FQ Mom Podcast

Debt has been around for thousands of years—even before money was invented! While company emergency loans are created with the noble intention of helping employees avoid predatory lenders, they can unintentionally become a long-term financial trap. Today, we are exploring why well-meaning assistance might actually hold employees back from true financial resilience. Listen.

In this podcast, we use the King of Pop’s life to learn about smart estate planning. We break down complex laws into simple steps for Filipino families—like protecting your home and avoiding family fights over money. Learn why planning ahead is the best way to make sure your family "keeps dancing" even after you're gone. Listen.

What if the secret to building lasting wealth isn’t about having more willpower, but about designing a better environment?In this episode, we’re drawing inspiration from the world’s Blue Zones—the regions where people live the longest, healthiest lives. Interestingly, their longevity isn't a result of grueling discipline; it’s the result of "Choice Architecture" where healthy habits are the path of least resistance.I translate the Power 9 Principles of the Blue Zones into actionable strategies for your financial life. Stop being a tenant in a life designed by marketers and start being the Choice Architect of your own future. Tune in to learn how to make building a High FQ (Financial Quotient) inevitable!

Why do people in some zones effortlessly live healthily to 100 while the rest of us struggle at a much earlier age? Are they more disciplined and knowledgeable than we are? You'd be surprised that it's not about discipline and willpower. ​This podcast tells us what are the lifestyle habits of the Blue Zone.Listen now!

Is your teen ready for the financial freedom of college? Between e-wallets and social media pressure, today's students face unique money challenges. Explore 10 essential tips to help your child transition from being provided for to becoming financially responsible, ensuring they enter university with a High FQ and a solid plan for the future. Listen.

Sexual harassment isn't about sex—it’s about power.This Women’s Month, we are exploring a shield that many people overlook: Financial Independence. Why do so many stay in toxic work environments or abusive relationships? Often, it’s because they don’t have the financial capacity to walk away.Listen to my latest podcast on why building a "High FQ" is about more than just numbers—it’s about dignity, moral ascendancy, and having the power to say "no" to the machinery of shame.

This is a very important discussion on what a lot of high achievers are dealing with today—burnout and lack of good sleep. We are lucky to learn from Burnout and Sleep Specialist, Dinah Salonga, who was once in that situation. To guide you in your viewing, here are the “chapters” of the conversation and their timestamps:BURNOUT:15:36 Childhood Money Memory19:00 How do I know if I'm burned out or just tired/exhausted?23:56 Can burnout happen if I love my job?25:41 You will only know that you are burned out when you are already there. What are the top 3 warnings signs that you are reaching that stage and what are the symptoms to catch before the onset of burnout and how to prevent it. 30:40 Please give some burnout first aid/ first respondent tips?40:11 How long does it take to recover from burnout? 43:01 What burnout recovery routines are tailored specifically for 60-years-old post menopausal woman?45:02 SLEEP45:25 What is your Chronotypes46:48 How many hours of sleep do we really need?49:33 Why do I wake up tired after 7-8 hours sleep?50:52 What is the quality of sleep of a drunk person51:23 Is it okay to 'catch up' on sleep during weekends?52:53 How about naps? Are they important? How long, what time of day?54:36 Checking FQ Mom’s Navel Energy1:00:24 Why can't I shut my brain off at night?1:04:00 Melatonin: Is it safe? Does it work? What is it?1:07:11 Is there a way to reverse insomnia? If yes, what can we do? My husband has been an insomniac since college. And I think sleeping better at night would help him with his healing and full recovery from a stroke.1:08:40 What is the optimal amount of sleep time for age 60+? What time should bedtime be? Is it quantity vs quality? 1:11:00 Pillow Talk1:15:25 How about coffee?1:16:12 What do you make of your dream?1:22:28 Rose Fres FausTalk1:22:29 Which is more dangerous too tired or too wired?1:22:44 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep or 8 hours of tossing and turning?1:22:56 If you only have 20 minutes, nap or meditation?1:23:03 Weighted blanket or cold room for a good night sleep?1:23:09 The hardest word to say is____?1:23:16 What's the worst red flag, losing temper of losing interest?1:23:26 Where do you put your phone at night?1:23:39 Is being busy a status symbol or symptoms of a problem?1:23:45 In one word, what does being well rested feel like?

We often treat our bodies like high-performance machines with infinite fuel, but the "grind" has a hidden price tag. What’s the point of a growing bank account if you’re too exhausted to enjoy it?In this episode of the FQ Mom Podcast, we dive deep into the two silent thieves of modern success: Burnout and Sleep Deprivation. Whether you’re feeling "Pagod to the Bones" (that soul-level exhaustion) or living "Puyat to the Max" (surviving on caffeine and willpower), these aren't badges of honor—they are distress signals. Listen.

