True Wealth Podcast
Thriving in Love and Money: What Couples Are Really Arguing About
Key Takeaways
- Why most financial arguments are not actually about money.
- The emotional triggers behind money conflicts.
- How assumptions create tension between spouses.
- What Shaunti's research reveals about thriving couples.
- The role of communication in financial harmony.
- Why feeling understood matters more than being right.
- Practical ways to improve money conversations.
- Building unity around shared financial goals.
Meet the Guest
Shaunti Feldhahn
Show Notes
Why Couples Fight About Money Even When Money Isn’t the Problem
Why do couples with healthy finances still argue about money?
According to Shaunti Feldhahn’s research, most financial disagreements have very little to do with dollars, budgets, or investment accounts. Instead, they are often driven by deeper emotional factors such as security, trust, fear, expectations, and the assumptions each person brings into a relationship.
In this episode of the True Wealth Podcast, Kevin Engbers and Ryan Ovenden sit down with Shaunti Feldhahn, best-selling author, popular speaker, and nationally-renowned social researcher, to explore the surprising findings behind her research on marriage, communication, and money.
Drawing from years of studying thriving couples, Shaunti explains why financial conversations can become emotionally charged, how misunderstandings often fuel conflict, and what couples can do to create greater unity around their finances.
The conversation reveals that successful financial partnerships are rarely built on perfect budgets or flawless planning. They are built on understanding, communication, and a willingness to recognize the emotional realities that often exist beneath the surface of money discussions.
Whether you are newly married, preparing for marriage, or simply looking to improve communication with your spouse, this episode offers practical insights that can strengthen both your relationship and your financial life.