In this episode of Financial Behavior Thought Leaders, host Dr. Mary Bell Carlson welcomes Erika Wasserman, certified financial therapist, keynote speaker, and now the author of the soon-to-be-released "Conversations with Your Financial Therapist." Erika’s reputation for turning taboo money topics into empowering, approachable conversations takes center stage in this candid interview. Together, Mary and Erika dig into the emotional landscape of money, the journey that brought Erika from sipping rosé abroad to gracing stages around the globe, and how her unique tools are rewiring how leaders, advisors, and everyday people talk about money.

She and Mary discuss her speaking journey–starting with chance meetings and pandemic pivots–and the wild ride that’s led Erika to present for clients like Warner Music and Discovery Channel and rub elbows (backstage!) with Barbara Corcoran. Erika shares behind-the-scenes wisdom on her keynote talks, including her crowd-favorite "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is," and discusses the transformative potential of her new book and conversation cards for making real money talk accessible to everyone.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Invitation and Saying Yes: Erika’s career trajectory is a testament to openness and responding to invitations both personal and professional. Opportunities like writing her book and speaking on global stages didn’t come from ambitious self-promotion but from embracing invitations as signals she was “ready.” This mindset has fueled her dynamic, authentic approach to growth and opportunity, encouraging listeners to be receptive and present to what comes their way.
2. Making Money Conversations Comfortable: A core theme in Erika’s message is that the setting and tone matter deeply when talking about finances. Whether at home or in a financial advisor’s office, making these conversations comfortable and choosing the right time and place can set the stage for honest, productive dialogue. Erika’s "Money Mindset Method," with actionable steps starting from "Make the Conversation Comfortable," helps demystify how to initiate tough talks and break persistent taboos around money.
3. Why Mindset and Language Matter in Finance: Erika’s keynote ("Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is") explores how our words and underlying beliefs shape financial outcomes. Our attitudes about money, often inherited from family, culture, or past experience, direct our financial actions. Becoming more aware of the stories we tell ourselves and others (and learning to reframe them) empowers financial professionals and clients alike to unlock greater confidence and possibility.
4. Practical, Actionable Tools for Advisors and Clients: From her five-step framework to her innovative conversation card decks, Erika focuses on practical, repeatable tools that make tough topics easier to navigate. Financial advisors, in particular, can use these tools to gain deeper insight into their clients’ mindsets, foster trust, and create more meaningful engagement whether that’s through storytelling cards or shifting everyday language about finances.
5. The Importance of Authenticity and Simplicity: Erika’s success, both as a speaker and author, stems from keeping things simple, authentic, and actionable resources designed not for abstract theory but for people’s real lives. Her insights are deeply informed by her lived experience as a single mom and entrepreneur, declaring that if advice isn’t simple and practical, she won’t use it. This philosophy shapes both her book and her approach to client work, ensuring everything she shares is genuinely useful.

Don’t Forget: Erika’s new book, Conversations with Your Financial Therapist, lands September 17th and is available for pre-order. Learn more at conversationswithyourfinancialtherapist.com. For booking information, visit financialbehaviorthoughtleaders.com.

If you’re looking for a speaker who blends personal development with professional strategies and who can help your audience rewrite their money story, Erika is the one to call.