100: Celebrating 100 Episodes with Bridie Anderson

Transcript

Celebrating 100 Episodes with Bridie Anderson

SPEAKERS

Bridie Anderson, Meaghan Smith

 

Meaghan Smith  00:21

Hello, and welcome to another episode of the Money Mindful Podcast. I am your host, Meaghan Jean Smith. I'm a money mindset and life coach for women. I help women entrepreneurs, and aspiring entrepreneurs to change their money mindset so they can create the money and life they want. Hey, I'm super excited for you to be with me today. Because this is a really special episode, I am celebrating 100 episodes of the podcast. I am thrilled to be doing that with you today. And I thought to do something different, I've actually brought on my good friend Bridie Anderson to interview me. And if you've been a longtime listener of the show, you may remember way, way back in the very beginning of this podcast, I think it was Episode 15, Bridie was actually on the show, because she was part of why this show got started. So I thought that it would be a really amazing opportunity to bring her on and turn the tables and get her to interview me about the podcast. So Bridie, I'm super stoked to have you here. Let's oh my gosh, let's get into it.

 

Bridie Anderson  01:40

Hi. Hi, everybody. Yeah, as Meaghan said, I was there right at the start with her just even, you know, before the podcast started. And it's been so amazing to see her progress and grow and learn and evolve. And she - Meaghan, you are just such an inspiration. Honestly, I'll just start off with that, to be honest. Like let's put it in perspective. Since October 2018 when we met, you have learnt how to buy an investment property, you've gone and bought the investment property. You've started a podcast - you didn't know anything about starting a podcast. You became a life coach, you started your own life coach business, and I just think, okay, this woman is unstoppable. You're incredible. Where do you get your energy from? Honestly?

 

Meaghan Smith  02:39

Oh, Bridie, thank you for saying that.

 

Bridie Anderson  02:42

You're an inspiration. And I truly say that from my heart.

 

Meaghan Smith  02:47

Oh, thanks Bridie. Listen, I just get my energy from getting eight hours sleep every night. That's the honest truth.

 

Bridie Anderson  02:59

You don't have babies anymore do you? Like me?

 

Meaghan Smith  03:02

No, no, I do not. But listen, when I started in the very beginning with the podcast I had no idea what was ahead of me and I really underestimated myself and it's really interesting actually because this is the work I do with my clients now, that I see how much we underestimate what we're capable of. Because if you would have told me two years ago that I would be now releasing my 100th episode of the podcast, have my own profitable business, live in a different state, talk to women in different countries all over the world every week, run my business from home during school hours, I would just be like, Are you serious? Is that even possible? I can't even imagine that I could create that and yet I have. So yeah, I mean I just want to celebrate it. I want to celebrate all the things and talk about the journey and share it so perhaps my listeners can get inspired and and feel that hey, if Meaghan can do it, obviously I can too.

 

Bridie Anderson  04:19

Yeah, well, like you say, like you say to your podcast listeners and I'm sure all of your clients, you're creating the life you want to live on purpose, and you're living what you're preaching, which I'm not sure too many people can say. But going back to the 100th episode. I want to go back to the first episode and to be honest, I don't remember what it was about. But I remember this moment right? We met, we became really good friends Meaghan and I, you and I bonded didn't we, over talking about money and we bonded over talking about things that we didn't have anyone else in our life to talk with about. And I remember, I'd had a baby, and you came up to visit me in central Victoria, and you were there on the day that your first episode ever came out. And I remember opening a bottle of champagne and some sandwiches for the kids and whatever. But we were sitting on the deck, looking over the beautiful vineyard, where I live, and we celebrated. And I remember thinking, wow, what is next? How has this - How have we gone from these amazing conversations about property and money and finance and everything that lots of people find really boring, to, Okay, now you've got a podcast about money. Then what? You know, so why did you start the podcast? Talking about episode number one? What was your main drive to really learn how to create a podcast, for one? And to get your message out there? Why did you do it? What was the crux?

 

Meaghan Smith  05:58

Okay, so there's a couple of pieces in there. The first one is, and I'll just share this because for those people who don't know basically Bridie and I met, we met at an educational function for property investing, both of us were interested in property investing, and we wanted to learn more about it. And I've said this on the podcast so many times, like investing money, financial literacy, it's a learnable skill, like you can go and study this stuff. And so that's how we met and I think we were in the toilets.

 

Bridie Anderson  06:35

We were in the bathroom! I had my Sharon Jones t shirt on.

 

Meaghan Smith  06:39

That's right.

 

Bridie Anderson  06:39

And you said, hey, nice t shirt. While we're literally washing our hands at the same sink. It was so funny. And then we clicked didn't we, we just sort of struck up a conversation, and then exchanged numbers. And then from then on, I think we spoke weekly, wasn't it? And we'd block out like three hours at a time because we just had so much to talk about. And it was like some lightbulb, for me anyway, went off. And I went oh my god, if we just keep sharing, how much can we learn just by talking and sharing and having no judgement around money, and decisions that women make in their lives?

