Financial Fearless: Ditching the Myths and Owning Your Money Story with Dr. Barb Provost and Maggie Nielsen

00:00.62

Debra Coleman

All right, well, here we go. Welcome back to another exciting episode of Have a Seat, Conversations with Women in the Workplace podcast. I am your host Deb Coleman, and I have such a treat today ah because you know what comes to mind? I'm going to totally date myself, but like that double spearmint gum where it was like twins and everything, like double the pleasure, double the fun.

00:20.97

Debra Coleman

um I have joining me, Dr. Barb Provost and Maggie Nielsen, the awesome stars of their own podcast, Women in Money, the shit we don't talk about, which hello, love that title, but also the founders of Purr Strings, helping women be financially fearless. Thank you both for joining me this afternoon.

00:41.03

Maggie Nielsen

Thank you for having us on.

00:41.24

Dr. Barb

Thank you for, thank yeah, thank you. I will remember the double mint twins, but I don't think Maggie knows what you're talking about.

00:49.24

Debra Coleman

ah Fair, totally fair.

00:51.08

Dr. Barb

Yeah.

00:52.31

Debra Coleman

Maggie, promise me you'll YouTube it when we get off this call.

00:54.98

Maggie Nielsen

Oh, 100%.

00:57.29

Debra Coleman

Oh, well, again, thank you both. And um I am really excited to have this quick conversation with you, especially in today's age. I don't have to tell you, I'm sure I am preaching to the choir here, but it just seems like since 2020, at least in my orbit of friends and and colleagues and and and, you know, co-workers that Wow, we just, I feel like a rock was lifted in 2020 and it exposed all of us, but I think especially women and especially us in terms of our career goals and our, and again, finances that we've got some cleaning up to do sisters. Like we've got to, we've got to take a look, a hard look at some things and start asking some tough questions. And so I'm really excited to have this conversation with you centered around our financial education and intelligence and comfort level really. So,

01:44.80

Debra Coleman

um Okay, enough from me. Let me just get to the questions because we want to hear from the experts here. So to both of you, um I know that you have mentioned that the financial industry often overlooks women. um They just, you have heard it from women yourselves and you've seen it firsthand. Was that, or in addition to other elements, the reason why you started purse strings or wanted to create purse strings, what was your why or your aha moment?

02:13.31

Dr. Barb

Yeah, I can jump in here. ah So the reason is, as a consultant in the financial industry, I saw just that firsthand that they were not serving a female market.

02:24.96

Debra Coleman

Mm.

02:25.13

Dr. Barb

And as many times as I brought it up to leadership and management, that the products didn't speak to women, the processes were very linear to sell a product in and get a referral and move on.

02:37.78

Dr. Barb

No relationship building, no really engagement with who is my customer. Um, a lot of things that, you know, I know women run from and, um, you know, parlay that with the fact that I went through my own divorce and met other women who were going through divorce. And they would ask me questions about, you know, how much will I need to live on my own? And do I need life insurance, just foundational?

03:01.75

Dr. Barb

financial questions that I was surprised because these were bright smart educated women who didn't have some fundamental knowledge about finances because you know oftentimes divide and conquer maybe the spouse was doing that part plus we were never taught financial literacy and then I'll never forget the day that Maggie and I were shopping And I'd see women of retirement age bagging groceries. We'd run to Costco. I'd see women of retirement age handing out samples. And I would say to Maggie, why do you think these women are doing these jobs, Maggie? Do they want to do these jobs or do they have to do these jobs? Which really led me down a whole path of doing the investigation, the research, which all came back to say the insurance and financial industry wins the award as being the least sympathetic to women.

03:51.61

Dr. Barb

And because of that and other reasons, women are not prepared for their financial future. So I could see it not only the work that I was doing, my own personal experiences, but in the world around me.

04:05.95

Debra Coleman

That is, that is, it's sad, but at the same time, I'm so glad that you noticed it too. So you can maybe start to move the needle in the other direction.

04:15.61

Dr. Barb

Well, that's the goal, right? That's the goal.

04:17.29

Debra Coleman

and

04:17.73

Dr. Barb

And it it was interesting because then I grabbed Maggie, who is funny because she was in high school or no, and freshman in college, I think at the time. And um she was my scribe. And I said, Maggie, let's go talk to groups of women.

