Love, Money & Safety: Healing Money Stories in Relationships with Katy Chen Mazarra

Host Julienne Irons continues the Love & Relationships series with trauma-informed financial wellness coach Katy Chen Mazarra, exploring how money issues in relationships are rarely about numbers and are deeply connected to childhood experiences, nervous system safety, and identity. In this episode, Katy shares how growing up with conflicting money dynamics shaped her own patterns and explains why couples often argue about what money represents, including security, self-worth, control, and emotional safety. They break down how avoidance, shame, secrecy, and what Katy calls “financial infidelity” can erode trust over time, even when the issue doesn’t seem obvious on the surface. The conversation also explores how money triggers show up in the body through inner child responses, and why building awareness and compassion is key to shifting patterns. Katy offers practical tools like playful “money dates” that focus on connection and dream-building first, helping couples regulate their nervous systems before having financial conversations. For those who are single, this episode highlights how money stories impact self-worth, dating choices, and visibility in relationships. Katy shares a simple self-worth jar practice to help rewire negative beliefs and build confidence from within. This episode is a powerful reminder that healthy financial relationships start with self-awareness, communication, and a willingness to grow both individually and as a team. Katy has generously created a Couples Guide to Money for listeners of this episode. We’re keeping this resource live for a limited time, so be sure to grab it over the next couple of weeks while it’s available: http://pages.katychenmazzara.com/couplesguide After that, you can stay connected and continue learning from Katy by signing up for her Money Magic Mail here: https://katychenmazzara.lpages.co/kcm-newsletter-sign-up/ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Money Meets Love 01:17 Sponsor Message 02:00 Meet Katy Chen Mazarra 03:07 From TV to Money Coach 06:51 Childhood Money Imprints 09:38 Why Couples Clash Over Money 14:43 Avoidance Creates Distance 17:29 Money, Safety, and the Nervous System 24:37 Financial Infidelity Story 26:24 Inner Child Money Triggers 30:00 Money Dates and Dream Building 32:29 Shame and Secrecy Around Money 33:38 Compassion and Healing Money Shame 39:35 Love Bigger Than Debt 43:14 Overgiving and Self-Worth 45:51 Self-Worth Jar Practice 47:45 How Couples Talk Without Fighting 49:28 Money Dates in Practice 50:59 Healthy Financial Partnership Dynamics 58:41 Change Starts With Awareness 01:00:25 Communication and Teamwork 01:01:33 Where to Find Katy 01:03:52 Final Takeaways and Next Episode Perspective Shifts for Healing with the Hanged Woman is presented by 3 of Cups Healing 🤳🏽 Connect with us here:  Instagram: @3ofCupsHealing  Website: 3ofcupshealing.com ✨ Find out more about the 3 of Cups Heart-Centered Marketing  here 👉🏽 https://www.3ofcupshealing.com/ ✨ Find out more about our Healing After Loss course here 👉🏽 https://www.3ofcupshealing.com/halcourse 🙌🏽 Connect with Katy Chen Mazzara here 👉🏽 Instagram: @katychenmazzara Website: https://www.katychenmazzara.com/