Off the Struggle Bus

In this episode, MJ discusses her personal journey with budgeting and shares insights from various personal finance experts. She emphasizes the importance of budgeting as a tool to take control of one's financial future, especially for first-generation individuals. MJ highlights the significance of tracking income and expenses and recommends platforms like Mint and You Need a Budget (YNAB) for detailed tracking. She also explores three budgeting strategies: giving every dollar a job, conscious spending, and automated budgeting. Overall, the episode provides helpful tips and strategies for effective budgeting.

In this episode, MJ discusses surviving a toxic work environment in the public sector. They share personal experiences and offer practical tips for navigating such environments. MJ emphasizes the significance of finding mentors and building a supportive community, highlighting that mentors can be found across departments or in other leadership positions. They also stress the importance of paying it forward and supporting others in their careers. Additionally, MJ emphasizes the importance of self-care, suggesting healthy ways to clear your head. Lastly, they advise keeping options open and actively seeking opportunities outside of the toxic work environment.

In this episode, MJ discusses the importance of identifying toxic patterns in one's life and offers advice on how to break free from them. They emphasize the value of self-reflection and understanding the origins of these patterns. MJ suggests taking online tests to gain insight into one's traits and behaviors. They also highlight the importance of therapy and counseling in addressing toxic patterns, as well as setting clear intentions and replacing destructive behaviors with healthier alternatives. MJ concludes by emphasizing the significance of surrounding oneself with a supportive network for personal growth.

In this episode, MJ discusses the topic of email anxiety and its impact on individuals, particularly in the workplace. They share personal experiences and provide tips on managing email anxiety effectively. They highlight how cultural differences can make it even more challenging for some individuals to navigate office culture and ask for help. MJ advises listeners to recognize their triggers, set boundaries, practice mindful communication, and be kind to themselves. They emphasize that email anxiety is common but can be managed by understanding office culture, seeking guidance, and being aware of triggers. Listeners are encouraged to share the episode with others who may benefit from managing their email anxiety.

In this podcast episode, MJ reflects on a keynote talk by Jean Grey which discussed the importance of owning one's narrative and not allowing others to define it. MJ shares a personal story about her husband playing a keynote by Jean Grey, which inspired her to talk about the power of shaping one's own story. MJ encourages listeners to reflect on their creative narratives and take control over them. She highlights the frustration of feeling limited by others' narratives and introduces a shift in the podcast format to share her own personal stories of recognizing when things weren't right and planning her path forward. MJ challenges listeners to examine the stories they tell themselves and reminds them that they have the ability to write their next chapter.

This episode of "Off the Struggle Bus" hosted by MJ Flowells acknowledges the scarcity mindset that often plagues first-generation individuals, limiting their potential and opportunities. She encourage listeners to challenge this mindset, set goals, track progress, seek help, and celebrate wins. By overcoming scarcity and embracing abundance, MJ believes individuals can achieve their dreams and make a difference.

Hey there! It's me, MJ Flowells, and I'm so excited to reflect on season two of my podcast, "Off the Struggle Bus," with you! First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to all of my amazing guests and listeners who have made this journey so incredible. You all inspire me to keep pushing forward and striving for success.As I look back on season two, there were so many standout episodes that I loved. I also had a realization: my sweet spot is discussing money, careers, and finding success in challenging situations.I'm planning to switch things up a bit in season three by featuring more solo episodes with special guests sprinkled in. I want to provide my listeners with actionable tips and strategies that they can implement in their own lives to achieve their goals. So, if you're ready to join me on this journey, hit that subscribe button and let's get started!

MJ Flowells gets to speak with Laura Walters from SteadyWorth on this episode of Off the Struggle Bus. Laura shares her experience of being laid-off and her journey of navigating through a layoff with resilience. As a change management professional, she talks about the challenges of managing change within organizations and the importance of change management professionals. This episode will leave you with a better understanding of golden handcuffs, change management, and the significance of being mindful of other people's emotions. Listen to learn about the struggles of career transitions and how education and personal growth can help with the process. With exciting insights on the role of technology and artificial intelligence, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone navigating a career transition or interested in the changing workforce.

