The Thing We Never Talk About

Timothy Iseler
  • 4.9 (12)
  • EDUCATION

The Thing We Never Talk About is an educational podcast about personal finance for creatives and other weirdos. We'll discuss managing cash flow with a lumpy income, when to save & when to invest, and how to reduce stress & build confidence when it comes to your money. No hot stock tips, no complicated strategies, and no finance bro jargon. We'll hear from artists, musicians, creative professionals, and other weirdos about how they navigate these questions for themselves. The Thing We Never Talk About is hosted by Timothy Iseler, CFP®, a former recording & touring audio engineer with 18 years experience in the music industry.

  1. Some Other Time, Later vs Right Here, Right Now

    5D AGO

    Some Other Time, Later vs Right Here, Right Now

    In this solo episode, Tim explores the tension between planning for the future and actually taking action in the present. Using examples from fitness, travel, and financial planning, Tim makes the case that over-thinking and over-planning can quietly become an obstacle — doing the work to decide whether to do the work, without ever getting started. Thoughtful, deliberate decision-making matters, but waiting for a perfect plan is itself a form of inaction, and that right here, right now is the only time any of us has to change our path for the better. Tim also walks through two common financial planning scenarios — buying a house and saving for retirement — to show how taking positive "imperfect" action today puts you in a stronger position to meet those moments later. One Key Takeaway: Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. No plan can guarantee the future, but taking positive action right now — even small, imperfect steps — can give you more and better options later. Links:Send me a question to be answered on a future episode.Sign up for the Keep It Easy newsletter.

    11 min
  2. Jason Narducy – Musician & Author

    APR 6

    Jason Narducy – Musician & Author

    In this episode, Tim sits down with Jason Narducy — musician, self-published author, and longtime member of Bob Mould's band and Superchunk — for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually means to build a life in music. Jason shares the arc of his career, from a major label deal in the nineties through running a painting company for 20 years, to eventually going all-in on music again. He talks candidly about the economics of touring, the difference between working as a hired band member versus leading his own project, and how his solo shows have become one of his most rewarding musical outlets. Jason also discusses his self-published book Mostly the Van — a collection of short, human-centered essays about life in that middle space between fame and hobby — and reflects on the financial habits he's developed over decades of irregular income, including a hard-won lesson about credit card debt. Jason's question for Tim: What helpful financial advice do you have for musicians or any self-employed creatives? Key Takeaways: Jason ran a painting company for 20 years alongside his music career, providing income stability during slower periods — until he shut it down in January 2023 and committed fully to music.He describes his approach to scheduling: he commits fully to every project and doesn't back out, relying on bands planning ahead to lock in dates rather than managing a complex personal system.Jason reflects on the hidden complexity of being a working musician, noting that success requires skills far beyond playing — traveling, writing, interviews, interpersonal relationships, and financial awareness — and that many musicians aren't equally equipped for all of them.When touring with the REM tribute band he leads with Michael Shannon band, Jason prioritizes comfort over cost-cutting, believing that keeping experienced musicians happy is what allows the project to keep going long-term.His strongest personal financial habit: not spending money he doesn't have. An early experience with credit card debt left a lasting impression that shaped how he has managed money ever since.Links:Send me a question to be answered on a future episode.Sign up for the Keep It Easy newsletter.Jason's InstagramJason's Threads

    52 min
  3. Investing Intuition vs. Evidence

    MAR 30

    Investing Intuition vs. Evidence

    In this solo episode, Tim explores the tension between intuition and evidence when it comes to investing. He explains why reacting to how you  feel in the moment often leads to poor decisions, and how long-term data consistently points toward more effective strategies. Through real-world examples, Tim breaks down why trying to time the market rarely works, how automation and consistency can improve outcomes, and why patience is the most powerful force in building wealth. This episode is a reminder that successful investing isn’t about being right in the short term—it’s about aligning your behavior with what actually works over decades. One Key Takeaway: The best investors don’t follow their instincts in the moment—they follow the evidence and stay consistent over the long term. LinksSend me a question to be answered on a future episode. Sign up for the Keep It Easy newsletter. Selling out during the market’s worst days can hurt you, research shows — here’s how much you could lose Timing the Market Can Often Mean Missing the Best DaysTiming the Market: Why It’s So Hard, in One ChartHere's the Average Stock Market Return in Every Month of the Year

    27 min
  4. Christen Carter -  President, Founder, & Owner of Busy Beaver Buttons & Merch

    MAR 23

    Christen Carter -  President, Founder, & Owner of Busy Beaver Buttons & Merch

    In this episode, Tim sits down with Christen Carter, founder of Busy Beaver Buttons & Merch, to explore how a DIY punk project grew into a decades-long business rooted in creativity, community, and resilience. Christen shares the scrappy early days of building a niche product for an overlooked audience, how she navigated major shifts in technology and demand, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, hiring, and staying true to her values as the company scaled. The conversation also goes deep on money—covering scarcity mindset, early financial experiences, real estate decisions, and the balance between saving for the future and enjoying life today. Along the way, Christen offers an honest look at burnout, risk-taking, and what it actually takes to build something that lasts. Christen's question for Tim: how do you coach people whose income can fluctuate depending on what their business is doing to know when to save or spend like on a vacation or something fun? Key takeaways: Christen shares how she started Busy Beaver as a DIY punk project, spotting a niche for small custom buttons that no one else was really serving.She describes her early, scrappy approach to growth—reaching out to record labels, building within creative communities, and going direct-to-customer from the start.Christen reflects on the shift from doing creative work to running a company, including learning operations, HR, and building systems from scratch.She talks about how peer-to-peer learning and entrepreneurial communities helped her understand finance, forecasting, and how businesses actually work.Christen shares how early life experiences shaped a lasting scarcity mindset and discusses her long-term financial approach, including cautious decision-making, investing in real estate, and actively working to balance saving with actually enjoying her life.Links:Send me a question to be answered on a future episode.Sign up for the Keep It Easy newsletter.Busy Beaver Buttons & Merch

