Have you ever stopped to think about the relationship you have with Money, not just your budget or bank balance, but the Emotions that shape your financial choices?

Even though money looks logical on paper, the truth is most of our financial decisions come from our emotional state—shaped by the families we grew up in, what we witnessed, and what we learned about having “enough.”

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Shannon Ryan, Certified Financial Planner, TEDx speaker, and author of Your Money Has Feelings. With over 30 years of experience guiding people through financial change, Shannon brings warmth and compassion to a topic that often feels shame-filled or overwhelming. Her approach blends personal Finance and emotional well-being in a way that might shift how you relate to money for good.

We explore:

• How early Family patterns create emotional “scar tissue” around money—and how that shows up now
• Why women often carry unhealed money fears during midlife transitions
• How your nervous system responds to money Stress—and what helps calm it
• Why financial Security after Divorce can feel like an emotional minefield
• The sneaky money beliefs that keep you stuck in scarcity
• What real financial empowerment looks like (hint: it’s not just numbers)

If you’re rebuilding after a breakup, reentering the workforce, or just trying to feel safer and more confident with money, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, grounded, and hopeful.

You’re not broken, you’re just taking the next right step.

Here’s to trusting yourself, and trusting the next right step.

Laurie

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Your Money Has Feelings Book

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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND Entertainment PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

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Laurie James Laurie James, Author, Podcaster, and Somatic Relationship Coach

Hi, I'm Laurie James...a mother, divorcée, recovering caregiver turned author, somatic relationship coach, and podcaster. My podcast, Confessions of a Freebird, was inspired by my youngest of four children leaving the nest and is the sequel to my book, Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go.

My memoir is about my journey from loneliness to finding belonging during a time when I was raising four teenage daughters, my mother had a heart attack and needed care, all while my marriage began to crumble underneath me.

Now I love helping people divorce, heal, and date differently in midlife. I love blending my somatic training and coaching to help clients develop a better relationship with their bodies and nervous system. Doing so allows them to find the inner freedom to experience more happiness, joy and create the life they desire through nervous system regulation.

When I'm not coaching clients or podcasting, I can be found nurturing my free spirit by walking my adopted husky Lu, skiing, sailing, hiking, spending time with my four adult daughters, close friends or planning my next adventure.