Money, Meet Meaning

Money, Meet Meaning

Our religious and wisdom traditions actually have a lot to teach us – and have for millennia – about one of the greatest sources of stress and struggle in our contemporary lives.

This podcast finds the seldom visited intersection of “Personal Finance” and “Religion & Spirituality.” It’s not academic scholarship or theological discourse. It won’t have stock tips or market predictions. Instead, each episode features practical insights and discovery on how our wisdom traditions pave a path – whether you're religious, spiritual, or none of the above – on navigating our complex financial lives.

Meet the Hosts

Amber Hacker

The Chief of External Affairs & CFO at Interfaith America, Amber's passion for finance has earned her the nickname “Budget Hacker”. She has been featured in Women's Day magazine for her personal finance work, and has written about religion and the workplace for Harvard Business Review. Amber holds an MBA and is a Christian: her commitment to interfaith cooperation and conversation is inspired by Jesus’ call to love your neighbor.

Tom Levinson

As co-Managing Member at registered investment advisory firm Park Piedmont Advisors, Tom guides families toward thoughtful, long-term uses of their financial resources -- and a deeper understanding of how their values shape their approach to wealth, stewardship, and communication. Tom is a Harvard Divinity School grad and a frequent writer on religion, spirituality, and American society. His commitment to interfaith cooperation and conversation springs from the deep ethical wellsprings of his Jewish tradition.

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The Radical Simplicity of a Credit Union: Rev. Winnie Varghese
By Jonathan Woodward — May 14, 2024
Is wealth inequality a spiritual issue? If so, what can our religious institutions do about it — and how can we, as individuals, best love our neighbors … financially?
Parenting in the Age of the Cashless Kid: Reza Aslan & Jessica Jackley
By Jonathan Woodward — May 7, 2024
Money, parenting, religion … oh my! Any one of these is tricky to navigate on its own. But how do we weave them all together?
Riches vs. Richness: Dr. James Hollis
By Jonathan Woodward — April 30, 2024
Dr. James Hollis shares with Amber and Tom why happiness is actually overrated, why a life of meaning should be our goal instead, and how paying attention to the “numinous” can lead to a meaningful life with money.
The Spiritual Life of Budgets: Jesse Mecham
By Jonathan Woodward — April 23, 2024
Can a budget bring you peace? Tom and Amber find out how with YNAB founder Jesse Mecham - and how his own faith has helped shape his business since Day 1.
Introducing Money, Meet Meaning
By Jonathan Woodward — April 16, 2024
Hosts Tom Levinson (Jewish) and Amber Hacker (Christian), along with guest Eboo Patel (Muslim), swap practical takeaways for our financial lives – taken straight from the stories of their respective religious traditions.