Other People's Pockets

I'm popping in here with a mini-episode to do two things: Share findings from the Other People's Pockets listener survey that I launched in April Share some news about the future of this show! Tune in and let me know your thoughts! Write me at otherpeoplespockets@gmail.com

Today I’m bringing you an interview with someone I’m calling Heather. She was one of the many amazing listeners who responded to my listener survey and she wrote something that intrigued me so much that I decided to reach out to her. (Don't worry, the survey is anonymous, but in this case she chose to enter her email!) She wrote: "I’m a professor (mid-career) and I’m really struggling to make ends meet as a single mom of twins. I constantly wonder why this is so. Having a PhD shouldn’t mean financial struggle. Or at least, that wasn’t how it was a generation ago." For this interview, Heather wanted to talk to me anonymously so that she could be really open about her financial situation and not risk anything when it comes to her job. Heather lives and works in Baltimore with her twin 10-year olds and with her mother. In addition to being a professor of history, she's also a community advocate and organizer around public education. She has built a village of friends, neighbors, and family members on her street…

Danielle Bezalel is a sex educator and small business owner who is the creator and host of the podcast Sex Ed with DB. It’s a great show that explores all the things you might wonder about sexuality, bodies and pleasure but might be too afraid to talk about openly. She does it all in a science-backed, friendly environment. As I’m exploring building out the business of my show, I was so curious to learn about how Danielle has monetized her content, and how she is teaching other indie creators to do the same. After earning her Master’s in Public Health from Columbia and working for other people, she was able to quit her day job because she was making such promising money on her own business. It did not all happen overnight though — Danielle walked me through the process it took to get there, and the challenges of making money in an industry where you’re often at risk of being shadow-banned or having your social media accounts shut down for having content that gets flagged, no matter how educational it might…

Today I’m bringing you mini episode — a conversation my husband and I recently had about some aspects of our finances. I love knowing about how couples talk about money, or about how any two people navigate their spending together. Because at the end of the day, finance is not something we manage in a vacuum — it’s almost always an exchange and a representation of a relationship of some kind. Find all of Maya's socials at: mayalau.com Send guest ideas, questions, or suggestions to: otherpeoplespockets@gmail.com

Today I’m bringing you a look into a side of my life that is exercise and dance. This episode is actually not about personal finance … there is more of that coming very soon. Instead, I’m featuring an episode from the podcast Secretly Sporty, where they interviewed me about why I dance and how that informs my life. Secretly Sporty is a new podcast hosted by writer and academic Sebastian Langdell about the way that exercise can inform our creative output, even if our workouts don’t necessarily have anything to do with our work. Last year, Sebastian wrote an op-ed in the New York Times called “A Medievalist Hits the Gym,” which was about what weightlifting has to do with medieval literature. I encourage you to go check out that article to see how he threaded that needle. The article served as a spark for Secretly Sporty, where he’s interviewed cartoonist Alison Bechdel, NYT columnist Jamelle Bouie, comedian Chris Duffy and many others about their workout routines and how they impact the life of the mind. I’m…

Today we're featuring Jessica Slice, a disabled author, speaker and essayist. Her book, “Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World,” is an amazing look at how her experience in her body — which more often than not needs to be in a reclining position — has been an unexpected asset in her ability to parent & connect with her children. She also writes about the challenges it brings and the very diverse experiences of other disabled people in their lives as parents. Jessica has one of the more drastic and interesting financial and life transformations of any guest on OPP. Growing up, she was able-bodied, and then one day at age 28 she went on a hike that left her so exhausted she could barely function. That incident triggered a series of symptoms that would later reveal a disability, which she’ll explain more in this episode. Her disability requires her to do most of her work in her adjustable bed, and largely prevents her from walking very much, or from traveling. This killed her former…

I want to know who you are. I mean that in the best possible way. Here's the thing about making a podcast: you spend a lot of time creating something, you put that thing out into the world, and … you really don’t know who exactly is listening to it. I do have some audience demographic data, but it’s not very robust. Knowing who is listening helps me land potential sponsors, and that helps OPP grow. So I made a survey. It takes about three minutes. Help shape the future of this show! Click here. And thank you! -Maya

