I love listening to this podcast and learning about how people think about and act around money. I feel like my generation knows so little about how money works and how to make it work for us. I love to hear these stories and gain insights into how other folks approach money. I’d love to hear some interviews of people in the following categories: someone in the FIRE movement, someone living fully off of farm income, someone who moved abroad for purposes of financial freedom, someone who retired but couldn’t stay in the US because their retirement was not enough, someone old working who can’t retire and the advice they would give younger folks, someone not worried about saving for the future and how they spend the money they have living in the present. I have loved all the guests Maya has had on the show so far and I feel like there is an unlimited amount of people who she could have appear! Thank you for this much needed conversation around money!

I do love the show and how Maya treats the guests with respect when discussing their personal finance. IMO, there are too many successful guests on the show. The hard conversations about money are not so hard when someone’s financially secure. Most of the middle class families I know in Houston are being strangled by credit card debt, borrowing money from their pre-retirement parents to pay for a child’s basic needs, taking out loans against their 401(k)s to afford car repairs and are one unfortunate doctor visit away from losing their equity drained homes. And I’m describing the families with 4-year college degrees employed at large Oil & Gas companies. This is the real middle class America. I would like to hear more of their stories.

At first this was intriguing, and it just got exponentially better. The diversity of perspectives and intentional representation is incredible valuable. Every time I think there couldn’t be a more interesting episode, it gets better. I’ve listened to them all and can’t wait for the next each week. Sure it’s about personal finances but it’s also about capitalism and classism and racism and relationship dynamics and it’s just everything. I find myself so impressed with Maya’s facilitation and approaching tough subjects without judgment and with compassion. I will forever listen to anything she serves up.

From the guests to the questions, I always find myself hooked. Love hearing people’s stories and with ever episode I feel more and more inspired!

I loved the concept originally, but it’s clear there’s no attempt at helping people do *better* with their finances, including the audience. The early episodes are focused on people with fairly uncommon financial situations, so it’s not helpful. In more recent episodes, they have some of the most toxic money attitudes and the host is just like “yay you!”

I’m a big fan of this podcast. As a money expert myself, it’s always fun to peep behind the scenes at how others handle money. I loved the episode with Katherine Spiers, a food historian. There are so many great guests, just pick an episode and start. Maya is such a welcoming host and her questions really make you think about your own finances — in a good way! Definitely recommend adding this show to your podcast rotation!

Maya Lau is a tremendous host! She treats a wide range of guests with non-judgmental enthusiasm and curiosity. I have learned so much from this podcast not only about other people’s pockets but also about their hearts, their hopes, and their fears.

From the Mistress Marley, the financial dominatrix, to Khalid Kadir, the Islamic finance guru, Maya consistently has thought provoking guests on her show. As a female interested in personal finance, I appreciate a female-produced and hosted personal finance podcast. Muito obrigada Maya and Pushkin!

Love that as soon as I have a question, I hear maya asking it. It’s interesting to hear other people’s financial situations and how they got there. I also really enjoyed the recent episode on how some Muslims view money, interest, & loans - fascinating to hear that perspective!

This podcast is refreshingly candid and the host uses her investigative journalism experience to ask the hard questions. Nosy? Maybe. But more than that, I think the transparency this podcast provides can empower professionals of all levels and industries to ask for what they are worth, and help make strategic decisions about future career moves.

One of the few blessings of returning to the office is that I get to listen to podcasts during my commute. This is my new favorite podcast by far. Sure it satisfies my curiosity about other people’s income, expenses, and attitudes about money. But what keeps me coming back is Maya. She is such a thoughtful journalist, she asks such good questions that really prompt guests to think deeply about their relationship with money, and she’s funny and kind in a way that immediately puts guests at ease. I’m obsessed. You should be too. Listen right now!

Love this concept but the guests situations are extremely niche. Is there something wrong or boring with featuring more mainstream jobs? If we are going to be truly open and provide transparency that may be helpful and empowering to listeners why is the focus on this fringe segment?

I love this Podcast!

The concept is great but too many guests arent willing to share their financial situation which defeats the point. Maya needs to do a better job vetting the guests. The doula episode was ridiculous, so boring and nothing to do with money.

