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. Oct 22

    Buy Now, PAIN Later: The Hidden Hurting in Buy Now, Pay Later Lending

    In this episode of the P$yFi Chronic Financial Pain Management Clinic, host Olivia and Redstone Arsenal Legal Assistance Attorney Emily Baggett examine the hidden financial and legal pitfalls of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) lending. The conversation traces how BNPL evolved from pandemic-era "Pay-in-Four" online splurges into retail point-of-sale checkouts and revolving credit lines carrying interest rates as high as 36%. Emily highlights major consumer protection gaps, explaining that BNPL loans generally operate outside the Truth in Lending Act and Fair Credit Billing Act, leaving shoppers contractually bound to installment payments even when returning defective merchandise. Drawing on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau data, the hosts expose how automatic debit card withdrawals trigger cascading overdraft fees and enable chronic "loan stacking" across multiple apps. Olivia also outlines the career-ending stakes for service members and DoW civilians, warning that delinquent BNPL accounts can jeopardize security clearances under Guideline F financial rules. The episode wraps up with empowering advice on reviewing contract fine print, reintroducing the "pain of paying" to curb impulse spending, and connecting with free financial counselors. Savoring What You Have Compulsive Spending: Unpacking What You’re Really Trying to Buy Examining Overspending, Part 1 Examining Overspending, Part 2 If you meet the following eligibility requirements, you can request an appointment with Olivia: Physically located at Redstone Arsenal AND possess a DoD ID # as 1) an Active Duty Military or a Family Member, 2) a Military Retiree, or 3) a DoW Civilian

  2. 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

  3. 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

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.