Category: Business

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Creating Your Wealth Map (Ep. 92)

Creating Your Wealth Map (Ep. 92)

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On this episode of Money Is Emotional, Christine Luken speaks with Juliana Uto, investor, startup advisor, and founder of Wealth Bravery, about developing the skills and judgment needed to become a better steward of wealth.

Christine and Juliana discuss:

  • Financial knowledge isn’t the same as investor judgment.
  • How women can develop investment confidence?
  • Risk tolerance is learned through experience.
  • Understanding the role your investments play in your overall wealth strategy.
  • The emotional transformation that happens when you take ownership of your financial future.
  • Why your net worth doesn’t necessarily determine your financial freedom.

 

Connect with Christine Luken:

 

Connect with Juliana Uto:

 

About Juliana Uto:

For nearly two decades, Juliana was a senior leader at a global oil and gas major — evaluating assets, making strategic investment decisions at a corporate level, and operating in environments where capital decisions carried real consequence. All while quietly building her own multi-seven-figure portfolio from the inside out.

When her daughter was born, she knew she wanted to be present — not traveling internationally for someone else’s balance sheet. She left at forty. Not because she had to — because she’d built the architecture to make it possible. The optionality to stay or go, to work or not, wasn’t something she stumbled into at sixty-five. It was something she designed for, intentionally, long before she needed it.

Then she built Wealth Bravery to give other high-earning women the same framework: the capital allocator’s lens, the private markets access, and the clarity that changes how you see everything you’re building.

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I’m a Trust Fund Lady (Ep. 91)

I’m a Trust Fund Lady (Ep. 91)

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On this episode of the Money Is Emotional podcast, host Christine Luken challenges common stereotypes about trust fund and “nepo” babies while exploring the realities of inheritance, family businesses and generational wealth. Christine argues that criticizing people who inherit wealth while hoping to create wealth for your own family sends conflicting messages about your financial goals.

Christine discusses:

  • Why you need to rethink negative assumptions about inherited wealth?
  • Being a “nepo baby” isn’t as easy as it looks.
  • Family businesses require preparation, not entitlement.
  • Why trust fund babies are relatively uncommon?
  • Money and inheritance are deeply emotional.

Resources:

 

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The Future of Female Friendships (Ep. 90)

The Future of Female Friendships (Ep. 90)

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In this deeply personal episode of the Money Is Emotional Podcast, host Christine Luken welcomes her friend Nicole Olsthoorn for an honest conversation about a misunderstanding that could have ended their friendship but instead made it stronger. Rather than avoiding conflict, both women chose curiosity, accountability, and open communication, demonstrating what emotionally mature friendships can look like.

Christine and Nicole discuss:

  • How to settle misunderstandings with grace and emotional maturity.
  • Taking responsibility for your own emotions rather than making others responsible for them.
  • Why healthy female friendships are not defined by the absence of conflict?
  • Recognizing that emotional triggers often point to unresolved experiences from the past.
  • Repairing relationships through honest, respectful conversations instead of gossip, avoidance or resentment.

 

Connect with Christine Luken:

 

Connect with Nicole Olsthoorn:

 

About my guest:

Nicole Olsthoorn (aka The Celtic Goddess) is a high priestess, a seer and channel, and an expert in creating sacred spaces. She uses her spiritual gifts to guide ambitious soul-led female founders and leading ladies in the reclamation of their feminine intuition, power, and leadership through online and in-person rites, rituals, and ceremonies that elevate and transform instantly. Nicole believes that women are the catalyst for the evolution of humanity, and that the world isn’t collapsing — she is emerging.

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Who is the Merchant Priestess™? (Ep. 87)

Who is the Merchant Priestess™? (Ep. 87)

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On this episode, host Christine Luken, originally known as a financial dignity coach, introduces a transformative identity: The Merchant Priestess. This new title reflects a deeper integration of her professional expertise in money management with her spiritual journey and identity.

Christine shares:

  • The limitations of referring to herself as only a financial coach.
  • Her Akashic records reading experience that revealed past life connections to Egypt and Europe.
  • The interest in business she showed right from the age of 5.
  • Her childhood desire to be a priest which led to creating her own rituals at home.
  • How to create beauty and substance in all aspects of life including finance.
  • The Merchant Priestess creed.