How do you compensate someone for giving life to another person's dream? Sunshine Hanson is a three-time gestational surrogate, which means that on three different occasions, she was pregnant with and gave birth to other people’s babies, and was paid for it. Her experience of helping families who wanted biological children but could not carry them on their own and navigating the financial aspects of that, inspired her to start her own agency, called "Surrogacy is...," which matches intended parents with prospective surrogates. I’ve always wanted to interview a surrogate because I’m fascinated by the idea of getting paid to do something that is so personal and that you really can’t put a price on. We talked about how much money she made by being a surrogate; how it helped her pay off debt and reach financial goals; the ethics of paying someone to be pregnant & how to guard against exploitation; and about the financial literacy that should be talked about more in life and in the world of surrogacy. Email me…

What happens when you finally start to budget in your 50s, then you discover to your total surprise that you are $40,000 in debt? I spoke to Margo Clayson about the uncomfortable conversations she had — and new relationship patterns she created — on her journey to becoming financially sound. Clayson is founder of The Mighty Microgreen, an organization that helps educators create interactive STEM and nutrition lessons using microgreens. She’s also an educator, longtime student, mom, grandmother, wife and Canadian now living in rural Idaho. I talked to her about the unusual way her financial reckoning came about, how she navigates money and marriage, and what budgeting looks like when you’re living off Social Security. Email me (Maya) with guest ideas, questions, or hello's at otherpeoplespockets@gmail.com Find me on social media here. Find Margo: The Mighty Microgreen LinkedIn Instagram

Amelie Tsoungui is a Cameroonian immigrant who moved to the U.S. at age six. After two decades growing up in Chicago and spending part of her 20s in L.A., she decided to self-deport to Cameroon in 2025 after the Trump administration said it would revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroonian nationals. The cancellation of TPS meant she would no longer be able to live in the U.S. legally. This experience of moving back to West Africa, a home she only knew as a child, sparked her passion for digital storytelling, leading to multiple viral TikTok videos on her channel @amsthebomb237, where you can watch, almost in real-time, what it is like to transition to life in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. Her work explores themes of immigration, assimilation, spirituality, feminine rage, and karmic lineage, drawing from her BFA in Film and Television from DePaul University. I spoke to Amelie as part of a series on how the Trump administration is affecting people's personal finances. Email me (Maya) with…

Today we're honoring a member of the Other People's Pockets family, Carmen González, who tragically died this past August at the age of 24. Carmen was guest number 4 on this show, sharing how she handled her finances as a journalist, student and undocumented immigrant in Los Angeles. What you'll hear is a montage of voices of people who knew and loved Carmen, followed by a re-release of the episode featuring her on OPP in 2023. Carmen, if you're anywhere out there listening, we love you. And we miss you so much.

Quay Crowner is a longtime U.S. federal government executive who served at multiple agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, the Government Accountability Office, and the Department of Education. The 55-year-old Maryland native was most recently the Director of Outreach Impact and Engagement for Federal Student Aid at the Department of Education, when she was put on leave and ultimately fired this year as part of President Trump’s executive order to dismantle Diversity Equity and Inclusion programs, even though her job had nothing to do with DEI. I'm talking to Quay as part of a series I’m doing on how the Trump administration is affecting individuals’ personal finances. Email Maya with guest ideas, questions or hello's at otherpeoplespockets@gmail.com Find Quay Crowner on LinkedIn Find Maya: Instagram TikTok LinkedIn mayalau.com

Today I’m interviewing someone who helps me immensely with my work, the way I approach my career, and how to just be more effective and intentional with my time. I’m talking to my executive coach, Taylor Winters, because she has some really interesting ideas about the concept of “enough,” which we talk about a lot on this show. This episode is a Pocket Dial! That's where we pause to reflect on the money themes that come up on Other People's Pockets. Taylor Winters is an executive coach and entrepreneur. She co-founded and managed a globally-recognized design agency to a successful exit and pivoted her focus from developing products to developing people, specifically leadership professionals across industries. She earned her coaching certification from UC Berkeley (Haas) created the leadership practice Every Day Future, and is pursuing a Masters in Applied IO Psychology from Harvard. Follow Taylor Winters: IG: @everydayfuture Follow Maya Lau: IG: @itsmayamoney LinkedIn: @mayalau TikTok @itsmayamoney YouTube:…

Today I’m bringing you my interview with Cecilia Thiam, a 35-year-old Swiss-American humanitarian aid worker who has spent most of her career living and working in sub-saharan Africa. She lost her job after the Trump administration enacted sweeping cuts to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Now, she has had to scrap her plans, move to a new country with her 6-year-old daughter while parenting solo, and re-think her entire career. We spoke on July 10, 2025. This is part of a theme we are pursuing looking at how the Trump administration is affecting people’s personal finances. If you know someone who would be a great guest, get in touch at otherpeoplespockets@gmail.com or on Instagram or TikTok at @itsmayamoney. And on LinkedIn! Thank you for supporting this show!

