Shannon Ryan – Money, Feelings and Dealing with Shame

Shannon Ryan is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with over 30 years of experience guiding individuals and families through the emotional side of money. Known for her relatable insights and warm, clear style. Shannon combines deep financial knowledge with a heart-centered approach to help people move from money stress to empowerment. She’s the author of the upcoming book Your Money Has Feelings and a seasoned media guest, having appeared on CNBC, Good Morning America, and TEDx. Shannon’s work focuses on uncovering the beliefs and wounds that silently shape our financial behavior—and showing people how to rewrite them. Whether she’s advising clients or speaking to audiences, Shannon helps others understand why they do what they do with money, and how to build lasting confidence rooted in clarity, not shame. Shannon Ryan Vroom Vroom Veer Summary Emotional Aspects of Financial Decisions Shannon discussed her book "Your Money Has Feelings," which explores how personal experiences and emotional responses influence financial decisions. She emphasized that money issues often stem from unconscious emotional responses rather than a lack of funds, and she highlighted the importance of understanding these underlying factors to better manage finances. Jeffery agreed with Shannon's perspective, noting that money-related problems are complex and not solely about having enough money. Money's Emotional Impact on Lives Jeffery and Shannon discussed their personal experiences with money and its impact on their lives. Shannon shared her childhood experiences growing up in a divorced family where money was used as a tool for power, which shaped her views on financial independence and earning potential. Jeffery introduced the concept of the Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) movement and discussed his own journey towards financial independence. They both agreed that money is an emotional topic and that financial literacy goes beyond just knowledge, involving personal experiences and emotional wounds. Financial Decisions and Learning Insights Jeffery and Shannon discussed the changing landscape of information access and its impact on research and learning. Shannon shared a personal story about helping clients align their financial decisions with their personal goals, emphasizing the importance of questioning cultural expectations and societal pressures. Jeffery recounted his own experiences with homeownership and financial decisions, highlighting the lessons learned from missed opportunities and financial challenges. Both agreed on the value of learning from mistakes and moving forward with newfound knowledge. Vacation Home Investment Myths Shannon and Jeffery discussed the misconceptions around real estate investments, particularly vacation homes. Shannon emphasized that while owning a vacation home may not be a sound financial investment, it can provide personal fulfillment and create lasting memories. They also touched on the changing dynamics of rental markets and the importance of aligning personal values with lifestyle choices when deciding where to live. Client Expectations and Ethical Investing Shannon shared a personal story about a client who was dissatisfied with his 37% portfolio return in 1998, despite it being significantly higher than expected, because he felt his neighbor who invested entirely in tech stocks performed better. This led to a discussion about how money is a primal and emotionally charged topic due to its connection to basic needs and societal judgment, and how financial advisors must balance client expectations with ethical investing practices. Financial Risks and Professional Advice Shannon shared a personal story about a client who lost 80% of their retirement investments after taking unnecessary risks, leading to a difficult parting of ways. She emphasized how fear and greed can make people vulnerable to poor financial decisions and fraud, while also discussing the importance of professional financial advice. Jeffery shared his own experience of receiving early financial guidance from an uncle and learning about The Motley Fool's resources, which helped shape his investment approach. Retirement's Emotional and Financial Transition Shannon and Jeffery discussed the transition from working to retirement, emphasizing that while managing finances is relatively straightforward, the emotional aspects of retirement are more challenging. Shannon highlighted the importance of understanding one's financial flow and overcoming emotional barriers to engage with money management tools. They agreed that while resources for retirement planning are freely available, many people avoid addressing their finances due to emotional resistance. Empowering Financial Planning Conversations Shannon and Jeffery discussed financial planning, focusing on the importance of understanding one's spending habits and addressing the emotional challenges associated with financial discussions. Shannon ...