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It’s not about the money is for women in business who know they want to make more money whilst holding onto more money and growing an abundance of wealth. You're tired of overgiving, undercharging and being stuck in a scarcity money mindset. You know you have it in you, you just need financial confidence and an abundant mindset. You're excited and ready to learn what it takes to make more money, invest and step into wealth. Hosted by Catherine Morgan, Author, Award-winning Financial Wellbeing Speaker, Financial Coach and Trauma-informed coach. You'll learn the steps to create more wealth, grow your business, and have a better relationship with money. This is the show for you to feel good with money and to explore the meaning beyond wealth. This podcast is the one to listen to if you're a female entrepreneur. ‘Formerly the In Her Financial Shoes Podcast.’
It’s not about the money is for women in business who know they want to make more money whilst holding onto more money and growing an abundance of wealth. You're tired of overgiving, undercharging and being stuck in a scarcity money mindset. You know you have it in you, you just need financial confidence and an abundant mindset. You're excited and ready to learn what it takes to make more money, invest and step into wealth. Hosted by Catherine Morgan, Author, Award-winning Financial Wellbeing Speaker, Financial Coach and Trauma-informed coach. You'll learn the steps to create more wealth, grow your business, and have a better relationship with money. This is the show for you to feel good with money and to explore the meaning beyond wealth. This podcast is the one to listen to if you're a female entrepreneur. ‘Formerly the In Her Financial Shoes Podcast.’
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Recent Hosts, Guests & Topics
Here's a quick summary of the last 5 episodes on It's Not About The Money.
Hosts
Catherine Morgan
Previous Guests
Mike Jones
Mike Jones is the founder of Better Happy and the author of 'The Happy Business Revolution'. He has a unique background that includes service in the military, where he sought an escape from his hometown and completed two tours in Afghanistan. After realizing that military life was not fulfilling, he spent time living with monks in Thailand and Nepal, gaining transformative insights into happiness and emotional intelligence. Mike's experiences led him to start his own businesses with a focus on creating happiness for both clients and business owners. He emphasizes the importance of aligning business practices with personal values and well-being.
Mike Jones is the founder of Better Happy and the author of 'The Happy Business Revolution'. He has a unique background that includes service in the military, where he sought an escape from his hometown and completed two tours in Afghanistan. After realizing that military life was not fulfilling, he spent time living with monks in Thailand and Nepal, gaining transformative insights into happiness and emotional intelligence. Mike's experiences led him to start his own businesses with a focus on creating happiness for both clients and business owners. He emphasizes the importance of aligning business practices with personal values and well-being.
Topics Discussed
quarterly financial planning
financial roadmap
financial goals
Eisenhower Time Matrix
money dates
over-planning
seasonal financial planning
money language
financial wellbeing
coaching
listening skills
money stories
abundance mindset
financial risks
budgeting
emotional markers
language patterns
financial trauma
trauma responses
fight response
flight response
freeze response
fawn response
money behaviours
financial decisions
emotional responses
nervous system
owner trap
happiness
entrepreneurs
military
monasteries
Eastern philosophy
emotions
business relationships
personal development
financial reward
wealth gap
financial services
collective wealth
money beliefs
emotional capacity
money narrative
financial decision-making
money blocks
Episodes
Here's the recent few episodes on It's Not About The Money.
0:0029:37
How to plan your next quarter for more financial success
Hosts
Hosts of this podcast episode
Catherine Morgan
Keywords
Keywords of this podcast episode
quarterly financial planningfinancial roadmapfinancial goalsEisenhower Time Matrixmoney datesover-planningseasonal financial planning
Episode Overview
In this episode, I explore the art of quarterly financial planning as we approach the start of a new quarter in 2025. Whether you've never created a financial plan before, have ambitious money goals gathering dust, or have had to pivot due to unexpected circumstances, this episode offers practical guidance on creating a financial roadmap that actually works.
Key Highlights
Why Most Financial Plans Fail
Living by default rather than design - executing other people's priorities
Spending too much time responding to others' needs versus pursuing personal financial goals
Getting caught in the "urgency trap" and constantly firefighting
True financial wealth is created when focusing on important but non-urgent tasks
The Eisenhower Time Matrix for Financial Planning
Four quadrants based on urgency and importance
Most people spend their days trapped in urgent quadrants (important and unimportant)
Financial growth happens in the "important but not urgent" quadrant, including:
Regular review of spending patterns
Learning about investing
Building strategic relationships
Developing new income streams or offers
The value of regular money dates: 20 minutes a week on one financial area
Making Financial Goals Motivating
Don't just set empty money targets (e.g., "make 10,000")
Connect financial goals to deeper meaning and purpose
Ask: "What will this allow me to experience? How will my life change?"
Identify the feeling you're seeking: security, freedom, peace, expansion
Research shows we're more motivated by purpose than numbers
The Danger of Over-Planning
Setting too many financial goals leads to overwhelm and failure
The fear of spaciousness: filling calendars because emptiness feels unsafe
Follow the "one-three-five" rule:
One major financial goal
Three supporting goals
Five routine habits to maintain progress
Quality over quantity applies to financial goals
Over-planning often stems from scarcity thinking
Planning According to Seasons
Different quarters require different approaches to financial planning
Aligning financial activities with natural energy cycles:
Spring: Planting new seeds, starting projects, learning money skills
Summer: Execution and expansion (with family time consideration)
Autumn: Harvesting, reviewing, optimising systems and expenses
Winter: Resting, reflecting, preparing for next year's growth
Consider personal cycles: menstrual cycles, numerology cycles, energy patterns
The importance of recognising which season you're in with your financial journey
Final Thought
Financial success comes from intentional planning aligned with values and natural energy cycles. Start with the next 90 days rather than trying to plan the entire year at once and allow flexibility for changes and adjustments along the way.
Chapters
00:00 Embracing New Beginnings: Financial Planning for the Quarter Ahead
02:45 Identifying Personal Financial Goals: Beyond the Numbers
06:03 The Eisenhower Matrix: Prioritizing Financial Tasks
08:55 Transforming Planning into a Joyful Experience
12:14 Avoiding Over-Planning: The Power of Focus
15:02 Understanding Seasonal Financial Planning
17:54 Creating a Flexible Financial Framework
20:46 Conclusion: Intentional Planning for Financial Success
In this episode, I explore the art of quarterly financial planning as we approach the start of a new quarter in 2025. Whether you've never created a financial plan before, have ambitious money goals gathering dust, or have had to pivot due to unexpected circumstances, this episode offers practical guidance on creating a financial roadmap that actually works.
Key Highlights
Why Most Financial Plans Fail
Living by default rather than design - executing other people's priorities
Spending too much time responding to others' needs versus pursuing personal financial goals
Getting caught in the "urgency trap" and constantly firefighting
True financial wealth is created when focusing on important but non-urgent tasks
The Eisenhower Time Matrix for Financial Planning
Four quadrants based on urgency and importance
Most people spend their days trapped in urgent quadrants (important and unimportant)
Financial growth happens in the "important but not urgent" quadrant, including:
Regular review of spending patterns
Learning about investing
Building strategic relationships
Developing new income streams or offers
The value of regular money dates: 20 minutes a week on one financial area
Making Financial Goals Motivating
Don't just set empty money targets (e.g., "make 10,000")
Connect financial goals to deeper meaning and purpose
Ask: "What will this allow me to experience? How will my life change?"
Identify the feeling you're seeking: security, freedom, peace, expansion
Research shows we're more motivated by purpose than numbers
The Danger of Over-Planning
Setting too many financial goals leads to overwhelm and failure
The fear of spaciousness: filling calendars because emptiness feels unsafe
Follow the "one-three-five" rule:
One major financial goal
Three supporting goals
Five routine habits to maintain progress
Quality over quantity applies to financial goals
Over-planning often stems from scarcity thinking
Planning According to Seasons
Different quarters require different approaches to financial planning
Aligning financial activities with natural energy cycles:
Spring: Planting new seeds, starting projects, learning money skills
Summer: Execution and expansion (with family time consideration)
Autumn: Harvesting, reviewing, optimising systems and expenses
Winter: Resting, reflecting, preparing for next year's growth
Consider personal cycles: menstrual cycles, numerology cycles, energy patterns
The importance of recognising which season you're in with your financial journey
Final Thought
Financial success comes from intentional planning aligned with values and natural energy cycles. Start with the next 90 days rather than trying to plan the entire year at once and allow flexibility for changes and adjustments along the way.
