Have you ever wondered why small steps are very crucial for our success, as compared to planning big or wait until we can "start big".

In this episode of The Financial Health Insights, host Kevin sits down with  Brain Health Coach Karishma Valliappan (Brain by Karry) for a deeply engaging conversation about motivation, neuroplasticity, and the emotional side of money habits.

Together, they unpack why we procrastinate, how fear and overwhelm hijack our decision-making, and how even a small win—like saving RM50—can kickstart powerful change.

Whether you're struggling to stay consistent or trying to rebuild financial confidence, this episode will help you understand yourself better and offer brain-friendly ways to create momentum that lasts.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• Why your emotional brain often overrides logic when it comes to money
• How dopamine, neuroplasticity, and small wins help build sustainable habits
• The deeper cost of breaking self-promises—and how to rebuild trust with yourself
• How automation, journaling, and self-reflection support long-term change
• The difference between consistency and intensity—and why both matter in habit-building
• How identity, comparison, and societal narratives can unconsciously sabotage financial progress

🛠️ Resources Mentioned:

• ⁠Spotify: I know what to do, so why am I still not doing it?⁠
• ⁠Apple Podcast: I know what to do, so why am I still not doing it?⁠⁠
• 📚 Atomic Habits by James Clear⁠⁠
• 🧘‍♀️ Journaling & meditation as brain tools⁠⁠
• 🎧 The Diary of a CEO podcast by Steven Bartlett⁠⁠
• 💡 Spiritual teacher: Master Sri Akarshana⁠⁠
• 📩 Write a Letter to Your Future Self⁠

🔗 Follow Karry (Brain by Karry):

• ⁠Instagram⁠
• ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• ⁠TikTok⁠

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Financial Health and Guest Introduction

03:51 Understanding Brain Health and Its Importance

10:49 Overcoming Procrastination: The Role of Fear

16:06 Strategies to Regain Control Over Procrastination

18:07 The Role of Dopamine in Motivation

20:33 Celebrating Small Wins in Financial Health

30:54 Consistency vs. Intensity in Achieving Goals

35:41 Automating Routines for Better Habits

41:09 Building Trust with Yourself

47:52 Identity and Change

01:00:11 The Role of Self-Compassion

01:03:06 Journaling and Manifestation