04:29.02

Dr. Barb

And we held many, many, many focus groups and brought this data to women and just said, You know, ladies, this is what the data is telling us that you're really not prepared for your financial future. I would just like to know, you know, what are your experiences when you work with a financial professional? And for the most part, they would say, you know, they don't even look at me. So therein lies the issue, right? It's um it's a male model built by men for men to sell to men and women even today are very overlooked.

05:03.57

Debra Coleman

So true. That is very interesting though, that you've mentioned pulley when you pulled Maggie in. Maggie, did you find that your peers or that age group, were they just as, i dare I say, in the dark about finance finances? Did you find?

05:17.79

Maggie Nielsen

Yeah, I felt that every age group was really in the dark about finances. And um it was hard for people to open up and to talk about it. And you know, we even did one session in Spanish and like still, you know, it was the same questions through and through um hearing, you know, again, that their professional didn't even look at them really.

05:39.38

Maggie Nielsen

was crazy to me that they were handing over their life savings to someone who wouldn't even look at them. um And so it definitely got me intrigued. And, you know, I saw that problem clear as day, um and really wanted to jump in with Barb to, you know, help women, um what we say is be financially fearless.

05:58.93

Debra Coleman

And I love that tagline financially fearless that because wow, financial and fear go together.

06:04.86

Dr. Barb

Yeah, unfortunately so.

06:08.26

Debra Coleman

Yes. Yes. But you put a spin by saying fearless. So it's just that much more empowering.

06:14.25

Dr. Barb

h

06:14.21

Debra Coleman

Um, I also live in higher education land. I've been in higher education for, for quite a while. And I would love to get you two into every like college campus across the day.

06:23.13

Dr. Barb

Okay.

06:24.49

Debra Coleman

Like just, I mean, what do we got to do?

06:26.53

Maggie Nielsen

Let me know when.

06:27.73

Dr. Barb

Yeah, we'll be there.

06:27.88

Debra Coleman

Honestly, yes, I mean, and and to be fair, maybe even starts before that, like the conversation started home, right? I mean, I could remember I was raised by a single mom, you know, three kids, and she was not that she hid anything from us, but at the same time, it wasn't all like, just open, open, you know?

06:44.79

Dr. Barb

Right.

06:44.78

Debra Coleman

um So I felt comfortable having financial conversations with her because I witnessed, as I'm sure you did Maggie, like I saw her be strong. She had to put a, you know, took over the mortgage. She put through kids through college.

06:56.21

Debra Coleman

She, you know, had to do all the things. So, but I would have welcomed more of those types of conversations like outside the home as well. So that I just, yes, starting a movement, purse strings nationwide, let's make it happen.

07:07.70

Debra Coleman

but um

07:08.18

Dr. Barb

You got it. We're there.

07:09.36

Debra Coleman

Oh, so kind of piggybacking on that, then what's, is there maybe a common financial challenge you see women facing today? Like that sort of like a commonality that we all kind of share. And then if you do see one, how do you help us tackle it?

07:26.85

Dr. Barb

You know, I have to say, you know, we recorded so many podcasts last week, like I was telling you, and the theme that resonated out of each one of those was a money mindset. How many people have to really stop and assess where do my money, where does my money mindset come from?

07:47.51

Dr. Barb

where does my thought process, my nature reactions, the way I think about money, spend money, the way it makes me feel, where does that come from? Because it's really woven into our upbringing, like you were saying, our upbringing, our you know culture, our religion, um the media, and it's so immersed in our fabric that we don't even know what's happening to us sometimes with our money because we think it's normal.

08:17.36

Dr. Barb

But we really I find so many women thinking, I really had to stop and think, why am I making this money decision? Is this the right decision? you know So many very conscientious thoughts about money um because we it's a tool, but it's very emotional. And sometimes we have a lot of guilt and shame and all of these feelings around it.

08:42.27

Dr. Barb

And so women really feel like they first need to understand their own sense of self around money before they can really understand how to use it.

08:52.95

Debra Coleman

I love that. what Can you expand on your own sense of self around money?

08:59.73

Dr. Barb

Sure. um you know Some people might grow up in a household where they never talk about money. It's rude. um you know the the the that Because they don't talk about it means it's rude. It's impolite. We don't talk about it. We don't talk about much how much money we make or spend or anything like that.

09:16.01

Dr. Barb

Or, money might be mentioned in an argument. Every time they talk about money, it's an argument. um So, money equals, ah you know, arguing. So, I'm never going to talk about that.

