Best YNAB Podcasts (2025)

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#120 - Your Categories Are Not Alone! The New YNAB Templates 1:02:58

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3d ago1:02:58

1:02:58

Have you felt overwhelmed trying to think of categories for your money when you start a fresh spending plan? Or just wished someone would come up with new categories for you when you need to plan for a major life event? You're in luck, someone has done all that work for you! They are called YNAB templates. In today's episode Ben and Ernie take a lo…

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These 5 Simple Questions Beat Your Spreadsheet 7:30

2d ago7:30

7:30

For some reason when the topic of money comes up, many people immediately want to jump into Excel and start exercising the so-called rational part of their brain. Money seems to demand sober, quantitative analysis, devoid of emotion which obfuscates the mathematical truth of the situation. Yet we rarely make decisions in a purely rational manner; e…

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Brianna Wiest, Bestselling Author: Breaking Through Self-Sabotage, Radical Responsibility, Navigating Major Life Shifts & More 45:34

4d ago45:34

45:34

On today’s episode I am talking again with bestselling author Brianna Wiest. We dive deep into the psychology of self-sabotage, the power of radical responsibility, and what it truly takes to navigate major life shifts. From the transformative practice of journaling to letting go of your comfort zone, Brianna shares hard-won insights on clarity, em…

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You Can Stop Second Guessing with Money 6:18

9d ago6:18

6:18

We talk about how YNAB is the ultimate weapon against money stressors -- as you gain control over your spending, learn to give every dollar a job, and bring your spending in line with your priorities, the stresses decrease and are replaced by a growing confidence. There are other psychological "costs" of money, such as the anxiety and mental overhe…

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Jordan Nathan, Founder of Caraway Home: Clean Kitchen Swaps, Teflon Dangers, Fundraising Lessons & More 36:55

11d ago36:55

36:55

On today’s episode I am talking again with Jordan Nathan, founder of Caraway Home. He shares the eye-opening story behind launching one of the fastest-growing non-toxic cookware brands. He dives into the hidden dangers of Teflon, what sparked his mission to create safer kitchen products, and how Caraway scaled rapidly during the pandemic. Jordan al…

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Fan Fest Reflections: Spendfulness Is About More Than Just Stuff 4:53

16d ago4:53

4:53

Jesse reflects on his interactions with YNAB'ers at the recent Fan Fest in Minneapolis, and how spendfulness manifested in many different ways. One important takeaway for Jesse was that while practicing spendfulness could mean taking a cool international vacation, or buying something fun and interesting (and those are totally valid things to spend …

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#119 - Lauren's YNAB Categories (PLUS How She Breaks the Multi-Currency Rules) 1:15:18

17d ago1:15:18

1:15:18

In today's episode Ben and Ernie chat with Lauren, a long time YNAB user going back to YNAB4 and a Customer Support Specialist at YNAB. Though she was born in the US, Lauren is of Korean descent and since 2017 has been teaching English in South Korea. Her unique background has required some pro-level YNAB moves, since she is paid in US dollars but …

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Laney Crowell, Founder of Saie Beauty: Building Saie to $100M+, Creating Hero Products, Hiring Tips & More 49:32

18d ago49:32

49:32

On today’s episode I am talking again with Laney Crowell, Founder and CEO of Saie Beauty. A lot has changed since our last conversation in 2020—Saie has now grown into a $100M+ brand and a major player in clean beauty. Laney shares the key inflection points on the road to scaling, the hero products that propelled the brand (like Glowy Supergel and …

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We Stopped Eating Out for Three Months. The Result Was Interesting... 9:53

23d ago9:53

9:53

In 2017 the Mecham family decided to live in Manhattan for three months to experience the city, soak up the food and culture, and just have fun doing something different. While they were there they chose to maximize their opportunity to eat out -- Jesse went back and counted over 140 different establishments during that 90 day stay! After that expe…

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Rebecca Minkoff: Founder Resilience, Secret to Long-Term Success, How to Stay Relevant As A Brand & More 49:26

24d ago49:26

49:26

On today’s episode I am speaking with fashion powerhouse Rebecca Minkoff who shares the story behind building her iconic brand — from scrappy beginnings and early celebrity buzz to navigating influencer marketing before it was mainstream. She opens up about the hard-earned path to profitability, the evolving role of creative leadership, and why res…

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There Is No Such Thing as Savings 8:18

1M ago8:18

8:18

It seems obvious that you should save money. It's the right thing to do, after all! But even the words that we use talk about saving money have problems -- should, ought -- loaded with moral baggage. Jesse reminds us that even money earmarked for savings is still spending, just spending that has been deferred to a later date, retirement for example…

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#118 - Getting the Most Out of YNAB 1:16:14

1M ago1:16:14

1:16:14

You don't have to be a power user for YNAB to help you gain control over your money, start loving the way you spend, and change your life. But there's a lot of power under the hood, and Ben and Ernie want to help you unlock it! In today's episode they walk through a handful of their favorite YNAB features and tools and show how you can use them to …

