Other People's Pockets

I'm so proud to present the pilot episode of a new show I'm hosting, Easy Money: The Charles Ponzi Story. In 1920, a broke immigrant in Boston became one of America's richest, most infamous men—practically overnight. In just nine months, he swindled the modern equivalent of a quarter billion dollars, upended the world of finance, and etched his name into history as the mastermind behind one of the most notorious scams ever: the Ponzi scheme.Hosted by me and featuring award-winning comedian and actor Sebastian Maniscalco, Easy Money: The Charles Ponzi Story is a docudrama that captures the rise and fall—both outrageous and tragic—of the con artist who fooled the world and paid the price. Easy Money: The Charles Ponzi Story is an Apple Original podcast, produced by AT WILL MEDIA. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi! I'm dropping in this quick note to say that Other People's Pockets will be back with new episodes soon! Also! I have a special new project to share with you. I'm hosting a new podcast that tells the story of Charles Ponzi, a broke immigrant who became one of America's richest, most infamous men, practically overnight—and etched his name into history as the mastermind behind the Ponzi scheme. Hosted by me and featuring award-winning comedian and actor Sebastian Maniscalco, Easy Money: The Charles Ponzi Story is an Apple Original podcast, produced by AT WILL MEDIA. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts.And come see me live at the Tribeca Film Festival talking onstage about Easy Money: The Charles Ponzi Story. I'll be joined by Sebastian Maniscalco along with Will Malnati, CEO of AT WILL MEDIA, and Jamie-Lynn Sigler, of the Sopranos, our moderator.Friday June 13, 20255pOKX Theater at BMCC TPAC199 Chambers St.New York, NYTickets: https://www.tribecafilm.com/films/easy-money-the-charles-ponzi-story-with-sebastian-maniscalco-jamie-lynn-sigler-2025Use discount code: TFPONZI30Come say hi!IG @itsmayamoney Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Happiness Lab's Dr. Laurie Santos brings together other Pushkin hosts to mark the International Day of Happiness. Revisionist History's Malcolm Gladwell talks about the benefits of the misery of running in a Canadian winter. Dr. Maya Shankar from A Slight Change of Plans talks about quieting her mental chatter. And Cautionary Tales host Tim Harford surprises everyone with the happiness lessons to be learned from a colonoscopy. Hear more of The Happiness Lab HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gary Goldman was a writer on “Total Recall”, a Philip K. Dick adaptation directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Arnold Schwarzeneger. It was a big hit. So why do Gary and his writing partner, Angus Fletcher, have so much trouble selling another Philip K. Dick adaptation? They tell Malcolm that it all came down to a roller coaster ride of plot twists that even A-List action actors couldn't stomach, and an early attempt at AI that was too dumb to pick a smart script.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Other People's Pockets, you're going to hear what it's like to receive financial planning advice, and the person receiving the advice is ... me! My income, savings, and retirement goals will get scrutinized by Isabel Barrow, director of financial planning at Edelman Financial Engines and frequent guest on the podcast Everyday Wealth, along with Jean Chatzky, financial journalist and bestselling New York Times author who is also the host of Everyday Wealth. This special episode of Other People's Pockets was produced with support from the Everyday Wealth podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's hard to believe it, but this is the 35th episode of Other People's Pockets, which means it's the end of our first season! For this special episode, we reached out to some of our past guests for a "Look Back" -- an update on their financial situations & viewpoints. Cord Jefferson stopped earning money for a while and didn't know when more would come. Carmen González is learning how to apply for credit cards now that she's a U.S. citizen. Laura Lyster-Mensch decided she had been too cagey about her money on this show and now wants to reveal all. And more! Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building credit. Being on your parent's cell phone plan. Learning to drive. There are many financial benefits to having a relationship with your family of origin. Today's guest, Jessica, has experienced what it's like to not have those advantages. Jessica severed ties with her biological parents due to emotional abuse she experienced from them throughout her life. Jessica has built a strong network of friends — her chosen family — who contribute money when she needs a security deposit and give her rides to appointments. She explains how personal finance looks different when you have an alternative definition of family, and how she has a new outlook on asking for help and taking on debt. Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does a love of extreme weather translate into making money? Raychel Sanner is a storm chaser and co-founder of Tornado Titans, a media brand by self-described “weather nuts” who capture images of supercells, monsoons, blizzards and more. As a Choctaw trans woman born and raised in Oklahoma, Raychel is transforming the image of storm chasing away from being dominated by straight, white cis-men. Raychel chats about the income she gets from her day job, whether she could do storm-chasing full-time, and what money conversations look like with her wife. Follow Raychel at:Instagram: @raychelsanner@tornadotitansX: @raychelsnrFacebook: @raychelsanner raychelsanner.com Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ismatu Gwendolyn is a mental health professional and life coach who is trying to rethink how we care for those in need. Ismatu has navigated sex work in order to afford life and graduate school, and they discovered that as a stripper, talking to men in a club was not so different than counseling a client as a therapist. Ismatu let us have a peek inside their personal finances to find out how this all comes together. Follow Ismatu:TikTok: @ismatu.gwendolyn Instagram: @ismatu.gwendolyn Follow Maya Lau at:X: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time for another Pocket Dial! That's where we pause to reflect on the money themes coming up on Other People's Pockets. Jared Ball is a professor of Communications and Africana Studies at Morgan State University in Baltimore and the author of "The Myth and Propaganda of Black Buying Power." He helps unpack the lies around "passion work" and why it feels like you have to be out for yourself when it comes to finances. Follow Jared at:Instagram: @imixwhatilikeX: @imixwhatilike Follow Maya Lau at:X: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is this whole "financial-freedom-through-real-estate-investing" thing people are doing, and is it real? Maya interviews Deandra McDonald, a real estate investor and influencer with 320k+ followers on her TikTok, @simplerealestate. Deandra says she became financially free at 28 after five years of house-hacking (buy a property, rent part of it, live in the other part, and have your tenant pay your mortgage!). Deandra only found her path after several life choices went wrong for her in her early twenties. Now she uses her experience (and fun personality) to teach others her real estate ways.  Follow Deandra:TikTok: @simplerealestateInstagram: @deandramcdonaldhttps://www.deandramcdonald.com/ Follow Maya Lau at:X: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever thought about how money feels in your body? Or how sticking with a budget might start with healing your money wounds first? Today Maya interviews Bari Tessler, a financial therapist and author of "The Art of Money: A Life-Changing Guide to Financial Happiness." Bari explores what it feels like to even hear the truth about other people's money stories, and how to navigate our own. Follow Bari Tessler at:baritessler.comInstagram: @baritesslerX: @baritessler Follow Maya Lau at:X: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Maya interviews a couple we're calling D+A, because they wanted anonymity so they could discuss their finances openly. D+A are in love, engaged and have been living together for about a decade, but financially it's as if they're just roommates. Separate bank accounts. Separate credit cards. One of them will ask the other to Venmo them $7 after a Target run. Why? Maya digs into their money pasts and fears and gets them to fact-check each other in real time. Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kyle Coon is a blind Paralympian triathlete on Team USA. Kyle was diagnosed with eye cancer at 10 months old and had his eyes removed at age 6. His blindness didn't stop him from becoming a competitive rock climber, downhill skier, runner and triathlete. He revealed how personal finance is different as a blind person, and what it means to rest almost all your financial hopes on winning a medal in the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024.  Follow Kyle:Instagram: @eyeronkyle Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few weeks ago, I had the cockamamie idea to fly to Shreveport, Louisiana. I wanted to visit a weed doctor, get a medical marijuana prescription, and then smoke weed and interview her while high. And that is exactly what I did! Jaya McSharma is a medical doctor and the co-owner of CannaCare of Louisiana, a medical marijuana clinic. Jaya is also an actress and filmmaker and has some wild stories about getting Bernie Madoff'ed out of basically her entire life savings. Follow Jaya:Instagram: @jayamcsharmahttps://cannacarela.com/ Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does money mix with religion? Blair Pogue is a church leader who works for the bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. She's a longtime former priest at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in St. Paul, where she helped manage the church's finances and encouraged people to give 10% or more of their income. She shares how much she's paid and whether it's enough — and how she tracked how much money each of her parishioners put in the offering plate. Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a Muslim, Khalid Kadir navigates personal finance differently than most of his fellow Americans. That means not obtaining traditional loans (because you're charged interest, which is forbidden) or buying conventional insurance (because it often relies on speculation). Khalid, who teaches engineering at UC Berkeley, explains how following the rules of Islamic finance has meant a much less glamorous life than he might otherwise have, one with unexpected good karma. Follow Khalid Kadir:Twitter: @iamkhalidkadir Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once upon a time, Chelsea Fagan was a financial mess. She had a credit score of around 450, debt that went to collections, and so many unpaid traffic tickets that she got arrested. She whipped herself into financial shape by writing about her journey at The Financial Diet, where she's co-founder and CEO. She explains why some of her employees earn more than she does and why you don't have to grind to succeed. Follow Chelsea