Journey To Launch

Jamila Souffrant

  • 50 minutes 3 seconds
    Episode 401: A Candid Convo on Finding the Balance Between Enjoyment and Financial Discipline with my Sister, Imani Manning

    This week on the podcast, I’m having a real talk with my sister, Imani, about her financial habits and goals. Imani started a Roth IRA back in 2020 and has seen it grow nicely, but she’s had trouble staying consistent with contributions—mainly because of concerns about accessibility and wanting to enjoy her money now (can you relate?)

    We dive into why opening a high-yield savings account, automating her Roth IRA contributions, and paying off her credit card in full each month are game changers. Imani gets the long-term benefits of these moves and is open to making changes, but she shares the challenges of balancing saving for the future with enjoying the present.

    Together, we talk through realistic strategies to overcome financial hesitations and why small, steady steps can lead to big wins when it comes to financial stability and growth.

    In this episode Imani shares: 

    • Her excitement on seeing her initial investment double in her Roth IRA from 2020, and the importance of regular contributions and the value of patience and discipline in building long-term wealth.
    • Her struggles with maintaining consistent contributions to her Roth IRA, fearing losing access to funds and prioritizing short-term gratification over long-term financial goal.
    • How to balance enjoyment with financial responsibility, and the challenges of following a plan that will benefit us in the future.
    • How she's seen successes from following my advice in the past and commits to implementing the suggested steps: 
      • Open a high-yield savings account to earn more interest on her savings.
      • Set up automatic monthly contributions to her Roth IRA, even starting with a small amount like $100–200.
      • Pay off her credit card balance in full each month to avoid interest charges

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

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    20 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 55 minutes 10 seconds
    Episode 400: Building Wealth Through Healing, Self Love and Breaking Cycles with Judy McCutcheon

    In this episode of the Journey to Launch Podcast, I speak with Judy McCutcheon, a Caribbean human resources expert, who shares her inspiring life story. Judy grew up in Tobago with humble beginnings, raised by a single mother facing financial challenges. Despite a childhood marked by scarcity, she became the first in her family to attend university. Her journey through self-sabotage, overcoming poverty, and healing from emotional struggles transformed her perspective on self-worth and financial well-being. 

    In this episode, Judy shares: 

    • Despite earning a good income as a consultant, she still struggled with financial discipline because of her mindset around money, influenced by her upbringing, leading her to spend rather than save and invest.
    • How a pivotal moment in her journey was reading The Secret, which led her to deep self-reflection and building self-love.
    • The challenges of self-reflection and the importance of addressing deep-seated beliefs about oneself.
    • How her Disruptive Leadership Conference aims to provide practical insights and networking opportunities for leaders.
    • & more!

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

    Connect with Judy:

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    13 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 57 minutes 34 seconds
    Episode 399: Overcoming Obstacles as an Undocumented Immigrant and Reaching $1 Million Invested by 48 w/ Tanya Taylor
    6 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 51 minutes 17 seconds
    Episode 398- My Financial Freedom Story and The Steps You Need to Take To Reach Your Dream Life

    This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast, I’m reflecting on my own financial freedom journey so far and defining key concepts around financial independence. Not too long ago my growing family and demanding commute to my corporate job fueled my desire for a more flexible, fulfilling life. My husband and I saved and invested $169,000 in two years, I began my journey of entrepreneurship, wrote my book “Your Journey to Financial Freedom” and today I get to choose what I want to do with my time.

    I’m also reviewing my framework for achieving financial freedom, starting with calculating your financial independence number (the amount needed to live off investments without active work) and progressing through my "Journeyer Stages" from stabilizing finances to achieving full work flexibility or "financial independence." I’m encouraging you to embrace your journey towards financial independence and find fulfillment along the way. 