09:27.62

Dr. Barb

Or, you know, mom's always spending, so I'm always spending. Let's always go shop, and we'll always go shop. And then you realize, I have no handle on how how to manage money.

09:36.08

Debra Coleman

Mm.

09:36.21

Dr. Barb

My mentor showed me that we shop and that's what we do with it. right And then I just live in debt my whole life. Or you know or I'm a conscientious s saver where I don't even spend anything on myself, nothing.

09:47.63

Dr. Barb

I mean, we had a friend we had somebody on our podcast who said she wouldn't spend anything. She'd go out with her friends, order water, and maybe an appetizer. And she said, I had plenty of money in the bank, but I was so afraid to spend it.

09:58.99

Debra Coleman

Hmm. Wow. What a spectrum that it could fall under. Like you said, going shopping all the time.

10:04.55

Dr. Barb

Mm.

10:06.23

Debra Coleman

That's sort of like my go-to. I'm just going to go, you know, if you don't, you can't take it with you kind of mentality. Like let's just go to, no, no, I need to have, if I fall below a certain like balance in my checking account or savings account, it makes me nervous.

10:10.68

Dr. Barb

Right.

10:18.02

Debra Coleman

I cannot, you know. But then you're I feel like that you're so you're restricting yourself because the money that you make, you do deserve to be happy ah to some degree as well and let that pay you back in and in positive, healthy ways.

10:31.30

Debra Coleman

um ah

10:32.99

Maggie Nielsen

100%. And so it's always about, we always say about just kind of knowing where your money is going and spending with your values. um And it's just so interesting with these money stories. It doesn't matter what your income level is. you know If we always have these scarcity thoughts, we see scarcity. you know Some people have it at $100, but people are earning millions of dollars and still have this scarcity thought as well. And so um People always think it's about making more to cover those purchases, but at first it's really just that mindset um because we could always be chasing for more.

11:06.32

Debra Coleman

Mm hmm. Good point. Absolutely. Always be chasing for more. Is this is this what I'm hearing from you both that this is what it means to be financially fearless?

11:17.04

Debra Coleman

Like tackling and answering those questions and looking them in the face, so to speak.

11:21.23

Dr. Barb

I think it's beginning, it's a beginning step to understand your thoughts and ideas around money or taking an opportunity to explore that for yourself, I guess I would say.

11:21.52

Maggie Nielsen

That's one step.

11:22.82

Debra Coleman

OK.

11:27.86

Debra Coleman

Hmm.

11:36.00

Dr. Barb

I mean, when you think about getting into a relationship, right? um Your spouse or significant other, they may, you know, I'm sure they grew up in a different household with different thoughts about money. I mean, and they may trade money very differently. One might be a spender, one might be a saver.

11:53.84

Dr. Barb

It's not a bad thing, but I think it helps to explore how I wonder where were those ideas and thoughts came from in my upbringing and in your upbringing and how does that work for the both of us together.

12:09.57

Debra Coleman

Exactly. It's almost like you know when so when a couple's going to be you know get married or whatever this ah sounds like, or when you're you're going to cohabitate, whatever it is, if you're going to be splitting things together, um having this kind of conversation is, I think, paramount. I mean, I know we've all heard it, but it's even more so, I think. because And i've same with you, I've seen women who, unfortunately, due to you know whatever the circumstances, are five are are facing their finances on their own.

12:36.85

Debra Coleman

And it's scary for them.

12:37.28

Maggie Nielsen

Yeah.

12:38.47

Debra Coleman

I'm sure you've seen it, you know, and, and, and you coach about this. Oh my gosh, I've never had the real, I don't know. I can't tell you what, who our insurance provider is. I don't know my bank account but password. I don't, you know, I mean, this is, yeah.

12:49.90

Maggie Nielsen

And I mean, we hate to say it, but that's almost every woman is going to be managing their finances for themselves at some time in their life. um Divorce rates are so high, especially gray divorce rate right now, um as well as women statistically live longer.

12:58.28

Debra Coleman

Yeah. Mm-hmm.

13:06.20

Maggie Nielsen

And so um they're going to end up out living their spouse. And so that's why we want to have these conversations when we're not in mourning, when we're not in anger or you know in any of these different emotions, but just neutral state.

13:18.94

Maggie Nielsen

and understand them you know who the insurance guy is and so have your number or you know have their information. Don't meet with them the first time right after your spouse dies. That's not the first time you want to meet somebody.