 

Meaghan Smith  07:17

Well, that's right. And I think that was what was so special to me about our friendship was that I knew at that stage that I wanted to change my life financially. In terms of my financial destiny, there was a whole heap of stuff I was doing like organising my wills for my kids and doing things like getting income protection, and all those nitty gritty stuff that you do around money. And then when I started investing in property, it was such a huge undertaking in terms of mindset, and then also just becoming a person who sees herself as 'I'm a property investor', like saying that with confidence, and with belief, and I think what really helped me with our friendship, was putting myself in a room with somebody else who was doing that, too. Because I didn't really know anyone else who was investing in property. I mean, a couple of people, but not, it was so important for me to normalise it. Right, like be with somebody else who was doing it. Yeah. And because I couldn't talk to people who weren't investing in property about the stuff that we were talking about, because they didn't understand and there was a lot of fear as well. And it's like mate, I've got enough of my own fear and doubt to get over without having to hear it from other people to affect me, and especially -

 

Bridie Anderson  08:46

- And who don't invest themselves, often. You know, it's like the old, Oh I went to a barbecue saying, and everyone was talking about property, but nobody buys property there. So you want to be inclusive with your friends and your family, because that's often who it is. But what are you getting out of that? Nothing, in the end, you're just getting like you're saying more fear, more anxiety, more apprehension. If you're going to move into the mindset of normalising conversations around investing or, you know, income protection or making a will, you really have to surround yourself with those people. And if you don't know how to do that, then why not start a podcast?

 

Meaghan Smith  09:29

Well, that was the thing, we were talking about such, for me, I thought such important information and really helpful information. And I thought, Oh my gosh, wouldn't it be amazing if other women could hear these conversations too, because look at us two badasses just going out, and because we both had partners who weren't interested in investing, and we were doing it, and I feel like we were just conquering the world like that, what it felt like for me, like becoming a woman who invests in property, I felt like such a badass. And I just was like, I want to share this with other women, I want other women doing this and creating financial independence for themselves because it really is possible for everyone. And then of course, like, there's been, you know, a whole explosion of really big podcasts, money podcasts. And now also because I'm in that field, I've come across so many people that I just didn't know about when I started my journey. But whatever, it doesn't matter, I started the podcast.

 

Meaghan Smith  10:31

But one of the other reasons why I was able to start it Bridie, was around the same time I'd discovered coaching, and I'd got a coach. And I started learning about mindset work and learning how to change the way that I think and that was really instrumental in this because I had so much doubt about my capabilities, and who am I to, you know, start a podcast, who's going to listen to me, and really having a strategy to be able to manage that stuff was what got me over the edge to be able to just move forward and do it because the other factor in all of this Bridie is around that time was when I turned 40. And I don't know about other people, when they turn 40, or whatever age you are listening to this. But for me, it was a real turning point, I had a couple of kids, and I just felt like, if I don't start doing what I want to do in my life now, like really, truly living my purpose, living my passion, then when? You know, like, when am I going to do it? Like when is that age? 50? 60?

 

Bridie Anderson  11:42

There's always a reason not to isn't there?

 

Meaghan Smith  11:44

Exactly. And so that was a big kick in the bum for me really, the turning 40 as well, where I just felt like nuh, you know what, enough already, I'm not going to live my life from fear of what other people think, or fear of failure or fear of looking stupid, I'm just going to do stuff because I could be dead next week. I mean, I know that sounds so morbid, but I really started to feel like I'm not a little kid anymore. I'm a grown up mature woman, I want to be living my life doing the things that I want to do. And I've got this idea that I want to start a podcast. So you know, I'm gonna do it, damn it. And that's how this all started.

 

Bridie Anderson  12:27

Yeah, and you did and like, even down to, I remember sitting in your living room having a coffee, and I'd had like an eight week old baby, so my brain was a bit all over the place. But I remember having a conversation with you about, you know, well, how the hell do you know how to make a jingle? You know, how do you find out that? And I remember you saying to me something like, well, I just sat down, and I asked the question, and I just fucking found the answer. And I just did it. And it was so matter of fact, and I remember sitting there going, Oh, yeah. Well, why can't we do that with everything? Of course you just find the answer. It might take you a few hours, days, weeks, whatever. But in the end, if you want to know the answer to the question, you will find it because you're in control of that. And these baby steps, you find the jingle? What am I going to talk about Episode One, what's my episode plan for 2, 3, 4, Season One, you know, if you want to do it, you will find a way.

 

Bridie Anderson  13:30

And it's so interesting that you mentioned a coach because that must have just helped you get through so many of those mindset locks that you might have had along the way to just bore through them, basically, and just mash them to pieces. You could imagine it's sort of like in a mindset way, like three steps forward. And then you have some self doubt and you start asking more, I've got imposter syndrome. I'm not good enough. Why am I doing this podcast? We're just having some conversations, just a friend and I. How am I qualified to talk about this? But then it's like, no, hang on. I've got something to share. I want to share this with other women, and men, who are listening, of course, but let's move through these mindset blocks and actually create something that people value and get a lot of information out of and really just enjoy the journey essentially, with you, along the way.