My latest podcast reflects on the shift from local benchmarks to a borderless financial world. Featuring insights from the annual IFE Investment Briefing, the piece explores whether the AI craze is a bubble, why the "Application Layer" is the next big value play, and how emerging markets are positioned to shine.It’s time to move beyond the familiar and start your "Next Chapter" in global investing. Listen.

Happy Ruby Jubilee to our EDSA People Power Revolution! Yup! It’s been 40 years! Sana nga, LIFE BEGINS AT 40 na tayo.During my recent visit to the ancestral home of our national hero, Jose Rizal, the Social Pyramid posted on the wall near the entrance got me into thinking if our society has improved from those days in the late 1800s. Sharing with you this podcast about my reflection on it. Listen.

Forty years ago, the Filipino people did the extraordinary: we toppled a dictatorship with nothing but courage and conscience. It was a global masterclass in peaceful revolution.Yet today, we find ourselves asking a heavy question: If we were capable of such greatness then, why is shared prosperity still so elusive now?In this podcast, I mentioned the four influential leaders—Amando Tetangco Jr., Erin Tañada, Rapa Lopa, and Cesar Purisima—dissect our journey from 1986 to today. Through their insights and my own "Family Parallelisms," we explore why freedom was only the beginning, and why the "boring" work of building institutions and breaking patronage is the key to our next forty years.If the first forty years gave us our voice, the next forty must give us our maturity. Listen now.

Can a few lines of verse actually change how you navigate your hardest days?In this episode, we sit down with Amazon bestselling author Michelle Ayon Navajas to peel back the layers of poetry and life. We often think of poetry as something found in dusty textbooks, but Michelle reminds us that poetry is the language of the human heart—it’s how we process grief, celebrate love, and find a rhythm in the chaos of modern living.Whether you’re a lifelong reader of verse or someone who hasn't picked up a poem since high school, this conversation will change the way you look at the world around you.In This Episode, We Discuss:The Healing Power of Words: Why poetry is a vital tool for emotional resilience.From Life to Page: How Michelle transforms personal experiences into bestselling collections. Finding Your Voice: Advice for anyone struggling to express their "unspoken" truths. The Modern Muse: How poetry stays relevant in a fast-paced, digital world.About Our GuestMichelle Ayon Navajas is an Amazon bestselling author known for her evocative and soul-stirring poetry. Her work resonates with a global audience, bridging the gap between literary art and the raw, relatable experiences of daily life.

And just like that, Buwan ng Feb-ibig na! Here’s my podcast for today inspired by the love month, my interview with a best-selling poet, and of course discussed from the POV of High FQ! Listen with your loved one. And that loved one need not be another person but yourself.

This podcast explores the Philippines' "demographic sweet spot"—a window of economic opportunity that risks being lost to corruption and a looming aging population. Warning that the country may "get old before it gets rich," the author urges readers to secure their own financial future through intentional saving, automation, and self-investment, rather than waiting for systemic national change. Listen.

Is your "Emotional Emong" winning the battle for your wallet? 💸We start the year motivated, but as soon as work gets busy or a family emergency pops up, our "tidy" Excel sheets go out the window.The article I just read shared a game-changing perspective: Automation beats discipline. By automating your "Pay Yourself First" habit, you ensure your financial goals stay on track even when life gets messy.It’s time to move from "trying harder" to "designing smarter." Listen.

Traffic vs. Ties. Every Filipino makes the calculation: avoid the commute or attend the reunion? This episode unpacks the economics of social withdrawal, arguing that the value of social capital and shared memories far outweighs the cost of the jam. Discover how to 'prepay' the traffic mentally and redefine productivity on the road to make sure you show up for the people who matter.

Last Saturday, the Singson Auditorium at the Ateneo campus was filled with energy and cheer, thanks to the people who showed up for friendship, community, and purpose. As the current president of SAGE (Samahan ng mga Atenistang Graduate ng Economics at Management Economics), it gave me great joy to welcome alumni across generations, professors, staff, students, and friends who made time to come home.

Take a deep breath. If you’re feeling heavy today—physically, financially, or emotionally—you are not alone. December asks a lot of us. It asks for our money, our energy, and our memories. Today, we’re going to gently explore why we tend to 'over-do' everything this month, and how we can invite a little bit of peace back into the process. You don't have to do it all. Listen.

Beyond financial literacy, why strong systems are key to a secure financial future. Listen to the highlights from the PES Conference panel!

