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Ever feel like you’ve got a PhD in your field but only a 101-level understanding of your finances? Welcome to Academics and Their Money, the podcast where we make money talk as smart—and as entertaining—as you are. Because let’s be honest: knowledge is powerful, but a well-earned paycheck doesn’t hurt either. Whether you’re a fresh PhD navigating that first real paycheck, a tenured professor pondering what’s next, or a former academic with some ‘unique’ insights—this show dives into making your intellect work for you, tackling the financial quirks of academic life, and uncovering the untold money stories behind the ivory tower.
If you’re a fan of Planet Money, Freakonomics Radio, or HerMoney with Jean Chatzky, you’ll feel right at home here. But fair warning: this isn’t another boring money podcast. We keep it real, relatable, and just a bit irreverent to make finance feel fresh. Let’s get smarter about money—and wealthier—together!
20 Episodes
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“Clarity often follows action. You don’t really know what you like until you try it.” — Ashley Ruba In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Inga Timmerman and Neeka Miremadi talk with Ashley Ruba. After getting a PhD in developmental psychology, she left academia to pursue a career in user experience (UX) research and now works full time at Meta while running her own consulting business for those wanting to transition out of academia. Ashley shares her candid journey from PhD stud...
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Emily Roberts, founder of Personal Finance for PhDs. Emily shares her journey from pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering at Duke to building a career as a financial educator for graduate students and postdocs. She opens up about how saving during grad school gave her the freedom to take career risks, why adopting an “emerging professional” mindset (instead of a perpetual student identity) is cruci...
It’s not a set-it-and-forget-it type thing, annual enrollment is the one time each year to really make sure your benefits still fit your life. In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman break down the key considerations for annual enrollment season. Too often, employees let benefits roll over without reviewing whether their coverage still meets their needs. Neeka and Inga walk through the major benefit categories: medical, life insurance, dental and vision...
“We imagine professors in leather chairs thinking big thoughts, but the reality is—it’s a workplace that won’t love you back if you’re not producing.” In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman sit down with Rebecca Pope-Ruark, Director of Faculty Professional Development at Georgia Tech, author of Agile Faculty and Unraveling Faculty Burnout. Rebecca opens up about her own journey through academia from financial stress and student loan regret, to finding ...
"Money is not a piece of paper in your purse. It's your life. It's your youth. It's your precious hours that you gave away to earn that money. Spend it wisely." What if money isn’t just currency but the very time and energy of your life, especially when you’re navigating the unique challenges of an academic career? Sam Hosseini, a biomedical engineering professor turned entrepreneur, shares how reframing money as a tool for freedom and choice reshaped her journey from tenure-track academia to...
What happens when your first raise kicks you off state healthcare? Tanya Golash-Boza learned the hard way that more money doesn’t always mean more breathing room. In this episode, we talk with Tanya about the financial wake-up calls that shaped her academic career—from losing food stamps after a small negotiation win, to realizing that a $10,000 fellowship wasn’t “extra” money, but part of a bigger budgeting lesson. She shares how one offhand comment from a colleague led her to start saving f...
“Get the Bag, Not Just the Title” — Ramon Goings What would you do differently if you could start your academic career over? Ramon Goings has a few answers—and he’s not holding back. In this episode, we chat with the founder of Done Dissertation about the biggest financial lessons he’s learned as a professor, business owner, and scholar. Ramon explains why your first academic job offer sets the tone for your financial future, and why prestige should come after pay. He shares how he leveraged ...
In this second installment of our two-part series on workplace retirement plans, host Neeka Miremadi helps academics navigate the next step after choosing between plan types—evaluating the investments within those plans. Whether you're comparing 403(b) and 457 plans or just want to make better use of your current retirement account, this episode walks you through how to assess fund quality, fees, and provider options like a PhD (without making a 10-page report like Inga did). Neeka breaks dow...
Starting a new academic job? One of the biggest—and most overwhelming—financial decisions you'll face is choosing a workplace retirement plan. In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi walks you through a clear, approachable framework to help you understand your options and make a confident choice. This is Part 1 of a two-part series on workplace investing. Today’s focus: how to choose which type of plan to enroll in, such as a pension vs. an investment-based plan, and how ...