On this season of Other People's Pockets, we're experimenting with a new angle for some of the episodes: How is the Trump administration affecting people's personal finances? Today I'm featuring Daishi Miguel-Tanaka, an immigrants' rights advocate based in Washington, D.C. Daishi was born in Japan to a Japanese father and a Filipina mother. When he was 6, he and his family moved to the U.S. with a plan to obtain U.S. citizenship through Daishi's grandfather, a U.S. citizen. But when his grandfather died, that path to citizenship vanished, and Daishi and his family remained in the U.S. as undocumented immigrants. Since he was a teenager, Daishi has been protected from deportation because he is a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). He spoke about how DACA has afforded him a financial life in the U.S., and what the Trump administration means for how he's thinking about his future and his money. Follow Maya Lau: Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney Email:…

Whether you’re a longtime listener of Other People’s Pockets, or you’re brand new to this feed, thank you for being here! I have some news, which is that I am now publishing this show on my own! I finally have full control of this podcast feed, this show that I conceived and love so much, and I’m so excited for what this means about moving forward with creative freedom. I’m going to focus part of this next season on something a little more news-related. I’m looking at how the Trump administration is affecting people’s personal finances. Whether it's changes to immigration policy, federal job cuts, tariffs … How are these big policy changes impacting the kitchen table conversations that we’re having about our money? If you have a story you think would be great for this show, email me at otherpeoplespockets@gmail.com, or find me on Instagram or TikTok at @itsmayamoney I am going to be putting out episodes on a different schedule than before ... think about once a month, until I get up and running. A new…

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.

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, 2025 5p OKX Theater at BMCC TPAC 199 Chambers St. New York, NY Tickets:…

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.

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: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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 Sanner at: Instagram: @raychelsanner @tornadotitans X: @raychelsnr Facebook: @raychelsanner raychelsanner.com Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @imixwhatilike X: @imixwhatilike Follow Maya Lau at: X: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @simplerealestate Instagram: @deandramcdonald https://www.deandramcdonald.com/ Follow Maya Lau at: X: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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.com Instagram: @baritessler X: @baritessler Follow Maya Lau at: X: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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? 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: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @jayamcsharma https://cannacarela.com/ Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: X: @iamkhalidkadir Follow Maya Lau at: X: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @faganchelsea Twitter: @chelsea_fagan thefinancialdiet.com Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @perssonrareminerals perssonrareminerals.com Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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 that as a disabled person, creating audio porn has transformed her relationship to money ... and to affording healthcare. Follow Yumprincess Elle at: Patreon: Yumprincess Reddit: Listen_to_my_voice YouTube: @YumprincessElle X: @yumprincesselle Follow Maya Lau at: X: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

Laura Lyster-Mensh has witnessed people die, and through that she's discovered some surprising things: family-related financial shenanigans, aloneness, secrets. 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: @lauracollinslm Instagram: @lauraoncapitolhill Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @cossmarte Instagram: @conbudny Instagram: @conbody conbody.com conbud.com Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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 — 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: @jbowditch Twitter: @jbowditch Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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/UC5zSySQab9SA6Wz569WDgqw Twitter: @ingridnilsen thenewsavant.com Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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.motivator calmandcurecandles.com Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @benshewry Attica: https://www.attica.com.au/ Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @wednesdaymartin Instagram: @wednesdaymartinphd wednesdaymartin.com Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @maryoharawriter maryoharaproductions.com Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @katherinespiers Instagram: @katherine_spiers TikTok: @katherinespiers Listen to the Smart Mouth podcast here. Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney Follow Jane Marie at: Twitter: @seejanemarie Instagram: @seejanemarie Subscribe to The Dream and get the newest season as soon as it drops!

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: @SanaJaveriKadri Instagram: @sanajaverikadri Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @herfirst100k Instagram: @torikdunlap + @herfirst100K Twitter: @herfirst100k Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney

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: @audioworm and: liamadodd.com Follow Maya Lau at: Twitter: @mayalau Instagram: @itsmayamoney TikTok: @itsmayamoney