Chapters
00:00 Embracing New Beginnings: Financial Planning for the Quarter Ahead
02:45 Identifying Personal Financial Goals: Beyond the Numbers
06:03 The Eisenhower Matrix: Prioritizing Financial Tasks
08:55 Transforming Planning into a Joyful Experience
12:14 Avoiding Over-Planning: The Power of Focus
15:02 Understanding Seasonal Financial Planning
17:54 Creating a Flexible Financial Framework
20:46 Conclusion: Intentional Planning for Financial Success
In this episode, I delve into how coaches, therapists and professionals can decode their clients' money language to uncover deeper beliefs and patterns around finances. By becoming attuned to specific words and phrases, practitioners can help clients identify unconscious money stories that may be limiting their financial wellbeing.
Key Highlights
The Power of Money Language
The words we use around money often reveal our deepest beliefs and fears
Most money language is unconscious - clients don't realise what they're revealing
Listening carefully can unlock breakthroughs much faster than traditional approaches
Money language appears in conversations about pricing, investing, saving, spending and receiving
Becoming a Skilled Listener
The importance of genuine curiosity when exploring money language
The difference between hearing and truly listening to clients
Creating space for clients to express themselves fully
Noticing emotional markers - when clients speed up, slow down or change their tone
Reflecting back exact language rather than paraphrasing or interpreting
Money Story Types and Their Language Patterns
The Impulsive
Key phrases: "I couldn't resist," "I'll figure it out later," "You only live once," "It was calling my name"
Makes emotional, in-the-moment money decisions
Challenge isn't budgeting skills but creating systems that work with their spontaneous nature
Traditional budgeting often feels restrictive and triggers resistance
The Architect
Key phrases: "I need to plan for this carefully," "What's the return on investment?" "I'm falling behind on my financial goals," "I'm not comfortable taking that risk"
Prefers solid plans and struggles with taking financial risks
Benefits from permission to be occasionally spontaneous with money
May need an "impulsive money pot" to build capacity for flexibility
The Enabler
Key phrases: "I should help them out," "I can't spend that on myself," "I need to do more"
Prioritises others' financial needs before their own
Needs support with creating healthy boundaries
Benefits from recognising their own financial worthiness
The Pacifist
Key phrases: "I don't think about money," "Money will work itself out," "Money isn't important to me," "I trust the universe will provide"
Avoids financial decisions due to fear of responsibility
May have past experiences of poor financial decisions or being rescued financially
Needs gentle accountability and small steps to build confidence
The Innovator
Key phrases: "I see a big opportunity here," "I can always make more money," "The potential upside is huge"
Often seen in entrepreneurs who focus on possibilities and growth
May neglect stability and foundations in pursuit of opportunity
Benefits from strong financial planning alongside their risk-taking
Other Language Patterns to Notice
Scarcity Language
Phrases like "That's never enough," "I can't afford it," "I always run out of money"
Indicates patterns of lack and limitation in money thinking
Abundance Language
Phrases like "There's always more where that came from," "Money comes easily to me"
May indicate a healthy relationship with money OR potential neglect of financial stability
Inherited Money Beliefs
Listen for phrases starting with "My parents always said..." or "In my family, we never..."
These reveal generational patterns that may not actually belong to the client
Practical Applications
Reflect language back: "Tell me more about how money burns a hole in your pocket"
Go deeper with questions: "When did you first learn that money was scarce?"
Help clients create new language patterns that better serve their financial goals
Remember that changing money language can lead to changing money behaviours
Final Thought
By becoming fluent in the language of money psychology, coaches can create deeper, faster transformations with clients rather than simply handing them off to financial experts.
