In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with Erika Wasserman, Certified Financial Therapist and author of Conversations with Your Financial Therapist: Stories and Scripts to Grow Your Financial Mindset. Erika shares how her personal journey—spanning a corporate career, global travel, motherhood, and personal transformation—shaped her holistic approach to financial well-being.

Together, they unpack the emotional side of money—how values, relationships, and even shame influence the way we spend, save, and talk about finances. Erika offers practical tools for breaking money taboos, building confidence, and creating space for empathy in financial conversations.

Whether you work directly with clients or are exploring your own relationship with money, this episode will inspire you to say yes to compassion and start the conversations that lead to financial clarity and confidence.

Show Notes:

00:00 Welcome to Real Money, Real Experts

03:13 Erika’s Journey to Financial Therapy

05:08 Why Money Fights Aren’t About Money

06:58 Breaking the Cycle of Money Shame

09:24 The Power of Compassion in Financial Conversations

10:52 How to Start Difficult Money Conversations

13:36 Inside the Growing Field of Financial Therapy

15:40 Why Professionals Must Know Their Own Money Story

18:59 Erika’s Two Cents

Show Note Links:

Grab your copy of Erika’s book!

Connect with Erika on LinkedIn!

Follow ‘Your Financial Therapist’ on Instagram

Explore ‘Your Financial Therapist’ on Amazon!

Check out ‘Your Financial Therapist’ website! 

Want to get involved with AFCPE®?
Here are a few places to start:

• Become a Member
• Sign up for an Essentials Course
• Get AFC Certified today!

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