84: Money Wounds: Why Does Money+Art Feel Gross? 06.13.25


Money—just the word can trigger a storm of guilt, shame, confusion, or scarcity. In this episode, we crack open our complicated histories with cash: growing up with little, being raised in churches that equated poverty with holiness, and internalizing a belief that joy and money should never mix.

We cover:

  • Growing up in financial lack

  • Church culture’s weird relationship with money, guilt, and perceived “worth”

  • The deeply internalize message: If you love it, you shouldn’t charge for it.

  • How money wounds show up in creative careers

  • The fear of being seen as “bad” or “greedy” for charging what you’re worth

  • Reframing money as energy—not evil—and leaning into circulation, not hoarding

Whether you’re a freelancer, artist, teacher, or simply someone who’s ever hesitated to name a price—this episode is for you. There’s healing in honesty. And humor. And yes, maybe even in money.


References:

TIMECODES
0:00 - Intro
1:20 - Emily’s money origin story
7:55 - Effects of growing up the way Emily did
10:18 - Carrie’s money origin story
20:01 - Wrong beliefs about money
29:03 - Do we think people with money are bad?