13:30.23

Debra Coleman

Yeah.

13:30.36

Maggie Nielsen

You already want to know who they are and have that relationship so they can really be your partner when these transitions happen.

13:37.98

Debra Coleman

Excellent advice. is that Is that part of the steps one can take to start their own fearless journey, is to begin having you know and thinking that way, mindset, and then activating and act taking action on that mindset change?

13:51.53

Maggie Nielsen

Yeah, exactly. We always are about taking that action, even if it's just one small step a day. I mean, once you know, kind of get that money mindset, you start looking at where your money's going and then how you can kind of make that money work for you and plan for what's important for you, whether that be your retirement or whether that be, you know, more fun time or um whether that means you want to go adopt a bunch of dogs, whatever you want that money to do for you and start making those plans and working with professionals who could help you get there and ensure you're protected along the way.

14:24.48

Debra Coleman

love that absolutely and that speaks across across like there's no as you said before it doesn't matter your age doesn't matter you know where what your circumstances are it's there's something you can do to to just put you know tighten that ship a little bit and to give you some sort of security.

14:40.13

Debra Coleman

um But we did, but I know you mentioned earlier too, Barb, about seeing women in retirement working retail jobs. And that really does hit home for a lot of us. I know, you know, some of us who are kind of seeing that retirement tunnel light, you know, down the way a little bit.

14:55.08

Dr. Barb

Mmhmm.

14:56.32

Debra Coleman

um And we do think like, you know, you wonder, okay, is she working because she wants to? Maybe she just likes the social aspect of it. Is she working because she has to?

15:02.70

Dr. Barb

Right.

15:03.75

Debra Coleman

Like, you know, what, so why do you think so many maybe women struggle with financial security later in life?

15:11.17

Dr. Barb

Well, first and foremost, many women have not been invited to the financial conversation, the table, if you will, um during those years of accumulation and retirement savings and things like that. um And so she might not know what her financial circumstances are because they never really talked about it. And then her husband, maybe he dies and she realizes, hmm, I wasn't.

15:36.36

Dr. Barb

I wasn't in a place I thought it would be, you know, as women age alone, there's going to be a lot more expense, health expense, oversight expense, you know, that she's going to need to, you know, it's not as cheap to live as one as it is as two. So um everything will be on her own. And You know, when women are out of the workforce for many, many years, they give up hundreds if not millions of dollars in money earned, money invested if they don't plan accordingly.

16:00.64

Debra Coleman

Hmm.

16:06.00

Dr. Barb

And that's what's so important about purse strings. Sure, if you want to step out of the workforce because you're raising children or let's say mom fell and now you're her caregiver, you still need to make a plan for your own retirement.

16:17.77

Dr. Barb

So that's a big detriment to women when they're out of the workforce. The other one is um you know caring. i mean they're women It's a women's issue, it's a financial issue, caregiving. um Even if they're in the workforce, they might have to leave early, go part-time, whatever it might be to care for an aging parent, a sick friend, whatever it might be, whoever they're caregiving for.

16:39.59

Dr. Barb

And with the population aging, that's going to happen more and more and more. And then, of course, there's you know the ah wage gap and the pink tax and all of these things that are happening around us. We really don't have a lot of control over.

16:54.33

Dr. Barb

um And it costs more to live as a woman than it does as a man. So there's so much that we are kind of behind the eight ball on um that we have to pay for. And um it sets women behind, unfortunately, if they're not paying attention and not really being financially conscious.

17:13.83

Debra Coleman

financially conscious. I like that. i've And so that's interesting. So then if we flip this flip the tide a bit, then Maggie and in maybe your generation of of of colleagues and peers, do you feel that that that it might be a different story? Are are women at at that age group or younger a bit more open to talk about finances? Or do you find that the struggle is pretty much the same?

17:38.49

Maggie Nielsen

You know, i I do think there are shifts happening. I mean, for almost all topics that were used to be taboo, we're talking about them now. Right.

17:45.70

Debra Coleman

right.

17:45.81

Maggie Nielsen

So I do think the conversation is opening up, but you'll still find those people who still think it's rude or, or things like that. But, um, and I'm glad the conversation's opening.

17:57.65

Maggie Nielsen

I also, um, think that, you know, there are more women who are staying single and just kind of have to learn how to own their finances. Um, because, you know, it used to be that you, you know, you had to have a man to have credit or you're kind of that property. Um, and now women do just have so much more independence. They are, you know, staying single by choice, um, and, and just owning, you know, their own story.