Chapters
00:00 Decoding Money Language
02:52 Understanding Money Stories
06:08 The Role of Active Listening
08:56 Exploring Money Story Types
12:08 Identifying Language Patterns
14:53 Inherited Money Beliefs
18:14 Transforming Money Narratives
Episode Overview
In this episode, I delve into how coaches, therapists and professionals can decode their clients' money language to uncover deeper beliefs and patterns around finances. By becoming attuned to specific words and phrases, practitioners can help clients identify unconscious money stories that may be limiting their financial wellbeing.
Key Highlights
The Power of Money Language
The words we use around money often reveal our deepest beliefs and fears
Most money language is unconscious - clients don't realise what they're revealing
Listening carefully can unlock breakthroughs much faster than traditional approaches
Money language appears in conversations about pricing, investing, saving, spending and receiving
Becoming a Skilled Listener
The importance of genuine curiosity when exploring money language
The difference between hearing and truly listening to clients
Creating space for clients to express themselves fully
Noticing emotional markers - when clients speed up, slow down or change their tone
Reflecting back exact language rather than paraphrasing or interpreting
Money Story Types and Their Language Patterns
The Impulsive
Key phrases: "I couldn't resist," "I'll figure it out later," "You only live once," "It was calling my name"
Makes emotional, in-the-moment money decisions
Challenge isn't budgeting skills but creating systems that work with their spontaneous nature
Traditional budgeting often feels restrictive and triggers resistance
The Architect
Key phrases: "I need to plan for this carefully," "What's the return on investment?" "I'm falling behind on my financial goals," "I'm not comfortable taking that risk"
Prefers solid plans and struggles with taking financial risks
Benefits from permission to be occasionally spontaneous with money
May need an "impulsive money pot" to build capacity for flexibility
The Enabler
Key phrases: "I should help them out," "I can't spend that on myself," "I need to do more"
Prioritises others' financial needs before their own
Needs support with creating healthy boundaries
Benefits from recognising their own financial worthiness
The Pacifist
Key phrases: "I don't think about money," "Money will work itself out," "Money isn't important to me," "I trust the universe will provide"
Avoids financial decisions due to fear of responsibility
May have past experiences of poor financial decisions or being rescued financially
Needs gentle accountability and small steps to build confidence
The Innovator
Key phrases: "I see a big opportunity here," "I can always make more money," "The potential upside is huge"
Often seen in entrepreneurs who focus on possibilities and growth
May neglect stability and foundations in pursuit of opportunity
Benefits from strong financial planning alongside their risk-taking
Other Language Patterns to Notice
Scarcity Language
Phrases like "That's never enough," "I can't afford it," "I always run out of money"
Indicates patterns of lack and limitation in money thinking
Abundance Language
Phrases like "There's always more where that came from," "Money comes easily to me"
May indicate a healthy relationship with money OR potential neglect of financial stability
Inherited Money Beliefs
Listen for phrases starting with "My parents always said..." or "In my family, we never..."
These reveal generational patterns that may not actually belong to the client
Practical Applications
Reflect language back: "Tell me more about how money burns a hole in your pocket"
Go deeper with questions: "When did you first learn that money was scarce?"
Help clients create new language patterns that better serve their financial goals
Remember that changing money language can lead to changing money behaviours
Final Thought
By becoming fluent in the language of money psychology, coaches can create deeper, faster transformations with clients rather than simply handing them off to financial experts.
Chapters
00:00 Decoding Money Language
02:52 Understanding Money Stories
06:08 The Role of Active Listening
08:56 Exploring Money Story Types
12:08 Identifying Language Patterns
14:53 Inherited Money Beliefs
18:14 Transforming Money Narratives
0:0035:39
The Four Trauma Responses: How Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn Manifest in Financial Behaviours
In this episode, I explore the often-overlooked connection between trauma responses and our financial behaviours. By examining how fight, flight, freeze and fawn manifest in our relationship with money, I uncover the deeper patterns that shape our financial decisions—often without us even realising it.
