Academics and Their Money

Inga & Neeka

Ever feel like you’ve got a PhD in your field but only a 101-level understanding of your finances? Welcome to Academics and Their Money, the podcast where we make money talk as smart—and as entertaining—as you are. Because let’s be honest: knowledge is powerful, but a well-earned paycheck doesn’t hurt either. Whether you’re a fresh PhD navigating that first real paycheck, a tenured professor pondering what’s next, or a former academic with some ‘unique’ insights—this show dives into making your intellect work for you, tackling the financial quirks of academic life, and uncovering the untold money stories behind the ivory tower.If you’re a fan of Planet Money, Freakonomics Radio, or HerMoney with Jean Chatzky, you’ll feel right at home here. But fair warning: this isn’t another boring money podcast. We keep it real, relatable, and just a bit irreverent to make finance feel fresh. Let’s get smarter about money—and wealthier—together!

  1. APR 23

    “You Should Be So Lucky” The Lie Academia Tells About Money (When It’s Really a Business) with Philippe Barr

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when you follow your academic dream… without thinking about the financial reality? In this episode, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with former professor turned entrepreneur Philippe Barr to unpack the hidden financial truths of pursuing a PhD and building a career in academia. Philippe shares his journey from studying literature in Montreal to earning his PhD at NYU and landing a tenure-track role at UNC Chapel Hill, only to realize that academia wasn’t what he expected. From toxic department dynamics to a complete lack of financial education, his experience highlights a major gap in how academics are trained for real-world decision making. One of the biggest takeaways? Academia often discourages conversations about money, leaving many PhDs underprepared to negotiate salaries, evaluate opportunities, or even understand their own market value. Philippe opens up about: The financial stress of pursuing a PhD in an expensive cityWhy academics are rarely taught to think about money or career ROIHow he unknowingly lowballed his own salary offerThe myth that academia is purely “vocational” and not a businessWhy adopting an entrepreneurial mindset can change everythingAfter leaving academia, Philippe leveraged his experience to build The Admit Lab, where he now helps PhD applicants and students navigate admissions, program selection, and career strategy, both inside and outside academia. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone considering a PhD, currently in one, or advising students, especially if you want to avoid costly mistakes and make more informed, empowered decisions. At its core, this episode is about awareness, ownership, and understanding that passion and practicality are not mutually exclusive. _________________________________________________________________________________ Dr. Philippe Barr is a former professor and graduate admissions committee member who now runs The Admit Lab, a graduate admissions consulting firm focused on helping applicants gain admission to top PhD, master’s, and MBA programs. His work emphasizes how admissions committees actually evaluate candidates, with a focus on reducing risk, demonstrating fit, and building compelling application narratives. He shares practical insights and strategy on his YouTube channel, where he breaks down graduate admissions with a clear, insider perspective: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAdmitLab Learn more about his work and services here: https://admit-lab.com/ If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at  https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/. Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

    31 min

  2. APR 9

    Academia Isn’t the Safety Net You Think, From Burnout to a Six Figure Exit with Paulina Cossette

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Paulina Cossette shares her journey from political science professor to successful business owner and coach for academics seeking life beyond academia. Raised by a single mother with financial instability, Paulina pursued higher education believing academia would provide long-term security. Instead, she discovered a reality many academics face: limited salary growth, geographic constraints, and a workload that often spills into nights and weekends. After years of burnout, especially following the birth of her son, she made the difficult decision to leave academia in 2019. Paulina began freelancing as an academic copy editor, eventually scaling her business to six figures by learning how to market herself and attract private clients. Along the way, her mindset around money evolved significantly, from scarcity-driven frugality to understanding the value of investing in herself, her business, and her time. Now, she helps other academics transition into entrepreneurship through coaching and her program, Becoming an Academic Editor. She shares candid advice for those considering leaving academia, emphasizing the importance of exploring options, seeking guidance, and defining what you want your life to look like before deciding on your next career move. This episode dives into the financial realities of academia, the emotional weight of burnout, and the practical steps to build a more flexible, fulfilling, and financially scalable career outside traditional academic paths. Paulina created her program, Becoming an Academic Editor or Coach, because she believes that every educator deserves to have the life they were promised—one with a flexible schedule, a comfortable income, and the ability to do the work we love. You can connect with Paulina on LinkedIn or get access to her podcast at AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor. Paulina S. Cossette, PhD Acadia Editing Services | Schedule a call I help academics build flexible, fulfilling businesses using their existing training and expertise. LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Fed up with burnout? Join 100+ scholars in Becoming an Academic Editor or Coach Curious about turning your academic skills into a profitable business? Get my free workbook, Map Your Academic Business If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at  https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/. Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

