Making Change with your Money

Laura Rotter, CFA, CFP® | Financial Advisor for Women in Midlife Transitions
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Making Change with Your Money is the go-to podcast for women in midlife experiencing major life transitions and ready to transform their relationship with money. Hosted by Laura Rotter, CFA, CFP®—a financial advisor and Founder of True Abundance Advisors—this podcast features intimate conversations with women who have successfully navigated career changes, divorce and financial independence, retirement planning, entrepreneurship, and complete life reinvention. Every episode explores both the practical side of financial planning for women and the deeper inner work around money mindset, worthiness, and values-based living. From healing financial trauma to building sustainable businesses, from leaving corporate careers to investing with confidence, these stories provide both inspiration and actionable financial guidance. Whether you're contemplating a career pivot, managing an inheritance, recovering from divorce, or simply feeling that there must be more to life than the relentless pursuit of more—this podcast will help you use your resources (money, time, energy, and talent) to create a life of meaning and purpose. Laura brings her Wall Street experience, mindfulness practice, and financial life planning expertise to help listeners understand that true abundance isn't about the numbers in your account—it's about the freedom to live authentically. Perfect for: Women over 40, midlife career changers, recent divorcées, pre-retirees, women entrepreneurs, and anyone questioning whether they're worthy of pursuing their heart's desires. Topics include: Financial planning, money mindset, career transitions, retirement alternatives, divorce and money, women's financial empowerment, entrepreneurship, investing, financial therapy, values-based financial planning, and life reinvention.

  1. I Watched My Mother Ask My Father for Money—I Decided That Would Never Be Me

    2D AGO

    I Watched My Mother Ask My Father for Money—I Decided That Would Never Be Me

    Growing up in India, Chaitra Vedullapalli watched her mother and grandmother ask men for money. Not because there wasn't enough, but because that's just how it worked. She hated it. At eight years old, she became an entrepreneur selling handkerchiefs at her mother's social gatherings. The moment cash landed in her hand and she could buy what she wanted without permission? Magical. That moment sparked a lifelong commitment to agency over money. Chaitra spent 26 years in tech at Oracle and Microsoft, working on billion-dollar strategies. She was one of the youngest executives to reach the Oval Office, discussing multi-billion dollar contracts. But what came next defines her: founding Women in Cloud to help women entrepreneurs scale, leading capital campaigns to build community centers, investing in Hollywood films, and now building a $100 million fund. The breakthrough? Her family's "invest formula"—a framework she and her husband developed on day one of marriage to evaluate every financial decision. Six questions: Does it generate income? Expand network? Appreciate over time? What's the exit? How protected? Tax advantages? They score every investment against these criteria, creating a common language that eliminates money fights. But the real revelation came from Tim Ferriss's "The 4-Hour Work Week" and million-dollar mindset planning. Chaitra wrote down everything that would make her feel like a millionaire: business class travel, monthly nice dinners with her kids, experiential trips with friends, investing $50,000 quarterly in causes that matter. Then she calculated the cost. Her jaw dropped—less than $200,000. She realized if they had that base covered, everything else could flow toward impact. No stress. No zeros-chasing. Just memories and democratizing access. Chaitra's grandmother taught her: "If you want to change the world, give the first check to that community." It's not about permission. It's about agency. Whether you're navigating financial conversations with a partner, building a business, or using money for impact, Chaitra shows that money is energy meant to flow—toward fun, your future, and the change you want to see. Guest: Chaitra Vedullapalli, founder of Women in Cloud and technology executive with 26 years at Oracle and Microsoft Resources: Women in CloudWebsite: Chaitra VedullapalliLinkedIn

    44 min
  2. I Wrote a Book 17 Years Ago; My Daughter Made Me Publish It: a conversation with Susan Kleinman

    APR 19

    I Wrote a Book 17 Years Ago; My Daughter Made Me Publish It: a conversation with Susan Kleinman