Key Highlights
Understanding Financial Trauma
Financial trauma can be passed down through generations via family stories, belief systems and behaviours
Research suggests traumatic experiences, including financial stress, can affect gene expression
Trauma doesn't only refer to major events—it's any experience that exceeds our capacity to cope
The key difference between stress and trauma: stress can motivate action while trauma can shut down our ability to act
The Four Trauma Responses in Money Behaviours
1. Fight Response
Characteristics: Anger, aggression, confrontation, desire for control
Financial manifestations:
Aggressive pursuit of money at the expense of wellbeing
Defensiveness or anger during money conversations
High-risk investment strategies without proper research
Confrontational behaviour around spending habits
Competitive approach to financial status
Resistance to accepting financial help from others
2. Flight Response
Characteristics: Avoiding responsibilities, burying head in the sand
Financial manifestations:
Avoiding money conversations or opening bank statements
Procrastinating on financial decisions
Changing the subject when money comes up
Setting up financial systems but not following through
Overspending and impulsive shopping as emotional escape
Ignoring financial problems until they become overwhelming
3. Freeze Response
Characteristics: Becoming stuck, rigid, unable to take action
Financial manifestations:
Inability to make financial decisions
Leaving money in low-interest accounts for years
Complete inability to ask for pay rises or raise prices
Staying stuck in financially abusive situations
Excessive hoarding or saving from fear of insecurity
Avoiding spending money even on necessities
4. Fawn Response
Characteristics: People-pleasing to avoid conflict or rejection
Financial manifestations:
Undercharging for services
Staying in unfulfilling jobs to please others
Taking on clients who can't afford your rates
Lending money when you can't afford to
Paying for others at your own expense
Prioritising others' financial needs over your own
The Brain Science Behind Money Trauma
The amygdala processes emotions like fear and anxiety during financial stress
The hippocampus affects learning, memory and cognitive processing
The prefrontal cortex impacts decision-making, planning and impulse control
Regulating the nervous system helps all these brain regions function better
Moving Forward from Financial Trauma
Awareness is the first step—simply noticing when you're in a trauma response
Put healthy financial boundaries in place
Learn to regulate your nervous system through breathwork and movement
Have compassion for these protective responses
Take small steps rather than trying to overhaul everything at once
Remember: these responses are not who you are—just patterns in your nervous system
Final Thought
Trauma responses are not who you are—they're patterns in your nervous system that developed to keep you safe. As you bring awareness to these patterns, you create space for new, more empowered financial behaviours to emerge.
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Financial Trauma and Its Impact
06:09 Defining Trauma in the Context of Money
11:42 Exploring the Fight Response to Money
16:05 The Flight Response: Avoidance and Procrastination
20:26 The Freeze Response: Paralysis in Financial Decisions
In this episode, I explore the often-overlooked connection between trauma responses and our financial behaviours. By examining how fight, flight, freeze and fawn manifest in our relationship with money, I uncover the deeper patterns that shape our financial decisions—often without us even realising it.
Key Highlights
Understanding Financial Trauma
Financial trauma can be passed down through generations via family stories, belief systems and behaviours
Research suggests traumatic experiences, including financial stress, can affect gene expression
Trauma doesn't only refer to major events—it's any experience that exceeds our capacity to cope
The key difference between stress and trauma: stress can motivate action while trauma can shut down our ability to act
The Four Trauma Responses in Money Behaviours
1. Fight Response
Characteristics: Anger, aggression, confrontation, desire for control
Financial manifestations:
Aggressive pursuit of money at the expense of wellbeing
Defensiveness or anger during money conversations
High-risk investment strategies without proper research
Confrontational behaviour around spending habits
Competitive approach to financial status
Resistance to accepting financial help from others
2. Flight Response
Characteristics: Avoiding responsibilities, burying head in the sand
Financial manifestations:
Avoiding money conversations or opening bank statements
Procrastinating on financial decisions
Changing the subject when money comes up
Setting up financial systems but not following through
Overspending and impulsive shopping as emotional escape
Ignoring financial problems until they become overwhelming
3. Freeze Response
Characteristics: Becoming stuck, rigid, unable to take action
Financial manifestations:
Inability to make financial decisions
Leaving money in low-interest accounts for years
Complete inability to ask for pay rises or raise prices
Staying stuck in financially abusive situations
Excessive hoarding or saving from fear of insecurity
Avoiding spending money even on necessities
4. Fawn Response
Characteristics: People-pleasing to avoid conflict or rejection
Financial manifestations:
Undercharging for services
Staying in unfulfilling jobs to please others
Taking on clients who can't afford your rates
Lending money when you can't afford to
Paying for others at your own expense
Prioritising others' financial needs over your own
The Brain Science Behind Money Trauma
The amygdala processes emotions like fear and anxiety during financial stress
The hippocampus affects learning, memory and cognitive processing
The prefrontal cortex impacts decision-making, planning and impulse control
Regulating the nervous system helps all these brain regions function better
Moving Forward from Financial Trauma
Awareness is the first step—simply noticing when you're in a trauma response
Put healthy financial boundaries in place
Learn to regulate your nervous system through breathwork and movement
Have compassion for these protective responses
Take small steps rather than trying to overhaul everything at once
Remember: these responses are not who you are—just patterns in your nervous system
Final Thought
Trauma responses are not who you are—they're patterns in your nervous system that developed to keep you safe. As you bring awareness to these patterns, you create space for new, more empowered financial behaviours to emerge.
