Journey To Launch : Personal Finance, Early Retirement & Business

In this week’s episode of the Journey to Launch Podcast, I’m joined by two amazing women, Roshida Dowe and Stephanie Perry, co-founders of the Exodus Summit. Both of them walked away from traditional careers, Roshida as a lawyer and Stephanie as a pharmacy technician, to create lives centered around freedom, travel, and joy. We talk about how they each made the leap to move abroad, what it really takes to prepare financially and emotionally, and how you can start creating more options for yourself, no matter your current circumstances. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Roshida and Stephanie turned career breaks into permanent lifestyle shifts abroad What it really takes to prepare financially (even on modest salaries) The mindset shifts needed to let go of fear, attachments, and over-planning Why building community is key, and how the Exodus Summit helps Black women design lives of freedom abroad Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Check out The Exodus Summit happening on Octo

Hey Journeyers! I’m back on the mic after taking the summer off. In this solo episode, I’m reflecting on what it means to truly live financial freedom, not just chase it. Over the last few months, I’ve stepped back from hustle mode to embrace rest, family time, and the flexible lifestyle I’ve worked so hard to create. I’m sharing candid updates about my summer sabbatical, how I balance business with family life, and the lessons I’ve learned about honoring the season you’re in. From budgeting less rigidly to leaning into the “commander stage” of financial independence, I talk about the power of preparation, setting boundaries, and redefining productivity. This isn’t an episode packed with hard financial tips, but it’s full of observations, encouragement, and reminders to honor where you are on your own journey. In this episode I share: ✨ Why I intentionally take summers off and how I plan for it ✨ The freedom (and challenges) of embracing slower, less productive seasons ✨ How I budget and set up my finances to

This week on the Journey to Launch podcast, I’m welcoming back Jillian Johnsrud, author of Retire Often, to share how you can intentionally step away from work every few years, giving yourself the space to recharge, explore new possibilities, and create meaningful memories. Jillian has taken more than a dozen “mini retirements,” allowing her to live abroad, travel to 27 countries, adopt and raise six kids, invest in real estate, and pursue personal passions all without waiting until traditional retirement age. In this conversation, we dive into how you can design your own cycle of work and rest, why taking extended breaks doesn’t derail your finances (and may even accelerate your career), and how to navigate the emotional and practical challenges of stepping away from work. In this episode you’ll learn: What “retiring often” means and how mini retirements differ from vacations How to financially plan and budget for sabbaticals—even with debt Strategies for negotiating time off, re-entering the workforce, and

Vanessa Van Edwards, a best-selling author and behavioral researcher on professional communication and leadership, joins the Journey To Launch podcast to discuss science-based communication insights and give actionable social skills tips to advance your career, relationships, and overall life. We also chat about navigating stereotyping and biases , the importance of making definitive decisions about personal connections, leveraging cues to shape perception, and more. More than 50 million people have seen Vanessa on YouTube and in her viral TED Talk. She has been featured in Entrepreneur, CNN, CBS, and more. Her book, “Captivate: The Science of Succeeding With People,” has been translated into 17+ languages and her latest book, “Cues: Master The Secret Language of Charismatic Communication," was an instant best seller.  In this episode you’ll also learn more about: Actionable posture tips and desk setups to optimize how others perceive you How to recognize if you have weaker people skills and what you can do

Christine Platt, author of ‘'The Afrominimalist Guide To Living With Less,’ and pioneer behind The Afrominimalist, joins the podcast to talk about how she’s carving out space for BIPOC within the minimalist movement. We discuss her journey towards living with less and how she outlines the differences for historically marginalized communities, which radically change the movement and minimalist community. Inclusion and representation matter, and this episode demonstrates the importance of recognizing this fact and celebrating these leaps forward within the minimalist movement. In This Episode You’ll Learn: How minimalism is different for BIPOC Where Christine started on her minimalist journey Why minimalism isn’t living with less, it’s living with intention How you can have luxury and also live with less + more  Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Grab Christine Platt's book here.  Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into