In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, MJ is joined by Kaleo Nadal from Jamalani NYC, a "public and nonprofit sector survivor". In this episode, they discuss the struggles of pandemic parenting, the challenges of buying a home in New York City, and the importance of community support. They also touch on personal growth, societal expectations, and the joys of celebrating Asian American heritage.

Host MJ Flowells gets to speak with Camille Kauer, host of The E-Spot with Camille. The conversation also delves into the challenge of scaling back a successful podcast and reevaluation of priorities. The hosts discuss how burnout affects creativity, the importance of finding a creative outlet, and the consequences of being too focused on perfection. In addition, the speakers discuss how to monetize your podcast while remaining authentic and genuine. They delve into the challenges of delegating tasks and prioritizing tasks. There is also a detailed description of how listeners can promote one's podcast through word-of-mouth and increase potential opportunities. This episode is a treasure trove of tips and tricks for anyone passionate about podcasting, and you will gain insight into the experiences of successful podcasters.

In this episode of Off the Struggle Bus, host MJ Flowells invites Madhurima Sappatti, a Freedom Soul coach, to discuss her experience with burnout and how she helps others cope with stress. Madhurima talks about her own experience with burnout due to pressure in a highly competitive field, and how it affected her health. The conversation then shifts to the causes of burnout, particularly for women of color in certain fields, and the importance of managing stress in a healthy way to avoid burnout. The speakers emphasize the need for personal boundaries and self-care. The podcast also explores various methods for managing burnout, including identifying personal motivators and using journaling for emotional expression. They also discuss the concept of human design and spirituality in helping individuals understand their energy type and operating style. The importance of setting boundaries and self-compassion are also emphasized.Through their raw and honest conversation, listeners gain valuable insights into the causes, effects, and management of burnout. The speakers offer practical advice and personal anecdotes, making the podcast both relatable and inspiring. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has experienced burnout or wants to learn how to manage stress in a healthy way.

On this episode of Off the Struggle Bus, MJ gets to speak with Dani Pila, PhD about the impact of toxic work environments. Dani shares her experience working in nonprofit and higher education sectors, where exploitation is common. The podcast highlights the importance of creating work environments that prioritize employee well-being, particularly in academia. They discuss the difficulties of working in a toxic environment and provide strategies for navigating them. They also emphasize the value of finding allies in the workplace and celebrating small successes. The podcast ends on a positive note, reminding listeners of the importance of talking to people at different levels of the organization when applying for jobs. This episode of Off the Struggle Bus inspires and empower listeners to prioritize their well-being and succeed in challenging work environments.

MJ gets to speak with Lindsey Tabil, Founder of Money is Not Taboo. What starts as a conversation about tax preparation turns into a deep and informative discussion about mental health, entrepreneurship, and finding balance. Lindsey shares her experience about managing her mental health while building her business and emphasizes the importance of self-care. She also talks about her experience at FinCon and how Filipinos are breaking through in the financial industry. MJ contributes to the discourse with her first-hand experience on the taboo surrounding money, tax, and finances. She emphasizes the need for non-judgmental conversation about taboo topics such as making money through unconventional means.The speakers discuss everything from minimizing taxes to generating wealth and building communities around oneself. Their conversations are equally informative and positive. In all, this episode highlights the importance of self-awareness, community building, and embracing one's unique culture while defying conventions. Join MJ and Lindsey as they dig deeper into the nuances of entrepreneurship, mental health, and finances. This episode will leave you feeling informed, inspired, and ready to take charge of your future. Don't miss out on the insight and advice that could take your mental and financial health to the next level. Tune in now to Off the Struggle Bus with MJ Flowells.Timestamps[00:00:00] Mental Health and Entrepreneurship During Tax Season[00:03:55] Balancing Stress as an Entrepreneur[00:07:52] Balancing Identity and Networking at Fincon[00:11:18] Money management for content creators[00:14:57] Maximizing Savings During Tax Season[00:18:43] Representation in Personal Finance for Filipino Women[00:22:25] Celebrating Success Beyond Business

MJ gets to speak with one of her besties, Stephanie Chrispin aka @yumcrispypata.She is one of the administrators of #TeamTunde and a founding member of the #CurseOutCrew, just two of the member groups of the broader Peloton community.They discuss their experiences with recent injuries and reflect on the importance of self-advocacy, self-awareness, and supportive friendships in managing these challenges. They also talk about their experiences in the Peloton community and the value of finding a supportive crew. The conversation shifts to the topics of money and personal finance, including frustrations with student debt forgiveness and societal expectations of success. The episode ends with a reminder to focus on what truly matters in life.