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Financial Trauma and Its Impact
06:09 Defining Trauma in the Context of Money
11:42 Exploring the Fight Response to Money
16:05 The Flight Response: Avoidance and Procrastination
20:26 The Freeze Response: Paralysis in Financial Decisions
In this episode, I welcome Mike Jones, founder of Better Happy and author of The Happy Business Revolution, to explore how entrepreneurs can escape the "owner trap" and build more happiness into their businesses. Drawing on Mike's unique background in the military and his transformative experiences living in monasteries, we uncover valuable insights about the true meaning of happiness and how to create a business that serves both clients and the business owner alike.
Key Highlights
Mike's Journey from Military to Monastery to Business
Joined the military in his early twenties seeking an escape from his hometown
After two tours in Afghanistan, realised military life wasn't fulfilling him
Spent time living with monks in Thailand and Nepal, gaining life-changing insights
Discovered that Eastern philosophy views happiness as underlying fulfilment rather than constant ecstasy
These experiences led him to start his own businesses with a completely different perspective
The Buddhist Approach to Emotions
Learning to see emotions as "passing clouds" rather than part of one's identity
Understanding we are not our emotions, but the experiencer of emotions
This separation from emotions is particularly valuable for business owners on an emotional rollercoaster
The practice of not attaching to emotions, whether positive or negative
The Owner Trap: Lessons from Mike's First Business
Started a gym with the desire to help others, focusing entirely on client happiness
Created a business that made clients happy but left him burnt out and unfulfilled
"I went into business thinking, 'I'm just going to provide a good service and really look after our clients and the business will just be fantastic'"
By COVID, despite having a great team and happy clients, he was miserable
The Core Four Model of Business Relationships
The business itself - expects cashflow and profitability
Customers - expect positive products/services and give money/referrals
Team - delivers service and expects wages, belonging, growth opportunities
Business owner - provides leadership, finance, growth and expects returns
Why Business Owners Neglect Themselves
"Business is the most extreme form of personal development there is in disguise"
We're evolutionarily wired to be modest, which works against valuing ourselves properly
Society often pushes a message that making good money means exploiting others
The common trap: "If you're not going to make good money, have a job"
Passion alone won't sustain a business—financial reward must justify the stress and risk
Breaking Free from the Owner Trap
"I thought about me from day one" - Mike's approach to his second business
Being "sensibly selfish" - balancing client care with personal wellbeing
Defining happiness through values alignment rather than constant emotional highs
The danger of "putting life on hold" while building a business
Understanding that business is a marathon, not a sprint
Practical Steps to Escape the Owner Trap
Create an "aligned strategy" that starts with what YOU want from your business
Plan what you want your business to provide in terms of finance, fun, freedom and fulfilment
Shift from being a reactive business owner (letting the business happen to you) to a proactive one
"You can solve all your problems and still not have what you want" - Jim Rohn
Stop constantly firefighting problems and focus on creating what you truly desire
Final Thought
Looking after yourself first isn't selfish—it's necessary for creating sustainable impact. As Mike points out, "If you're constantly burning yourself out to put other things first, you're going to die early, you're not going to be happy to be around, you're not going to have clarity of mind." True business happiness comes from creating a business that serves both clients AND yourself.