 

Meaghan Smith  14:29

Yeah, absolutely. And Bridie, this is what shows up for me now with my clients when they tell me something that they want to do. And I just think Well, yeah, of course you can do that. And you know, and they've got so much angst and doubt that you know, how could I do that? How could I create a business? And it's really interesting when you've never done something before you look to your past to find evidence of what you've done before and you don't see evidence of this new thing that you want to do, so you think that you can't do it, but anything new, you don't have that evidence for yet because you're doing something new. And - Oh my gosh, I just lost my train of thought there. But anyway, basically, it's like, this is why I became a coach now and why I feel so passionate about this stuff, because I see so much potential every day in front of my eyes. And you know, and sometimes like people will come and have a consult with me. And they put these limitations on themselves. And I can really see it now. Because now I look back when I first started the podcast, and everything I thought was in the way, it was actually all about my thinking about myself.

 

Bridie Anderson  15:46

Yes it's just a thought, it doesn't have to be anything more than a thought. But it's so powerful, isn't it? The thoughts of, I can't do the podcast, I don't know how to do this, people aren't gonna listen, yada, yada, yada. I'm not good enough, blah, blah, blah. But it is, it's all just like being in your own swamp in your head. But if you're in front of somebody, and they're saying, No, I can see this situation from a third person point of view, I can see exactly what's blocking you. Let's work on that. So that you can be the person that you want to be. Be bold.

 

Meaghan Smith  16:22

Yeah, bold. But not only that, Bridie, and I think this is what a lot of people miss, when they're wanting to start a dream, is we're so focused on ourselves, right? We're so focused on what we're capable of, and what people might think of us or how people might judge us. And so I've never really heard many people talking about the impact of not going after a goal and I want to explain this to you in a certain way. Now that I've been doing the podcast for so long, and have had a business for over 12 months, and have had people you know, begin and finish with me and people who've listened to every episode of my podcast, I've had people tell me stuff now, like, you've had such a positive impact on my life, like I've done this, or I've done that, or, you know, my clients who've gone on to create, I just had Michelle Kevill on recently, one of my clients who's just kicking goals, big time, in her life. And, you know, I'm sure she would have done that anyway, if she hadn't found me, but but sometimes I think, Well, imagine if I hadn't taken the steps to create what I want in my life, the ripple effect of that, you know, it's like, well, I do something. And there's some people who listen to this podcast who I'll never meet, I'll never know. And they've changed something or done something because they've heard it on this podcast that has then affected their life and then somebody else in their life. And you know, another one of my clients has just changed something up in her business, she's given her assistant more responsibilities to take care of tasks, and now it's freed up all this time for my client, which has been amazing for my client.

 

Meaghan Smith  18:09

But what she said that she never realised would happen is now her assistant is blossoming, like her assistant is just stoked, like, you know, now I have all this responsibility, I'm doing all these things, and it's really uplifted her, and my client was like, I just never imagined that by me pursuing my goals, it would have such a positive impact on other people. And I think that's the missing link that you know, I've had so many conversations with people who come to me, they want to coach or whatever, because they want to do a particular thing like write a book or do something. And then they come up with all these obstacles for themselves that they think are genuine obstacles and I don't mean that in a like, condescending way like I thought all my obstacles were full-on real as well. But then I just think all my gosh, when you don't shine your light, when you don't go after what you want to do, everybody else misses out as well. And like the impact, like the generational impact, like Bridie, oh my gosh, there's a joke in my family at the moment where my kids, they'll be like, 'Dad, Dad, Mum's crying again.' Crying all the time about stuff that I just, because I don't have any problem with crying. But for me, like the thing about starting this podcast, like I think of the ripple effects on my daughters, like my daughters are gonna grow up just thinking that doing stuff like this isn't, it's just normal.

 

Bridie Anderson  19:45

It's just normal. Yeah, this the way that it is, it's like, Well, why don't you have a podcast? That's what they're gonna be asking.

 

Meaghan Smith  19:52

Yeah, or if you want to invest in property, just invest in property. If you want to be somebody who starts a business, just do it. You know, like, it's when you're sitting in your regular job now doing what you've always done, that's the reference point you have, and you don't have reference points for starting your own business. And so it's so scary because it feels so different. And you know, you think, Oh, I couldn't possibly -

 

Bridie Anderson  20:19

- Uncomfortable.

 

Meaghan Smith  20:20

Yeah, yeah. But when you are willing to, I mean, discomfort, Bridie, is a very small price to pay to create the life that you want. Because, you know, it's that first step, it's taking that first step when you first get going like that first big thing, like for me, it was paying for a coach. That was like massive for me, because I'd never done anything like that before. It just felt so Oh, my gosh, am I really doing this? And then starting the podcast, but everything from there, now, just doesn't feel like such a big deal. Like I do things now in my business that if I had imagined that I was going to do these things two years ago, it was just, no I couldn't, it was too big for me to like, comprehend that that's what I might be doing. But you take one step, and it just snowballs, and then you do the next, the next and then you just become a person who makes money and has a business and yeah, has a podcast and talks to amazing international guests.