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, we talk with Janine Sam—a former professor turned financial planner—about her transition from academia to industry, and all the financial lessons she picked up along the way. Janine opens up about the realities of academic workload, the myth of flexibility in higher ed, and what ultimately drove her to pivot careers. We also dive into: What it’s like to teach and live abroad (including tax surprises!)Her experience negotiating salaries in both aca...
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, we’re joined by Melisa Galvan—professor, textbook author, and all-around academic powerhouse—to talk about what she wishes she'd known before starting her academic career. From the high-stakes stress of negotiating as a new PhD, to managing a 4–4 teaching load in Los Angeles, Melisa shares the financial trade-offs she’s navigated in pursuit of a life in higher ed. We discuss the tension between financial survival and professional growth, the...
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, we sit down with Shannah Game—host of Everyone's Talking Money and author of Unraveling Your Relationship with Money—to explore the often-overlooked emotional side of finances. We dive into the challenges of adjunct teaching, misconceptions about academic salaries, and the mental baggage many of us carry about money. Shannah shares exercises to help reframe your money mindset, including how to practice financial forgiveness and ask the right quest...
In this deeply honest and empowering episode of Academics and Their Money, we’re joined by Nicole Pulliam—tenured professor, certified coach, and unapologetic truth-teller—as she shares her unexpected journey through academia, the power of belief, and the real talk no one gives you about money in higher ed. Nicole opens up about what it felt like to pursue a PhD she never imagined for herself, the joy and constraints of life as a professor, and why her gratitude for the academic world now com...
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman interview Jasmine Cobb about her insights on navigating academia while managing finances. They discuss how early-career academics can set themselves up for financial success & personal happiness, with Jasmine sharing how she wished she'd maximized retirement contributions and stayed true to personal passions amidst the pressures of tenure. The conversation delves into the taboo surrounding money in academia, t...
This episode of Academics and Their Money explores the intersection of money, culture, and academia through the experiences of Zeina Salame. Raised by immigrant parents with a strong emphasis on financial security, Zeina shares how cultural expectations shaped her career path and relationship with money. Despite earning a PhD in theater and securing a tenure-track position, she still grapples with financial anxiety, risk aversion, and the challenges of navigating academia’s limited compensati...
In this episode, Neeka Miremadi breaks down the complexities of taxes for professors, for those new to academia or continuing. She covers essential tax concepts, including how W-2 income differs from self-employment income, the importance of understanding calendar-year taxation, and how additional consulting or freelance work impacts tax obligations. Neeka also highlights common tax pitfalls, such as under-withholding for those with multiple income sources or married professors filing jointly...
In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman interview Aline Silva, who shares her transition from academia to industry. Originally from Brazil, Aline entered academia after struggling to find a stable career during the 2008 financial crisis. She reflects on how her financial mindset evolved, noting the peace she found through smart decisions like contributing to a 401k. Aline also discusses leaving her PhD program in marketing, where she felt disconne...
Episode Overview: In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Inga Timmerman breaks down the financial and career considerations that academics should keep in mind when evaluating job offers. Whether it’s your first job or your fourth, making informed decisions can set you up for long-term financial success. Inga shares insights from years of experience negotiating with professors across the country, highlighting key factors that impact your financial well-being. Key Topics Covered: ✔...
Financial planning isn’t just about numbers—it’s about designing a career and life that bring you fulfillment. In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Inga Timmerman explores the key financial and career decisions academics face, from choosing the right location to navigating tenure. She breaks down how defining your financial needs can lead to greater happiness and career satisfaction. Along the way, she shares actionable insights on skill assessment, strategic planning, and the essent...
Welcome to Academics and Their Money, the podcast where we dive into the unique financial challenges and opportunities academics face. Whether it’s navigating salaries, investing, financial planning, or career decisions, we explore how money shapes life in academia. Join us as we bring you insightful conversations, expert advice, and real stories to help you make informed financial choices and build a more secure future. If you’ve got questions, suggestions for future topics, or just wa...
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