    25 min

  3. MAR 26

    Financial Therapy Month: You Don’t Have a Money Problem, You Have a Nervous System Problem with Oliver Schnusenberg

    Send us Fan Mail Money stress isn’t always loud or obvious. More often, it shows up as a constant, quiet hum in the background of our daily lives. In this Financial Therapy Month episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with returning guest Oliver Schnusenberg to unpack what money stress actually looks like, and why even financially stable, responsible people still feel anxious about money. Oliver breaks down three common “money stress profiles”: • the avoider • the over-controller • the people-pleaser Each represents a learned, protective response rooted in past experiences, not a lack of discipline or knowledge. The conversation explores the neuroscience behind these behaviors, explaining how our nervous system often overrides logic when money feels tied to survival, control, or belonging. Through a candid, real-time coaching moment with Neeka, the episode brings these concepts to life, highlighting how over-control and scarcity thinking can show up even when you’re objectively “doing everything right.” The key takeaway: knowing what to do with money isn’t the same as being able to do it. Listeners will walk away with practical tools to reduce reactivity, including grounding techniques, small-step exposure strategies, and a powerful reframe: Instead of asking, “What should I do with my money?”, ask, “What do I want this money to support about the kind of person I want to be?” This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever felt behind, anxious, or stuck in their financial habits, even when the numbers say they’re doing just fine. Episode referenced by Inga and Neeka: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/less-hustle-more-intention/id1824876017?i=1000747695500 Oliver’s website: https://www.equilibriaevolution.com If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at  https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/. Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

    32 min

  4. MAR 12

    Financial Therapy Month: Building a Healthier Financial Life, Practical Tools for Money & Emotions with Nate Astle

    Send us Fan Mail “Shame is the enemy of change. We can’t shame ourselves into better financial behavior.” — Nate Astle In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman talk with financial therapist Nate Astle about the emotional side of personal finance and why our financial habits are often shaped long before adulthood. Nate explains how childhood experiences, family dynamics, and cultural influences shape the way we think about spending, saving, and financial security. The conversation focuses especially on relationships, where many financial conflicts are actually about deeper issues like autonomy, respect, and feeling heard. They also discuss the powerful role shame plays in financial decision making, and why replacing judgment with curiosity can help people make healthier financial choices. Finally, Nate shares practical tools couples can use to communicate about money, reduce conflict, and build a more collaborative approach to managing finances. If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at  https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/. Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

    33 min

  5. FEB 26

    How to Choose a PhD Program That Actually Pays Off: A Practical Framework for Fit, Funding, and Future Jobs

    Send us Fan Mail “You do not go for a PhD unless they pay you for it.” In this solo episode of Academics and Their Money, Inga Timmerman shares a comprehensive decision framework for choosing a PhD program, emphasizing that applicants are not just choosing a school, but a long term mentorship, lifestyle, and career trajectory. She outlines four core pillars every prospective PhD student should evaluate: Advisor relationship (your day to day experience and career positioning)Department culture (supportive environment vs survival mentality)Funding model (guaranteed, transparent financial support)Labor market outcomes (actual job placement after graduation)Before evaluating programs, she urges listeners to clarify their primary goal for pursuing a PhD, whether that is becoming a research professor, gaining deep industry expertise, or pursuing personal fulfillment. Misalignment between goals and program choice is a major source of regret. The episode walks through practical ways to assess advisor fit, identify red flags in program culture, evaluate training quality, and analyze real placement data instead of relying on rankings. Timmerman also explains how expectations differ across major types of PhD programs, including lab based sciences, writing heavy humanities, quantitative fields, and professionally oriented doctorates. A major theme throughout the episode is financial realism. Listeners are guided through how to evaluate compensation packages, cost of living, funding reliability, and opportunity cost, along with the long term return on investment of a PhD. She also challenges the common assumption that prestige should drive decision making, arguing that program fit and funding often matter far more for long term success and wellbeing. The episode closes with clear red flags and green flags to help applicants identify programs where they are most likely to thrive, finish on time, and achieve the career outcomes they actually want. If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at  https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/. Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

    32 min

  6. FEB 12

    One Year Podcast Anniversary Special: Neeka Interviews Inga Timmerman, The Episode We’ve All Been Waiting For