 

Resources:

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Through the Threshold with HR Hutzel (Ep. 85)

Through the Threshold with HR Hutzel (Ep. 85)

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On this episode of Money is Emotional podcast, host Christine Luken is joined by Heather Hutzel, a storyteller of soul-stirring fantasy and bestselling author of the Fable of Eylan series. Together we discuss how identity shapes our relationship with money and how storytelling frameworks can facilitate profound personal and financial transformation.

Heather Hutzel shares:

  • How money challenges often mask deeper identity struggles.
  • The essence of a story lies in character transformation.
  • Common limiting beliefs most people have about themselves or about money.
  • How to identify threshold moments in our lives
  • Why your financial future depends on the identity you choose to embody today?

 

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Connect with Heather Hutzel:

 

About my guest

H. R. Hutzel is a storyteller of soul-stirring fantasy.

Her books are portals—infused with love, loss, magic, and memory.

She is the author of Fable of Eylan, a fantasy series born from grief and shaped by wonder—written for those who believe magic is real… and love never dies.

Her journey began with a bestselling debut novel and has since grown into a body of work that bridges soul and story.

Her work is an invitation to transformation—a reminder that the stories we tell shape the lives we live… and that sometimes, losing yourself in a story is the truest path to finding your way home.

When she’s not writing, you’ll find her walking with her golden retrievers, barefoot in the garden, or curled in a hammock with a book—losing herself in the pages, always listening for the next chapter in her own story.

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The Four Elements of Money (Ep. 84)

The Four Elements of Money (Ep. 84)

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On this episode, host Christine Luken, the Financial Dignity Coach and host of the Money is Emotional podcast, presents a transformative approach to personal finance by integrating practical money management with emotional intelligence, mindset work, and spiritual alignment. Her framework is based on the ancient symbolism of the four elements—Earth, Water, Air, and Fire each representing a vital dimension of our relationship with money.

Christine discusses:

  • The multidimensional nature of Money and how it encompasses the physical (earth), emotional (water), mental (air), and spiritual (fire).
  • Why money is deeply personal and emotional, requiring a blend of practical skills and inner work.
  • The importance of emotional intelligence and how it helps to overcome blocks like shame, anxiety, and impulsive spending.
  • How mindset work helps to reshapes unconscious beliefs and aligns thoughts with financial goals.
  • How spiritual alignment turns money into a tool for greater good, reflecting personal values and morality.

 

Resources:

 

Connect with Christine Luken: 

 

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Cash is Queen with Natalie Levy (Ep. 79)

Cash is Queen with Natalie Levy (Ep. 79)

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On this powerful of Money is Emotional podcast, host Christine Luken sits down with Natalie Levy, founder of She’s Independent, to explore how women can step into greater financial influence and dignity through the world of angel investing. You’ll hear Natalie’s journey from engineer and Wall Street trader to successful investor and community builder, and discover why you don’t need to be a celebrity or an ultra-wealthy insider to make a meaningful impact with your investments.

Together, they unpack common myths about angel investing, discuss the emotional patterns that hold women back, and demystify what it means to be an accredited investor. Whether you’re curious about building wealth, seeking to learn about alternative investments, or looking for practical steps to grow your confidence as an investor, this conversation is packed with actionable insights tailored for ambitious law firm owners and professionals alike.

 

Christine and Natalie discuss:

  • Transitioning from engineer and wall street trader to investor and community leader.
  • A brief introduction to angel investing.
  • How to align investments with your values.
  • Why women need to unlearn certain beliefs about money and power.
  • The importance of being mindfully selfish and prioritizing personal goals.
  • Why ownership matters for women.


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Connect with Natalie Levy:

 

About Natalie Levy:

Natalie Levy is the Founder of She’s Independent, a women-first investment group offering an entirely new way to support women’s financial independence and influence through investing and board placements. As a member-led investment group, She’s Independent marries empowerment and action, with the ultimate mission of closing the power gap in investing by getting more women on the cap table, in the boardroom, and into positions of influence. Over the next 12 months, She’s Independent plans to deploy over $2M of capital collectively, and has invested in 13 deals since its formation in 2022.

An accomplished engineer turned Wall Street derivatives trader, investor, and advisor, Natalie has over a decade of tech operational experience, a portfolio of 30+ seed through later stage private investments, and has experienced liquidity events across 3 of the first 4 investments in her growth technology portfolio with an average return >20X.

She resides in Boulder, CO with her loving rescue pup Beans and is passionate about gender equity and mental health awareness.

