Feminist Money

Note: This is part one of a special two-part series with Australian feminist legend Helen Dalley-Fisher. Once you finish this episode, continue the conversation with [Campaigning and Political Realities | Helen Dalley-Fisher (Link to Ep 2 – to be released Monday 16 November)].Navigating the legal, financial, and cultural landscapes as a woman in Australia often feels like trying to navigate a system designed without women in mind. From invisible gaps in workplace laws to federal economic policies that quietly leave women behind, the baseline structures of our society are overdue for a major overhaul. To understand how we can truly level the playing field, we need to look beyond individual choices and interrogate the very systems that govern our everyday lives.In this episode of Feminist Money, we sit down with powerhouse gender equity expert and advocate Helen Dalley-Fisher to dissect the foundational biases embedded in Australian law and economics. We explore the frustrating loopholes within the Sex Discrimination Act, investigate how national budgets act as moral documents, and discuss the immense strategic challenge of uniting dozens of independent advocacy groups under a single, unstoppable agenda. This is a masterclass in how to dismantle old networks of power from the outside.We explore: Sex Discrimination Act Loopholes: What are the most frustrating loopholes in Australia’s Sex Discrimination Act 1984 regarding workplace rights, and how do we fix them?Religious Exemptions in Workplace Law: How do we strip away archaic religious exemptions that allow organisations to terminate women based on marital status or personal life choices?Gender-Responsive Budgeting: How does the National Foundation for Australian Women aggressively stress-test federal budget papers through a proper gender lens before they are finalised?Dismantling Patriarchal Systems: How do you convince powerful sceptics that dismantling traditional patriarchal systems actually improves socio-economic outcomes for everyone?Advocacy Coalition Building: How does a major advocacy network like the National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) get dozens of independent, diverse community organisations to agree on a single, unified policy agenda?Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.

What if ending your marriage didn't mean an expensive courtroom battle, losing your financial security, or sacrificing your peace of mind? For many women, navigating a relationship split brings overwhelming questions about keeping the family home, protecting personal assets, and dealing with an uncooperative ex-partner. Wanting an amicable separation shouldn't mean accepting less or putting your long-term stability at risk; it is entirely possible to navigate a property settlement safely while avoiding the emotional and financial toll of family court.In this episode of Feminist Money, we sit down with Cassandra Kalpaxis to explore collaborative divorce, out-of-court settlements and how women can navigate the end of their marriage while protecting their financial future. Cassandra breaks down the tactical steps a woman must take before financial negotiations even begin. Whether you are facing complex property divisions or trying to manage asset transparency, this conversation delivers a clear, out-of-court framework to help you separate the clinical business of a legal split from your personal healing journey.We explore: Collaborative Practice Framework: What is a collaborative divorce, and what does it actually look like in practice for a woman who realises her marriage is over but wants to stay out of the courtroom?Assessing Relationship Suitability: Is collaborative divorce right for me if we are trying to navigate this transition amicably, and what are the signs that a relationship is actually a good fit for this path?Out-of-Court Red Flags: When is collaborative divorce a bad idea, and what are the immediate red flags that tell you an out-of-court collaboration is just not going to work?Pre-Negotiation Financial Strategy: What are the very first tactical steps a woman must take to protect her financial future before negotiation even begins?Long-Term Property Settlements: What does a fair property settlement after separation actually look like long-term, and how can women build an asset split that protects their future rather than just settling for what feels okay right now?Trauma-Informed Dispute Resolution: How does taking a trauma-informed approach to your settlement help you separate the clinical business of the split from your own personal healing?Scenarios: Handling Financial Non-Disclosure: What do you do if your ex wants to stay out of court but won't show financial documents, and how do you ensure a fair asset split when you are completely in the dark about the money?Retaining the Family Home: Can you keep the family home after a divorce if you earn less money, and how do you figure out if keeping it is actually viable for you long-term or if it will cost you financially?High-Conflict Divorce Mediation: How do you handle family dispute resolution if your ex is highly confrontational, and how do you successfully navigate an out-of-court settlement if your partner turns every conversation into a fight?Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.

