Why This Episode Is a Must-Watch

Money isn't just numbers; it's deeply emotional. Hosted by Andy Wang, this episode of Inspired Money explores the psychology behind financial decisions. We often believe we're making logical choices, but the truth is, biases, emotions, and subconscious beliefs steer our financial behavior more than we think. Understanding these elements can transform not just our financial outcomes, but our entire approach to wealth.

Meet the Expert Panelists

Saundra Davis MSFP, APFC®, FBS® is a US Navy veteran, financial coach, educator, and consultant, nationally recognized for her expertise in financial coaching, financial therapy, and addressing the racial wealth gap. She is the founder of Sage Financial Solutions (a training organization) and serves as the Director of Financial Planning Programs at Golden Gate University, where she develops and facilitates financial capability programs and coaching certifications to promote equitable access to high-quality financial guidance for all.

Martha Menard, PhD is a behavioral scientist, financial coach, and researcher with a background in clinical psychology and behavioral medicine. As A Principal Consultant at Cascadia Financial Health and an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University, she helps people to build healthier relationships with money through coaching, education, and evidence-based financial strategies.

Mariko Gordon, CFA, CFP® is CEO of Uzume LLC, where she provides financial planning and consulting services to individuals and families. She previously founded and built Daruma Capital Management into a $2.5 billion firm with a distinctive, non-traditional approach to investing. With over 30 years of experience as a small-cap stock picker, she now helps clients navigate personal finance, entrepreneurship, and life transitions, drawing from her deep expertise in business, investing, and her multicultural heritage.

Key Highlights:

1. The Impact of Cognitive Biases

Martha Menard discusses how stress and emotional states can lead to irrational financial decisions. She explains how automatic saving mechanisms like 401(k) plans can help manage cognitive overload.

2. Money Scripts and Financial Behavior

Saundra Davis shares her personal journey, highlighting how childhood financial instability shaped her adult money scripts. She emphasizes the importance of awareness and compassion in reshaping these scripts.

3. Interplay of Emotions in Financial Decision

Mariko Gordon speaks about the essential role of emotions and body wisdom in investment decisions. She draws parallels between money habits and food consumption, underscoring the complexity of personal biases.

Call-to-Action

Your Challenge This Week: Take one step toward improving your relationship with money. Here’s how: Spend five minutes writing down your biggest financial fear or belief. Where do you think it comes from? Is it serving you, or holding you back? Awareness is the first step toward change.

Let me know in the comments or send me a message—what did you discover?

Find the Inspired Money channel on YouTube or listen to Inspired Money in your favorite podcast player.

Andy Wang, Host/Producer of Inspired Money