I was pumped about this podcast until I realized they mostly interview people who very well off and they don’t really get into the numbers. That was supposed to be the point. I suggest they redesign the show to let people speak anonymously and be (way) more transparent.

As a nosy person who is anxious about finances- hearing other people talk about their own finances has been so fascinating. I love this project and am so excited to hear these conversations every week!

This is my new favorite podcast. We get to listen and learn about the questions most of us wonder: how much do people make, what do they do with their money, and what made-up legacies keep us all held back. Maya Lau does a fantastic job of digging deeper and being kind to her guests. Each episode gives me something to laugh about, think about, and nod in agreement. For fans of Culture Study, Planet Money, Ezra Klein, and Death, Sex, and Money - add it to your queue.

Cool

Hearing about the financial lives of people in different industries, positions, and economic backgrounds is revelatory! Really loving this show and this concept of financial openness.

Wow - what a podcast and concept. Maya’s a great interviewer, asking the questions we ALL want to ask! Keep it up Maya and enjoy CDMX!

Started out as a podcast about personal finances and has quickly evolved into people with political agenda and not wanting to talk about finances. Time to unsubscribe.

Maya Lau is a great conversationalist and is herself as interesting as her interview subjects. I appreciate that she pushes her guests for numbers, and am disappointed when they don’t reveal. But often the reason for not sharing is as telling as the number itself.

I like the idea behind the show and appreciate that some guests are transparent about their specific finances, but I wish they all would be. I think if someone is going to come on this podcast, they should do so knowing they will have to answer these types of questions and be prepared to provide an honest, clear answer. Some of the progressive ideas discussed in this show can be a bit cringe but overall an okay listen.

Talking about money (like many Americans) has always been tough for me. I feel a lot of shame around money and not maybe being as careful or skilled with managing it. This podcast sheds a light on the reality of how finances aren’t always as they seem. I can feel the shame leaving each time a guest shares their challenges or realities and it makes me feel more brave to talk about my own circumstances. Maya does an incredible job asking thoughtful interview questions and keeping the conversation light while also digging deep. Highly recommend a listen to anyone interested in building a more transparent world that talks about money and acknowledges the root of inequities

I actually found this podcast via Katherine Spiers bc I love her Smart Mouth podcast and she mentioned being on here. I enjoyed her episode and Mary O’Hara (even bought her book!) - started a few other episodes but never got too deep in bc I just found them lacking. The editing is alright, the ads are def annoying, and the content doesn’t seem to reflect a very diverse spectrum of financial situations (yet). I love the idea more than the current execution I think. But it could get better with time and maybe taking some of these reviews into account.

I’ve been loving this podcast and the way it illuminates how our material realities shape our values, goals, hobbies, etc. It feels like fun and casual listening, but the guests’ stories also illustrate some really important truths about inequality that are long overdue in coming to light. It’s so interesting to see how the guests’ views differ based on their socioeconomic background and other factors. (Example: Ray Suarez vs. Nick Sansano describing their class status—wow!) Really looking forward to seeing how the show develops over time!

I just started listening so I’ll update this review if things change the more I listen but so far all I’ve heard is rich people barely talking about their finances. This podcast needs more diversity. From single moms to families with lots of kids. Students, teachers, blue collar workers, etc.

Supposedly people are going to share their finances but none of the guests do so. So I don’t get the point of the show.

I love knowing people’s private business, even if (or maybe especially if) I don’t actually know said people. This show scratches that itch so perfectly it’s magic. Also sometimes I get new ideas for my own financial life from the guests, so it’s helpful too. Such a good combo!

Really enjoying these fascinating stories. Thank you!

I have thought for years that more people should talk more about money. I was in my 30s before I realized I had no idea…… how much do certain jobs make?!? I think the more educated society becomes on earnings, debt, investing, and life experiences around money the better we will all be!

Thank you for this fabulous podcast that helps answer what in the world is going on with other people and the things they buy and do. I LOVE it. A serial day jobbist whose generally lost in the work world but confident in my writing (which makes me nothing!), I’d be happy to guest sometime. 😉 serenitybohon.com

Great idea for a show. Doesn’t seem to deliver.