Fagan:Instagram: @faganchelseaTwitter: @chelsea_faganthefinancialdiet.com Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you put yourself through college by selling rocks on eBay? Philip Persson did! He's a geologist and mineral dealer who's been obsessed with digging things out of the ground since he was little. Sometimes it means trespassing. And sometimes it means confronting moral questions about where amazing crystals actually come from. Phil explains the connection between rocks and his path to financial stability. Follow Philip Persson at:Instagram: @perssonraremineralsperssonrareminerals.com Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode contains adult content and listener discretion is advised. Maybe the sexiest voice you will hear on this show? Yumprincess Elle is a voice actor, writer and singer who stumbled into the world of creating audio erotica on a whim. Now she has an avid fan base and has built a new financial future by doing this style of online sex work. She says as a disabled person, creating audio porn has transformed her relationship to money and to affording healthcare. Follow Yumprincess Elle at:Patreon: YumprincessReddit: Listen_to_my_voiceYouTube: @YumprincessElle Twitter: @yumprincesselle Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In witnessing people go through the dying process, Laura Lyster-Mensh has discovered some surprising things: family-related financial shenanigans, aloneness, and secrets come to light. She's also realized that unlike being a birth doula or a hospice nurse, being a death doula is not a way to earn money. Why? Listen to find out. Follow Laura Lyster-Mensh:Twitter: @lauracollinslmInstagram: @lauraoncapitolhill Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coss Marte is a lifelong entrepreneur and the founder of CONBODY, a workout program he created in prison that employs formerly incarcerated fitness instructors. He also founded CONBUD, a legal cannabis dispensary that's taking advantage of licenses being given to people convicted of marijuana-related offenses. Coss talked about why being in prison can be so expensive, and how finding a job post-incarceration is so difficult. Follow Coss Marte at:Instagram: @cossmarteInstagram: @conbudnyInstagram: @conbody conbody.comconbud.com Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremy Bowditch is many things: Neighborhood Council Member in Los Angeles, Lakers fan, wine snob. He's not afraid to admit that what he does to make money — being a creative director in advertising — doesn't light his fire. Lately, he's focused on redistributing the wealth he discovered by marrying his wife, and on being transparent about how they actually afforded a house.  Follow Jeremy Bowditch at:Instagram: @jbowditchTwitter: @jbowditch Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ingrid Nilsen was one of the quintessential YouTube stars of the 2010's, known for her candid, girl-next-door style videos about makeup and "boyfriend-approved" outfits. Then one day, she quit YouTube, saying goodbye to her 8 million followers and the fortune that came with them. Now, Ingrid runs a fragrance company, The New Savant, that she co-founded with Erica Anderson. She gets a paycheck, but it ain't that YouTube money. Follow Ingrid Nilsen at:Instagram: @ingridnilsen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5zSySQab9SA6Wz569WDgqwTwitter: @ingridnilsen thenewsavant.com Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At age 11, Uzziah Campbell founded Calm & Cure Candle Co. as a way to process the trauma of the pandemic and murders by police. Now 14, Uzziah has a growing savings account and is learning to manage the money from his business. His mom, Nakia, joins to discuss how it all comes together. Follow Uzziah and Nakia Campbell:Instagram: @calmandcure_candles Instagram: @the.mental.motivatorcalmandcurecandles.com Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Shewry has one of the top restaurants in the world, but even he needs to supplement his income. Ben is the New Zealand-born chef and owner of Attica, in Melbourne, Australia, a highly-acclaimed yet anti-"fine dining" establishment. He talks about his paycheck, his skater punk youth, and the definition of "selling out." Follow Ben Shewry:Instagram: @benshewryAttica: https://www.attica.com.au/ Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we're sharing a clip from the new season of "This Is Uncomfortable" — a podcast from Marketplace where host Reema Khrais digs into stories about the surprising ways money shapes our relationships, identities and the choices we make. You can find the full episode and the new season of “This is Uncomfortable” wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Martin is a writer and social researcher whose #1 NYT-bestelling book, "The Primates of Park Avenue," revealed the inner world of rich Upper East Side mommies. Now, her anthropologist's eye is turned toward a different type of social currency: sex, erotic capital, cheating, "ethical" non-monogamy, and all things women's sexuality. And she reveals the tricky money conversations that go on inside her own open marriage. Follow Wednesday Martin:Twitter: @wednesdaymartinInstagram: @wednesdaymartinphdwednesdaymartin.com Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time for a Pocket Dial! That's where we zoom out and reflect on what people are saying so far on Other People's Pockets. Mary O'Hara, an award-winning journalist whose work centers on social policy and socioeconomic class, helps us process what we're learning about people's income, class identity, and money secrets. Follow Mary O'Hara:Twitter: @maryohara1 Instagram: @maryoharawritermaryoharaproductions.com Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He's produced and mixed records for Public Enemy, Ice Cube, Sonic Youth and others, but Nick Sansano doesn't blow his royalty checks on fancy cars. How did this music maker build a life in expensive NYC despite the ups and downs of his field (and despite the sometimes ruthless politics of being an NYU professor)? Check out Nick Sansano in his band, Bronze Fondue. Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Her job involves eating her way through L.A., but Katherine Spiers also has a less-talked-about way her finances all come together. The host of the Smart Mouth podcast and founder of TableCakes Productions explains her pivot from food writing to business ownership, her culinary curiosities, and what really causes famines.  Follow Katherine Spiers:Twitter: @katherinespiersInstagram: @katherine_spiersTikTok: @katherinespiers Listen to the Smart Mouth podcast here.  Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wonder how much the host of this podcast makes for doing ... this podcast? Maya Lau, host of Other People's Pockets, gets the tables turned on her by Jane Marie, host of the podcast The Dream and co-founder of the podcast studio Little Everywhere. Maya gets grilled about her financial life, her money history and the one thing that might make her feel like she finally has "enough." Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoney Follow Jane Marie at:Twitter: @seejanemarieInstagram: @seejanemarie Subscribe to The Dream and get the newest season as soon as it drops!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At just 23, Sana Javeri Kadri founded a company that exploded an old-world colonialist industry – the spice trade. This small business owner who lives between India and California is testing the theory: Can you be an ethical, fair-paying boss, and still turn a profit? Follow Sana Javeri Kadri at:Twitter: @SanaJaveriKadriInstagram: @sanajaverikadri Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maggie Wolbert will transform your hair — but only into bright, mega-watt, loud colors! This "vivid artist" turned her passion for brilliant hair color into a money-making niche in Tacoma, WA. She talks about not fitting into the corporate world, and which months of the year are rain-makers, hair dyeing-wise. Follow Maggie Wolbert at:Instagram: @hairnirvana Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You surely recognize Ray Suarez's voice from NPR, PBS Newshour, Al Jazeera America and more. Yet and still, this renowned broadcaster and author has found it difficult to find desirable jobs the older he gets … and he's not afraid to admit he's angry about it. Follow Ray Suarez at:Twitter: @RaySuarezNews Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She started her money education business as a side hustle, but spoiler: Tori Dunlap now makes millions. The Her First 100k founder and CEO talks about the income (and stress) of influencer life, and how to do capitalism the feminist way.  Follow Tori Dunlap at:TikTok: @herfirst100kInstagram: @torikdunlap + @herfirst100KTwitter: @herfirst100k Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If Liam Dodd – a literal nuclear physicist – can work at world-renowned institutions and still be unhoused, we've got a problem. Liam shares how he pivoted from his couch-surfing life in academia to a career in which they (gasp!) pay you. This episode was recorded several months ago, so some details that were discussed may have changed. Follow Dr. Liam Dodd at:Twitter: @audiowormand: liamadodd.com Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For most of her life, Carmen González has been undocumented, navigating work and school without making money the "traditional" way. She shared why she overspends on her community in spite of it all. Follow Carmen González at:                                                                                          Twitter: @thtMXanwriter Instagram: @carmxnig Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He is winning Emmys these days, but not long ago, Cord Jefferson was a blogger with one plastic fork to his name. Cord “did what he loved” and the money actually followed… how tf?! Follow Cord Jefferson at:Twitter: @cordjeffersonInstagram: @cordjefferson Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Davidson co-founded NPR's hit podcast “Planet Money,” wrote “The Passion Economy,” and was an economics writer for The New Yorker and The New York Times Magazine. So of course this money nerd has his finances in order… or does he? Follow Adam Davidson at:Twitter: @adamdavidson Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Real job alert: Earn money from men who send you cash just because you exist, no sex involved. Mistress Marley talks bondage, real-time reparations, and why her clients think giving away money is a kinky turn-on. Follow Mistress Marley at:Twitter: @eyesxonfireInstagram: @hausofmarleyPatreon.com/Sexcademy Follow Maya Lau at:Twitter: @mayalauInstagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoney  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever wondered how your friend bought that vacation home or why that colleague of yours makes everyone meticulously split the tab down to the last Diet Coke? Other People's Pockets is a show about other people's money. We ask people from all walks of life to get radically transparent about their personal finances in order to learn more about who we are and what makes us tick (and perhaps we level the playing field a little bit along the way?) Coming February 22.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.