    1h 4m
  5. How I Invest My Own Money

    MAR 16

    How I Invest My Own Money

    In this solo episode, Tim pulls back the curtain and shares exactly how he invests his own money — not hot stock tips or market predictions, but the philosophy and decision-making framework behind his choices. He explains why he invests, how he thinks about risk and time, why maintaining strong cash reserves is essential, and why his timeline shapes nearly every decision he makes. Tim walks through when he buys, when he sells, and why he ignores financial media noise in favor of long-term discipline. This episode is about process over prediction — and about building a strategy you can stick with for decades. One Key Takeaway: The real edge in investing isn’t knowing what the market will do next — it’s having a clear plan, a long timeline, and the discipline to follow it. Links:Send me a question to be answered on a future episode. ( https://www.iselerfinancial.com/podcast )Sign up for the Keep It Easy newsletter. ( https://www.iselerfinancial.com/newsletter )

    33 min
  6. Vish Khanna –  Host & Producer of Kreative Kontrol

    MAR 9

    Vish Khanna –  Host & Producer of Kreative Kontrol

    In this episode, Tim sits down with Vish Khanna, host and producer of the long-running podcast Kreative Kontrol, for a candid conversation about work, money, and creative independence. Vish reflects on leaving conventional media jobs to focus fully on his own show, and the emotional and financial tension that comes with choosing fulfillment over a steady paycheck. They explore how creative labor is valued (or undervalued), what it means to earn “enough,” and how freelancers navigate instability while trying to stay honest & engaged with their work. The conversation also touches on autonomy, burnout, family responsibility, and the realities of building a sustainable creative career outside traditional institutions. Vish's question for Tim: how does one achieve a healthy, relatively stress-free balance between vocational fulfillment and financial stability as a freelancer or independent business owner, especially after entering a freelance realm after 20 years of conventional jobs with regularly scheduled and consistent pay? Key Takeaways: Vish Khanna left a career in traditional media, even though it meant giving up stability, status, and a predictable paycheck.He describes the shift to independent work as emotionally liberating but financially disorienting, especially when there is no clear benchmark for success or failure.Vish highlights how independent creators often undervalue their labor, particularly when passion and personal identity are tightly bound to the work.He talks about the importance of building personal definitions of “enough”, and how that relates to industry norms or social comparisons.Vish discusses the tension between audience appreciation and financial sustainability, noting that validation doesn’t automatically translate into income.Links:Send me a question to be answered on a future episode. ( https://www.iselerfinancial.com/podcast )Sign up for the Keep It Easy newsletter. ( https://www.iselerfinancial.com/newsletter )Kreative Kontrol ( http://vishkhanna.com/ )Vish's profile on Talkhouse ( https://www.talkhouse.com/artist/vish-khanna/ )

    1h 17m
  7. When “Comfort Zone” Is SO Uncomfortable

    MAR 2

    When “Comfort Zone” Is SO Uncomfortable

    Getting stuck in a “comfort zone” is often a sign that something isn’t actually all that comfortable—especially when it comes to money and long-term decisions. In this episode, Tim explores why so many important financial moves get stuck in the “I should” category, why waiting for the perfect moment usually makes things worse, and shares five practical, low-pressure ways to break out of an uncomfortable status quo and start making progress. One Key Takeaway: Real change doesn’t start with a perfect plan—it starts with small actions that gets you moving in the right direction.

    15 min
  8. Sarah Williams - Co-Owner of Beardwood&Co. Branding Agency

    FEB 23

    Sarah Williams - Co-Owner of Beardwood&Co. Branding Agency

    In this episode, Tim sits down with Sarah Williams for a wide-ranging conversation about her creative path, professional evolution, and the realities of building a sustainable career on her own terms. Sarah shares her journey from early employee to co-owner & co-CEO, and how her leadership evolved as the company grew. She also reflects on burnout, delegation, financial stability, and redefining success beyond revenue. They explore how money, confidence, and self-trust intersect with creativity, especially when your career doesn’t follow a traditional path. Sarah  Sarah’s question for Tim: how do you see the relationship between financial health and mental and physical health? Growing up I always had a lot of anxiety about Money. As I've gotten older and looked to create more financial security for myself, my family, and my business, that feeling doesn't really go away. How do you think about these challenges? Key Takeaways: Sarah Williams shares her path from being the first employee at her company to becoming co-owner and co-CEO, and how long-term commitment shaped her leadership style.She discusses the difference between building a lasting brand identity versus chasing short-term marketing trends and quick wins.Sarah reflects on learning to trust her instincts while also developing systems that support sustainable growth.She talks openly about learning to delegate and empower others as her role shifted from “doing everything” to leading a team.The episode highlights the importance of aligning personal values with professional goals in order to build a sustainable, fulfilling career.Links:Send me a question to be answered on a future episode.Sign up for the Keep It Easy newsletter.Beardwood&Co

    1h 2m
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The Thing We Never Talk About is an educational podcast about personal finance for creatives and other weirdos. We'll discuss managing cash flow with a lumpy income, when to save & when to invest, and how to reduce stress & build confidence when it comes to your money. No hot stock tips, no complicated strategies, and no finance bro jargon. We'll hear from artists, musicians, creative professionals, and other weirdos about how they navigate these questions for themselves. The Thing We Never Talk About is hosted by Timothy Iseler, CFP®, a former recording & touring audio engineer with 18 years experience in the music industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Timothy Iseler
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Timothy Iseler

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