When it’s shaken everything wobbles—stocks fall, confidence erodes, and even our motivation to do what is right gets tested. You hear people say, “What’s the point of being honest when those who cheat continue to be scot-free? Why pay taxes when politicians and their partners will just steal the money to fund their impossible lifestyles?"This reminds me of the questions raised by some whoare struggling financially, “Why should I still save and invest when I’m already old and it’s too late. Isn’t it useless to do so? Shouldn’t I just enjoy the money that I have?”What do you think of that line of thinking? Listen.

Last month I had the privilege to interview Atty. Tony La Viña. I’ve known him for a number of years now. You see him being interviewed during elections and other political upheavals. But what really interested me to guest him on my podcast is his zest for life. Diagnosed with prostate cancer, he continues to live his life just as engaged, if not even more, as he used to. His short description goes something like this: Man from Mindanao who’s a thinker, lawyer, social entrepreneur, and teacher.But wait! Here are the rest: - Advocate for human rights, indigenous peoples and local communities, social accountability, good governance, environmental sustainability, and climate justice- Professor of law, philosophy, sustainability, politics, and governance in several universities, including those in Mindanao- Associate Director of the Manila Observatory and heads its Klima Center- Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Chair of the Jurisprudence and Legal Philosophy Department of the Philippines Judicial Academy- Founding president of the Movement Against Disinformation (MAD)- Founding Chair of Mindanao Climate Justice Resource Facility - Founding Chair of the Mindanao Center for Scholarships, Sports, and Spiritualiy (MCS3).Of course, he’s the husband of Titay, and father to three sons. Join our conversation and learn about life from Tony Lavs.

Are you getting sucked into the confusing KURAKOTSERYE? Listen.

“Nepo babies” aren’t just a social media buzz—they reflect deeper issues of privilege, corruption, and culture in the Philippines. Beyond calling them out, the real challenge is raising the next generation with values of integrity, accountability, and financial responsibility. Listen to know more.

Joanne Zapanta-Andrada was among the country’s top models in the 1980s-1990s. She was magazine cover girl a good number of times, runway and commercial model, even paired with the Adonis of Philippine movies, Richard Gomez.Surprisingly, her childhood dream was not to be a model but “to be a Mother Teresa!”Join me in this wonderful Tita Talk where she shares her origin story, modeling days, family, and her real passion—serving the less fortunate.

This question has weighed on me deeply, especiallyafter two recent events I was part of.Listen

I had a very enriching Saturday morning spent with my podcast guest, Eugene Dela Cruz, the young boy who was kicked out of the house for being gay but who strove to do well in his life and managed to graduate with honors from my alma mater, Ateneo de Manila University. Join us!

I have reserved this FQwentuhan with Dr. Meir Statman, one of the founding fathers of Behavioral Finance. He is a professor at the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University and a visiting professor at Tilburg University in the Netherlands. He received his Ph.D. from Columbia University and his B.A. and M.B.A. from the Hebrew University, the same school where Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman, the psychologist responsible for the development of Behavioral Economics, also studied.His research focuses on how investors and managers make financial decisions, the cognitive errors and emotions that influence them, retirement, asset allocation, asset pricing, etc. To find out more about him, go to http://meirstatman.com or read his book Finance for Normal People. You may also read the accompanying article on FQMom.com.Here's the link: https://fqmom.com/lessons-from-a-behavioral-finance-guru-fqwentuhan-with-meir-statman/

Sino sa inyo ang mabilis magbenta ngbstocks na kumikita pero mabagal magbenta pag nalulugi? Do you know that there is a term for that? Listen to this podcast and find out about it. This will help you understand and avoid the pitfall of this behavioral bias.

Do you feel unmotivated each morning when you have to get up and work?Today’s podcast will help you understand why. Listen.

When it comes to having a high FQ in order to live a comfortable and happy life, of course, I want you to start imagining your dream life complete with a mood board, as discussed in FQ Book 3: High FQ By Design. Listen.

The midterm campaign period is not as heated (and toxic) as it is during presidential elections, and it might be a good opportunity for us to reflect on how we have been voting (or not voting) because the way we vote mirrors not just our political views but also our money mindset and life beliefs.  Listen.

There’s a popular saying, “Your network is your net worth.” It’s a simple truth that reminds us how relationships often shape our success as much as skills and credentials do. And this goes beyond career advancement and financial gain. Listen.

Holy Week is a time for reflection, sacrifice, and renewal—principles that also apply to our financial lives. Just as we use this season to pause and reconnect with our faith, we can also take this opportunity to assess our financial well-being and align it with our values. Listen.

