Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Henry—workshop facilitator, personal finance educator, pageant titleholder, and founder of Living in the Abundance—for a powerful conversation about money, identity, and navigating life as a first-generation college student. Amanda brings candor, humor, and deep reflection as we talk through the realities of debt, generational expectations, and building a life grounded in values rather than survival. We explore how being first-gen shaped her college years at Penn, the financial lessons she had to teach herself, and how those experiences led her to launch a platform, a book, and a budding nonprofit focused on helping others break cycles and build stability. Amanda also opens up about career alignment, motherhood, survivor’s guilt, and what abundance truly means at this stage of her life. Topics Discussed in This Episode Navigating college as a first-generation student and learning the “unwritten rules”Shifts in money mindset—from survival mode to financial literacy and investingThe meaning of value-based spending and staying aligned with personal prioritiesHow identity, expectations, and family dynamics shape career and financial choicesAmanda’s community work, pageant platform, and vision for a scholarship-focused nonprofitConnect with Amanda: livingintheabundance.co https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsamandajhenry/ https://www.tiktok.com/@livingintheabundance https://www.instagram.com/livingintheabundance/# https://www.threads.com/@livingintheabundance Amanda Henry is a Black first-generation Ivy League graduate, devoted wife, and mother who brings her seasoned corporate experience to empower emerging leaders. After paying off $65,000 of debt and climbing the corporate ladder, she discovered that abundant living on a 9-5 is possible. As the founder of Living in the Abundance (LITA), Amanda equips young adults with the tools to navigate corporate America and master their personal finances. Her book, The Financial Abundance Blueprint delivers a tracklist of strategies to help readers maximize their 9-5 experience to unlock financial freedom. Currently serving as a Senior Sales Enablement Professional at Google, Amanda brings over a decade of experience across top companies including BET Networks, The Walt Disney Company, and Verizon. Beyond her corporate roles, she is a sought-after speaker and facilitator, having impacted thousands of young professionals through workshops, coaching, and content creation. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband, Jon, and son, Jon Jr., attending 90s & 00s RnB concerts, traveling to sunny all-inclusive resorts, and serving her community as the reigning Mrs. California Black United States 2026. She holds a BS in Economics from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and an MS in Global Marketing Management from Boston University. If this episode sparked new insight, please consider rating, following, or reviewing the show. It’s the best way to help more people find and benefit from these vital conversations. Thanks for listening!
