EP 517: Breaking Free From Destructive Money Patterns with Therapist Kati Morton

HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

Jean Chatzky Her Money

Investing, Business

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 4 March 2026

⏱️ 37 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Why do we keep doing the things we know aren’t good for our finances? Whether it’s emotional spending, avoiding a growing credit card balance, over-controlling every dollar, or saying “yes” to spending when we really mean “no”. So many of our money habits aren’t about math; they’re about emotion. This week, Jean Chatzky sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist and mental health educator Kati Morton, author of the new book Why Do I Keep Doing This?, to unpack the psychology behind the patterns that keep us stuck, especially when it comes to money. In this episode, we explore: The difference between healthy control and control that quietly sabotages us Why emotional spending happens — and how it differs from compulsive spending How financial insecurity in childhood can shape our careers, relationships, and money mindset Why the world feeling “out of control” can trigger impulsive financial decisions How women nearing retirement can navigate financial anxiety during major life transitions Practical tools to help break the cycle And if you’re ready to take control of your financial future in an intentional way, join us in InvestingFixx, our investing community designed to help you build confidence, clarity, and long-term wealth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	The world moves fast. Your workday? Even faster. Pitching products, drafting reports,
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0:26.1	Learn more at Microsoft.com slash M365 copilot.
0:31.2	On June 18, 2023, Ocean Gates' Titan submersible imploded during an expedition dive to the Titanic, killing all five on board, including Ocean Gate founder and CEO Stockton Rush.
0:44.4	Numerous industry experts and employees from within Ocean Gate itself had warned Rush of impending doom, citing safety concerns and a lack of testing.
0:53.8	His hubris, ego, and reckless desire for innovation over all else cost him his life, and that of four others.
1:01.0	The catastrophic destruction of the Titan submersible sent shockwaves through the ocean exploration industry that are still being felt today.
1:09.4	The Ocean Gate Titan submersible, a preventable tragedy,
1:12.9	a two-part series available now on shipwrecks and sea dogs.
1:16.9	Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
1:23.8	Next time you're negotiating for your next contract, maybe we ask for 5,000 more than we would.
1:31.1	You know, little bits, little things.
1:33.7	Just so that we can start to prove to our nervous system, because here's kind of the trick.
1:37.6	We have to prove that it's safe and okay.
1:40.3	Because when we go out of that norm, it can feel really scary.
1:43.2	And like now we might be hurt in some way.
1:46.1	Let go from our job, shamed or blamed, be left, like connections are really vital to us.
1:51.8	And so just give yourself time to adjust.
1:54.3	But that understanding piece is going to be huge as you choose different.
2:00.5	Hey, everyone, welcome to Hermione. I'm Gene Chatsky. How many times have you caught yourself
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