Episode 3: Why Is Money So Hard to Talk About? Fear, Shame & Reality of Finances

In this episode of Too Sober For This, recovery advocate Shell Righini and comedian Iain Anderson take on one of life’s most loaded topics: money. From growing up with complicated financial narratives to navigating freelance life in recovery, this is an honest, funny, and at times uncomfortable conversation about what money really means, and why so many of us avoid talking about it.Shell and Iain unpack their own relationships with money, shaped by addiction, shame, survival, and sobriety. They explore the chaos of spending in active addiction, the fear of financial instability, and the strange reality that even when things are “better,” money can still feel overwhelming.There are conversations about debt, earning, self-worth, and the emotional weight money carries plus the reality of trying to build a creative life without a safety net.They also dig into the contradictions: feeling more comfortable with nothing than having money, trusting everything will “work out” vs actually planning for the future, and whether chasing money is success… or just another addiction.In this episode• Why money feels so uncomfortable to talk about (even in recovery)• How addiction shaped their early relationships with spending and debt• The fear of financial insecurity even when things are “going well”• Freelance life, feast-and-famine income, and the reality behind “doing what you love”• The link between money, self-worth, and shame• Why having nothing can sometimes feel safer than having something• Trust vs avoidance: is “it’ll all work out” healthy… or delusion?• The impact of money on relationships, partnerships, and independenceExpect uncomfortable questions, strong opinions, dark humour, and plenty of laughing at things we probably shouldn’t.Because sometimes, even in sobriety… money still makes absolutely no sense.If you’re struggling with debt, you don’t have to do it alone. You can get free, confidential help from StepChange Debt Charity: 👉 https://www.stepchange.orgNEXT EPISODE QUESTION — GET INVOLVEDNext week we’re talking about the manosphere.So we want to hear from you: What are your opinions and experiences of the manosphere?Send us a DM on Instagram @toosoberforthispodcast or WhatsApp +44 7343 057171 with your thoughts and we might feature your opinion in the next episode of Too Sober For This. Connect With Us@toosoberforthispodcastShell Righini - @shell_righini  Iain Anderson - @iainanderson.comedyTraumedy Show - https://iainandersoncomedy.com/Listen to Shell’s podcast We Recover Loudly here on Spotify  This Podcast Is Brought to You By We Recover Loudly MerchBold recovery slogans and wearable reminders that recovery doesn’t have to be quiet.Shop here: www.werecoverloudly.com@werecoverloudlyMastered and edited by Unmuted Studios.  Podcast production, editing, and creative support.www.unmutedstudios.com