P$yFi | Psychological Finance

The Redstone Rocket

P$y-Fi is the podcast where psychology and finances collide. Host Olivia Pierce, M.S., LPC, AFC® — a licensed professional counselor, Accredited Financial Counselor® and financial readiness program manager at Redstone Arsenal — explores the mental and emotional patterns behind how we earn, spend, save, give and grieve money. Episodes range from multi-part deep dives on financial intimacy in marriages, financial wounds and money as a weapon, compulsive spending and the mental health toll of debt — to interviews with attorneys, clinicians and financial planners who speak honestly into the messier corners of life: estate planning, raising financially literate kids, distress tolerance and the quiet decisions that compound over a career. Built for federal employees, military families and anyone tired of hearing personal finance reduced to a budgeting app. No clickbait. No get-rich-quick. Just the unglamorous, deeply human work of changing how you think about money. Views shared on P$y-Fi are Olivia's own and do not represent the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense. New episodes drop every other week. Subscribe wherever you listen, and if an episode helps you breathe a little easier, leave a rating. It's how more people stuck in the same rut find their way here. *The information provided in this podcast does not constitute a formal endorsement of any company, its products, or services by the military. Specifically, the appearance or use of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the military of the linked websites, or the information, products, or services contained therein. The military does not exercise any editorial control over the content you may find in these resources. The intent is to provide informative material to assist Soldiers and their families in identifying or exploring multiple options.

  1. Aug 13

    Finfluencers, Lawfluencers, and AI: Are You Consumer Aware? Part 2

    In this second installment, host Olivia and Legal Assistance Attorney Emily Baggett explore how finfluencer and lawfluencer culture directly impacts military members and civilians alike. The discussion highlights the dangers of trusting "barracks lawyers" and "watercooler advisors" for complex matters like the Blended Retirement System, security clearances, and estate planning. Olivia shares a personal story of childhood swing-set FOMO to illustrate how easily emotional comparisons can drive impulsive debt, from low- to high-income families. Emily emphasizes crucial legal protections like the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Military Lending Act, which are often missed by generic online advice. They also expose the limitations of artificial intelligence in drafting legal documents, noting how agencies like DFAS will reject powers of attorney that lack precise, specific terminology. Special attention is given to the unique financial hurdles that generic AI prompts and algorithms fail to comprehend. Ultimately, the episode reminds listeners that true financial readiness requires the AI triangle of value: combining data with human judgment and professional action. Find a Personal Financial CounselorMilitary OneSourceMilitary Consumer For all Consumers: Consumer Financial Protection BureauFINRA Broker CheckBarred BrokersCheck Out Your Investment ProfessionalAlabama Bar Attorney LookupAll Other Attorney States

  2. Jul 16

    The Rise of Problem Gambling: When Play Becomes Pain, Part 2

    Olivia takes a deeper dive into the gambler’s mindset and the dangerous ‘cognitive conversion’ of real money into gambling money. Olivia reviews the latest National Survey on Gambling Attitudes to identify key risk predictors, including online access and frequent sports betting. This episode highlights the severe collateral damage to families, revealing how gambling often intertwines with domestic and economic abuse. For our Department of War audience, we outline how gambling-related debt directly threatens security clearances. https://responsibleplay.org https://winningbackmylife.com For Redstone Arsenal employees: Book a Financial Session with Olivia For geographically separated military members: Find a Personal Financial Counselor For DoW Civilians not attached to Redstone Arsenal, contact your Employee Assistance Program More Resources: National Problem Gambling Helpline 1-800-MY-RESET Crisis Text Line Text "HOME" to 741741 Gamblers Anonymous 12-step support for individuals. https://gamblersanonymous.org/ Gam-Anon Support for friends and family members: www.gam-anon.org Veteran/Military Crisis Lifeline Call 988 or text 838255 Military OneSource Confidential help for eligible service members and their families. 800-342-9647 Previous Episodes Mentioned: Compulsive Spending: Unpacking What You're Really Trying to Buy Examining Overspending, Part 1, Part 2 Financial Wounds: When Money Becomes a Weapon, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

  3. Jun 4

    Grave Consequences – Handling Debt After Death

    Olivia continues her conversation with attorney Emily Baggett to demystify what happens to debt after someone dies. They explain the legal hierarchy of claims—beginning with administration and funeral costs, then taxes, followed by secured debts, and finally unsecured debts—illustrating how insolvent estates must prioritize payments by law rather than preference. Emily clarifies the creditor claim process, noting that claims don’t get paid automatically, filing first doesn’t guarantee priority, and every claim can be challenged for validity. The episode also addresses how emotional distress can impair decision-making and why choosing a trustworthy, organized executor is essential to moving through financial “surprises” during grief. Olivia and Emily highlight common hidden issues—such as undisclosed debts or judgments—that can surface only after death and complicate probate proceedings. They encourage seeking professional support, noting that estates can often cover legal fees, thereby reducing stress for surviving loved ones and ensuring compliance with state law. The episode concludes with key readiness takeaways: debt persists after death, insolvent estates are more common than many realize, and knowledgeable guidance can prevent costly mistakes. If you would like to hear more from Emily, be sure to look for her previously recorded classes and keep a lookout for her upcoming virtual class series, starting 20 May, at https://armyeitaas.sharepoint-mil.us/:l:/r/sites/HQAMC/Lists/AMC_HQ_AMPE_WellnessEvents?e=TtaQm6 Previous classes include the recording link, which may be limited to Army365 users.

Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

P$y-Fi is the podcast where psychology and finances collide. Host Olivia Pierce, M.S., LPC, AFC® — a licensed professional counselor, Accredited Financial Counselor® and financial readiness program manager at Redstone Arsenal — explores the mental and emotional patterns behind how we earn, spend, save, give and grieve money. Episodes range from multi-part deep dives on financial intimacy in marriages, financial wounds and money as a weapon, compulsive spending and the mental health toll of debt — to interviews with attorneys, clinicians and financial planners who speak honestly into the messier corners of life: estate planning, raising financially literate kids, distress tolerance and the quiet decisions that compound over a career. Built for federal employees, military families and anyone tired of hearing personal finance reduced to a budgeting app. No clickbait. No get-rich-quick. Just the unglamorous, deeply human work of changing how you think about money. Views shared on P$y-Fi are Olivia's own and do not represent the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense. New episodes drop every other week. Subscribe wherever you listen, and if an episode helps you breathe a little easier, leave a rating. It's how more people stuck in the same rut find their way here. *The information provided in this podcast does not constitute a formal endorsement of any company, its products, or services by the military. Specifically, the appearance or use of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the military of the linked websites, or the information, products, or services contained therein. The military does not exercise any editorial control over the content you may find in these resources. The intent is to provide informative material to assist Soldiers and their families in identifying or exploring multiple options.