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Julie Wainwright, Founder of The RealReal: Reinventing at 52, Building a Billion-Dollar Business, Turning Failure Into Fuel, & More 1:10:19

1M ago1:10:19

1:10:19

On today’s episode I am speaking with Julie Wainwright, founder of The Real Real. At 52, after the public collapse of Pets.com and a personal reset, Julie Wainwright launched The RealReal—an idea that would redefine luxury resale and grow into a billion-dollar business. In this episode, Julie shares how failure made her fearless, why she never let …

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What I Do When I Really Want to Buy It 7:38

1M ago7:38

7:38

When you really want to buy something, what do you do? Do you wait for 48 hours to cool off a bit and think it over? Or perhaps do you create a category for it in YNAB and fund it with a few dollars, just to see how it feels? Having the urge to buy something is not a bad or shameful thing, but there should be a process for weighing that purchase ag…

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Jesse Mecham, Founder of YNAB: Mastering Money Mindset, Eliminating Financial Stress, and Giving Every Dollar a Job & More 43:52

1M ago43:52

43:52

On today’s episode I am speaking with Jesse Mecham, founder of You Need a Budget (YNAB). He shares the inspiring story behind building one of the most beloved budgeting tools—starting with a simple spreadsheet in 2004. He dives deep into the principles of giving every dollar a job, the five key questions to ask when managing your money, and how to …

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Money Stress Wrecking Your Health? Here’s How To Fix It! (Rebroadcast from The Art of Being Well with Dr. Will Cole) 1:13:14

1M ago1:13:14

1:13:14

This week Jesse and the rest of the YNAB team are working hard prepping for the upcoming Fan Fest in Minneapolis, so today we are rebroadcasting an interview that originally appeared on Dr. Will Cole's Art of Being Well podcast. In this interview, Jesse talks about how money stress not only leads to poorer mental health, it has real physical impact…

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#117 - Ben and Ernie Fight! 1:08:13

2M ago1:08:13

1:08:13

Get your popcorn ready, because on today's episode Ben and Ernie are lacing up the gloves and going for 12 rounds! Twelve rounds of YNAB debate, of course. They have selected 12 YNAB hot topics and spend three minutes debating each one. Topics include: Using emoji's in category titles Using a cash account vs a cash category to track physical dollar…

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Scaling a Brand Beyond Year One: Tips for Intermediate Founders, Strategic Partnerships, Navigating Rooms with Confidence & More 44:11

2M ago44:11

44:11

On today’s solo episode I dive into what it takes to scale a brand after the initial launch phase. Aimed at intermediate founders in year two and beyond, we explore actionable strategies for continued growth—personally and professionally. From reading habits and mindset shifts to building intentional partnerships and navigating rooms with confidenc…

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4 Ways to Start a Fight About Money 8:39

2M ago8:39

8:39

It's no secret that money is a major factor in relationship conflicts. Whether it's misaligned values, a feeling that one partner is sabotaging the other's goals through their spending, or a desire to keep up with the Jones'... money has the potential to start or fuel a lot of conflict. But it doesn't have to! Often money arguments belie fundamenta…

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Jordan Harper, Board Certified NP & Founder of Barefaced: Preventative Anti-Aging, Peptides, Melasma Management & More 45:44

2M ago45:44

45:44

On today’s episode I am speaking with Jordan Harper, Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner and founder of Barefaced, to break down what actually works when it comes to preventative anti-aging. Jordan shares her expert take on the truth behind in-office skin tightening treatments, the must-have "Core 4" products for your 20s, and how to effectively man…

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You've Got Budgeting Backwards 7:57

2M ago7:57

7:57

To many, the word "budget" brings to mine restrictions, guilt, punishment, and a general feeling of dread that they don't have control over their money, much less hit their budget goals. But this idea that a budget means setting hard limits on spending in various categories, then looking back every month to see if you were "good" or "bad" in adheri…

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#116 - YNAB's Future Vision with CEO Todd Curtis 1:06:17

2M ago1:06:17

1:06:17

In today's episode Ben and Ernie talk with the man himself, Todd Curtis, long-time YNAB team member and CEO since 2021. Todd has been a YNAB'er going all the way back to the YNAB3 days, and served as a beta tester for an early Mac version of the software before officially joining the company in 2010. In his tenure at YNAB Todd has touched on just a…

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Serena Kerrigan, Creator, Director & Producer: Personal Branding 101, Dating Without Drama, Launching a TV show, & More 1:00:03

2M ago1:00:03

1:00:03

On today’s episode I am speaking with Serena Kerrigan—creator, director, producer, and unapologetic powerhouse. She dives into her journey from launching SFK TV to creating her new scripted series Older, Hotter, Wiser, premiering May 19th on Peacock. She shares candid insights on building a personal brand, turning doubt into drive, dating without d…

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How and When We Teach Our Kids About Money 6:23

2M ago6:23

6:23

Judging from the difficulties many adults have managing their money, we don't do a great job collectively of teaching our kids about money. Jesse doesn't consider himself an expert on this, but he does have seven kids, and thus seven chances to instill good money habits in his own children. In today's episode he shares how he teaches his kids about…