    What happens when you write a novel, put it in a drawer, and your adult daughter stages an intervention? In this episode, Laura welcomes Susan Kleinman, author of All Afternoon, who shares her journey from magazine writer to fiction author, and how her daughter's tough love pushed her to finally publish her book. Susan grew up learning that money means values in action. While there were limits on clothing—no more than $15 per skirt—her mother took her to a book warehouse where Susan could fill a cart with 50-100 books. This clear message about what mattered shaped everything. After a published cover story in college and a 10-city book tour at 25, Susan's career didn't follow the typical upward trajectory. It looked like the letter U—starting high, dropping to steady magazine work, then rising decades later. When magazines folded during the 2008 crisis, she pivoted to fiction, winning a Sarah Lawrence fellowship and drafting "All Afternoon" in 2010. The book went through agents, rejections, COVID delays, and her father's death. At 59, Susan quit writing entirely. She made collage cards, slept late, thought she was happily retired. Then her daughter flew home: "You need to get a job. You seem aimless." Her daughter read the manuscript and insisted: "You have to get this book published." Now 61, Susan is self-publishing, learning marketing, connecting with bookstagrammers, and receiving reviews from strangers that make her cry. Key Takeaways: 💡 Money is how you put your values into action. Susan's parents taught her this explicitly—there were strict limits on clothing, but unlimited books. This wasn't about their financial situation; it was about what mattered. Charitable giving was non-negotiable, but so was thinking deliberately about expenditures that create a life that fits who you are, not just what you want in the moment. 💡 Career paths aren't always linear. Susan's career graphed as a U, not an upward trend—high success at 25, decades of steady but quiet magazine work, then a dramatic rise again at 61. She lost work during the 2008 housing crisis when decorating magazines folded, pivoted to fiction, then quit entirely before returning. The traditional career trajectory doesn't apply to everyone. 💡 Sometimes your family sees what you can't. When Susan thought she was happily retired making cards and drinking coffee slowly, her daughter flew home and said, "This is an intervention. You need to get a job. You seem aimless." Her daughter's emotional intelligence caught what Susan couldn't see—she needed purpose and goals, not just leisure. Sometimes those who love us most can see our truth. 💡 Time is not renewable—spend it deliberately. Susan's grandfather, a European immigrant, told her at 86: "Sometimes life is very long, but even so it ends." This shaped her approach to saying yes to opportunities even when tired or crabby. Guest: Susan Kleinman is a writer and author of All Afternoon, a novel set in 1978 about a woman confronting what she wants from life. Resources: All AfternoonFacebookInstagramWebsite

    1h 2m
  3. I Saved for 40 Years and Almost Didn't Live to Use It

    APR 5

    I Saved for 40 Years and Almost Didn't Live to Use It

    What happens when you follow all the rules—save diligently, work hard, climb the corporate ladder—but lose yourself in the process? In this episode, Laura welcomes Gretchen Schoser, founder of Schoser Solutions and co-host of the podcast "Shit That Goes On In Our Heads," who shares her journey from attempted suicide on Christmas Day 2022 to launching her own consulting business focused on mental health and change management. Gretchen's father taught her to save relentlessly. She worked at McDonald's through high school and college, put money into her 401(k) for 40 years, and did everything right financially. But beneath the surface, she was drowning. On Christmas 2022, after taking on everyone else's pain, she called 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline. A two-hour conversation saved her life. After accepting early retirement and launching a mental health podcast, Gretchen faced another transition: starting her consulting firm. On January 2nd, she opened her LLC, funding it with $30,000 from the 401(k) she'd built over four decades. Key Takeaways: 💡 Financial security doesn't guarantee mental health. Gretchen saved diligently for 40 years, but on Christmas 2022, she nearly didn't live to use that money. She weathered toxic jobs because she couldn't afford to leave, showing up with a smile while dying inside. Financial wellness and mental wellness must go hand-in-hand—no amount of savings is worth sacrificing your mental health. 💡 The 988 crisis line saves lives. When Gretchen was in crisis, she called 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline. You don't need to be suicidal—anyone in crisis can call. A trained professional talked with her for over two hours, saved her life, and helped her find resources. If you're struggling, 988 is available 24/7 in the US and Canada. 💡 Starting a business after 60 requires strategic planning. Gretchen used ChatGPT to calculate startup capital needs, factoring in personal expenses, projected customers, and 1099 contractor realities. She withdrew $30,000 from her 401(k)—after 59.5, you avoid early withdrawal penalties. She hired a CPA, opened business and savings accounts, and sets aside 20% of every payment for taxes. 💡 Being your own boss means being your own caretaker. Working from home makes it easy to overextend. Gretchen schedules reminders to step away, greet her spouse, and eat. She keeps overhead low, watches those $10/month subscriptions that add up, and prices below big consulting firms while protecting her time and energy. 💡 Success shifts from chasing money to making a difference. Gretchen chased money and dreams for decades. At 60, she realized she had enough: a roof, food, her spouse, security. Now success means doing what makes her happy, helping companies protect employee mental health during transitions, and being the happiest her wife has seen her in 20 years. Guest: Gretchen Schoser is founder of Schoser Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in change management and employee mental health, and co-host of "Shit That Goes On In Our Heads" podcast. With 45 years in corporate America and expertise in UKG Recruiting and Onboarding, she's now a mental health advocate helping companies navigate transitions while protecting employee wellbeing. Resources: Company Websire: schosersolutions.comPodcast: "Shit That Goes On In Our Heads" at shitthatgoesoninourheads.net988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available 24/7 in US and Canada)LinkedIn

    41 min
  4. $400k in contracts and no money for rent?: a conversation with Alexandra Gonzalez

    MAR 21

    $400k in contracts and no money for rent?: a conversation with Alexandra Gonzalez

    What does it take to fight for what matters most and build a thriving business on your own terms? In this moving episode, Laura welcomes Alexandra Gonzalez, founder and CEO of Savvy Marketers, who shares her journey from corporate marketing executive to entrepreneur, driven by a life changing pregnancy and unwavering commitment to her values. Alexandra's story begins with her Cuban immigrant parents who arrived in America with only the clothes on their backs, instilling in her the power of hard work, resilience, and education. After building a successful corporate career managing multi-billion dollar businesses at Johnson & Johnson, she faced the fight of her life during a high-risk twin pregnancy. Doctors recommended aborting 24 times, but Alexandra refused, fighting for her daughters through challenges. This experience transformed her definition of success. Shortly after giving birth, she launched Savvy Marketers from her home, landing a nearly $400,000 contract with her first presentation. Over 13 years, she's built a full-service boutique agency with 8,000 square feet of space and 10 innovation labs, navigating pandemic highs and challenging quarters while never losing sight of her values. Key Takeaways: 💡 Faith and purpose provide direction through uncertainty. Alexandra's deep spiritual foundation helped her navigate impossible medical decisions, turbulent markets, and entrepreneurship challenges. She believes we're all interconnected citizens of the same planet, and our actions impact others beyond our immediate circles, giving us responsibility to work for the greater good. 💡 Build your business in phases with financial guardrails. Alexandra self-funded Savvy Marketers, starting from home and gradually expanding from freelancers to employees, small offices to 8,000 square feet. She emphasizes planning one, three, five years out and understanding that corporate clients often pay in 90-120 day cycles, requiring careful cashflow management. 💡 Quality of time matters more than quantity. As women we are our own worst judges, we put immense pressure on ourselves to balance everything perfectly. Alexandra teaches her three daughters that success isn't about hours spent but about being fully present. Self-care must be a priority based on intention and quality, not duration. 💡 Resilience means adjusting, not abandoning. When 2024's first quarter hit hard, Alexandra sold personal items to make payroll rather than fire her team. When troubles hit at home, you don't fire your kids; you adjust and prioritize. This commitment to values over short-term gain defines authentic leadership. 💡 True success is loving what you do and being able to keep doing it. Success isn't measured by awards or monthly revenue but by waking up every day to do work you love, staying healthy, being surrounded by good people, and using your talents for something greater. Financial success means covering costs, saving, and having freedom to live meaningfully. Guest: Alexandra Gonzalez is founder and CEO of Savvy Marketers, a full-service boutique marketing agency in Princeton, NJ. With nearly 30 years in marketing, she's managed multi-billion dollar businesses across banking, food, consumer packaged goods, e-commerce, and private equity before launching her own firm over 13 years ago. Resources: Savvy Marketers: Savvy Marketers | Award Winning Marketing AgencyConnect on LinkedIn: Alexandra Michelle Gonzalez