 

Bridie Anderson  21:25

Oh, yes, that reminds me, I remember you calling me maybe a year ago, and I think it was Season Two of the podcast. And you were telling me about Andrew Hallam, who wrote Millionaire Teacher, brilliant book, I was actually literally reading it yesterday because I've started my own share portfolio, thanks to Meaghan and Andrew Hallam. And I remember you saying to me, buddy, I am one of those people who interviews international authors now, I'm just one of those people now. And it was so brilliant, it was so brilliant. So you go from just talking to me in our living rooms and telling the kids to be quiet in the background to, Oh, no, I interview people from all around the world. And next year, I'm going to set up my own business. And I'm going to get clients from all over the world from all different time zones, and I'm going to be their coach. And it was just so - like the shift in your whole persona was so tangible. And, again, inspirational. Because as we've talked about, everyone has their own blocks, and I was in a different place at that time as well. Why shouldn't you be that person? Why shouldn't you?

 

Meaghan Smith  22:43

Yeah, exactly.

 

Bridie Anderson  22:46

... Like imagine, do you look back two years ago and think I was a different person then? What's changed for you? Obviously you've evolved into this amazing podcast host, and you've got your coaching business, and you're passionate about what you do, but - and it's always a journey - but from before you started the podcast, before you had the thought, before it was even an embryo, to now, what do you think has changed for you just generally in your life, in your mindset, can you pinpoint one thing, or is it a whole bunch of different things? It's a hard one, isn't it.

 

Meaghan Smith  23:28

Look, it's a range. It's a range of different things. I think the biggest stuff for me has been the internal shifts that don't necessarily get seen externally. But internally, I have an incredible relationship with myself now that I never used to have. Because in the past, I used to beat myself up all the time, if I didn't have success at something, or I was so hard on myself, and so many women are, Bridie, like so many of us are so mean to ourselves, just for the -

 

Bridie Anderson  24:10

- or if you dare to like watch a Netflix episode for one night and not do anything related to your business or your daughters, you know, or your partner. Like we'd beat up ourselves about all sorts of stuff that in the end doesn't matter, who cares?

 

Meaghan Smith  24:23

Yeah, 100% I mean, look, externally, I have become a person now who can create money. Like I'm just like, yeah, I create money now. I have a business, I know how to do that. And I mean, I create it passively through investments, but I actually create it with my brain and that, Bridie, is the biggest fucking change because when you work for other people, people pay you money and you think money comes to you from other people. But I don't think money comes to me from other people anymore. Money is created in my brain like I literally -

 

Bridie Anderson  24:59

Ah, that shift. Amazing. Like from your teaching career, which you'd really loved and enjoyed, to, Now my brain makes the money. It's like this bell curve, isn't it? Oh, yeah, someone pays me to teach other people's kids and I'm capped at X amount per hour or year, or however you want to say it, to, Now I'm the energy, I'm the life force in creating this money, in creating the future for myself and the future for your family as well. So it's like, again, it's the ripple effect, it's not just you. So you've had a massive mind shift in, I create the money to, now I can teach my daughters how they can create the money, as well.

 

Meaghan Smith  25:44

Yeah, but it's not just that Bridie, and this is the thing and oh, how can I say this without saying this phrase? Because I hate it when people say it's not about the money because I'm like bullshit, mate.

 

Bridie Anderson  25:55

It's always about the money.

 

Meaghan Smith  25:56

It is about the money.

 

Bridie Anderson  25:58

It is such bullshit.

 

Meaghan Smith  25:59

But what I mean is that, like, this year, I reached a big financial goal that I was going for last year. And it took me longer than, I mean, I set myself big, ambitious goals now because why the heck not, you know, I mean, what, I've got nothing to lose, the worst that can happen is it doesn't happen in the timeframe that I think it's going to happen, but it's going to happen. And I think that's been the biggest shift for me, too, is I set goals for myself now. And even though I may not meet them in the timeframe that I'd like, I know I will meet them. And so it becomes less about, like, Yes, I reached this financial goal, that's like, yes, that's great. I'm glad that I have that money. I'm glad I've created that.

 

Meaghan Smith  26:46

But the bigger reward Bridie is the woman that I have become in the process of creating that goal. And that is priceless. Because now I am somebody who trusts myself. I'm somebody who loves myself, I'm somebody who has an incredible relationship with money. Like I don't have the resistances that I used to have, I don't have the negativity around money, like I, money to me now is something fun, and something that is delightful, and that I love it and I care for it. And I use my money in a way now that is so soul nourishing, you know, like I've talked about this on the podcast before but I used to kind of dream that I would be somebody who could donate heaps of money to environmental causes, because that's what I really care about. But then I just realised I don't have to wait until I'm, you know, have a million dollar business to be able to do that, I can do that now.

