ERP 484: Unpacking Your Money Story: How Money Trauma Shows up in You—and Your Relationship — An Interview with Shannah Game

About this Episode

Money isn’t just about numbers—it’s woven into the fabric of our emotions, relationships, and even sense of self-worth. Have you ever noticed how anxiety, stress, or even shame can surface when dealing with finances, both individually and in your most intimate partnerships? If conversations about money leave you feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. The underlying emotional stories and even traumas we carry about money can impact not only our bank accounts but also our ability to connect and thrive in relationships.

In this episode, you are invited to explore how our money stories are shaped by past experiences, emotional patterns, and even generational beliefs. The conversation opens the door to understanding money wounds, the somatic signals tied to financial stress, and ways to bring curiosity rather than judgment to our financial behaviors. Through practical exercises and compassionate dialogue, this episode provides actionable strategies to help you unravel your relationship with money, build greater awareness, and start healing both individually and with your partner. Whether you’re looking to reduce conflict, foster transparency, or simply feel more empowered and secure with your finances, this episode offers valuable insight for taking those first transformative steps.

Shannah Game is a financial expert, Certified Trauma of Money Specialist, and host of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, a top money podcast with over 26 million downloads. With 20+ years of experience, she helps people transform their relationship with money to build wealth unapologetically. Her book, Unraveling Your Relationship with Money, explores money trauma and financial empowerment. Shannah’s work is bold, relatable, and designed to help you take control of your money and life.

Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website.

Episode Highlights 

06:59 How to begin exploring the emotional side of money.

12:33 The ‘relationship with money’ concept and its lifelong impact.

17:11 The power of ‘enough’ and the impact of social messaging on money perceptions.

21:10 Happiness, wealth, and the moving goalpost.

24:12 Why it’s not just about the math: The importance of money conversations.

26:46 Hidden money scripts and the real source of couples’ money arguments.

28:17 Attachment styles, money personalities, and navigating differences in relationships.

33:04 Processing personal money histories and the value of self-awareness.

36:05 Generational money trauma and the inheritance of financial fears.

39:01 Identifying money wounds and taking steps towards financial healing.

43:39 Envisioning your ‘money hero story’ and shifting into possibility.

45:00 Building healthy money dynamics in relationships: communication, curiosity, and practical tools.

Mentioned

Unraveling Your Relationship with Money (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book)

Connect with Shannah Game

Websites: everyonestalkinmoney.com

YouTube: youtube.com/@shannahgame

Instagram: instagram.com/shannahgame

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shannahgame

Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyones-talkin-money/id957163760

Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins

Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship 

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