The episode of the *About that Water podcast* featured guest Rahkim Sabree, who discussed his new book, *Overcoming Financial Traumas*, defining financial trauma as any instance, observed or experienced, that negatively impacts how someone views, interacts with, or believes about money. Rahkim further detailed the six sources of financial trauma, such as generational, workplace, and institutional factors, and explored how advertising science exploits the nervous system to drive consumer spending.

More about Rahkim:

https://www.rahkimsabree.com/

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The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

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Episode 320 Bonus

So today we're diving into something really important.

We're looking at financial stress, but through a much deeper lens.

We're drawing from Rakim Sabri's work on the about that Wallet podcast.

And this is especially for you if you're, you know, caught in the middle, managing money for your kids and your aging parents.

That whole sandwich generation pressure cooker.

And we're here to define something called financial trauma, which really acts as this invisible force driving so many decisions for people in that exact situation.

Okay, so let's just unpack the core idea right away because it's a game changer.

Sabri says we have to get rid of the phrase bad financial decisions.

Clearly.

I mean, people aren't trying to self sabotage, he argues.

They're making what feels like the best possible decision they can in that one very specific, often desperate moment.

And that shift away from blame is so critical because when you're under that kind of constant pressure, every choice feels huge.

Existential, even.

What's so interesting is how he defines it.

Financial trauma is.

Well, it's any instance, whether you saw it or lived it, that negatively changes how you think about or interact with money.

So it's way deeper than just a budget.

It's the why behind what we do with our money.

Exactly.

The unconscious stuff.

And when we look at the sources of trauma, he talks about a couple of them just.

They jump right out for the sandwich generation.

Let's start with the first one, the workplace trap.

Workplace and employment.

He calls it quiet cracking.

It's that feeling that.

That internal stress you feel when you have to stay in a toxic job.

Right.

Because you just can't risk losing that paycheck.

Not for a single month.

Yeah, exactly.

You might have the skills to leave, but you don't have the privilege to quit.

That paycheck is covering a parent's sudden care bill and at the same time, your kid's tuition.

That feeling of being trapped.

Wow.

And that links right into the second source he brings up, which is this.

This expectation burden.

Yes.

From family, society, even religion.

These demands that just drain your resources.

Think about it.

That pressure to give back to the family.

Right.

Or the expectation you'll financially support relatives.

And that expectation runs headlong into your own critical needs.

You're stuck.

Do I pay for my parents medication or do I meet this family obligation.

Which leads to this, this big question.

Why do we sometimes cope with all that stress by, you know, making what look like irrational spending choices?

Retail therapy.

I've been there.

But he connects it directly to our Nervous system.

Okay, wait.

What does dysregulation actually mean here?

How does that feel for someone just trying to get through the day?

Dysregulation is just your nervous system on overload.

It's screaming for an exit.

Advertising.

Well, advertising uses that state against us spending money.

Gives you that quick temporary hit of dopamine.

It's a flight response from all the responsibility.

It creates the illusion of feeling better.

But the pressure is still there when the package arrives.

Exactly.

And the hole's a little deeper.

So, okay, what's the big takeaway for someone feeling this every day?

The thing that really stood out to me was that trauma is not just in your head.

No, it's a body event.

A body event.

So you mean you actually physically feel it?

Yes, that's the key.

The stress of balancing all of this is stored physically in your body.

So giving that feeling a name like workplace financial trauma, that's the first step.

It shifts the focus from what's wrong with me?

To focusing on what you can actually control.

Like maybe a career change or an investment strategy.

Right.

You stop blaming yourself.

And that connects to the bigger picture as a Brie talks about, which is moving away from this idea that you have to handle it all alone.

Radical individualism.

Yes.

This crushing idea that it's all on your shoulders.

He pushes for collectivism, which isn't just.

Some abstract idea for the sandwich generation.

It's.

It's a survival tool.

It means asking for help, building a community and seeing these pressures for what they are.

Systemic, not personal failures.

We've really just scratched the surface here.

We've given you a new framework to think about your financial stress.

So here's a thought to take with you.

If we start treating this stress like a collective injury instead of a personal failing, what's one non financial burden like shame or silence that you could let go of?

Today to dive deeper into the solutions on all six sources of trauma, we really encourage you to listen to the full about that wallet episode 320.

And if you found this deep dive helpful, please take a second to leave us a five star review.

We hope you feel a bit more informed and maybe a little less overwhelmed.