 

Meaghan Smith  27:46

And those sort of shifts Bridie are massive because every time I get paid now, it's, I can donate money to causes that I love and sometimes it's smaller amounts, sometimes it's bigger amounts, but I'm like, Oh, I'm that person. I am that person who donates money to causes that I love and it's just the more money I make, it'll just amplify that, but I don't have to wait to earn more money to be that person now. And that's been the biggest shift. Like just all the things that you think will happen when you make more money, you can actually just do those things now. You don't need more money to do - because all the time, it's about how we feel, we think if we have more money, we're gonna feel safer, we're gonna feel happier. No, that's not true. And I've coached far too many wealthy women now to realise that money doesn't make a difference to - I mean, unless you're living below the poverty line. Like, you know, I really respect that there are some people that having some more money definitely makes a big difference. But that's not really who I'm talking to on the podcast, it's like once you're at a certain level, more money just means an amplification of where you are now. So you can just start doing those things that you think money will give you, but do it now. And that's the most incredible thing is that you become that person, like I am a person who donates a percentage of my total income now, that's who I am.

 

Bridie Anderson  29:20

And you've morphed into it, haven't you?

 

Meaghan Smith  29:24

Yeah.

 

Bridie Anderson  29:25

And there has been no real resistance either. It's just been like a change of, not persona, but you had the goal, but you didn't have to make millions and millions of dollars before you start donating. You can do it on a smaller scale, but you are still that person.

 

Meaghan Smith  29:42

Yes.

 

Bridie Anderson  29:43

And created this new Meaghan, essentially, just by the way that you've been thinking about the situation around the money in your business and how you want to donate and how you want to use it, how it's a vehicle, isn't it, and it doesn't matter if it's one cent or $1,000 It's just a unit of measure in the end. And you're in control.

 

Meaghan Smith  30:05

Whoa, totally. And it's that kind of thing, Bridie, that, you know, we think that when we have more money, we're going to be better at managing our money. No, no, no, if you're shit at managing your money now with not a lot of money, you're still going to be shit at managing money when you're making more money. And it's just going to be harder and more complicated, because you're gonna have more stuff. So that's why I say things like, if you want to save money, start saving right now, even if it's $1. Even if it's like five bucks, yes, it's because then you become a person who saves money. And then when you make more money, you'll just save more money, right? But if you don't save money now, you're not magically going to start saving it when you make more money. If you're somebody who spends all your money all the time, you'll continue to be somebody who spends all their money all the time, doesn't matter how much you make. It's not the money.

 

Bridie Anderson  30:56

I think all the episodes combined, if I can speak generally, in the podcast really ring true, because it's something that you do talk about over and over. And it's like, for me, having my best friend in the car talking to me about my mindset around money, you know, and if you're new to all of this, if you're new to changing your thoughts, and changing your emotions around money, then your podcast must just be such a breath, it's a breath of fresh air for your listeners. Because I know it has been for me, despite all the conversations that we've had together around money and anything finance.

 

Meaghan Smith  31:40

I bloody hope so Bridie. Oh, sorry, I know you're gonna ask me something. But I've got to say this, because this is, I mean, you know, money for me is - I just feel like money is such a triggering topic for so many people. And it affects everybody's life, because it's the main tool that we use for exchange. Anything that we do, like buying something in the supermarket, everything, that's what we use to exchange for goods and all sorts of things. And I just think that, you know, when people come and, I mean, people, if you're listening to this podcast, you're my client, I feel like that's the first port of call, you're just working with me for free, right? You're not getting the one on one attention, but you're still working with me if you're listening to this podcast.

 

Meaghan Smith  32:28

And the reason why I want to help women with money is one, it just - money is - It's a trigger. It's like weight loss, it's like, it doesn't matter what area you're working on, it brings up all the other stuff in our life that we get to work on when we start exploring money. But then also, money is so fun, because when you start working on your money mindset, you make more money. That's just what happens. You can't not make more money, when you start to have a better relationship with money. It's impossible. Like the only reason why you're not making more money is because you don't have a good relationship with money and you've got a whole heap of negative thoughts around money and probably 90% of them you're not even aware that you've got, right? That was for me, my case.

 

Meaghan Smith  33:20

And now because I've been doing this work for some time, I'm seeing the results in my life, like how more money just, I'm just continuing to make more because I just keep improving my relationship with money. And I just think of a world where women aren't stressing about money, or women aren't putting themselves last. And women are powerful and putting themselves out there and making a fuck tonne of money. I'm like, er, Yes, thanks. That's a world I want to live in. That's a world I want to contribute to. And if me, you know, putting myself in a position where I might feel embarrassed sometimes or vulnerable or uncomfortable, because I'm leading the way, I'm like so be it, like come on women, let's all you know, make some money. This is what I'm doing. I'm, you know, I'm no different to you. I'm sharing my experiences with what's happening with me, and I'm making tangible changes in my life. I'm making more money. I'm happier. Like, I'm living the life that I want to live. It's possible. And because I can see that, I'm like, Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I have to tell, I have to share this with everyone, because this is available for everyone. Anyway, I just had to get that out there. What were you going to ask me?

