Weird Finance

In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks with Financial Astrologer Susan Gidel about how being a sixth-generation farmer has played a role in her work in economics and astrology, what exactly financial astrology is, understanding how it applies to the financial markets. Finally, Susan explains her predictions on the air economy.

Susan Abbott Gidel specializes in financial astrological market research and publishing. She also provides astrological consulting to help people succeed financially in career, business, investments, and trading.

After 35 years in the commodity futures business as a journalist and brokerage firm marketing executive, Susan combined that market knowledge with her passion for astrology to specialize in financial astrology.

In 2018, Susan published “Trading In Sync With Commodities—Introducing Astrology To Your Technical Toolbox.” She publishes “Red Letter Trading Days,” a newsletter that alerts traders and investors to important astrological energy. She is working on a new book about how to use financial astrology in everyday life.

This episode also features a segment called Ask Paco Anything. Thank you to our anonymous caller for their question about retirement. If you’d like to ask a question, call our hotline at 833-ASK-PACO or email your question to [email protected].

Thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.

Thank you to Jenna Parker and Gave Sena for lending your voices for our special PSA about bank scams.

The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon.

Please enjoy!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Nikita Crump about why people are interested in following along on her journey of living in her car, the tension between the idea of van life versus the reality of being unhoused, and the unexpected path of becoming known for being the living in her car. 

Nikita (@nikitacrump) lived in her Honda civic for 1,000 days as a way to escape paying rent. She began documenting her experience by sharing "a day in the life of being homeless/living in her car” and went viral in the process. She’s now moving out of her car and into a van.

This episode also features a segment called Slow and Steady with Leo by Leo Aquino (@queerandtranswealth), an award-winning author, poet, and anti-capitalist personal finance expert. Let Leo’s affirmations soothe your nervous system and help you feel a sense of calm and safety around your money.

A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount, for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode. 

Thank you to Camille Kane and Wisconsin John for lending their voices for our special PSA about needs versus wants.

The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon.

Please enjoy!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to writer and editor Hannah Rimm about our collective love of reading how other people spend their money, privilege, how generational wealth is secretly passed down, and what makes a good money diary. 

Hannah Rimm (@hannahrimm) is a writer and editor in New York City. Currently, she is Senior Editor at Refinery29, writing and editing lifestyle, wellbeing, and work & money content. She also leads Refinery29’s biggest franchise, Money Diaries. Previously, she worked as a freelance writer, Social Media Copywriter and Producer at WNYC Studios, and as the Marketing Manager at GKIDS, an Academy Award-nominated arthouse distribution company. Beyond R29, Hannah has been featured in Women’s Health, Allure, Bustle, HelloGiggles, Healthline, Autostraddle, and more.  

Hannah holds a B.A. in Film and Psychology from Wesleyan University, where she graduated with Honors.

Also, this episode also features The Economic Outlook with financial astrologer Susan Gidel. This is a short segment where Susan, our resident economic cosmonaut, does what many humans have done before us for thousands of years: she looks to the stars to try to understand our economic present and predict our financial futures. 

A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount, for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode. Thank you to my new friends, Samantha McVey and Anney Reese, the hosts of the Stuff Mom Never Told You Podcast, for lending us their voices. The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Paker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon.

Please enjoy!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to financial dominatrix and entrepreneur Mistress Marley. In this episode, we talk about financial kinks, the psychology behind giving your power away, and advice for women wanting to enter the industry.

Mistress Marley (@eyesonfire) is a Pro Financial Dominatrix based in Brooklyn, NY. She is the Co-Founder of Whipz Dungeon and the Owner of the Sexcademy, a kink education based platform hosted through Patreon.

Mistress Marley has been featured in the NY Times, Buzzfeed, Paper Mag, Refinery 29, Vice, Business Insider, and a variety of podcasts. Her mission is to help people find success in their kink and BDSM professional careers by teaching marketing, branding, advertising, and other successful strategies.

Also, this episode also features Loose Change, a short segment with Chris Laughter, where he walks up to random strangers on the street to ask them their thoughts, feelings, and opinions about how we relate to money and one another. This week we’re exploring expectations around dating and paying.

A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount, for producing this episode and to my friends Camile Kane and Wisconsin Jon, for lending us their voices in this week’s PSA. The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon.

Please enjoy!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to entrepreneur and founder of Unique Markets, Sonja Rasula about her curiosity and how it leads to asking financial questions, taking risks, knowing which rules to break, taking decisive action, and why people don’t spend money on themselves.

In 2008 Sonja Rasula (@sonjarasula) self-funded Unique Markets by risking her entire 401k and never looked back. Since then she’s become one of just 2% of women-owned businesses in the US to hit $1 million a year, is proud to be the only AAPI-owned national market owner in the country, and has been credited for fueling and leading the 'shop small' revolution for over 13 years. Her large-scale, modern pop-up markets showcase hundreds of small businesses and emerging designers, attract celebs to families to TikTok influencers, and have taken place in over 10 cities around the US.

Sonja was just named "The Millionaire Maker" by Forbes, and '1 of 30 Women Entrepreneurs Changing the World' by fashion mogul Eileen Fisher.

Also, this episode also features The Price Report, a short segment with Michael “Frosti” Snow, where he takes us on a journey, examining the cost of one thing in the hopes that it helps us have a better understanding of well, everything. This week we’re exploring bananas, a deliciously vibrant and tropical treat.

A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount, for producing this episode. To my new friends, Samantha McVey and Anney Reese, the hosts of the Stuff Mom Never Told You Podcast, for lending us their voices. The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon.

Please enjoy!

Listen to the episode on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing a brand new podcast about money, Weird Finance. You can listen to our teaser right here. And tune in on February 19th, for our first full episode!

Weird Finance will explore the often intimidating terrain of money, finances, and economics and how these invisible forces shape each person’s ideas about themselves and the world around them. Hosted by author, illustrator, and musician Paco de Leon; Weird Finance is all about real, honest, unconventional money conversations with the aim of getting comfortable with the uncomfortable and changing our relationship with money.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.