Money Matters Episode 273 -Financial Health and Optimism Even in an Economic Downturn W/ Michelle Gielan

Lasting effects from the worst economic downturn in our lifetime are having a staggering effect on financial health. In fact, a recent survey from Frost Bank shows current financial health as a result of the pandemic is low, with two in five (40%) Americans citing their financial situation as fair or poor.   In a time when much is out of our control, we can control our thoughts and actions which are proven to make a difference. Frost's research found that people who talk about their finances are 2x more likely to have better financial health. And, the people talking about money have something in common – optimism.   Michelle Gielan had a dream job at CBS News—and quit. As an anchor of two national news programs, she was disturbed by the amount of negativity in the news. She didn't want a child walking through the room while she was doing her job, hearing her continually telling negative stories about the world. But her time at CBS News also showed her the incredible power we have to create positive change by broadcasting a worldview that is more empowered, optimistic, and solution-focused.   Michelle left her job as a broadcaster at CBS News to study positive psychology—the science of happiness and human potential—under Dr. Martin Seligman (known as the founder of positive psychology) at the University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center.   Michelle's research shows how your optimistic, empowered mindset is the most valuable resource in creating happiness and forward progress. Today, she runs the Institute for Applied Positive Research, investigating how mindset fuels happiness and success at organizations including Google, Boston Children's Hospital, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Pepsi Co.—and the results have been remarkable.  Michelle has a regular series in Harvard Business Review on happiness at work and was named one of top 10 authors on resilience by HBR.  She is the author of Broadcasting Happiness: The Science of Igniting and Sustaining Positive Change.   Michelle has a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Tufts University and a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. To find out more about Michelle visit: http://michellegielan.com/ More about Houston Money Week visit: www.Houstonmoneyweek.org http://www.cheatsheet.com/personal-fi… Financial Advisor Magazine Articles: http://www.fa-mag.com/news/advisors-s… http://www.fa-mag.com/news/on-it-s-80… You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab. You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at: http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/vie… or www.moneymatterspodcast.com #moneymatters #christopherhensley #houston #texas #KPFT #HoustonMoneyWeek #finance #financialliteracy #education