    53 min
  5. How To Design a Life Aligned With Your Values: A Conversation With Amy Mullen

    MAR 7

    How To Design a Life Aligned With Your Values: A Conversation With Amy Mullen

    In this episode, Laura welcomes Amy Mullen, President of Money Quotient, for a powerful conversation about why financial literacy alone rarely leads to lasting behavior change. Amy shares the origin story behind Money Quotient, beginning with her mother Carol Anderson. After going through a divorce that left her uncertain about her financial future, Carol transitioned from preschool teacher to financial literacy advocate. That experience ultimately sparked the creation of Money Quotient and deeply shaped Amy’s perspective on the connection between money and life design. Growing up with parents who had completely opposite money personalities, a saver mother and a spender father, Amy learned early how deeply our financial behaviors are shaped by our experiences. Those contrasting influences helped her recognize the importance of self-awareness when making financial decisions, rather than simply repeating inherited patterns. Amy also shares fascinating research on financial behavior. Many people seek financial education when they feel anxious or fearful about money. But once they learn something new, that anxiety decreases even if no real action has been taken. Without that emotional urgency, motivation often disappears. Sustainable behavior change, she explains, comes not from fear but from positive emotions like excitement about goals and clarity around what truly matters. The conversation offers practical tools for women navigating financial decisions and life transitions. One powerful exercise Amy shares is the Wheel of Life, which helps break down overwhelming questions about life satisfaction into manageable areas. By identifying what brings genuine joy, purpose, and fulfillment, people can begin using those values as a guide for financial decisions instead of comparing themselves to others. Key Takeaways💡 Positive emotions drive sustainable change. Fear may push people to seek information, but lasting transformation happens when people feel excited about a vision for their future. 💡 Childhood money stories shape adult behavior. Amy grew up with a saver mom and a spender dad, which created conflicting spending habits. Understanding those patterns helped her make more intentional financial choices aligned with her own values. 💡 True fulfillment comes from alignment. When you align your time, energy, and money with what brings intrinsic reward, you create a deeper sense of life satisfaction. GuestAmy Mullen, CFP® is President of Money Quotient, Inc., an organization founded in 2001 that teaches financial professionals how to bring science to the art of relationship. In this role, Amy conducts training, provides individualized consulting, and frequently presents at national financial industry conferences on the benefits and effectiveness of a values-based approach to financial planning, understanding clients' financial motivations and how to guide them through change to create long-lasting client-planner relationships. ResourcesInvesting Your Time and EnergyWheel of Life ExerciseDirectory of Money Quotient AdvisorsFacebookLinkedInWebsite