Today, as we commemorate this historical event that we now rightfully call as Araw ng Kagiting (Day of Valor), let us draw some lessons that extend beyond the battlefield and into our everyday lives, particularly on how we handle our finances. Listen.

As promised, here’s the Part II of our discussion on wealth building for women. Last week, we talked about the obstacles to building our retirement fund (Please click https://fqmom.com/how-can-women-build-a-strong-retirement-fund-despite-gender-pay-gap-career-interruptions-and-other-challenges/ if you haven’t heard that yet.) and now, we discuss the good news! Ten financial superpowers that women have that actually make them great wealth builders. So no more excuses ladies, let’s embrace our superpowers and build wealth! Listen.

In celebration of Women’s Month, here’s an article that helps women build a strong retirement nest egg despite the many money challenges faced. Listen.

Answering the question, “What is enough?” is very personal. That is why any financial planning should be tailor-fit. Listen.

Let’s continue our discussion on how our human wiring does its decision-making in order to avoid the dangers of mental shortcuts. Listen, answer the exercises and share your quick answers

Attention: All the single ladies (sung to the tune of Beyoncé’s hit song ) and gentlemen as well!Do you want to be married and have your #forever life partner but it seems like he/she is taking forever and ever to come?I had an interesting conversation with speaker, writer, Gallup Strengths Coach Marianne Mencias about this topic.Come join our conversation. I’d love to hear your comments, whether you agree with her beliefs or not. Remember, it’s always great to listen to different perspectives.P.S. Please pass this on to your single loved ones who might be interested to watch/hear this.

Be it about money matters or other important decision-making, our Emotional Emong usually gets in the way such that we are not always able to make the best choices in life. Listen.

D.I.N.K. stands for Dual Income No Kids. S.I.N.K. means Single Income No Kids. This is a growing phenomenon among the younger generation. To understand this more about this, we discussed this in LegaZ, the podcast of ZCME (Zonta Club of Makati and Environs).

How are you doing during this Christmas rush? Are you harassed and shaking your head why you’re in this situation again, even if year after year, you resolve to avoid this situation? Rest assured, you’re not alone.  I hope this article helps you use the power of design to avoid action-intention gaps. Enjoy the read and the video of my fireside chat with my three loves—Martin, Enrique, and Anton.

Have you received your Christmas bonus? Ubos na ba? Today’s article is about how we normally treat Christmas and other bonuses.

The FQ Trilogy is now complete! It’s a project that’s dear to me and happened in a span of many years of writing, research, experiments, teaching. I hope the trio will help you have a financially happy life. Here are the trailers of each book put together in one short video. FQ BOOK 1 of the FQ TRILOGY. Watch the book trailer of FQ: The nth Intelligence published in 2018. The Foreword was written by Bo Sanchez, founder of Truly Rich Club. FQ BOOK 2 of the FQ TRILOGY. Watch the book trailer of Why Financial Education Alone Does Not Work, back-to-back with The Psychology of Money published in 2021. The Foreword was written by Dr. Nandy Aldaba, former Dean of the School of Social Sciences at the Ateneo de Manila University. FQ BOOK 3 of the FQ TRILOGY. Watch the book trailer of High FQ by Design (Shape Your Environment For a Financially Healthy You) published in 2024. The Foreword was written by former BSP Governor Say Tetangco. 📚 You may also purchase my FQMom books at https://fqmom.com/bookstore/.

Hello hello! I was out for a number of months and I am excited to be back writing about money, family, and everything in between. I was out because I had a semi-hibernation in order to devote all my writing efforts in completing the last installment of the FQ Trilogy. Listen.

Join me in this episode as I narrate our family’s wonderful experience of sharing an intimate dinner Atty. Leni Robredo, one of our most admired leaders.

Today’s podcast talk about the institution of marriage – a bit of history and it being a big commitment device. We will focus on the advantages of this feature. Enjoy this piece as we start to wrap up the love month.

Our Valentine’s Day podcast discusses what every couple should know before saying, “I do.” I hope the high-profile break-up of the celebrity couple will bring heightened awareness to the importance of understanding the property law of marriage. Indeed, there’s a lot to learn by looking at someone’s Balance Sheet! Listen

Here's my interview with Rhoda Castro-Caliwara, the founder and president of Executive Genesis Services, Inc. who is also the president of the Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors (PALSCON). She was also recognized as one of the Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneurs by Go Negosyo in 2022. Listen and be inspired.

I’ve discussed the Gender Pay Gap in past articles. Do you know that there is a less known gender bias against women, and the disparity is even bigger? It is called the GENDER-INVESTMENT GAP. Listen.