Our guest needs little introduction if you’ve spent any time in the world of online entrepreneurship. Pat Flynn is one of the most respected thought leaders in digital business and passive income. He’s the creator of Smart Passive Income, host of multiple top-ranked podcasts, a sought-after speaker, and the author of several bestselling books including Will It Fly? and Superfans.

Now, Pat is back with a timely and much-needed new book: Lean Learning: How to Achieve More by Learning Less. In an age when we’re drowning in information and pulled in a dozen directions by the algorithm, Lean Learning is a practical framework for mastering new skills efficiently—without burning out or going broke in the process.

In our conversation, Pat and I talk about:

• The danger of “overlearning” and why too much information can backfire
• The difference between "just-in-case" learning and "just-in-time" learning
• His 1-1-1 method for launching a business with zero overwhelm
• The “Inspiration Matrix” and how it helps prioritize your ideas
• Leaning into AI as a tool for creativity—not a crutch
• Why he teaches his kids executive function and communication over GPAs
• The 20% Itch Rule—and how it led to multimillion-dollar projects like the SwitchPod

What does it mean to be well-mannered with your money?

Today, we’re getting a masterclass in modern etiquette from Daniel Post Senning, the great-great-grandson of Emily Post and co-president of the Emily Post Institute. Daniel joins us to talk about the sticky situations we all face—splitting the bill, tipping in the era of digital checkout screens, handling salary conversations with friends, and navigating the financial asks that come with weddings, parties, and work culture.

With AI reshaping our communication, remote work blurring social lines, and generational traditions clashing with modern norms, it’s never been harder—or more important—to be mindful of how we show up for each other.

For more information, check out The Emily Post Institute, the podcast Awesome Etiquette, and the book Emily Post’s Business Etiquette.

In this week’s Ask Farnoosh, we’re diving into your money questions and breaking down the big headlines.

First up: What the Trump-backed budget bill could mean for your wallet. Farnoosh unpacks the Congressional Budget Office’s $2.4 trillion deficit projection and explains how the proposed tax cuts and spending reductions may impact interest rates, government programs, and your future taxes.

Then, in the mailbag:

• Is the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement right for you? Farnoosh shares her personal take and how she’s pursued financial freedom—without traditional retirement.
• How to create a gift-giving strategy that feels generous and sustainable, plus tips for teaching kids to be kind and money-wise.
• And: Adding bonds to your investment portfolio—why they matter, how to buy them, and how to hold them in your retirement account.

For further reading on the Republican Budget Bill, check out NPR's coverage.

Today we're exploring how financial literacy changed a person's life. Our guest is Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin — former Wall Street lawyer, leadership consultant, single mom, and founder of The Gaia Leadership Project. From the outside, her life looked picture-perfect: elite career, national media appearances, a thriving business. But behind the scenes, Elizabeth was battling deep financial insecurity, credit card debt, and the emotional weight of divorce and single motherhood — all while running a nearly 7-figure company.

In this deeply personal and powerful conversation, Elizabeth opens up about hitting financial rock bottom during the pandemic and the mindset shift that pulled her out. She shares how investing in financial education helped her pay off $50,000 in debt in six months, build emergency savings, and teach her children what she was never taught: how to talk about — and take control of — their money.

To learn more about BudgetDog, click here and say you were referred by Elizabeth!

Hannah Cole is back on So Money — and just in time. You may know her as the founder of Sunlight Tax, or from her game-changing workshops that help creatives and freelancers make sense of their money. But today, she's here to share insights from her forthcoming book, Taxes for Humans, which might just be the most approachable — and dare I say, funny — tax book you'll ever read.

In this conversation, Hannah and I dive into the emotional baggage so many of us carry around taxes: shame, intimidation, even fear. She opens up about being dismissed by a traditional accountant early in her career, and how that lit the fire for her to become a voice for those often left out of financial conversations — women, artists, freelancers, anyone who’s ever felt like a “weirdo” in the world of money.

We talk about how to avoid the dreaded tax bill shock, what the IRS really cares about, why freelancers need to understand quarterly taxes, and what you should know if you’re married and your spouse is handling the taxes (spoiler: pay attention!). Plus, Hannah shares the number one thing new business owners should do to feel confident and in control of their taxes.

My guest today is one of the most vibrant and necessary voices in personal finance today. Katie Gatti Tassin is the founder of the wildly popular Money with Katie platform and host of the podcast by the same name. She's back on the show with a brand-new book that is as bold as it is brilliant: Rich Girl Nation.

This isn't your average money guide. Katie weaves sharp analysis, real-world context, and her signature wit into a manifesto for financial independence — especially for women navigating the beauty tax, the motherhood penalty, workplace politics, and a world where financial systems weren’t exactly built with us in mind.

We discuss why the first chapter is called “The Hot Girl Hamster Wheel,” how investing in yourself early can pay off big, and why financial independence isn’t just about retiring early—it’s about having options.

Have you ever felt uncomfortable splitting a dinner bill with friends or hesitated to join a group vacation because of the cost? Maybe you’ve wondered if your friends view money the way you do. Friendships are one of the most rewarding parts of life, yet they come with their own set of challenges—especially when money enters the picture.

Today, we’re diving into this problem with someone who has tackled this topic head-on. Kristin Wong, an award-winning journalist and author, has explored the subtle, often unspoken ways wealth gaps can impact friendships.

Her recent article in The New York Times uncovers the nuances of these situations and how friends navigate the social and emotional dynamics of financial imbalance.

Follow Kristin’s Substack, “Untranslatable.”

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Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.

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