    56 min
  6. How To Transform Your Relationship With Money with Carrie Friedberg

    FEB 21

    How To Transform Your Relationship With Money with Carrie Friedberg

    What happens when someone who grew up witnessing financial conflict decides to transform their relationship with money? Laura sits down with Carrie Friedberg, author of the book "At Peace With Money: A Holistic Roadmap to Financial Wellness," to explore how she moved from credit card debt and constant anxiety to becoming a money coach who helps others find their own financial peace. Carrie grew up in a household where money was a source of tension and secrecy. Despite enjoying financial security on the surface, the misalignment between her parents around spending created an atmosphere of stress that Carrie carried into her young adult life. Living on a teacher's salary while maintaining an active social life, she found herself trapped in a cycle of credit card debt, emotional spending and profound anxiety about money. The turning point came through an unexpected source: her yoga practice. The physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation Carrie experienced on the mat gave her the courage to seek help with her finances. After trying various approaches on her own, she discovered the power of working with a money coach who provided both practical tools and emotional support. This two-year journey didn't just change her bank account; it transformed her self-esteem, her relationships, and ultimately her career path. Now a money coach herself, Carrie shares the essential steps for building financial wellness, from tracking your spending for at least 90 days to creating a realistic spending plan that honors both your current lifestyle and your future goals. She emphasizes that financial health isn't about deprivation or quick fixes but rather a sustainable practice that requires consistent attention and self-compassion. 💡 Money patterns often begin in childhood. Growing up with parents who held opposing views on spending left Carrie anxious around money. She observed secrecy, conflict, and tension during everyday financial moments, which her body absorbed long before she could articulate it. Understanding these early imprints is a critical step in reshaping adult money habits. 💡 Financial wellness is a long-term practice. Just as physical or emotional health doesn’t change overnight, neither does financial health. Carrie’s transformation unfolded over years. The reward was improved self-esteem, healthier relationships, and peace of mind. 💡 Tracking spending creates awareness and change. The most powerful tool in Carrie’s journey was tracking every dollar she spent for at least 90 days. This practice helped her see her real habits instead of assumptions. Whether done by hand, through apps, or with a bookkeeper, the key is awareness rather than avoidance. 💡 A spending plan doesn’t require sacrificing joy. Carrie learned that financial health doesn’t mean cutting out everything you love. By identifying non-negotiable self-care and intentionally spacing out other expenses, she shifted away from feast or famine spending. Facebook LinkedIn Instagram WebsiteBook

    48 min
  7. How to Build a Movement from Your Kitchen Table: with Kathie O'Callaghan

    FEB 7

    How to Build a Movement from Your Kitchen Table: with Kathie O'Callaghan

    What happens when you combine childhood memories of your mother opening your home to refugees, a crisis playing out on television screens worldwide, and the belief that ordinary people can make extraordinary change? You get Hearts and Homes for Refugees—a movement that has helped resettle and support over 1,000 refugees in the Lower Hudson Valley and inspired a national shift in how America welcomes those fleeing persecution. In this conversation, Laura sits down with Kathie O'Callaghan, founder of Hearts & Homes for Refugees. Kathie shares her journey from breaking barriers as the eldest daughter in a large Catholic family in Louisville, to working on Capitol Hill and in New York corporate PR, to stepping back to raise four teenagers, to founding an organization that would change the refugee resettlement landscape in America. When the Syrian refugee crisis erupted in 2015, Kathie remembered the Vietnamese family her mother helped resettle in the 1970s through their parish. She knew there was a model that worked—faith communities and neighbors providing extended support beyond what government-funded resettlement agencies could offer. So she gathered people around her kitchen table in Pelham Manor and said: We can do this. And they did. Now, the community sponsorship model Hearts & Homes pioneered has spread nationwide, with millions of Americans stepping up to welcome Afghan and Ukrainian refugees. This episode is essential for anyone who's ever thought "someone should do something" about an issue they care deeply about, for women wondering if they can make a difference after stepping back from careers, and for anyone seeking inspiration about what's possible when you trust your gut, mobilize your community, and refuse to accept that the way things are is the way things have to be. Key takeaways: 💡 Your childhood experiences can become your life's mission—decades later: Kathie's mother opened their Louisville home as a "revolving door" to Vietnamese refugees, homeless people, and anyone needing help in the 1970s. Forty years later, watching the Syrian crisis, those childhood memories became the blueprint for Hearts & Homes for Refugees. 💡 The best solutions often come from models that already worked: Kathie didn't invent refugee sponsorship—she remembered it from her childhood and adapted it for 2016. Sometimes innovation isn't creating something new; it's recognizing what worked before and bringing it back when it's needed again. 💡 You don't need permission or a roadmap to start something important: In 2016, resettlement agencies said community sponsorship wouldn't work. Kathie said "watch us" and gathered people around her kitchen table. That model reshaped refugee resettlement nationwide. Sometimes you just have to build it and trust they'll come. 💡Success isn't about money—it's about impact, one family at a time: Kathie defines success as seeing her vision come to life, bringing diverse communities together, and knowing that every single volunteer—whether leading a cohort or driving once a month—feels they're doing the most important work they've ever done. Connect with Kathie: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram X Website Advocacy Toolkit