 

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Decoding Generational Wealth (Ep. 75)

Decoding Generational Wealth (Ep. 75)

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On this episode of the podcast, host Christine Luken sits down with Dr. Joaquin Wallace, a leading voice in generational wealth psychology and behavioral finance. They tackle the “why” behind our money habits, how inherited beliefs play into the way we run our businesses (and our lives), and most importantly how you can re-write your own financial story for good.

Dr. Wallace’s down-to-earth wisdom goes beyond budget spreadsheets, delving deep into what holds high-achievers back and how to finally create a financial legacy that endures.

Joaquin discusses:

  • Why you need to understand your financial genetic code?
  • How to break free from financial shame.
  • The emotional drivers behind our financial decisions.
  • The 7-stage wealth model for your family’s future.
  • Why emotional honesty is the secret to financial growth.

 

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Connect with Dr. Joaquin Wallace:

About our Guest:

Dr. Joaquin Wallace is a nationally recognized financial planner, Amazon best-selling author, and visionary speaker dedicated to bridging financial empowerment, leadership, and community transformation. His latest book, Generational Wealth Begins with Generational Knowledge—a transformative guide that redefines how we think about money and legacy—achieved Amazon Best Seller status and is empowering underserved and marginalized communities to build lasting prosperity.

Drawing on his personal journey, Dr. Wallace delivers dynamic and relatable keynote presentations on leadership, coaching, personal motivation, and generational wealth strategies. His message isn’t just about finance; it’s about helping people understand their “Financial Genetic Code” to make better choices and build a legacy.

Driven by a passion for creating pathways to opportunity, Dr. Wallace founded Project Transition, Inc., a groundbreaking welfare-to-work program. This initiative has empowered over 1,000 participants in Alameda County to transition into competitive careers, helping them break cycles of poverty and build sustainable futures. His impact extends far beyond program design—he equips individuals with the mindset, tools, and access they need for success.

Recognized among the most influential African Americans of the 21st century by Contemporary Black Biography, Dr. Wallace’s accolades include:

  • Amazon Best Seller – Generational Wealth Begins with Generational Knowledge®
  • Oakland Chamber of Commerce Community-Based Nonprofit of the Year
  • Wells Fargo Living History Makers Award
  • Recommendations for prestigious fellowships from the Ford Foundation and the Annie E. Casey Foundation

With every stage appearance, Dr. Wallace inspires audiences to see that Generational Wealth Begins with Generational Knowledge and that actual change happens when knowledge, opportunity, and action align.

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Rein In Emotional Spending for the Holidays (Ep. 74)

Rein In Emotional Spending for the Holidays (Ep. 74)

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On this episode, host Christine Luken discusses the challenges of emotional spending during the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of awareness and strategies to manage finances while navigating complex emotions.

Christine gets to the heart of why we overspend, how to recognize emotional triggers, and—most importantly—actionable ways to enjoy the holidays without regret. Drawing from her own experiences and her book, “Money is Emotional,” she shares how we can navigate seasonal financial stress with confidence and clarity.

 

Christine discusses:

  • Why it is important to acknowledge emotional spending.
  • How to set boundaries and say “No” with confidence.
  • Why spending can’t fill an emotional void
  • How loneliness, guilt and pressure impact spending decisions.
  • Why finding joy in giving doesn’t have to mean overspending.
  • How to gamify your holiday spending

 

Resources:

 

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5 Ways to Be a Conscious Capitalist (Ep. 73)

5 Ways to Be a Conscious Capitalist (Ep. 73)

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On this episode, Christine Luken breaks down the concept of “conscious capitalism” which is a way of doing business that’s about more than just profit. It’s about paying people well, choosing vendors with values, and using your financial power to uplift others (including Mother Earth).

Christine shares stories from her own journey and offers actionable steps any you can take, whether you’re hiring staff, picking suppliers, or deciding where to spend and give. Imagine leading your firm with both confidence and compassion…and watching your influence grow.

 

Christine discusses:

  • Distinction between traditional capitalism and conscious capitalism.
  • Why “conscious capitalism” isn’t just for big corporations.
  • How to give back without sacrificing growth?
  • Benefits of buying from women and minority-owned businesses.
  • Learn how generosity and ethical decision-making can actually fuel business growth.
  • How to connect purpose with profit.
  • Small changes you can make to better protect the environment.

 

Resources:

 

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