Money Musings with Stephanie Xenos

In this episode of Money Musings, Ayla and I get into something we don't usually cover on a money podcast: men, energetics, and receiving. We laugh about all the ways we thwart the generous men in our lives, and realize that pattern shows up with money too. We share personal experiences with this, including my freezing up when a neighbor waived his fee for a home security inspection, to when a stranger carried Ayla’s bag through airport security for nothing in return. We talk masculine and feminine polarity, the phases of relationship dynamics, and why building wealth also means building the capacity to actually receive it. If you've ever deflected a compliment or felt guilty spending on yourself, this one's for you. Follow @moneymusingspodcast and make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/ Speaking: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking Work…

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm answering your questions about love and money — and you guys sent in some really good ones. We get into navigating money with a partner when you have different risk tolerances, how to tell the difference between intuition and old fear patterns firing up, why your money stories are quietly shaping how much wealth you actually allow yourself to have, and how to be generous without depleting yourself. On the dating side, we cover when to have the money talk, financial red flags to watch for, who should pay on dates, what to do when you out-earn your partner, and what a solid financial foundation looks like before you bring someone into your finances. Don't forget to follow me at @moneymusingspodcast and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/ Speaking: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking Work with…

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm sharing the story of the time the IRS audited me — and how I fought back and won. It started with a big income drop when I retired at 32, which apparently gave the IRS the side eye. They came after my business expenses, said they never received my documentation (twice), and eventually kept my $10K tax refund. So I hired a lawyer, submitted everything one more time, and finally got a check in the mail — original amount plus interest. The whole thing took three years and was honestly a game of attrition. I think that's the point — they're hoping you'll just give up. Don't. Whether you're a business owner or just someone who's ever gotten a scary letter from the IRS, this one's for you. Know your rights, keep your receipts, and don't be afraid to fight back. Don't forget to follow me at @moneymusingspodcast and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/ LinkedIn:…

What if you timed every financial decision to your cycle? In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how I do it — looking at the big-picture in your menstrual phase, all things strategy and learning in your follicular phase, negotiations and investment moves during ovulation, and checking off financial to-dos (plus cutting what's not working) in your luteal phase. It started with Fast Like a Girl by Dr. Mindy Pelz, and honestly it's changed how I run my business, manage my money, and make decisions. If you've ever felt like you're fighting yourself financially, it might just be a timing thing. Drop a comment if you want more of this — and follow me @moneymusingspodcast so you never miss an episode! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/ Speaking: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking Work with me:https://calendly.com/d/cpqr-m2m-drk/ignite-strategy-session

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm responding to Elon Musk's quote: "don't worry about saving for retirement, it won't matter" and sharing why I actually think money is going to matter more than ever, in the next five years, as AI and robotics converge to reshape the economy and job market as we know it. I walk through how I'm repositioning my own finances right now: prioritizing liquidity, shifting away from traditional retirement accounts, and investing in the human skills AI can't easily replicate. Because how you use your money in the next five years may matter more than any other period of your life. I also get into why managing your nervous system through uncertainty is just as important as managing your portfolio - because big change is coming, and staying grounded is its own kind of wealth. Don't forget to follow me at @Moneymusefounder and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/ LinkedIn:…

In this episode of Money Musings, I share one of the biggest personal milestones of my financial journey — the call I got to make to my mom telling her she has enough money to retire. I talk through how I grew her portfolio from $100K to nearly half a million, why I chose a more aggressive strategy on her behalf, and why I'm comfortable drawing down 6–7% before her Social Security kicks in at 70. But beyond the numbers, this episode is really about healing. Growing up with financial scarcity and watching money equal power, being able to hand my mom that freedom now feels like everything coming full circle. I also make the case for why the most overlooked financial conversation might be the one you're not having with your own parents. Follow me at @Moneymusefounder and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/ Speaking: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking Work…

