Financial Feminist – 103. Becoming an Uncontrollable Woman with Hannah Berner (Berning in Hell Crossover)

Intro

In this episode of the Financial Feminist podcast, host Tori discusses various topics related to money, feminism, and personal finance with guest Hannah Berner. They cover everything from navigating the wage gap to investing and negotiating. Hannah, a comedian, podcast host, and mental health advocate, brings her unique perspective to the conversation, making for an engaging and informative episode.

Main Takeaways

The Power of Money

• Money is inherently neutral and can provide options, power, and stability, which is happiness.
• Women have been told that pursuing money is evil and cannot buy happiness, which is a false narrative.
• Finance is the number one stressor for people, according to statistics.
• Money can buy happiness, and it can provide options, power, stability, and safety.
• Lottery winners often struggle with managing their newfound wealth and may become depressed.
• Money is morally neutral and can be used for good or bad.

Money and Relationships

• Money and relationships can be complicated, especially when one person has more money than the other.
• People often stay in relationships for financial convenience, even if they are unhappy.
• Women often accept opportunities for free, which can negatively impact other women in the industry.
• It’s important to ask about budgets and not accept projects for free, as it can hurt your finances and career.
• Women are often expected to work for free or not negotiate their pay, perpetuated by the patriarchy to keep them underpaid and overworked.
• Negotiating can be difficult, but having something in your hand to slow down and an agent to negotiate for you can help.

Challenges for Women in Comedy

• Women face challenges in male-dominated spaces, including comedy clubs that are not always made to feel comfortable for women.
• The internet has been a game-changer for women in comedy, allowing them to be seen and discovered by audiences.
• Many women drop out of comedy due to sexual harassment and the lack of safe spaces.
• Women are often behind the meme culture, and their humor is not always recognized as such due to media bias.
• Female comedians can use tension with male audience members to educate them about feminism and equity.
• Misconceptions about feminism still exist, leading to the belief that women are not funny.

Negotiating and Financial Empowerment

• Women often face biases and expectations that prevent them from asking for more money, while men are praised for doing so.
• Financial success can be used to pay people well, give people jobs, donate to causes, and enjoy life.
• Negotiating for fair compensation can be difficult and uncomfortable, but it’s important to do so to avoid losing money in the long run.
• Women can lose up to a million dollars over the course of their lives by not negotiating for fair compensation.
• Pursuing something even if you may fail can lead to great success.
• Being authentic to yourself can attract the right people and situations.

Financial Education and Money Management

• Financial education should be taught in schools, but there are challenges with funding and deciding on a curriculum.
• Personal finance education is not a silver bullet solution to systemic issues like racism and sexism.
• Managing money is not just about numbers, it’s about your life and achieving your goals.
• Creating an emergency fund, paying off credit card debt, and investing for retirement are important financial priorities.
• Women are statistically better investors than men, but they don’t invest at the same rates due to perceived complexity.
• Money is inherently feminist and everything is about money, including comedy.

Summary

The Power of Money and Challenging Narratives

Money is often seen as a source of evil or as something that cannot buy happiness. However, in reality, money provides options, power, stability, and safety. It is morally neutral and can be used for good or bad. It’s important to challenge the false narrative that pursuing money is inherently wrong. Financial education and managing money effectively can lead to happiness and fulfillment.

Money and Relationships

Money can complicate relationships, especially when there is an imbalance in financial situations. Women often face challenges in negotiating their worth and accepting opportunities for free, perpetuated by societal expectations and the patriarchy. It’s crucial to have open conversations about money and not accept projects for free, as it can negatively impact one’s finances and career. Negotiating for fair compensation is essential for financial empowerment.

Challenges for Women in Comedy

Women face unique challenges in male-dominated spaces, such as comedy clubs. The internet has provided a platform for women in comedy to be seen and discovered by audiences. However, many women still face sexual harassment and a lack of safe spaces, leading to dropouts from the industry. Women’s humor is often overlooked or not recognized due to media bias. Female comedians can use tension with male audience members as an opportunity to educate them about feminism and equity.

Negotiating and Financial Empowerment

Women often face biases and expectations that prevent them from asking for more money, while men are praised for doing so. Negotiating for fair compensation is crucial for financial empowerment and closing the gender wage gap. Pursuing opportunities, even if there is a risk of failure, can lead to great success. Being authentic to oneself attracts the right people and situations. Financial success can be used to make a positive impact on others’ lives and society as a whole.

Financial Education and Money Management

Financial education should be taught in schools, but there are challenges in implementing it effectively. Personal finance education is not a solution to systemic issues like racism and sexism, but it is an important tool for individual financial empowerment. Managing money is not just about numbers; it’s about aligning your financial decisions with your goals and values. Creating an emergency fund, paying off debt, and investing for the future are key priorities. Women have the potential to be great investors, but they often hold back due to perceived complexity.

Conclusion

This episode of the Financial Feminist podcast with guest Hannah Berner covers a wide range of topics related to money, feminism, and personal finance. It highlights the power of money, challenges faced by women in various industries, the importance of negotiating for fair compensation, and the need for financial education. By challenging societal narratives and empowering women financially, we can create a more equitable and inclusive society.