embarrassing Boyfriends" column 01:29 - Navigating journalism as a Black British woman 02:51 - Growing up in a Black British Caribbean household 04:23 - The reality of political tension and right-wing resurgence 07:36 - Dissecting the systemic manipulation of modern policing statistics 08:21 - Why modern straight relationships feel embarrassing for women 09:40 - Deconstructing the political right's fixation on tradwives 11:21 - Connecting the relationship recession to low birth rates 12:23 - PocketSmith ad 13:08 - How global dating app ecosystems altered adult milestones 13:51 - Holding men accountable to challenge pervasive online misogyny 15:45 - The dangerous rise of fatalistic romantic nihilism online 17:34 - Why women are shifting toward political celibacy trends 18:46 - Seeking healthy masculine spaces beyond internet echo chambers 19:58 - Addressing the economic hyper-evaluation of modern dating culture 22:06 - Demanding better representations of Black British long-term coupledom 23:44 - Internal community dynamics vs superficial media representation benchmarks 25:45 - How housing scarcity completely dictates adult relationship structures 27:10 - Applying low-stakes "date zero" guidelines to meet equals 28:58 - Pinpointing hidden inattentive ADHD symptoms across adult women 30:12 - Energy management frameworks for neurodivergent career survival 31:46 - Financial strategies for self-employed creative industry workers 32:19 - Protecting independent incomes from shifting state platform legislation 33:13 - Shifting perspectives on SIPPs and long-term retirement planning 34:09 - Vital career advice for independent creative industry rookies 35:10 - Exploring childhood gaming subcultures and multi-generational console obsessions 38:17 - Final thoughts - What wealth means for creative legacy space FOLLOW The Mr MoneyJar Show Instagram: instagram.com/themrmoneyjarshow Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-mr-moneyjar-show/id1559725838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4iO5j7VoYYkEemyleLnu00 TikTok: tiktok.com/@themrmoneyjarshow X: x.com/themrmoneyjarshow YouTube: youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshow Website: https://mrmoneyjar.com If you enjoyed this week's episode, please SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshow Thank you to this week's sponsor PocketSmith! To get 50% OFF your first two months of PocketSmith's Foundation or Flourish plans, go to: http://www.pocketsmith.com/mrmoneyjar

  8. Jul 16

    Why 45% Of UK Adults Are Saving Zero For Retirement - UK Pensions Minister: Torsten Bell MP

    Thank you to this week's sponsor PocketSmith! To get 50% OFF your first two months of PocketSmith’s Foundation or Flourish plans, go to: http://www.pocketsmith.com/mrmoneyjar In this episode, host Rotimi Merriman-Johnson sits down with Torsten Bell, the UK Pensions Minister, to discuss the future of retirement savings in Britain. Moving beyond political talking points, Torsten explains how the State Pension and private pension systems work, and whether today's younger generations can expect the State Pension to be there when they retire. The conversation also explores the UK's biggest pension challenges, including the gender pension gap, wealth disparities across different ethnic groups, the success of automatic enrolment, and what more needs to be done to support self-employed workers. Torsten also explains the power of compound interest, how pensions have evolved over time, and why long-term saving remains one of the most effective ways to build financial security. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro01:10 - Explaining the role of the UK Pensions Minister01:40 - The history of State and private pensions02:45 - Qualifying for the full new State Pension03:42 - Will the State Pension survive for younger generations?05:07 - Future changes to the State Pension age07:14 - How the Triple Lock works09:10 - The history of pensioner poverty in the UK10:43 - Long-term sustainability and an ageing population13:00 - Debunking retirement income myths14:17 - The power of compound interest15:27 - Pension contribution rates across income levels17:44 - The success of automatic enrolment19:19 - Why the Pension Commission has returned20:37 - The self-employed pension crisis21:33 - Defined Benefit vs Defined Contribution pensions23:31 - Investing pension funds in UK assets25:03 - Wealth gaps across ethnic groups26:55 - Reducing inequality through pension policy28:50 - The UK's 50% private gender pension gap30:28 - How childcare affects retirement wealth31:40 - Junior SIPPs explained33:03 - Why you shouldn't rely on AI chatbots for financial advice34:46 - Managing concentration risk in technology investments36:23 - Accessing private pensions before State Pension age39:05 - Rebuilding trust in the pension system Follow The Mr MoneyJar Show Instagram: https://instagram.com/themrmoneyjarshowApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-mr-moneyjar-show/id1559725838Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4iO5j7VoYYkEemyleLnu00TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@themrmoneyjarshowX: https://x.com/themrmoneyjarshowYouTube: https://youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshowWebsite: https://mrmoneyjar.com If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the channel and turn on notifications so you never miss a new conversation. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@themrmoneyjarshow

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Welcome to the Mr MoneyJar Show, a weekly podcast hosted by Rotimi Merriman-Johnson.

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