How Podcasting Helped Me Get Out of Debt, Navigate a Divorce, and Start My Own Business

Originally aired on “Money You Should Ask” in 2023, this interview takes me back to what life was really like as I clawed my way out of $80K in debt after funding my mom’s divorce and deciding my kids deserved better than a childhood overshadowed by financial stress. Bob Wheeler got me to open up about the decisions I made to get out of debt, the boundaries necessary when a family member needs help, and how those experiences led me to launch my own business and podcast. Without the rock-bottom moment and palpable fear of how my financial mess might scar my children, and all the energy I committed to changing that narrative, I wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate how far I've come. This interview is a great reminder of the importance of the toughest moments, trusting the universe through “crazy” decisions, and how commitment to a clear goal can make a huge difference over time – not just for you and I, but for those around us and for generations to come. Setting Boundaries: The Key to Balancing Family, Business, and Financial Health (00:01:34) Life in 2014: supporting my mom’s divorce, new babies, and mounting debt. (00:03:01) The rock-bottom moment, taking action to call creditors, spending on essentials only, and where financial podcasts came to my rescue. (00:05:25) Breaking generational negative money habits by shifting my family’s conversations and actions around money. (00:09:38) Launching “Reaching Abundance” to address unique financial challenges for moms and women in the household money manager role (00:13:54) Pivoting from financial coaching to producing podcasts for financial advisors. (00:15:03) Trusting the universe’s guidance in taking podcasting clients, leading me to the podcast production business. (00:17:17) Finding fulfillment in a support role for creators rather than being a creator. (00:25:11) Evolving Boundaries with extended family, clients, and children, and teaching my kids about healthy relationships. (00:28:38) Wealth Wisdom: Invest a portion of every paycheck, no matter how small. Finding the Gap in the Market and Leaning into Your Strengths While I started out thinking I’d coach other moms through balancing the family budget and setting up their kids’ savings and investment accounts, the universe had its own special way of showing me that my passion was needed in the financial/media space, just not how I originally pictured it. As a fun fact, I had the pleasure of producing Bob Wheeler’s show, Money You Should Ask from 2021 through 2023 and we originally met at Fincon, 2021. This episode was recorded in-person at Fincon in 2023! About Bob Wheeler: Bob Wheeler is a CPA, CFO, and financial storyteller who blends money management with mindset work to help people build true financial freedom. As the creator of The Money Nerve and a certified CORE Energetics Practitioner, Bob guides individuals through the emotional patterns that shape their financial decisions. Known for his mix of humor, heart, and practical wisdom, he has led global workshops, authored bestselling resources, and supported thousands in rewriting their money story. https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-wheeler-88029512/ https://themoneynerve.com/books/all-books/ https://themoneynerve.com/courses/ https://wheelerbicpa.com/ About Virginia Elder: She is the founder of Podcast Abundance, a full-service podcast production agency helping business owners grow their reach, authority, and leads through podcasting. As a strategist, producer, and speaker, she helps professionals host their own podcast with ease—turning their voice into a marketing engine that builds visibility and trust. https://podcastabundance.com/ https://podcastingforfinancialprofessionals.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiaelder/