Have you ever paused to consider how your deepest beliefs about money—what Emily Scott calls your “money story”—shape every financial decision you make? She’s created Emily Scott AND to help clients open up about their emotional relationship with money and how that manifests in their lives. In this insightful episode of Stride 2 Freedom, Emily Scott guides business owners through a reflective journey, helping them align their finances with their authentic values. If your blog post felt too brief, get ready for an expanded, emotionally rich take that’s both engaging and actionable.
Why Your Money Story Matters More Than You Think
Emily Scott invites us to explore the emotional fabric behind our financial behaviors. Rather than fit ourselves into boxed archetypes like “spender” or “saver,” she encourages a deeper dive into the beliefs and fears that underlie our decisions. As she puts it, When we are aware, we can work with that to influence change.
This relationship between money and self isn’t just an internal reflection—it directly impacts how entrepreneurs lead, invest, and collaborate with partners and advisors.
Key Takeaways from Emily’s Approach
- Revisit, Rethink, Reframe: Understand how past experiences shape your present decisions.
- Net Worth vs. Self-Worth: Financial metrics don’t define your value—your emotional alignment does.
- The Power of “AND”: Emily’s experiment of avoiding “but” or “or” in her language revealed how embracing complexity fosters clarity.
- Bring Your Bag Lady On the Team: Even internal fears—like Emily’s “bag lady syndrome”—can be acknowledged, tamed, and reassigned as a contributing voice, not a tyrant.
Stories That Make It Real
Emily’s own journey is deeply compelling. Raised amid scarcity—her refugee father and depression-era mother—she developed a fear of running out of money that persisted into adulthood, even when married to a wealthy partner. She describes arguing with her financial advisor despite trusting them—because her emotional story was misaligned with her intellect.
Eventually, Emily reframed the narrative. She shifted that fear into a board-member role—reducing its power and restoring her calm. By aligning her money story with her purpose, she regained clarity and peace of mind.
Recognize These Money-Story Moments
Emily highlights that triggers aren’t limited to big milestones like divorce, inheritance, or retirement—they’re present in everyday decisions and transitions. Examples include:
- A couple navigating an unexpected inheritance—one sees it as safety, the other as reward. Awareness gave them a solution: a stipend that honored both needs.
- Business partners facing growth decisions—they may freeze on investment because of unexamined fears. Bringing those stories to light helps move forward strategically.
- Entrepreneurs balancing living their purpose with financial pressure—knowing whether you’re proving your worth or living it influences your next move.
How This Helps You—As a Business Owner or Content Creator
This episode isn’t just philosophical—it’s supremely practical. Knowing your money story allows you to:
- Communicate needs clearly with advisors and partners
- Make investments aligned with values, not fear
- Build a business—and a life—where your resources support your purpose, not contradict it
Conclusion: Your Money Story Is Your Leadership Story
Emily Scott’s approach reminds us that financial decisions are rarely just about money. They’re about identity, trust, and purpose. By revisiting, rethinking, and reframing our money stories, we gain the awareness to lead aligned lives—both personally and professionally.
Ready to explore your own story? Listen to the full episode—or better yet—sit down with your financial partner and ask: “What’s driving our decisions, and how are we feeling about them?”
In this Freedom Speaker Series episode with Emily, you will learn:
- Your personal relationship with money and how you think about it
- Fundamentals of Revisit, Rethink, Reframe
- Net Worth vs Self Worth
We are fortunate to have Emily available to spend time with us on this edition of Stride 2 Freedom. If there is a speaker you’d like us to interview, let us know. Stay well. Stay safe. Stay healthy.
Show Notes and Links From Episode:
Emily Scott: Website
Emily Scott: Linkedin
Emily Scott: Email
