Feeling stuck with money? Start with your beliefs, not the numbers (ft. Michelle Malawer)

This week, we’re talking about the emotional and behavioral side of money with money coach Michelle Malawer. We explore what money coaching actually looks like, how it differs from working with a financial advisor, and why changing your finances often starts with understanding your patterns — not just your numbers.

We also talk about the beliefs and challenges Michelle frequently sees with women around money, from debt shame to undercharging to feeling stuck. Plus, we dig into a surprisingly powerful idea: imagination as a money skill. Once we’re not just trying to survive financially, we can start asking what we actually want our lives to feel like — and how our money can support that.

Episode Timestamps

[02:00] The key differences between money coaches and financial advisors — and when you might want to hire each
[03:00] A real-life example of money coaching in action
[06:00] Common problems people (especially women) bring to money coaching
[08:00] What it means to “taste test” joy and pleasure with spending
[11:00] What’s actually behind feeling stuck with money
[13:00] Why emotions often come before numbers in coaching
[16:00] The surprising insights clients discover about themselves
[17:00] Why fostering your sense of imagination is an underrated money skill
[25:00] Money beliefs that show up often for women
[29:00] Michelle’s experience working with financial therapist

Resources:

• Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn
• Join Michelle’s free money book club for women
• Get Ramit Sethi’s I Will Teach You To Be Rich: The Journal