MJ gets to speak with Steadyworth founder, Gabriel Walters, CFP® about how he got into personal finance and ways to think about budgeting.Use code "MJ23" for 23% off any of SteadyWorth's offerings!https://steadyworth.com/Use code "Steadyworth10" for $10 off your 2023 FinCon Ticket!https://finconexpo.com

MJ is reading Rest is Resistance, a Manifesto by Tricia Hersey.

MJ gets to speak with Joshua Walbolt, founder of LoveFoodMoreBeginning with the captivating detail that Gordon Ramsay inspired Joshua Walbolt of LoveFoodMore to use TikTok, this podcast episode discussed the importance of taking action on ideas and goals, networking, and putting in the time and effort to become an expert in something in order to achieve success. MJ Flowells and Joshua Walbolt, Founder of LoveFoodMore discussed their own experiences with taking risks and trying new things, and their plans for the year. They also discussed the idea of taking responsibility for one's own success, and the importance of being consistent and putting in the hours to become successful. They shared their stories of success, such as LoveFoodMore making $500 in three or four hours and Joshua Walbolt meeting the Money Millennial Group at a finance conference. Finally, they discussed the idea of taking action and telling stories, and their plans to celebrate their successes.

MJ Flowells gives you a readout on what's ahead in March:Speak to Elevate Webinar with Alexa Rose Carlin - March 8 + 9Tax Season prepOpen Enrollment - HR BenefitsTrack Spending + Budgets with Steady WorthA quick struggle bus story

MJ gets to speak with artist, performer and comedian, Bobby Flowells.Some topics they get into:DivorceFinding Yourself AgainNew RelationshipsMoneyMentors

MJ Flowells gets to speak with artist and life coach, CJ Gorospe about pandemic parenting, being 420 moms and finding yourself again.

MJ Flowells gets to speak with Justin Peters from the Struggle Is Real Podcast and Co-Founder of Simple Pod Studios. Some topics they get into:Quitter's DayFinding BalanceParenthoodTaking a BreakKnowing how to spot a toxic work environmentFinCon2023 GoalsLatest read

Some news this week on the Student Loan Repayment Front and a little holiday reflection of this personal finance journey.Buy Money Out Loud by Berna Anat

When was the last time you listed out your wins? Create opportunity for yourself by updating your resume today.

Election was on Tuesday November 8. I'm delirious because I'm tracking races for my day job. I almost didn't do this episode but, as our guest Cris Mercado of GrantAnswers said: Focus on habits over goals.New intro, new format. Let me know what you think: maria@mjflowells.comResourceshttps://steadyworth.com (use code OTSB22)https://www.alexacarlin.com/speak-to-elevatehttps://erikakullberg.com

We get to talk with Coach James about personal finance, relationships, spending on food and valuing our time.

This week we get to speak with David Delisle, Author of "The Golden Quest"

This week we speak to Hassan Thomas, Founder and CEO of FYIFLI.We talk about the art that is podcasting, working through disappointment, building with the builders and how Mamba Mentality can be applied to personal finance.

Cris Mercado, Founder of GrantAnswers on generating income, authentic relationships and the resiliency of the public sector.

This week, we talk to Gabe Walters, CFP® Founder and Owner of SteadyWorth. We share some FinCon first timer memories and discuss where to start with some good personal finance money habits.

A conversation with Dani Pila, PhD about navigating money without U.S. Citizenship and the culture shock of academia.

Unlock Abundance: First-Gen SuccessOff the Struggle Bus is hosted by MJ Flowells; designed to help first generation individuals navigate the challenges of money, careers and success. The podcast encourages listeners to challenge the stories we were told about ourselves and own the power of our lived experiences. It aims to move listener mindsets from a state of scarcity to abundance, offering resources to help individuals unlock insights and identify role models to help them thrive.