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm sharing a wild, real-time experience navigating my first IPO — and what it taught me about planning, psychology, and the power of investing in a Roth IRA. With a SpaceX IPO potentially on the horizon after 16 years of holding shares, I'm using every opportunity to stress test my strategy, and this week handed me exactly that through the Fundrise Innovation Fund going public. Watching $30,000 balloon to over a million dollars on paper in a matter of days is the kind of experience that either breaks your psychology or sharpens it — and I'm sharing exactly how I stayed cool, executed my plan, and walked away with around $400k in tax-free profit. I also walk through how I coached a friend through her very first IPO experience, from assessing her risk tolerance to sizing her position responsibly. This episode is a reminder that IPOs are not for the faint of heart, but with the right foundation, the right accounts, and rock solid investing psychology, they can be…

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm sitting down with my friend and co-conspirator Ayla Wayman to talk about something we haven't shared publicly yet: the Money Muse Retreat in Greece. This one feels different from anything I've done before, and honestly, it's been quietly brewing since the day I named this business. We're talking about why this moment in the world feels so pivotal, how my definition of wealth has completely shifted, and what it actually means to be a woman who is truly resourced, not just financially, but in every sense of the word. I open up about coming out of the spiritual closet, the work I've been doing behind the scenes to integrate the tactical side of money with energetics, manifestation, and somatic practice, and why I believe the future of wealth is about so much more than your portfolio. We dig into the new archetype I'm building: feminine wealth that is embodied, generous, and in circulation. If you've ever done everything right with money and still felt like something was…

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm getting into one of my favorite, least favorite topics: real estate. Everyone's been sold the idea that it's the ultimate passive income play, but if you talk to anyone who actually owns rental property, they'll tell you the truth. Real passive income means no ongoing decisions and no mental load, and most real estate simply doesn't qualify. I break down how I think about real estate versus market investing, and why for most people who want freedom and flexibility, investments are the smarter, simpler starting point. Wealth should be creating more space in your life, not demanding more of your time. I also share the wild, serendipitous story of how my dream home literally manifested itself — and how years of investing made it possible to buy it. If you are loving the podcast so far, kindly leave a review and hit the follow button, so it can reach more women looking to experience financial transformation! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ Instagram:…

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm getting fired up about 401(k)s and why so many of them are quietly working against you. After helping one of my best friends set up her account, I was reminded of all the ways these plans are designed to benefit the provider, not you—from hidden fees that can cost you a third of your wealth over time to confusing interfaces that push you toward expensive underperforming funds. I break down exactly why you need to roll over old 401(k)s into your own IRA and how to make smarter choices with your current plan. If you've ever felt confused by your retirement account or wondered why your returns seem underwhelming, this episode will give you clarity and a clear action plan. If you are enjoying this podcast, please rate and review it on your favorite listening platform so more women like yourself can have financial clarity too! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/…

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm sharing a raw, unplanned story about how I went from hurt and anger to pure joy in 48 hours. A close friend and mentor challenged my expertise on investing fees in a way that felt dismissive, triggering old wounds from being underestimated as a woman in finance. I walk through the conversation about how traditional advisors can quietly take half your money over 30 years, his defensiveness when he realized he'd never looked at his own statements, and the meta irony of it all. But here's where it gets good—I share how I transmuted that pain by creating an energetic exchange that actually felt delicious: teaching him about investing in exchange for a beautiful piece of furniture for my new home instead of payment. This episode is about feeling your anger, taking accountability, and finding creative ways to honor both your worth and your relationships. Don't forget to give me a follow @Moneymusefounder to stay locked into future episodes & make sure you're subscribed to the…

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm ditching the planned market talk to share what I'm actually sensing right now—that we're in the middle of a massive shift. I just got back from Mexico where I spent a week with people who are both crushing it in business AND doing deep spiritual work, and it completely activated something in me. Meanwhile, the world feels like it's being shaken up faster than we can process. I'm talking about why time feels like it's speeding up, why our old assumptions about money and institutions are crumbling, and what's being born in their place. I also share where Money Muse is headed next—beyond just helping you reach financial safety and into actually using your wealth to create real change in the world. If you've been feeling the shift too, this one's for you. If this episode resonates, leave a review and hit follow so more women can join the conversation around wealth and transformation! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ Instagram:…