Gambling is changing rapidly, and women are increasingly being exposed to targeted betting practices through mobile apps, social media algorithms, and aggressive digital advertising. But what is driving this structural shift, why is gambling harm becoming an urgent public health concern for women, and what are the hidden consequences for their mental health, personal finances, and relationships? Too many women experiencing gambling-related harm suffer in silence, and understanding the commercial tactics behind modern betting is the first step toward breaking the stigma.In this episode of Feminist Money, we speak with Dr Simone McCarthy, a leading public health researcher from Deakin University, to discuss why gambling harm is rising sharply among women, how corporate marketing explicitly maps onto female spaces, and why this specific addiction can remain hidden from family and friends for years. Whether you are navigating your own hidden debt or supporting a loved one, this conversation delivers a critical, evidence-based look at what structural recovery and community support look like for women today.We explore: Why has the gambling industry suddenly shifted its focus to target women?How do gambling companies target women with novelty bets and social media ads?Why are young women aged 18–34 now the most at-risk group for gambling harm?What is escape gambling, and why do women hide their gambling debt longer than men?How does a partner's gambling addiction affect a woman's mental and financial health?What does gambling recovery look like for women dealing with hidden debt?Scenarios: Accessing Financial Support: How do I get free, confidential help for gambling debt?Stress and Habit Loop Triggers: Why can't I stop gambling when I am stressed, and how does the brain use betting as a coping mechanism?Intervention and Support Strategies: How can I help someone with a gambling addiction without enabling their behaviour?Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.

Why can spending money on yourself feel deeply uncomfortable, even when you can logically afford it? From experiencing intense waves of guilt after a purchase to constantly worrying about running out of savings or quietly holding yourself back from earning more, our individual relationship with money is heavily shaped by subconscious beliefs and generational habits we may not even realise we are carrying. Financial anxiety is rarely just about maths; it’s tied to our emotional conditioning and how we perceive our security and self-worth.In this episode of Feminist Money, we’re joined by Angela Meyer from Hi Money in New Zealand. Drawing on her Rich In Context research into the social and cultural determinants of wealth, Angela unpacks how our upbringing, childhood environments, and family money dynamics establish the psychological scripts that rule our wallets today. Together, we explore why financial stress persists when your bank account is technically secure, and deliver a practical framework to help you challenge the scarcity mindset, break old cycles, and rebuild true financial confidence.We explore: Financial Anxiety Mechanics: Why do I get anxiety when I spend money on myself?Overcoming Buyer's Remorse: How do I stop feeling guilty after buying something?Generational Financial Scripts: How does your parents' relationship with money affect you?Scarcity Mindset Triggers: Why do I always feel like I’m running out of money even when I have enough?Breaking Wealth Sabotage: How do you break family money cycles that restrict financial growth?Scenarios:Managing Post-Purchase Guilt: What can you do when you buy something you can afford but immediately feel anxious or guilty?Reframing Financial Security: How can you challenge a scarcity mindset when your finances are actually in good shape?Socio-Cultural Earning Limits: How do you stop holding yourself back from professional opportunities because you feel uncomfortable earning more than your family or friends?Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.

Why does the traditional financial system fail to account for the major milestones in a woman's life? From the compounding financial impact of choosing to have children to navigating a major relationship split later in life, our long-term wealth is deeply shaped by societal structures and life transitions we are often forced to handle alone.In this episode of Feminist Money, we unpack the steep economic realities of modern motherhood, the sudden financial shakeups of grey divorce, and the vital business and life lessons every woman needs to protect her future. We are also joined by entrepreneur and Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden to talk about building unwavering money confidence, defying expectations, and mastering financial independence in midlife.We explore: The Cost of Parenthood: How to handle the long-term impact of motherhood on women's earnings and financial security, especially when raising two or more children in Australia now costs at least $36,500 a year while the cost of running a family home has risen 134% over two decades.The Reality of Grey Divorce: What happens to your long-term security when a late-life separation forces one retirement nest egg to suddenly become two, and how women can protect their retirement savings and core financial independence.Midlife Money Confidence with Deborah Meaden: Personal finance, investing, and career insights from a top entrepreneur. Deborah shares her blueprint for overcoming imposter syndrome, alongside honest reflections on choosing a childfree life, climate activism, and making the most of your midlife wealth.Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.