Author, podcaster and entrepreneur, Charlie Gilkey, joins the podcast to shed light on what it really means to make the most out of your time and hone in on what you should focus your attention on. Charlie is founder of Productive Flourishing, a website that helps creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs start finishing the stuff that matters. He's written several books, including an award-winning book, “Start Finishing: How to Go From Idea to Done,” and has been featured in Time, the Washington Post, the New York Times and more. We talk about the four different blocks of time, the reality and advantages of not doing “it all,” how to manage time as a neurodivergent identifying person, getting back control over our priorities and rebelling against rigid schedules.  In this episode, we discuss: Why attention is actually more valuable than time The difference between freedom from and freedom to How to implement the rule “No more than five active projects per time perspective.” Acceptable loss, honoring your priori

George Kinder is an author, international thought leader, and founder of Kinder Institute of Life Planning with more than 35 years of experience as a financial planner and tax advisor. George is dedicated to guiding individuals in uncovering their deepest values and leading more fulfilling lives. His ultimate aim is to promote greater freedom in every aspect of existence. In this conversation we discuss:  The importance of living in the present moment and mastering one's life. George’s three questions to help identify goals and priorities and how the answer to the "having 24 hrs left" question helps you realize what you’ve missed in life.  The balance between short-term pleasure and long-term financial planning.  How to find a trust-worthy financial planner who will help with your life plan George’s approach to parenting is being a good listener & showing empathy, rather than being overly restrictive or reactive + more! Watch this episode on YouTube below or by clicking here. Other Links Mentioned in ep

Nedra Glover Tawwab, licensed therapist, New York Times bestselling author, and relationship expert, joins the podcast to discuss what boundaries are and how to cultivate healthy ones in our own lives. We chat about her social media stardom, with her over 1M followers, her entrepreneur path, and how boundaries give you the freedom you’re looking for in your personal, professional, and financial life.  In this episode we discuss: Navigating codependency + toxic cultural expectations What boundaries are and why you need to practice setting them The power of saying no + when it’s appropriate to give an explanation How Nedra’s 1M+ social media following allowed her to pivot to authorship The importance of identifying your values so you can more easily identify what your boundaries need to be + more Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Nedratawwab.com/set-boundaries-find-peace Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deep

This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast, I’m joined by Karen Salmansohn, bestselling author, behavioral change expert, and creator of “Your To-Die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret Before Your Time Runs Out.” With over 2 million books sold, Karen brings a bold mix of research-based psychology and humor to help us snap out of autopilot and live with more intention. We dive into the powerful idea that mortality awareness isn't morbid, it's motivating. Karen introduces the concept of a "near-life experience" and how many of us are living life adjacent, not fully present. We also explore the connection between core values, money, happiness, and how to design your life with fewer regrets. In this episode we discuss: Core values that prevent future regret and help guide daily decisions How identity shapes habits and long-term financial wellness The difference between fleeting pleasure and deep fulfillment Why growth, curiosity, and authenticity matter more than productivity Strategies to discove

Nick Maggiulli, bestselling author of Just Keep Buying and The Wealth Ladder, returns to the Journey to Launch podcast to share practical, data-driven insights for building wealth at any stage of life. In this conversation, Nick breaks down the six stages of financial progress using his new "Wealth Ladder" framework, explaining how to make smarter decisions with your money based on where you are on the ladder. From tackling low net worth to scaling into the millionaire range, Nick offers real talk on income, spending, and the mindset needed to grow wealth over time without sacrificing your life in the process. We also touch on work-life balance, the myth of overnight success, and why increasing your income is often more important than extreme frugality. In this episode, you’ll learn: The six levels of the Wealth Ladder and how to figure out where you are The “0.01% rule” and how to spend guilt-free based on your liquid net worth Why income is the biggest driver of wealth and how to grow it What most wealthy