18:23.90

Debra Coleman

Exactly. I've heard that too. Staying single by choice or marrying later. um There's even a statistic out there.

18:28.25

Maggie Nielsen

Yeah.

18:30.05

Debra Coleman

I think that even like ah having children is either getting pushed back or not at all.

18:34.66

Maggie Nielsen

Right, exactly. And so, you know, it is changing just the dynamic of everything. um But, you know, coupled or not, you know, you've got to keep your eye on your finances.

18:44.76

Debra Coleman

Absolutely. You know, I'm so impressed with my, my niece. I had a conversation with her a couple months ago. She's in the early twenties, newly married. And she was saying, just talking freely about, I don't think I want to buy a house. I think that's a, you know, just hard for thoughts on the house buying and where they think they might want to live and datada and I'm thinking.

19:00.35

Debra Coleman

I'm like, yeah, when I was your age, I was like, you know, I was too afraid to have those conversations. I wouldn't even know the language to have those conversations. Right. I got paid on Friday. Yay. Where are we going? You know, I mean, so, but so I believe you. Yeah. I can see what you're saying, Maggie. I'm happy. I'm glad to see that.

19:18.99

Debra Coleman

I think the the women coming up behind us seem to have have found their brave a little bit more than maybe we did. um And I agree with you, Dr. Barb, too, that we are having those conversations. For some of us, we do feel a little behind the by eight ball, but I think that we're seeking out that information, too, which is exciting.

19:33.69

Dr. Barb

Yeah, yeah, for sure.

19:34.50

Debra Coleman

Yeah. Well, which is where purse strings comes in. So please tell us a little bit about purse strings.

19:41.40

Maggie Nielsen

Yeah, so at Purr Strings, we have a ton of free tools and resources for women to start getting those foundations. We have like a where is my money going or a checklist you know to grab things if ah to know together if you're thinking about getting divorced or um eight savvy ways women invest. So just ways to get some of this knowledge, get some of those wheels turning.

20:01.13

Maggie Nielsen

And then when you need a professional to help you kind of implement some of these things, whether that's invest your money or help you with your taxes or help you with your divorce or business ownership, um we have vetted purse strings approved professionals. And these professionals ah really focus on serving the female market, really understand the p plate of women, um really want to be there and on your team. And so women can go to this directory and find some professionals to work with um to really get that plan in action as well.

20:30.67

Maggie Nielsen

um And like we shared earlier, we also have our podcasts and for more education as well, women and money, the shit we don't talk about.

20:31.37

Debra Coleman

Thank you.

20:38.73

Debra Coleman

no I giggle every time I hear that a title. i just And I will admit, I'm low-key jealous.

20:43.29

Dr. Barb

So do we.

20:47.30

Debra Coleman

Like, man, why didn't I? like That isn't awesome. like just um Yes, your website, let me tell you. This is one of the reasons why I cannot wait to share this episode and share this website.

20:57.36

Debra Coleman

It is just like a one-stop shop, almost, for so many answers to financial questions that, let's face it, we're we might be a little embarrassed to ask. like I love your um investing.

21:09.62

Debra Coleman

step by step guide. Um, cause that's always, I'm always kind of shy. Like, I don't know. Like when I think investor, I think like wall street and like a bro culture and all this stuff, but you know, so I appreciate that you're sort of like, you know, it's a very welcoming and very like no stupid questions kind of vibe.

21:25.53

Dr. Barb

I love that. Thank you. that That's exactly what we were going for.

21:28.83

Debra Coleman

Yeah. Oh, you had nailed it. Absolutely. Uh, what, uh, while we're on the subject really quickly, if you don't mind me asking, what has been your experience with women and investing? Do you see that happening?

21:38.52

Dr. Barb

Women, yeah, women really want to learn how to invest.

21:39.53

Debra Coleman

Yeah.

21:42.75

Dr. Barb

They're so curious about it. How do I get started? you know And ah you know with the tools and resources today, the internet, I mean, there's apps for everything. You can Google anything, you can AI anything.

21:53.48

Dr. Barb

All the information is right at your fingertips. And We wanted it to be welcoming to women because, like you said, the bros and whatever, you never saw women underneath the ticker, right?

22:03.63

Debra Coleman

Right.