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm walking you through every side hustle, unconventional job, and strategic money move I've made since I was 14 years old. From working strawberry fields and retail to tutoring, egg donation, and credit card optimization, I've built wealth through resourcefulness and intentional action. This episode isn't about a linear path to success, it's about the real, messy, and sometimes unconventional ways women create financial independence when they're determined to build something different. I share the experiences that shaped my relationship with money and risk, including how I taught myself to invest in individual companies during a sabbatical in Greece, why I took out a personal loan to buy SpaceX stock when everyone advised against it, and how side hustles like pet-sitting and matchmaking kept me financially flexible while building long-term wealth. Each of these moves taught me something critical about income diversification, investing in opportunities others overlook, and…

In this episode of Money Musings, I’m sharing exactly how I would rebuild my wealth if I lost everything and had to start from zero. Financial independence isn’t about luck or being a unicorn, it comes down to discipline, focus, and making intentional decisions over and over again. Living within your means and investing in your education are the baseline requirements for building real wealth and long-term freedom. This is about creating a life where money gives you options, not limits. I walk through the core path I would take to rebuild, starting with increasing income, prioritizing equity, and getting money invested as early as possible. Savings plays a role, but investing is where financial freedom is actually created, especially for women who want flexibility and control. Wealth is built by thinking bigger than cutting expenses and getting comfortable letting your money work harder than you do. If financial independence has been on your mind, this episode is a clear, grounded reminder that it’s…

In this episode of Money Musings, I’m talking about something that feels vulnerable, nuanced, and honestly a little edgy for a money podcast: energetics and feminine wealth. I share my own realization that while I could earn, save, and invest with ease, I struggled to receive, to feel deserving, and to actually enjoy the wealth I was building. This conversation is for the women who are disciplined, capable, and “good with money” but still feel disconnected from it on a deeper level. If the idea of money and energetics makes you curious, resistant, or somewhere in between, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. I explore masculine and feminine energy as it relates to money, investing, and self-worth, including how each shows up in healthy and shadow forms. So many women have mastered the doing of wealth but haven’t been taught how to embody it, receive it, or feel safe holding it. Take this time as an invitation to reflect on your relationship with money beyond tactics and strategies, and into worth,…

In this episode of Money Musings with Stephanie Xenos, I’m sharing a transparent look at what I invested in during 2025 and how my approach to investing has shifted over time. I reflect on my early days as a new investor, the foundation I’ve built through long-term investing, and why this year felt different as market uncertainty, AI growth, and economic pressure increased. I focus on how experience changes the way you think about risk, diversification, and wealth building. I also walk through the categories I invested in this year, including public stocks, AI, international markets, private investments, and real hedges like gold and bonds. This is not advice, but an honest snapshot of how I think about money and comfortable investing after decades in the market. If you’re interested in investing, financial freedom, and seeing how real investing decisions evolve, this episode offers valuable context. If you are enjoying this podcast, please rate & review it on your favourite listening platform so more women…

In this first episode of Money Musings with Stephanie Xenos, I’m sharing the mindset, energy, and decisions that shaped my relationship with money and independence. I talk about growing up without financial security, investing young, and how I built discipline around earning, and growing wealth. That path carried me through a career in physics, working at NASA and SpaceX and ultimately creating a life with more freedom than I once thought possible. This conversation is about contrast, conviction, and choosing a life where safety, choice, and freedom are non-negotiable. I get personal, honest, and set the tone for how I think about life, power, and what money is really for. I created this podcast to exist for women who know they’re meant for more and are ready to feel confident with investing without overthinking it. We’ll be talking on all things money, investing, and the pieces most people leave out, including intuition, trust, and timing. If you’re ready to build wealth in a way that feels aligned and…

A sneak peak at Money Musings with Stephanie Xenos - the podcast that breaks down money, investing, and wealth-building with zero BS and unapologetic irreverence. Hosted by retired rocket scientist turned investing mentor Stephanie Xenos, this is where women come to elevate their money and mindset. From hot takes on market trends to the energetics behind wealth creation, Steph’s here to make you smarter, richer, and way more confident in all things money. Follow @moneymusefounder on Instagram and tune in every Tuesday for actionable insights, fresh perspectives, and the confidence to transform your financial future. Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneymusefounder/ https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/ Speaking: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking Work with me: https://calendly.com/d/cpqr-m2m-drk/ignite-strategy-session