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Cynthia Rowley and Kit Keenan: Lessons on Growth from a Mother-Daughter Duo, Surviving Setbacks, Creatively Evolving, & More 47:31

2M ago47:31

47:31

On today’s episode I am speaking with fashion icon Cynthia Rowley and her daughter, content creator and entrepreneur Kit Keenan. They share an intimate look at their unique mother-daughter dynamic. From growing up in the world of fashion to building a brand that bridges generations, Cynthia and Kit discuss how they've evolved both personally and pr…

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Spendfulness: An Origin Story 8:52

2M ago8:52

8:52

Spendfulness is the new word around YNAB, but the concept goes back to the beginning of the company... and even before the company itself. In today's episode, Jesse recounts the very early days of YNAB, when the budgeting method was just a spreadsheet. Jesse realized that the spreadsheet was enforcing a set of behaviors, or "rules," around money an…

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#115 - How Heidi Overcame ADHD and Money Mistakes with YNAB 1:13:02

2M ago1:13:02

1:13:02

Today Ben and Ernie are joined by long-time YNAB'er Heidi to discuss her challenges of managing money with ADHD, and how she has used the YNAB method to reclaim control over her money. As Heidi explains, ADHD is characterized by impulsiveness and inattentiveness, both of which took a heavy toll on her finances, especially during phases of her caree…

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Kayla Barnes, Biohacking Expert: Longevity Habits, Cycle-Synced Fitness Routine, How to Detox, & More 1:05:20

2M ago1:05:20

1:05:20

On today’s episode I am speaking with biohacking expert, Kayla Barnes. She breaks down her non-negotiables for longevity and optimal health—most of which are completely free. From mastering high-quality sleep and harnessing morning sunlight to syncing your workouts with your menstrual cycle, Kayla shares practical, research-backed strategies that s…

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What I've Learned from Years of Experimenting with Money 7:30

3M ago7:30

7:30

Jesse has a long history experimenting with money. From rating every meal he and the family ate out, to "hyperbudgeting," to not budgeting at all... he's run an experiment almost every year for the last several years to see how his habits affect his financial planning. In today's episode Jesse recaps the experiments he's done, how they went (good a…

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Bryony Deery, Founder of Pilates by Bryony: Sustainable Fitness Habits, Balancing Wellness with a Social Life, and Glow Up Tips for Summer 1:05:13

3M ago1:05:13

1:05:13

In today’s episode, I’m teaming up with my dear friend Bryony Deery to chat all things sustainable fitness, finding balance between wellness and a social life, and getting ready for your ultimate summer glow-up. We dive into the TONE challenge and how much fun we had filming it together—it was such a special experience blending Arrae and Pilates by…

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How to Be Spendful When the World Is on Fire 8:36

3M ago8:36

8:36

If the world seems like it's on fire right now... it may be true. But then again, the world always seems like it's on fire, at least depending on who you ask. If you ask the news, it certainly is! Fortunately, the YNAB method -- giving every dollar a job and working through the 5 Questions -- can bring peace and calm to your finances. Watch The Jes…

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#114 - How to Handle a Windfall 46:56

3M ago46:56

46:56

Many of us approach YNAB from a position of scarcity, at least at first. We don't have enough money to do all the things we want to do, and we're living paycheck to paycheck. Giving every dollar a job and working through the 5 Questions helps us gain clarity about what our money needs to do for us, and finally get our financial life on track. But w…

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Brand Building Guide: Identifying Your WHY, Team Culture, Avoiding Burnout as a Founder, & More 35:26

3M ago35:26

35:26

On today’s solo episode I am diving into the foundational elements of building a brand that lasts—starting with your WHY. I share why “wanting to work for yourself” isn’t enough, the reality of being your own boss, and what it really means to create something with purpose. From creating a strong product (not just strong marketing) to building a tea…

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Delete Your Emergency Fund 6:03

3M ago6:03

6:03

On the surface, emergency funds sound like a very prudent idea. You set aside cash for unknowable, unforseeable events so that you aren't strapped when you really need it. We're not disagreeing with the idea, but an emergency fund is somewhat counter to the core principle of YNAB: giving every dollar a job. In an emergency fund, dollars are given a…

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Tori Dunlap, Finance Expert: Money Myths, Prenups, Investing Basics & Breaking Financial Shame 1:04:58

3M ago1:04:58

1:04:58

On today’s episode I am speaking with Tori Dunlap—founder of Her First $100K and author of Financial Feminist—to unpack the invisible scripts we carry about money. We dive into everything from money myths and prenups to beginner investing tips and the emotional side of financial wellness. Tori shares why an emergency fund is essential, how to split…

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Are Your Savings Making You Stingy? 7:30

3M ago7:30

7:30

All money is meant to be spent, it's just a matter of when. Some people get caught in a cycle of amassing savings with no clear goal of how it is to be spent. Jesse shares an example from his wedding of how the desire to save money can backfire, and demonstrates how having a plan for your money, whether it's in the near future or distant future, is…