    48 min
  8. How to Lead Yourself First: The CORE Framework for Intentional Living with Miki Feldman Simon

    JAN 24

    How to Lead Yourself First: The CORE Framework for Intentional Living with Miki Feldman Simon

    What if the most important leadership role you'll ever have isn't managing a team, but leading yourself? In this conversation, Laura Rotter sits down with Miki Feldman Simon—executive coach and author—who shares her journey to discovering her true calling: helping people live with intention, authenticity, and purpose. Miki's path wasn't linear. From fashion design to psychology to HR to operations to marketing, she explored diverse fields while developing a consistent through-line: curiosity about people and the ability to create psychological safety that gets others to open up. After moving from Israel to Australia to the United States, taking forced career breaks due to visa restrictions, and taking care of aging parents, Miki found herself asking the fundamental question that drives her work today: Who do you want to be? Her answer became the CORE framework—a four-step process detailed in her book Core Leadership. CORE stands for Clarify, Operationalize, Reflect and Evaluate. This isn't just a leadership model for executives—it's a framework for anyone who wants to stop being managed by other people's priorities and start showing up as the person they truly want to be. This episode is essential listening for anyone feeling pulled along by life rather than intentionally choosing it, for parents trying to model values for their children, for professionals wondering if their credit card statement reflects what they say matters most, and for anyone ready to ask: In this moment, who do I want to be? Key Takeaways💡 Leadership starts with leading yourself—it happens everywhere: You don't need a management title to be a leader. Leadership shows up in your kitchen, with your family, in how you respond to stress. If you're not intentional about leading yourself, you'll be managed by other people's priorities and habits, pulled along without direction. 💡 Ask others about your strengths—you can't see them clearly yourself: Miki asked her teenage daughter "What are my strengths?" and received a life-changing answer: "You have simple solutions to complex situations." We dismiss compliments or assume everyone has our gifts. Ask at least three people who know you well what your strengths are—the answers will surprise and empower you. 💡 Clarify who you want to BE, not just what you want to DO: We spend enormous energy on what we want to accomplish but rarely ask who we want to be. When your values, priorities, and vision of yourself are clear, decisions become easier—even painful ones—because you have a compass guiding you. 💡 Your credit card statement reveals your true priorities: Say family is your priority? Check your calendar and bank statement. We rationalize that we'll "someday" focus on what matters, but operationalizing your values means your actions actually align with what you say is important. Resources: Core Leadership The 6 Types of Working Genius

    45 min
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About

Making Change with Your Money is the go-to podcast for women in midlife experiencing major life transitions and ready to transform their relationship with money. Hosted by Laura Rotter, CFA, CFP®—a financial advisor and Founder of True Abundance Advisors—this podcast features intimate conversations with women who have successfully navigated career changes, divorce and financial independence, retirement planning, entrepreneurship, and complete life reinvention. Every episode explores both the practical side of financial planning for women and the deeper inner work around money mindset, worthiness, and values-based living. From healing financial trauma to building sustainable businesses, from leaving corporate careers to investing with confidence, these stories provide both inspiration and actionable financial guidance. Whether you're contemplating a career pivot, managing an inheritance, recovering from divorce, or simply feeling that there must be more to life than the relentless pursuit of more—this podcast will help you use your resources (money, time, energy, and talent) to create a life of meaning and purpose. Laura brings her Wall Street experience, mindfulness practice, and financial life planning expertise to help listeners understand that true abundance isn't about the numbers in your account—it's about the freedom to live authentically. Perfect for: Women over 40, midlife career changers, recent divorcées, pre-retirees, women entrepreneurs, and anyone questioning whether they're worthy of pursuing their heart's desires. Topics include: Financial planning, money mindset, career transitions, retirement alternatives, divorce and money, women's financial empowerment, entrepreneurship, investing, financial therapy, values-based financial planning, and life reinvention.

Information

  • Creator
    Laura Rotter, CFA, CFP® | Financial Advisor for Women in Midlife Transitions
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Laura Rotter, CFA, CFP® | Financial Advisor for Women in Midlife Transitions
  • Show Website
    Making Change with your Money

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