John Hankins is a licensed social worker and Certified Financial Therapist™ with decades of experience spanning social work, IT, and nonprofit leadership. After a long career in the business world, John returned to his passion for helping others by specializing in financial therapy and coaching for middle-aged and older adults. His unique approach blends clinical expertise, real-world financial management, and deep empathy, helping clients understand and transform their relationship with money. John’s mission is to empower people to align their finances with their values, reduce money-related stress, and build a more fulfilling future.

On this episode we talk about:

– What it means to have a “relationship with money” and why it matters

– How childhood experiences and cultural beliefs shape our money mindset

– The three pillars of money mindset: thoughts, feelings, and actions

– Why values—not just goals—should drive your financial decisions

– Real-life stories of clients overcoming money stress and self-sabotage

– The importance of normalizing conversations about money

– How financial therapy differs from traditional financial planning

Top 3 Takeaways

Your beliefs and emotions about money—often formed in childhood—can unconsciously drive your financial decisions and success. Addressing these root issues is foundational to making sustainable changes.

True financial well-being comes from aligning your money habits with your core values, not just chasing higher income or bigger goals.

Open, judgment-free conversations about money are essential. Many people carry money stress for years simply because they feel unable to talk about it—even with those closest to them.

Notable Quotes

“We have kind of three things that we can do as human beings: thoughts, feelings, and actions. When you start to examine those around money, you’ll probably uncover things that are holding you back.”

“You might be holding yourself back from making the money you say you want because your beliefs and actions aren’t aligned.”

“Many people carry money stress for decades without ever having a real conversation about it with anyone. Sometimes, just talking is the first step to relief.”

Connect with John Hankins:

http://financial-therapy.me/Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices