Fiscally Challenged

CJ Weerasinghe
Fiscally Challenged

Welcome to Fiscally Challenged! This is the podcast that smashes the taboos around money with humanity, vulnerability, humour, and just the right amount of self-deprecation. I’m CJ, your friendly fiscalphobe, and it’s high time that we unpack our complicated relationship with m-o-n-e-y. Think of this as group emotional fiscal therapy, because let’s be honest, most of us would rather talk about our bowel movements than our bank balance. Ever feel like money is that toxic ex who breezes in and out of your life, leaving chaos in their wake? Yeah, me too. This is my journey to address the urgent need for financial literacy in a world where discussing money can feel more awkward than a first date. Each week, I’ll chat with everyday people and experts from all walks of life to explore the psychology, anthropology, and sociology of money. We’ll unravel the complexities of our wallets, share our financial faux pas, and discover what really shapes our money mindsets. Let’s get REAL about our collective money trauma and embark on a journey toward financial liberation - together. Buckle up for a journey where finances meet mental health, sprinkled with a generous dash of agony aunt wisdom. So, are we just broke or Fiscally Challenged? Follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. The Importance of Financial Literacy with Omari

    OCT 31

    The Importance of Financial Literacy with Omari

    Hello and welcome back to the Fiscally Challenged pod! Sitting in the chair today is Omari (he/him), an incredibly bright, frank and reflective human whose wisdom by far outweighs his age. Raised by a very inspiring mother, Omari learned the value of money and budgeting from a young age - even giving up lunches to save for prized items as a kid. Omari shares his experience of growing up amongst the stark contrasts of wealth in London and balancing his creative passions with a desire for stability. Through candid reflections, Omari opens up about why his mother referred to him as an old man when he was a child, the influence of social media, the pressure to "keep up" financially and the impact of living paycheck to paycheck in a world that demands more than ever. We also discuss the systemic barriers that young people face today - from the mental health and morality decline to the generational uncertainty around home ownership and economic security. The psychological impacts of financial anxiety are brought up to highlight that financial literacy isn’t just about money - it’s an essential tool that we all need to help build self-worth, confidence, resilience and the courage to redefine what “success” looks like. Omari bravely shares how he overcame his own challenges and shares the most important lessons he's learned. Follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  2. Decoding Crypto in the Digital Era with Yathu

    OCT 17

    Decoding Crypto in the Digital Era with Yathu

    Hello and welcome to the Fiscally Challenged podcast! In this episode I sit down with Yathu (he/him), a lecturer in the Anthropology of Enterprise and specialist in cryptocurrency, blockchain and social media from University College London (UCL). He's here to give us the 101 on the complex world of cryptocurrency and explore its impact on our understanding of money. Yathu explains crypto mining in a language that I can (finally) understand, and introduces the concept of "hope money". This concept explains how crypto represents more than just an investment, but a way to have control of and rewire one's financial future. It’s a mix of hope, risk, and honestly, a bit of luck. But with every risk comes potential pitfalls, and Yathu shares real stories about notorious financial scams, including the infamous OneCoin fraud. We also dive the cultural side of money - how our upbringings, society, waged labour, the anointed gatekeepers and the internet have influenced our relationship with money. From looking into the darker side of the often unregulated but highly marketed crypto culture, Yathu gives us insight into why some of us see crypto (and traditional gambling) as their golden ticket and why others (like myself) approach it with trepidation. Yathu shares personal insights into how money has influenced his life and why we fetishise money in the first place. We discuss everything from what it means to work, the emotional side of our finances and why Dolly Parton re-released her anti-capilalist hit song 9-5 to reflect the current state of affairs. Hit the FOLLOW and the notification buttons to be the first to know when a new episode drops every Thursday, and follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
  3. Overdraft Confessions: Money Struggles & Growth with Zoë

    OCT 10

    Overdraft Confessions: Money Struggles & Growth with Zoë

    Welcome to The Overdraft Confessions! aka, Fiscally Challenged podcast. In this episode, I’m joined by my soul sister Zoë (she/her) for a light-hearted and eye-opening conversation about our adventures living in London on meagre media-professional paychecks. A Sydney native and new mom, Zoë works in advertising, loves attending galleries and gigs, and has called London home for over a decade. Together, we dive into the humourous and heartfelt moments of navigating financial challenges - living in our overdrafts, debt dilemmas and crafting meals from the Tesco yellow-label section. We reflect on how our upbringings and social backgrounds have influenced our financial habits, including the awkwardness of asking for pay rises and the questionable gaps in our financial literacy, despite both having over 20 years of work experience. London is a thriving metropolis that attracts people seeking professional and personal opportunities, but many grapple with the skyrocketing living costs. We discuss the struggle of balancing creative passions with everyday expenses, highlighting the shared experience of dreams colliding with economic realities. Join us as we laugh and try not to cry through this very vulnerable chat about money struggles and growth and the hope that our kids will be able to chase their dreams with confidence. Let's advocate for better financial education and turn the challenges of today into the successes of tomorrow! Hit the FOLLOW and the notification buttons to be the first to know when a new episode drops every Thursday, and follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
  4. The Herstory of Money with Anna

    SEP 19

    The Herstory of Money with Anna

    Welcome back! Today I'm talking to Anna Rohmann (she/her), an anthropologist and associate lecturer from the University of London. We delve into the herstory of money to discuss the historical financial oppression faced by women, and highlight the lack of financial literacy education and the enduring gender biases in financial spaces. Anna shares how societal constructs have perpetuated financial violence, and emphasises the importance of open discussions about money and its changing narratives. We also delve into the role of social media, the rise of 'Finfluencers' and the impact of pop culture in shaping financial perceptions and promoting empowerment. Anna Rohmann is a PhD candidate and Associate Lecturer at the University of London. Her research focuses on how retail investors use FinTech and financial inclusion from an anthropological view. She uses creative, multi-modal methods in her ethnographic work and has worked with FinTech start-ups and content creators. Her interests also cover the intersection of the digital economy with gender, sexuality, and social change. Anna is on the editorial board for Anthways Journal, part of the TikTok Ethnography Collective @thetiktokanthropologists and has worked with the Political Economy Research Center (PERC). Hit the FOLLOW and the notification buttons to be the first to know when a new episode drops every Thursday, and follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts Follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts #moneymindset #financialtherapy #selfhelp #moneymanagementtips #finance #financialliteracy #financialeducation #moneymindsetpodcast #financialtherapy #selfhelpfriday #moneymanagement #finances #parenting #raisingsmartkids #podcast #podcasts #finfluencer #financialindependence Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  5. Money and The Mind with Niamh

    SEP 13

    Money and The Mind with Niamh

    Find your favourite spot, get comfy, and listen in for a free emotional fiscal therapy session. We'll do a deep dive into the intersection of money and the mind and explore how your financial decisions are influenced by your mindset, experiences, and emotions. Our expert therapist, Niamh Maguire (she/her), offers insights into how early experiences and personality traits shape our relationships with money and highlights the importance of self-awareness in understanding financial behaviours. We discuss the role of financial literacy and societal pressures in shaping attitudes towards money and emphasise the need for open conversations about finances. This session underscores money as both a means and a source of power, affecting personal identity and social dynamics. Niamh is a fully accredited CBT practitioner and leadership coach. She has experience working with a wide range of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and more, with a special focus on complex trauma, self-esteem, and workplace performance anxiety. She’s also trained in EMDR and is passionate about helping people improve their mental well-being and manage burnout. Hit the FOLLOW and the notification buttons to be the first to know when a new episode drops every Thursday, and follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts #emotionalfiscaltherapy #moneymindset #financialtherapy #selfhelp #moneymanagementtips #finance #financialliteracy #financialeducation #moneymindsetpodcast #financialtherapy #selfhelpfriday #moneymanagement #finances #parenting #raisingsmartkids #podcast #podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min

About

Welcome to Fiscally Challenged! This is the podcast that smashes the taboos around money with humanity, vulnerability, humour, and just the right amount of self-deprecation. I’m CJ, your friendly fiscalphobe, and it’s high time that we unpack our complicated relationship with m-o-n-e-y. Think of this as group emotional fiscal therapy, because let’s be honest, most of us would rather talk about our bowel movements than our bank balance. Ever feel like money is that toxic ex who breezes in and out of your life, leaving chaos in their wake? Yeah, me too. This is my journey to address the urgent need for financial literacy in a world where discussing money can feel more awkward than a first date. Each week, I’ll chat with everyday people and experts from all walks of life to explore the psychology, anthropology, and sociology of money. We’ll unravel the complexities of our wallets, share our financial faux pas, and discover what really shapes our money mindsets. Let’s get REAL about our collective money trauma and embark on a journey toward financial liberation - together. Buckle up for a journey where finances meet mental health, sprinkled with a generous dash of agony aunt wisdom. So, are we just broke or Fiscally Challenged? Follow Fiscally Challenged on: Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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