Jason Vitug, award-winning, best-selling author, speaker and entrepreneur joins the Journey to Launch podcast to discuss why money is a path to happiness, but it doesn’t embody it. Jason, once a corporate ladder climber, found himself stressed out, burnt-out and living a life he was no longer aligned with. Through trial and error… and rest, Jason discovered the intrinsic connection between mental health and money and how people can move forward to a healthier, happier path on their financial freedom journeys.  In this episode, we also discuss: Quiet Quitting: what it is, why you need an exit plan and taking advantage of ALL your work perks What happiness dimensions are, why you need to implement them in your day-to-day life + actionable steps to make that happen TODAY The reality of knowing yourself and what makes you happy outside of a financial number or achievement  Why we need mental breaks, buying happiness by spending on wellness, stepping off the hamster wheel + more Other related blog posts/l

Ellyce Fulmore, Canadian Queer and neurodivergent financial educator, joins the Journey to Launch podcast to talk about how she paid off high interest debt, ADHD and money, and her new book, “Keeping Finance Personal.”  Ellyce is a full-time content creator and founder of Queerd Co., a financial literacy company. Her approach to finance goes beyond the conventional, focusing on the intersectionality of identities and lived experiences.  We also discuss the importance of understanding how dopamine operates in your neurodivergent brain, ADHD hacks to get better with money, what “Momentum Surfing” is, and how to figure out (and stick to) a budget process that works best for you. In this episode you’ll learn more about: Challenges people with neurodivergence experience with finance + how they can become better at money management The strategy behind Ellyce paying off debt and investing while on an inconsistent income Why becoming debt free isn’t “the ultimate” goal for everyone  Celebrating people's differences,

This week on the Journey to Launch podcast, I’m joined by Lori-Sara Gauthier, a public health worker based in Toronto who is in the thick of transforming her finances and her mindset. Lori-Sara recently paid off $14,000 in consumer debt, is working on eliminating her student loans, and is intentionally charting a path toward financial freedom. Lori-Sara opens up about her spending habits, emotional triggers behind money decisions, and the moment she realized something had to change. Through self-awareness, therapy, and learning about the FIRE movement, she’s rewriting her money story and embracing the power of small, consistent actions. In this episode, we discuss: How Lori-Sara fell into and climbed out of $14K of credit card debt The emotional connection between childhood scarcity and adult overspending What she’s doing now: building an emergency fund, tackling student loans, and investing for the future Why she threw a party to celebrate being debt-free, and how running helped her stay on track Her evolvi

This week on the Journey to Launch podcast, I’m joined by Jackie Kasper, a fellow Journeyer who’s intentionally building a life of connection and financial freedom. Jackie is a mom of two, a director of operations at a Chicago-based fintech startup, and someone who's actively pursuing Financial Independence (FI) within the next 2–7 years. We also dive into how she and her husband are navigating the journey together (even if they’re not always on the same financial page), the influence of motherhood on her long-term goals, and what reaching Coast FI means for her family’s options and freedom. In this episode, Jackie opens up about: How she got into the FI movement after being introduced by her sister-in-law The mindset and financial shifts she made to go from spending freely to strategically investing Buying her first multi-unit property with her brother at 25 and how real estate plays into her FI goals + much more.0 Other Links Mentioned in episode:  Apply to Share Your

Bill Perkins, author and founder, managing partner and head trader for Skylar Capital, joins the podcast to discuss how to live your best life no matter your income and his two decades of experience in the trading industry. We talk about the importance of balancing your financial goals with your time-appropriate life experiences and adding joy in your life right now while being intentional with what you want to do. Bill’s book, “Die With Zero,” has been featured in The New York Times, Mr. Money Mustache, Success, and more. In this episode we discuss: How to enjoy your money and time now, instead of restricting yourself to the point of robbing you of your life Balancing optimizing your life to fulfillment and saving for the future Why certain experiences are useless for us at a certain point if we don’t use them Confronting fear-based mindsets by identifying goals Why waiting until we die to give our children a financial foundation doesn’t make sense + more Other Links Mentioned in episode:

This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast, I’m speaking to fellow Journeyer, Christina Cates, a pediatric surgery physician assistant in Florida who pivoted from her career as a dietitian to triple her income and build a path toward financial independence (FI). Christina first discovered the FI movement through the Journey to Launch podcast and went all in—educating herself, shifting her money mindset, and making bold career moves, including negotiating her salary multiple times. At age 35, she went back to school to become a physician assistant, all while managing ADHD, tackling debt, and staying committed to her long-term financial goals. She shares her journey from paycheck-to-paycheck struggles to becoming a confident investor with a plan to reach a $1.5 million FI number—all while enjoying the ride. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s “too late” to make a change or if you’re stuck in a low-paying field, Christina’s story will inspire you to rethink what’s possible. In this episode we discuss: Why Chri

This week on the Journey to Launch podcast, I’m joined by Pat Flynn—digital entrepreneur, founder of Smart Passive Income, creator of Deep Pocket Monster, and author of Lean Learning: How to Achieve More by Learning Less. Pat shares how getting laid off from his dream job led to building a thriving online business, and how he’s stayed grounded while growing multiple ventures across podcasting, YouTube, community building, and even Pokémon. We explore the benefits of learning less, how to manage growth without losing yourself, what it takes to trust others in your business, and how to keep things fun while building a life aligned with your values. In this episode we discuss: How a $19.99 PDF launched Pat’s entrepreneurial career The mindset shift that helped him avoid burnout and delegate effectively Strategies to decide if an idea should be monetized or kept as a hobby What it means to build a business that truly fits the season of life you’re in Why reflection, experimentation, and service are key t

In this episode of Journey to Launch, I’m joined once again by Travis Hornsby, founder of Student Loan Planner. Travis returns to break down the current state of student loans, including what’s changed under the Biden and Trump administrations, what borrowers should expect moving forward, and how to navigate the uncertainty with smart, strategic planning. Whether you're a recent grad or have six-figure student debt, this episode will help you better understand your options and next steps. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What happened to Biden’s student loan forgiveness and SAVE Plan—and why they’re essentially dead How the IDR account adjustment and PSLF waiver may still benefit you What the new GOP proposals could mean for repayment plans and forgiveness timelines The difference between public vs. private student loans—and strategies for managing each Why many borrowers should consider enrolling in an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan now Check out the video to this episode on YouTube here.

This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast, I’m excited to welcome back the often called “Godfather of Financial Independence”, JL Collins, author of the bestselling book The Simple Path to Wealth. In this episode, we dive into how to stay calm and confident in today’s unpredictable market and why keeping it simple is still the most effective path to building real wealth. We also discuss the timeless power of index fund investing, how to approach investing at different stages of your journey, and why avoiding debt and living below your means are the most powerful tools for building financial freedom. In this episode you’ll learn: The 3 core principles of The Simple Path to Wealth and why they haven’t changed What to do (and not do) during market downturns and volatility How to approach financial advisors, and when they might actually hurt more than help What’s new in the updated edition of The Simple Path to Wealth + much more! Check out the video to this episode on YouTube here. The next FIRE LIVE class is

This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast, I am sharing a powerful conversation I had with Amina AlTai—holistic leadership coach, chronic illness advocate and author of The Ambition Trap: How to Stop Chasing and Start Living - to unpack the truths behind ambition, burnout, and redefining success. We explore the emotional and cultural roots of ambition, especially for historically excluded groups, and why the traditional definition of success is no longer serving us. This is a must-listen if you're under the pressure to "do more" while wondering if there’s a better, more sustainable way to grow and thrive. In this episode, we discuss: The difference between painful ambition and purposeful ambition How core emotional wounds (rejection, betrayal, etc.) shape your drive and work habits Why ambition doesn’t always have to be tied to work or productivity Navigating the ambition penalty in the workplace and reclaiming space Check out the video to this episode on YouTube here: youtube.com/journeytolaunch