 

Bridie Anderson  34:40

Rant over! We could just talk about that for hours. So I'm gonna have to get back to the beginning, Meaghan, seriously! All right. So what do you think, since starting this podcast, I know you talk about being uncomfortable and not making mistakes, but learning from experiences, but what do you think has been the most challenging thing for you so far? Has it been family related? Has it been to do with literally making the podcast? Has it been to do with creating the content? Has it been to do with getting in contact with authors? Or what do you think's been the most challenging?

 

Meaghan Smith  35:22

Ah, well, funnily enough, this might not be the answer that you expect, but it's been leaning into being more me and showing up as myself 100% authentically, and, I mean, it's not that I've never, it's not that I've been not authentic on the podcast, and those who have listened from the start to now, would I'm sure you'd be aware, you can hear the confidence and, you know, I've changed but I just feel like I've become more me. And that's actually been the most challenging thing, like leaning into myself and who I want to be, and being okay with that, and being okay to just shine my light, so to speak, who I am, and be like, Listen, not everybody's gonna like that. And that's okay. And that's been a real gradual process. Like in the beginning, I was kind of a lot more reserved, I guess, like not - I still had cards to my chest, if that makes sense. Because I was very scared of being judged.

 

Meaghan Smith  36:25

But what I realised is when you become more comfortable with yourself and who you are, and you develop that relationship with yourself, and you like yourself, it starts to not matter what other people think, because you like yourself, yourself. So you don't need other people to like you to feel validated, if that makes sense. And that's been the most challenging thing, to accept that there's not a right way to do things. And my way is the right way for me, you know, because like, there's other podcasts, for example, that are really popular, money podcasts and things that are out there that sometimes I would see stuff on social media, and I would think, Oh, I'm not doing any of that stuff. And then also, I just sort of realised, yeah, and I'm also not in my 20s. You know, like, I'm not a millennial. I don't even know about afterpay. Like, what the fuck is that? Afterpay came around, like, you know, remember layby?

 

Meaghan Smith  37:25

Sorry, I really hope this doesn't sound condescending to anyone who's younger than me. Because listen, the young women of this world these days are incredible and they blow me away. But, you know, I hear younger people talking about stuff in finance. And that's been something, that's what I mean, by leaning into being more me, is that I'm not a millennial, like, I'm in my 40s. I wear big undies, you know, I'm not gonna be talking about afterpay, or any of that sort of stuff. Because I'm not interested in that, it's irrelevant to me and my audience. I mean, I know some younger people do listen, but there's -

 

Bridie Anderson  38:11

You want to be true to the message that you want to convey, don't you? And the way that you want to do it. It's almost like, you must get behind the microphone now, and just breathe, and it just comes. So that shield, that initial shield you talked about, I think has just been completely kicked to the kerb. It's like you are you, when I listen to you - I mean, I have the luxury of knowing you outside of this podcast. But it's like, as the podcast has gone on, you've moulded into the person that you want to portray, which is wholly you. And I mean, I love that you even swear, in your podcast, as well, because that is you, you know. You talk about your family life, outside of the podcast. That's you, like, you have this whole other life around the podcast and your business. And that is reality.

 

Bridie Anderson  39:08

And it's so like, from my point of view, it's so refreshing to hear that, you know, there's other women out there who really do want to create a business and have created a business but they can have all these other facets to their life and their personality and who they are, in essence, and that's okay and it's normal and everybody does it the way that they want to do it. And you have, I'm confident to say now that you are definitely you and the listeners are getting the whole of you and I love that you're so candid, like you weren't so candid to start with. But you are now and you bare your heart and soul and that's another thing to be admired as well because that's really fuckin' hard. It's hard to say, I don't know, I wear big undies and I hate lace. Fuckin' hard. Honestly, I wear big undies as well, and I'm a little bit younger than you. What? That's me. It is what it is. Yeah. And if you don't like it, then whatever, but it's like, as you say, it's getting to that point of being 100% comfortable with that's who you are and that's who you want to share with your audience.

 

Meaghan Smith  40:26

Yes, and I think this is the scary thing for so many people that we sort of change ourselves, we twist and turn to fit into this mould that we think is what other people want. But in reality, you know, the more me I am, the more of the life I want, is attracted to me. And the more like, on every sense, like the more I attract people to me in my personal life, who are on my same wavelength, and then also in business, the clients that are attracted to me, you know, they're the ones who are my ideal people, because they're like, yes, like, they just resonate with that.

