Money, Marriage, and What Gets in the Way: A Conversation with Nathan Astle, CFT™
Production view of the Finance Fitness Finesse (F3) podcast control room. The master monitor runs a multi-camera layout within OBS Studio, managing the live preview and program feeds for host JaeVic and a remote guest interview with Nate Astle.
Money is rarely just about money.
Behind financial disagreements are often values, experiences, fears, expectations, and stories that shape how we relate to both money and the people we love.
That's why I was excited to welcome Nate Astle, CFT™ back to Finance, Fitness & Finesse for another meaningful conversation about money, marriage, and what gets in the way of financial connection.
Nate is the founder of the Financial Therapy Clinical Institute and one of the most requested guests in the history of the podcast. His previous episodes on money and relationships continue to be among our most listened-to conversations, and for good reason. He brings a thoughtful, compassionate perspective to one of the most emotionally charged topics couples face.
As someone who has also served as a mentor in my own professional journey, Nate consistently reminds us that financial health is not just about numbers. It's about relationships.
In this episode, we explore topics like financial intimacy, financial infidelity, communication, trust, and the emotional barriers that often prevent couples from having productive conversations about money.
Many couples avoid discussing finances because the topic feels uncomfortable, overwhelming, or emotionally loaded. Yet avoiding those conversations often creates more tension than the conversation itself.
Nate shares how financial intimacy develops when partners are willing to be vulnerable about their money stories, financial values, fears, and goals. Understanding where each person learned about money can create greater empathy and reduce the tendency to blame, criticize, or make assumptions.
We also discuss financial infidelity, which can show up in many forms, from hidden spending and secret accounts to withholding financial information out of fear, shame, or conflict avoidance. While these situations can be painful, understanding the motivations behind them often creates opportunities for healing, rebuilding trust, and strengthening communication.
One of the themes that stood out most in our discussion is that healthy financial relationships are not built on perfection. They are built on openness, collaboration, and a willingness to navigate challenges together.
Whether you're dating, engaged, married, divorced, or simply trying to improve your relationship with money, this episode offers practical insights into how financial conversations can become opportunities for deeper connection rather than sources of conflict.
Money impacts nearly every area of life. Learning how to communicate about it effectively may be one of the most valuable relationship skills we can develop.
Host JaeVic broadcasting live during a recording session of the Finance Fitness Finesse (F3) podcast. The studio setup features JaeVic speaking into a RØDE dynamic microphone attached to a broadcast boom arm, with a secondary software monitor showing the remote interview layout with Nate Astle and a digital wall clock tracking production time.
Tune In
Listen to this episode of Finance, Fitness & Finesse on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform.
Have a money story, financial challenge, or life question you'd like featured on the show? We'd love to hear from you. Submit your story for a chance to have your question answered in a future episode.
Follow @FinanceFitnessFinesse for more conversations about financial therapy, financial wellness, money psychology, relationships, and building wealth with wellness.