    In this episode I share:

    • The challenges of balancing work and family, and how it started me on the path to financial freedom
    • The components of the wealth formula and why you need to maximize your income and optimize expenses to achieve financial independence.
    • The guac levels, which represent different spending habits and lifestyles & why it’s important to be honest with yourself about spending habits
    • The importance of changing oneself and becoming the best version of you through the journey.

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

    Connect with me:

    30 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 46 minutes 49 seconds
    Episode 397: How to Spend, Save & Find Joy Before and After Retirement w/ Christine Benz

    This week on the Journey to Launch podcast, I am speaking to Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance at Morningstar. Christine shares her insights on how to retire and addresses certain issues that come up during retirement such as safe spending rates and the under-spending problem. She advises early retirees to be flexible with withdrawals, highlights the importance of finding balance in retirement, such as community service and hobbies and stresses the value of micro joys and small daily activities that bring joy and purpose.

    In this episode Christine shares:

    • Her entrepreneurial role within Morningstar, where she has freedom to build the personal finance vertical while enjoying the security of a paycheck.
    • The importance of communication skills and building subject matter expertise which can lead to better career opportunities.
    • How spending in retirement often fluctuates, why you should diversify income streams and advice on balancing tax-sheltered accounts and taxable savings for more flexibility in early retirement.
    • Why you should live a fulfilling life now to avoid pent-up demand in retirement, the benefits of taking breaks and finding balance in life + more.

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

    Connect with Christine:

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    23 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 31 minutes 43 seconds
    Episode 396: Visible Wealth vs Invisible Wealth & Redefining What it Means To Be Rich

    In this week’s solo episode of the Journey to Launch Podcast, I explore the concept of wealth and what it means to be truly rich. While wealth is often defined by an abundance of money or material possessions, I discuss the distinction between "visible wealth" (like possessions) and "invisible wealth" (such as financial security, time freedom, and health). I also emphasize the importance of avoiding comparisons to others, especially in affluent environments, and instead focusing on your own financial journey.  

    In this episode I share: 

    • How exploring middle school options for my oldest son has me questioning the true value of wealth and financial freedom 
    • Why you should reflect on how you view wealth and financial freedom in your own life.
    • How different people may perceive wealth and how it can lead to misperceptions about one's financial status.
    • Why it’s crucial to appreciate the wealth you already have, without seeking external validation.
    • How to find value in the invisible wealth that people cannot see, such as being healthy, having strong relationships, having savings, and being able to pay bills on time.
    • The importance of being honest with oneself about why one makes certain financial decisions + more.

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

    Connect with me:

    16 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 56 minutes 23 seconds
    Episode 395: How This Nurse Earns $230K Salary While Balancing Motherhood & Entrepreneurship

    This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast, I’m joined by Naseema McElroy, a nurse, financial expert, and founder of Financially Intentional. Naseema, who has been a guest before, previously shared her inspiring journey from single motherhood to paying off $300,000 in debt, ultimately eliminating $1 million in total debt, and achieving millionaire status while working as a nurse. In this episode, she talks about earning over $230,000 a year as a labor and delivery nurse in the San Francisco Bay Area. Naseema also dives into financial independence, mindset shifts, and how she balances her career, business, and personal life. Tune in to hear her perspective on how financial independence isn’t just about wealth—it’s about the freedom to live life on your own terms.

    In this episode, you’ll learn: 

    • Naseema's strategy of paying herself first and avoiding lifestyle inflation.
    • Balancing her passion for nursing with running a business and raising three children.
    • About the income potential in the nursing profession and advice for aspiring nurses
    • Why you should set up financial accounts for children, including 529 plans, Roth IRAs, and brokerage accounts, and how to instill financial literacy and wealth-building habits from an early age. 
    • And more!