22:03.76

Dr. Barb

Or, you know, in the Wall Street conversations, very, if at all, did you see women? um it It wasn't diverse. And so women didn't know that information was for them, too. Those investments are for them, too.

22:15.53

Dr. Barb

So what we're trying to do at Purse Strings is say, you can do this as well as anybody else. How hard could it be? Boys do it, right? So we can do it.

22:24.92

Debra Coleman

That's right. That's right. And they shouldn't be the only ones with this like portfolio and all this. stuff yeah

22:29.53

Dr. Barb

so i so it's you know we

22:31.42

Maggie Nielsen

And to I just want to piggyback on there. And I know but before Barb kind of shared a lot of stats of how we're kind of behind the eight ball. But studies also show that when women invest, they outperform men.

22:42.31

Debra Coleman

Yes.

22:42.58

Maggie Nielsen

um And that our dollars typically have more impact as well, just because we always know you know how to take care of ourselves and our loved ones and our community. And so I know you know there's a lot of things against us, but also when we do take a handle of that money, we can be so powerful and so impactful um that it's not it's not all doom and gloom.

22:52.81

Dr. Barb

I know, I know.

23:02.90

Maggie Nielsen

There are some real um success stories. We just got to kind of dive in and get started.

23:09.10

Debra Coleman

Amen. Absolutely agree with you on that Maggie. And it shows like your podcast and your website and conversations we're having to help I think amplify that message. Absolutely. Absolutely. I totally agree with you on that. Yes. um For those who may be curious um when they land on your website, how do you vet the professionals you recommend?

23:31.06

Dr. Barb

Well, we first of all, we don't take all commerce, so we really look ah for particular people who are doing exactly what we would love them to do for us at Purr Strings. We look through LinkedIn. We're in different organizations like Women in Financial Services. ah We get a lot of referrals from the men and women financial professionals who are already in our membership directory, and they refer to us, um those people that they work with who they know would be a great member of Purr Strings.

23:59.46

Dr. Barb

So we're looking for those people who, first and foremost, they understand a female market. They can share with us what they understand about women, how they're left behind, kind of what are the stats, but how valuable and important they are, as Maggie was saying, and how they're going to be owning the purse strings of America over these next seven years as these $30 trillion dollars ah comes to their way. um And then we look for those who lead with education. So nobody is going to just come in and try to sell you a policy, an annuity or something, and then they're out the door.

24:29.42

Dr. Barb

people who are going to be there, be on your financial team, help educate you, answer your questions, and so on. And then those people who are also going to be in the industry for a while. So no one who's part-time or looking to retire in a year or so, we want to make sure that they're going to be in the industry for a while.

24:45.80

Debra Coleman

Oh, that is wonderful. And it's quite the, I mean, you have quite the catalog of professionals to pick from. So, I mean, that's fantastic. I mean, telling you, this is just like a one stop shop for everything that you need.

24:58.35

Dr. Barb

Well, that's the goal. Our goal is to really be the household name as women need to navigate anything financial. They can just know they can go to purse strings.

25:07.07

Debra Coleman

And it's so easy to remember purse strings. I mean, it's something we carry on our shoulder every day.

25:09.14

Dr. Barb

Yep.

25:11.90

Debra Coleman

That's our purse string.

25:13.32

Dr. Barb

That's right.

25:13.42

Debra Coleman

ah Well, to to kind of piggyback on that, please tell us more about your podcast.

25:21.19

Maggie Nielsen

Yeah, our podcast that's probably one of our both of our favorite things um to do.

25:25.80

Debra Coleman

Oh.

25:26.00

Maggie Nielsen

We have a podcast and we do it every week now it's audio and video, really just bringing on different amazing women out there. um you know we've had women who have survived you know domestic violence and sharing their story and and and owning their finances. We have different business owners, people who've switched careers, women who've gone through some crazy divorce stories. um We really touch on all these points, all these things that we need to be talking about and what nuggets to kind of know and learn along the way so we don't you know hear as much of, I should have known that, I would ah wish I would have known that.

26:02.72

Maggie Nielsen

um And we actually have one coming out soon about um a woman who helps entrepreneurs prepare for, you know, having a baby or adopting a child.

26:10.14

Dr. Barb

Thank you.

26:13.84

Maggie Nielsen

um You know, you want to take that time off, but as we all know as business owners, you know, it's hard to keep everything up and running. um And so it's so interesting, all these different women that we meet and the stories that they have, it's really a a diverse um podcast.