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka flips the script and interviews co-host Inga about her journey from Eastern Europe to academia, financial planning, and entrepreneurship. Inga shares how growing up in a financially stressful household shaped her lifelong relationship with money, pushing her toward control, structure, and eventually a career helping others manage their finances. She walks through her unconventional academic path, from triple major undergrad to corporate finance, teaching, and a highly strategic approach to earning a PhD in finance during the financial crisis. The conversation explores the realities of academia versus real world finance, how financial mindset evolves over time, and what it actually takes to build financial peace, not just wealth. Inga reflects on major life decisions, including paying off a house for emotional reasons rather than pure optimization, learning to spend without guilt, and finding balance between saving and living. They also discuss practical advice for early career academics, why financial organization matters long before you feel “rich enough,” and how getting professional guidance early can dramatically shape long term outcomes. This episode is part career story, part money mindset evolution, and part practical guide to building financial confidence at every stage of life. If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at  https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/. Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

    45 min

  7. JAN 29

    Does Academia Pay Better Abroad? A Global Perspective from Izidin El Kalak

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Izidin El Kalak, associate professor of finance at Al Faisal University in Riyadh, for a deeply insightful conversation about money, academia, and global career mobility. Izidin shares his non linear journey into academia, from growing up between Bulgaria and Syria, to working in Qatar to fund graduate school, to completing a PhD in the UK and eventually relocating to Saudi Arabia. Along the way, he reflects on how his relationship with money evolved from necessity, to stability, and ultimately to optionality and freedom. The conversation explores practical money lessons learned early in life, including budgeting as a child, the missed opportunity of investing sooner, and the power of compounding. Izidin also offers candid insight into academic pay structures, the financial realities of the UK system post Brexit, and how compensation and benefits work differently in the Middle East. The episode dives into important but often overlooked topics in academia, including salary negotiation, pension planning for expats, misconceptions around prestige and pay, and why moving to a seemingly lower ranked institution can actually be a smart financial decision. Izidin closes by reflecting on why he would still choose academia even with unlimited financial security, emphasizing the value of research freedom, intellectual curiosity, and mentorship, along with a lighthearted discussion of recent purchases, including a VR headset win and the universal regret of buying slime. This episode is a must listen for PhDs, academics, and anyone considering an international move or rethinking how money fits into a meaningful career. If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at  https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/. Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

    31 min
  8. 4 Degrees, Dollars, and Detours: Academia Meets Financial Therapy with Oliver Schnusenberg

    JAN 15

    4 Degrees, Dollars, and Detours: Academia Meets Financial Therapy with Oliver Schnusenberg

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Oliver Schnusenberg, Professor of Finance at the University of North Florida, to explore a career path that has taken more turns than most academic CVs could handle. Oliver shares how a German upbringing, an early interest in hospitality, and a family full of accountants somehow led him to a PhD in finance, a pioneering course in behavioral finance, and eventually a second act studying neuroscience and mental health. What began as curiosity about why people make irrational financial decisions has evolved into a passion for financial therapy and helping people untangle the emotions behind their money choices. The conversation dives into the realities of academic life, including how disconnected research can feel from the “outside world,” the slow creep of lifestyle inflation, and why professors often struggle to implement their own financial advice. Oliver explains the three pillars of financial therapy, how attachment styles show up in money conversations, and why CFPs may need more psychology than spreadsheets. He also reflects candidly on his own financial mindset, his discomfort with debt, and what it means to define “enough” after decades in academia. From hating a car purchase to questioning the purpose of academic research, Oliver brings humor, humility, and a refreshingly honest perspective on what it means to build a meaningful life with money instead of for it. A thoughtful, funny, and unexpectedly personal conversation for anyone who has ever wondered whether the numbers tell the whole story. If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just want to say ‘hello,’ you can reach us at  https://attainablewealthfp.com/schedule-a-call/. Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Ever feel like you’ve got a PhD in your field but only a 101-level understanding of your finances? Welcome to Academics and Their Money, the podcast where we make money talk as smart—and as entertaining—as you are. Because let’s be honest: knowledge is powerful, but a well-earned paycheck doesn’t hurt either. Whether you’re a fresh PhD navigating that first real paycheck, a tenured professor pondering what’s next, or a former academic with some ‘unique’ insights—this show dives into making your intellect work for you, tackling the financial quirks of academic life, and uncovering the untold money stories behind the ivory tower.If you’re a fan of Planet Money, Freakonomics Radio, or HerMoney with Jean Chatzky, you’ll feel right at home here. But fair warning: this isn’t another boring money podcast. We keep it real, relatable, and just a bit irreverent to make finance feel fresh. Let’s get smarter about money—and wealthier—together!

Information

  • Creator
    Inga & Neeka
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Academics and Their Money
  • Show Website
    Academics and Their Money

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