“Sometimes, ‘good enough’ is good enough. You don’t have to be extreme. In fact, extreme is so confining. Those things that are the most rigid are most susceptible to complete collapse. Building in flexibility can sometimes make things sustainable over time.”

New Healthy Love and Money team member Dr. Christine Hargrove joins our host Ed Coambs to share her unique approach to financial therapy through the lens of neurodiversity.

Walking us through her unique journey from religious studies to becoming a pioneer in financial therapy, Dr. Hargrove walks us through her experiences working with individuals and families affected by ADHD.

Achieving breakthroughs in people’s financial lives requires an understanding of diverse money mindsets and a willingness to get personal, in order to navigate financial stress more effectively. She contrasts the often rigid advice of mainstream financial influencers with the adaptable strategies of empathy-focused financial therapists like herself.

Christine and Ed also get into the emotional impact of financial trauma, using her personal experiences from the 2008 financial crash to illustrate how economic events can shape your personal identity and family dynamics, for better or worse. Recognizing and bridging the gap between financial intentions and behaviors between your relationships, she says, promotes not only understanding, but also positive reinforcement within yourself.

Finally, Dr. Hargrove speaks on the concept of proactive relationship wellness. She encourages couples to seek guidance early to manage financial stress more effectively, which of course allows them–and even their kids–to enjoy healthier, more fulfilling relationships with money.

Key Topics:

• Dr. Hargrove’s Inspiring Career Journey (00:00)
• Why We Get Intimidated to Talk About Money (11:43)
• How Dr. Hargrove’s Own Relationship with Money Has Changed Over the Years (16:10)
• Facing Our Shame Around Our Financial Struggles (28:25)
• How Financial Stress Impacts Our Kids in Their Formative Years (32:56)
• Working with Couples as a Financial Therapist (40:17)
• Why We Shouldn’t Overly Focus on Consequence and Accountability (48:50)
• Dr. Hargrove’s Parting Words of Wisdom (53:53)

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