26:29.63

Maggie Nielsen

And we really just want to talk about all these different things that people have not been sharing.

26:36.21

Debra Coleman

I love it. It is so beautifully done. And you're right. You have so many topics and experiences that are shared. It really also makes them make somebody feel not so alone. Like, Oh my gosh, someone else went through that.

26:48.12

Maggie Nielsen

who

26:48.19

Dr. Barb

Yes.

26:48.23

Debra Coleman

Oh, good let me hear her story. How did she handle it? Yeah. So

26:51.27

Dr. Barb

Exactly. Yes, exactly.

26:53.91

Debra Coleman

Beautiful job, you two, honestly.

26:55.83

Maggie Nielsen

Thank you.

26:55.79

Debra Coleman

Great. Yeah. and as we I will speak for my listeners and me. We are selfishly very grateful for the time you take in recording all those shows and the effort that it goes into them, because ah we definitely ah appreciate all the information that's coming back on the other side of that microphone.

27:10.38

Debra Coleman

Oh, well, gosh, I feel like I could just have you guys on forever. But that's OK, because we can just flip on over to your podcast and continue this conversation. um

27:20.33

Dr. Barb

Yeah.

27:20.62

Debra Coleman

But before I let you both go, can you mind if I ask you one silly bonus question?

27:26.48

Maggie Nielsen

Let's do it.

27:26.51

Dr. Barb

Please.

27:27.36

Debra Coleman

All right. How do each of you, and you can each take turn answering, in the midst of your busy life, when things get crazy, how do each of you reset and rebalance?

27:38.48

Debra Coleman

Is there an activity or something you like to do to help sort of bring you back to center?

27:43.77

Maggie Nielsen

Oh, I'll go first.

27:45.06

Debra Coleman

Okay.

27:45.28

Dr. Barb

Okay.

27:45.45

Maggie Nielsen

Um, I like to go to the gym and, um, just kind of run around and it's all about blasting music really loud both ways. And while you're there, it's like the wind in your face, you get there, you do your thing.

27:59.17

Maggie Nielsen

Um, and my goal this year is to walk 10 stops on my hands. So it's just kind of be there and playing around and just really having fun with it.

28:03.69

Debra Coleman

oh

28:08.77

Debra Coleman

I love it. Yes.

28:09.90

Maggie Nielsen

Yeah.

28:10.65

Debra Coleman

Oh, I'm rooting behind you. That is amazing. 10 steps on your hands.

28:15.38

Maggie Nielsen

Yeah, we'll see how it goes, but it's it's a lot of fun and and it gets you, you know, out of your head.

28:15.67

Debra Coleman

Nice.

28:19.95

Debra Coleman

Totally out of your head. And I heard that getting upside down, like introverting yourself is like someone of the healthiest things you can do. So there you go.

28:27.85

Maggie Nielsen

Wow, I love it even more now.

28:29.42

Debra Coleman

Yeah, yeah.

28:31.87

Debra Coleman

Oh, that's great.

28:32.71

Dr. Barb

And I would add that I'm big into playing tennis. I've picked it up a couple of years ago, and and I play tennis three or four times a week.

28:40.83

Debra Coleman

All right, good for you. So have the pickleball fever hit you yet or no?

28:45.94

Dr. Barb

No, I haven't gone to the dark side yet. I'm still with tennis.

28:51.70

Debra Coleman

I know that's probably like the word that shall not be named. Like don't say pickleball to a tennis player.

28:56.35

Dr. Barb

That's right. That's right.

28:57.80

Debra Coleman

ah ah Tennis. That's great, though. What a great form of exercise. I mean, get you out there, get you moving. I love it.

29:04.08

Dr. Barb

Yeah, I love it.

29:04.04

Debra Coleman

I love it. Oh, now remind me, ladies, where my listeners can find you.

29:09.01

Maggie Nielsen

Yeah, they can check us out at perstrings.co or we're on all social media platforms at perstringco.

29:16.66

Debra Coleman

Excellent. Fantastic. And I will have links to both of those resources in the show notes so you can connect with purse strings and listen to the Women in Money, the Shit We Don't Talk About podcast. Oh, thank you both so much.

29:30.82

Dr. Barb

Thank you.

29:30.92

Maggie Nielsen

Thank you.

29:31.38

Dr. Barb

This has been fun.

29:34.42

Debra Coleman

It has, it's been such a joy for me too. Thank you.