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

    Connect with Naseema:

    Connect with me:

    9 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 41 minutes 41 seconds
    Episode 394: Building Wealth and Fulfillment through Continuous Learning with Scott Young

    This week on the podcast, we speak to Scott H. Young, the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Ultralearning, podcast host, computer programmer, and avid reader. Scott discusses the importance of continuous learning and personal growth, focusing on how learning new skills can lead to personal fulfillment and financial success. He shares insights on managing anxiety through exposure therapy and the significance of self-directed learning. He also discusses the balance between personal and public learning, the evolving landscape of online entrepreneurship and much more. 

    In this episode, you’ll learn: 

    • about the value of observing successful people and learning from their strategies to apply in your own journey.
    • why passion should drive the pursuit of new skills, making learning more enjoyable and fulfilling.
    • how practice and real-world application differ and how both are needed for mastery, especially in high-pressure environments.
    • how learning and doing new things help people build confidence, encouraging them to take on more challenges + more

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

    Connect with Scott:

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    2 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 49 minutes 14 seconds
    Episode 393: Your Money Playbook For Winning in Life and Finances with NFL Veteran Brandon Copeland

    This week on the podcast, we chat with returning guest, Brandon Copeland, a 10-year NFL veteran and CEO of Athletes for College Athletes, who discusses his new book "Your Money Playbook".  In this conversation, Brandon emphasizes the importance of financial hustle, smart spending, and legacy planning. He shares his early NFL experiences, highlighting the necessity of saving plus stresses the significance of financial education and having a support system. 

    In this episode Brandon discusses: 

    • The concept of the "art of the hustle" in his book, emphasizing the importance of earning and creating a life you want.
    • His early NFL career and the financial challenges he faced, including the impact of taxes and deductions on his paychecks. 
    • The importance of having a financial team and a support system to hold each other accountable. 
    • Leaving a legacy beyond just money, including values and financial literacy plus more 

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

    Connect with Brandon:

    Connect with me:

    25 September 2024, 9:00 am
  • 49 minutes 38 seconds
    Episode 392: Lessons from a Laid-Back Summer: Family, Finances, and Future Plans

    This week, I’m bringing you a long overdue solo episode, catching you up on what's been happening in my life and business lately. I talk about our decision to skip summer camp for the kids this year, allowing us to spend more quality time together as a family while I took a break from work. I also reflect on how I'm managing the business at a slower pace, thanks to relying on savings and the importance of planning for fluctuating income. Plus, I share my journey of preparing for my first half marathon, the Reggae Marathon in Jamaica this December (which also coincides with the 1 year anniversary of my book release, "Your Journey To Financial Freedom", along with some other exciting projects on the horizon!

    In This Episode I Share:

    • Why we opted out of summer camp, how I prepared the business in order to be free from work, & the importance of having help in order to be able to relax and recharge.
    • Why you should save and invest to ensure financial stability during slow business months and how having that solid financial foundation brings you confidence during challenging times.
    • The importance of having a positive mindset and looking for opportunities and lessons in everyday experiences.
    • The Well Read Black Girl Book Festival in October and my new community project, Freedom Quest which is in beta and aims to support people on their journey to financial independence!

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

    Connect with me:

    18 September 2024, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    Episode 391: How to Balance Life, Health & Wealth with Stage 4 Cancer Survivor, Esther Hyun
    This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast, I have a powerful conversation with Esther Hyun, a stage four colorectal cancer survivor and lawyer, who opens up about her journey to financial independence. Esther highlights the need to balance financial goals with personal well-being, while stressing the importance of preventative health care. She also discusses the financial challenges of navigating cancer treatment, such as unexpected out-of-network medical bills, and underscores the value of life insurance, estate planning, and much more.

    In this episode, we discuss: 

    • Esther’s financial foundations which allowed her to be debt-free except for student loans and how she contributes to HSAs and 401(k)s to build wealth

    • Esther’s experience of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer at 36, the financial impact it had on her, and the importance of having a plan in place for unexpected events.

    • Life insurance, estate planning, and balancing financial independence with enjoying life in the present.

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

    Connect with Esther:

    Connect with me:

    11 September 2024, 9:00 am
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