 

Meaghan Smith  41:07

But that, I've got to say, Bridie, I reckon is the biggest challenge, not just for myself, but I know from being in masterminds with other women in business, and then coaching people, like lots of people now, is that that's something that I think so many people find so hard is like really showing up as their authentic self. Because if you're not showing up as your authentic self, and people reject you, there's still like a layer of protection there. But when you show up, because you're not really being you, so it's like what are they rejecting anyway, but when you show up as your authentic self, and people reject you, then it's real, right? But at the same time, if you're living in alignment with yourself, and being authentic, there's an acceptance there, I think there's like a self love that you carry through, that it affects -  you don't care so much anymore, what people think it's just like -

 

Bridie Anderson  42:06

Yeah, it's like these thoughts from other people come in, and they bounce off the aura that you've created, because you have self love, and you have self value. And who gives a fuck what other people think about you, there will be other clients who resonate with you. We're in a population of 6 billion people, you know, who cares what this one person thinks, that's not going to affect your self confidence. It's not going to affect your self value, is it? Do you think that's been one of the surprising things about creating a podcast?

 

Meaghan Smith  42:38

That I can just show up as myself and people will like me more? Yeah, absolutely.

 

Bridie Anderson  42:43

Why the hell wouldn't they?

 

Meaghan Smith  42:46

But it's sort of, I mean, Bridie, I think we sort of need to wrap this up soon because I know what we're like, this could turn into being a three hour podcast, but you know, if I could go back and talk to my younger self, like, Oh, okay, a thing popped up on, you know how Facebook does that thing where they show you videos from a couple of years ago from this day a few years ago, well, a video popped up on my Facebook where I was talking to people saying, hey, I've started a podcast, and I'd love it if you could support me. And I was so nervous. And I was watching that video just going, Oh, my gosh, I just love you so much, like, you're so brave, you're doing this, even though you're scared.

 

Meaghan Smith  43:31

But me now, I look back at that person and I wish I could just tell her, just go for it. Like you've got nothing to lose. And like those people listening, because I know so many of you listening, you have got dreams that you want to follow, and you are shitting yourself that you think that you can't do it. And it's just not true. You just have to take that first step because I too was shitting myself, and I really didn't have the belief, but I just did it anyway. And it's you know,  and it's easy to say in hindsight, like to be able to look back and say, Oh my gosh, you did it. That's what I would tell her, like you did it, like everything that you dreamed about, that you thought - because you know I used to get coached by this beautiful woman, Kathryn Green, who I actually interviewed on the podcast at one stage, she used to coach me, and I just looked at her and her life and I thought, Oh my gosh, if only I could be someone who could work from home, like making money, like from my own house, while my kids are at school.

 

Meaghan Smith  44:37

Yes, that just seemed unbelievable to me that that was even possible, you know, because I had this typical job working as a teacher, but you just take one step towards your dream and then you take another and then you take another and then at some stage, there's usually a big leap you've got to take where it just feels so scary, but you just have to do it because otherwise, like you can't keep doing the same thing and expect to get different results, that is not going to happen. There's a point where you have to step out. I mean, I'm not saying you can't do things with safety in the sense that, you know, you don't have to get yourself into a bazillion dollars of debt to start a business. But you can definitely do it in a way that feels safe in one sense, but there's fear, and then there's safety and most of the time we block ourselves from doing things because we're afraid but in actual fact, is that a real fear? You know, like, what's that really about? Like, is your life actually in danger? No, it's not. And then there is a step where you have to kind of take a leap and go, No, I'm doing this. No, I'm just gonna do it. It's happening.

 

Bridie Anderson  45:52

What is the worst that could happen? If I do XYZ? What's the worst? The worst is, nothing changes. Maybe I fail? What does failure mean? It's like we have to redefine failure. And how we feel about whatever failure is. You know, who cares if you started a podcast and no one listened? Is that a failure? Or have you learned all of these things along the way about not only how to start a podcast but all these things that we've talked about from a an internal personal development point of view? How is that a failure? It's not a failure.

 

Bridie Anderson  46:29

And you've learned so much and even if the podcast didn't take off and your life went in a different direction you've now walked this path that you were afraid to walk before and you went No, fuck it I'm just gonna do it. And now look at you, you're a better person for it and I think if there's one takeaway message about this from this interview is just fucking go for it.

 

Meaghan Smith  46:30

No, it's not.

 

Meaghan Smith  46:56

Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. And if you're you know, super scared, for goodness' sake get support like join a group, join a Facebook group with other people doing the same thing as you, normalise what it is that you want to do. If you want to write a book, go hang out with other people writing books, writing books, if you want to invest go hang out with other investors. You know, if you want to start a business go and hang out with other people who are starting businesses and if you find that you just can't get out of your own way for goodness sake get a coach. This is why I've been able to do all this stuff because all my rubbish that comes up, all my doubt, I get help to manage it. And I mean, that's what I do with with my clients.

 

Bridie Anderson  47:46

There's only so much friends and family can 'coach you through' in inverted commas.