Chapters
00:00 Escaping the Owner Trap
02:57 Mike's Journey to Happiness
05:47 Buddhism and Emotional Intelligence
08:51 The Shift in Perspective on Happiness
11:55 The Military's Approach to Emotional Training
In this episode, I welcome Mike Jones, founder of Better Happy and author of The Happy Business Revolution, to explore how entrepreneurs can escape the "owner trap" and build more happiness into their businesses. Drawing on Mike's unique background in the military and his transformative experiences living in monasteries, we uncover valuable insights about the true meaning of happiness and how to create a business that serves both clients and the business owner alike.
Key Highlights
Mike's Journey from Military to Monastery to Business
Joined the military in his early twenties seeking an escape from his hometown
After two tours in Afghanistan, realised military life wasn't fulfilling him
Spent time living with monks in Thailand and Nepal, gaining life-changing insights
Discovered that Eastern philosophy views happiness as underlying fulfilment rather than constant ecstasy
These experiences led him to start his own businesses with a completely different perspective
The Buddhist Approach to Emotions
Learning to see emotions as "passing clouds" rather than part of one's identity
Understanding we are not our emotions, but the experiencer of emotions
This separation from emotions is particularly valuable for business owners on an emotional rollercoaster
The practice of not attaching to emotions, whether positive or negative
The Owner Trap: Lessons from Mike's First Business
Started a gym with the desire to help others, focusing entirely on client happiness
Created a business that made clients happy but left him burnt out and unfulfilled
"I went into business thinking, 'I'm just going to provide a good service and really look after our clients and the business will just be fantastic'"
By COVID, despite having a great team and happy clients, he was miserable
The Core Four Model of Business Relationships
The business itself - expects cashflow and profitability
Customers - expect positive products/services and give money/referrals
Team - delivers service and expects wages, belonging, growth opportunities
Business owner - provides leadership, finance, growth and expects returns
Why Business Owners Neglect Themselves
"Business is the most extreme form of personal development there is in disguise"
We're evolutionarily wired to be modest, which works against valuing ourselves properly
Society often pushes a message that making good money means exploiting others
The common trap: "If you're not going to make good money, have a job"
Passion alone won't sustain a business—financial reward must justify the stress and risk
Breaking Free from the Owner Trap
"I thought about me from day one" - Mike's approach to his second business
Being "sensibly selfish" - balancing client care with personal wellbeing
Defining happiness through values alignment rather than constant emotional highs
The danger of "putting life on hold" while building a business
Understanding that business is a marathon, not a sprint
Practical Steps to Escape the Owner Trap
Create an "aligned strategy" that starts with what YOU want from your business
Plan what you want your business to provide in terms of finance, fun, freedom and fulfilment
Shift from being a reactive business owner (letting the business happen to you) to a proactive one
"You can solve all your problems and still not have what you want" - Jim Rohn
Stop constantly firefighting problems and focus on creating what you truly desire
Final Thought
Looking after yourself first isn't selfish—it's necessary for creating sustainable impact. As Mike points out, "If you're constantly burning yourself out to put other things first, you're going to die early, you're not going to be happy to be around, you're not going to have clarity of mind." True business happiness comes from creating a business that serves both clients AND yourself.
Chapters
00:00 Escaping the Owner Trap
02:57 Mike's Journey to Happiness
05:47 Buddhism and Emotional Intelligence
08:51 The Shift in Perspective on Happiness
11:55 The Military's Approach to Emotional Training
IIn this episode, I explore the wealth gap that exists in the UK (where 45% of men hold stocks and shares ISAs compared to only 26% of women) and challenge us to reconsider what wealth truly means beyond the traditional definition of "assets minus liabilities."
