Academics and Their Money
Ever feel like you’ve got a PhD in your field but only a 101-level understanding of your finances? Welcome to Academics and Their Money, the podcast where we make money talk as smart—and as entertaining—as you are. Because let’s be honest: knowledge is powerful, but a well-earned paycheck doesn’t hurt either. Whether you’re a fresh PhD navigating that first real paycheck, a tenured professor pondering what’s next, or a former academic with some ‘unique’ insights—this show dives into making your intellect work for you, tackling the financial quirks of academic life, and uncovering the untold money stories behind the ivory tower.
If you’re a fan of Planet Money, Freakonomics Radio, or HerMoney with Jean Chatzky, you’ll feel right at home here. But fair warning: this isn’t another boring money podcast. We keep it real, relatable, and just a bit irreverent to make finance feel fresh. Let’s get smarter about money—and wealthier—together!
Episodes
24 episodes
How PhDs Can Earn Fifty to Seventy Five Percent More: Elena Hoffer’s Not-So-Academic Story
In this international edition of Academics and Their Money, Inga Timmerman and Neeka Miremadi sit down with Elena Hoffer, a German scientist living in Sweden who completed her PhD in immunology at the Karolinska Institute. Elena shares her jour...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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36:22
The Academic Roadmap: Promotion (Money First!), Tenure, and Money Mindsets with Philip Gibson
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Philip Gibson professor of finance, associate dean at Winthrop University, and founder of ElationWealth LLC to explore money mindsets, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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33:06
Side Hustles, Stashes, and Salary Truths: The Academic Life of Nik Volkov
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Nik Volkov, Associate Professor of Finance at Mercer University, to trace his path into academia and the money les...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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29:22
‘It’s Like Dealing with Kindergartners’: Pieter De Jong on the Realities of Academic Life
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman talk with Pieter De Jong, who shares his unconventional journey from physical therapist to finance professor. Pieter reflects on...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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30:38
You Can’t Pay Rent with Passion: Why Ashley Ruba Left Academia
“Clarity often follows action. You don’t really know what you like until you try it.” — Ashley RubaIn this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Inga Timmerman and Neeka Miremadi talk with Ashley Ruba....
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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36:09
Money Gives You Options: Emily Roberts on Finances in Grad School
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Emily Roberts, founder of Personal Finance for PhDs. Emily shares her journey from pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering at Duke ...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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35:26
Annual Benefit Enrollment Explained: Making the Most of Your Workplace Benefits as an Academic
It’s not a set-it-and-forget-it type thing, annual enrollment is the one time each year to really make sure your benefits still fit your life.In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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22:51
Academia Won’t Love You Back: Rebecca Pope-Ruark on Money, Burnout, and Balance
“We imagine professors in leather chairs thinking big thoughts, but the reality is—it’s a workplace that won’t love you back if you’re not producing.”In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerma...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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25:03
The Currency of Life: How Academics Can Build Financial Freedom with Sam Hosseini
"Money is not a piece of paper in your purse. It's your life. It's your youth. It's your precious hours that you gave away to earn that money. Spend it wisely."What if money isn’t just currency but the very time and energy of your...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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30:31
The $48K Wake-Up Call: Lessons in Money and Academia with Tanya Golash-Boza
What happens when your first raise kicks you off state healthcare? Tanya Golash-Boza learned the hard way that more money doesn’t always mean more breathing room.In this episode, we talk with Tanya about the financial wake-up calls that ...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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35:49
Academia as a Business: Side Hustles, Strategy, and Salary with Ramon Goings
“Get the Bag, Not Just the Title” — Ramon GoingsWhat would you do differently if you could start your academic career over? Ramon Goings has a few answers—and he’s not holding back. In this episode, we chat with the founder of Done Disse...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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32:29
Part 2: Starting a New Academic Job? Breaking Down Your Retirement Plan’s Investment Choices—Without the Jargon
In this second installment of our two-part series on workplace retirement plans, host Neeka Miremadi helps academics navigate the next step after choosing between plan types—evaluating the investments within those plans. Whether you're...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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14:31
Starting a New Academic Job? Here's How to Pick the Right Retirement Plan
Starting a new academic job? One of the biggest—and most overwhelming—financial decisions you'll face is choosing a workplace retirement plan. In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi walks you through a clear, appr...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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13:39
Leaving Academia: Janine Sam on Giving Up Tenure for Industry
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, we talk with Janine Sam—a former professor turned financial planner—about her transition from academia to industry, and all the financial lessons she picked up along the way. Janine opens u...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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28:43
Tenure, Textbooks, and the Long Game with Melisa Galvan
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, we’re joined by Melisa Galvan—professor, textbook author, and all-around academic powerhouse—to talk about what she wishes she'd known before starting her academic career. From the high-sta...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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25:15
Unraveling Money Mindsets & Adjunct Academia with Shannah Game
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, we sit down with Shannah Game—host of Everyone's Talking Money and author of Unraveling Your Relationship with Money—to explore the often-overlooked emotional side of fina...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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31:54
Gratitude & the Side-Eye: Nicole Pulliam on Making Peace—and Money—Beyond Academia
In this deeply honest and empowering episode of Academics and Their Money, we’re joined by Nicole Pulliam—tenured professor, certified coach, and unapologetic truth-teller—as she shares her unexpected journey through academia, the powe...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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36:44
Balancing Academia, Finances, and Well-Being: A Conversation with Jasmine Cobb
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman interview Jasmine Cobb about her insights on navigating academia while managing finances. They discuss how early-career academics can set themselves up for financia...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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35:20
Breaking Money Myths: Academic Funding, Immigrant Guilt, and Failing Upward with Zeina Salame
This episode of Academics and Their Money explores the intersection of money, culture, and academia through the experiences of Zeina Salame. Raised by immigrant parents with a strong emphasis on financial security, Zeina shares how cultural exp...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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35:05
Understanding Taxes as an Academic: Common Considerations and Shortcomings
In this episode, Neeka Miremadi breaks down the complexities of taxes for professors, for those new to academia or continuing. She covers essential tax concepts, including how W-2 income differs from self-employment income, the importance of un...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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9:28
Career Pivots: Aline Silva's Journey from Academia to Industry
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman interview Aline Silva, who shares her transition from academia to industry. Originally from Brazil, Aline entered academia after struggling to find a...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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35:46
Academic Career Decisions: What to Consider and What It Means for Your Money
Episode Overview:In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Inga Timmerman breaks down the financial and career considerations that academics should keep in mind when evaluating job offers. Whether it’s your first job or ...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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18:01
Money Matters for Academics: The Key Questions to Ask Yourself
Financial planning isn’t just about numbers—it’s about designing a career and life that bring you fulfillment. In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Inga Timmerman explores the key financial and career decisions academics face,...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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16:13