New episodes of Better Together publish every Friday morning on Source Daily. Subscribe for free so you never miss an episode!
➡️ SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE PODCASTS
➡️ SUBSCRIBE ON SPOTIFY
➡️ SUBSCRIBE ON AMAZON MUSIC
➡️ SUBSCRIBE ON IHEART
➡️ SUBSCRIBE ON STITCHER
➡️ SUBSCRIBE ON AUDIBLE
➡️ SUBSCRIBE ON POCKET CASTS
MANSFIELD — Talking about money often feels like a taboo subject — a topic that makes people cringe, avoid, or shut down entirely. But what if it didn’t have to be that way? What if we could open up about finances in a way that empowers us all?
In this week’s episode of Better Together, Teana Sykes, financial coach, speaker, and founder of Tea Talk, joins hosts Brittany Schock and Maddie Penwell to talk about destigmatizing money talk, building financial confidence, and breaking bad money habits.
“We’re not talking about credit scores or stock tips,” Penwell said. “We’re talking about real-life money: groceries, bills, goals, and peace of mind. Because financial wellness isn’t just important — it’s foundational.”
Sykes’ mission is clear: help individuals, especially families and young people, get comfortable with their finances, make informed choices, and understand that financial wellness is a practice — not something that happens overnight.
Budgeting Doesn’t Have to Be a ‘Cuss Word’
A key message Sykes brings to the episode is that budgeting doesn’t have to be a daunting, fear-inducing task. “People think of it like a curse word. It makes us feel like we’re doing something wrong, or failing,” she says. “But budgeting is really just about telling your money where to go, so it doesn’t control you.”
Sykes shares simple steps anyone can take to start the journey to financial freedom, from writing down your income and expenses, to setting intentional goals. “Start where you are,” she advises. “If you’re an app person, use an app. If you’re a paper-and-pencil person, use that. The key is to start somewhere.”
Teaching Financial Literacy to Kids
The conversation also focuses on financial literacy for children — an essential component in breaking generational cycles of financial ignorance. Sykes believes financial education should start young, as early as possible.
“I don’t think kids are too young to learn about money. Look at how fast they pick up on technology — they can absolutely understand money concepts,” she said. “When kids see that financial choices are a part of everyday life, they begin to understand that money doesn’t have to be scary.”
Sykes’ book, Money Makers in the Making, offers young readers the chance to practice money management concepts through real-life examples, from earning to saving to spending.
Shifting the Money Mindset
Throughout the episode, Sykes challenges the notion that money defines our worth. “Money doesn’t define who you are,” she said. “It’s a tool for life. We need to stop connecting it with shame or failure.”
Her advice? To start small and build from there. Whether it’s setting aside $5 or $100 for a future goal, taking the first step is key. She adds, “If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start with one thing. It’s about progress, not perfection.”
Financial Wellness as Part of Overall Health
Sykes is passionate about making financial wellness a regular part of overall health, alongside physical and mental well-being. “We talk about mental health, physical health, but financial wellness isn’t even in the conversation,” she says. “It’s time we recognize that financial stress affects everything.”
Listen to the full episode of Better Together for practical tips on how to break the stigma around financial conversations and take control of your finances with confidence.
Got questions for Sykes about financial wellness? Send them in using the form below! We’ll invite her back for a follow-up episode to answer your questions.
The Village Voices
Join the conversation!