Key Highlights
The Limited Definition of Wealth
Financial services and media have long defined wealth purely in numerical terms
This definition feels meaningless to most women's lived experiences
While money is important for basic needs, true wealth encompasses much more
Our language around money shapes our beliefs and actions
Redefining Wealth as Collective
Wealth isn't just an individual pursuit but a collective experience
It involves investing in companies that build wealth for society
It includes experiences that create a deep sense of belonging
True wealth makes us feel whole, enriched, and equal
The £2 Million Question
I explored reactions to the question: "What if I transferred £2 million into your account?"
Common responses revealed deep-seated money beliefs:
"Where are the strings attached?"
"That's too much responsibility"
"I need to give it away/share it"
"I don't deserve this"
These reactions stem from conditioning about our relationship with money
When Money Feels Dangerous
Many of us have experiences where money created problems:
Earning well but experiencing burnout
Relationship tensions when financial dynamics shifted
Friendship groups judging increased wealth
Feeling disconnected from loved ones due to financial differences
These experiences create unconscious success ceilings
The Perfectionism Trap
Fear of making imperfect money decisions leads to paralysis
Sharing my personal story of buying property just before the 2007-2008 crash
How past "mistakes" create lasting stories about our financial decision-making abilities
We often spend money quickly to avoid the responsibility of making "perfect" decisions
Breaking Through Money Blocks
Growing wealth is less about strategy and more about emotional capacity
Our ability to hold more responsibility, trust ourselves with money
The importance of recognising all the good financial decisions we've made
The first step of the Money Narrative Clearing Method: awareness
The Six-Step Money Narrative Clearing Method
Awareness as the crucial first step in transformation
Identifying patterns in our relationship with holding wealth
Recognising the emotions behind our money stories (guilt, shame, judgment)
Building trust that money can be a positive tool aligned with our values
Final Thought
It's time to unlearn narratives like "you don't deserve wealth," "it's too complicated," or "it's greedy to want more." Wealth should be defined not by what we've been told, but by what makes us feel whole, enriched, and empowered.
IIn this episode, I explore the wealth gap that exists in the UK (where 45% of men hold stocks and shares ISAs compared to only 26% of women) and challenge us to reconsider what wealth truly means beyond the traditional definition of "assets minus liabilities."
Key Highlights
The Limited Definition of Wealth
Financial services and media have long defined wealth purely in numerical terms
This definition feels meaningless to most women's lived experiences
While money is important for basic needs, true wealth encompasses much more
Our language around money shapes our beliefs and actions
Redefining Wealth as Collective
Wealth isn't just an individual pursuit but a collective experience
It involves investing in companies that build wealth for society
It includes experiences that create a deep sense of belonging
True wealth makes us feel whole, enriched, and equal
The £2 Million Question
I explored reactions to the question: "What if I transferred £2 million into your account?"
Common responses revealed deep-seated money beliefs:
"Where are the strings attached?"
"That's too much responsibility"
"I need to give it away/share it"
"I don't deserve this"
These reactions stem from conditioning about our relationship with money
When Money Feels Dangerous
Many of us have experiences where money created problems:
Earning well but experiencing burnout
Relationship tensions when financial dynamics shifted
Friendship groups judging increased wealth
Feeling disconnected from loved ones due to financial differences
These experiences create unconscious success ceilings
The Perfectionism Trap
Fear of making imperfect money decisions leads to paralysis
Sharing my personal story of buying property just before the 2007-2008 crash
How past "mistakes" create lasting stories about our financial decision-making abilities
We often spend money quickly to avoid the responsibility of making "perfect" decisions
Breaking Through Money Blocks
Growing wealth is less about strategy and more about emotional capacity
Our ability to hold more responsibility, trust ourselves with money
The importance of recognising all the good financial decisions we've made
The first step of the Money Narrative Clearing Method: awareness
The Six-Step Money Narrative Clearing Method
Awareness as the crucial first step in transformation
Identifying patterns in our relationship with holding wealth
Recognising the emotions behind our money stories (guilt, shame, judgment)
Building trust that money can be a positive tool aligned with our values
Final Thought
It's time to unlearn narratives like "you don't deserve wealth," "it's too complicated," or "it's greedy to want more." Wealth should be defined not by what we've been told, but by what makes us feel whole, enriched, and empowered.