I’ve been enjoying every single episode and have learned so much. Coming from immigrant parents and being first generation in this country, I find these episodes so valuable. The chat with Marie O’Hara was my personal favorite. I think this podcast is eye opening because it illuminates how some people got where they got and what support they may have had. I think this podcast is comforting because it reminds me that the odds are stacked against the lower class so I find myself being kinder to myself and not blaming myself for not having millions (or even thousands tbh).

Would also like to see interviews with some blue collar type workers. Welders, electricians, plumbers.

Loved it! Mr. Suarez is very truthful, open and pragmatic; reminds me of my parents. This episode was entertaining to a multigenerational audience. People need this subject (a reality check) on honest spending and saving for aging.

I wanted to like this show but it became pretty predictable having the guests say their income but try really hard to downplay their wealth. Even the host did it when she was the “guest” on her show. Zero acknowledgment that the majority of Americans do not fall into the income bracket. It would’ve been a lot more interesting talking to single mom’s or someone who came up with interesting ways to make some extra income. But no, a bunch of wealthy people downplaying their wealth. The exact opposite of what we need in this world.

Entertaining, insightful and emboldening. A terrific range of guests, and Maya Lau effortlessly asks the money questions we’re not supposed to but secretly want to know. Recommend!

I really enjoy this show. I was especially appreciative that Maya let herself be interviewed. In the most recent episodes I feel her approach to interviewing people changed after her own interview. I feel like before she was letting guests answer vaguely and now she’s pushing them more to get more specific numbers in her answers. I appreciate this. I think in some ways it can be cathartic or seen as voyeuristic to hear about other people’s financial situation. For me, in a surprising way, it has made me less curious about others finances. Peering open the blinds made me realize no one has a big secret method and we’re all getting by one way or another. I will definitely keep listening though!

Wide variety of guests, and it raises interesting questions.

Love yours and Katherine. Please do people who make really little money for jobs that seem desirable like architect.

As someone who always wonders what someone does for a living whenever I see a nice luxury car or home, I definitely love the idea behind this podcast!

The amount of books and podcasts offering advice and guidance on personal finance is helpful, but never have I found information about real life peoples finances, how much they make and how they utilize their resources. This is podcast is so helpful in breaking down stigma around income and pay. It’s also very helpful in making pay amounts more transparent so we all can understand our worth in our work. Really enjoying this podcast and can’t wait for future interviews!

This podcast is light and fun, but also instructive and thought provoking. I love how it weaves together details of people’s finances with info about lifestyle/values/and why they make the choices they make. It really gives you a sense of how others live their lives in a way that we don’t often get to explore. Please make more episodes!!

Have really been enjoying this one! The conversations are friendly and engaging, Maya’s questions always seem to have an interesting angle, and it is interesting to learn the range of income that people make for different jobs. Plus, as someone who litigates equal pay cases on behalf of employees, salary transparency definitely helps reduce pay discrimination. So the show is a public good as well! Great job Maya and team!

This started out cool and is a great idea. Getting real bored and annoyed with people either whining about their privilege or complaining about their perceived lack of privilege. Everybody got their something… it’s called personal responsibility. The privilege narrative is tired. Unfollowed.

Other People’s Pockets approaches the taboo subject of personal finances with a radical honestly and fun, casual format that is addictive to listen to! The range of experiences and backgrounds profiled on this show is fantastic, and the host asks insightful questions that help us all understand money a little bit better.

Fascinating window into the lives and finances of others. I never thought I’d be interested in personal finance, but this is GREAT. Maya Lau is a terrific and fun host, with a real range of guests. I find myself texting friends about the guests (“I can’t believe this guy makes SO MUCH MONEY”).

I just started listening to this podcast and am really enjoying the conversations. I have just started listening and fortunately the episodes featured how women have managed business and money! I plan to keep listening to these topics on your podcast! Thanks

So far I’ve listened to every episode back to back because this podcast is that good!!!! So many great guests bringing different perspectives and experiences on money. It’s comforting to know that even people who are in higher positions or better fields than most of us are also experiencing difficulties like the rest of us when it comes to money. It helps to know that we’re not alone. We are all working hard to try and make it and figure things out for the better. Great job Maya!