 

Meaghan Smith  47:52

Your friends and family cannot coach you. Your friends and family want to keep you safe. Like your own brain. They are the worst people to talk to about it. Like a coach is not your friend. I mean, look, your coach is gonna love you. Like I love all my clients, but I'm not gonna say to them No, no, no, go and watch Netflix get into bed and snuggle up and I'm like, No, come on. Let's do this. Yes, it's scary. But you know, you're bigger than this kind of thing. But anyway, listen, we've got to wrap up, Bridie. So I want to tell everybody about something that I have created. In celebration, I did something last year when the podcast was turning one and so well actually the podcast already is one by the time this episode comes out, we're at 100 episodes. But to celebrate, I have made something really frickin' awesome. Like I've made a resource that is a resource that I share with my paying clients and I've made it available to everyone. I've actually made a mini-course. And at the time that we're recording this podcast it's not all finalised and up on the website so I'm going to tell you that when you listen to this podcast, go to the show notes it will be moneymindful.com.au/podcast100 . And there will be a link in there to get this mini-course but I've created a mini-course, Bridie, to learn how to create the money and life that you want. Like I've actually given you a step by step process to do this and it's exactly what I do to create all the goals in my business. It's the process that I teach my clients. It's D.Y.I. because it's I'm doing the video version, I've created a workbook and everything for you. But it's comprehensive and if you do what I teach you in this mini-course you can create the money and the life that you want.

 

Bridie Anderson  49:58

You're practising your personal coaching, by the sound of it.

 

Meaghan Smith  50:02

Yeah, yeah. Well, so many people come to me and it's like either they're not ready financially for a coach or they need some steps to get going or they've got just no fucking idea what to do, like where to get started, how to - so I was like right, Listen, get this mini-course, watch these videos, do the work that is in the workbook and for goodness' sake start creating on purpose the life and money that you want. I've done this because there's nothing that makes me more happy than hearing from people who are like, Oh my gosh, Meaghan, I did this and now I've created this in my life. Like it is, this is how I want to live my life, you know, I want to help women create the money and the life that they want. And so this mini-course is for everybody who listens to the show, at any time, you'll be able to go back, just go to moneymindful.com.au/episode100 and there'll be a link in there when you can get it, when it's all - by the time this episode comes out it will be all finalised but it's not finalised now.

 

Meaghan Smith  50:13

They get the picture. Yes. Yeah, one more thing. And I know you ask all of your guests this, okay. So what's a ritual or a habit or a practice that you like to do around money or mindset that you want to share with your listeners?

 

Meaghan Smith  51:33

Okay, well, there's like a bazillion things I do. But I think the most important thing is that I really just love the shit out of my money. Like, I really love it and appreciate it. Like, I'm so grateful for all the money that comes into my life. Every time any money comes into my account from anywhere from any place, like if somebody gives me 50 bucks on my birthday, or if I find $2 on the ground, or if I get, you know, a crazy tax return amount of thousands of dollars, I just am so grateful. I'm like, thank you. Yes, thank you. And then when I spend money, I also do the same thing. And Ken Honda, actually, in his book, what's it called, Happy Money, he talks about this. And I do this too, I've learned this from him, is when I spend money as well, I'm also just incredibly grateful. I'm like, Yes, I've got the money to pay this bill. And there's just so much like joy and goodwill around money. And I think that that is an amazing practice to have, to really create a beautiful relationship with money where money isn't a negative thing, like money is something special and beautiful. And that I can just feel so good, like Yes, I'm paying my electricity bill. Yes, I'm transferring this money to, you know, my mum to help her with something or I'm doing, yeah, whatever it is with money, I love it. And I treat it, like I think about money in a very positive way like - I mean, I would say not like a kid, that's not the right way but there's a real respect, I'm very respectful of my money. Like I keep my money in my wallet. nicely. I look after my money, I check my accounts and I'm just very, like, if money was a person, I'm very respectful to that person. And I treat them really well and I care about them and I make sure that they're doing okay and yeah, and I hold them in very good self esteem and respect.

 

Bridie Anderson  53:56

That's amazing, because it's always in the forefront of your mind as well with that practice too. So it's not like you're just going to go, Oh, I just need to get this thing on eBay because I just want it. You're really actively thinking about well, do I need to spend this money and am I loving this money? Am I loving myself if I spend it, or am I loving this money by not spending it, you know, it could be looked at in the inverse as well, depending on the situation. But that's just such a beautiful take home message, Meaghan, thank you so much.

 

Meaghan Smith  54:29

Hey, you're welcome. And thank you so much for coming on and interviewing me for the show. This is kind of so fun to do the reverse role.

 

Bridie Anderson  54:37

I've had the best time honestly, it's just been like a chat, like old times, like pre podcast. No, it's been really lovely. Thanks for having me. Thanks, everyone.

 

Meaghan Smith  54:49

Thanks Bridie. Okay, so just one more time let me remind you that I have created this amazing resource for you. It is a three part video series. It is a course on how to create the money and life that you want. You just need to go to moneymindful.com.au/episode100 to get access to that. And if you are loving what you're learning on the podcast and want to work with me, I love helping women uncover and unblock their limiting beliefs around money and success. And I've said this before, but I think to have money and success and a life that you love and love yourself in it requires a positive relationship with money, success and yourself. If you want a life that's designed by you, for you, a life doing what you love, making the money that you want to make and loving yourself all the way through it, I can help you with that. You can find out more by booking a consultation through my website. All right, my friend until I get in your ears next week. Have an amazing week. Bye Bye.