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The Mel Robbins PodcastThe Mel Robbins Podcast

If You Feel Overwhelmed & Uncertain About Money, Watch This

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — If you’re feeling overwhelmed about money, this episode is for you. Whether you want to pay off debt, increase your income, or have more money in the bank, this episode is a must-listen. For the first time on the podcast, Mel is sharing, in detail, the step-by-step approach she took to get out of $800,000 in debt, create financial freedom, and get good with money. Mel is also joined today by Lewis Howes, two-time New York Times bestselling author and host of the hit podcast The School of Greatness. Before he reached the success he has today, Lewis was broke, living on his sister’s couch, with no college degree. He shares the specific steps he took to start over, learn new skills, and the mindset and success habits he used to make and save money. Together, Mel and Lewis share the exact formulas they used to turn their lives around. Whether you’re trying to pay down debt, create an emergency fund, start a side hustle, or just have more money in the bank, you’re going to learn the things you should be doing right now to change your financial future. By the end of this episode, you will have the simple tools you need to start getting good with money. You’ll know that change is possible. And that you are worthy of financial peace and ease. You CAN get good with money. Starting today. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-288/ Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see In this episode: 00:00 Welcome 16:16 How Lewis Climbed Out of Debt 28:53 The Value of Small, Consistent Actions 33:00 The #1 Skill to Build If You Want to Achieve Your Goals 37:49 The 3 Key Steps to Improving Your Relationship with Money 45:32 Rewriting Your Story About Money — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

Lewis HowesguestMel Robbinshost
May 12, 20251h 9mWatch on YouTube ↗

At a glance

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

Transforming Money Stress Into Freedom: Heal Wounds, Build Wealth Intentionally

  1. Mel Robbins and Lewis Howes share their deeply personal stories of financial rock bottom—from sleeping on couches and stuffing free food into pockets to facing over a million dollars in debt and potential bankruptcy.
  2. They explain that most money problems are not just about income, but about unhealed “money wounds,” disempowering stories, and a lack of clear, values-based financial mission.
  3. Across the conversation, they outline a three-part framework: understand your money wounds, reset your money mindset, and define a meaningful money mission, combined with relentless but simple daily actions.
  4. The episode aims to show overwhelmed listeners that while getting out of debt and building wealth takes time and work, anyone can learn the tools, change their relationship with money, and create financial peace.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

Identify and write down your money wounds to change your story.

List early experiences and memories around money—shame, scarcity, humiliation, or conflict—so you can see how they still drive your behavior today and consciously choose a new narrative instead of unconsciously reenacting the old one.

Reset your money mindset by educating yourself and talking about money often.

Most people avoid money conversations and feel ignorant or ashamed; committing to learning (books, podcasts, mentors) and having regular, honest discussions about money gradually rewires your brain to feel safer, more confident, and more capable.

Create a clear, time-bound money mission—start with just three months.

Instead of vague dreams, define a specific short-term mission such as “pay off one credit card,” “learn to cook to cut takeout,” or “save $500,” and align your daily actions and spending with that goal to build momentum and a sense of control.

Take massive, imperfect action and build skills, even when you’re broke.

Lewis went from injured, broke athlete to LinkedIn expert and podcaster by emailing strangers, joining Toastmasters, doing free workshops, traveling cheaply, and saying yes to any opportunity that built skills and credibility; motion creates options.

Live far below your means while you rebuild your finances.

Sleeping on couches, taking buses, sharing apartments, and cutting nonessential expenses gave Lewis runway and safety; Mel describes scrutinizing bank statements and canceling subscriptions as the unglamorous but essential foundation of getting out of debt.

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

You don't feel worthy if you can't take care of yourself.

— Lewis Howes

I used to be like a walking financial red flag.

— Mel Robbins

I think a lot of people think it needs to be hard and stressful to make money…and it doesn’t need to be complicated.

— Lewis Howes

These wounds don’t have to stay open anymore.

— Lewis Howes

I am certain and know that you are lovable and you are deserving of love, and I don't want your past wounds, I don't want your money struggles to get in the way of you knowing that.

— Lewis Howes

Personal financial rock-bottom stories (debt, shame, and paralysis)Money wounds and childhood money memories shaping adult behaviorResetting your money mindset and emotional relationship with moneyDefining a meaningful money mission and short-term money goalsPractical action steps: skill-building, extreme frugality, and side incomeGenerosity and gratitude as core money principlesLeadership, self-regulation, and emotional healing as foundations for wealth

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