We’ve covered a lot of tough topics on Carrie On!—pelvic floors, parenting, reinvention—but nothing seems to stir up more discomfort than money. And yet, money is at the center of how we live, how we care for our families, and how we envision our futures.

In my conversation with Diana Greshtchuk, CEO of Fan Your Flame LLC and trauma-informed financial literacy coach, we dove headfirst into the messy, emotional, and often avoided parts of money: shame, debt, retirement, and even the role trauma plays in how we handle it all.

Carrie Murray and Diana Greshtchuk, CEO of **Fan Your Flame LLC**

You might have met Diana at a BRA Network event—Women on the Rise, Wealthy Women Summit, or even a Women of Wealth Push-Up Group. She’s the type of person who shows up. Always.

Generous with her time, her expertise, and her energy, Diana fully embodies two of BRA’s core values: Collaboration over Competition and keeping the money flowing between members by working with each other first.

And she doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks it. Whether she’s teaching us to reframe “good vs. bad debt” as helpful vs. unhelpful debt, reminding us that retirement isn’t a gift but a chapter of life we must prepare for, or encouraging us to take ourselves on a “money date” (wine and chocolate encouraged ), Diana makes finance feel approachable, empowering, and—dare I say—fun.

Her steadfast commitment to helping women build wealth and financial legacy was recognized when she was named BRA’s 2024 Woman on the Rise recipient. And if you’ve ever heard her speak, you know exactly why.

*Diana Greshtchuk with Carrie Murray at Women on the Rise*

Personal Finance Truth Bombs

Diana dropped some explosive truth bombs in this most recent episode of Carrie On! and you can’t afford to ignore them!

💣 #1. Past trauma shapes your money story

Many of us carry unspoken wounds around money—childhood scarcity, financial instability, or even being told we weren’t “good with money.” That trauma lingers. It can whisper:

“I’m not worthy of making more.”
“Wealth is for other people, not me.”
“I’ll never retire comfortably, so why even try?”

The truth? Trauma may have written the first draft of your money story, but YOU get to write the next chapter.

*Diana Greshtchuk speaking at the Wealthy Women Summit*

💣 #2. Shame is optional.

By 40, so many of us think, “I should already have a retirement account… I should be debt-free… I should be further along.”

That spiral of shoulds is shame talking. And shame? It’s not a strategy. Dropping judgment is the first step to financial empowerment.

💣 #3. Your retirement comes before your kids tuition.

This one stings. But Diana was crystal clear:

“Your daughter has 50 years to plan for retirement. You have 30. Focus on your oxygen mask first.”

Retirement is not a gift you get to open if you’re lucky—it’s a larger, intentional part of life that you must prepare for.

💣 #4. Debt isn’t bad - it’s either helpful or unhelpful.

Forget “good” vs. “bad” debt. Diana reframes it:
**Helpful debt** = education, a home, assets that generate future cash flow.
**Unhelpful debt** = high-interest credit card splurges that keep you stuck.
It’s not about morality, it’s about strategy.

💣 #5. Money dates are how you reclaim control.

It’s time to get “financially naked.”
Pour some wine, grab some chocolate, and face the numbers. Diana’s *Free Money Date Handbook* guides you through logging into your accounts, confronting what’s really there, and finally creating a plan.
It’s uncomfortable, but freedom lives on the other side of avoidance.

💣 #6. Security doesn’t come from a number.

Here’s the kicker: no amount of money will give you lasting peace if your mindset is fear-based. Security is not in the dollar amount… it’s in your confidence to manage it. As Diana said: “It’s an inside job.”

What to do? Plant some roots.

Visualize the retirement you want. Take consistent action.

Drop the shame. Get help when you need it.

And most importantly, remember: financial freedom isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about being brave enough to look at where you are, decide where you want to go, and carry on.

Honestly, retirement isn’t a luxury. It’s part of the life you deserve.

Watch our full conversation on YouTube.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Leave a comment and share what financial freedom or retirement looks like for you.
Learn more about Diana’s work and Fan Your Flame!

Until next time, keep your head above the chaos and carry on.

xo,
Carrie

Can I Afford to Retire? Money Trauma, Worthiness, and the Real Truth About Wealth with Diana Greshtchuk